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Harpur Alumna Charlene Kahlor Kramer
`73 to Receive Honorary Doctorate at Commencement
Charlene Kahlor Kramer '73 will be the recipient of an honorary
Doctorate of Humane Letters at Binghamton University's Commencement
on Sunday, May 16.
Through their generosity, Roger
Kramer `72 and Charlene Kahlor Kramer `73 have
made it possible for several high achieving students
to attend Binghamton University who otherwise
could not afford to. |
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Kramer, a Harpur College alumna, was the first in her family
to attend college, earning a bachelor's degree in English.
In a desire to help others overcome similar financial barriers,
she and her husband, Roger Kramer '72, have endowed a number
of scholarships at Binghamton for academically gifted students
with financial need.
Kramer joined Fannie Mae, the nation's largest source of
funds for home mortgages in 1978, and is the key architect
of an outreach program specifically designed to help economically
disadvantaged and minority families buy their own homes. As
a senior executive, she manages Fannie Mae's national award-winning
advertising campaigns, as well as its internal communications,
publications, video production and web communications. She
also oversees Fannie Mae's social responsibility outreach
programs, and her work has led to praise for the corporation
and its policies from such publications as Working Mother
and Fortune.
"I have been passionate about Binghamton University
from the first moment I walked on campus. My years spent at
Harpur College were some of the most meaningful of my life,"
Kramer said.
"I made many lasting relationships; I met my husband
Roger, and I received a terrific education that has served
me in good stead throughout my career. The incredible emotional
and intellectual connection I feel towards my alma mater is
enhanced beyond measure by receiving this honorary doctorate.
It is just a wonderful capstone to my career, and I am deeply
honored," she said.
Eugene M. DeLoatch, the current and founding dean of the
engineering school at Morgan State University will receive
an honorary Doctor of Science Degree and Ezra Laderman, a
three-time Guggenheim fellow known for solo and instrumental
works to large scale choral and orchestral music, will receive
an honorary Doctor of Music Degree.
Click
here for more information about Commencement 2004.
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Harpur's
Chemistry Department Ranked 19th in the Nation
by Sarah Lifshin
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David Doetschman, professor and
chair of chemistry, credits the hard work of his
colleagues for the department's highest ranking
ever. He is pictured above discussing a porous aluminosilicate
structure with students. |
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Harpur College's Department of Chemistry has been
touted as one of the best academic departments in the nation
for the number of bachelor degrees it granted during the 2001-02
academic year.
The department was ranked 19th in the nation by
the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Professional
Training for its ability to retain its students throughout their
academic careers.
"This recognition is a tribute to the outstanding
faculty in the chemistry department and their ability to engage
students both in the classroom and in the broad array of research
opportunities that exist at Binghamton," said President
Lois B. DeFleur.
This is the highest ranking BU has received from
the organization, which ranked 623 academic institutions during
the academic year.
"This really gives us the credit for the
total number of degrees in straight chemistry, along with biochemistry,"
said David Doetschman, professor and department chair, who also
credits the tremendous work and ability of the department’s
15 faculty members. Doetschman said the biochemistry program
deserves much of the credit for the number of degrees granted
because the American Chemical Society asked to have the number
of degrees in both programs reported jointly.
The University of California at Los Angeles ranked
first with 236 degrees, followed by the University of Washington
with 154 and the University of Texas at Austin with 115. BU
tied with the University of Maryland at College Park and New
York University, with all three academic institutions granting
57 bachelor’s degrees.
"We have little attrition," Doetschman
said. "We have a very good program and our students are
very good at their studies. Their initial aspirations of studying
chemistry or biochemistry will lead them into their future careers
in science or medicine."
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Harpur
College Sponsors Display of Ruby Wang's Art
The Asian-themed art of former Binghamton resident,
Ruby Wang, was on display at the Binghamton University Art Museum
earlier this month, co-sponsored by the Harpur College Dean's
Office and the Harpur Forum.
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Click the image above to view Ruby
Wang's latest art.
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At a special presentation of her work to the Harpur
Forum on April 1, 2004, Wang expressed her joy of returning
to and sharing her newest art with the community she called
home for nearly 20 years.
"It's wonderful to be back in Binghamton!
This is my hometown and I began the development of my art here,"
Wang remarked before addressing the large gathering of community
and Harpur Forum members about her work, "This area has
encouraged me so much." She praised the community’s
exchange of Eastern and Western culture, particularly at Binghamton
University which boasts a diverse campus and a program in Asian
and Asian-American Studies.
