RCC FOUNDATION NEWS
• 16 TH ANNUAL RCC FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP AWARDS LUNCHEON •
Celebrating Educational Excellence
Friday , March 31 , 2017 Noon-2 pm HILTON PEARL RIVER
$ 60 in advance , $ 70 at the door
Reservations : please contact the Foundation at 845-574-4576
ALUMNI HONOREE
Michael J . Gill , EdD , ' 92 , Principal , North Rockland High School , previously served as principal of West Haverstraw Elementary School , assistant principal at Farley Middle School and Special Education coordinator at North Rockland .
A graduate of RCC ’ s Honors Program , Dr . Gill lauded the faculty support he received , especially from his mentor , Professor Samuel Draper . Now , Dr . Gill collaborates with RCC , offering college courses in North Rockland through RCC ’ s High School Program .
Dr . Gill also serves as an adjunct at Manhattanville College and The College of Mount St . Vincent . He earned an AA in Liberal Arts from RCC ; a BA in Law & Society at SUNY Binghamton ; an MS in Special Education at City College , CUNY ; and a Doctor of Education at Fordham University .
FACULTY HONOREES
Kevin Barrett , PhD , Assistant Professor / Chair , Criminal Justice , who served in the Englewood Police Department for 32 years , brings his own and others ’ experience as law enforcement professionals to the classroom .
Outstanding among his campus activities is Dr . Barrett ’ s co-chairing of the Middle States Re- Accreditation Self Study in advance of the Middle States team ’ s visit in March 2017 .
Dr . Barrett holds a BA in Political Science from Montclair State College , and an MA , a Master of Philosophy and a PhD in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice , CUNY . He is a certified instructor at the New Jersey Police Training Commission .
Debra Courtney Tietze , Professor of Education , has been an educator for more than 40 years , including the past three decades at RCC . She began her career in a small farming community in Illinois . While on a child-rearing leave , she took courses at RCC toward state certification as an Art teacher and was recruited to teach Early Childhood Development .
Tietze is now completing her last year as full professor and former chair of Teacher Education . One of her career highlights was leading the effort to procure a million-dollar grant to construct the Theresa Morahan Simmons Center for Children and Families , which houses the current Campus Fun & Learn Child Development Center .
Tietze earned a SUNY Chancellor ’ s Award for Teaching in 2000 . She holds a BS in Sociology and Teacher Education from Illinois State University and an MS Ed in Early Childhood Development from SUNY New Paltz .
COMMUNITY HONOREES
One of the nation ’ s leading specialty physical rehabilitation hospitals , Helen Hayes Hospital has helped hundreds of thousands of patients rebuild their lives following catastrophic accidents , traumatic injuries and disabling illnesses and surgeries through intensive rehabilitation .
A key component in these recoveries is the hospital ’ s dedicated Nursing Department , a cohesive team that includes registered nurses , nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses , many of whom hold specialty certifications , such as in rehabilitation nursing and wound care .
The HHH Nursing Department has forged strong bonds with RCC ’ s Nursing program . Several members of the hospital ’ s administrative nursing staff teach at RCC , and the hospital offers clinical placements to RCC Nursing students , furthering their professional education .
The Family of Drs . Susan and Edmund W . Gordon and the CEJJES Institute
The enormous accomplishments of the late Dr . Susan Gordon and her husband Dr . Edmund W . Gordon are legendary , in fields across education , healthcare , social and community action . Many who share their social justice goals find the path illuminated by their example . Their children continue a tradition of service , each choosing a career to make a difference and improve life for others . Together , Dr . Edmund T . Gordon , Christopher W . Gordon , Dr . Jessica Gordon Nembhard , and Johanna Susan Gordon , founded the CEJJES Institute to honor their parents and to continue their work . CEJJES is dedicated to promoting social justice , particularly the health , education , and environmental / material wellbeing of marginalized communities . The family ' s many contributions increase in value through expanding circles of influence and succeeding generations enlightened , informed and inspired .
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