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One
of the things Solomon Polachek is going to miss most about Harpur
when he steps down from his position as the College's Dean this
month is the faculty's penchant for 'talking shop'. Whether over
a cup of coffee or during a lunch break, conversation invariably
turns to the research and academic work the faculty is currently
involved in. For Polachek, this scholarly spirit is a sure sign
that the intellectual atmosphere that was such an important part
of Harpur's founding principles is still as relevant and as vigorous
today, as it was 50 years ago. And he hopes that during his tenure
as Dean and as faculty member, he has in some way, contributed
to this long-standing Harpur tradition.
It was Harpur's vibrant intellectual environment that lured Polachek away from the University of North Carolina almost 18 years ago. Joining the faculty of the economics department, Polachek brought with him a solid reputation as leader in the fields of labor economics and econometrics. And over the years, he continued to hone his 'craft', authoring over 75 articles and book chapters, several government reports, as well as co-authoring a book, The Economics of Earnings (1993) and editing an annual volume, Research on Labor Economics. It was these efforts that won him the recognition of the SUNY Trustees and in 1996, he was appointed to the rank of Distinguished Professor. Students have also recognized the level of dedication that Polachek has contributed to Harpur College. In 1998, he was presented with the Dan Hoffman award for excellence in teaching, which is voted upon by seniors majoring in Economics.
Although teaching and research is his first love, Polachek has never been known to turn down a challenge. And when the opportunity arose to serve as chair of the Economics Department, he jumped at the chance, holding the position for two years. To some extent, Polachek's role as chair served as a dress rehearsal for his appointment as Dean of Harpur College in 1996. As he prepares to return to scholarly pursuits, Polachek reflects on his relationship with Harpur College with very mixed emotions. "These past four years as dean has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding endeavors I have ever experienced," he said. "I have had the rare privilege of being able to meet and interact with faculty, staff, students and alumni. And it is these relationships that I am going to miss the most."
For Polachek, the biggest challenge he faced at the start of
his term as dean was to rekindle Harpur College's intellectual
atmosphere, which he felt had lost its vitality. This vision became
the central theme driving many of the programs, activities and
events that he initiated during his tenure. "Everything we,
the faculty, staff, students and alumni have done in the past
four years, has been to that end," said Polachek. "From
introducing a new budgeting approach, the Department Discretionary
Budgets (DDB), and our efforts to reconnect alumni with the campus,
to the reestablishment of the Dean's Lecture Series and offering
support for a workshop series. We have been able to reaffirm our
commitment to being a College that cares about its academic spirit
and intellectual pursuit."
Clearly the role that Polachek has enjoyed the most is meeting
the products of Binghamton University - its alumni, - which he
notes, was probably the most rewarding part of his job. "What
I have seen is most impressive," he said. "Invariably,
alumni have very fond memories of Harpur, crediting the College
with giving them new perspectives on life - perspectives which
have opened doors to great opportunities and successful careers."
Polachek also notes with interest on the wide variety of career
choices that alumni with a liberal arts and sciences background
have made. "I have met corporate executives, attorneys at
top law firms, people in the professions and in the entertainment
world," said Polachek. "And though, all very successful,
they share the same down to earth qualities which I think to a
large extent, are influenced by their Binghamton University education."
News of Dean Polachek''s resignation spurred a flood of letters and tributes from well-wishers and friends. In his farewell remarks, Stanley K. Madan, Professor Emeritus of History had this to say: "What I value most is your thoughtfulness in assuring the emeriti that they are still a part of Harpur College, and can continue to share in its life. We all appreciate the special contribution you have made in that respect." Dr. Norman E. Spear, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, noted: "Without going into detail, let me just say that in my judgement, through 37 years as a professor, you have been the most creative and effective Dean for whom I have worked. This covers some pretty good Deans too."
