With a Little Help From a Friend 

Long Island City, NY—May 11, 2012—Harmonie Kobanghe, a LaGuardia Community College Honors student and campus leader is the recipient of the 2012 Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, a premier national scholarship.

The award, which supports high-achieving students with financial needs, will provide Harmonie, who has applied to some of the country’s finest universities--Harvard, Yale and Columbia--with $30,000 a year throughout her undergraduate experience. The LaGuardia scholarship winner was one of 60 scholars selected from a field of 786 applicants from 349 community colleges. The scholar will be eligible for further funding for her graduate studies.

As an international student who does not qualify for financial aid, Harmonie said this scholarship will help her to achieve her academic and career goals. “I struggled to pay for my tuition at LaGuardia and was wondering if I would be able to continue my education,” she said. “Now, not only can I continue my education, but the scholarship is providing me with many more options.”

But during the arduous application process, she pointed out that if not for the support and encouragement of Dr. Karlyn Koh, the Honors Program Director and Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Advisor, her hopes of getting a scholarship might have been dashed. “During this stressful process, Dr. Koh provided me with the mental strength that I needed and urged me to keep on going,” said Harmonie. “While I was writing my essays I could hear her say, ‘stay strong. You are almost there.’”

The special relationship between Dr. Koh and Harmonie began two years ago when the honor student was elected a Phi Theta Kappa chapter officer and Dr. Koh was serving as the PTK faculty advisor. “She saw something in me that I didn’t see,” said Harmonie. “I was very shy and she helped me to gain confidence.”

“One of the many joys of serving as an advisor and teacher is witnessing the ways students discover their inner potential and gifts,” said Dr. Koh. “In the years since I met her, I have witnessed her blossom in response to the many opportunities.“

“Harmonie has made all of us here at LaGuardia proud. LaGuardia has now had two winners of this highly competitive scholarship and I am convinced that with our students and our faculty we’ll have more winners in the years to come,” said Dr. Gail O. Mellow, President of LaGuardia Community College. “Dr. Koh’s work with Harmonie is just one more example of Dr. Koh’s fantastic ability to mentor and advise students. She does this with a combination of intense commitment to student success, a deep intelligence and an ability to do whatever it takes to help student’s reach their highest potential.”

Harmonie distinguished herself as an outstanding scholar and a campus leader. Throughout her three years at the college, the Liberal Arts: Social Science and Humanities major maintained a 3.94 G.P.A. As one of the top students in the Honors Program, Harmonie not only completed the Honors Concentration by taking at least seven Honors courses, but this past spring she took two Honors courses, breaking the program’s record.

In her letter of recommendation to the foundation, Dr. Koh pointed out that Harmonie not only created a course of study that revolved around Honors and upper-level courses across the curriculum, but went beyond her degree requirements to study subjects that will benefit her intellectual and academic growth such as Honors calculus, microeconomics and macroeconomics.

“There is no doubt that even among her academically motivated peers, including the 250 students in the Honors Program, Harmonie has set the bar very high,” said Dr. Koh.

Other glowing letters of recommendation were written by Dr. John Chaffee, philosophy professor and Honors Student Advisory Committee advisor, and Dr. Bojana Blagojevic, a social science professor.

Dr. Chaffee praised Harmonie’s dedication to the College’s PTK Honor Society. “It is safe to say that Hamonie was one of the chapter’s pillars,” said Dr. Chaffee, adding that thanks in large measure to her leadership skills, the chapter won the 2011 New York Regional and a 2011 International Distinguished College Project awards. In addition, she served as the 2011-2012 PTK New York Regional Southern District Officer, and is an Executive Member of the college’s Honors Student Advisory Committee.

In her letter, Dr. Blagojevic explained that Harmonie’s sensitivity to social justice issues spurred her to volunteer as a social counselor at the Grievance Program at Riker’s Island. Also, an internship at the office of New York State Malcolm A. Smith, through the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Caucus CUNY Scholars Program, allowed her to address another one of her concerns: stopping gun violence.

“I believe that by helping Harmonie achieve her educational goals through this scholarship,” said Dr. Blagojevic, “we are supporting a future leader and a human rights activist who will use her education to make a positive difference in our world.”

