GCU Scholarship Tea 2013, a set on Flickr.
As another academic year comes to a close, GCU salutes the generous donors who transform the dream of earning a college degree into a reality for so many students. You can view and download photos from the 2013 Scholarship Tea online at Flickr.com.
Thank you.
Prepared by Kaitlyn Medina ’13
LAKEWOOD, NJ (04/26/2013)(readMedia)– The following local students were inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, the National Freshman Honor Society, at Georgian Court University.
Nicole Way, a resident of Jackson, NJ, and a member of the class of 2013 is pursuing a degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Marketing.
Emily Thomas-Ridgway, a resident of Howell, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management.
Casandra Rose Hinderlider, a resident of New Egypt, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Mathmatics and Education.
Shannon Tull, a resident of Howell, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Mathmatics.
Monica Sepko, a resident of Brick, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Psychology and Education.
Rosalia Musto, a resident of Freehold, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Spanish and Education.
Kelly Braun, a resident of Brick, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Communications.
Rebecca Santos, a resident of Toms River, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Biology.
Chelsea Sikora, a resident of Bayville, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Paychology.
Lauren Merwin, a resident of Jackson, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Dance and Communications with a Public Relations Concentration.
Stephanie Fuchilla, a resident of Forked River, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Mathmatics and Education.
Emily Gialanella, a resident of Toms River, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Graphic Design and Multimedia.
Sarah Abramow, a resident of Malboro, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Exercise Science.
Mackenzie Morris, a resident of New Egypt, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Dance.
Heidie Beyer, a resident of Howell, NJ, and a member of the class of 2016 is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice and Chemistry.
Nicole Bonacci, a resident of Jackson, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice.
Kristen Johannessen, a resident of Whiting, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Psychology.
Caitlin Roman, a resident of Allentown, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in English and Education.
Lesia Didukh, a resident of Lakewood, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Accounting.
Augustina Obir-Yeboah, a resident of Hamilton Township, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Biology.
Kimberly Kosinski, a resident of Howell, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Hostory and Education.
Morgan Abrams, a resident of Howell, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Psychology and Education.
Nicole Mossbacher, a resident of Brick, NJ, and a member of the class of 2015 is pursuing a degree in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Psychology.
Phi Eta Sigma honors students of four-year colleges and universities who have passed their freshman year with flying colors! (3.5 GPA and above)
Guest post by Charlee Bassillo /// Photos by Amanda MacPhee
On April 23, 2013, thanks to diligent preparations made by students and faculty of the Georgian Court University Department of English, Massachusetts native Tracy K. Smith visited for a poetry reading in the Little Theater, an evening event that will surely be held near and dear to the hearts of English majors across campus. GCU’s Dr. Russell McDonald ushered in the visiting poet with a warm welcome and introduction, echoing the pleasure shared by the entire audience to have had the distinct opportunity to meet, greet, and speak with such a highly-esteemed literary voice as Tracy K. Smith, whose 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winning Life on Mars is preceded by the James Laughlin Award-winning Duende and The Body’s Question, a Cave Canem Poetry Prize-winner.
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The night’s readings primarily focused on material from her 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winner, Life on Mars, but Smith also surprised guests with a brand new selection, dazzling attendants with her poetic artistry, invigoratingly fresh insight, and meditative prose. Explaining that her poetry has blossomed out of life’s perplexing quandaries, both big and small, Ms. Smith’s writing encompasses even day-to-day ponderings, which are, of course, juxtaposed neatly and meaningfully against “big ticket” questions, revealing uncanny connections between unlikely pairings – such as the cosmos versus ordinary, everyday life. Many poems were designated by Smith as being largely elegiac to her father, a retired Space Hubble engineer, though Tracy also discussed the impact of a unique blend of political, personal, and spiritual influences on her writing of Life on Mars, citing a sundry of inspirational sources – from the gassing of geese at JFK airport and seeing her father’s reflection in the impressive stance of a tiger on a magazine page to the contemplation of dark matter – as she demonstrated by sharing the collection’s title poem, “Life on Mars,” which begins:
Tina says what if dark matter is like the space between people
When what holds them together isn’t exactly love, and I think
That sounds right – how strong the pull can be, as if something
That knows better won’t let you drift apart so easily, and how
Small and heavy you feel, stuck there spinning in place.
