Science Major Aurela Dragani Wins Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship
BMCC Science major Aurela Dragani (center) has been awarded the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which provides up to $40,000 a year toward a bachelor’s degree program. Dragani is a 4.0 student at BMCC and has been involved in cellular research with Science Professor Mario F. Benavides, looking at the possible causes and treatments of rare genetic diseases. Dragani has also been awarded the BMCC Foundation’s Loretta Lee Scholarship and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa.

BMCC Produces Seven Gilman Scholars and Five Hosteling International USA Scholars, to Study Abroad in Summer 2016
Seven BMCC students—the second largest number among all community colleges in the United States— were selected to receive the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to take part in BMCC Study Abroad in Summer 2016. The Gilman Scholars are: Daisy Crispin, Miriam El, James Perez, Rafael Gell, Michelle Murillo, Jessica Bravo-Martinez and Jane Wu.

BMCC Foundation 2016 Gala Moves to Cipriani, 25 Broadway
The BMCC Foundation 2016 Gala, “Invest in a Future” will now be held at Cipriani, 25 Broadway. This annual event is scheduled for Monday, June 6. A cocktail reception will begin at 5:45 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m. The event will conclude by 9:00 p.m. This year’s Honorees are Don Callahan, Head of Operations & Technology, Citi, and Garrett Moran, President, Year Up. Proceeds from the event benefit the BMCC Scholarship Fund. Special Guest Star Honoree is Edie Falco; Four-Time Emmy Award Winner, Golden Globe Award Winner and Tony Award-Nominated Actress and Philanthropist. Cindy Hsu, Emmy award-winning CBS 2 News anchor and reporter will be MC for the evening.

Five BMCC Students Accepted to NYU for Fall 2016 Through POISE Program
Five BMCC students have been accepted to the College of Arts and Science through the POISE (Pipeline Opportunities for Inter-College STEM Education) program at BMCC. POISE is a collaborative effort between BMCC and the Academic Achievement Program (AAP) within NYU’s College of Arts and Science (CAS). It creates a pipeline linking BMCC students to bachelor’s degree programs at NYU where they continue their education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), as well as in psychology and related majors. The BMCC students admitted to the new POISE cohort are Christoni Mbiada Fongue, Bintou Kone, Kristen-Kaye Barnaby, Diandra Williams and Ricardo dos Santos Almeida Nunes.

BMCC Student Athlete Jhoanna Castro Joins CUNY Goodwill Tour to Cuba Criminal Justice major Jhoanna Castro joined 15 other scholar-athletes from around the CUNY Athletic Conference to attend the CUNY2CUBA Goodwill Tour. The 16 athletes, along with CUNYAC staff members, set out on the trip on April 22 with goals of learning about the history of the island nation and to grow in appreciation for the opportunities in the United States, while also helping to create bonds with the people of the Cuba through sports.

Tony-nominee Brandon Victor Dixon Meets with BMCC Students
On May 23, Tony nominee Brandon Victor Dixon, co-founder of WalkFlyRun Productions, presented a mini master class to Professor Katherine Kavanagh’s Advanced Theatre Workshop in Theatre I. The students presented a new musical they are creating, and Dixon provided critical feedback. At the piano was Janet Noh, a musical and book composer, who Professor Kavanagh was able to invite in throughout the semester thanks to an Enhanced Learning in the Classroom (ELIC) grant.

BMCC Joins CUNY to Bring Awareness to Community Needs
At BMCC, our understanding of diversity is continuing to expand. In response to the awareness and needs of our transgender community members, BMCC is posting signs in all single-sex facilities, including restroom and locker rooms stating: “Under the law, all individuals have the right to use the single-sex facility consistent with the gender identity or expression.” In addition, BMCC is posting signs outside single-occupancy restrooms that state: “This restroom may be used by persons of all genders.”

A CUNY-wide legal and administrative task force is currently being constituted to review legal requirements and best practices related to issues of gender identity and gender expression, and to formulate guidance to ensure that CUNY is in compliance with the law and addresses these issues in an appropriate and thoughtful manner. Based on the conclusions of the task force, the CUNY Office of the General Counsel and Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs will issue further guidance addressing these issues in more detail, including related issues such as preferred names and pronouns, residence hall policies, and education and training. For more information, visit www.cuny.edu.

BMCC Hosts 51st Commencement at Madison Square Garden, June 3
On Friday, June 3, BMCC will celebrate its 51st commencement and the College will be having two ceremonies – one will be in the morning, from 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and the other in the afternoon, from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Both ceremonies will be held at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza. The valedictorians are Business Administration major Alex Guarino in the morning, and Liberal Arts major Teri Talbot in the afternoon. BMCC President Antonio Pérez will present the 2016 BMCC President’s Medal to Lloyd Blankfein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. during the morning ceremony. He will present the President’s Medal to American Express in the afternoon.

BMCC Units Partner with Melissa Riggio Higher Education Program
BMCC recently celebrated the end of term with the Melissa Riggio Higher Education Program. The collaborative effort by the Office of Student Affairss, the Office of Accessibility, in partnership with Academic Affairs, arranges for students with accessibility issues to audit college courses. These students work with a mentor, assimilate into the college class, and more often than not, do outstanding work. During the discussion, Xico Greenwald, one of the professors participating in the project, presented quality artwork created by his assigned students. Participating faculty from academic departments including English, Human Services, History, and Art were recognized for their enthusiastic participation. Next year, BMCC anticipates an increase in participation. “Over 120 faculty have contacted us already, expressing interest in participating in the project,” said Erwin Wong, Dean for Academic Programs and Instruction.

Summer Tuition Waivers: Priority Given to Students who Register by July 8 for Summer Session II 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 Video Arts and Technology major Lateef Romeo posts blog on helping other students apply to college
May 23, 2016 — The Huffington Post

BMCC professors Kathleen Offenholly and Ching-Song Wei featured in article about their NSF-funded, game-based mathematics curriculum
May 21, 2016 — Gaming Cypher

The Michael Vincent Rosen Pipitone Foundation raises money for scholarships for young adults at BMCC and other organizations
May 20, 2016 — BroadwayWorld.com

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.

Lost Jazz Shrines 2016: Sweet Basil - Remembering Lester Bowie June 4

Free one-day CPR training Through June 30

The Conference of Birds Exhibit Runs Through July 9

BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center Listings

Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship Listings

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