Nyack College & Alliance Theological Seminary
Faculty & Staff Achievements | SPRING 2015

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Nyack College School of Music Concert at
Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center


 
 

We're only a couple days away from our exciting spring event featuring the Nyack College School of Music on Friday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. on the stage of Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center.

 

Music students, alumni, and faculty from both campuses will headline "A Concert Celebrating God's Faithfulness" at Lincoln Center's 2,700-seat venue. An unforgettable evening is in store with this presentation of an eclectic repertoire of classical, contemporary, and sacred music.

 

One of the highlights of this year's program is the commissioned work of acclaimed composer/conductor, Dr. Victoria Bond. Dr. Bond says, "I am honored and delighted to be commissioned by Nyack College to compose a work for the chorus and instrumentalists based on the Jewish prayer "Tal" which relates to the Passover holiday. The opportunity to compose a work from the Jewish tradition which also fits the Gospel tradition is very meaningful to me, as I embrace all who seek God."

 

How can you help make this event a success?

  • Purchase tickets, which range from $25 to $10. NOTE: Because the ticket prices have been made so affordable, discounts are not available.
  • Invite family and friends to purchase tickets.
  • Cover this event with prayer.

Buy your tickets online here for an unforgettable evening! Or visit the Avery Fisher Hall box office at 65 Columbus Avenue and Broadway in Manhattan.

 

Commencement 2015 Events


AGSC Hooding Ceremony

Wednesday, May 6, 4:30 PM

The Venetian

546 River Drive, Garfield, NJ

 

MBA/MSOL Hooding Ceremony

Thursday, May 7, 11:00 AM

Casa Mia Manor House

577 Route 303, Blauvelt, NY

 

ATS Hooding Ceremony

Thursday, May 7, 7:00 PM

Bethel Gospel Assembly

2-26 East 120th Street, New York, NY

 

MSED Hooding Ceremony

Friday, May 8, 12:00 PM

Presidents' Hall; Shuman Hall

School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony

Friday, May 8, 3:00 PM

Pardington Hall

 

Baccalaureate - Manhattan Campus

Wednesday, May 6, 6:00 PM

Music Auditorium, Room 2241

Reception following

 

Baccalaureate - Rockland Campus

Friday, May 8, 7:00 PM

Bowman Gymnasium

Reception following

 

Commencement Exercises

Saturday, May 9, 2:00 PM

Westchester County Center

198 Central Ave, White Plains, NY

 

Division of Student Success Awarded Certification

The Division of Student Success has been granted General Certification for Nyack College's Developmental Coursework Program by the National Association for Developmental Education (NADE). The official award was presented at the awards ceremony on February 26, 2015, at the NADE Conference in Greenville, South Carolina.

 

A leading voice in developmental education, NADE focuses on the academic success of students. It seeks to improve the theory and practice of developmental education at all levels of the educational spectrum, the professional capabilities of developmental educators, and the design of programs to prepare developmental educators.

 

Achieving NADE Certification is a significant accomplishment. The process of Certification requires programs to collect a minimum of two years of baseline data, implement an action plan in an effort to improve outcomes, and then collect two years of comparative data, in addition to conducting the self-study.

 

Special recognition goes to Dr. Gwen Parker Ames, associate dean of the Division of Student Success; Gina Jacobs-Strain, chair of Developmental Education; and Jodel Wright, Testing Tutoring and Evaluation Coordinator. Click here for more information on NADE.
 
College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Promotions
  • Dr. Vilma Balmaceda: Granted sabbatical for the 2014-2015 academic year
  • Dr. Sharron Greaves: Promoted to Full Professor
  • Dr. Kevin Pinkham: Promoted to Associate Professor and granted tenure
  • Dr. Jacqueline Washington: Granted sabbatical for the 2014-2015 academic year
  • Dr. Jack Wiltshire: Granted tenure
STAFF HIGHLIGHT

Dr. Charles Hammond | Associate Dean of Students, NYC

 

What brought you to Nyack College? Towards the latter part of 2004, God began a stirring in my heart. I felt like a change was going to happen in the near future. My wife mentioned it to our dear friend Dr. Marie White, and the next thing you know, I'm receiving a phone call from the previous president, Dr. Schroeder's office. I was drawn to Nyack when I realized that its founder was A.B. Simpson, one of my heroes.

