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Class of 2006 Honored at Harpur College Recognition Ceremonies
It was an extraordinary day for Harpur College and its 56th graduating
class. In his speech to the Class of 2006, Mileur said: "I know you
have worked long and hard to get here today. I speak for the faculty and
staff of the College when I say that we are exceptionally proud of you
and your many accomplishments as Harpur College graduates.” |
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| Doris Braun '83 Receives 2006 Harpur College Alumni Award
In 2004, Braun published an article in Treasury Risk Management and in 1995 moved into operations. In 1997, she was responsible for setting up a new support team within corporate finance in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She previously worked for other foreign financial institutions in credit, treasury, relationship management, client support and Operations. In 2005, Braun served on the “Women in Finance” panel for the Young Alumni Club in NYC. A longtime supporter of the University, Braun is a major contributor to the women’s basketball initiative and the Larry Wells Lecture Series in memory of an outstanding German professor in the German, Russian and East Asian Languages program.
An Interview with Doris Braun How do you feel your Harpur College education prepared you for your career and life after college? Having a liberal
arts education prepared me to continue to learn and grow in the field
that I chose. I think having a well-rounded education helped me prepare
for the many challenges we all face after college. The classes at Harpur
and my year studying in Austria (all classes were conducted in German)
prepared me for critical thinking, research, communications skills and
teaching skills. I taught conversational German my senior year to undergraduate
students. What would you say is the best memory, lesson or experience you took from Binghamton University? I loved my year studying
abroad. I learned I could do anything. I was truly on my own, studying,
meeting new people, learning about new cultures, traveling to other countries.
It was a great learning experience. I also loved playing soccer in high school and was disappointed that Binghamton didn't have a women's team. So, when my friend Teresa Green (from the basketball team) organized the women's soccer club, I knew I wanted to play and to be involved. Starting the club was the way to show the University that there was an interest. To become a varsity team, one had to start as a club. Being the treasurer was my way of getting involved and ensuring the club had enough members, dues, etc. to eventually become a team. What does the Alumni Award mean to you?
Braun addressed the Class of 2006 with the voice of experience. "I challenge each of you to create a vision,” she said. “Define the person you want to be. Define the professional you want to become. Picture yourself 5, 10, 20 years from today: Who do you see? What are you doing? When we create a vision for ourselves and act on it, we are leading an intentional life. When we do that, we will be successful." She quoted, “Vision without action is merely a dream; action without vision just passes the time; vision with action can change the world!" Harpur College is
proud to recognize Doris who has given so much of her own vision, action,
time, knowledge, and support. Congratulations! For more photos of the event, click here. |
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"Daily
Show" Co-Creator Smithberg '82 Joins Current TV
“When I moved to Los Angeles, I was looking for something different that had purpose, and something that gave me the chance to apply my comedy background to a new kind of television,” stated Smithberg. “Current TV is a great new concept in programming, one that gives a voice to millions of young people who, instead of just being a couch potato, can actually create programming for a national TV network, see it air and get paid for it. Imagine that!” Smithberg earned 2001 Peabody and Emmy Awards, and two other Emmy nominations, for Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” which she co-created and ran as an executive producer for seven years. She served as producer/show-runner for “The Daily Show” forerunner, “The Jon Stewart Show,” on MTV and later in syndication. She also brought her skills as executive producer and writer of The WB (stand-up/sketch) comedy/variety show “Steve Harvey’s Big Time.” She spent six years as a talent coordinator, then producer, for NBC’s original “Late Night with David Letterman” after beginning her career as a field producer for RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana (Italian national television). David Neuman, president of programming, said, “We’re thrilled to bring Madeleine on board. She is a tremendous talent, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that everyone on our creative team has fallen in love with her. By reputation, we knew that she was uniquely talented and charismatic. But quite frankly, we’re blown away by how creative she is and how fun she is to work with. We are delighted that she has embraced our concept, our young creative team, and our out-of-the-box production model so enthusiastically. You don’t often see new networks able to provide their audience with this level of talent.” Smithberg is now assembling a creative team to develop her new Current projects; the first, and leader of her development team, will be Herndon Graddick. Graddick was most recently a producer at Current TV, and has been promoted to Supervising Producer and now reports to Smithberg. Current TV, which launched August 1, 2005, is the first national network created by, for and with an 18-34 year-old audience. The network shows young adults what’s going on in their world, in their voice. Current is also the first network in history whose programming is supplied in part by the very audience who watches it. Its award-winning, short-form programming ranges from the hottest trends in technology, fashion, music and videogames, to pressing issues such as the environment, relationships, parenting, finance, politics and spirituality. As of June 1st, Current is available in 28 million U.S. homes via Comcast (Channel 107), DirecTV (Channel 366) and Time Warner Cable. For more information, please visit the website: www.current.tv. Madeleine
is an enthusiastic supporter of Binghamton University. This past year
she established a scholarship to honor the memory of her cousin Michael
Micciche to benefit students wishing to participate in the Binghamton
University Study Abroad program. Madeleine spent a semester abroad in
Italy during her senior year as an art history major at Binghamton. |
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A
skilled, board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr. David J. Parks understands
the complexity and delicacy of the eye and the importance of maintaining
optimal eye health. He specializes in diseases and surgery of the retina
and vitreous, ocular inflammatory diseases as well as the ocular complications
of AIDS, treating patients from around the country who seek out his medical
expertise and friendly, approachable manner.
