BMCC Foundation Hosts “Invest in a Future" Gala, June 6
The BMCC Foundation 2016 Gala, “Invest in a Future,” is scheduled on Monday, June 6, 2016 at Brookfield Place, 225 Liberty Street. Cocktail reception begins at 5:45 p.m., followed by a dinner and program at 6:45 p.m. This year’s honorees are Don Callahan, Head of Operations and Technology at Citi, and Garrett Moran, President of Year Up. This year’s special Guest Honoree is Edie Falco, Four-Time Emmy Award Winner, Golden Globe Award Winner and Tony Award-Nominated Actress and Philanthropist. Proceeds benefit the BMCC Scholarship Fund. For more information, contact Hyacinth Camillieri, (212) 220-8020 or hcamillieri@bmcc.cuny.edu.

BMCC Professor Sophia Aidiniou Builds Organ Donor Awareness
BMCC Health Education Professor Sophia Aidiniou and Karen Cummings, a New York organ donor education specialist, appeared together on the CUNY Television episode, “Independent Sources: Crisis not Averted” that first aired March 29. Their segment begins at 16:20 into the episode, and examines cultural reasons that people do not register as organ donors in New York City. Every November at BMCC, Professor Aidiniou helps raise awareness of organ donation by teaming up with the organizations LiveOnNY and Long Island TRIO for a speaker event at the college. She also recruits about 15 students every year to become trained as peer educators on the importance of organ donation and the New York State Organ Donor Registry. “The students are very hard working and dedicated,” she says. “Plus they get Co-Curricular credits for their volunteer work educating the BMCC community about organ donation.” More than 350 organ donors at BMCC have signed up since the annual speaker event started in Fall 2013, says Professor Aidiniou, who received the 2016 "Making a Difference in the Community” Award for her contribution to organ donor enrollments. “Every day in the United States, 18 people die waiting for an organ transplant, but one tissue donor can save or improve the lives of up to 50 people.”

BMCC Presents Asian Heritage Month BMCC takes great pride in its diverse population enriched with many cultures. Throughout the month of April, the College is presenting lectures, performances and activities to celebrate Asian Heritage Month. This year’s theme is “Music(As)ians,” in recognition of music in the Asian culture.

Measure for Measure Opens April 14
The BMCC Speech, Communication, and Theater Arts Department presents Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure” in Theatre 2 on BMCC’s main campus, 199 Chambers Street. The play is directed and was adapted by Professor Diane Dowling. Opening night is Thursday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m. The play will also run on Friday, April 15 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, April 16 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 17 at 2:00 p.m.

Writing and Literature Students Win Awards
The 12th Annual BMCC English Department Faculty Writing Awards ceremony honoring outstanding student writing was held April 13 in Richard Harris Terrace. Award-winning writer Mazza Mengiste, author of “Beneath the Lion’s Gaze,” was keynote speaker. Honored guests included BMCC Provost and Vice President Karrin Wilks, and Dean of Faculty James Berg. Student winners, all Writing and Literature majors, included Colby Dalton Sample who won first place ($250) for "The Green Bird," a play that combines humor with romance while channeling the spirit of the Surrealists and Ionesco; Sara-Meagan Phillips won second place ($150) for "Survival of Self Versus Survival of the Polis," an academic paper examining the philosophically charged works of Tadeusz Borowski and Hannah Arendt, and Brandon Velez won third place ($50) for "The Shadow Trail," an excerpt from a mystery novel set in an allegorical New York City in the years after World War II. Kira Cummings received Honorable Mention for “Christina, A Grim Adaptation of Cinderella.” Award funds come entirely from BMCC English Department faculty.

BMCC Mobile App is Here!
Getting information about Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) just got a little easier. Now, anyone can Start Here. Access Anywhere with a mobile device. BMCC has a new free mobile app for Android and Apple devices, available through the Apple App Store and through the Google Play Store.

BMCC Admissions Unveils New Website to Enhance Service
BMCC’s Admissions Office offers services to a diverse population of students who seek a high-quality college learning experience. The office has refined its website by offering information tailored to different kinds of students that include: First-time Freshmen, Transfer Students, Students Seeking ReAdmission, Non-degree Students, Military and Veterans and International Students. The new website also cross-references services and programs offered through other BMCC departments in order to provide a well-rounded user experience for website visitors.

BMCC Express Open House Celebration, April 20 Everyone is invited to the BMCC Express Open House Celebration from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., April 20. The event will feature giveaways, refreshments and an opportunity to meet staff members who are ready to assist visitors. BMCC Express, located at 255 Greenwich Street, is a one-stop, centralized information center that provides quick access to a variety of services that include Admissions, Bursar, Continuing Education and Workforce Development, Student Services and more. Come join us!