 

What is your favorite Nyack College/ATS experience? My favorite Nyack College/ATS experience was when Dr. Jennings asked me to consider traveling to the Philippines with Dr. Kwi Yun and himself along with GS-L students to share daily devotions and assist with any faculty responsibilities during the Winterim. My surprise was that the day before the trip, David Jennings became ill and would NOT be going on the trip. Quite shocking, but the trip proved to be a wonderful blessing. I traveled there several times after that initial trip.

 

Favorite food: I'm not an exotic eater. A medium steak and potatoes is my "go to" meal.

 

Latest interesting read: Who Needs Theology?: An Invitation to the Study of God by Stanley J. Grenz and Roger E. Olson

 

Unknown talent or interesting fact about yourself: Love to sing, having sung in the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir for eight years and directed the Men's Chorus for five years.

 

FACULTY HIGHLIGHT

Damien Sneed, Nyack College New York City campus School of Music faculty member, has added yet another outstanding accomplishment to an already astounding list:  He appears in a new documentary telling the story of jazz great Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra's 2013 performance of "Abyssinian Mass" in Charlotte at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Sneed, who has collaborated with Marsalis on other projects, was conductor of the work written in honor of the 200th anniversary of Harlem's historic Abyssinian Baptist Church. The film, Everyone Has a Place, premiered on Charlotte, NC's PBS station, WTVI and was produced by the Knight Foundation, a benefactor of innovative journalism and art. The Foundation hopes to bring the film to other PBS stations nationwide. Click here to view the trailer. Damien Sneed was a recipient of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence for emerging black and Latino classical musicians. 

 

On March 3, Damien Sneed, featuring the Levites, released a new double disc project, "Broken to Minister: The Deluxe Edition." His new single, "Forever," is an uptempo worship song. Sneed's label, LeChateau Earl Records, has a new worldwide distribution deal with Central South of Nashville, Tennessee. On April 16, Damien Sneed makes his Carnegie Hall conducting debut in the Wynton Marsalis' "Abyssinian 200: A Celebration."

Favorite Quotes

Dr. Gerard Becker

One of my favorite sayings that is liked by many of my students is, "Learning is a becoming process, not a getting process." Dr. Becker continues his volunteer work at a nursing home in New York City where he is a eucharistic minister and provides Communion for the residents once a week. As stated by Dr. Becker, "I find it very spiritually rewarding."

Baby Face

Jessica Voong (Admissions) and husband, Jason, welcomed baby boy Oliver Ashtyn on November 2, 2014 at 6:37 p.m. Oliver weighed 7 lbs, 10 oz and measured 19.5 inches long. Congratulations, Jessica and Jason!
 

Jamel (Auxiliary Services) and Jamila Wright (Registrar's Office) welcomed baby boy Jackson Owen on February 11, 2015 at 9:59 a.m. Jackson weighed 9 lbs, 5 oz and measured 21 inches long. Congratulations to the happy parents!

Lending a Hand

Dr. Maureen Kroning coordinated a trip for ten nursing students and her 18-year-old daughter, Kayla, to Shell Point Retirement Community in Ft. Myers, Florida to complete their foundations clinical to provide elderly with nursing care during spring break. The group was able to spend an evening with Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Eastman (Chairman Emeritus, NC/ATS Board of Trustees). Dr. Kroning reported, "The administration at Shell Point told us it was the first time in months that they saw Dr. Eastman smile. He smiled at watching the nursing students stand up and introduce themselves and explain why they entered the nursing program. They thanked Dr. and Mrs. Eastman for their generous gift that made the students' dream of pursuing a nursing career come true."

 

Dr. Kroning volunteers as the president of the Professional Nurses Association of Rockland County. This association provides speakers and hosts dinners at various local restaurants every other month to advance nursing education and provide the members with opportunities to network with their fellow nurses. She also volunteers on the Nurse Recognition Day Committee which is a collaborative organization that includes healthcare facilities such as Nyack Hospital, Good Samaritian Hospital, Helen Hayes Hospital, United Hospice of Rockland, Department of Health, and higher education institutions such as St. Thomas Aquinas College, Dominican College, Nyack College, and Rockland Community College. The goal of the committee is to recognize nurses in Rockland County for their service and excellence.
Family Matters

Dr. Maureen Kroning is proud of her four children and two wonderful grandchildren, who are now four-years-old and one-and-a-half years old. Her 18-year-old twins are in their first year of college, Albright and Gordon, doing well, and both are hoping to pursue pre-medicine.