With administrative duties behind him, Polachek will head off in late summer to the University of Michigan, where he plans on working with two world-class research groups: one based in the Political Science department, dealing with economics and war, and the other, focussing on Polachek's own specialty, labor economics. "Like all changes in life, I am facing this one with a certain amount of mixed emotions," said Polachek. "On the one hand, it will be really good to get back into my area of expertise and Ann Arbor is reportedly a wonderful college town. But on the other hand, it is never easy to leave an environment that you have been a part of for a long period of time - in my case, 18 years. I leave behind many good friends and colleagues, especially my staff in the Dean's Office, who have worked with me so closely and diligently these past four years."
The hallowed halls of Harpur College have not seen the last of Solomon Polachek. The plan is that after a year's sabbatical leave at the University of Michigan, Polachek will rejoin the faculty in the Economics Department, intellectually reinvigorated and ready to once again, resume his research and teaching duties at Harpur College.
Dean Polachek has established an endowment to recognize superior undergraduate honors thesis. If you would like to make a contribution to the endowment, send a check made payable to the 'Solomon Polachek Fund - Account #2058250' and forward to the Binghamton University Foundation, PO Box 6005, Binghamton, NY 13902-6005.
Local Poets Share Poetry in Campus Event
Jeff Dunham '88,
a teacher at the Vestal Middle School, is a huge poetry fan. He
not only reads and enjoys it himself but also uses it as a teaching
tool in his 7th Grade English class. So, when Harpur College sent
out invitations for its annual Poetry and the Children event,
Dunham was eager to participate. And on May 24, he joined fellow
teachers from across 10 local school districts and their slightly
nervous, but excited groups of students, for a morning of poetry
readings and discussion.
For over 23 years, Poetry and the Children has been an important event on local school calendars. Established as a memorial to Robert Pawlikowski, a published poet, creative writing instructor and BU administrative assistant, who drowned in 1975, Poetry and the Children has grown to include over 380 students from 30 schools. "For Harpur College, this is always such a positive experience, "said Donald Blake, associate dean for academic affairs. "It involves young people and the creation of art, in this case poetry. We gather in the presence of a poet and for two hours, the word and imagination and rhythm are center stage. There are few, if any, such moments in our quotidian worlds."
The budding poets
are also exposed to the writings of seasoned professionals, who,
as guests, are invited to share their work with the students.
This year, writer and musician, Phil Sweeney returned for a second
time as guest poet. Along with a violinist, known simply as Mr.
Gibby, Sweeney combined poetry and song in a presentation that
kept the audience spell-bound. "Poetry and the Children is
such a fun event," said Sweeney. "It allows me to share
my love of poetry and music with a whole new audience. And joins
us all together in a bond of creativity." For Sweeney, participating
in Poetry and the Children is like coming home. He is a BU alumnus
and holds a BA in History and MA in Education. As a songwriter
and guitarist, he has performed nationally with artists such as
Pete Seeger and Country Joe McDonald and has been featured as
a Poet-In-Residence on the public television show, Art Scene.
In 1998, he released his first collection of poetry, Dark Shadows
for a Thousand Points of Light. Sweeney is a full-time English
Literature and Composition Instructor at the Afton Central High
School.
But not only do the students get to hear from other poets and read their own work, they also get to see their poems in print. Through sponsorship by underwriters, the Oakdale Mall and Susan Clark-Johnson, a 1967 Binghamton graduate and former publisher of the Binghamton Evening Press, the predecessor of the Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin, students are provided with an anthology of their collective work.
Cathy Saraceno-Kniffen, a teacher in the Union-Endicott School district, has participated in Poetry and the Children for over 14 years. And each year, she notices a marked difference in the interest her students have for poetry. "When they get back in the classroom, they are always so fired up," she said. "They understand how they can relate to poetry, both through reading and writing. And they enjoy seeing how a professional poet prepares and presents their work. It inspires them to continue their own efforts."
Don Blake hopes that students attending Poetry and the Children will walk away with a better understanding of the relevance of poetry to their everyday lives. "I hope the students get a sense of how special poetry is and how special they are for creating it," he said. "And that people who read and write poetry are found all around us. I also hope that they associate college and university-life with such these activities and people. And I hope the teachers receive reinforcement for their efforts in the classrooms to teach poetry. We hope that through Poetry and the Children, they feel thanked for their support of poetry."
