Honoring Mellita Firstenberg for her 55 years of service to Brooklyn College.
Staff Appreciation / Honorees 2018
55 Years
Mellita Firstenberg, Brooklyn College Library
Melli Firstenberg has served as a book shelver in the library for 55 years. Her dedication, attention to detail, and diligence ensure that all library users have reliable access to the library's book collection. Through the years, Melli has been helpful toward all needing assistance navigating the books stacks. Moreover, her critical work has contributed, greatly, to the preservation and protection of the library's valuable book collection.
50 Years
Frank Angel, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Frank Angel has worked as a sound engineer, master film projectionist, recording engineer, mentor to students, and a web and IT professional. He founded BC Cinema and has run hundreds of classic films on campus through the years. He has multiple skills, yet is constantly learning and sharing his knowledge. He has served the PAC with passion, devotion, and enthusiasm. He is loved, respected, and admired by all who know him.
45 Years
Moses Akinwunmi
Lois Biesky, School of Education
Where do you begin to list the accolades earned by a woman who has chosen to work at Brooklyn College for 45 years? Lois Biesky has served under numerous presidents, provosts, and deans, providing continuity and expertise in the School of Education. She is known for her generosity, guidance, and support to faculty and staff throughout the years and truly thinks of the SOE as her family. For her numerous accomplishments and dedicated service and loyalty, we joyfully celebrate Lois today.
Adrian Holland, Campus Support Services
Adrian Holland has served the Brooklyn College community for the past 45 years. Her expertise and skill level in printing is surpassed only by her willing and dedicated spirit to helping others. Adrian is the ultimate team player who is always ready and willing to lead by example.
40 Years
Millicent Grant, Financial Aid
As associate director of work and scholar programs, Millicent Grant has been a steadfast, professional, and dedicated resource to the Office of Financial Aid. She has one of the keenest eyes for talent and has hired countless students who have gone on to serve in key leadership roles throughout the university and beyond. Through her 40 years at Brooklyn College, Millicent has worked collaboratively with many offices and has elicited the respect of her peers. We are grateful to have her.
Karl Lum, ITS
Karl Lum, long known in ITS as "Catfish," is probably the longest-serving member in ITS and its predecessor, the Computer Center. Karl started his tenure in ITS working in systems, where he maintained the most basic operating software that ran our room-sized mainframe computers. For decades since, he has been the go-to guy for a variety of complex data management and reporting tasks, primarily relating to large-scale CUNY enterprise systems like SIMS, CUPS, and now CUNYfirst. He has continually upgraded his knowledge and skillset to maintain relevance in a rapidly evolving IT environment. Karl is known for always going the extra mile to get a user's project done, and for being able to spot challenges and issues that need to be addressed to ensure users gets not only what was requested, but what they actually need. To say that Karl is calm and collected is a huge understatement. It's unlikely that anyone who works with him has ever seen him upset or angry in 40 years! Karl just keeps on going, working through the many demands made on him, with a sly smile and an eye for doing every job quickly and accurately.
35 Years
James Brown
Arlene Capeci, Office of the President
Arlene Capeci is currently the longest-serving employee in the President's Office, beginning her Brooklyn College career in March 1982 for the then-undergraduate dean. Later that fall, she transferred to the English Department, where she worked until 1990. She has worked for six of the college's 11 presidents, and for the past two years, she has worked with Steven Schechter, the executive director of government and external affairs, to help develop a comprehensive contact list for the more than 50 elected officials and their staff who represent Brooklyn. Arlene is a calming presence in the office and the ultimate team player who demonstrates a willingness to support any and all tasks that are asked of her.
Peggy Scott, Film
With a long series of administrative changes in the Film Department leadership for several years running, Peggy has been the constant presence, the source of practical and procedural knowledge, and the patient witness of all the changes that she has had to navigate. Her sense of humor and irony, and her ability to rise above the fray, have kept us all going, informed, confident, and, most important of all, in good humor. She keeps her cool and her office cool. She has mastered "climate change!"
