SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

Peruggi (Source: KCC Digest)

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: After nine years of serving as the first female leader of Kingsborough Community College, Dr. Regina Peruggi will retire at the end of the summer.

Peruggi, 65, announced her retirement in an April 5 letter to the school’s staff and faculty, in which she reflected on her time at the Manhattan Beach-based institution.

“These past nine years have been extraordinary ones for me. They have been challenging, creative, exciting, productive, and a great deal of fun,” Peruggi wrote in the letter. “I have met incredible individuals who have taught me a great deal and whose memory will be with me for years to come. Kingsborough faculty, staff, and students are the best in the country, and it has been a true privilege to work with each of you.”

Peruggi is expected to hand over the reigns to the school in August, although the school’s press office could not provide an exact date. The school’s spokespeople declined to comment on Peruggi’s retirement, as there has not yet been a public announcement.

Keep reading and see the farewell letter Peruggi sent to staff and faculty.

Commuters might bemoan this week’s chilly weather, but students of Kingsborough Community College’s culinary arts program took it as an opportunity to hit the beach and chisel some ice.

We went down to the school (2001 Oriental Boulevard) yesterday to pick up some papers at Community Board 15′s office – which, by the way, is temporarily without phone or internet service – and had the good luck of running into Chef Thomas Smyth, one of the head professors with their culinary arts program.

Smyth told us the 16 students of his cold-kitchen class spent four hours on the beach, chiseling away at the giant blocks of ice. Smyth himself wielded the chainsaw to bring the blocks down to size, and the blocks were sculpted into a penguin, a whale and two items that the students jokingly described as ashtrays.

“They get a survey of everything they could do in a cold kitchen,” including creating these decorations, Smyth said.

It’s the first time Smyth and the culinary arts program have been able to do ice sculptures at the school, since the ice supply has been an ongoing problem.

“Actually, this is the first year we managed to get the bloody ice,” Smyth said. “Just to get somebody to deliver a couple of blocks of ice to Kingsborough was a big deal, but now we’ve got that figured out.”

Next year, we demand the class make an ice sculpture of a Sheepshead fish. You hear me, Smyth?

View photos of all the sculptures and the class.

This is a paid announcement from Touro College’s Graduate School of Technology, a Jewish-sponsored non-sectarian independent institution of higher and professional education.

Touro College - Graduate School of Technology
Recognized internationally for excellence in teaching, service, and professional studies, Touro College enrolls over 19,000 students across the United States and on campuses in Berlin, Jerusalem, Moscow, and Paris.

The Graduate School of Technology’s mission is to educate “tomorrow’s technology leaders today,” through industry-driven programs that position students for the frontline of technology opportunities.

The Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) program features concentrations in Database Systems, Data Communications, Technology Leadership, and Web and Application Development. Current professionals, as well as newcomers to the field, are given the tools to upgrade and fine-tune their technology and managerial skills to transition into highly desirable information systems positions.

The Master of Arts in Web and Multimedia Design (WMM) program creatively fuses aesthetic sensitivity with digital programming savvy, and provides students with the skills needed to excel in such diverse fields as e-commerce, computer illustration, interface design, animation, gaming, and wireless communications.

The Master of Science in Instructional Technology program prepares educators and industry professionals to effectively use instructional technology in schools (Pre K-12), colleges, universities, or in business/industry settings.

The Touro College Graduate School of Technology Career Center offers a wide range of programs and resources to its students and alumni, which include:

• Learning job search techniques, and identifying potential full-time, part-time employment and internship opportunities
• Preparing resumes, assisting with job related correspondence, and developing interview skills

The Graduate School of Technology fosters small classes with individualized attention to students! For further information, visit us online. Call us to find out about our competitive scholarships and affordable tuition at (212) 463-0400 x5250.