BMCC Celebrates Counseling Awareness Month
BMCC’s Counseling Center is offering a variety of activities and services in recognition of Counseling Awareness Month. Counselors assist students in addressing psychological and adjustment issues (i.e., depression, anxiety, and relationships) and problems or issues including stress/time management that can negatively impact academic performance, student retention, graduation rates, and quality of life. The Center works collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to create and maintain a campus environment that encourages and supports psychological well-being.

BMCC Hosts Sustainability Fair 2016
BMCC is aware of the critical role it plays in the region’s ecology and is committed to integrating sustainability into the design and management of its physical campus operations. However, to exercise genuine leadership in this arena, BMCC realizes it must also weave sustainability awareness into the fabric of college life by integrating it into its core activities of teaching, research, and outreach. In this effort, BMCC’s Sustainability Committee has scheduled a series of events including EcoCinema on Thursday, April 21, from 12 noon to 5:30 p.m. In the BMCC Student Dining Hall, that features a series of films focusing on environmental topics.

BMCC Public Safety Offers Informative Video in Light of Recent Crises on U.S. College Campuses The BMCC Public Safety Service is here to foster the mission of the college by providing a safe, secure and comfortable environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Public Safety is offering the video “Run, Hide, Fight: Surviving an Active Shooter Event” on its updated website to inform the campus of safety procedures.

Summer Tuition Waivers
BMCC will offer Summer 2016 tuition waivers for courses counting toward degree completion to eligible, matriculating BMCC students who are New York State residents (U.S. citizen or permanent resident). Each eligible student may use no more than one tuition waiver in the summer session starting May 31, and no more than one tuition waiver in the summer session starting July 19. Learn more.

BMCC to Celebrate 51st Commencement, June 3
BMCC Faculty and Staff: On Friday, June 3, BMCC will celebrate its 51st commencement and the College will be having two ceremonies – one will be in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Both ceremonies will be held at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Morning Ceremony
• Faculty and staff members who will be participating in the Morning Ceremony may start arriving at 9:00 a.m., but no later than 10:15 a.m. (information regarding caps and gowns will follow).
• Students may start arriving at 9:30 a.m., but no later than 9:45 a.m.
• Students in the following majors will attend the Morning Ceremony: Accounting, Business Management, Computer Information Systems, Teacher Education, English, Education, Mathematics, Media Arts & Technology, Science and Speech, Communications and Theatre Arts, Music & Arts and Modern Language.
• The ceremony is expected to end no later than 1:30 p.m.

Afternoon Ceremony
• Faculty and staff members who will be participating in the Afternoon Ceremony may start arriving at 1:30 p.m., but no later than 2:15 p.m. (information regarding caps and gowns will follow).
• Students may start arriving at 1:50 p.m., but no later than 2:05 p.m.
• Students in the following majors will attend the Afternoon Ceremony: Liberal Arts, Allied Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Human Services & Criminal Justice and Nursing.
• The ceremony is expected to end no later than 5:45 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: It is preferred, but not mandatory, that faculty members who have students majoring in an area of study or department listed above, attend the ceremony to which their students are assigned. Faculty and staff members who do not have students majoring in an area of study in their department may attend either ceremony.

Additional details and the role of faculty and staff for both events will be provided shortly. For more information, call the Office of Student Affairs at (212) 220-8130.

Tribeca Film Festival 2016: Where to Eat, Drink and Get Coffee April 11, 2016 – amNewYork

BMCC Student Alex Atkinson Interviewed in “Bernie Sanders Returns Home to Brooklyn for Rally” Article
April 12, 2016 - The Advertiser

BMCC TPAC Mentioned in "The Eight Best Non-Film Events to Catch at The 2016 Tribeca Film Festival” Article
April 12, 2016 – Time Out NY

“Highlights in Jazz” Concert at BMCC’s Tribeca Performing Arts Center Featured
April 12, 2016 – Jazz News

BMCC Liberal Arts Major Mohammed Altareb Interviewed in “Fostering World Travelers.”
April 12, 2016 – NYPress: StraussMedia

BMCC Alumni Council Encourages Participation in Events and Networking
BMCC’s Alumni Council was formed to invite BMCC alumni who are interested in strengthening relationships between alumni and the college. For information contact Joy Cooper, Director of Development, at jcooper@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Ways to Give
The BMCC Foundation is grateful for contributions of al types and at all levels. Learn about the ways you can help ensure student success and make a difference at BMCC.

BMCC Student Artists Present “Year in Review”
Through May 7

Celebrate at the Library: Free Cupcakes and Contest
April 15

The Truth About Suicide: Real Stories of Depression in College
April 18

Learn About Upcoming Events at the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship

@BMCC is produced and published by the Office of Public Affairs. Faculty and staff who wish to submit items for @BMCC can send them to publicaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu