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Title: George Hamada
Description: Dr. George Hamada was Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Chair of the Natural and Applied Sciences Department and one of the original faculty of the College. He talks about the establishment of the college, the Long Island City area, Cooperative Education and helping develop the Health Sciences program. Timestamp summary of interview: (00:57) Dr. George Hamada discusses the start of LaGCC and the effect of the culture shifts in the 1960’s greatly impacted the mission of the college and how it would be organized. (3:00) Speaks about the faculty at LaGCC during the beginning of the college – “We were a college born in Open Admissions.” Goes onto the talk about the philosophy of the college. (4:10) Talks about coming over to the college from Queens Borough Community College and the differences between the two colleges (5:32) Describes the college as an environment of innovation and allowing for experimentation. (6:33) Goes onto the excitement he felt during that time “Intellectually the most exciting time of my life” and the overall commitment of faculty and staff (7:08) “If we were an alternative college – they were alternative students” Talks about the student body and how it evolved over the years (8:14) Discussed teaching science and his Ecology Intensives course, which involved off campus trips to the beach. (10:24) Describes the first day he walked in and had a room in the M building on the 4th floor and the conditions the building was in (12:56) Talks about the orientation sessions for employees before the college started, including a helicopter ride. (15:23) Describes the area the College was in, such as train tracks on 31st St for the Macys and Gimbels warehouses. (16:00) Hamada discussed the Science and Math area combined with the Math department. Explains how the different divisions were organized compared to the present [1996] (17:01) The college saw itself as a business college because of Coop and Human Services – never saw themselves in health. Talks about the state of the science courses and professors (18:40) Goes on a walk around the college with President Shenker to find a room suitable for the first science lab (20:15) They ran their first class of 13 students, some who eventually worked at the college themselves. (20:55) Curriculum was developing slowly – developed general science – he was coordinating Science – Michael Hoban was Chair of the Department. (21:10) Talks about the inclusion of Occupational Therapy into the college and department (22:48) Makes efforts to modify the college’s Master Plan to include Allied Health as an employment connection for the Health Sciences and to develop the that program. Naomi Greenberg became director of the Occupational Therapy program. Later the Dietetic Technician, Mortuary Science, Animal Health, and Nursing programs were developed. (24:58) Receives a grant in 1975 from the Veterans Administration to collaborate with the VA hospital in Brooklyn (25:42) Discusses the different science programs. (27:17) Returns to talking about the Nursing Program. (29:18) Covers 1980’s nursing shortage and need to increase enrollment. (30:41) Discussed sorting out the Nursing Program to fit the Quarter System and Semester credits, (32:48) Talks about the Mortuary Science program (38:46) Talks about the closeness of the faculty/staff community (1975-1976) and the fiscal crisis and uncertainty of the college’s future in that time (39:42) “We were very unusual – we were making an impact – mission to generate success. Physically we never had enough room – never kept up.” (41:15) Speaks about renovations and moving offices many times (48:12) Hamada talks about changes in the college, and speaks about the 1980s and his position, the different programs and about technology. (52:41) End
Subjects: , 25th Anniversary, Oral History, Hamada, George, Health Sciences, Cooperative Education
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: Gil Muller
Description: Dr. Gil Muller was Special Assistant to the President at the time of the interview and overall a long time member of the English Department. he talks mainly about the development and changes in the English Department. Timestamp summary of interview: (1:18) Dr. Gil Muller said he had interviewed for LaGCC in the Winter of 1970 here in New York City at the annual Modern Language Association Meeting. At the time, Muller had lived in Berkeley, California and had taught overseas after graduate school. (6:25) Talks about first seeing the college and meeting President Joseph Shenker (6:34) “It was a very raw factory – it was a college in the making.” (7:26) Muller went back to Berkeley, California and received a formal letter to appoint him as Assistant Professor in Division of Language and Culture. (8:30) Talks about the college orientation in the summer of 1971 to plan for the opening of the College (10:10) They were creating a college from scratch. (10:43) Talks about Prof Harvey Weiner another English professor from the start of the college (11:24) Muller spoke about the courses they had created and spoke about one week Intensives. Talk’s about Professor Judy Gomez “Utopian Society” course in Staten Island, NY and Professor Sarah Barbara’s “Wilderness Experience” course in the Catskills of New York. (14:41) Muller spoke about the helicopter ride – circle tour around Manhattan and Long Island City. (17:00) Describes teaching in an environment where construction was happening all round the building. (17:51) Talks about The Great Hall and its many functions (administration, counseling and teaching.) (18:41) Describes the “founding” faculty members of the college, especially their youth and President Shenker’s age. (19:20) Muller talks about the work environment and long hours worked. Mentions open admissions. Talks about off campus food and meeting spots, specifically Brooks Restaurant (20:53) Spoke about the first fiscal crisis (1975/1976). Muller talks about the tenure and discusses President Joseph Shenker and George Groman. (24:30) Talks about the hiring of professors and hiring a diverse group of faculty members. Talks about bringing John A. Williams and Richard Price to the college. Discusses adjuncts at the college. (30:27) Discusses the English department and its courses. (31:48) Talks about the creation of the Faculty Council, college governance and splitting the English Department from the Humanities Department (34:12) Discusses students that were attending LaGCC and changes in the English department’s mission (37:48) Muller spoke about what he thought made LaGCC different – and how the college has adjusted its mission. Ends at 40:30
