Class of 2016 enters the Mount

(Left) Psychology major Evans Alexandre from Queens, NY said he was excited to be moving into Mount Saint Mary College’s spacious Sakac Hall. (Right) Fayola Cyprien (center), a nursing student from Baldwin on Long Island, moved into Mount Saint Mary College’s Sakac Hall on Saturday morning. Her mother Lorie, father Johnny, and brothers Joshua and Omar lent her a hand. At the Mount, 40 percent of freshmen aim for health professions.

Class of 2016 enters the Mount

With a Hudson River summer breeze to help them on their way, Mount Saint Mary College’s new freshmen began their higher education journey on Saturday, August 25.

Most of the new students hail from the tri-state area.

As classes begin on Monday, August 27, the college is anticipating another strong year. More than 40 percent of incoming freshmen are aiming for careers in health professions. The Mount offers the only nationally accredited four year nursing degree program in the mid Hudson Valley, and boasts a NCLEX-RN passage rate that far exceeds the state average.

Another 16 percent of freshmen are interested in education. Mount Saint Mary College’s nationally accredited teacher education program is distinctive, with fieldwork embedded in coursework starting in sophomore year. The program earns high marks in preparing well qualified graduates for New York State licensure in careers as teacher and administrators.

The Mount also offers comprehensive areas of study in business and accounting, psychology, English, math, sociology, history, and more. Even busy college president college president Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, teaches a course, on the history of Christianity.

The college’s Center for Student Success, which recently added another academic coach, prepares students to make the most of their college experience.

In addition to offering nursing clinical and student teaching experiences, excellent internships open doors for Mount students in all fields. The Career Center prepares students for varied career opportunities in the Hudson Valley, New York City, the Capital Region and beyond.

New fields and courses

Mount Saint Mary College’s collaborative new interdisciplinary major, technology and digital media, combines courses in math, technology and communications. Co-directed by professors Dean Goldberg of arts and letters, and Maureen Markel of mathematics and information technology, the program provides skills to succeed in careers such as web content, corporate communications, healthcare, engineering and higher education.

A new pre-physician’s assistant concentration, with courses by Suparna Bhalla and William Lahar, puts students on the path to obtain a PA license, which allows professionals to perform medical or surgical duties delegated to them by a physician.

The college is also introducing three new individual courses. John Hofbauer will explore the philosophy of science and nature. A special topics course, Web 2.0 for teachers, will be taught by Bojan K. Lazarevic. Another new special topic is introduction to sports management, presented in the business division by instructor James McGuire.

(Left) Biology major Hanna Sheppard settles into her room in Mount Saint Mary College’s Sakac Hall with a bit of help from her mother. Sheppard hails from Brookhaven, NY. (Right) Mount Saint Mary College freshman Justin Perez, an accounting major from Washingtonville, moved in Saturday with a little help from his mother.

Life on campus

Mount Saint Mary College provides a 24/7 residence staff with caring, expert personnel: ready to meet the needs of students at any time.

Students enjoy developing their leadership in an array of clubs and originations that focus on academic enrichments, recreational activities and other special interests, as well as exciting, frequent events.

Making the most of the latest generation wireless service and a great living/learning environment, students can use the college’s research databases day and night, and also receive instant notification when their laundry is done or when a machine is available.

In addition to a newly equipped cardiovascular and weight room in the Kaplan Recreation Center, the modern residence halls are home to exercise rooms and movie lounges.

The campus also sports a high-tech turf athletic field, six tennis courts and an indoor pool with a view of the Hudson River.

In addition to a new psychology lab, the Mount’s Kaplan Family Mathematics, Science and Technology Center features advanced laboratories for nursing and pre-med studies. Students who participate in the honors program gain expanded lab time.

The recently renovated dining hall offers home style entrees, freshly baked pizza and convenient meal plans, while Jazzman’s Café and Henry’s Courtside top off the Mount’s tasty cuisine.

The 13.1 acre Dominican Center will be remodeled during this academic year through 2013 to house a state-of-the-art living/learning commons: The center will house both a residence hall and the Curtin Memorial Library, an innovation that immerses students in their studies and makes academics a way of life.

Daily and Sunday mass is offered and campus ministry provides opportunities for students to serve as lectors, altar servers and musicians, as well as engaging in the larger community.

For students who crave overseas experience, the college offers many summer or semester long opportunities. In 2012, 61 Mount students studied abroad in Italy, England, New Zealand, the Dominican Republic, and other semester-long or summer programs.

New hires for a new semester

To support all of Mount Saint Mary’s innovative programs, several new faculty will be sharing their skills with students this semester.

Jane Gangi is a new associate professor of education; Barry Jones joins mathematics and information technology as associate professor of information technology; Patricia McQuade joins the Mount as instructor of nursing; Robert Miller joins philosophy and religious studies as assistant professor of religious studies; Stephanie Pietros is an assistant professor of English and Andrew Weiss is chair and professor of business.

The Mount also welcomes Maria Minickiello, executive director of adult and online education; Carlos Tonche, Jr., registrar; Karidis Tubo, clinical coordinator in nursing; Christine Pupek, director of residence life; and Matt Frey, director of news services.

Among continuing employees, graduate admissions recruiter Courtney McDermott recently received Orange County’s Rising Star Award.

Public events

The Mount hosts various lectures and concerts, such as performances of the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra, which begins its 18th season on Saturday, September 22 at 7:30 pm in the 1,100-seat Aquinas Hall Theatre. Showcased are Stravinsky's “Berceuse” and “Finale" from his ballet The Firebird, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sheherazade, and a world premiere of Three Dialogues for Saxophone and Orchestra, performed by its award-winning composer Demetrius Spaneas.

Also this fall, the college will sponsor a free public talk by Fr. Robert Christian, OP, on September 27 at 7 pm, titled “The Church of the Second Vatican Council: A Work Complete, Yet Always in Progress.” This presentation by the college’s Catholic and Dominican Institute marks the 50th anniversary of “Vatican II,” which significantly articulated the protocol of the Roman Catholic Church and its relationship with the modern world.

An adult and continuing education information session including information on tracks in accounting, business management and administration, childhood education, human services, nursing and psychology will be held August 30 from 5 to 7 pm.

As the foliage turns vibrant shades of red, yellow and orange, an open house for prospective freshmen and their families will be held Sunday, September 23. Participants will take an up-close look at classrooms, dining commons and residence halls, and the new all-weather turf athletic field, as well as speaking with current Mount students and staff.

Neighbors enjoy bringing their pets to be blessed by Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi: this year, on Sunday, September 30 at noon during Alumni and Family Weekend.

All in all, says Fr. Mackin, “Mount Saint Mary College’s many programs and activities prepare students to use their skills of mind and habits of heart in the wider world.”

More photos from Opening Weekend can be found on the College's official Flickr account.