Keep us in the loop!

Please send your latest achievements including books published, research completed, honors received from professional organizations, fellowships awarded, oversight or development of service learning projects, and work with community organizations to Erica Videc at [email protected].

Please provide details (who, what, where, when, why) and the significance of news in relationship to our core values, where possible. High resolution digital photos that you can share for publication are welcome. (Please note: copy may be edited for length.)

 

Don't forget...you're invited to submit information to the "Life After Hours...On My Time Clock" section of Class Act. We want to hear about the books you've read; fun vacations you've taken; cooking/baking skills (share your recipes); family tree updates; good habits; and unknown talents. Share your good news with us!

Annual Faculty and Staff Year End Luncheon
The annual Faculty and Staff Year End Luncheon will be held on Monday, May 11 at 12:30 p.m. in the Boon Campus Center Dining Hall on the Rockland Campus. If you haven't already, please send your RSVP to Cindy Reeder at ext. 4616 or [email protected] by May 1.
Annual Faculty and Staff Mets Game Outing
Full-time faculty, staff, and their immediate family members (spouse and/or dependent children) are invited to participate in the annual faculty/staff outing to Citi Field on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 7:10 p.m. for the New York Mets vs. the St. Louis Cardinals. The cost per ticket is $10.00 for faculty/staff members and their spouses, and $5.00 for their children (18 years and younger). Limited transportation will be available for those who want a ride from the Nyack, NY campus. Tickets will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis, so don't delay! For more details and to reserve your tickets, please respond to Cindy Reeder at ext. 4616 or [email protected] no later than April 28.
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Faculty Achievements 

Dr. Amy Davis Abdallah wrote The Book of Womanhood to accompany Woman, the rite of passage programs for seniors. Now under contract with Cascade Books, it will soon be available to a much broader audience! More information will be forthcoming regarding its release.

Dr. Gerard Becker together with Dr. Richard Ponschock, an adjunct professor in the MBA program, published an article, "Threat vectors on privacy: The trail of "Digital Identity Crumbs," in the Journal of Strategic and International Studies. A paper was presented at the International Multidisciplinary Academic Conference in Miami, Florida in January 2015. 

Dr. Stephen Bennett presented a paper at the National Society of Biblical Literature meeting in San Diego in November 2014. His paper was entitled "War and Disaster in Ecclesiastes." For more information, click here.

Dr. Gordon Boronow was a presenter at the Teaching Economics Conference held at Robert Morris University February 12-14, 2015 sponsored by McGraw Hill. He presented a visual model of the macroeconomy which he developed over the summer and fall of 2014. The presentation was entitled "Production, Property and Power: A Visual Model of the Semi-Free-Market Economy."

Dr. Louis DeCaro, Jr. has two books forthcoming this spring and summer relating to the Christian antislavery figure, John Brown, to be published by Rowman and Littlefield Publishers. The first is a narrative history entitled Freedom's Dawn: The Last Days of John Brown in Virginia. It is the first and only in-depth narrative of the controversial abolitionist's last days as a prisoner of Virginia following his failure at Harper's Ferry in 1859. After being found guilty for his attempt to launch a liberation movement in the South, Brown was tried largely by slaveholders and found guilty. He was hanged in 1859. The second book is something of a companion volume, a collection of his jail letters and statements as a prisoner, to be published in the summer under the title, John Brown Speaks: Letters and Statements from Charlestown Jail. 

Rev. Charles O. Galbreath

Rev. Charles Galbreath, field education director at Alliance Theological Seminary in Manhattan and adjunct professor in the Pastoral Ministry Department at Nyack College Rockland, will be a featured speaker at the 2015 Alliance General Council (May 26-31) at the Long Beach Convention Center in California. He is the senior pastor of Clarendon Road Church in Brooklyn, NY. He serves as a member of the Brooklyn Borough President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Community Partnerships. Also, Pastor Galbreath is the treasurer for the 67th Precinct Clergy Council, a member of the Executive Committee for the Alliance Metropolitan District, and vice president of the C&MA's Association of African American Churches. Charles graduated magna cum laude in 2006 from Nyack College. He holds graduate degrees in divinity and theology from Alliance Theological Seminary and Princeton (New Jersey) Theological Seminary and, currently, is a Ph.D. candidate at Fordham University's Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education. 

