All College Day
March 13, 2009
Remarks by Dr. G. Jeremiah Ryan
President, Bergen Community College

"One College, One Community"

Introduction

Good morning. Welcome to All College Day.

Before we begin our program, I would like to take a moment of silence in observance of Stephen J. Moses, chairman of the Bergen Community College Board of Trustees, who passed away on Saturday, March 7, after a long battle with heart disease. The College is in the process of planning a memorial service sometime in the future. We will let you know the details as soon as they are available.

Steve Moses: He Cared for Bergen Community College

At this time I would like to share with you what a gift it was to the College and to me personally to have someone like Steve Moses serve as chairman of the Board. In the 20 months that I have been here – I watched Steve endure a number of challenges in his personal life -- and despite his own frailty due to heart disease – he cared for his ailing mother (who passed away in 2007), he cared for his wife, who was ill with breast cancer and was laid to rest in January, and he cared for Bergen Community College.

True to Bergen Community College

Through all the trials and tribulations in his own life, Steve Moses remained true to Bergen Community College…true to opening access to educational opportunities – he personally funded scholarships for students in need – true his duties at Bergen...guiding us to some of the College’s most historic milestones…and its period of greatest expansion.

The Call to Service is Bigger than Us

Steve was driven by an uncompromising sense of love, loyalty, duty and devotion to the people and things that mattered most. What mattered to Steve was family and community. Steve was a leader who inspired us to reach beyond ourselves for the greater good. The call to service was bigger than him. Bigger than all of us. And that is why we are here today.

One College. One Community

All College Day is an opportunity for all of us at Bergen Community College – staff and faculty – to honor Steve by to responding to a call to service as One College, One Community, with many voices and many talents working together for the good of our students and our communities.

Economic Crisis Echoes Through Our Corridors

The economic crisis echoes through our corridors -- students who work two jobs to pay their own way through college -- students from middleclass families whose parents have lost jobs – the sons and daughters of immigrants – first-generation Americans in search of the American Dream – out-of-work family providers recasting their careers out of necessity – students caring for ailing loved ones – students struggling to overcome not only financial hardships, but language and basic skills barriers.

These students are in our classrooms, our cafeteria, in our career counseling centers….in our neighborhoods. From Paramus Road on the home campus and Main Street in Hackensack, to Wall Street West in Lyndhurst…..the faces of Bergen Community College have a place in each of our communities.

Bergen's Students are Making a Difference - Rafael Juliano and Myles Williams

I would like to share the stories of two students, Rafael Juliano and Myles Williams, whose lives have been impacted by the College, and whose good works and fortitude are making a difference in the lives of others as well. Later in the program, you will hear from these two men.

Rafael Juliano - President, Bergen Community College Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa

Rafael Juliano, president of the Bergen Community College Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and recipient of numerous awards including a total of $8,000 in scholarships – will be featured in the April 6 edition of USA Today as a recipient of the Coca Cola Gold Scholar Award.

What impresses me most about Rafael, beyond his intellect, is his leadership. This past winter break Rafael and his wife traveled across the globe (a trip they paid for out of their own pockets) to deliver 1,000 books donated by the college community to three schools Rafael adopted in Brazil. Rafael will be graduating this Spring and plans to transfer to a four-year college.

Myles Williams - GED Graduate and Freshman at Bergen

Another student, Myles Williams, took 25 years and one phone call – it was a wrong number at that – to make his connection with Bergen. A few weeks ago, Myles, age 50, inspired us as a man who overcame his blindness to graduate first in his Bergen GED class.

At the graduation ceremony, Myles received a scholarship from the Adler Family Foundation. He is currently a freshman on campus and is planning to earn a degree in broadcasting at the College. He would like to become a radio personality and appeal to young people about the importance of education and staying in school. Myles is also a member of The Commission of the Blind & Visually Impaired, Beyond the Eyes, and the Monday Morning Project. He created his own support group for visually impaired people. As an advocate for people with disabilities, Myles believes that through hard work and determination, people can accomplish their dreams.

One College. One Community. What Can You Do to Make a Difference for Our Students?

I call on you as One College, One Community to understand the many challenges facing our students - and I call on you to ask yourselves…what have I done today to show students I care? When a challenge is presented, what do I do to offer a solution? What have I done to make a difference at Bergen? What have I done to create a positive experience for students? How do I answer the call?

Community Colleges - The Road Out of the Recession - It's Part of Our Mission

Community colleges are the road out of the recession. At a time when our communities need us most, the College is not only prepared to respond, it is our duty to respond.

Each of you should have received a copy of the College’s Mission Statement today. It is part of the Mission of the College to respond to community needs through work force training and continuing education.

More demands are being placed on community colleges with growth in enrollment in all areas – including traditional path from degree-seeking high school graduates and transfer students. On the continuing education side, the high unemployment is placing demands on the college to increase its workforce readiness initiatives and certificate programs. The college is preparing workers for re-entry into the job market by offering courses in growth sectors such as renewable energy, green technology, nuclear technology, health care and aviation.

We are committed to setting an even stronger foundation for students to move forward in their careers and as lifelong learners.

Closing

Each of you plays an important role in shaping Bergen's future.

Today you will learn about the College Council and what a great opportunity it provides for the staff, faculty and students to make a difference at Bergen. I encourage you to get involved.

In closing, I would like to quote Robert F. Kennedy from a speech he gave in Camden, New Jersey on April 2, 1968:

"The spirit of willing participation in a common effort is the kind of spirit that has shaped America since its birth. It is the spirit which does not accept the hardships of today as an excuse for the cruelties of tomorrow. It is the spirit which is not bound by the past but is freed for the future which trusts to the wisdom and effort of the people to build a better nation."

This is Bergen's time. It is our duty...to move forward as One College, One Community with many voices and many talents working together for an even better future for Bergen Community College.