Alumni Gather May 24 for NYC Event
Alumni from across the University gathered at the American Express Tower in New York City for a special networking reception on May 24.
Hosted by Joseph A. Yacura '82, MS, Accounting, Jeffrey M. Yearwood '97, MBA and Brian M. Krisburg '94, BA, Economics/'95, MBA, alumni gathered for an evening of fine food, great company and a wonderful view of the East River.
Running Shoes Plus Economic Fundamentals Equal Marathon Success
Professor Bong Joon
Yoon's running habit started out as a way of building endurance
for his racquetball game. Fifteen years and 12 marathons later,
it has become a way of life and includes pre-dawn training sessions,
blisters and a different pair of running shoes for each day of
the week.
"At 39, I was rather a late beginner as far as running goes," said Yoon, associate professor of economics. "But after a few months, I found that I really enjoyed it. Soon the indoor track in the West Gym replaced the racquetball court and I was invited to join the Triple Cities Road Runners club. Belonging to a group like this allows me to not only train with a dedicated group of people but also to have fun and keep healthy at the same time."
With his newfound stamina, the indoor track and the roadways
in and around Vestal soon became Yoon's training ground for local
5k and 10k races. Marathons were the next progression. "I
try to do at least two marathons a year," said Yoon. "Usually
it's the Boston Marathon in the spring and the Steamtown Marathon
in Scranton in the fall, which means almost year-round training.
And as I generally run in the early parts of the morning, during
the winter, this means dealing with ice and poor running conditions."
But according to Yoon, every minute spent grappling with those
early-morning training hazards does pay off in the long run. The
'notches' on his running belt include the Philadelphia Marathon
and several in the Washington D.C. area including the Marine Corps
Marathon in which he and local TCC teammates placed first in their
age-group. More recently, at this year's Boston marathon, Yoon
finished the 26-mile, 385-yard race in 3 hours and 49 seconds,
despite strong head winds and very cold temperatures.
But the true secret to Yoon's running success comes from an
unlikely source - his 'day job' as economics professor. "At
first running was an antidote to my life as an economist and teacher,"
said Yoon. "I found that my social circle was quite narrow
and I needed a way to meet people with different backgrounds.
Running has certainly enriched my social life. But I also soon
found parallels between running and economics." The connection
is most apparent in the philosophy Yoon applies to the way he
runs marathons. "In brief, it's a case of optimization -
both long term and short term," notes Yoon. "Using scare
resources - energy - to best meet my goal. I also rely on determining
a strategy for each marathon. I study the course and its terrain
very closely and set a goal for how fast I need to run for each
one of the 26 miles in the race."
Strategy alone, however, does not win races. Yoon also credits
a healthy diet and good running shoes....lots of them. "Once
I find a shoe I like, I tend to stock up on them," says Yoon.
"But I also find that if I alternate between several pairs
of running shoes, I am able to exercise different muscles in my
legs and feet, therefore minimizing the chance of injury."
Yoon will be running a number of local 5k races this summer but
already has his eyes set on the Steamtown Marathon, scheduled
for Sunday, October 8 in Scranton, PA. The course is a particularly
fast one, dropping 955 feet between the starting point in Forest
City and its finish in Scranton. "Last year, I finished in
just under three hours - 2 hours and 57 minutes. This year, my
goal is to shave off at least two minutes off that time,"
said Yoon.
Yoon has been part of the Harpur College Economics faculty since 1983. His main field of specialization is econometrics, a branch of economics that deals with statistical analysis and forecasting. Yoon's secondary fields of interest include labor economics and East Asian economic development.
Faces of the Future - Graduates 2000
In the second of our on-going Graduates 2000 series, meet a graduate who started out as a Chemistry major but is now heading into the business world and how a paperback influenced a career choice.
Name:
Yevgeniya Kostareva.
Degree: Bachelor of Science.
Double Major: Chemistry and in Russian Studies via the Innovational
Projects Board (IPB).
Future Plans: She has accepted
an offer from Deutsche Bank Global Institutional Services
Management Associate Program, starting in July. Also hopes to
pursue an MBA in a few years.