Wang, a native of Nanjiing, China, received formal
training in Chinese landscape painting from Taiwan Normal University
and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. Her husband’s
career with IBM brought them to this area. While raising a family,
Wang gave private art lessons and exhibited her work at the
University Art Museum, Roberson Art Museum, and other local
venues. During this time, she also founded the Chinese Arts
Association.
Jackie Hogan '82, assistant director of the Binghamton
University Art Museum, admired the strong community support
of Wang’s art and said Wang's friends were very excited
about seeing her again.
Lynne Gamwell, director of the Binghamton University
Art Museum, said Wang's paintings are a good compliment to the
museum's Asian gallery on its second floor. "It's nice
to have an artist who bridges Eastern and Western cultures.
Her work is modern and carries on an Eastern tradition in the
U.S."
Wang donated two of her paintings to the University's
Art Museum in March 2002 to further share Asian art and culture
with a Western society (see
related story). She believes that the beauty of simplicity
characterizes Chinese painting and Western painting is rich
in form, color, and texture. Together, the Eastern and Western
traditions free the artist’s individual expression.
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Alumni
Return to Honor Richard Trexler
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Prior to the symposium honoring
his work, Distinguished Professor Richard Trexler,
presented "Scholarship Less than Michelangeslesque:
The Medici Chapel" at the 26th Ferber Lecture,
an annual lecture in medieval and/or early modern
art or music history in memory of Stanley Ferber,
professor of art history. |
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Five alumni, several Harpur College faculty, and
some leading scholars from around the world celebrated the scholarship
and career of Richard Trexler, distinguished professor of history,
at "Public Life and Private Conduct: Changing Historical
Perspectives Across the Early Modern World," a symposium
in his honor on April 16 and 17 in Fine Arts 258. Trexler retired
last semester after 26 years at Binghamton.
Harpur College Dean Jean-Pierre Mileur praised
Trexler's 11 books and more than 100 publications in his welcoming
speech at the symposium. "Dick has been an established
authority on the early modern world and is cited as an expert,"
Mileur said. He shared Harpur College's appreciation that Trexler
will remain a Bartle professor, teaching part-time for the next
two years.
Karen-edis Barzman, associate professor of art
history, who also spoke at the beginning of the event, explained
how Trexler’s scholarly influence exceeded the boundaries of
his academic specialties. "His work on spectacle, on ritual,
on protocols that governed behavior, shaped thought, constituted
community in the early modern world established new paradigms,
opened new avenues of inquiry, and engendered new habits of
thought not only in the fields of history and early modern studies,
but across the disciplines as well in the social sciences and
the humanities," she said.
All of Trexler's former Ph.D. students returned
for the symposium. This was the first time they had all been
together at once, and for many, their first time back on campus
since graduating.
Peter Arnade (Ph.D. `92), associate professor
of history at California State University at San Marcos, presented
"Urban Furies: The Sack of Cities and the Rhetoric of Resistance
in the Dutch Revolt."
Lyn Blanchfield (M.A. `91, Ph.D. `03),
visiting assistant professor of history at LeMoyne College,
presented "Le Piagnoni: The Weeping Women of Savonarola."
Michael Rocke (M.A. `81, Ph.D. `89) is
the director of the library at Villa I Tatti, the Harvard University
Center for Italian Renaissance Studies in Florence, Italy.
He presented "The Ambivalence of Policing Sexual Margins:
Sodomy and Sodomites in Renaissance Florence." Rocke said,
"This is a really wonderful occasion to celebrate such
a wonderful mentor."
Joelle Rollo-Koster (Ph.D. `92), associate
professor of history at the University of Rhode Island, presented
"Empty See." She remarked, "It’s delightful
to be back to see Dick and my old friends. The campus is different,
but it’s still the same. We follow his legacy in our studies."
Mahnaz Yousefzadeh (M.A. `96, Ph.D. `02), assistant
professor of humanities at New York University, presented "Anti-Hegemonic
Nationalism: 1865 Centenary Festa of Dante." "It’s
great to be back on this special occasion to see so many familiar
faces and members of this intellectual community," she
said.
"The University has always supported me
and my scholarship," Trexler said after the symposium.
"The whole thing was fabulous fun for me and brought back
great memories."
