• Bridges to Baccalaureate Helps Students Fulfill Their Dreams
• Harpur's McGuire Honored by American Anthropological Association
• Harpur Showcases Translators from Around the Globe
• Greece Enthralls BU Visitors
• Hey, New York Area Alumni...
• Homecoming 2002
• Harpur Friends and Family
• Shop Harpur Online
• Back Issues

Bridges Program Helps Students Fulfill Their Dreams
By Marty Doorey

Renante "Bobby" Parilla, a student at Rockland Community College, worked in Professor Tammariello's lab for his Bridges experience.

When Yahira Ramirez of Nanuet was going to high school she was not impressed by her teachers and believes she can do better.

Ramirez, 20, a junior at Rockland County Community College, is one of 17 students getting hands-on scientific experience as part of the SUNY Upstate Bridges to Baccalaureate program. The students and their 13 faculty mentors will participate in the program's annual poster session Friday.

Now in its fourth year at BU, the Bridges program has graduated 49 students not including this year's group. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, Bridges is designed to increase the number of underrepresented minority students in the biomedical sciences, including biology, chemistry, psychology and mathematics.

Of the students who have gone through the program, four have graduated from BU and seven are still attending. Thirteen others are attending other four-year schools and 14 are continuing studies at participating community colleges in Broome, Monroe, Onondaga, Westchester and Rockland counties.

Beth D'Angelo, who coordinates the program, said between seven and 12 of the Bridges students still attending community colleges will enroll at BU in the fall. Overall, D'Angelo said, about 80 percent of the students who complete the program transfer to four-year colleges, a success rate higher than the national average for minority students without the program.

This year, seven of the participating students are not U.S. born. There are students from Nigeria, Ecuador, Haiti and the Phillipines participating, said D'Angelo.

Hands-on experience and mentors are among the key aspects of the program.

"I've learned so much," said Ramirez, who has been working in the lab of Carol Miles, assistant professor of biological sciences. "I've gotten hands-on experience that I couldn't get anywhere else."

After she completes her final year in Rockland's biology program, Ramirez hopes to transfer to New York University or Miami University for a degree that will allow her to teach high school science.

"I remember being in high school and hating my teacher," she said. "I want to be a teacher that the kids will like. I want to inspire them."

Although she prefers the earth sciences such as geology, Ramirez is a biology major because her school doesn't offer what she prefers. "Besides, I'm good at it," she said.

In Miles' lab, Ramirez has been working on a project involving the Cotesia congregata, a wasp parasite that infests the larvae of the Manduca sexta, otherwise known as the tobacco hornworm.

While Cotesia live in the larvae throughout most of their life cycle, at a key point in their existence, "they do something that stops the Manduca from eating," Miles said.

At this point Miles knows the substance can be found in the Manduca's blood, but beyond that she hasn't got a handle on exactly what the substance is or how it functions. This summer Ramirez is working on procedures to isolate the mystery substance. In the fall, a graduate student will take the research a step further. The eventual goal will be to publish a paper.

Miles, who has mentored students for several years, is a strong supporter of the Bridges program, "I think the program is accomplishing its goal," she said.

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Harpur's McGuire Honored by American Anthropological Association

When Professor Randy McGuire began smashing bowls in his anthropology lectures, he never imagined it would result in one of his field's most esteemed awards. But this technique of keeping students engaged, along with many others, has paid off. In November, McGuire will receive the American Anthropological Association/McGraw Hill Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in Anthropology.

"Both teaching and my students are important to me. Hopefully I communicate that to them," said McGuire. "I figure you can't teach anything if you don't have students' attention." How he captivates students depends on the size of the class, which can range between 20 and 400 students. "In a very big class, I feel like a performer. I use costumes and tricks," he explained. "For instance, in 'Buried Cities and Lost Tribes', I'll break a pot during a lecture, just throw it up and break it, which always amazes students." In smaller classes, McGuire makes it a point to speak to each student individually at least once.

McGuire says breaking a pot demonstrates the importance of ceramics in archaeology. "People used them daily and made them in large quantities, but the vessels are fragile so they break easily," he explained. "The broken fragments or shards, however, are virtually indestructible, so we find them in archaeological sites, even after thousands of years."