Dr. Sharron Greaves delivered a paper, "Nollywood and Hip Hop in the Diaspora: The Local and Global Impact of Two Popular Culture Phenomena," at the New Haven Hip Hop Conference on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University. This year's theme, "Finding Common Ground: Exploring Interconnections in Social Justice, Media, Education, and Cultural Politics," explored the multifaceted elements of hip hop culture. For more information on the conference, click here. 

Dr. Len Kageler has been elected to the executive board of the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry, which publishes the Journal of Youth and Theology, a peer-reviewed academic journal. In his role on the board, Dr. Kageler will lead the academic program of their Sydney, Australia conference in January 2017. 

Dr. Daniel Kaluka and colleagues have published a research article entitled "Spectroscopic and Mutagenesis Studies of Human PGRMC1," in Biochemistry, a peer-reviewed academic journal. PGRMC1 (Progesterone receptor membrane component 1) has had the research community excited since its reported links to several malignancies (such as breast cancer) and potential as a possible molecular target for cancer therapy. This paper utilized mutagenesis and spectroscopy to characterize this important protein. To read the article, click here 

Dr. Dongsu Kim's book entitled A Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans was published in 2013 by Eldoron Publication.

Dr. Maureen Kroning published an article, "Fostering Soft Skills," in American Nurse Today in February 2015. This article is a must read for nurse leaders. For more information on the article, click here.

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Dr. Mayra Lopez-Humphreys wrote a blog post, "Gloriously Ordinary: Christ-like Presence in the World," which was published by the North American Association of Christian Social Workers (NACSW). Click here to view the blog post.

 

Dr. Lopez-Humphreys co-wrote an article with B. Arujo Dawson entitled "From Education to Action: The Immediate and Long Term Impact of Intergroup Dialogue on Students' Social Justice Activity" that was published in the Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work in January 2014. Click here for more information on the article.

 

She was also asked to share her reflections about the grand jury decisions in Ferguson and New York City, as a means for providing a transformative and constructive way of thinking (racially, socioeconomically, denominationally, educationally) for the diverse group of youth ministers who compose Princeton Theological Seminary's Institute for Youth Ministry. Click here to view her article.

 

The Evangelical Covenant Denomination's Covenant Companion acknowledged Dr. Lopez-Humphreys as one of the "40 Under 40" Covenant Leaders who are making a significant impact locally and around the world. For the full article, click here.

Dr. Elaine Lux published an essay, "Release from Torment: Finding Grace in Arthur Miller's After the Fall, John Osborne's Luther, and C.S. Lewis's Till We Have Faces," in the peer-reviewed scholarly volume, Literature of Luther: Receptions of the Reformer, edited by A. Edward Wesley and J. Christopher Edwards (Pickwick Publications, 2014). Drawing upon stages of spiritual growth that Dr. Lux identifies in the archetypal myth of Cupid and Psyche, this interpretive consideration of three diverse works explores the dual role of an uncertainty that both can create torment within the soul and can open us to grace as well. Click here for more information.

Denise Lewis Patrick's book, A Matter of Soul, was selected as one of the Best Teen Books of 2014 by Kirkus Reviews, a leading book review journal. For information about the book, click hereTo read the review of A Matter of Soul, click hereTo visit Denise Lewis Patrick's webpage, click here

Dr. Steven Notley presented a paper at New York University's Center for Ancient Studies on March 27 at the Ranieri Colloquium on Ancient Studies, "Integrating Judaism and Christianity into the Study of the Ancient World." His paper was entitled "The Treaty of Apamea, the Decline of the Seleucid Empire, and Their Consequence for Jewish Martyrology."

Dr. Kevin Pinkham delivered a paper entitled "Deliberately Ignoring the Highballs: Signifying Race, Alcohol, and the Temperance Narrative in Wallace Thurman's Infants of the Spring" at the South Atlantic Modern Language Association Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Pinkham also published a review of Elana Gomel's Science Fiction, Alien Encounters, and the Ethics of Posthumanism: Beyond the Golden Rule in the Science Fiction Research Association Review (SFRA). The SFRA is the oldest professional organization for the study of science fiction and fantasy literature and film. Dr. Pinkham serves as assistant nonfiction editor of the SFRA. Click here to read the review.   

