SVA Acting Chairman Milton Glaser receives the National Medal of Arts from President Obama

School of Visual Arts (SVA) Acting Chairman and longtime faculty member Milton Glaser has received the National Medal of Arts. Glaser is one of twelve Americans to be recognized this year for their outstanding achievements and support of the arts. The medals were presented by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in an East Room ceremony at the White House on February 25, 2010. Glaser is the first graphic designer to receive the honor.

The National Medal of Arts is a White House initiative managed by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Each year, the NEA organizes and oversees the National Medal of Arts nomination process and notifies the artists of their selection to receive a medal, the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence.

“These individuals and organizations show us how many ways art works every day. They represent the breadth and depth of American architecture, design, film, music, performance, theatre, and visual art,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “This lifetime honor recognizes their exceptional contributions, and I join the President and the country in saluting them.”

The official citation reads, “Milton Glaser, for a lifetime devoted to improving the way people communicate through innovation in graphic design, and for memorable visual artifacts that challenge contemporary artists and delight all Americans.”

Milton Glaser has a five-decade association with SVA. In addition to serving as acting chairman of the board since 2007, he has been on the faculty since 1960, currently teaching in the MFA Design Department and the Division of Continuing Education. He has created many of the iconic posters produced by SVA for display on New York City subway platforms, which were the subject of a 50-year retrospective exhibition in September 2009 entitled “Milton Glaser’s SVA: A Legacy of Graphic Design.” Glaser is also responsible for the design of the SVA Theatre, a former first-run movie house located in the heart of Manhattan that hosts film screenings, lectures and other events for the enjoyment of the community as well as the College.

In addition to Glaser, this year’s medalists include: Bob Dylan, Clint Eastwood, Maya Lin, Rita Moreno, Jessye Norman, Joseph P. Riley, Jr., Frank Stella, Michael Tilson Thomas, John Williams. (Twelve medalists were announced; however two were not able to attend the ceremony. Their medals will be presented at another time.)

The official announcement is online at http://www.arts.gov/news/news10/Medals.html.
Glaser’s Web site is at http://www.miltonglaser.com/.

LIM College has won four awards, including two Gold awards, in the 25th Annual Educational Advertising Awards.

The Educational Advertising Awards, sponsored by The Higher Education Marketing Report, is the largest educational advertising awards competition in the nation. This year, over two thousand entries were received from more than one thousand colleges, universities and secondary schools from all 50 U.S. states and several foreign countries.

LIM College’s logo/stationery and print advertisement both won Gold Awards, the College’s Open House video received a Bronze, and LIM College’s “Total Recruitment Package” (which included the admissions viewbook, travel brochure, folder, postcard series, campus visit invitation, poster, and student information card) was given a Merit award.

Educational advertising has matured into a sophisticated and competitive field. Entries in the competition were judged on their ability to meet the needs of knowledgeable prospective students who are making their own educational decisions. Judges for the Educational Advertising Awards consisted of national panel of higher education marketers, advertising creative directors, marketing and advertising professionals and the editorial board of The Higher Education Marketing Report.

LIM College’s materials were designed and produced by Creative Communication Associates (CCA), an Albany, New York-based marketing and communications firm which works with a diverse array of colleges, universities, and specialty schools nationwide, including the University of Pennsylvania, American University, and Ball State University. CCA has been LIM College’s marketing partner since 2003.

In 2008, CCA began work on LIM College’s comprehensive rebranding effort. This included creating a new visual identity and tagline for LIM College, as well as a new series of undergraduate marketing communications pieces, and an advertising plan to build industry awareness and support student recruitment. CCA also consulted with the College’s web development firm to ensure cohesive creative execution between print and online communications.

Says Elizabeth S. Marcuse, President of LIM College, “We are thrilled to be recognized by the Educational Advertising Awards. When we began our rebranding process, we knew we needed to communicate LIM College’s unique message, identity, and visual brand representation in a way that was at once differentiating, memorable, and reflective of who we are — and these awards demonstrate that, in partnership with CCA, LIM College has been able to achieve those goals.”

(L-R) George Santiago, Briarcliffe College President and Vic Latino, La Fiesta Radio

Briarcliffe College President Dr. George Santiago, Jr., was the recipient of a Top 50 Hispanic Leaders of Long Island award during the first-ever Latino Awards Gala held earlier this month by La Fiesta Radio, Long Island’s only Latino radio station.  

“Long Island is home to 350,000 Hispanics and La Fiesta is committed to reaching and serving this growing segment of our population,” said Dr. Santiago. “It is truly a great honor to be recognized in the company of such distinguished honorees.”

Dr. Santiago, the first in his family to achieve a college education, advanced to a master’s and doctorate, eventually dedicating himself to a career in education.  At Briarcliffe College, he introduced the Hispanic Scholarship program to support the dreams of higher education among young Latinos.  His educational and community outreach and personal commitment to the Hispanic community have been recognized by Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, the Long Island Hispanic Chamber, 100 Hispanic Women, Adelante, and others.  He has regularly appeared in the media as an expert source on social and educational matters affecting Hispanic students in the metro New York area.

“Under Dr. Santiago’s leadership, Briarcliffe College is an exemplary educational institution — providing a whole new generation of New Yorkers with opportunity and prospects for the future,” stated John Caracciolo, president of JVC Broadcasting, the owner of La Fiesta radio.

Established in 2008, La Fiesta WBON 98.5 radio provides a combination of music and talk radio that has enjoyed great popularity with an audience of nearly 400,000 tuning in daily, from Queens to Suffolk County.

According to Vic Latino, Operations Manager for La Fiesta Radio, “The Latino Awards program was established to recognize the contributions from business, education, public service and the arts in celebrating Hispanic heritage.”