In 1994,
Parks moved to Los Angeles to accept a fellowship in retinal and vitreous
diseases at White Memorial Medical Center. Upon completing this fellowship
he was invited to join the full-time staff as director of the ocular immunology
and uveitis service at White Memorial Medical Center. Later, he established
a relationship with the Guam Seventh Day Adventist Clinic, for which he
regularly cares for patients in Guam and Micronesia who would otherwise
be unable to see a retinal specialist. “I have been traveling to Guam,
since 1999 and feel the accomplishment of providing medical services to
a community that would otherwise have to travel great distances to get
care or do without and suffer life without vision,” Parks said. |
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Stand-Up Comedy's New Face, Avi Liberman '93
Avi Liberman's quirky style has made him a favorite in comedy clubs from Los Angeles to New York. Born in Israel, raised in Texas, having gone to college in New York, and now living in Los Angeles, his style is a combination of life experiences and topical issues told through a varied blend of characters and voices with worldwide expertise. Liberman’s passion for entertainment began at Binghamton University, where he majored in Judaic Studies. He realized in an acting class during his senior year that this was what he wanted to do. “My time at Binghamton and the acting classes I took formed me,” Liberman said. He was particularly influenced by Professor Don Boros, whose teaching style was mirrored nine years later in an acting workshop Liberman took with Steven Book, the famous acting coach, teacher, director, and author who literally wrote the “BOOK ON ACTING (Improvisation Technique for the Professional Actor in Film, Theater & Television).” Stand-up comedy was always in the back of Liberman’s mind, and for quite a while he took everything in, but never performed. The first time Liberman performed stand-up was at the LA Laugh Factory. He recalls that the “room was packed and there was electricity. After that experience, I kept coming back.” Since that first night, Liberman has performed stand-up comedy on Comedy Central's "Premium Blend" and "Make Me Laugh" as well as NBC's "Friday Night!" His acting credits include "Dave's World" on CBS, "Boston Common" on NBC and "Andytown U.S.A." on Comedy Central. Liberman can be seen regularly on E! as a frequent guest on its popular count down series. He has also guest starred on "Movies At Our House," as well as having shot a pilot titled "Through the Keyhole," both on AMC. He has also been heard on radio stations across the country. A successful commercial actor, Liberman has appeared in spots for Mercedes, L.A. Cellular, Miller Lite and most recently Starbucks and Net Zero. He has appeared at the prestigious Montreal Just for Laughs Festival. For the past three years, Liberman has arranged widely acclaimed stand-up comedy tours in Israel to help boost morale while donating 100 percent of the proceeds to a charity called Crossroads, which works with homeless and drug-addicted teens in the Jerusalem area. Of all his successes, Liberman considers this his greatest personal and professional accomplishment to date. Liberman is aware that his life has come full circle. “College prepared me in many ways,” he said. “I grew as a person and as a professional. The political science courses I took have applied in my life today with my connection to the Crossroads program and travels to Israel. My acting classes led me to what I love to do.” To visit Libernan's website, please click here. |
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"Up
for Grabs" Events Held in San Francisco and Los Angeles Two June events in California celebrated the hysterical battle for the ball Barry Bonds hit to set a new single-season home run record in Major League Baseball. Alumni showed up in San Francisco and Los Angeles to Up For Grabs movie receptions. The award-winning documentary features Marty Triano '76, legal counsel to one of the people who claimed possession of the ball. The events also included talkback between Triano and the film's director Mike Wranovics (pictured, speaking to Richard Walter '65 at the Los Angeles event). For more information on the film Up for Grabs, click here. For more photos of the event, click here. |
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In response to your much-appreciated feedback, the Harpur Hotline has developed a regular feature of alumni news. Please send us anything you want: publications, promotions, marriages, babies, graduations, retirements, etc. Many thanks to everyone who shared their stories! Here's what some of your fellow Harpur alumni and friends are doing:
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Shop Harpur Online
Shop the campus bookstore from the comfort of your PC or Mac. Want to pick up a copy of the new Harpur history book The Cornerstone? Visit The Campus Bookstore. For more Harpur College merchandise, such as hats, shirts and window stickers, contact the bookstore at 607-777-2745. |
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Harpur College Development Team Mission Statement: The Harpur College of Arts and Sciences Development Team encourages alumni, students, faculty and friends to identify with Harpur College's past, present and future by engaging them in events and programs that connect them to the college. We facilitate ways for our constituents to enrich Harpur College through their financial contributions and personal talents and resources. |
The
dreariness of the day was left at the door as hundreds gathered in the
Events Center on May 20, 2006 for the Harpur College Recognition Ceremonies.
Inside, the pride and excitement radiating from parents, family, and Harpur
College seniors was tangible. The divisions of Fine Arts and Humanities,
Science and Mathematics, and Social Sciences each held separate celebrations
throughout the day.
Doris
E. Braun ’83, recipient of the 2006 Harpur College Alumni Award, was recognized
for her ongoing dedication to her alma mater at Harpur College’s Division
of Fine Arts and Humanities Recognition Ceremonies, held on May 20 at
the Events Center. 
San
Francisco (May 2, 2006) – Having shown her Emmy-winning skills as co-creator
and executive producer of “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Madeleine
Smithberg has been hired as a creative consultant
and executive producer by Current TV, reporting to David Neuman, president
of programming. She will work with Current’s creative team to conceive,
develop, and executive produce a new franchise for the network, and will
also provide creative input and consultation on all of the network’s programming.
While
at Binghamton, Parks was involved in intramural sports and became the
editor-in-chief of the campus science magazine, “Science Outlook”. Of
his professors, Parks remembered Fred Kull, who inspired him to use scientific
method as well as James Dix who taught him “a great deal about scientific
research and the scientific process.”