Subjects: , 25th Anniversary, Oral History, Muller, Gil, English Department
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: Enock Charlotin
Description: Enock Charlotin was a student in the Cooperative Education program and talks about his experiences immigrating from Haiti and attending the college. Timestamp summary interview: (1:23) Enock Charlotin came to attend LaGCC in 1989 after his sister referred him to the Cooperative Education program. (2:48) After being accepted, talks about his motivations and how LaGCC supported his goals (3:08) In 1980, he had decided he wanted to learn more about computers and his parents sent him to New York from Haiti, talks about that experience (4:05) Had Professor Washington for his first course Intro to Computers. Describes Professor Washington as a teacher and role model about (5:06) Talks about the quality technology resources at the college and being ahead of other colleges (6:48) In regard to the social setting here at LaGCC – “your friends were from different backgrounds and we were all students we could talk to one another.” (7:43) Charlotin discussed the counselors and how that worked with the Coop Ed PROGRAM (9:32) Talks about his first internship at UAPC/University Application Processing Center in Brooklyn and his current work at UAPC at LaGuardia. (11:20) Talks about the Coop Seminar and guidance he had received. (14:05) Most of the teachers here at LaGCC take the time with students. Goes on to describe several areas and departments of the college that he had help from when he was a student here. (15:20) Was a member of a student club, mentions Ed Hollis, Luis Merchant of Student Services. (19:03) Spoke about the opening of the E building, how that made the college bigger, and how in his opinion made the college more professional and attractive to more students.
Subjects: , 25th Anniversary, Oral History, Charlotin, Enock, Cooperative Education, Students, Immigration
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: Dorrie Williams
Description: Dorrie Williams at the time of the interview was Associate Dean of Cooperative Education. He talks about establishing the Cooperative Education program at the College, the changes in the college, and the future of work. Timestamp summary of VHS interview: (1:16) Talks about work experience at IBM before coming to LaGCC, finding out about the college and coming in for an interview. (2:27) Meets with Sheila Gordon at the new college, and said he thought he went to the wrong address – “it was not a college”. Goes on to describe the M-Building in its original condition as an empty factory. (5:57) He also meets with Gordon’s co-worker Ben Baim. There were only 2 people and the secretary that made up Cooperative Education. (6:50) They could not hire Williams until they hired the Dean of Cooperative Education – The Dean would make the final decision – but they would recommend Williams to the Dean. (7:29) After an interview with Dean Harry Heinemann Williams was hired and started working on May 1, 1971. (7:55) Williams said, that summer there was lots of work in terms of recruiting. (8:52) He said, Cooperative Education was on the 3rd floor of the Main building, along with all of the other college offices. (9:19) President Joseph Shenker (Williams also mentions Dr. Rose Palmer) had mandated the Cooperative Education program for all students and built the mission of the college around the concept. (10:56) LaGCC had a division of Cooperative Education at the Deans level – reporting directly to the President. (12:28) They had looked around the country at other established Cooperative Education programs at Antioch College in Ohio, and Northeastern University in Boston. Also looked at BMCC’s (Borough of Manhattan Community College) program in the CUNY system. (13:40) Talks about hiring new staff and the general excitement at the college- coming right out of the 60s (15:31) Williams spoke about the history of the idea of cooperative education history starting from the University of Cincinnati – LaGCC looked at all theories and spoke about how to attract students in Western Queens. (17:49) Speaks about the curriculum and relevant education. (18:48) Williams discussed technology and the work environment beginning to change – “We as a society had to better prepare our future workers.” (21:35) He said they all sat down, himself, Dean Heinemann, Sheila Gordon, Ben Bain, and other members and agreed to build a marketing plan. (23:17) Williams said they were lucky to have companies here in the Metropolitan Area - they had established a brochure for Cooperative Education. (29:00) Talks about contacting CEOs or Human Resources managers in the first few years of the college “We would send literature of who we were and what we needed and would get back to them.” (41:43) Williams discussed the changes over the first 25 years of the college– society having evolved, the college growing, and changes in student demographics, especially in the end of the 1970s to the mid-1980s. (50:26) Williams discussed the year 1990 and the changing future of work (52:33) Discussed students learning to work and interact with others. (55:16) Summarizes the Cooperative Education program and how the college served as a model for Coop Education worldwide.
