Bridges Program Opens New Doors for Students

When Keisha Bonner enrolled at Westchester Community College, she did not know what she wanted to do with her life and chose to major in paralegal studies, hoping for job security.  A career in scientific research never occurred to her until she joined the SUNY Upstate Bridges to the Baccalaureate program and spent the summer working with Professors Karl Wilson and Anna Tan-Wilson at Binghamton University.

Bonner, in her last year at WCC, now plans to take more science courses and pursue her education further.  She is one of 20 students, the largest group ever at Binghamton, who recently completed the Bridges program, which just concluded its 5^th year at Harpur College.  The students, who came from Broome Community College, Monroe Community College, Onondaga Community College, Rockland Community and Westchester Community College, capped off five weeks of faculty-guided research with a poster session and luncheon where they answered questions about their projects and said farewell to their mentors and new friends.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, Bridges is designed to recruit more underrepresented minority students in the biomedical sciences.  Such students include U.S. citizens who are African-American, Hispanic-American, Native American and natives of the US Pacific Islands.  Binghamton University guarantees admission to Bridges participants who have maintained a 2.7 grade point average in science courses and overall. 

According to Donald Blake, Harpur College's associate dean for academic affairs and Bridges project director, BU has hosted a total of 86 students for the Bridges summer program.. Thirty-six have transferred to four-year schools; fifteen chose Binghamton.  Six have graduated from here and eight are currently enrolled.

Blake said Binghamton is proud of its retention rate of Bridges students and that the University has established close working relationships with science faculty at the partner community colleges.

But BU is most proud of the students themselves and how being a part of Bridges inspired them to continue their education.  "Perhaps most heartening," said Blake, "are the many students who tell us that their participation in science research here during the summer affected their academic goals."

"In many of our students, we can see how the program is increasing their appetite for education and, in these instances, we know the program is working," he said.

Yahira Aponte, a second-year student at Broome Community College, is another Bridges alumna who has reconsidered her career plans after experiencing hands-on research.

A former animal hospital assistant at the Jacksonville Zoo, she had once planned to become a marine mammal specialist.  But working with Nancy Stamp, graduate school dean and professor of Biological Sciences, changed her mind. 

Aponte compared two different species of wasps and how much protein each used to build their nests.  One species, polistes dominulus, is not native to the United States.  The other, polistes fuscatus, is native.  "We think that the non-native species has a faster maturing rate, maybe because they use more protein on their larvae than on their nest," she said. 

She said learning about the nonnative species will help scientists predict its environmental impact. "We're already seeing a decline in our native species and more of the nonnative," said Aponte. "We think the non-natives are edging out the natives, and we don't know how they got here."

She hopes to transfer to BU in Spring 2004 and major in Biology.  Her career plans are much more flexible now.  "I don't know what I'll do, she said,  "It depends if my interests change, which they have already."

Some students overcame great challenges to participate in Bridges.  Single parents Christina Closson-Rivera and Alia Chavies, both students at Onondaga Community College, said goodbye to their young children before heading to Binghamton.  While going to school and making ends meet is hard enough, adding motherhood to the mix can seem insurmountable.  Instead, both women felt they learned so much from doing research that it made being away easier. 

Working with Prof. Dennis McGee and Carrie LeSeur `03 (M.S.), Closson-Rivera induced different conditions on CACO-2 cells, which are colon cancer, hoping to see what causes growth or tissue death.  LeSeur and McGee will continue the research, with the goal of developing new cancer-fighting drugs. 

McGee felt Closson-Rivera made a significant contribution to his project and praised her ability in the lab. He said, "Her work helped to solidify some of our ideas and will have an important role in helping us to decide where to go next with this project."

Closson-Rivera feels very fortunate to have participated in Bridges.  "I have built so much confidence," she said.

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Students to benefit from EPA grant
Students gain hands-on work experience; community benefits from University's expertise

Binghamton University has received nearly $80,000 to support student internships within the upper Susquehanna River basin. The money is part of a $700,000 Watershed Initiative grant presented by the Environmental Protection Agency tot he Upper Susquehanna Coalition at a July 2 ceremony on the South Washington Street Pedestrian Bridge in Binghamton.

During last year's State of the Union address, President Bush asked the nation's leaders to nominate proposals to support community-based approaches to clean the nation's watersheds. A watershed is an area of land drained by a river system. They also capture precipitation, filter and store water and determine the timing of its release. Watershed management is the control of the quality and quantity of water and the effective use of water resources within a watershed (for instance, whether a town uses water for irrigation, transportation or recreation).

This year, Congress appropriated $15 million for watershed management. Overall, 20 watershed organizations are receiving grants ranging from $300 to $1 million.

The EPA selected the Upper Susquehanna Coalition, a team including local government officials, environmental specialists and several Harpur College professors, from 176 grant applicants because it demonstrated it could improve water quality in a short time, had strong public support, and could work in partnerships with existing government and educational programs.