With the scholarship plans Harmonie plans on majoring in international relations with a minor in women’s and gender studies.

“Whenever I reflect on my educational path, I see that I have only been able to accomplish so much because of the support of people who believe in my passion,” said Harmonie. “It is therefore my duty to be of similar service to others.”

LaGuardia Community College located in Long Island City, Queens, was founded in 1971 as a bold experiment in opening the doors of higher education to all, and we proudly carry forward that legacy today. LaGuardia educates students through over 50 degree, certificate and continuing education programs, providing an inspiring place for students to achieve their dreams. Upon graduation, LaGuardia students’ lives are transformed as family income increases 17%, and students transfer to four-year colleges at three times the national average. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), LaGuardia is a nationally recognized leader among community colleges for boundary-breaking success educating underserved students. At LaGuardia we imagine new ideas, create new curriculum and pioneer programs to make our community and our country stronger. Visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.

Long Island City, NY—May 3, 2012—Chile, a country of breathtaking natural beauty with its jungles, fjords, glaciers, lakes and volcanoes; a rich culture and modern cosmopolitan capital, is the subject of a photography exhibition by a group of LaGuardia Community College commercial photography students that recently returned on a study abroad project. The exhibition opens on May 10.

“Expedition: Chile,” is an eclectic collection of some 80 striking black and white and color images that were taken by 17 students who each captured this fascinating country in their own artistic way. There are magnificent landscapes, formal portraiture, candid images of life in Chile, and lyrical documentary. The exhibition also includes several panoramas that are up to 20 feet in length and two videos, one on the agriculture and cuisine, and another, a travelogue on the students’ photographic adventure.

Please visit the website at www.lagcc.cuny.edu/Expedition-Chile. 

The exhibition’s opening reception on May 10 will take place at the LaGuardia Gallery of Photographic Arts, located in the College’s B-building (3rd floor) at 30-20 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The photographs will be on display through June 30. Viewing hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please call (718) 482-5985 or (718) 349-4028 or e-mail Ssternbach@lagcc.cuny.edu. 

To capture these exquisite images, the students embarked on the program’s first study abroad project that was part photography expedition and part eco-tour. During the month-long tour, the group biked through the streets of Santiago, kayaked next to dolphins and sea lions in the fiords near Puerto Varas, the lake district in southern Patagonia, and climbed to the top of the Chaiten volcano. They hiked in the extremely remote New Patagonia Park in Chacabuco Valley, toured Cochrane, the land of the Gauchos, and visited the Baker River, a turquoise-blue glacial waterway that is the site for the country’s biggest hydroelectric project.

And all the while the students took photos. But their images did not come without a price. “Unfortunately, we had a few mishaps along the way,” said Scott Sternbach, chairperson of the commercial photography program who led the expedition.

That included a tropical rainstorm that stalled over southern Chile and trapped them in a beautiful cove with not-so-waterproof tents. The storm brought heavy winds that sunk their boat with most of their gear. Luckily, the majority of the students’ cameras were saved. Local fishermen rescued the drenched group and took them back to their fishing village and welcomed them with a feast.

The rain followed them throughout their tour of Patagonia’s fjords and again in Cohyaique, a small city in the Aysen region. Mother Nature finally decided to cooperate when they reached New Patagonia Park where they spent a number of days hiking and exploring. And sunny skies greeted them at Cochrane, the land of the Gauchos where they enjoyed a festival, and Baker River, where they photographed the beautiful river before dams are built.

“I must admit, at times it was hard on all of us,” said Mr. Sternbach, who added that they did not expect such rains during the country’s dry season. “But we all agree it was a life-changing experience, and, I hope, this will be the first of many study abroad photography projects.”

Johnny Tsang admitted that he wasn’t that enthused about the project, but that quickly changed. “The country is amazing with its wonderful people, its beautiful landscape and its great food,” said Johnny, who added that the high point of the trip for him was Chacabuco Valley. “It was there that I really settled in and focused on my work.”