Such antics have earned him the respect of his colleagues. Charles Cobb, associate professor of anthropology and department chair, said, "Randy's 'Buried Cities and Lost Tribes' class, which draws 300 - 400 students every spring, is the largest course in our curriculum and a highly popular introduction to archaeology. He constantly brings new innovations into the classroom and draws widely on multimedia approaches."

McGuire's former students agree wholeheartedly. "Randy was a superb teacher and advisor who helped inspire me to continue on with my own career in archaeology," commented Dr. Thomas Evans `87, a research associate at the Institute of Archaeology at University of Oxford, England. "I find that many of the most successful techniques that I use in my own classroom today are skills that I picked up from him."

Maria O'Donovan `87, Ph.D. `97 called McGuire a truly inspirational teacher. "He is passionate about his profession and has great insight into theoretical and methodological issues in archaeology. He is able to convey his knowledge of complex issues in a straightforward manner to students," she said. McGuire was O'Donovan's doctoral dissertation advisor. She is now a project director at Binghamton University's Public Archaeology Facility.

Although McGuire has been recognized for his skills in the classroom -- he also won a SUNY Chancellor's award for teaching in 1998 -- he is additionally a major researcher in archaeology and currently leads projects in Sonora, Mexico and Ludlow, Colorado.

Since 1987, McGuire has led an international team of researchers and graduate students in Sonora doing surveys in the Altar Valley and excavations at Cerro de Trincheras. Both projects are pioneering because of their locations near the American border. He explained that the Southwest United States and most of Mexico have always been extremely popular with archaeologists, but the area around the border is "no man's land." The ground was untouched, so McGuire and his team were the first to learn what lay beneath the soil.

McGuire turned his interests to his home state of Colorado in 1996 when he started an archaeological project investigating the 1913-1914 Coal Strike and Ludlow massacre. "The striking coal miners set up a tent colony because they were kicked out of company housing and they were attacked by 400 National Guard troops," said McGuire. "Twenty-five people were killed, including 11 women and children." The excavation is a partnership with the United Mining Workers of America. "It's a very different kind of project," he commented. In 1997, McGuire received a University Award for Excellence in Research.

While his research has taken him around the continent, McGuire's heart remains in the classroom. "It's been twenty years and I think the most satisfying part of my career has been when students come back, sometimes out of the blue, and tell me I made a difference in their life."

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Harpur Showcases Translators from Around the Globe

Even though the students are away, Binghamton’s campus is still teeming with activity. Faculty, students, and alumni routinely gather for presentations, lectures, and seminars during the summer months. Harpur College’s Translation Research and Instruction Program (TRIP) hosted its second annual translation recital on June 21, 2002. Four people read excerpts of their own translations of other authors’ work to an international audience, following a festive dinner in the Chenango Room. The recital was the midpoint of a two-day translation seminar for academics and professionals.

Carrol Coates, professor of romance languages, read from his most recent publication, "In the Flicker of an Eyelid." The Jaques Stephen Alexis 1959 novel, which he translated from French to English, depicts a relationship between a prostitute and a mechanic, during which they realize they knew each other as children. Each of the novel’s six chapters is devoted to a sense with the "sixth sense" being the last chapter. Coates joked that the first few pages of the novel should be censored if you want to give the book as a gift to children.

Jon Morris, (Trans. Cert. `98, M.A. `98, M.A. `99) adjunct instructor of romance languages, gave an excerpt from "Heidegger and the Ideology of War: Community, Death and the West," originally written by Domenico Losurdo. He and his wife Marella Feltrin Morris (M.A. and Trans. Cert.`98, M.A.`99, Ph.D.`03) co-translated the book from Italian to English, which analyzes Heiddiger’s philosophy during World War I in Germany. The couple agreed working together presented challenges, especially since Jon is American and Marella is a native of Italy. "In English, we can say something in 6 or 7 words that can be said in as many lines in Italian," said Jon.

"I never thought of writing my own work in English," said Brazilian poet Luiza Franco Moreira, associate professor of comparative literature. "Going from Portuguese to English made me nervous." She had no reason to be. In "Upstate Poetry," Moreira eloquently described this region’s four distinct seasons. She remarked that some words can not be translated because their meaning must remain in the original language.