The Upper Susquehanna watershed, a 7,534-square-mile, largely agricultural area that stretches from Otsego, NY to Athens, PA, is home to more than 250,000 people.

Binghamton University's portion of the watershed grant, spearheaded by Joe Graney, assistant professor of geology, will fund undergraduate students to work with Broome and Tioga County soil and water conservation districts on stream restoration using natural stream design, a watershed-based wetland program that will reduce flooding and increase wildlife habitat, improving road ditches and building local storm-water coalitions.

Graduate students will also conduct internships from a research perspective, working closely with faculty. Their final reports will serve as their master's theses.

"We've partnered with Binghamton University before. The students get real experience and we get real help. It's the perfect mix," said Jim Curatolo, watershed coordinator of the Upper Susquehanna Coalition.

The EPA grant is well timed. While Graney and his colleagues worked on the application, they were also considering beginning a Center for Integrated Watershed Studies at BU. "We started discussing the center at the same time we applied for the grant," said Burrell Montz, professor of geography. "This happened at the right time to get us a good start." Just as funding arrived from the EPA, BU's Research Foundation approved the center.

Dale Madison, professor of biological sciences and director of the graduate program, will direct the center with Graney and Montz as associate directors. Graney said the center will include faculty from several areas.

"It's interdisciplinary," he said. "We're initially merging biology, geology and geography perspectives of watersheds as a focus point to mesh our research interests."

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The Career Development Center and Professional Business Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi invite all alumni to recruit interns and employees at Binghamton University's annual Employer Fair on Thursday, September 18, 2003 in the Mandela Room of the University Union.

Check in and set up begins at 9:00a.m.  The CDC will host a brunch at 10:00 and give a presentation about updates to employer services.  The Employer Fair runs between 11:00a.m. and 3:30p.m.

Binghamton students are eager for internships and jobs.  "They are motivated," said Jillian Kroll `95 (M.A.S.S.), employer relations coordinator at the Career Development Center, "Employers appreciate our students because of their motivation and academic achievements that make them well prepared for the real world of work."

Because they are so sought-after, space at the Employer Fair is going fast.  The Career Development Center (CDC) uses an online registration system.  Please log on to CDC's homepage at http://cdc.binghamton.edu, go to "Programs & Special Events," click on "Special Events," and "Employer Fair 2003 Registration."  At the log in page, click "SKIP," which will allow you to complete the necessary registration and verify fee information.

A campus map, directions to Binghamton, and area hotel listings are on the CDC's web page under "Employers" and On Campus Recruiting."

For your organization to be listed in the event's program, please register by August 28^th.  The final deadline for registration is September 5^th at 5:00p.m.  Canceling before August 28^th ensures a full refund of your registration fee.

This event keeps growing more successful each year because our alumni, who are now members of the workforce, return to campus to share work opportunities with our students. 

For more information about the Employer Fair, or if you wish to recruit on campus during the 2003-2004 academic year, please call the CDC's Employer Services at 607-777-2553.

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In Memoriam: Professor Emeritus John T. Flint, Wanye P. Anderson `64, Jeffrey Ross `69

John T. Flint, professor emeritus of sociology,died June 17, 2003 at his home in Binghamton. He was 76.

Born in Mahnomen, MN, Flint served in the Navy during World War II and earned a B.A. in 1949 from Kent State University, an M.A. in 1951 from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in 1957 from the University of Wisconsin. He began teaching at Harpur College in 1966. Specializing in the sociology of religion, popular culture and music, he authored many papers on the subject and a book titled, "Historical Role Analysis in the Study of Religious Change: Mass Educational Development in Norway, 1740 - 1891" (Cambridge University Press, 1990). Flint retired from Harpur College in 2000.

He is predeceased by his wife, Dr. Frida Flint, and survived by his two children, Portia Johnson and Adam Flint. A memorial service to remember and celebrate his life will take place July 19 at 1:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Binghamton. An informal gathering in the social hall will take place immediately following the service. All are invited. Donations in Flint's name may be made to Binghamton - El Charcon Sister City Project, P.O. Box 444 SVS, Binghamton, NY 13903.

Wayne P. Anderson `64 of Bloomsburg, PA died July 4, 2003.

In 1968, Anderson earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Illinois. He was a chemistry professor at the University of Delaware from 1968 to 1975 and at Bloomsburg University from 1976 until his retirement in May 2003. At Bloomsburg, he served as department chair from 1987 to 1993 and on many campus-wide committees. He authored 22 papers on computer modeling of chemistry bonding and chemistry education and often supervised undergraduate research.

Anderson is survived by his wife of 31 years, Linda Perry Anderson. The funeral took place July 11 in Falconer, NY. A memorial service will take place at a later date at Bloomsburg University. Contributions are suggested to the Wayne P. Anderson Student Research Travel Fund, Bloomsburg University Development Center, 400 East Second St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815.

