Lecture: How the
ocean is changing and what it means to you. Dr. Carl Safina,
Purchase College alumni was the quest speaker for the RSVP
Spring Reunion. Dr. Safina is the author of the Song for the
Bye and President of the Blue Ocean Institute. His
lecture “How the Ocean is Changing and What it Means to You” was
held at the Recital Hall Performing Arts Center of Purchase
College. Over 85 students and faculty were present. At this
event, the program graduates were acknowledged and new students
were presented.
2007 Summer
Research Orientation
April 27th-28th 2007
This year the RSVP
program inaugurated a “Summer Research Orientation Weekend.”
Students had the opportunity to meet their mentors/research
sponsors and got first hand information about the program and
Purchase College while meeting other students. On Saturday,
April 28th the students participated in the “Purchase
College Students Symposium” and got acquainted with the format
of a formal power point and poster presentations. Summer field
suites housed the program members for an over-night stay. Fifty
five students and faculty joined in to celebrate this new
program.
The Mentoring Club
January 31, 2007
On January 31st,
the RSVP program started a “Mentoring Club” where
students who are receiving scholarships/funding from the RSVP
program and other "at risk" science students could receive help
in the sciences. The objective of the Mentoring Club is to host
workshops the helps students deal with study skills, time
management, and overall better grades. The Mentoring Club
provides support and academic guidance by hosting workshops.
Mentors Maria Gervitz, Brandon Jackson, Ryan Roach, Junie
Bertrand, and Luis Jusino administered this bi-weekly workshop
throughout the semester.
Third Annual
Bridges/RSVP Reunion and Reception for New Students
December 2, 2006
On December 2 nd,
2006, Dr. Skrivanek and Theresa James held a reunion/reception
for students who have either achieved a baccalaureate degree
within the program, presently earning a baccalaureate degree
within the program, and those who are candidates for the 06-07
RSVP program. Beverly Leon (05 Purchase graduate),
environmental educator for the "Nature of Things," and Marissa
Goberdhan (06 Purchase graduate) now a first year graduate at
CUNY, were the keynote speakers. The theme was "Life After the
Bridges/RSVP Programs." This reception was instrumental to
meeting and learning about the new 2007 summer research
candidates.
Students left very excited about the program and looking forward to
upcoming summer research. Theresa James entertained the
attendees with
her festive cuisine and her welcoming Purchase hospitality. The
Purchase College Bridges and RSVP program would like to thank
our collaborating hosts and guests for attending this very
eventful occasion.
The 2006 ABRCMS
Conference was held November 8-12th at the Anaheim Convention
Center & Anaheim Marriot, Anaheim, California. Dr. Joe
Skrivanek, Dr. Jim Daly, and Theresa James accompanied seven
Purchase students to this conference. ABRCMS is now the largest
conference of its kind for minority students. Students come from
as far as Guam, Puerto Rico, and other third world countries to
attend this conference.
November of 2005
the National ABRCMS Conference was held in Atlanta, Georgia.
Over 2,000 Biomedical students attended five of which were
Purchase college students. The five students were selected by
Dr. Skrivanek, Director of the Bridges and RSVP program, through
the RSVP and Bridges research program held every summer at
Purchase College.
Beverly
Leon receiving her award
Beverly Leon was one of the 90 recipients who proudly took home
an award for her environmental poster “Wetland Habitat Use by
Bog Turtles,” and a check for $200. Every year Bridge’s and
RSVP students look forward to attending and presenting their
posters at the ABRCMS Conference. The Annual Biomedical Research
Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) is a national
conference designed to encourage students to pursue advanced
training in the biomedical sciences or behavioral sciences,
including mathematics and provide faculty mentors and advisors
with resources for facilitating student success. The Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority
Students (ABRCMS) is sponsored by The National Institute of
General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), Division of Minority
Opportunities in Research Program (MORE) and managed by the
American Society for Microbiology (ASM).During this four-day conference, there are scientific
sessions, professional development workshops, poster sessions,
exhibits and many networking opportunities.
This conference provides opportunities for:
Students to share their research project data and
demonstrate scientific knowledge
Students and faculty advisers to learn about high quality,
significant scientific research in the biomedical sciences
and to meet individuals who serve as role models and
mentors.
Students and faculty, as well as more program directors, to
enhance their professional development as biomedical
scientists, advisers, educators, and leaders.
Students to
learn about graduate programs and research fellowships in
the biomedical sciences.
Science Pedagogy
Workshops
As part of the second strategy,
last spring we began a series of Pedagogy Workshops for
community college faculty. The third workshop in the series was
held on November 4. Twelve faculty from three different
community colleges attended two related sessions on strategies
for better learning in introductory courses. The sessions were
conducted by Dr. James Haynes of SUNY Brockport. Dr. Haynes is
an Environmental Biologist with approximately fifteen years of
experience in helping teachers find betters ways to teach
science to both majors and non-majors. Dr. Haynes’ work is
supported by an NSF grant, thus his participation in Purchase’s
NSF Program represents a nice synergy.
In the morning session, Dr.
Haynes talked about “Proven Approaches for Better Learning of
Science by Majors and Non-majors.” The afternoon session was a
hands-on computer workshop on “Analyzing Stream Health: A
Multi-Disciplinary Approach for Better Student Learning in
Science and Math.” Judging from faculty reaction and their
written evaluations, Dr. Haynes presentation was a huge success.
Many of the faculty indicated that they are planning to
incorporate strategies into their courses.
Natural
Sciences Office of Student Support Services
September
28, 2006, The School of Natural and Social Sciences faculty and
students took time out to enjoy barbecued hamburgers and
hotdogs prepared by Einstein Corner tutors. This occasion was
instrumental in establishing camaraderie between the Natural and
Social Sciences students. This barbecue was funded by the NS
Office of Student Support Services, which is part of the
NSF-RSVP Program.
Dr. Joanne
Tillotson, and husband, Mark Kivela
2006 Annual Bridges
and RSVP Lecture and Dinner was held on April 5th. Purchase
College alumna, Dr. Elizabeth Bundock, New York City Medical
Examiner, was our guest speaker. Most of the Bridges, RSVP and
CSTEP members from collaborating community colleges, as well as
the Purchase community, attended this event. It was at this
occasion that students were rewarded for there persistence and
dedication to the program and furthering their own education.
Some, anticipating graduation, were accepted at medical school,
while others went further into research or joined the working
force.
Beverly
Leon receiving her award
