Bergen Community College

PARAMUS, N.J. – In recent years, when it comes to bullying and suicide prevention, a group of Bergen Community College students have sought to ignite a revolution. At its latest fundraiser April 18, the SPARK A Change student club – led by faculty adviser Jamie Keller (center) – inspired more than 150 students and members of the community to participate in a morning walk to rally support for the two causes. The event, sponsored jointly by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, raised more than $6,000 in donations. The group began at Bergen three years ago under Keller’s leadership to encourage anti-bullying advocacy, to challenge stereotypes and to provide a support system for young adults.

PARAMUS, N.J. – Frankly speaking, Bergen Community College student Jason Lazar knows how to make a point. Lazar, of Fair Lawn, won the president’s award for best speaker at the school’s seventh annual speech competition April 17. Lazar (center) joined Robert Dill, Bergen Community College Foundation board member; Amparo Codding, dean of arts, humanities and wellness; Jane Phelps, professor and competition director; and Kathleen Williams, professor and assistant competition director, to accept his award during an afternoon ceremony. A field of 73 students vied for $4,000 in scholarships made possible through the College’s foundation. Kara Garland, of Hawthorne, placed second and Rebecca Silverman, of Glen Rock, placed third.

PARAMUS, N.J. – American Express CEO and Chairman Kenneth Chenault will serve as the keynote speaker for Bergen Community College’s 45^th commencement, which will take place Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. at the Izod Center in East Rutherford. According to current estimates, the class of 2014 will include more than 2,000 graduates.

PARAMUS, N.J. – The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation received more than 3,700 applications from students attending 737 community colleges for its 2014 undergraduate transfer scholarship program. Only 85 students earned the award – up to $30,000 each year for three years – that ranks as the largest private scholarship for community college students in the U.S.

PARAMUS, N.J. – With dozens of general education courses transferrable to four-year schools offered during six sessions at two locations, Bergen Community College’s summer classes remain ideal for new, continuing and visiting students. Registration opens Monday, April 14 for all students; current Bergen students have priority registration until that date.

PARAMUS, N.J. – Gallery Bergen, the art exhibition space at Bergen Community College, will feature the work of local artists in “Pets, Beasts & Dinner: Relations Between Human and Animal Creatures” this fall. Artists can submit pieces in any medium addressing the diverse relations between humans and animals. Bergen professor Suzaan Boettger will curate the exhibition and conduct the selection process.

PARAMUS, N.J. – Bergen Community College offers relief to Typhoon Haiyan victims through “An Evening of Original Philippine Music” – featuring legendary Filipino composer Cecile Azarcon – Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the College’s Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus.

PARAMUS, N.J. – Bergen Community College professor Keith Chu has earned the 2013-14 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award recognizing superlative teaching. He will travel to Austin, Texas in late May to receive the award at the group’s annual international conference.

PARAMUS, N.J. – Through an agreement with the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) as part of the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development, the Bergen Community College Division of Continuing Education, Corporate and Public Sector Training offers free basic skills training programs for businesses and their employees.

PARAMUS, N.J. – More than 1,000 teenagers from 18 Bergen County high schools arrived by the busload to attend Bergen Community College’s Teen STEM Day March 21 at the school’s main campus. The students participated in nearly three dozen hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) workshops – such as “Being a Veterinarian” – hosted by Bergen faculty, students and industry professionals like information technology department professor Gary Correa (pictured) and veterinary technology program student Clarissa Almeida (pictured). Topics included lessons about robotics, alternative energy and other exploratory ideas.