Not only was the audience given a chance to procure a much-coveted autograph, but they also received a precious behind-the-scenes pass to the poet’s mind at work. During the reading, and in this post-reading question and answer session, audience members were afforded the privilege of seeing through the eyes of Tracy K. Smith – as the award-winning author, David Bowie lover, daughter of a dearly loved, but lost, father, and as the new mother. She was witty, approachable, and a master of her trade – her poetry probing for profound meaning and reflecting upon all of life’s significance, wonder, and beauty, however big or small.
Charlee Bassillo is an English and Education major at Georgian Court University where she expects to graduate in Spring 2014 to pursue a career in secondary education.
References
Smith, Tracy K. “Life on Mars.” Life on Mars. Minneapolis: Graywolf Press, 2011. 37 – 42. Print.
S. Pat McDermott, president of the Sisters of Mercy of the Institute of the Americas, recently addressed Georgian Court faculty, students and staff. (Photo/AMANDA MACPHEE)
Sister Pat McDermott, President of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, spoke about Vatican II and the Call to Holiness before a crowd of faculty, staff, and alumnae on the evening of April 25. Vatican II, she said, was an invitation to “change our way of seeing” and the Call to Holiness is also a “Call to Wholeness.” Sister Pat noted that in 1962, she was a freshman in all-women’s Sisters of Mercy High School in Omaha, Nebraska and grew up across the street from a Sisters of Mercy convent. Vatican II, she said, was the most significant event of the 20th century in which three themes emerged for the people of the Catholic faith: self-identity, engagement in the world, and participation and accountability.
Vatican II, she said, invited us to renew our identity as people of God, engage in the world for positive outcomes, and open up dialogue and collaboration. She embraced the words of John Paul XXIII: “mercy rather than severity.” “The Call to Holiness is not a step away,” Sister Pat said. “The Call to Holiness is the whole of humanity.” Sister Pat also discussed the work of the Sisters of Mercy through social justice and charitable works and highlighted their advocacy, Mercy collaborations, and Mercy Taking Action events. “Nothing is separate in the journey of faith,” she said.
The entire text of S. Pat’s presentation can be viewed at http://www.georgian.edu/events/spm.htm.
—-Guest post courtesy of Michelle Giles, GCU Grants & Advancement Communications Specialist
GCU in the news—in Times Square!
Newly Coed University Enjoys Historic Increase in Interest from Potential Students
LAKEWOOD, N.J., – Less than a year after announcing Georgian Court University (GCU) would admit men, they are seeing record increases in admissions applications, which are up 46 percent overall. Along with 282 applications from men, applications from women are up 9 percent (853 total).
In May 2012, GCU announced it would officially and fully go coed. The University first admitted male students in all undergraduate courses last fall. Men will be able to reside on campus, as well as participate in athletics and other student activities, in the upcoming Fall 2013 semester.
“We have always attracted outstanding students who are drawn to GCU’s mission and the quality of education we provide,” said John McAuliffe, Vice President for Enrollment Management at GCU. “Nonetheless, college-bound students vote with their feet and we’re excited at the response we’ve received as a newly coed institution. These are historic increases for us.”
“Going coed increases the opportunity for students to access a values-driven education in the Catholic Mercy tradition,” said Sister Rosemary E. Jeffries, President of GCU, the only faith-based institution in the lower 15 counties of N.J. “Our values of respect, integrity, justice, compassion and service are independent of gender.”
The excitement about male enrollment is already having an impact. Male athletes have already signed national letters of intent and will have the unique opportunity to play a founding role in the men’s athletics program at the NCAA Division II school.
About Georgian Court University
Founded in 1908 and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Georgian Court University is a comprehensive university with a strong liberal arts core and a special concern for women. A forward-thinking university that supports diversity and academic excellence, Georgian Court announced in May 2012 its transition to a fully coeducational university in 2013. Today, the university serves nearly 2,500 students of all faiths and backgrounds in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Georgian Court’s main campus is located at 900 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood, N.J., on the picturesque former George Jay Gould estate, a National Historic Landmark. Georgian Court also offers classes at the New Jersey Coastal Communiversity in Wall.
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S. Pat will discuss the call to holiness and how religious women have responded through the years.
