BMCC Hosts 54th Commencement: May 31
On May 31, BMCC's 54th commencement will present two ceremonies at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden – one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. The 54th Commencement Presidential Medal honorees are Margaret Chin, Council member for the 1st District of the New York City Council (D) and Bill Fisse, Managing Director, Institutional Clients Group, Citi. The Morning Ceremony will feature Accounting, Business Management, Computer Information Systems, Teacher Education, English, Health Education, Mathematics, Media Arts and Technology, Science, Speech, Communications and Theatre Arts, Music and Art and Modern Languages majors. The Afternoon Ceremony will feature Liberal Arts, Allied Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice, and Nursing majors. For more information visit the BMCC website or call the Office of Student Affairs at (212) 220-8130.

Make Your Voice Heard by Participating in the Staff Satisfaction Survey
BMCC Interim President Karrin E. Wilks is encouraging staff to please complete the College’s 2018-2019 Staff Satisfaction Survey. The survey should take approximately 20 minutes to complete. All responses will remain anonymous. In order to collect the most useful information possible, it's important to hear from as many staff as possible from across all departments and title classifications.

2019 Honors Convocation Recognizes Student Excellence
Each year, the BMCC Honors Convocation recognizes student excellence across numerous academic disciplines. The 2019 Honors Convocation was held May 28 in Theatre II at 199 Chambers Street. Awards were presented by department chairs and the ceremony was followed by a reception.

Graduate Reflects on MECA and BMCC Experiences Sebastian Miezal is the first Manhattan Early College for Advertising (MECA) student to graduate from BMCC, and will cross the stage on May 31. MECA is a partnership between the NYC Department of Education, CUNY and industry partners from the American Associatoin oaf Advertising Agencies (4A's).

BMCC Professors Earn CUNY Book Completion Award
Christine Jacknick, associate professor in Academic Literacy and Linguistics and Carla Macchiavello, assistant professor in Music and Art, are among the 20 professors awarded the Book Completion Award from the CUNY Office of Research. Jacknick was awarded $5,000 in Research Foundation funds to complete her book, “Social Interaction and Learner Participation” and Macchiavello was awarded a $5,000 in Research Foundation funds to complete her book, “Marking the Territory, Chilean Art Between 1975-1985.”

Students Earn Awards for Contributions and Achievements Outside of the Classroom
BMCC celebrated student achievement on May 23 with the first annual Student Achievement Awards, presented by the Office of Student Affairs. The awards celebrate the success of students outside the classroom and their outstanding contributions to the college community. Many of these accomplishments and contributions are documented on the student’s Co-Curricular Transcript (CCT).

Professor Yanagisawa Part of Team Awarded Prestigious Prize in Physics  BMCC Science Professor Chiaki Yanagisawa is part of a former team of scientists known as the D0 Collaboration, which will be awarded the 2019 High Energy and Particle Physics Prize for the discovery of the “top quark” — a type of subatomic particle that carries an electric charge — and the detailed measurement of its properties. The prize will be formally awarded on July 15 at the European Physical Society Conference on High Energy Physics (EPS-HEP) Conference 2019 in Ghent, Belgium. “The top quark was the last quark, an ingredient of matter physicists had been looking for since 1970s until we, the D0 Collaboration, and our competitor the CDF Collaboration, simultaneously discovered it in 1995,” said Yanagisawa.

Panther Partners Program Recognizes Accomplishment at Closing Ceremony
The BMCC Panther Partners program held its Spring 2019 closing ceremony May 23 in a conference room at Fiterman Hall. The event celebrated the students who completed the program which includes several mandatory workshops as well as meetings with a mentor—"coach panther partner"—who offer personal support and encouragement. In Spring 2019,116 students completed the program.

