EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Nearly 1,000 of the 2,862 Bergen Community College candidates for graduation celebrated their achievements at the 45th commencement ceremony May 22 at the Izod Center. Headlining the group, valedictorian Maria De Abreu Pineda, of Hackensack, and salutatorian Katarzyna Jankowski, of Lodi, offered encouragement to the largest class in the College’s history. Graduates included 66 students with 4.0 GPAs, including De Abreu Pineda and Jankowski; men and women ranging in age from 17 to 65; and a mother and daughter both receiving degrees. American Express CEO and chairman Kenneth Chenault delivered the keynote address.

read more

PARAMUS, N.J. – Since its establishment in 1988, only 43 Bergen Community College faculty members have earned the rank of “professor emeritus” – an honor recognizing significant contributions in the classroom and community. Retired professors Marjorie Webster and Charles McNerney, Ph.D., entered the elite group at a May 9 luncheon ceremony hosted by their peers. During her 39-year career at the College, Webster, of Bergenfield, served as the Faculty Senate secretary for 25 years and led commencement 2013 as the grand marshal. McNerney, of Tuxedo Park, N.Y., began at Bergen in 1969 and helped lead the College into the computer age; he stands as one of the first instructors to teach online. Both have continued to serve the institution by founding the Retired Employees Association with fellow retiree Peggy O’Neill.

read more

PARAMUS, N.J. – Registration for fall courses at Bergen Community College will open for all students, including those enrolling at the College for the first time, Monday, May 19. The first of four fall sessions begins Sept. 2; other sessions start Sept. 8, Sept. 24 and Oct. 29. Classes take place at three locations (Paramus/Lyndhurst/Hackensack) and online.

read more

PARAMUS, N.J. – Two local nonprofits recently delivered $1,250 in donations to Bergen Community College officials in support of student scholarships and the school’s food pantry. Representing both organizations, Mukesh Malkan visited the College’s main campus April 29 to meet with officials including President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D. Malkan presented two checks: $1,000 from the Indian Americans of Paramus and $250 from the Paramus Sunrise Rotary Club. Pictured are (standing, from left) Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness Yun Kim, Ph.D.; Vice President of Academic Affairs William Mullaney, Ph.D.; Bergen Community College Foundation Executive Director Laurie Francis; Rotarian Tina Apprich; Vice President of Student Affairs Naydeen Gonzalez-De Jesus, Ph.D.; (sitting, from left) President Walter; Malkan; and Rotarian Mel Fabrikant.

read more