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Prospective
Students and Families Get to Know Harpur at Open Houses
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Hundreds of prospective students
and their families toured the campus at Open Houses
last weekend. |
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Harpur College, along with the rest of Binghamton
University, welcomed nearly 1,000 prospective students and their
families at open houses on April 16 and 17. The University expects
another 1,000 at more open houses the weekend of April 24 and
25.
"Open House is always a great opportunity
to help the prospective students and their families determine
whether Binghamton is a great fit for them," said Yamiley
St. Ville (M.A.S.S. `02), senior assistant director of admissions.
She said Open House is structured to provide prospective freshmen
with student interaction, see our facilities, and become knowledgeable
of our resources.
Seung Lee `06 volunteered at Open House, answering
questions and welcoming families to campus. "I answered
questions about the dorms, dining halls, libraries, programs
and courses."
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Julia Miller, head of academic
advising at Harpur College (left), answered families'
questions and encouraged students to look at Academic
Advising's website for more information. |
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Julia Miller, head of academic advising for Harpur
College, spoke to students and their families in the Anderson
Center Concert Theater about Harpur College’s academic
programs and student life. Several students asked about transfer
credits, as many had earned them through advanced placement
courses or by taking college courses in their hometowns.
The prospective students especially appreciated
the opportunity to speak individually with Miller and Andrew
Morris, assistant director of admissions, about transferring
credits, course requirements, study abroad, internships, and
research, to name just a few subjects.
Throughout the day, tourguides led the crowds
around Binghamton’s campus, offering a look into student
life. "The tourguides were really helpful and it was good
to see the residential areas, computers, and the kind of environment
I’d be living in," said Claire Semder, a high school
senior from Valley Stream, NY.
The whole weekend was warm and sunny, hopefully
leaving many future Harpur students with an even better impression
of what Miller referred to as "the crown jewel in the SUNY
system."
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Retired
Professor Reflects on his Harpur College Years
Professor Emeritus Jan Michal began
teaching economics at Harpur in 1964 and specialized
macro economic theory, inflation and unemployment,
and international economic systems. He wrote extensively
about the advantages of capitalism over socialism. |
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Jan Michal, professor emeritus of economics at
Harpur College, returned to campus on April 9 for the first
time since his retirement in 1990. A native of the former Czechoslovakia,
Michal earned a doctor of law from Charles University in Prague
and spent several years at the London School of Economics before
moving to America and beginning an academic career that spanned
nearly a half-century and touched the lives of thousands of
students.
Retirement didn't stop Michal from continuing
to teach, learn and write. In 1991, he earned a Fullbright
grant to teach economic theory and do research at his alma mater,
Charles University.
Michal was delighted and surprised by how much
the campus had changed in the last decade. Harpur College’s
growing faculty and their research impressed him. Michal said
Binghamton University has a growing reputation in Europe and
he recalls seeing the university’s name in newspapers in the
Czech Republic, France and Germany.
Michal has many fond memories of his years at
Harpur College. "I spent the happiest part of my life
here," he said, having enjoyed the teaching, research,
and other professional activities, such as directing study abroad
programs to Malta, Tunisia and Austria.
Most of all, he enjoyed the students immensely,
remembering them as "pleasant, determined to do well, and
hard working."
Ed Scahill (M.A. `76, Ph.D. `83) worked for Michal
when he was field director of a study abroad program in Malta
and led a student trip to Tunisia. Scahill said during that
time, Michal became a friend and father figure to him. "Jan
was great because he wasn't standoffish," Scahill said.
"I felt like a member of his extended family." He
and his wife, Anna (Difulvio) `76 are still in touch with Michal
to this day.
Scahill, who is now a professor at the University
of Scranton, believes Michal’s influence ultimately made him
a better instructor. "He taught me as a professor, you've
just got to be yourself," Scahill said. "In Malta,
he told me most nice guys are pretty good teachers. Looking
back, it’s true."
Michal and his wife, Jutta, would enjoy hearing
from former students and colleagues during the summer at Waldstr.
2, 99891 Tabarz, Germany and during the winter at 6000 N. Ocean
Blvd #11E, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308.
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Calling
all alumni to donate Harpur College and BU memorabilia
 
Whether you graduated from Harpur
College in the 1950's or from Binghamton University
last year, sharing your old college items will help
us keep our memories strong. |
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As part of Homecoming 2004, the Alumni Association, in cooperation
with the University Libraries and the Harpur College Dean's
Office, will host our first "Thanks For The Memories"
Roadshow . The University Libraries plan to display memorabilia
from the anniversary classes 1954, 1979, 1994, and 1999.