Marian Trupiano, Transfer Student Services Center
After receiving her B.S. in psychology, Marian began her career in the Testing Office and branched off to other opportunities within Enrollment Management. Marian has 35 years of outstanding service at Brooklyn College and is a valued member of the community as well as a great resource for the college, with her extensive knowledge of the campus. Marian's dedication to her work and to student success is exceptional. The TSSC is very fortunate to have such a committed team member.
30 Years
Anne Ciarlo
Edward Coppola, Art
Chief Lab Tech Edward Coppola has in his 30-year career within the CUNY system been an exemplary employee, adjunct professor of photography, proud alumnus of Brooklyn College, PSC-CUNY activist, and collaborator extraordinaire within the Art Department and the college. He is much-loved by students and faculty alike for his cheerful "can-do" attitude. In addition to always thinking up ways to improve the photo area and department facilities, Ed is the go-to person for technical advice on any subject!
Michael Hairston, Theater
Michael Hairston is the technical director for lighting and audio for the Department of Theater. His ever-expanding expertise in these areas of stage technology helps to keep the department's productions at the cutting edge of how we stage live events. Michael is an accomplished designer as well, often taking the helm of lighting or sound design for the department's productions. Michael's greatest asset however, is his ability to consistently be inspiring for our students as he helps guide them and work with them to achieve their own successes in stage design and theater technology. For 30 years, Michael has been an extremely valuable member of the Department of Theater and has a long history of students and alumni who look back at their time on campus and remember their education and all that Michael Hairston contributed to it.
Fred Lake, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Fred Lake is the finance director for the Brooklyn College Performing Arts Center. He is responsible for budgeting, the box office, payrolls, employee appointments, reports for grant proposals, and tracking income and expenses for all aspects of the shows and events at the PAC. Fred's keen attention to details and numbers has kept the Performing Arts Center on a steady course and an asset to Brooklyn College and the community. His warmth, sense of humor, and empathy make him a respected and treasured colleague.
Alexis Morales
Pieranna Pieroni, College Now
As director of Brooklyn College's College Now program, Pieranna Pieroni leads an outstanding team in supporting high school students in their pursuit of college access. Pieranna also engages Brooklyn College students in a variety of environmentally relevant urban ecology projects. In addition to all of this, she is currently a Ph.D. student at the CUNY Graduate Center. Brooklyn College has benefited in multiple ways from Pieranna's work, as have numerous College Now students she has served for three decades.
Nava Renek, Women's Center
Nava Renek has spent over 30 years working at Brooklyn College. She began her career as an adjunct lecturer in the English Department, where she received her M.F.A. in creative writing in 1989. Since then she has worked as a literacy instructor, program coordinator for Continuing Education, director of Children's University at Brooklyn College, and interim director of Special Baccalaureate and Adult Degree Programs. Most recently, she is the program coordinator at the Women's Center, where she has spent the last 14 years maintaining and overseeing the day-to-day running of the center and each year creates a calendar of events designed to enhance all aspects of student development.
Tafari Sherry, Campus and Community Safety Services
Tafari Sherry continues to be a valued member of our department and is a person we are able to count on. Tafari's attendance and punctuality have made our department operate significantly over the past 30 years. Tafari almost always goes above and beyond his normal job activities for the college community. Tafari issues parking passes to faculty and staff in a timely manner. Thanks to Tafari Sherry for 30 years of hard work and dedication from the Public Safety office.
Howard Spivak, Academic Information Technologies
Howard Spivak is the director of Academic Information Technologies (AIT). When he came to Brooklyn College from Columbia University 30 years ago, Howard was the founder of the AIT unit of the library. He serves on the Library Senior Management Team and was a key member of the 2002 renovation of the library that we have today. He enjoys the support of a loving extended family and working with all the students, staff, and faculty at Brooklyn College.
