OWWR: Old Westbury Web Radio

Old Westbury Professor Inducted

One of our distinguished service professors at SUNY College at Old Westbury was recently among the inaugural inductees into the new Long Island Mathematics Educators Hall of Fame.  Dr. johg Pil Lee's extraordinary contributions to mathematic education extends to both teachers and students. Dr. Lee in 1986 found the Institute of Leadership Development for Teaching Mathematics and Technology, and received the 2005 presidential award for excellence in science, mathematics and engineering mentoring.  The Hall of Fame was created by The Nassau County Association of Mathematics Supervisors, The Nassau County Mathematics Teacher Association and The Suffolk County Mathematics Teacher Association. 

Donato Palumbo II

Women's Volleyball

The Old Westbury lady panthers volleyball team protected its home court once again on September 23 with sweeping two matches against the college of Staten Island and Centenary College.  In the first match of the day, the Panthers cruised the Dolphins of Staten Island with a 3-0 victory.  The lady Panthers topped Centenary College with a 3-0 victory in their second match of the day.

For more information on our Lady Panthers volleyball team go to oldwestburypanthers.com

Adesuwa Enabulele

Men Soccer

Old Westbury and Manhattanville played to a 1-1 tie September 23 in Skyline Conference men's soccer action. The Panthers move to 1-4-2 overall.  The Valiants led in all statistical categories, outshooting the Panthers 30-9 and winning on corner kicks 11-3, but Old Westbury keeper Brian Hicks made 17 saves, holding Manhattanville to just one goal.  Manhattanville senior Chris Myrtos got the Valiants on the board early with a shot to the upper corner past a diving Hicks in the 16th minute.  With under three minutes remaining in regulation, the Panthers earned a penalty kick off of a Manhattanville handball in the box and James Giacopelli converted the kick to tie the score and force overtime. Old Westbury nearly tallied the game-winner with under a minute to play, but Notaristefano would come up with a save on Khristopher Klein's shot to preserve the tie. 

For more information about our soccer team click here.

Adesuwa Enabulele

James McBride on Campus

Mr. McBride came to SUNY Old Westbury on September 20 to discuss his book, The Color of Water.  The evening started with James McBride attending a dinner with all the winners of the First-Year student essay contest.  At the dinner, students and faculty were able to meet the author, share their views on the book and ask him questions.  Dean Edwards asked what advice James McBride had to our diverse student body.  Mr McBride suggest that students should not be to rigid in one set of beliefs.  Students should allow themselves to be open to new experiences and to take the opportunity to travel abroad. 

After the dinner, the student union multipurpose room was filled to capacity.  James McBride expressed that education is extremely important and that it is OK to fail when you try new things.  He also suggest that students should turn the television off and read a newspaper.  Students should stop looking at celebrities and live our own lives.

The Old Westbury news team interviewed students and faculty during the reception that followed the speech.  Most of the audience was able to personally relate to The Color of Water and agreed with some of James McBride's speech.   

Donato Palumbo II and Barbara Tierno

Sickle Cell Awareness

The month of September is dedicated to the awareness of Sickle Cell disease which usually affects the African-American community.  The disease causes red blood cells to form a shape of a crescent.  This makes it difficult for the red blood cells to pass through the blood vessels and hold oxygen.

Click here for more information about the disease 

Adesuwa Enabulele

9/11 Ceremony

Monday, September 11, 2006, the front steps of the Student Union building at SUNY Old Westbury was set to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  Reverend Dr. Butts commenced the ceremony to introduce the Former Deputy Mayor, Mr. Rudy Washington.

Mr. Washington was one of the first on site that tragic day and has been touted as one of the most important unsung heroes of 9/11. While he wanted to interact more with the students, he stated how important it was to be aware of our environment. He stated that since we were living in what he described as, “the best of times and the worst of times,” the presence of a looming evil, the attacks, have forever changed us.  He also mentioned that he felt we may be subject to another terrorist attack before the end of the Bush Administration.

Dean of Students, Wayne Edwards presented Mr. Washington with a gift of appreciation on behalf of the school.  The National Anthem was sung by a member of the Shekinah Chorale, after which the President of Student Government Association, April Davis read the names of the seven alumni that had perished in the attacks.  At the close of the ceremony, a rendition of “Taps” was performed by Professor Caroline Sawyer. 

The Former Deputy Mayor was questioned on whether or not September 11 should be a National  Holiday.  He stated that he felt that he was not the best person to answer that question.  During his speech, he had relayed to the crowd that while he never had the chance to mourn because of the unexpected responsibilities that occurred in the aftermath of the attacks, he did not feel that it was healthy to dwell.  The people who lost friends and family were probably better suited to answer the question because the day would always be a sore spot for many for a very longtime.

Additionally, a few members of the faculty, Professor Zenaida Madurka and Professor Cynthia Anderson, as well as the Student Government President, April Davis stated their opinion on the subject.  Both Professor Madurka and Ms. Davis felt that it was a possibility and that it is important to commemorate the day, after a certain amount of time.  Professor Anderson felt that it would be unnecessary to call it a holiday.  She felt we should focus more on present issues and look to the future. Ms. Davis also offered her opinions about what we can as an individuals and as a campus to keep unity and understand one another’s differences.

WebRadio news extends a special thank you to Catalyst reporter Gavin Roman for his contribution to this story.

 

Barbara Tierno