The visit to Baker River also left an impression on the young photographer. He said he was concerned about the impact the dams will have on this beautiful site. “Through my photographs,” he said, “I want to tell people how this project can affect this beautiful land.” 

Louis Aguirre, who did a travelogue with a 4x5 view camera on the experience with a concentration on landscape and portraiture, noted that it was an incredible experience not simply because of the photography, but because of all the places they visited. “We started in Santiago, which was nice, but it was not until we got to Patagonia that we saw these amazing landscapes,” he said. “If you don’t get inspired by that, there is something wrong with you.”

Louis said he is ready to go back. “But this time I will bring more than a $3 poncho,” he said.

LaGuardia Community College located in Long Island City, Queens, was founded in 1971 as a bold experiment in opening the doors of higher education to all, and we proudly carry forward that legacy today. LaGuardia educates students through over 50 degree, certificate and continuing education programs, providing an inspiring place for students to achieve their dreams. Upon graduation, LaGuardia students’ lives are transformed as family income increases 17%, and students transfer to four-year colleges at three times the national average. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), LaGuardia is a nationally recognized leader among community colleges for boundary-breaking success educating underserved students. At LaGuardia we imagine new ideas, create new curriculum and pioneer programs to make our community and our country stronger. Visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.
 

Long Island City, NY—April 27, 2012—Juan Agudelo, a LaGuardia Community College student, has an art portfolio

 filled with an eclectic collection of beautifully sketched still lifes, animals and human figures.

To draw with such precision and detail is a gift few possess. But what makes Juan’s gift so exceptional is that he creates these works of art without arms. 

The Colombian native was born with a birth defect that left him without arms and legs. Juan’s right arm ends at the elbow and at the end of his left elbow is a short, undeveloped forearm with one finger. But although he does not have the use of two functioning arms, he can nimbly place a pen or pencil between his right arm and left finger and let his one finger guide the writing utensil.

To the 20-year old with an easy smile, his drawing technique is nothing special because he developed his technique at a very early age. By the age of six, Juan was already creating simple paintings and drawings. After observing the enjoyment her son got from drawing, his mother called upon an artist friend to give him art lessons, which he did for two years.

The lessons stopped when the family received a call from Healing the Children, a non-profit organization that provides medical care for children in need, saying that it had secured a six-month medical visa for Juan and his mother to travel to the United States where he would be fitted with his first set of prosthetic legs.

For Juan, this news could change his life. While not having the use of arms did not seem to pose a problem, not having legs proved to be more difficult for him. Although he was able to get around on limbs that ended at the knees, there were times when he had to rely on his mother. “I was pretty independent, but when I went outside I could not get around on my own,” said Juan. “And as I got older I did not like when my mother had to carry me.”

Juan and his mother stayed with family members in New Haven and went to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center where doctors agreed to evaluate Juan’s medical condition and fit him with prosthetics. Upon examination, doctors discovered that Juan would have to go through several surgeries on his legs before he could be fitted. While the hospital agreed to cover the cost of the medical care, it would not cover extended in-house cost totaling $15,000.

Determined to get his new legs, Juan decided to raise the money by selling his drawing and paintings at a one-man show he would hold at a New Haven space. Selling over 15 pieces of artwork, Juan not only raised enough money to cover his expenses, but he was able to donate some of his earnings to the organization. “I was so appreciative of what Healing the Children did for me,” said Juan, “that I thought it was only right to give the rest of the money to the organization so that they could help other children.”

With his new legs and his newfound mobility, Juan and his mother stayed in Connecticut for two years and then moved to Astoria. Before resettling in Astoria, the family moved to Pennsylvania for two years. Wherever Juan called home, he went to school where he struggled to learn his new language and continued to draw his favorite subjects: dragons, still life, pirates and his favorite adventurer, Robinson Crusoe. “I love to draw from my imagination,” said Juan.

When the family moved back to Astoria, Juan completed his last two years of high school at Long Island City High School, and graduated this past June.

He received an acceptance from New York City College, but decided to enroll in LaGuardia. “I was not sure of my major,” he said, “and felt if I attended a community college I would have more time to think about my career.”

