Regional college and university roundup

While the regional colleges and universities were busy with commencement activities, there was also a flurry of other happenings that dominated their campuses. Here is a roundup of some of the most prominent events and updates from the local institutions of higher education.

Bard College

Bard College was gifted $93,000 from the Garden Conservancy to go towards construction drawings that will aid the rehabilitation of Blithewood Garden, a 45-acre section of the school”™s Annandale-on-Hudson campus.

The construction documents will be created by the preservation architecture firms Jan Hird Pokorny Associates and Integrated Conservation Resources Inc. as the blueprints for the restoration of Blithewood”™s landscape.

“We are delighted that the Garden Conservancy is partnering with Bard to preserve the rich history of Blithewood Garden for future generations,” said Debra Pemstein, vice president of development and alumni/ae affairs at Bard College. “This generous contribution will help with ongoing restoration efforts to renew Blithewood’s iconic landscape for the Bard community and beyond.”

Dominican University

Dominican University hosted Tony-, Emmy- and Grammy-winner Audra McDonald as the headliner for its May 13 Trustee Benefit Concert.

The concert supported student scholarships at Dominican and was followed by a gala reception. McDonald, who most recently starred in the HBO series “The Gilded Age,” previously performed for Dominican University”™s Trustee Benefit in 2013.

“The Dominican University Trustee Benefit, now in its fourth decade, has raised millions of dollars for Dominican University”™s scholarship fund, providing much needed financial aid for our students,” said Melanie Dykstra, assistant vice president of development with the university. “We are thrilled to welcome Audra McDonald back to Dominican in her second appearance at the Trustee Benefit Concert.”

Fairfield University

Two faculty members of Fairfield University were named Fulbright Global Scholars for the 2023-24 academic year.

Dr. Brian Walker, professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, conducts research on the effects of human disturbances on wildlife. He will be traveling to Chile, New Zealand and South Africa to develop a consortium of penguin biologists interested in pursuing “the plague of microplastics on our environment.”

Dr. Tanika Eaves Simpson is assistant professor of social work in the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies. She will be traveling to Australia where she will conduct new research in her field. In the recent past, her research interests have included pregnancy and birthing care of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals and families who were pregnant, birthing, and parenting infants and a study of global workplace support practices for infant-family professionals.

Iona University

Iona University is collaborating with The Viscardi Center, a nonprofit in Albertson, New York, on a summer program to empower people with disabilities to pursue entrepreneurship.

This summer, up to 20 participants will be selected for the new IdeaSpark program, which will meet virtually two days a week and culminate with a Pitchfest that gives participants the chance to showcase their business ideas to a panel of judges. The participants will have the chance to win equity-free cash grants totaling $7,500.

“For us, this program not only fits in with everything we do to support entrepreneurship education; it also aligns with Iona”™s foundational mission of being a resource to the community while promoting a more inclusive world that provides opportunities for all to thrive,” said Dr. Christoph Winkler, program director of Iona”™s Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. “It also provides a wonderful opportunity for our Iona students to engage with individuals with disabilities in an authentic and meaningful way.”

Marist College

Marist College recently hosted its 37th Annual Silver Needle Runway Show, an event produced by the school”™s senior fashion design and merchandising students. This year”™s edition of the show, titled “SNR37 [Re]Action” raised over $31,000 from ticket sales, with 100% of proceeds designated for the Fashion Scholarship Fund and the Silver Needle Enrichment Fund.

Alumni designers and industry experts from companies like DKNY, Ralph Lauren and Saks were in attendance as original work by the 35 student designers was on display. Before the start of the show, Fashion Program Director John Bartlett highlighted Marist”™s new Ralph Lauren Design Scholars Program, including a recently announced $100,000 scholarship fund.

“This year”™s designers are fashion activists who are using their creative voices to change and better the world,” said Bartlett. “Some of their inspiration comes from childhood memories, cultural heritage, living with a physical or learning disability, and national conversations around topics like gender identity, body positivity, mental health, and environmental justice. Their concerns about the planet and each other will inform our history in a positive and exciting way.”

Mercy College

Mercy College signed a long-term lease renewal with Simone Development Companies for its Bronx campus at the Hutchinson Metro Center.

The Dobbs Ferry-headquartered school established the Bronx campus more than 20 years ago. The complex encompasses 125,522 square feet of classroom, administrative and amenities space. The campus”™s facilities include fully equipped health and science labs and anatomage tables, along with student-centered spaces such as the Veterans Lounge and a landscaped courtyard

“Mercy”™s lease renewal with Simone Development Companies for its Bronx Campus demonstrates the College”™s confidence in the site to provide the best possible environment for our deserving students, staff and faculty,” said Mercy College President Tim Hall. “The Mercy College Bronx Campus will continue to offer state-of-the-art facilities and academic programs that lead to in-demand jobs. It will also position Mercy to continue to evolve to meet the workforce and educational trends of the future and strengthen the College”™s impact in the Bronx community.”

Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart University hosted Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof and advanced practice psychiatric/mental health nurse Sara Horton-Deutsch in the fifth annual Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing (DHCON) “Dialogue on Compassion.”

Kristoff stated that humanity could be a tool for change, noting that at a “starting point is compassion, which is what we are trying to highlight today, and empathy. I think we”™re much too quick to offer pointed fingers and not helping hands. What we need is that compassion, that empathy, to adopt those policies.”

Horton-Deutsch described research being done on caring science, reminding the attendees at the event that “we offer a simple micro practice”•a pause, presence and peace”•in order to maintain a sense of care and compassion. Sympathy, empathy and altruism create caring with compassion.”

University of Bridgeport

The University of Bridgeport”™s Gender Sexuality Alliance hosted its third annual Drag Brunch last month.

“Drag is an art,” said the university on its website. “The queens performing for the Purple Knights embrace their flair for fabulosity with uproarious punchlines, phenomenal dance moves, and fierce looks. Though the atmosphere may be electrifying, the Drag Brunch is not only entertainment ”” it also supports student wellness.”

Attendees at the Drag Brunch also had the opportunity to have free and confidential HIV/AIDS screenings. The school added that Bridgeport has the highest reported levels of HIV/AIDS within Connecticut.

Western Connecticut State University

Western Connecticut State University is expanding its tobacco- and vape-free policy from interiors to also include outdoor spaces on its campuses.

According to the Danbury-based school, the expanded policy goes into effect on July 1 and covers all “buildings, community areas, performance venues, meeting spaces, parking lots, paths, fields, sport/recreational areas and also in all personal vehicles while on campus.”

The new policy applies to students, employees, contractors, visitors and all others on school property. The school added this policy is within its healthy campus initiative.