Eileen Rizo-Patron (Trans. Cert. `94, Ph.D.`03) read part of a translation of Gaston Bachelard’s 1948 "Earth and the Reveries of Will," in which the French philosopher compares morning dew to celestial water from heaven. Bachelard is known for his philosophical writings about the elements, such as earth, air, wind, and fire.

Because translators read the original text so many times, they understand the work thoroughly. Each recitation was like hearing the book acted out on the stage. Intentionally or not, they recited their pieces like theatrical scripts, often speaking in the voices of characters and raising or lowering their sound for emphasis.

The translation recital was partially underwritten by Tad Palmer (MBA and Trans. Cert.`87). "Translation crosses all cultural boundaries and it builds a bridge among people," he said. "My support of this event is a way of giving something back to a program that got me on my way."

The recital was actually the midpoint of a seminar, "Translation and Up to Date Technologies," that took place June 21 and 22, 2002, taught by Deborah Folaron (PhD `99) and assisted by Maria Constanza Guzmán.

Folaron is Language and Technology Manager at Eriksen Translations in New York and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Translation Studies Certificate Program at New York University. She is also a freelance translator and director of the New York Circle of Translators.

Participants learned to manage and participate in large, multilingual projects requiring skills in computer-assisted translation tools. "We discussed various components and phases of multilingual projects were discussed, including terminology management, graphics localization, Web site translation, and desktop publishing of multilingual documentation," explained Folaron.

"We were extremely pleased to put together for the larger translation community in the Twin Tiers a weekend that integrates so many facets of translation studies today," said Marilyn Gaddis Rose, distinguished service professor and director of TRIP, "For over 30 years, we have seen this as part of our mission."

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"Kalimera!" was the greeting heard each morning by the 34 travelers who flew from Binghamton to Athens, Greece, for 12 days of extraordinary sights and experiences. The trip, sponsored by the Binghamton University Theatre Department, was offered to students, faculty, staff and friends of the University. 

Once in Athens, the group was met by tour guide Nick Mouganis and taken to a hotel that featured a spectacular view of the Acropolis and the Parthenon from its rooftop garden. The first evening featured a traditional Greek meal and traditional Greek music and dancing. The next 12 days were a whirlwind of sites that included the Acropolis; the Temple of the Oracle at Delphi; the original site of the first Olympics at Olympia; a soaring Temple to Apollo high on a mountaintop in Bassae; the Fortress of Agamemnon with all of its treasures; the restored city of Knossos; the city of Akrotiri (a Minoan settlement preserved by volcanic ash); and so many more.

Front: Mrs. Emily Koutsoukis, Louise Scalet, and Prof. Steve Scalet. Rear: Dr. Jimmy Psellas, Dr. Helen Caraveli `75, Dr. Kleomenis Koutsoukis `76, Debby Cobb, director of development for Harpur College, and Dr. Ken Scalet

The tour emphasized visiting ancient (and contemporary) theaters, with opportunity for lectures by current members of the Athens theater community, as well as Mouganis. Many faculty and community members on the trip were able to share their own expertise and knowledge about various aspects of the ancient Greek world and related topics, including Professors Kim Axline and Al and Elizabeth Tricomi; Professor Emeritus Norman Burns and his wife, Dorothy; Dr. Arthur Levy (who shared birding knowledge) and his wife, Ruth; Professor Don Guido; and Louise Scalet. There was also much time for general sightseeing, lots of enjoyment of Greek food and hospitality, and even several opportunities to rest and relax on the amazing islands and beaches of Greece.

Binghamton University alumni can be found around the world, and Greece is no exception. Prior to its visit, the group wrote to the 12 BU alumni who currently live in Greece and invited them to a get-together while they were there. Professor Kleomenis Koutsoukis ’76 hosted the event on his campus at Panteion University in Athens. The university offers amazing views of the sprawling city of Athens, as well as the nearby Acropolis and Parthenon. Members of the tour group were joined at the event by Professor Koutsoukis and his wife; one of his current students, Jimmy Psellas; Professor Helen Caraveli ’75, a faculty member at the Athens University of Economics and Business; Vera Lalangas ’89, a contributing fashion writer for Greek Vogue; Professor Ken and Louise Scalet and Professor Steve Scalet of the Philosophy and Economics departments at Binghamton University. After viewing the university grounds, the party went to a nearby café and enjoyed traditional Greek desserts and warm Greek hospitality. They enjoyed sharing stories and getting to know each other.

