A Look at Some of the Events That Made 2010-2011 a Golden Year With a Diamond Weekend - November 2010

Taking a Closer Look at Education and Health Issues

The School of Education, Health and Human Services (SOEHHS) embraced the 75th anniversary celebration by presenting programs analyzing various aspects of public education and educational policies, as well as the nation’s health challenges and achievements. November also saw the establishment of a center focused on innovative teaching, research and technical assistance in the classroom.

Public Health Challenges and Achievements: 1935-2010 on November 4 and 5 looked at achievements that have been made in public health and in areas where more work and resources are needed. Sponsored by the SOEHHS, the Hofstra Cultural Center, Hofstra University School of Law and Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, faculty, students and alumni, together with leaders in the fields of public health policy, research, advocacy, education and practice, examined critical milestones of the last seven decades. One popular panel, “The Public Health Response to Environmental Trauma,” was led by Dr. Irwin Redlener ’64, president and co-founder of the Children’s Health Fund.

This panel focused on children and the ongoing national and international governmental, humanitarian and medical efforts aimed at improving educational development and opportunities for children and families who have experienced major trauma.

Other notable conference guests were Dr. Vicki Breitbart, president of the Public Health Association of New York City, and Dr. Margo Wootan, director of nutrition policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Hofstra students also presented posters on conference themes.

The SOEHHS momentum continued on November 12, but with a change of focus. 75 Years: The Transformation of Public Schools examined the evolution of public education, evaluated the impact of federal policies ranging from No Child Left Behind to the Race to the Top program, and explored the latest trends in education reform. 

This conference was presented by the SOEHHS, the Hofstra Cultural Center and the New York State Teacher Opportunity Corps. Three leading educational researchers – Dr. Mary Driscoll of Florida State University, Dr. James Gee of Arizona State University, and Dr. Jean Anyon of The Graduate Center/CUNY – delivered keynote speeches highlighting topics such as psychology of learning, urban education and literacy, and games and learning.

Also in November, the SOEHHS established the Center for Scholarship, Development and Outreach (CSDO). The center serves as a central hub for innovation, scholarly research, and technical assistance for school districts, health organizations and community groups. CSDO Director Edward J. Zero joined Hofstra with 37 years of administrative experience to his credit. He most recently served as district superintendent and executive officer of Eastern Suffolk BOCES.

More November News … 

• The Center for International Financial Services and Markets, in collaboration with the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University and EisnerAmper LLP, presented the conference The Future of Alternative Investments in the Post-Crisis Environment on November 2. Breakfast keynote speaker Richard Ketchum, chairman and CEO, FINRA, discussed the role of hedge funds and private equity in the future.
• Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Stephen Dunn ’62 read excerpts from his poetry and met with students as a featured guest in Hofstra’s “Great Writers, Great Readings” Series. Mr. Dunn is the author of 16 books, including Different Hours, which won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for poetry. His newest collection of poems, Here and Now, was published by W.W. Norton in spring 2011.
• CNN’s Carol Costello led a November 10 forum titled Social Networking, Privacy and Bullying, which addressed the increasing use of technology, particularly social media, in bullying. The event also included first-hand accounts from victims of bullying. It was moderated by Mary Anne Trasciatti, associate professor and chair of the Department of Speech Communication, Rhetoric and Performance Studies.
• Hofstra University’s Department of Drama and Dance presented Clifford Odets’ Awake and Sing! at the Black Box Theater in the New Academic Building, November 12 through 21. The play, which was first produced in 1935, was performed as part of Hofstra’s 75th anniversary festivities.
• Hofstra University’s Dance Program presented its annual Fall Dance Concert, titled Coming Together, Moving Forward. As part of Hofstra University’s 75th anniversary celebration, the concert featured the University’s full-time dance faculty members – Robin Becker, Stormy Brandenberger, Anita Feldman and Rachel List – performing together for the first time on the Hofstra stage.

Posted in: 75th Anniversary