Linda Starkman, Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Since 1988 Linda Starkman has contributed to the evolution of the office, from recruitment to admissions. When the Office of Enrollment Management was located in James Hall, she served as one of three office assistants to the director. Back when there was a typewriter on every desk, Linda worked closely with the admissions counselors by creating the recruitment schedule and contacting schools to confirm visits and group tours. For 30 years she's been happy to work just six blocks from home. She believes seeing an ad for Brooklyn College in the Brooklyn Home Reporter had to be fate. Today Linda is busy dotting i's and crossing the t's on time sheets and new-hire paperwork. Her lifelong devotion to the welfare of animals is contagious. She frequently shares delicious vegan brownies with her colleagues, and enjoys eating a homemade vegan lunch on the West Quad.
25 Years
Fortunato Casserino
"Jay" Casserino, as he commonly goes by at the college, is an enigma unto himself. Although he may come off as a biker, which he actually is, he is also one of the hardest workers in the maintenance shop, taking charge of situations as need arises. He has a no nonsense attitude toward work: let's get it done and move one to the next thing. This work ethic and drive has served him well at the college, and his mechanical skills learned over long years of fixing/repairing (what else) motorcycles, antique cars and college mechanical equipment, combined with earning necessary licenses, enabled him to be promoted to stationary engineer. He has served the college as our off-hours eyes and ears whenever emergencies happen, and his firm knowledge has help the college avoid catastrophic damage numerous times.
John Cerjak
Rosina Cordero
Rosina Cordero has worked in processing for 25 years. A diligent team member, she faithfully rises early and shines to manage reprocessing and change of status requests. Rosina came to Brooklyn College highly recommended in 1993 by way of a referral from the financial aid office. Before there was a call center there was Rosina. Once upon a time prospective international students waited for her in a line that snaked around the office. Her longevity as a CA is the result of focus, intention, and sincere effort. A well-kept secret about Rosina is that she loves homemade chocolate chip cookies almost as much as chocolate mousse cake.
Chandra Deonarine
Murielle Elysee, Learning Center
For the past 20 years, Murielle Elysee has served as an invaluable resource for both the Learning Center and the ESL lab as a reading and writing tutor and instructor. As academic support modalites change and evolve over time, Murielle has been (and continues to be) the constant base ingredient of success. Her expertise, wonderful demeanor, and ever willingness to support students at Brooklyn College is an inspiration to all she's around.
Julio Estrada, Facilities
Julio Estrada has been a consistent dedicated worker for all the years he has been at Brooklyn College. His attendance, consistency, and reliability have helped this operation remain one of the most functional groups on this campus during regular hours and through long nights with inclement weather conditions or catastrophic emergencies. We thank him for his service to the college.
Maureen Ghans, Department of Psychology
Maureen Ghans has worked in the Psychology Department Office since 2006, after transferring from the Art Department. Maureen is our "face" to undergraduates, and the first person most students encounter when they visit the office. Whether they come with routine questions or arrive panicked and stressed, Maureen greets them with a smile, a calming and reassuring style, and a personal touch. With Maureen it is never "take a number." She listens patiently and moves things in a positive direction. She brings those skills not only to students, but also stressed faculty who insist on urgent, special attention as well! Maureen's cheerful attention brightens the day of everyone she meets.
Alonzo Golden, Campus and Community Safety Services
Peach Officer Alonzo Golden began his Public Safety career in 1992 and in 1994 became shop steward. He takes his job seriously and is a dedicated officer, rarely calling out sick. He helps his fellow officers by generously donating sick time to those in need, and sometimes sacrifices his sleep by assisting officers with their grievances. He is proud of his son and spends much of his off-time with him. Alonzo enjoys movies, working out, collecting comics, and projectors. He is also a SAG member.
Harry Gomez, Campus and Community Safety Services
Lieutenant and Assistant Director Harry Gomez has contributed much to the department in his years of service. He offers a historical perspective of the Public Safety area, as he first came to Brooklyn College as a contract security supervisor and has seen the establishment and growth of the department. Through his recommendation, CPOs became EMTs at Brooklyn College, and other campuses followed suit! Direct and outspoken, this logistics wiz can fix most things, and his passions include martial arts and collecting comics.
