Bergen Community College Launches Verizon FIOS Cable Channel

Bergen Community College recently began broadcasting original programming on the Verizon FIOS cable system, making it the first institute of higher education in the U.S. to maintain a channel on the system. The College provides all content and manages a programming schedule for channel 26 (Torch Television) on the FIOS system. Programming includes live and taped debates/speeches/interviews of high-profile guests who have appeared at the College, reflective documentaries and College President Dr. G. Jeremiah Ryan�s public affairs shows: In the Public Interest and On Campus.

Torch Television is broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week on all Verizon FIOS cable television packages in all of Bergen and part of Hudson and Passaic counties.

�Torch Television on the Verizon FIOS cable television system is a terrific opportunity for the College to provide the regional community with a service geared toward encouraging interaction, learning and engagement,� President Ryan said. �By broadcasting many of our events � and my new public affairs shows � we are bringing the civic and cultural offerings of the College to the comfort of your own home. We will continue to add programming that serves the public interest.�

President Ryan�s programs � In the Public Interest (featuring county, regional and local civic leaders) and On Campus (featuring members of the College) � are cordial sit-down question-and-answer sessions between the president and a guest. Topics include fields such as higher education, government and infrastructure development. In the Public Interest, a 30-minute program, and On Campus, a 15 minute program, are both taped in the College�s high-technology and high-definition television studios at its Paramus main campus. The first episodes feature Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jim Kirkos and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands Director Ron Milon.

Bergen�s Torch Television will also air live debates emanating from the College between Bergen County freeholder and state congressional district nine candidates.

The Bergen County freeholder debate will air live Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. The candidates seeking two three-year terms are Christopher Calabrese (R), incumbent David Ganz (D), Jeffrey Heller (R) and incumbent Bernadette McPherson (D). Paul Duggan (R) and incumbent Vernon Walters (D), who are seeking an unexpired term, will also participate.

The debate between district nine candidates Vincent Micco (R), Michael Perrone, Jr. (I) and incumbent Rep. Steven Rothman (D) will air live Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

Debates will also be shown on Torch Television leading up to Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, 2008.

Additionally, Torch Television will continue to air taped programs featuring various speakers who have visited the College. Such individuals include Sen. Robert Menendez, former Gov. Christie Whitman, New Jersey U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie and Betty DeGeneres. Future speakers, including Dr. Cornel West and Sir Salman Rusdie � who are visiting the College on Oct. 29 and Nov. 7, respectively � will have their discussions aired on the channel as well.

College officials plan for events such as the annual commencement exercises, groundbreaking ceremonies and talk show/�how-to� College-based programming to air on Torch Television in the future.

Bergen Community College is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling more than 15,000 students in Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degree programs and certificate programs. More than 10,000 students are enrolled in non-credit, professional courses through the Division of Continuing Education, the Institute for Learning in Retirement, the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center, located at 355 Main Street, Hackensack, and Bergen at the Meadowlands, located at 1280 Wall Street West, Lyndhurst. Information about the College is available at www.bergen.edu or by phoning the Welcome Center at (201) 447-7200.


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