Annual Tolan Awards Celebrate Student Writers The annual James Tolan Awards (in honor of late BMCC Professor James Tolan, shown left) for student writing, funded entirely by English department faculty and selected by the Writing and Literature Committee Spring 2019 were celebrated at BMCC on April 16. Awardees, their works and amount received are Jayshawn Lee, (“Mortality of Freckled Boys,” poetry, $800); Alexander Hiller, (“City by the Sea,” fiction, $400); Olivia Diallo (“Homosexuality and Hypermasculinity in Giovanni’s Room,” critical essay, $200); Zeus Eugene (“Phenomenology and the Nervousness of ‘Humanity’: The Heart of Darkness and Dark They Were and Golden-Eyed in the Age of the Alt-Right and Neoliberalism, critical essay, $200); Jonathan Hernandez (“Heavy,” fiction, $200), and Kelly Otterness (“Playing Doctor with the Body Politic: King Lear’s Reinforcement of British Hierarchies,” critical essay,$200). Honorable Mention went to Archellus Fielder (“Black Panther’s Quest to Change the Black Narrative,” critical essay); Jennifer Martinez (“Modern Hero of Discontent,” critical essay) and Chandani Smith (“Weathered: Birthing While Black,” critical essay).

Nine BMCC Students Awarded Transfer Scholarships to New York University (NYU)
Through the GUIDE program, a partnership between NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study and BMCC, four students — psychology major D'llyna Adams, gerontology major Owen Kellaway, writing and literature major Jayshawn Lee and business administration major Shaina Vallejos — have been accepted to attend NYU in Fall 2019. Through the POISE program, a partnership between NYU's Collage of Arts and Science and BMCC, five students — science majors Precious Adeyemi-Ogunleye, Joanne Callaghan, Manoel Kadja, Radha Longo and Emmanuel Ologundudu, and math major Erick Cochea — have also been accepted to attend NYU in Fall 2019. The students will receive scholarships covering tuition costs unmet by federal and state financial aid, leaving them with a zero balance as they complete their bachelor’s degrees.

MEOC Hosts Graduation and Awards Ceremony
The SUNY Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center held its graduation and awards ceremony on May 30, at the Oberia Dempsey Multi Services Center, located in Harlem. There were 647 graduates who completed course requirements in the MEOC, which delivers student-centered academic and workforce development programs and serves as a gateway to access further education, career achievement, personal growth, and self-sufficiency for adult learners in the NYC area. BMCC is the administrative partner to MEOC. Speakers included Anthony Watson, Executive Director of MEOC; Karrin E. Wilks, Interim President of BMCC; Erwin Wong, BMCC Acting Provost and Senior Vice President; Lisa McKay, Associate Provost and Director of SUNY UCAWD; Keynote Speaker Bob Lee, Radio Personality with WBLS; and MEOC’s 2019 Valedictorian MengJun Yang, HSE and CNA Programs. Click here to learn about MEOC’s student success stories.

VIDEO: Study History at BMCC
Alex D'Erizans, professor of history, shares insight about the history program at BMCC and the course offerings.

BMCC Employee Appreciation Awards, June 7—Don’t forget to RSVP!
The BMCC Community is invited to the 2019 BMCC Employee Appreciation Awards ceremony and reception. The nominations are in and the winners will be announced on June 7 at 10:30 a.m. in Theater 1, 199 Chambers Street. Please RSVP by June 5.

Emergency Funds Available to Students From Petrie Foundation
BMCC has received funds from the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation to offer emergency grants to eligible students who are facing short-term emergencies. Please encourage students who can demonstrate need and who are facing an unexpected emergency to apply for the Petrie Grant. Applicants will be asked to complete certain requirements before they may be eligible to receive grant funding and all grant requests require documentation. While Petrie grants will not be given for tuition cost, college debts or legal representation, we encourage students to visit the Single Stop office to discuss their concerns. To find out more and to access the application, students may visit Single Stop online or stop by in Room S-230 at 199 Chambers Street.

