November 2024

As campus events keep reminding me, Queens College is a remarkable community—remarkable in the support of its alumni and friends, remarkable in the talents of its students, and remarkable in the dedication of its faculty and staff.

The Pine Tree Foundation of New York and its trustee Szilvia Szmuk-Tanenbaum ’68—formerly special collections librarian at St. John’s University—have been more than generous to QC. Their gifts support the Charles J. Tanenbaum Room and the Pine Tree Foundation Special Collections Area in Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library, and the calligraphy courses offered by the Art Department’s book arts program. Szilvia and some of her Pine Tree colleagues and friends came to campus on Tuesday, October 29, for lunch and a tour that encompassed library facilities, the Godwin-Ternbach Museum, and the Book Arts Studio, as well as the Louis Armstrong Center. As a fellow bibliophile, I have enjoyed many conversations with Szilvia about her collections. She is a specialist in Spanish “golden age” theatre and manuscript cookbooks. Her interests have prompted her to support our archival projects and book arts.

Szilvia Szmuk-Tanenbaum stands out in a green jacket as takes in a show at the Godwin-Ternbach Museum (above) and (in the next three photos) strolls around campus, stops at the book arts studio, and visits the Louis Armstrong Center.

David C. Weinstein, founder and CEO of Write the World—a nonprofit dedicated to developing teenagers’ writing and critical thinking skills—visited campus that day, too. He had coffee and cookies with scholarship recipients provided with his support. 

From left: Director of Leadership Giving Sara Kahan, Vice President for Institutional Advancement/Alumni Relations Laurie Dorf, President Frank H. Wu, Olivia Hyman, David C. Weinstein, Kimberly Acichabala, Associate Provost for Innovation and Student Success Nathalia Holtzman, Director of Donor Relations Joann Acquista

That evening, the Academic Excellence Awards Ceremony acknowledged high-achieving students. I had the honor of presenting the President’s Medal, our highest administrative honor, to Weinstein. He delivered a superb keynote speech to a large audience at Colden Auditorium, including proud family members. David has honored his late mother, Molly Weinstein ’77, who returned to continue her education after raising David and his sister. Ms. Weinstein earned her master’s degree, then joined the faculty, teaching philosophy and challenging her students to consider how to lead their best lives. I want to especially thank moderator Taruna Sadhoo and her great team for working so well with all of our college offices to ensure a most memorable program.

Students come to QC for an education that opens professional doors. At a hybrid School of Earth and Environmental Sciences presentation on Wednesday, October 30, guest speakers Sara Cernadas-Martin, an NEIWPCC environmental analyst with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Woo Sung Park, an urban park ranger with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, talked about career opportunities for environmental science majors and fielded questions.

Sara Cernadas-Martin

Woo Sung Park

QC is a leader in teacher preparation, and part of that critical work is diversifying the educational pipeline. NYC Men Teach is directed by Nathaniel Smith and recruits, trains, and places men of color in the teaching profession. On Friday, November 1, QC hosted the NYC Men Teach 6th Annual Innovation in Education Conference over Zoom, and I had the opportunity to say a few words. 

I’d like to wish both our men’s and women’s soccer teams good luck when they compete in the East Coast Conference (ECC) playoffs beginning this week.

Our men’s team had an incredible season, going undefeated in ECC play and winning their first-ever regular season title. Junior forward Harry Cooke has been unstoppable for the Knights, as he leads the nation in both goals (22) and points (51). The Knights have a bye in the first round of the playoffs. They will play in the semifinals on Sunday, November 10 against the winner of Molloy University and D’Youville University. The game will take place on our beautiful soccer pitch at 7 pm.  

The women’s team is the #3 seed in the ECC playoffs. They will host St. Thomas Aquinas College this Thursday, November 7, at 7 pm in the quarterfinals. Should they win, they would advance to the semifinals against Daemen University on Sunday at 11 am in Amherst, NY.

Be sure to come out and support both our Knights teams this week in their quest for an ECC Championship. Go Knights!!

Fall means the onset of shorter days, which some people find depressing. Students stressed by seasonal affective disorder, world events or the prospect of final exams can reach Counseling Services by calling 718-997-5420 or sending an email to counselingservices@qc.cuny.edu. Help is also available through the CUNY Crisis Text Line; for access, text CUNY to 741741. Faculty and staff can contact CCA@Your Service, the CUNY work/life program. Call 800-833-8707 or visit myccaonline.com and use the company code CUNY.

I take pride in the tremendous diversity of the QC community and our efforts to make everyone, regardless of their background, feel at home here. It was great news when the Anti-Defamation League commended QC last week among only ten colleges nationwide, for programs and initiatives addressing antisemitism. I discussed this topic and others with Robert Skolnick ’73, president of the New York Region of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), on Monday, November 4. I have been involved with AJC since traveling to Israel 24 years ago through their Project Interchange program, and I have continued to pursue bridge-building efforts with their Asia Pacific Institute.

From left: Vice President for Communications and Marketing and Senior Advisor to the President Jay Hershenson, Queens College Hillel Managing Director Darone Ruskay, President Frank H. Wu, AJC New York President Rob Skolnick, AJC New York Assistant Director Marisa Bearak 

QC is fortunate to have multiple CUNY distinguished professors—a title that recognizes extraordinary scholarship—within our faculty. On Monday, a group of those professors joined Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia Price and me for lunch.

Occasional double-booking is part of my job. After dining with CUNY distinguished professors, I made time to swing by the First Generation Celebration Luncheon. Colleges across the country hold events to mark the anniversary of the Higher Education Act, signed on November 8, 1965. The legislation increased support for institutions of higher education and the students attending them.

I’m delighted to refer to Patricia Price by her new title! As I notified the campus in a recent mailer, she was appointed to her position as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost after serving on an interim basis for two years. Another significant administrative appointment, also announced by mailer, is that of Executive Counsel and Labor Designee Dennis Cohen. I am most grateful to the search committees and panels that participated in the recruitment and recommendation process. I hope you’ll join me in congratulating these two outstanding appointees, who were approved last week by the CUNY Board of Trustees.

Patricia Price

Dennis Cohen

The presidential campaign has been on everyone’s minds. As you know, today—November 5—is Election Day. Many people, including yours truly, went to early polling sites; others mailed in their ballots. I encourage all registered voters who haven’t already voted to make time to do so. Per CUNY policy employees can use up to three hours of paid time to vote.

With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, I’ll take this opportunity to wish everyone a wonderful holiday and, for those heading out of town, easy travel during one of the busiest times of the year. Stay safe and well!