Public Employee Press

DC 37’s newest grads
Reach for the stars

By JANE LaTOUR

On May 17, a week before the College of New Rochelle’s graduation, its School of New Resources held a special hooding ceremony at the DC 37 Campus. Local 372 member Stacey Matone, among the first to arrive, came with her proud parents in tow. Dressed in a pale blue gown, the young woman spoke with enthusiasm about her education and her plans for the future. “I want to become a social worker and work with children,” she said.
Her parents were equally excited. “I’m very proud of her,” said Stacy’s mom, Patricia. “She’s the first of our children to graduate from college.”

As the procession filed into the hall, families and friends stood to honor the graduates. “I walked in and saw all the proud parents with their cameras,” said graduate Sonia Feliz of DC 37’s Legal Dept. “It made me realize that this is real — it’s true. It hits you then.”

SNR Dean Elza Dinwiddie-Boyd greeted the grads: “To see you in this special moment and then to see the people who supported you along the way is wonderful. Now you have a responsibility to share your knowledge and the new skills you have learned.”

Dr. Stephen J. Sweeny, the president of CNR, keeps a special place in his heart for the District Council 37 Campus, since both of his parents were members of the union. Dr. Sweeny explained the symbolism of CNR’s blue and white academic hood, robes and regalia and the traditions that bind centuries of scholars to one another.

DC 37 Education Fund Administrator Barbara Kairson wished each graduate “a lifelong thirst for knowledge and the will to achieve it.”
Graduate Kathleen Holloway said, “It was a wonderful ceremony — humorous and sentimental. I was very emotional.”

O n graduation day, May 26, beneath the fabled golden dome of Radio City Music Hall, the grads listened to their commencement speakers, journalist Maureen Orth, television reporter Tim Russert and actress Cicely Tyson. Ms. Tyson exhorted the graduates, in the voice of Miss Jane Pittman, “To take this world that we have given you and make it a better place.”

At the ceremony, the struggles and sacrifices involved in going to school while working full-time faded into the background. “It’s hard to hold everything together,” said Ms. Holloway. “My husband reminded me. I had forgotten about all the cold winter nights and the long trek home on the A train,” she said.

A native of Broad Channel, Queens, Ms. Holloway graduated from high school in 1974. “I always wanted to go to college,” she said. “This is a wonderful benefit that the union offers,” she said.

Graduate Robin White, who grew up in Harlem and the Bronx, works as a Family Assistant at P.S. 55 in the Bronx. She plans to use her education to work as a clinical social worker. The opportunity to get a college education fills her with gratitude. “I can’t stop thanking my union rep and the people at the union who made this program possible,” she said. “This is one union that really looks out for its people.”

As college costs rise and government support for financial aid for low-income families falls, the fact that the SNR is both accessible and affordable for union members is an important dimension of its success. In addition, one of the most rewarding experiences for Ms. Holloway was the opportunity to get to know people from different nationalities, cultures, and religions. “I am so grateful for the experience,” she said.

Ms. White carried the burdens of a single parent while attending school and working. “I felt that I might have to drop out to stay on top of my son,” she explained. “I thought I wasn’t going to make it,” she said. “In the beginning it was difficult and scary, but I told my son, who was 12 at the time: ‘I’m going to make it.’ ”

“We made it past the voices who said we could not achieve,” said Gail Salazar, speaking at the hooding ceremony on behalf of the class of 2005. “I was determined to get a college education,” explained Sonia Feliz. “To me, it was a rebirth. It was like I awoke at age 40,” she noted.Ms. Feliz r ecalled a memorable experience from the early days of her college career. “One teacher who stands out for me is Marcia Klein. She made you feel like you could reach for the stars.”

Ms. Holloway said she received her inspiration early on from another educator at the SNR, Professor Josephine Williams. “Her course was exhausting, but she made you feel you could do it. She made us open up and expose ourselves and she brought out the best in each student.”

Diplomas in hand, the newly minted graduates are on the way to new futures. “I feel like I have the whole world lifted off my shoulders,” said Ms. White. “I know doors are going to open for me. The graduation was so beautiful. It was the proudest day of my life. I went to sleep that night with a smile on my face. It was the greatest feeling ever.”

Is it your turn now?

Join the 2,900 union members who have earned a bachelor’s degree
at the College of New Rochelle’s DC 37 Campus!

Are you a working adult who has always wanted to earn a degree, but never had the opportunity? If so, the DC 37 Campus of the School of New Resources was created for you. CNR brings the bachelor of arts degree within the reach of adults so that they may enjoy new social and economic possibilities.

District Council 37 and the School of New Resources have maintained a thriving partnership for more than 32 years to help union members realize their deferred dreams.

The College of New Rochelle is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is recognized nationally and internationally for its excellence in adult education.
Location and tuition are just two of the many advantages of our program.

You can also:
• Design your own course of study.
• Develop courses to meet your needs.
• Earn college credits using your life experience and skills.
• Attain full-time status by attending two six-credit classes per week.
• Find supportive faculty and flexible class schedules.
• Learn with a peer group who understand the pressures on adults who have jobs and families.
• One-on-one counseling for both registration and financial aid.

To learn more about the School of New Resources, come to an open-house/orientation session any Thursday at 6 p.m. during July and August in Room 213 at DC 37 Headquarters, 125 Barclay St. Call the campus at 212-815-1710 for additional dates and more information.