Aduzinda Goncalves, ITS
Aduzinda Goncalves, more affectionately known as Linda, is a seasoned telephone operator who has performed her duties with the utmost diligence for 25 years. She is a virtual walking "reverse telephone book" for her uncanny ability to recall any extension and the party or office it serves. Her presence at the switchboard is seemingly ubiquitous, as she answers and forwards many dozens of calls a day. Despite the pressures of the job, dealing with many different personalities and attitudes from external and internal callers, she still manages to maintain an even-tempered disposition. With her outgoing personality and a generous nature, Linda is well liked and well regarded by all the members of the Brooklyn College telecommunications team and her customers.
Jerome Hall, Campus and Community Safety Services
Mr. Go-to: That really says it all! Jerome worked his way up from contract security to a lieutenant/assistant director. He has patrolled, supervised, managed details, and protected dignitaries, among all other tasks. No job is too big or too small for him; he has a let's get it done attitude and is always willing to help subordinates, peers, supervisors, and the campus community. Resourceful and with a wicked sense of humor, he knows where all the bodies are buried. He is honorable, and he has served this country and Brooklyn College admirably.
Tabitha Holland, Copy Center / Printworks
In her 25 years at Brooklyn College, Tabitha has always been the personification of excellent customer service. Tabitha's knowledge and expertise are assets, and her involvement in major projects for the college ensured that things were done right and done well. Tabitha is a mentor not only to the students who worked with her, but also to her colleagues. Her sincere concern for those she works with turned into friendships that have lasted for decades. Tabitha is not a fair-weather friend, but someone whose genuine concern and candid feedback made you straighten up if you were headed in the wrong direction professionally and personally.
Bryan Jack, Campus and Community Safety Services
Sergeant Bryan Jack has had a long successful career as an officer in the Brooklyn College Public Safety Department. Over these 25 years, he has shown commitment to his duties and dedication to the collective mission of the department. Bryan was promoted twice in rank from officer to corporal, and then from corporal to sergeant as recognition and reward for his excellent job performance. Bryan continues to be an asset to the department, as a veteran supervisor, by mentoring and training new officers and young supervisors who hope to follow his lead in enjoying a long fruitful law enforcement career in the Brooklyn College Public Safety Department.
Lionel Jean, Campus and Community Safety Services
For 25 years, Officer Lionel Jean has displayed professionalism, dedication, and a positive attitude toward his job duties and all members of the campus community. Whatever he is assigned to do, which includes driving details with the college administrators, shuttle service, or checking ID cards at a gate, he does it cheerfully and respectfully. Office Jean is well respected by his colleagues and supervisors.
Neville Johnson, Campus and Community Safety Services
Officer Neville Johnson has always displayed passion and excitement when performing his assigned duties. Some of his functions includes working at the Fire Command Station, where he demonstrated excellent leadership abilities, and at the Boylan Well Parking Lot, where he greets and assists senior administrators such as President Anderson, CUNY chancellors, and other VIPs.
Edmond Marbury
Bridget Masterson
Bridget is the smiling face and lilting voice that fronts the Facilities office of the AVP and Planning Offices. Her strength and wonderfully sunny disposition provide visitors and callers to the office a calming confidence in the face of situations that are often tense and stressful. More importantly, she keeps Fran in line and ensures that he meets all of his commitments by maintaining his schedule of constantly shifting appointments. Bridget provides an optimistic confidence that is contagious to all who work with her.
Stanley Phinn, Brooklyn College Student Center
Stanley Phinn serves as the Student Center operations facility coordinator. In that capacity, Stanley works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that all events are set up correctly by moving tables and chairs to just the right area, providing tablecloths, and ensuring the building is operational and clean. Daily, he ensures that student club, department, and external clients rooms are set. Stanley continues to serve the Student Center with excellence. He is a valuable employee and an honorable man.