Yevgeniya Kostareva always thought she knew what she wanted
to be when she grew up. A scientist just like her Mom. And because
she was always really good at
Chemistry, it seemed the way to go. But when Kostareva graduates
this May, it won't be a career in Chemistry she'll be after. Starting
in July, she'll be joining the Deutsche Bank Global Institutional
Services Management Associate Program to face a future in the
world of business. And to some extent, she has Harpur to thank
for it.
"I thought I had a good sense of what I wanted to do in life before I came to Harpur," said Kostareva. "But then I realized that I would not be happy spending my life in the lab. I am far too much of a social person. And although it was too late to change my major, I set my sights on a business career." Armed with the excellent analytical skills she honed through the Chemistry program, Kostareva had no problem finding a business internship last summer at S.G. Cowen Securities, Co. in New York City. The work experience not only confirmed Kostareva's 'gut instinct' about following a business career but helped her land the position at Deutsche Bank.
Kostareva in no stranger to major life-changing choices. She
came to the U.S. from Russia only 7 years ago. "I have definitely
become more Americanized during my four years at Binghamton,"
said Kostareva. "Before I came here, all of my friends were
Russian. Now I have friends from all walks of life and have been
able to not only learn a lot about other cultures, but also to
develop a better understanding of people coming from these cultures."
And by learning about others, Kostareva developed an interest
in knowing more about her own culture, history and people. She
persuaded the Innovational Projects Board to allow her to create
her own line of Russian studies. The program not only improved
her English writing and communication skills but helped to maintain
her Russian at a very high level.
Physics Professor, Robert Pompi met Kostareva when she was a high school junior in a summer program conducted by the University a couple of years ago. " I advised Genya to apply to Binghamton and recommended her as a Presidential Scholar," said Pompi. "It was soon very evident that Genya had the kind of intellectual gift and work ethic one is fortunate to see once or twice in a decade," said Pompi. "And it is with the utmost confidence that I predict we will be hearing about her as a dominant figure in international banking within fifteen years."
Name:
James Nonkes.
Degree: Majoring in Environmental
Science and Philosophy, Politics and Law.
Plans: Law School.
James Nonkes owns a very battered copy of A Civil Action by author Jonathan Harr. He first read it as a freshman at Vanderbilt University where he was thinking of following a pre-med or pre-dentistry program. But the real-life story of attorney Jan Schlichtmann and his fight against two large corporations over toxic waste-dumping, sparked Nonkes to reevaluate what he wanted out of life. This new direction led him to the Harpur College and its Environmental Studies program. And in the Fall, will take him to Law School.
"I had always been interested in the environment," said Nonkes. "And when I was a kid, my parents made sure that the family got to see all the 'nice' environment landmarks - Glacier National Park, Yellowstone. But when I read Harr's book, it was a kind of wake-up call and I knew that this was what I wanted to do." After reviewing a host of Environmental Science programs at various universities, Nonkes decided on BU. "The fact that the program here was so strong was a major factor in why I chose to come to BU," said Nonkes. "And after my first day, watching Professor Richard Andrus in action in his Enviro Studies class, I knew I had made the right choice. He had such passion for the environment that I wanted to be like him - a tamer version perhaps - but someone who had the same intensity."
Knowing that law school was in his future, Nonkes combined his Environmental Studies with those of the PPL program. "Ethically and philosophically, the two areas raised many of the same issues," said Nonkes. "And I think the writing emphasis of both programs, especially that of PPL is going to be very beneficial once I get to law school." Although the long, lonely nights spent studying in Science I are over, Nonkes admits that he learned an important lesson: hard work does pay off in the end. And for Nonkes, the pay off has been quite substantial. He was awarded the Eugene C. Gerhart Senior Law Award, was a co-recipient of the Emilio Roma Award for extraordinary service to the PPL program, as well as the Harpur College Academic Excellence award. Add to this impressive lineup the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Award and the SUNY Chancellors Award for Student Excellence, and you have the beginnings of a fine looking resumé.