The above is a paid announcement by The Graduate School of Technology at Touro College. Sheepshead Bites has not verified the claims made in this advertisement. If you own a business and would like to announce a special offer to tens of thousands of locals, e-mail us at advertising [at] sheepsheadbites [dot] com.

It didn’t take long after Hurricane Sandy’s tidal surge pummeled our coastline for the rumor mill to start churning out destruction anecdotes. According to the mill, Kinsgborough Community College was washed away. Its T buildings were in shambles, its iconic lighthouse-crowned MAC building toppled over and parking lots torn asunder.

We’re glad to report that’s not the case, but in the early aftermath, it was hard to say what was going on.

Continue Reading »

Kingsborough Community College. Photo by Erica Sherman

A year after topping the list of best community colleges in implementing technology, Kingsborough Community College, 2001 Oriental Boulevard, again earned high honors, finishing third overall for large colleges (10,000 students or more), according to the 2012 Digital Community Colleges Survey.

According to Before It’s News:

“Survey questions and criteria examined and scored areas of digital and emerging technologies, such as use of mobile devices and technology integration into curriculum; strategic planning and data management; and delivery models and professional development, including availability of technology tools and training for faculty and students.”

In Government Tech’s breakdown of the rankings, Kingsborough Community College, which has more than 38,000 students, was one of three overall winners from the state of New York, with Virginia leading all states with 10 community colleges cracking the list.

Kingsborough Community College (2001 Oriental Boulevard) was named one of the 10 best community colleges in the nation, and is in the running to win $1 million if they take home the number one ranking from The Aspen Institute.

The Aspen Institute put Kingsborough on their top 10 list after examining such factors as graduation rate, diversity, job placement and a variety of other criteria.

“I’m so excited,” said Kingsborough President Regina Peruggi, who told the New York Daily News that it is “recognition for the kind of hard work that’s been done at this institution for years.”

Kingsborough was the only school from New York State to make the list. In October, Aspen officials will visit each campus of the selected schools to determine which of the institutions will have an extra $1 million added to their budgets.

Peruggi stated that, if Kingsborough wins, she’ll spend the money on student scholarships and teacher development.

Kingsborough Community College (2001 Oriental Boulevard) is taking part in the ReServe’s College Success Coach Program, aimed at assisting recent high school graduates transition into their first year of college.

The program, funded by Open Society Foundations, will match 200 first-year students from community colleges across the city with trained mentors, who will provide students with academic advisement and on-campus counseling.

Participating students will receive support in a wide range of areas, including course selection, financial aid/FAFSA, college transfers, and career development. They will also receive the opportunity to take part in bi-monthly seminars focusing on time-management, study skills, and personal skills. ReServist mentors will check-in with students weekly by phone, and thereby facilitate communication between students, parents, and the school administration.

Research has shown that many students fail to complete their first year of college, despite programs provided by schools and nonprofit organizations. According to studies, one-on-one mentoring by an adult could help freshmen overcome the obstacles they face. Issues including the delay or loss of financial aid, organization, and acclimation to a rigorous college curriculum are widespread problems faced by new students.

The 200 students accepted into this program applied directly or through nomination by their high schools.

“We want you to have the best grades possible, to have the best experience possible and to get the best opportunities you can when you graduate,” said Euriphile Joseph, chief operating officer at ReServe. “These mentors will help you be successful.”

Over 60 years old and never received the college degree you always dreamed of because you couldn’t afford it? Want to start a new career or obtain knowledge in a new field, but don’t possess the funds necessary for a college education? Take advantage of Kingsborough Community College’s “My Turn” Program!

“My Turn,” is a tuition-free college program which offers senior citizens the opportunity to join regular college classes, and enjoy KBCC’s beautiful campus in Manhattan Beach. The program offers over 400 classes in a broad range of fields, including art, fashion, literature, health, and business. Participants can also join other exciting events, to help enhance their educational experience.

“We also have trips, fundraisers and discussion groups,” said Dr. Barbara Ginsberg, who founded the program in 1981, in a press release. “In our discussions we talk about timely documents, politics and several mentoring programs.”

