Politics, Black History Month and Campus Dining

Valentine’s Day brought love, affection, roses, and teddy bears to the campus of Farmingdale State, and with it a new week that brought several notable events. Here are some of the highlights of activities currently taking place on campus and some activities that students have to look forward to.

And They're Off:
Junior politicians are chomping at the bit to begin their campaigns for the Student Government next year.  The campaign season officially began on Feb. 10 with the open of the filing period to declare candidacy. Eligibility forms, which must be fully completed and approved for a person to declare candidacy, must be completed and submitted by 5 p.m. on March 3.  Forms can be picked up (and dropped off) in Roosevelt Hall, room 151A (or call 631 420-2677/2727 for more details.)  Open positions include president, two vice-presidents, treasurer, secretary, and 16 senator seats.  Get those forms in, and may the best person win.

Commemorating Black History Month:
The Farmingdale Student Government will be commemorating Black History Month with a dinner and poetry reading on Tuesday, Feb. 22 from 5 - 7 p.m. Participants will have the chance to participate in raffles and enjoy music provided by WRAM radio.  For more information, contact Mohammed Hafiz, Farmingdale Student Government Senator, at hafim@farmingdale.edu.

Speaking Out About Campus Dining:
Aramark food service representatives will be taking suggestions for campus operations. Chef Matt Broder as well as nutritionist Steve Lamberg will be giving demonstrations illustrating healthy choices in dining. Students are asked to come with suggestions for improvement.  The event will take place Thursday, Feb. 24, from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Peachtree Dining Room in Knapp Hall.

Can’t Draw?  Get Help From The Pros:
All are invited to attend a Figure Drawing Open Studio. This spring, the visual Communications department is offering two hour intensive sessions with a live model and faculty moderator.  All ages are welcome, but participants under 18 must be signed in by a parent or guardian prior to the session. The events are March 7 and April 4, 6-8 p.m. in Sinclair Hall, Room 205. The cost is $5 per session. Majre sure to bring drawing materials – paper, charcoal, pencils, tape and any other medium or tools you will need.

Farmingdale CARES:
The honorees of the school’s CARES awards were recently announced.  This award (and acronym for Commendation and Recognition for Excellence in Service,) is given to those faculty and staff members who go above and beyond in their daily work at the college.  For this year, six members of the faculty and staff were chosen. Ray Swaschnig was awarded Farmingdale’s professional staff CARES Award.  An IT instructional support technician, Swaschnig served the campus for 37 years, as well as having graduated from Farmingdale.  Charles Adair, chair of the Department of Biology, was awarded the faculty CARES Award.  Adair was praised for being “an outstanding role model in caring for and about students.”  Nancy Casimano was awarded the classified staff CARES Award for outstanding work as a secretary for Institutional Advancement.

In addition, Eileen Meyers, in Dental Hygiene, was awarded the classified staff CARES Award.  According to supervisors, she “gives of herself to enrich the lives of those who know her.” Biology Professor Frances Santiago-Schwarz was given the faculty CARES Award.  Santiago-Schwarz, a highly-regarded researcher, has mentored many successful students, and last year, she personally delivered over 400 pounds of medical supplies to the people of Haiti.  The professional staff CARES Award winner was Peter Thomas in Instructional Technologies Support.  Thomas has been with Farmingdale 12 years.  He continues to devise new methods for the delivery of technological services in order to save money for the campus.  

“All six are members of the community who quietly do their jobs without asking for recognition but each of them is exceptionally deserving of the award. Staff members like this make our college the special place it is," said Farmingdale State College President, Dr. W. Hubert Keen said,

Be sure to stop by next week for more news and happenings from Farmingdale State College.