John Arthur, professor of philosophy, can attest to Nonkes' work ethic. "Jim and I met because we had both gone to Vanderbilt in Nashville," said Arthur. "Since then I have got to know him very well. Jim is disarmingly easy-going - so much so, that you would not know he's one of the best students in his class until you see how well prepared he is and how much he knows. Jim is one of the reasons teaching at Binghamton is such a joy. So I feel that I owe him and students like him, as much as they owe me."
And as for that battered copy of A Civil Action, Nonkes still has it. But it is joined on his bookshelf by a brand new hardcover version - a gift from fellow student, Angela Totino. In the flyleaf she wrote a dedication that notes, "if you follow your heart, the right choices will present themselves to you". It would seem he already has.
Walk in the footsteps of the Pharaohs with Professor Kadish
Wander
the narrow streets of Cairo. Marvel at the tombs of the pharaohs
and the Egyptian nobility. See for yourself the wonders of Luxor.
And travel with an expert, Harpur's own Professor of History Gerald
E. Kadish.
Scheduled for January 4 - 18, 2001, Professor Kadish will be leading a 14-day exploration of Egypt and along with the Binghamton University Alumni Association, invites you to join him. Your voyage to the land of the Pharaohs will include visits to the monuments and museums of the Cairo area, Luxor, Aswan and the antiquities of Upper Egypt. Professor Kadish will escort you through the gates and halls of Karnak, a religious center nearly 2,000 years in the making. You will enter the funerary temples and tombs of the pharaohs and nobles to feast your eyes on the edifices that after 4,500 years still astonish with their carved relief and painting. This will be a special opportunity to not only see these marvels but to learn something of the history, customs, beliefs and lives of those Egyptians who built them.
Your guide to Egypt, Gerald E. Kadish, Professor of History and Near Eastern Studies has been a member of Harpur's Department of History for 37 years, serving as its Chair from 1982-84 and 1988-89. He has written and lectured widely on ancient Egyptian history, religion, law and social life. His distinctive teaching of courses on ancient Egypt and ancient history in general has earned him the prestigious SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.
If you would like your name added to the mailing list for more
information about this adventure trip, please contact Professor
Kadish at (607) 777-2488 or e-mail him at kadishg@binghamton.edu
Price for this Egyptian adventure is $3,399 per person from New
York, based on double occupancy. This trip is being planned by
Travel with the Experts Ltd. Questions may also be directed to
them at tvlxperts@aol.com
or (732) 292-0034.
Paul Reiser '77, Sean Kenniff '91 and Stacey Stillman '94 earn national media attention.
As guest speaker at Harpur's recent Commencement ceremony, Paul Reiser '77 is certainly receiving his share of national media attention. He was featured as part of the NBC Nightly News segment on Commencement 2000 and is placed very prominently in the June 12 issue of People magazine. His BU Commencement appearance will also be featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show in their 'graduates who have beaten the odds' program which is to air on Monday, June 19.
For fans of the CBS hit-series Survivor, which is currently
keeping audiences across the nation glued to their TV sets, here's
something else to watch for - two Harpur grads: Sean Kenniff '91
and Stacey Stillman '94. Kenniff's regular day job is neurology,
in which he conducts a private practice, working for the Long
Island Jewish Medical Center, the North Shore University Hospital
and St. Francis University Hospital.
Stillman completed her undergraduate degrees in Physics and PPL
in 1994. When not waging war against bugs, the elements and her
fellow marooned cast members on Survivor, Stillman practices
corporate law at a law firm that specializes in representing technology
companies.
For those who may have missed the first two episodes of Survivor,
the series follows the day-to-day interactions of 16 castaways
marooned on a remote tropical island. Divided into two 'tribes',
the castaways will be faced with a series of team challenges and
one by one, will be forced to 'vote off' the weakest or most expendable
member of their team, The lone survivor will win $1,000,000. So
far, Kenniff and Stillman are still in the game!
Please note, dates for distribution of Summer issues of Harpur Hotline - June 12, July 10 and August 14. Bi-weekly distribution will resume at the beginning of the Fall 2000-2001 semester.
Last updated 6/12/00. Written by Gail Glover, Harpur College Public Relations Specialist.