The trip was a success and a real opportunity for the students, faculty, staff and friends of Harpur College and Binghamton University to get a firsthand look at the culture and history of Greece.

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Hey, New York City Alumni...

Don't miss the next Binghamton University Happy Hour on Tuesday, July 30th between 7:00 and 10:00p.m. at Bliss, 256 E. 49th Street, between 2nd and 3rd in Manhattan. There is no cover charge; just bring your business card. Over 200 people came to the last one!

Music by Rob Melstein `96 (www.djrobnyc.com). This event is sponsored by the School of Management Young Alumni Advisory Council. All Binghamton grads are welcome.

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The Tradition Continues! Harpur College alumni reunited in September 2001 for a warm, memorable, fun weekend. Call your friends and mark your calendar for this year's big event on October 11, 12 and 13.

All alumni are encouraged to "come home again or for the first time" and participate in this annual event for Binghamton University. Special reunions or homecomings are being organized for alumni groups who have indicated an interest in a homecoming. Click the banner above for more information. Hope to see you there!

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In response to your much-appreciated feedback, the Harpur Hotline has begun 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 are doing:

1973: Joan Guggenheimer was named co-general counsel of Citigroup in late 2001. After graduating from Columbia Law School in 1979, she clerked in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Her next step was at Davis Polk & Wardwell as a litigation associate. In 1985, Guggenheimer joined Smith Barney's legal department. After corporate mergers with Travelers and Solomon Brothers and a few steps up the corporate ladder, she was promoted general counsel of Solomon Smith Barney in 1999. Guggenheimer resides in Scarsdale, NY with her husband and two teenage children. (Source: New York Law Journal)

1977: World renowned documentary filmmaker Alan Berliner has a terrific web site (www.alanberliner.com) that showcases his background, career, achievements, and coming events. He has received fellowships from the Rockefeller, Guggenheim, and Jerome Foundations, as well as three Emmy awards. His 2001 film, "The Sweetest Sound," chronicles a discussion with twelve other men with the name as his. Berliner earned an MFA from the University of Oklahoma in 1979 and teaches at the New School for Social Research. (Source: www.alanberliner.com)

1980: Holly Weinhouse and John Cicero tied the knot in 1987. They have a 12 year-old-daughter and two sons, ages 5 and 10. After graduation Weinhouse worked in marketing and advertising for 10 years and took a break to be home with her children. In 2000, she earned an MAT in Elementary Education at Manhattanville College and now teaches 4th grade in Dobbs Ferry, NY. Cicero works as a commercial real estate appraiser in New York City. Weinhouse writes, "Hi to past and present friends! E-mail us if you'd like at holgail@aol.com."

1994: With a J.D. from Boston University (1997) and an M.S. in Mollecular and Cell Biology (2000), Inna (Shtivelband) Landsman is a patent attorney and has recently founded her own intellectual property law firm in Cambridge, MA. Law buffs will enjoy Landsman's newsletter, The Intellectual Property Quarterly. She told the Harpur Hotline, "I married Seth Landsman (Watson `96) and he is currently completing his Ph.D. in Computer Science at Brandeis University. I would love to hear from old friends and can be reached at ilandsman@sciencelawyer.com."

1994: Ingrid C. Etienne married William B. Humphrey, CSW on July 29, 2001. The wedding party included Edwarde Moise `94, Serena McCalla `94 and Maxine Williams `93. Cynthia Owusu-Bediako `92, Sharon Corbiin Johnson `93, Autumn Smoot `94, May-Roline Jean-Baptiste Charles `95 and Alexandra Dufrense McGlashan `95 were among the guests. Etienne teaches physics in Mount Vernon, NY. The couple resides in Brooklyn.

Please send all information and photos (.jpg preferred) to Ingrid Husisian, Hotline Editor, at husisian@binghamton.edu or by mail to the Harpur College Dean's Office, LN 2430, Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY, 13902-6000. We look forward to hearing from you!

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