Juan said that he may consider pursuing a degree in architecture, a major he considered before coming to LaGuardia. Or maybe graphic design. Or maybe he will follow the advise of an art professor who saw his portfolio and major in fine arts.

Right now Juan is busy taking freshman seminar, introduction to cooperative education and a developmental reading course. He is also taking advantage of the College’s Office for Students with Disabilities where he receives additional tutoring and has access to computers.

“I have time to decide,” he said with a smile.

LaGuardia Community College located in Long Island City, Queens, was founded in 1971 as a bold experiment in opening the doors of higher education to all, and we proudly carry forward that legacy today. LaGuardia educates students through over 50 degree, certificate and continuing education programs, providing an inspiring place for students to achieve their dreams. Upon graduation, LaGuardia students’ lives are transformed as family income increases 17%, and students transfer to four-year colleges at three times the national average. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), LaGuardia is a nationally recognized leader among community colleges for boundary-breaking success educating underserved students. At LaGuardia we imagine new ideas, create new curriculum and pioneer programs to make our community and our country stronger. Visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.
 

Long Island City, NY—April 23, 2012—When New York’s cherry trees bloom this spring it will mark the start of the 100th anniversary celebration of the planting of Japan’s cherry blossom trees in New York. As part of the citywide festivities, LaGuardia Community College on April 24 will receive a gift of two cherry trees from the Consul General of Japan in New York.

Before members of the college community, Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki, Consul General of Japan in New York, and Dr. Gail O. Mellow, President of LaGuardia, will plant two three-foot saplings in the College’s grassy courtyard as a symbol of the strong relationship between the College and the nation of Japan.

“It is an honor to have Ambassador Hiroki join us at LaGuardia and to present us with this most special gift,” said Dr. Gail O. Mellow, President of LaGuardia Community College. “LaGuardia has a deep connection to Japan. Hundreds of our students have their roots in Japan. We offer a broad selection of Japanese language classes and classes in other disciplines--from philosophy to business to the arts—examine the major and lasting contributions Japan has made to our world. Today’s event celebrates our powerful and growing relationship with our Japanese community.”

“I sincerely appreciate LaGuardia Community College taking part in Japan‑U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial 2012,” said Ambassador Hiroki. “As a guardian of these baby trees, I am sure that the College will nourish them, and as such, also nourish the cultural bonds between our two countries. The Consulate‑General of Japan hopes that the Japan‑U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial Tree Dedication Ceremony at LaGuardia will contribute to further enhancing the friendship between the peoples of Japan and the U.S.”

The celebration will also pay special tribute to the great grandfather of a LaGuardia professor who in 1912 played an instrumental role in the project. Professor Eiko Fukuda’s great grandfather, Torajiro Watase was an agronomist and businessman who was an indispensable key to the successful forestation of the 5,000 cherry blossom trees that were planted in Washington D.C. and New York as a symbol of lasting friendship between the two countries.

“It is extremely gratifying that my great grandfather is getting the recognition that he deserves,” said Professor Fukuda, who explained that her grandfather’s contribution was overshadowed because of a number of prominent figures involved in the project.

During the five-week celebrations, from March 20-April 27, centennial cherry blossom festivals will be taking place in New York and Washington, D.C.

LaGuardia had the honor of being one of three New York sites, along with Central Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, selected to receive cherry trees because of the relationship it has developed with the General Consulate.

The College, which has the widest selections of modern language offerings in the City University of New York, was awarded a $38,441 grant from the Japan Foundation to maintain and expand its Japanese language and culture courses. The first Japanese language courses were launched in 2006, and, after several years of expansion, it now offers basic, intermediate and near-native level language courses that enroll an estimated 100 students each semester. The grant will help the College offer the Japanese courses on a regular basis and collaborate with 4-year CUNY schools to develop a curriculum tailored for students who want to major in the Japanese language and cultural studies.