Save the Date: Civil Service Employee Recognition Day, June 12
The BMCC community is invited to a special luncheon in Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street, to honor Civil Service Classified Staff who have served for 20 or more years. Seating is limited, so please RSVP by May 24 to Maria Deckinger, mdeckinger@bmcc.cuny.edu

Workshops for Full-time and Adjunct Faculty: Create a Faculty Page The Office of Public Affairs is helping BMCC faculty access and edit their faculty pages on BMCC's new website platform. A photographer will be on hand to take headshots of faculty members. BMCC Librarian Jean Amaral will also provide information on how to enter faculty publications. A workshops are scheduled on June 12 from 3 to 4 p.m. or on June 18 from 3 to 4 p.m., both in Room S-510D (CETLS). Contact cetls@bmcc.cuny.edu to RSVP for a workshop. Also, BMCC faculty can also use the Faculty Page Guide found on the BMCC Faculty and Staff Resource webpage. If you have questions regarding the guide, please contact Cynthia Blayer, web content manager, (212) 346-8531.

Summer 2019 STEM Tuition Waiver
BMCC is offering tuition waivers to eligible students who enroll in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) courses in Summer 2019. To be eligible, a student must be matriculated at BMCC, a New York City resident, and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at the time the waiver is applied. For more information visit the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center, Room S-108, 199 Chambers Street, or email advisementandtransfer@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Plaza Reconstruction Capital Project
As part of the upcoming Plaza Reconstruction project at BMCC, abatement of hazardous materials identified in the underlayment of the existing pavers will be performed at various phases of the construction project. This activity, which began January 21, is regulated by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, which ensures the safe and proper removal and disposal of these materials. Abatement notifications posted on all building entrances are part of these requirements and are there to inform the occupants of these activities. The required notices are not meant to alarm our building occupants, but to keep everyone informed that the work will be performed in a safe and regulated manner. We apologize for any inconvenience this upcoming construction may cause as we work to improve our facilities.

Majority of BMCC Graduates Continue Education
The vast majority of students—92 percent—who graduated and completed the BMCC Graduate Survey from Summer and Fall 2017 and Spring 2018, reported that they will continue their education. The table above shows the percentages by academic major. More information can be found in the Graduate Survey Report found on the Institutional Reports page.

Destination: BMCC Summer 2019 Open House on June 22
Do you have a family member or friend who is interested in going to college? Invite them to the BMCC Admissions Open House on Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Check in will be at 199 Chambers Street. This is an opportunity to tour the main campus and lower Manhattan, try out a mini-lesson with a professor, learn about academic programs, financial aid options, student services, success programs and how/when to apply. RSVP at www.bmcc.cuny.edu/openhouse. For more info, contact the Admissions Office at (212) 220-1265.

Summer and Fall 2019 Registration Is Open
Please encourage students to continue on their path to success and register for the summer and fall 2019 semesters. All students must meet with their advisor before registering. Students can register on CUNYfirst or visit Lab Services in Room S-114.

A few important dates:
Direct Admissions Opens — June 1
Continuing Students Advisement Deadline — June 17
In-Person Registration — Week of August 12
First Day of Fall 2019 Classes — August 27
For more information, visit the Registration page, contact Academic Advisement in Room S-108 or call (212) 220-8315.

Admissions and Financial Aid Info Sessions
Prospective students are invited to attend information sessions for an overview of BMCC and the admissions and financial aid process. They can also take part in a Q & A with admissions and financial aid specialists. For more information, check the Admissions website​, or contact the Admissions Office, (212) 220-1265.

Say Hello to the Admissions Office on Social Media
The BMCC Admissions Office has launched new social media accounts. Stop by online and say hi! We appreciate your likes, follows and thumbs up. Facebook: @bmccadmissions Twitter: @bmccadmissions Instagram: @bmccadmissions Snapchat:@explorebmcc

BMCC valedictorian shows it's never too late to go to college
May 26—1010 WINS (radio)

BMCC valedictorian featured in profile story
May 27—New York Post

BMCC alumna lands new position at Atlanta company
May 29—Metro Atlanta CEO

BMCC student featured in story about MTA new fare payment system
May 28—AM New York

Meet With a TIAA Representative on Campus Faculty and staff can schedule an appointment at BMCC with a representative from TIAA, now through June. For more information, call (800) 732-8353 or visit a session schedule.