Orlette Wakefield, Office of Alumni Affairs
As the alumni affairs office manager, it's safe to say that the office would not function without Orlette Wakefield. She manages operations, oversees support staff, and serves as a point of contact for the alumni association board of directors. They are a passionate group, and she has endeared herself to every single one of them. Orlette is a dedicated employee who still finds a way to devote much of her free time to religious field service. The office is proud to work with her.
Sherry Warman, Brooklyn College Library
Sherry Warman is the interlibrary loan coordinator, a COA level 4 position within the Technical Services Division of the library. As funds for materials shrink, this essential job has only increased in importance. She is respected by both her talented staff and by the faculty and students whom she serves. She easily holds her own in CUNY-wide meetings with professional ILL personnel. She is an asset to Brooklyn College and beyond. We are very fortunate to have her on staff.
Robert Zawadzki
20 Years
Kisha Andrews, Mailing Services
Kisha Andrews has served 20 years with Mailing Services as a very professional hard worker. She takes her job very seriously, following wise words from her grandma: "Take your work seriously and do not play." Kisha is the foundation that keeps mailing services distribution standing tall on campus. Her great attitude and work ethics help the other employees stay focused and her straight-forward attitude keeps mailing service out of trouble. We love Kisha working for us, and we hope she stays at the job for years to come.
John Arruda, Brooklyn College Library
John Arruda has worked in the Circulation and Serials Unit of the Technical Services Division of the library as a college assistant. He has been much appreciated for his industry, meticulousness, and willingness to do whatever needs to be done. John is the ultimate team player. In an office of 16, this quality is highly sought after. He is a tremendous asset to the Technical Services Division.
Clyde Benn
Clyde Benn has been Brooklyn College's only "oiler" for at least 20 years and has done a wonderful job without any complaint under adverse conditions: An oiler is the person who greases, lubricates, and adjusts all belts, motors, fans, and pulleys campus-wide in the darkest, dirtiest locations. He even once passed out in one of the attics while performing his job—that's dedication! Clyde is also dedicated to his family and faith. He has turned down overtime to spend Sundays with his family, saying, "Spending time with family and having a life outside work is more important than making money"—something we all maybe should think on more.
Michael Bergen, Speech and Hearing Center
Michael Bergen, a licensed, certified audiologist, has worked at Brooklyn College in various capacities. He is currently director of the Davidow Speech-Language-Hearing Center, working closely with students, colleagues, and members of the community. He is a board member of the Brooklyn College Alumni Association, chairing its student awards committee. He has served on many professional committees locally, regionally, and nationally. He has published articles and received many grants.
Donna Bifolco, Childhood, Bilingual and Special Education
Donna Bifolco became an adjunct lecturer for the School of Education in both the Reading and Special Education programs. She continues to distribute her knowledge as a mentor to new teachers in the Teaching Fellows program, a collaborative partnership between Brooklyn College, School of Education, and the New York City Board of Education. Donna's impact has been an integral element in the training of educators at Brooklyn College.
Lemmie Blakemore
Randolph Bowen
Madonna Charles, Purchasing and Contracts
The diversity of the people and beauty of the campus make Madonna proud to work at her alma mater. Madonna is honored when she sees students who worked in her offices fulfilling a part of their dreams on Commencement Day. In her current role as procurement director, the best part of the job is negotiating contracts and navigating New York State Procurement Law with her team. In her spare time, Madonna teaches ESOL students English, civics, basic finance, and everyday life skills.
Juliya Chebotoreva, Campus Support Services
Juliya is quiet, reserved, and posseses a mild spirit. She has the ability to remain calm when those around her may be experiencing turmoil. Juliya's steady influence, especially during the beginning of a semester when things can become quite stressful, has been an invaluable asset to the department. For 20 years she has remained a constant and steady influence in the front office. She is someone who can be relied on to handle assignments in a professional and timely manner.