Other honorees at the First Annual Latino Awards included representatives from major industries as well as Suffolk County Legislator Rick Montano, New York State Assemblyman Philip Ramos and Nassau County GOP Chairman Joe Mondella.

SGA and Phi Theta Kappa members who delivered the toys to White Plains Hospital included (standing) Michael Adebiyi, Genaro Cruz and Denise Martinez, and (sitting) Kasey Grafer and Daniel Neves.

CW’s Student Government Association (SGA) helped raise $1,500 for Haiti’s earthquake victims, and with the college’s match, over $3,000 will be given to the Red Cross, which will directly benefit those who suffered a great tragedy on January 12. 

Philanthropic efforts such as this one, is of the norm for CW’s SGA.  Each holiday season they hold a toy drive, which benefits the children of White Plains Hospital.  Additionally, twice a year, they hold a chance drawing for the benefit of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a charity the college has supported for over 35 years. 

Students involved in these great causes talk about the great fulfillment they experience, which is something that can’t be taught in the classroom, but is still part of the college’s mission to, “….encourage personal excellence.”

Students from Bryant & Stratton's Albany campus participate in a rally to support student aid programs

Students from across New York descended on Albany today to celebrate two significant milestones – the 35th anniversary of the state’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and the 40th anniversary of the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP).

Students from LIM College, Monroe College and The College of Westchester boarded a bus from New York City to join the rally, which had a dual goal of reminding lawmakers of the importance of sustaining public assistance for financially needy college students. Bryant & Stratton College also sent a delegation from the Capital District to the event, which was organized by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (cIcu).

The governor’s 2010-11 budget proposes cuts to TAP. The Association of Proprietary Colleges (APC) opposes these cuts and has scheduled a March 2 rally in Albany to ask lawmakers to continue investing in students through TAP.

The Association of Proprietary Colleges, which represents 26 accredited, degree-granting colleges throughout New York, urged the Legislature to reject the governor’s proposed cuts to the state’s vital Tuition Assistance Program.

Governor Paterson on Tuesday released his proposed 2010-11 Executive Budget, which included proposals to reduce all TAP awards by $75 and cut the maximum TAP award for all students in two-year degree programs from $5,000 to $4,000.

Read the full press release here.

L.E.A.D – JBC President, David Conklin, (right) is shown reviewing details of the new professional development program for Bachelor degree students with JBC Director of Marketing & Communications, Jessica Golley.

Jamestown Business College announced the launch of its L.E.A.D. program with the srart of the 2010 spring term. L.E.A.D. – or Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability and Diversity, will equip the college’s bachelor degree students with the professional savvy, decision-making abilities, and managerial etiquette necessary to excel in leadership roles.

The new program, which will complement the students’ classroom training, will feature a variety of activities, readings, and lectures that focus around the topics of leadership, planning, organizational behavior, diversity, and ethical business practices. 

JBC President David Conklin said, “The decision to offer this seminar series, only strengthens our bachelor degree program by providing our students with innovative opportunities to participate in leadership and management activities.” He continued, “Our graduates continue to find success as they enter the workforce because they are equipped with the skill base and professionalism essential for today’s business environment.”

USC The Business College, with locations in Utica, Canastota and Oneonta, recently announced that in cooperation with Global TESOL College, the college will offer a week-long education program to teach fluent speakers of English How To Teach English Overseas (TESOL).

“With Global TESOL College Certification, you will be guaranteed a one-year job, overseas, or your tuition will be returned,” said Vice President of Corporate and Workforce Development Don Reese.  “Speaking the local (overseas) language is not a requirement, but you must be at least 18 years of age and willing to travel.  Furthermore, with a Global TESOL Certification, a person can earn money and save for their future, while sharing their knowledge, culture and interests with others around the world.”

The training will take place from January 11-15, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at USC The Business College’s main campus located at 201 Bleecker Street in Historic Downtown Utica.

Congressmen John Kline of Minnesota (far left) and Buck McKeon of California (far right) were at LIM College on December 14 to attend a breakfast given by APC Colleges. Both men are members of the House Education and Labor Committee. During their visit they were given a tour of the LIM College Townhouse by students Delisha Fields (second from left) and Nina Pantano (second from right).

AINYC students Tesia DeCouto and Dan Altuz participate in the production of a Q&A session

In order to show all interested parties films that are nominated or considered for Academy Awards, each year Variety.com hosts the Variety Screening Series on both coasts. After the films are shown, the A-List filmmakers conduct a Q & A session, for the mostly industry audiences.

Video Production instructor Jason Moore, an active industry professional, was asked by his contacts at Variety if he would produce a series for their website showing segments of the Q & A sessions. A comparable series is produced in Los Angeles by working professionals; their work is now side by side on the website with ours, created by students and graduates.

To take advantage of this exciting opportunity, the entire Video Production faculty compiled a list of outstanding students and recent graduates who had demonstrated their skills and ability as well as their work ethic. The rotating crew has twelve members.

Students function as camera operators, editors and production managers. The positions are paid, and provide many students with their first professional job in the industry. Their resumes will now show names of films and directors that are highly recognizable, since their work is under consideration for an Oscar.

According to instructor Jason Moore who acts as supervisor, “This is as good as a first time job as there could be in this industry. I wish I had had this opportunity when I was just starting out!”

There will be approximately 10 – 15 assignments. Two have been completed: The White Ribbon, an Austrian-German film that takes place just before World War I, and We live in Public, a documentary about the loss of privacy in the Internet age.

Screenings are held at Sunshine Cinemas in SoHo, and the DGA (Director’s Guild) theater in midtown.

The crew began working on the project in mid-September, and will continue through January. Jason hopes the team will be asked back next year, and that this assignment will become an annual opportunity for students to gain real-world experience, mirroring the school’s involvement with the Tribeca Film Festival.