LaGuardia Community College located in Long Island City, Queens, was founded in 1971 as a bold experiment in opening the doors of higher education to all, and we proudly carry forward that legacy today. LaGuardia educates students through over 50 degree, certificate and continuing education programs, providing an inspiring place for students to achieve their dreams. Upon graduation, LaGuardia students’ lives are transformed as family income increases 17%, and students transfer to four-year colleges at three times the national average. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), LaGuardia is a nationally recognized leader among community colleges for boundary-breaking success educating underserved students. At LaGuardia we imagine new ideas, create new curriculum and pioneer programs to make our community and our country stronger. Visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.

   

Long Island City, NY—April 20, 2012--LaGuardia Community College’s Program for Deaf Adults will host on May 4 the Ninth Annual Celebration of Deaf History, Culture & Language that will include a workshop, a lecture and a live performance. All events, which are conducted in American Sign Language (several provide English voice interpretation), are free and open to the public.

A workshop titled, “Non-Verbal Communication: Image of Body Language,” will teach participants how to better communicate and interpret using the body, face and gestures without spoken words and signs. Designed for (ASL) students and beginning interpreter students, the workshop will be conducted in ASL. The workshop takes place in the college’s E-building (room E-500) at 31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. RPVP required by April 30.

An interview with Russell Kane, the author of Fighting the Long Sorrow: A Journey to Personhood, will be held from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. in the college’s Little Theater. In his novel, Mr. Kane records how Theodore “Teddy” Fitzgerald undergoes a personal transformation during his experience as a student during the1988 Deaf President Now Protest at Gallaudet University. The interview will be conducted in ASL; English voice interpretation will be provided. A book signing will follow.

Following the interview, there will be a performance of “Reflections of a Black Deaf Woman,” by Michelle A. Banks, from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. This insightful work, also written by Ms. Banks, reveals the hardships and triumphs of two strong African-American women (Miz, a Deaf mother and Azealea, her Deaf daughter) that speak to the human condition and the search for love and understanding. A clever dance of drama and humor, this play beautifully illustrates the two characters’ life experiences from the perspective of Black Deaf culture. The play will be performed in ASL; English voice interpretation will be provided.

The celebration is hosted by the CUNY Diversity Projects Development Fund, ASL Club, and Student Government Association. For more information or to RSVP for the workshop, email japope@lagcc.cuny.edu or call (718) 482-5324.

LaGuardia Community College located in Long Island City, Queens, was founded in 1971 as a bold experiment in opening the doors of higher education to all, and we proudly carry forward that legacy today. LaGuardia educates students through over 50 degree, certificate and continuing education programs, providing an inspiring place for students to achieve their dreams. Upon graduation, LaGuardia students’ lives are transformed as family income increases 17%, and students transfer to four-year colleges at three times the national average. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), LaGuardia is a nationally recognized leader among community colleges for boundary-breaking success educating underserved students. At LaGuardia we imagine new ideas, create new curriculum and pioneer programs to make our community and our country stronger. Visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.

 

  

 Earth Day Celebrated at LaGuardia Community College from April 17–19  

 

 

  

Long Island City, NY—April 13, 2012—In celebration of its Asian Heritage celebration, LaGuardia Community College on April 19 will present a movie screening of “Vincent Who?” a documentary on the brutal murder of an Asian American that ignited the Asia-American civil rights movement, and a conversation with its producer and screenwriter, Curtis Chin.

The event, which runs from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., will be held in the college’s E-building (room E-242) at 31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City. The film screening and discussion session will be facilitated by Dr. Irwin Leopando of the English Department. For more information, please call (718) 482-5276.

“Vincent Who?” is about Asian Americans reaction to the fatal beating of Vincent Chin by two white autoworkers in 1982 in Detroit. When the judge fined the killers $3,000 and three years probation, Asian Americans around the country galvanized for the first time to form a real community and movement. The documentary features interviews with the key players at the time, as well as young activists.

Mr. Chin is an award-winning writer and producer who has written for ABC, NBC, Fox and Disney Channel. As a community activist, he co-founded the Asian American Writers Workshop and Asian Pacific Americans for Progress. In 2008, he served on President Obama’s Asian American Leadership Council where he participated in helping the campaign reach out to the AAPI community.