Keep reading for the details.

Five Kingsborough Community College (2001 Oriental Boulevard) athletes were presented with awards from the National Junior College Athletic Association this year for excellence on and off the field.

The athletes not only demonstrated excellent sportsmanship, but have also shown outstanding academic abilities and dedication to their studies.

The NJCAA awards are separated into three categories. First, the Pinnacle Award for Academic Excellence, which is presented to student-athletes who have sustained a GPA of a 4.0 for at least three semesters. Also awarded is the Superior Academic Achievement Award, which credits student-athletes who have maintained an overall GPA between 3.8 and 3.99. Finally, the Exemplary Academic Achievement Award, which is awarded to student-athletes with a GPA between 3.6 and 3.79.

These five students were included on the NJCAA Academic student athlete’s awards list:

Zenia George: While at Kingsborough, George has maintained a 3.67 grade point average, in addition to partaking in athletics, and various other extracurricular activities. This June is the seventh time in which her name appears on the NJCAA awards. George just obtained her degree in Community Health and Gerontology, and will attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, with a full scholarship for Track and Field.

Daniel Rabinovich: Rabinovich was leader of the tennis team, and has portrayed excellent athletic abilities. He will graduate from Kingsborough with a 3.88 GPA and a degree in Liberal Arts.

Andre Doeman: Doeman received his degree in Liberal Arts with an average of 3.66. Throughout his experience with KCC Athletics, Doeman was a strong track runner. He has helped the college team reach the nationals for both Indoors and Outdoors Track and Field, a knee injury notwithstanding.

Taras Frankisvkyy: Frankivskyy became the KCC men’s soccer team captain after only one season on the team, and emerged as a great leader. He graduated in January 2012 in Biology with a 3.63 GPA and has now completed a semester at Brooklyn College.

Chi Choi: Choi has been a prized KCC soccer played with a great positive attitude, despite injuries during his second season.  He graduated in June 2012 with a 3.88 GPA in Business Administration.

Balancing excellence in athletics alongside excellence in academics is extremely difficult. Kudos to the athletes who received these awards!

Joseph Pinsky (Source: CBS 2)

An 85-year-old World War II veteran graduated from Kingsborough Community College (2001 Oriental Boulevard) on Tuesday, after 10 years of much work, effort and serious commitment.

It took the graduate, Joseph Pinsky, 10 years to obtain a college degree because of severe health issues and surgeries for both him and his wife, Rosalind. Pinsky credits this accomplishment to Rosalind, who pushed him and motivated him to obtain a degree from college. He and Rosalind have been married for the past 38 years.

“I’m very proud of him because I asked him ‘What are you going to do when you retire? You have to do something,’” said Pinsky’s wife, Rosalind to CBS News.

Pinsky graduated from high school in 1944, where he studied aviation mechanics. Immediately upon graduation, used the education that he received, enlisted in the United States Army, and served in the Philippines during World War II. He then worked for the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier supervisor. He enrolled in college after retiring.

Pinsky enjoyed college and found it to be a highly satisfying and worthwhile experience. He took pleasure in learning with younger students, many of whom could have been his grandchildren. He felt as though working with young individuals helped keep his mind working.

“Believe it or not, working with young people, it was stimulating and they treated me like one of the group,” Joseph told CBS News.

While in college, Pinsky took ill. He was extremely reluctant to return to his studies after recovering. But once again, his wife stepped in, and urged him to continue and finish what he began.

Pinsky’s devotion and dedication have made him a good role model for all, including his own grandson, Kyle Murphy. Pinsky showed his grandson the importance of obtaining a level of higher education.

“I want to study what I’m studying now — math, science, social studies, everything,” Murphy said to CBS.

Pinsky said that would love to continue studying, and hopes to acquire a Bachelor’s degree in the upcoming years.