Jeffrey Ross `69 of South Salem, NY died July 9, 2003.

Ross, who earned a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Minnesota in 1978, was the director of campus and higher education affairs for the Anti-Defamation League. He traveled to schools across the country to rebuild relationships and trust following incidents of anti-Semitism. Ross remained very active with Binghamton University and received the 2004 Edward Weisband Distinguished Alumnus Award for Public Service or Contributions to Public Affairs. He was scheduled to work with BU's chapter of Hillel on a new workshop, "Confronting Anti-Semitism on College and University Campuses: A Train the Trainer Program."

Ross is survived by his wife Marjorie and their four children. His funeral was July 10 at King David Memorial Chapel in Mt. Kisko, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Anti-Defamation League.

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Nancy Um, assistant professor of Art History, and Robert Ji-song Ku, assistant professor of English and Asian American Studies at Hunter College, were married on May 24, 2003 at Cranwell in Lenox, MA. After a trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico, Um and Ku reside in Binghamton.

1968: Congratulations to Suzanne Bleiberg Seperson, Ph.D., whom the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) recently named "Member of the Year." She is professor and chair of sociology and union president at Dowling College in Oakdale, NY, where she has worked since 1973. She is a past president of the New York State Sociological Association and executive editor of the Journal of Business and Economic Studies. Bleiberg Seperson recently presented a paper titled "Identity Politics and the Holocaust: Retrospective Views of Three Polish Experiences" at The Legacy of the Holocaust: National Perspectives Conference in Krakow, Poland. She and her husband, Robert, have three children.

1978: The Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps recently recognized Robert C. Castioni, Jr. for 30 years of service. He was a member of Harpur's Ferry through all four years at Harpur College, serving as training coordinator as a junior and deputy director as a senior. Castioni told the Hotline that after September 11, 2001, his office was relocated from 6 World Trade Center to another location in Manhattan. He works for the US Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as an acting group supervisor of the Asset Forfeiture Group. Castioni said several Binghamton alumni are high ranking ICE officials.

1983: Dr. Andrea B. Klemes is an endocrinologist and senior regional medical director for P&G Pharmaceuticals in Tallahasse, FL.

1987: Robert Marinich, pictured with his sons William, age 1, and Jack, age 5, has contributed "The Many Faces of Moo," to Atlanta's run of the world's largest outdoor art exhibit, Cow Parade.  His cow stands in front of the Federal Reserve building on the corner of 10th and Peachtree Street in Atlanta.  In November, the cows will be auctioned off at Cattleman's Ball and the proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.

1992: Leanne Meaney is engaged to Constantine Kontogiannis. She is a graduate of Albany Law School and practices law at Hinman, Straub, P.C. in Albany, NY. The couple reside in Albany and will be married on October 5, 2003. Source: Press and Sun Bulletin

1993: Trina Reuben-Williams earned an MA in 1995 and Ph.D. in May 2003 in psychometrics from Fordam University.

1994: Congratulations to Karen Schatten-Lock and her husband, Joe, who recently moved into a new house in Sparta, NJ and are expecting their first baby in mid-September. She would enjoy hearing from old friends (and maybe getting some parenting advice) at schatlock@yahoo.com.

2000: Jennifer Capani is engaged to David Lenzo. She is currently in graduate school at SUNY Cortland and works as a store manager at Pack & Mail, Inc. in Endwell, NY. Lenzo is attending US Army Flight School in Ft. Rucker, AL and is a Second Lieutenant and helicopter pilot in the US Army Medical Services Corps. They plan to marry on August 30, 2003. Source: Press and Sun Bulletin.

2000: Peter Wozniak is engaged to Jessica Keltner. They both reside in Chicago and are employed by Melton HR Solutions. Wozniak is a sergeant in the US Army Reserve and recently served in Operation Enduring Freedom. The couple plans to marry August 9, 2003. Source: Elkhart Truth

2002: Rachael Pribulick and Justin Hagerman (Watson `02) were married May 17, 2003 in Binghamton. Rachael is employed by BSB Bank and Trust in Binghamton. Justin is a software engineer for Diamond Visionics. After a honeymoon in the Bahamas, the Hagermans reside in Binghamton. Source: Press and Sun Bulletin.

2004: Li Han has received the 2003 - 2004 Academic Year Graduate Fellowship from the American Chemical Society, Division of Analytical Chemistry, sponsored by Merck.  She is a Ph.D. candidate in analytical chemistry at Binghamton.  Her research, under the direction of Professor C. J. Zhong, focuses on the study of nanostructured sensing materials.  She hopes that her approaches and methods will provide high sensitivity and selectivity, low detection limit, and fast response time for detecting volatile organic compounds, explosive vapors and toxic chemical/biological materials.  BU previously awarded Han its Excellent Research Assistant Award and Dissertation Year Fellowship Award.

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