LaGuardia Community College located in Long Island City, Queens, was founded in 1971 as a bold experiment in opening the doors of higher education to all, and we proudly carry forward that legacy today. LaGuardia educates students through over 50 degree, certificate and continuing education programs, providing an inspiring place for students to achieve their dreams. Upon graduation, LaGuardia students’ lives are transformed as family income increases 17%, and students transfer to four-year colleges at three times the national average. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), LaGuardia is a nationally recognized leader among community colleges for boundary-breaking success educating underserved students. At LaGuardia we imagine new ideas, create new curriculum and pioneer programs to make our community and our country stronger. Visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.
 

 

                                
 

                                  LAGCC Hosts Lecture on HeLa Cells and Bioethics on April 23

                                                     The Event is Free and Open to the Public

Long Island City, NY—April 6, 2012—LaGuardia Community College will host on April 23 a lecture on the biology and bioethical issues surrounding the case of Henrietta Lacks, a poor Southern tobacco farmer in the 1940s whose cells--taken without her knowledge—became one of the most important tools in medicine. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Dr. Stephen R. Latham, Director of the Yale Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics, will discuss these sensitive issues, which are chronicled in The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Ms. Skloot tracks down the story of Ms. Lacks, her HeLa cells, the first “immortal human cells grown in culture, and the vital role they had in developing the polio vaccine, uncovering the secrets of cancer, viruses and the atom bomb’s effects, as well as leading to important advances in in vitro fertilization, cloning and gene mapping.

Dr. Latham will delve into the biology of HeLa cells and the controversy swirling around the case. He will discuss whether scientists had the legal right to extract cells without the knowledge of the patient and her family and whether it is fair for corporations making millions marketing human biological material not to share their profits with the family.

At Yale, Dr. Latham teaches undergraduate, graduate, MBA and medical courses on law-and-bioethics, comparative bioethics, business ethics and law, and responsible conduct of research. Before entering academia full time, Dr. Latham served as Director of Ethics Standards at the American Medical Association, and as secretary to its Council of Ethical and Judicial Affairs.

The lecture will be held in the Mainstage Theater at 31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Demetrios Kapetanakos at (718) 482-5670.

LaGuardia Community College located in Long Island City, Queens, was founded in 1971 as a bold experiment in opening the doors of higher education to all, and we proudly carry forward that legacy today. LaGuardia educates students through over 50 degree, certificate and continuing education programs, providing an inspiring place for students to achieve their dreams. Upon graduation, LaGuardia students’ lives are transformed as family income increases 17%, and students transfer to four-year colleges at three times the national average. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), LaGuardia is a nationally recognized leader among community colleges for boundary-breaking success educating underserved students. At LaGuardia we imagine new ideas, create new curriculum and pioneer programs to make our community and our country stronger. Visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.

Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist Les Payne

                                                                to Speak at LaGuardia on April 25

                                                           The event is free and open to the public

Long Island City, NY—April 6, 2012—Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Les Payne will give a lecture on the invaluable role that serious journalism plays in a healthy democracy at LaGuardia Community College on April 25. The event is free and open to the public.

The event will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Little Theater at 31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City. For more information, please call (718) 482-5946.

Mr. Payne has had a long and illustrious career in journalism. During his tenure as associate editor of Newsday, his news staff won every major award in journalism, including six Pulitzer Prizes. In 1974, he won a Pulitzer Prize for the Heroin Trail, a series that traced the international flow of heroin from the poppy fields of Turkey to the streets of New York City. During the 1976 Soweto uprising, he covered the crisis and wrote a series that was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in foreign reporting.

Mr. Payne was a founder of the National Association of Black Journalists. He is the Inaugural Professor for the David Laventhol Chair at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

LaGuardia Community College located in Long Island City, Queens, was founded in 1971 as a bold experiment in opening the doors of higher education to all, and we proudly carry forward that legacy today. LaGuardia educates students through over 50 degree, certificate and continuing education programs, providing an inspiring place for students to achieve their dreams. Upon graduation, LaGuardia students’ lives are transformed as family income increases 17%, and students transfer to four-year colleges at three times the national average. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), LaGuardia is a nationally recognized leader among community colleges for boundary-breaking success educating underserved students. At LaGuardia we imagine new ideas, create new curriculum and pioneer programs to make our community and our country stronger. Visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.
 