Deer Oaks EAP Now Offers Phone and Video Counseling As part of BMCC's Employee Assistance Program, Deer Oaks offers organizational training and skills development, crisis management, wellness services and other services including video, structured telephonic and in-person counseling services. Employees can schedule calls with a counselor in advance by calling (855) 492-3633 or emailing eap@deeroaks.com.

Pre-Tax Limit for Wageworks Commuter Benefits Increased
The pre-tax limit for monthly Commuter Benefits deductions (WageWorks) increased from $260 to $265 on January 1. No paperwork is required to activate the increase, but those who wish to change their deduction or enroll in the program may visit the Benefits page of the BMCC Human Resources website, complete the WageWorks Transit Benefit form and submit it to Human Resources, 199 Chambers Street, Room S-717.

Enhance Your Skills Through CUNY Professional Development
The CUNY Professional Development and Learning Management (PDLM) Office presents the CUNY Professional Development Program now through June 19. BMCC faculty and staff can choose sessions ranging from data analytics to business writing and many others. Certificate programs are available. View catalogue and sign up now.

Charitable Giving Through an IRA
Donors at least 70½ years old can take advantage of a simple way to satisfy minimum required distribution and benefit BMCC students at the same time. Donate up to $100,000 from an IRA directly to the BMCC Foundation without having to pay federal income taxes. Please contact Phillip Keefe, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, (212) 346-8650 or pkeefe@bmcc.cuny.edu for additional information.

Alumni Invited to Connect and Network BMCC Alumni Affairs provides alumni benefits and services, as well as involving alumni in the advancement and support of BMCC. Alumni are invited to special events, profiled in BMCC publications and welcomed into the vibrant community that is BMCC. For more information, contact Yaritza Gonzalez, Manager of Alumni Relations and Annual Fund, (212) 346-8455 or ygonzalez@bmcc.cuny.edu

Make a Difference in Students’ Lives: Faculty and Staff Campaign
The faculty and staff of BMCC support our students in countless ways, every single day. That support includes contributing to the BMCC Foundation Scholarship Fund. Your support of the Faculty and Staff Campaign makes a significant difference in our students’ lives. There are three easy ways to give: Make a donation online.

• Text your donation to BMCC at (646) 876-2622.
• Send your check, payable to the BMCC Foundation, via interoffice mail to the Office of College Development, F-1330. (Please note, you can designate your donation to your department).

Lavender Graduation: Honoring 2019 LGBTQ Graduates
May 30

54th Commencement Ceremony
May 31

Free Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Training: June 2019 classes
June 3

	BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center Listings		Center for Career Development Events
	Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship Events		Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development Events

BMCC Claims Second-Straight CUNYAC Community College Commissioner's Cup

Make a Splash! Welcome to the Community Swim Program
The BMCC swimming pool has been renovated and is ready to welcome community swimmers, ages 18 and up. Lockers are available. Bring your own lock and towel. Entrances are at 199 Chambers Street and 77 Harrison Street. For fees and registration, contact the BMCC Athletic Department, (212) 220-8260 or the BMCC Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development, (212) 346-8410.

Certified Lifeguards Needed
If you are interesting in becoming a lifeguard at the BMCC swimming pool this summer, email a resume to Senior Lifeguard Judith Gamboa, judjud125@gmail.com. Lifeguards are required to have American Red Cross certification and be First Aid/AED/CPR certified. Experience is preferred.

@BMCC is produced and published by the Office of Public Affairs.

Faculty and staff: Submit items for consideration in an upcoming @BMCC to publicaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu by 12 noon, Wednesday.