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Academic Highlights Advance our Educational Mission
Convocation 2015
in line with our institutional tradition, Convocation took place in the late afternoon
on the first day of fall semester classes. A true sense of excitement was generated during
this year’s event. every seat was filled and there was standing room only by the time
the program began. Leading the procession as we entered the gymnasium was Peter
Herron, Professor emeritus-Mathematics, who carried the College’s ceremonial mace.
we were proud to be joined by our Board of Trustees Chair eresa Sanders, and our
Student Trustee Maria Gomez. e day’s speeches were brief, powerful and moving,
with vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Suzanne Johnson delivering the event
keynote. During her remarks, Dr. Johnson addressed the significant role of faculty in
student success and the importance of leading by example as lifelong learners.
SUNY Chancellor Awards for excellence were bestowed and the College honored
six new professors emeritus: John Bockino (economics), Marilyn McCall (Graphic
Design), Charles McCarthy (Science), Dr. Lois Mignone (foreign Languages), Mary
Ann Miller (Library Services), and ellen Schuler Mauk (english) in recognition of
distinguished career achievement. e awards culminated in the presentation of a
Presidential Medallion to ellen Schuler Mauk, whose contributions during her
43-year career with Suffolk County Community College distinguished her service to
a level worthy of institutional appreciation.
e awards were followed by a well-choreographed and very memorable introduction
of the College’s new shark mascot to the college community. By the time the mascot
burst through the shark banner and into the spotlight, everyone was cheering and
proud to be a shark. Congratulations to Drew fawcett, Associate Dean for institutional
Advancement, and Gina Caputo, Head Cheer and Dance Coach, as well as the
members of the Mascot Committee for the time they invested in creating this
enduring symbol for everyone to embrace as part of the Suffolk family.
educational Partnerships
rough the office of Academic Affairs, the College has been expanding the number
of partnerships that are in place with area high schools and institutions of higher
education. By implementing an assertive schedule of meetings and presentations, we
have seen aggressive growth in the establishment of new early College and excelsior
program agreements, as well as new articulation agreements that have been formalized
with local colleges and universities.
e excelsior Program has credentialed credit-bearing college courses being offered
to talented and motivated high school juniors and seniors at their high school, taught
by their faculty. we now have 35 high schools involved in the excelsior Program; just
three years ago we had 27. included in this number are two Nassau County high schools
that will be part of the excelsior Program starting in September. we are happy to provide
this service to our neighbors in Nassau County, as Nassau Community College does not
run a similar concurrent enrollment program. our early College Program has high
school students enrolled in courses on our campuses that are being taught by Suffolk
faculty. Most students in this program take two courses (six credits) per semester,
affording them the opportunity to earn up to 24 college credits while still enrolled in
high school. ree years ago, we had four high schools involved with this program;
this fall we will have eight. During the past academic year, early College and excelsior
together generated 16,000 Suffolk County Community College credits, generating a
positive impact on our enrollment. we are very impressed with the amazing work of our
staff and the high school principals and guidance counselors who support these programs.
Peter Herron, Professor Emeritus-Mathematics,
led the procession during Convocation.
e response to the unveiling of Suffolk’s first-ever mascot
was overwhelming.
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2015-2016 Review of Accomplishments