Sister Patricia McDermott, president of The Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, will present a public lecture on Thursday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. in Little Theatre at Georgian Court University. Sister Patricia McDermott values Georgian Court University’s commitment to the Mercy Core Values and honor towards Catherine McAuley. S. Pat will share her perspective on religious women and how they have collectively responded to the call to holiness. Her presentation comes to GCU as part of the university’s ongoing Year of Faith celebration. With the “Year of Faith: A Call to Holiness at Georgian Court University,” GCU is embracing Pope Benedict XVI’s call for a year dedicated to the renewal of faith with programs and events celebrating the universal call to holiness. The Year of Faith began at GCU on September 25 with a Mercy Day Mass celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Mercy. The program offers opportunities for spiritual reflection, sharing of faith, and contemplation of service and vocation for the campus community.
From the SistersofMercy.org
S. Pat served as president of the former regional community of the Sisters of Mercy in Omaha, Nebraska, from 1990 to 1998 and as an administrative team member for the previous four years. She taught English, journalism and religious education at the secondary level for 10 years, and has held many board positions in institutions that provide healthcare, education and housing serving with lay colleagues as well as women religious. She values the commitment to Mercy values that she sees in ministry partners who witness to the spirit of Catherine McAuley and her vision of multiple responses to the needs of those marginalized by our society.
For more information at GCU and the Year of Faith, contact the Office of Public Information at 732.987.2266.
Something Different is Happening at Georgian Court University
The Sisters of Mercy who sponsor our university challenge us to “strive in our daily lives to approach everything we do with an awareness of our interrelatedness to all Earth life. For us, these are not just words. They are a call to action! As a result, when you visit Georgian Court University you will see something different.
As soon as you drive onto our campus you will see that many of our previously highly manicured lawns are now meadows of tall grass and wildflowers, abuzz with life. This is because we have implemented low-mow or no mow maintenance in many areas of campus. Since pollution from lawns is a major factor in deteriorating water quality in many aquatic ecosystems, we have also reduced use of herbicides and fertilizers on the remaining traditional turfgrass areas and moved to mulch mowing, as well as to mulching fall leaves. To help our grounds staff to implement these more labor-intensive, sustainable landscape practices, we have created a “Green Force” of volunteers to help with weeding, trail maintenance and other such tasks.
GCU is committed to reducing its carbon footprint annually and to be carbon neutral by 2050. Next to our main parking lot and on many roofs on campus you will see solar panels which generate nearly a megawatt of green energy. GCU also purchases renewable energy certificates equivalent to its annual electrical power usage. We are working to reduce our energy use too. If you look really carefully, you might notice the insulating ceramic window films that students installed on over 200 windows in one of our older classroom buildings this summer. You’ll also notice that we’ve replaced our old incandescent lights with LED or LCD bulbs and you’ll see fewer gas powered vehicles and more electric and hybrid vehicles within our campus fleet.
In another change, you won’t see trays in the dining hall anymore. This saves energy and water and reduces food waste. You will see compostable plates and flatware in our cafeteria which helps reduce waste production on campus. And you will see more vegetarian options on the menu, since meat production is a huge contributor to global warming and takes 90% more energy to feed people than a vegetarian diet.
GCU strongly supports both waste reduction and recycling. You will see recycling containers in all buildings and at all campus-sponsored events. In addition, GCU is a long time participant in the annual “Recycle Mania” contest. You’ll also see our “Pepsi Dream Machine” which encourages recycling by providing rewards for participation. And, to help members of our community to avoid buying bottled water, you will see a filling station for reusable bottles. Use of this station has saved over 16,000 plastic water bottles this year alone. Placed end to end, that many bottles would stretch for more than 3 miles. Our journey to a sustainable future may be longer than that, but we are striving to stay true to our path.
Guest post by Dr. Louise Wootton, Professor of Biology
GCU joins Mercy schools nationwide in statement on gun violence
Mercy universities, schools commit to nonviolence
Georgian Court University is among the 17 colleges, 32 secondary schools and nine elementary schools sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy nationwide that have signed on to a Sisters of Mercy leadership team statement that emphasizes their commitment to building a culture of nonviolence. This unified statement is a direct response to the tragic school shooting in Newtown, Conn., and the ongoing debate around the need for response to the issue of gun violence in the United States.
According to the statement, the educators and leaders of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy agree that “this recent shooting reveals a sobering and recurring pattern of crimes in this nation that are fast becoming all too frequent, all the more lethal and that strike at the heart of what we stand for as educators.”