Now is the time to clean out those closets, look in those
drawers and under the beds and send us the items that represent
your time at Harpur College or Binghamton University. Your donation
will become part of the University Archives and may appear in
future exhibits. The following are types of records that are
being sought by the University Archives to document the history
of Harpur College and Binghamton University:
Photographs Printed
publications Sound recordings
Committee records (reports, correspondence,
publications, and other items that represent the work done for
Harpur College or BU) Memorabilia
that is related to Harpur College or BU Please
include a note with each item describing the event or activity,
including the year, and your full name and class year. For photographs,
please identify the individuals included. Please do not write
anything on the item or photograph. If you have questions, please
feel free to contact Yvonne Deligato, University Archivist,
at 607-777-6459 or at deligato@binghamton.edu
.
Items should be sent to the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations,
Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000.
Items must be received by August 1, 2004 to be included in the
Homecoming '04 display.
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Harpur
Friends & Family
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:
| 1973: "Nurturing
the New" will feature the art of Shelley
Haven until May 9 at NURTUREart Gallery, 475
Keap St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY. For more information,
call the gallery at 718-772-7755. She will also display
her work May 8 - June 27 at the "BWAC Pier Art Show,"
499 Van Brunt, Red Hook Pier, Brooklyn. For more information,
call 718-596-2507. Right: Haven is pictured with her painting
"Connie's Meadow." |
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1984: Kevin Brenner
is the owner and president of Brenner Builders, one of
the most successful residential construction companies
in Westchester and Fairfield counties. He is the author
of Renovating with a Contractor and is a columnist for
Renovation Style and Today's Homeowner. He is a member
of several community organizations, including the Pound
Ridge Landmarks and Historic District Commission. Brenner
and his wife, Jill (Castro) `84, have
three children. Source: www.brennerbuilders.com. |
1989: Cari (Goldberg) and Eric Brandon
`90 announce the birth of Sarah Hailey on August
13, 2003. Sarah joins her big sister, Rebecca Dara, who was
born August 27, 2000. The Brandons live in Westwood, N.J.
Congratulations!
| 1995: Harvey Cohen
and his wife, Stacey, have left the big apple
for the Virgin Islands where they now own the island's
only pet boutique, How
'Bout Your Pet. He told the Harpur Hotline,
"In February 2003, my wife and I decided to take
a Caribbean cruise. We were celebrating the closing on
our apartment in Manhattan. While we were on vacation,
we were looking for a gift for our pet sitter and were
surprised to learn that there were no pet boutiques in
the Virgin Islands. The wheels began turning after our
discovery and by October 2003, we were open for business
in the downtown historical shopping district of Charlotte
Amalie, the capital of St. Thomas." Cohen says their
French Bulldog, Monte, is the store's mascot and comes
to work with them every day. |
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1996: Madelynn Ligouri
and Gregory Linkh were married on November
8, 2003 in Brooklyn. They are both attorneys. Madelynn graduated
from Brooklyn Law School and is associate counsel for the
Department of Sanitation. Gregory is an associate at Rabin,
Murray & Frank in New York. Source: New York Times.
1997: Maureen Kissane
and Jedidiah Felix were married October 11, 2003 in DeWitt,
NY. After a honeymoon in Hawaii, the couple resides in Syracuse.
Maureen earned a master's in public administration and a doctor
of law from Syracuse University. She is an attorney with Hiscock
Legal Aid Society. Her husband is employed by Syracuse University.
Source: The Post-Standard.
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Shop
Harpur Online
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Harpur students Hye Jin Oh `05, Erica
Weinstein `07 and Stephina Dansoh `06 kick back in Harpur
gear. |
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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Mark
`81 and Cathy Deutsch `79 and the Binghamton University School
of Management are pleased to invite you and your guests to the
Sixth Annual Dean's Metro
New York SOM Alumni Golf Challenge
Thursday, May 20, 2004
Shotgun start at 8:30a.m.
Scarsdale Golf Club
Hartsdale, New York
914-723-2840
$225 includes greens fee, cart,
range balls, luncheon reception and open bar.
$50 includes luncheon reception and open bar only.
Credit card payments gladly accepted
Click here for more
information...
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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.
Contact
the Webmaster.
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