Long Island City, NY—March 20, 2012--LaGuardia Community College, in partnership with Steinway & Sons, is inviting music lovers on March 28 to a free piano concert that has been organized, and will be staged and performed, by its students. The concert, which is a project that brings together the College and the maker of the world’s finest pianos, will feature five vocal and piano compositions. The selections will be performed on a Steinway piano that the company has donated for the event.

“LaGuardia students push boundaries every day, both in and out of the classroom,” said Dr. Gail O. Mellow, President of LaGuardia Community College. “Their passion, creativity, energy and hard work have transformed classroom learning into a showcase for the marriage of art and commerce.”

The event, which runs from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., will be held in the college’s Little Theater at 31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City. For more information, please contact rbhika@lagcc.cuny.edu (718)-482-5735 or afrancis@lagcc.cuny.edu (718)-349-4095. 

In staging the “Business & Arts in Harmony: Steinway & Sons Concert,” over 450 students from across the disciplines were involved in every aspect of production. The accounting students created the budgets; marketing students developed an internal and external promotional campaign and designed a website and ads; communication arts edited the introduction for each period piece that was written by accounting and management students; and music students will perform the pieces. Throughout the process, the students were supported by faculty.

“Picture a pedagogy where teaching, learning, and doing are combined to create one fruitful educational experience,” said Professor Rajendra Bhika, one of the faculty advisors. “Imagine harnessing the efforts and energy of students, faculty, a college, a business and a community, to organize, promote and stage a memorable event.”

He went on to say, “This opportunity is allowing our students to combine their knowledge of Steinway & Sons, business and marketing, and connections to pop culture in an effort to create a successful concert.” 

The project grew out of a request by Ron Losby, President of Steinway & Sons - Americas, to a group of business students. The students, who just completed a number of business projects using primary source documents from the Steinway collection, which is housed in the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives, were given the charge to develop an initiative that would appeal to the next generation of music lovers. 

 

Watch the preview.

"We have a special relationship with LaGuardia Community College --both in the fact that the College houses a very important Steinway & Sons collection in their archives and in the fact that we're both located in Queens, New York,” said Mr. Losby. “We're delighted to support the College and the hardworking students that successfully took this project from concept to reality."

“This started with business professors working together to create a holistic experience for our students,” said Professor Andrea Francis, one of the faculty advisors, “and grew into a massive one-of-a-kind event that draws on the energy of the entire college.”

Performed are pieces that were popular during five periods in Steinway’s glorious history:
• 1850s - 1860s: the arrival of the Steinway family to America and the start of the Steinway & Sons business
• 1870s – 1880s: the building of Steinway Village
• 1920s - the opening of Steinway Hall on West 57th Street, New York
• 1970s - John Lennon’s Imagine
• Now and the Future - a look at what is happening now and how it will impact the future for Steinway and Sons

The period pieces to be performed are:
• 1850s - 1860s: “Hard Times Come Again No More” by Stephen Foster
• 1870s -1880s: “Maple Leaf Rag” by Scott Joplin
• 1920s – “St. Louis Blues” by Louis Armstrong
• 1970s – “Imagine” by John Lennon
• Now and the Future – “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga

For more information on the concert, please visit the Steinway Project website. Also visit the Business & Technology - Steinway Research Project ePortfolio Homepage, for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the concert. 

LaGuardia Community College located in Long Island City, Queens, was founded in 1971 as a bold experiment in opening the doors of higher education to all, and we proudly carry forward that legacy today. LaGuardia educates students through over 50 degree, certificate and continuing education programs, providing an inspiring place for students to achieve their dreams. Upon graduation, LaGuardia students’ lives are transformed as family income increases 17%, and students transfer to four-year colleges at three times the national average. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), LaGuardia is a nationally recognized leader among community colleges for boundary-breaking success educating underserved students. At LaGuardia we imagine new ideas, create new curriculum and pioneer programs to make our community and our country stronger. Visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.