Jennifer Clarke, Financial Aid
As a college office assistant in the Financial Aid Office, Jennifer Clarke has served our financial aid front desk and student document intake area. Through her 20 years at Brooklyn College, Jennifer has assisted the office in several capacities, most recently dutifully serving as our Federal Work-Study program payroll assistant. Jennifer has also spearheaded many of our office gathering and events (birthdays and holidays). As such, she ensures that we always come together like a family.
Donna Corbin, Human Resource Services
Donna Corbin has worked in the Office of Human Resources Services as a benefits specialist for 20 years. She is one of the best-known employees at the college because she has worked with every staff and faculty member in one way or the other if they receive benefits or retire. Donna is highly respected by her coworkers and colleagues, and is often called upon to share knowledge and solve complicated issues. We are very fortunate to have such a knowledgeable expert in this challenging role.
Harry Delva, Campus Support Services
Harry Delva has been a part of the Brooklyn College community for the past 20 years. He first served in the Property Management Office before working in Central Stores and BC Printworks. Harry always has a smile on his face and no matter what is asked of him, he is always willing to do whatever it takes to get the job accomplished. The smile and the ability to always say yes when asked to do something is the reason customers ask for him by name.
Margarita Duenas, Modern Languages and Literatures
As a college academic assistant, Margarita Duenas has been the heart of the Modern Languages and Literatures Department. Her deep knowledge and 20 years of experience in this institution have been shared with various offices across campus, making her a respected and much-appreciated colleague and friend. Our diverse students, alumni, faculty, and staff commend her readiness to help and serve with a big smile. We are grateful to have her.
Isaac Encarnacion, Campus and Community Safety Services
Brooklyn College Peace Officer Isaac Encarnacion is a great asset to the Public Safety Department. He is one of the main reasons why the Alpha Tour that he serves on runs so smoothly when he is at work. He always goes that extra mile to get the job done. He is also a great person with high integrity. The Brooklyn College community is very lucky to have such a great officer protecting them.
Stanford Evans
Theresa Ferrara, Brooklyn College Library
Theresa Ferrara has worked in three units the library. Wherever she has worked, her colleagues have highly praised her performance. Her enthusiasm for the work, her keen attention to detail, and her high standards have been greatly appreciated in all three units. She also volunteers to assist in special projects; her contributions are always welcomed. For all these reasons, Theresa has been a tremendous asset to the library.
Madeline Flick-DeBonis, Diversity and Equity Programs
As a CAA for the Office of Legal Services, Madeline DeBonis serves as a resource to campus individuals in coordinator efforts relating to legal matters. During her 20 years at Brooklyn College, Madeline has had several positions in offices around campus, including Undergraduate Admissions. She has been able to take on various roles and support individuals who are involved in legal proceedings.
Michelle Gibbons
Vannessa Green
Alla Kaplun, Brooklyn Center for Performing Arts
For more than 20 years Alla has been a valued member of the Performing Arts staff. As finance associate, whether she's reconciling bank statements, preparing checks, or processing payroll, you can always count on Alla to be quick and accurate. As scheduling coordinator, she has assisted outside clients and college staff in the use of our theaters. Her language skills certainly have helped us out with our Russian-speaking clients. We certainly are very lucky to have Alla.
Gary Kostner
Gary is a hard-working individual who performs all tasks asked of him without question, which led the college to ask him to be the college's Plaza Pool operator/maintainer. While performing this task, the pool never failed any inspections and was never closed due to any shortcoming of service. But Gary wouldn't stop there; he wanted to promote himself further and, as such, when the new position of steam fitters helper opened up, he applied and showed the work ethic and dependability that again earned him a step up in position, for which he rightly deserved.
Joseph Loguirato, School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts
Joe Loguirato is a native New Yorker who was an award-winning corporate art director and graphic designer for over 20 years before coming to Brooklyn College. Presently, he is the art director in the School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts. He is also a fine artist with many one-person exhibitions in the New York Metropolitan area. His work is in numerous private and corporate collections nationally. He is also an adjunct lecturer in the Communication Design Department.