Dr. Larry Poston

Dr. Larry Poston and Nyack College senior Pamela Code published "Not Going Gentle Into That Good Night: Science and Religion in the Face of Death" in the Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Aging. Abstract Synopsis: "For millennia, religions have provided rituals bringing comfort in the face of death. Modern science, however, is developing new means for dealing with this phenomenon. This article explores these issues and seeks to answer the question of whether science has contributed positively or negatively to the experience of dying." For more information on the article, click here.

Dr. Scott Reitz completed his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at Regent University. Congratulations, Dr. Reitz!

Dr. James Romaine

will be the keynote speaker for the Schoenhals Symposium at Roberts Wesleyan College. This is an annual event devoted to the scholarly exploration of the intersection of faith and the arts. Dr. Romaine delivered a talk entitled "Three Dimensions of Christian Creativity" in March. This presentation explored the creation mandate, community mandate, and commission mandate as the basis for a biblical understanding of creativity. He also presented "The Art of Tim Rollins + K.O.S" that applied the ideas introduced in previous talks to the work of one of the most celebrated contemporary art collaboratives.
Dr. Elizabeth Simon

Dr. Elizabeth Simon was selected for a 2015-2016 Fulbright U.S. scholar grant to India. Congratulations, Dr. Simon!

 

 

Dr. Lisa Steiner along with three AGSC students, Sabrina Durand, Dawn Grove, and Charletta Rozell, wrote a 14-page scholarly journal article entitled "Effect of Infidelity, Initiator Status, and Spiritual Well-Being on Men's Divorce Adjustment." The article was recently published in The Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, an APA peer-reviewed journal. To read the abstract, click here 

Dr. Wanda Walborn successfully completed her Doctor of Intercultural Studies degree at Western Seminary, Portland, Oregon. Congratulations, Dr. Walborn!

Dr. Steven Ware recently created a website. His primary purpose is to share articles and items of research--some of which will be gathered in his next book, The Stones of Easter.

 

Dr. Ware was recently honored to serve as visiting professor of reformation studies at Jaffray School of Theology in Makassar, Indonesia.  He taught students in both MA and Ph.D. programs, with translation assistance from Dr. Andrew Brake (who along with his wife, Lora, were International Workers in Residence at Nyack in 2013-2014). Jaffray School of Theology is the primary C&MA educational institution in Indonesia, training both pastors and teachers for other colleges in the region.

Dr. Keyone Kale Yu published a book review in the Sociology of Religion, the official journal of the Association for the Sociology of Religion. Dr. Yu reviewed Ecologies of Faith in New York City: The Evolution of Religious Institutions, edited by Richard Ciminonadia A. Mian and Weishan Huang. To read the review, click here.

Staff Achievements

Dr. Charles Hammond earned his doctorate in Pastoral Leadership from Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana. His dissertation was entitled "Second Generation Korean American Presbyterians revitalizing their faith by adapting to North American Culture." Congratulations, Dr. Hammond!

Mr. Randy Martinez was presented the Jack Lyman Award for Officer of the Year on October 21, 2014 for outstanding service and dedication to the community by the Town of Orangetown. Jack Lyman was an outstanding officer who served Orangetown for 20 years. The Jack Lyman Award was designed to recognize a current member of the Auxiliary Police who has shown the same dedication.

Mr. Earl S. Miller was inducted into the Rockland County Civil/Human Rights Hall of Fame. Candidates for this honor are those who have made a significant difference in the arena of civil or human rights in Rockland County. The inductees were honored at a luncheon on April 8, 2015 at The Nyack Seaport. Congratulations on this honor! To read more, click here.

 

Earl Miller coordinated the 5th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Contest as a highlight of the Nyack Center Black History Month Celebration in February. Nyack College, in partnership with Orange and Rockland Utilities, Dominican College, Rockland Community College, and St. Thomas Aquinas College, provided scholarships as prizes to the contest winners. 

 

He also wrote an article, Why Remember the Holocaust? An African American Response, that the Holocaust Museum and Center for Education and Tolerance used in their February newsletter to their constituents.