The group stands united around the commitment of the Sisters of Mercy for the sacredness of life and that children must be protected. They deny the idea that increasing armed security in schools will increase student safety. They also ask for practical gun control measures, advocate funding of mental health services and are committed to building a nonviolent culture.
“We are dedicated to this,” says Sister Anne Curtis of the Mercy Institute Leadership Team (ILT). “Mercy educators and sisters committed to justice and non-violence know that this is a complex issue that will require multiple responses. We hope to contribute to the national dialogue and action from the perspective of over 170 years as educators.”
Matt Bruback, former MLB player and creator of the Miracle Belt, will discuss his journey as an athlete and entrepreneur at GCU.
(Lakewood, N.J.) April 5, 2012 — After professional baseball pitcher Matt Bruback injured his knee, coaches were constantly pulling on his uniform trying to get him to feel his balance point to make him more consistent in the strike zone. He realized he couldn’t relate to what they were trying to get him to feel, so while with the Baltimore Orioles he created a weighted belt to help himself become more aware of his body positioning. With the help of his mother and sister in creating the prototype, Mr. Bruback created the Balance Pro Sportbelt™ to improve balance for athletes with sensory deficits.
Two years later, Mr. Bruback took the Balance Pro Sportbelt™ to Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities, Inc., a Sarasota, Florida, agency that serves persons with disabilities, where it was redesigned by occupational and physical therapists to help children with sensory needs and dubbed the Miracle Belt™.
He will share his story with families, educators and others Tuesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Georgian Court University. The event is free and open to the public.
“Dreams are destined to change as we grow…baseball was my first love and will always be my first love,” says Mr. Bruback. “Baseball allowed me the opportunity to develop a tool that shares God’s love, and if that isn’t a dream come true, I don’t know what is!”
The former pro athlete had invested nine years in the major leagues when he made the difficult decision to leave the game to follow a higher calling—helping kids with autism, ADHD, and other sensory disorders.
The Miracle Belt™, along with the Sensory Belt™ for larger-sized children, teens, and adults are used by occupational and physical therapists for those with sensory needs. The weighted therapy belts promote self-calming, balance, and increased body awareness.
Admission is free, but seating is very limited. Advanced tickets are required by contacting the GCU Office of Conferences and Special Events at 732.987.2263 or specialevents@georgian.edu.
Lakewood, N.J., Apr. 5, 2013—Faculty and students in Georgian Court University’s Holistic Health program will host its second annual Wellness Expo Saturday, April 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Casino building on GCU’s Lakewood campus. The event is free and open to the public.
From Tai Chi and acupuncture to reflexology and alternative hospice care, the expo features a full day of presentations, including yoga classes for adults and youngsters, and workshops on balancing life for wellness, a drug-free wellness plan, natural weight loss, and more.
Attendees at the expo will hear from more than 40 exhibitors and guest speakers. Confirmed guests include wellness experts in acupuncture, chiropractic, natural weight loss, herbalism, organic foods, and many other fields. The event includes giveaways, and participants may be eligible to win free massages, acupuncture, distance healing sessions, gift certificates, lottery tickets, a variety of gift baskets (soap, cultured vegetables), jewelry, and memberships for GCU’s McAuley Institute for Lifelong Learning.
“Wellness is about promoting inner healing, energizing our inner motivation, and developing conscious and mindful daily living. I hope this expo will trigger such consciousness in each of us,” says Sachiko Komagata, Ph.D., director of GCU’s holistic health program. Dr. Komagata also leads the university’s 100%-online master’s degree program in holistic health.
Thirty-minute workshops will run throughout the day, starting at 11:00 a.m., and the complimentary yoga classes will take place at 12:00 p.m. for children and 3:00 p.m. for adults.
Pre-registration is not required. For detailed information about the expo, visit the GCU Holistic Health Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/GCUHolisticHealth/ or e-mail Dr. Komagata at skomagata@georgian.edu.
Founded in 1908 and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Georgian Court University is a comprehensive university with a strong liberal arts core and a special concern for women. A forward-thinking university that supports diversity and academic excellence, Georgian Court announced in May 2012 its transition to a fully coeducational university in 2013. Today, the university serves nearly 2,500 students of all faiths and backgrounds in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Georgian Court’s main campus is located at 900 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood, N.J., on the picturesque former George Jay Gould estate, a National Historic Landmark. Georgian Court also offers classes at the New Jersey Coastal Communiversity in Wall.
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