Betty Marcolin, Brooklyn College Library
As the library's Access Services supervisor, Betty Marcolin manages three complex units and is the liaison with the Facilities Department. Betty's managerial acumen, leadership, professionalism, and personable qualities ensures excellent library services for all students, faculty, and staff. Through her 20 years at Brooklyn College, Betty has become a highly respected and regarded person on campus. We are indeed fortunate to have such an exceptional, dedicated, and productive employee.
Bridgetann Nowicki
Gregory Pemberton
Anita Persaud, Registrar
Anita Persaud has served as a degree auditor in the Office of the Registrar for the past eight years and ensures that students in the School of Education have met all of their degree requirements and graduate in a timely manner—no small task! Prior to joining the registrar team in 2010, she lent her talents to Human Resources, where she handled P&T and P&B under Denise Flanagan. While she often works behind the scenes, Anita has greatly contributed to Brooklyn College in her 20 years on campus.
Lorraine Ploughwright, Financial Aid
Lorraine has played a critical supporting role in providing for the financial needs of many, not only in our unit, but throughout the Brooklyn College student population as a whole. During her 20 years at the college, she has accumulated a wide range of knowledge of financial aid programs while working in a variety of areas, and she has applied this knowledge to advance the larger goal of making college affordable to all.
Phyllis Rada
Alex Rudshteyn, Academic Information Technologies
Alex Rudshteyn is the director of Library Entrepreneurship, Systems and Network Support. He was a Russian design engineer who emigrated to America for a better life for his family. He started at Brooklyn College 20 years ago as the associate director of AIT. Since then he has presented at EDUCAUSE and published scholarly articles and chapters on the development of the bookscanner and other digital tools he designed with the AIT team. Thank you for your excellent designs, Alex!
Marlon Sanchez
Steven Silbering, Provost
Steven Silbering has been an outstanding member of our community for 20 years, as a faculty member and as the pre-health adviser. He has worked with all Brooklyn College students interested in health care fields. He meets with students each day to review their applications and personal statements as they prepare for the next chapter of their education. Besides directing the B.A.-M.D. Program with Downstate, he has benefitted our students with his expertise and counsel.
Bettina Smith, Facilities
Bettina is the human "computer" behind all of the inner workings of the Facilities Operations group. She manages the office staff with directness but is always mindful of the needs of the people who report to her. As a result, she has gained the respect and admiration of the entire staff as well as the folks who rely on her encyclopedic knowledge of all the myriad systems, old and new, that must be navigated to make things happen in all of the Facilities Offices. CUNY First and Archibus are four letter words to many on campus, but to Bettina, they are the tools to get things done.
Robert Sotillio, Campus and Safety Community Services
Sgt. Sotillio graduated with a B.A. from Brooklyn College in 1997. In May of the following year, he became a public safety officer. In his 20 years on campus, and through his dedication to the job, he has earned the respect of his colleagues and the entire campus community.
Bernice Suphal, Brooklyn College Library
Bernice Suphal is being honored for 20 years of college service. Actually, she has worked for the library continuously since June 1990. She started as a work-study student whose responsibilities included answering phones, sorting mail, and some data entry. Her responsibilities increased as she moved to a student assistant position and then to a college assistant position working in the library's Current Periodicals Department. From there Bernice became a full-time college office assistant in charge of library administration before moving on to the Collection Development unit, the unit responsible for the acquisition of academic journals and books. Bernice's knowledge and love of libraries have given her the ability to pursue a dream. This year she graduated with a master's degree in library science (M.L.S.).
Irwin Ward, Brooklyn College Student Center
Irwin Ward has served as custodian at the Brooklyn College Student Center for over 20 years. In many ways, he has the most important job, because if the building is not clean, no one will return. Irwin has served in his position with consistency. He is always on time and has an excellent attendance record. He is always concerned about his fellow co-workers and ensures everyone is doing what they should. Irwin is quiet and kind, a stable figure at the Student Center on whom we depend daily.