Subjects: , 25th Anniversary, Oral History, Williams, Dorrie, Cooperative Education
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: Maxine Lance
Description: Maxine Lance was a student in the first graduating class of LaGCC in 1973. She later became a CUNY Office Assistant, eventually working in College Discovery and retiring in 2019. Timestamp summary of interview: (1:05) Maxine Lance said she decided to attend LaGCC because all of her friends were applying to college. She didn’t want to be left out so she applied to LaGCC. (1:53) Talks about meeting people through Student Activities and her major in Data Processing (2:52) Describes the M-Building and Great Hall and how encouraged interaction and impacted student life. (4:15) She discussed prices in the cafeteria for breakfast and lunch and compares them to the present time. (5:16) Talks about being part of the first graduating class (7:01) Talks about her courses, especially in Data Processing and her professors (8:13) Describes how the college and student body has changed since she was a student (having remained at the college as an employee) and how she thinks it has affected student life. (10:32) Speaks about her experience with Cooperative Education and the challenges of attending class and while working. Talks about the different internships she had, including working in the Extended Day department with Ralph Garrett. (14:05) Continued to work at LaGCC in the Registrar office. She said during that time she believed Eileen Murray was the Director and she had also worked in the Adult and Continuing Education Department part-time with Allen Goldberg. She now working at Student Affairs in the College Discovery program and is working there for 13 years. (18:05) Goes on to talk about the Cooperative Education program and the opportunities and skills it builds. (19:23) Lance talks about her work history at the college, working as a hourly for about 10 or 11 years and now she is Civil Service for almost 9 years. (20:01) End
Subjects: , 25th Anniversary, Oral History, Lance, Maxine, Students, Cooperative Education
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: Janet Lieberman
Subjects: Janet Lieberman, 25th Anniversary, Oral History
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: Rosemary Sclafoni
Description: Rosemary Sclafoni talks about her experience as an adult Extended Day student at LaGuardia Community College and later career at the college, eventually becoming Director of Academic Computing Timestamped Summary of tape: (00:55) In 1976 Rosemary Sclafoni came to LaGCC as a student to take a few courses in order to obtain employment in the public school system. Was intimidated at first but first name recognition at registration relaxed her. (04:12) Talks about professors that encouraged academically, including Dr. Richard Lieberman, Social Sciences, and Professor Robert O’Pray, Office Technologies (06:13) Sclafoni had stayed at LaGCC for a 2 year degree in Office Technology (Secretarial Science at the time) (06.37) She was asked to help at the “Bilingual Volunteers of American,” a Saturday program for students. Discusses experience. (07:19) Through the Coop program, she had an internship at LaGuardia as a secretary. Later she was offered a CLT position at LaGCC and held that position for about 10 years. (10:25) Sclafoni felt LaGCC was very supportive of her academically and the experience as a student with the counseling staff was wonderful. Compares here experience at LaGCC to that as her later experience at Baruch College. (13:59) Describes the student body in the mid 70’s, where they lived and age groups. “Many of the students that had attend were here at LaGCC learn skills to obtain jobs.” (16:03) As an Extended Day student, Sclafoni had joined study groups and attend her classes but didn’t have time to participate in the social part of the college. Describes the campus as well (22:44) She understood that computing would open doors for everyone and believed it was an important aspect. (23:23) Talks about here academic path (Bachelors and Masters) and creating her position as Director of Academic Computing, felt computing was very important and many students didn’t have computer access. (24:54) In her position of Director of Academic Computing she had to coordinate with the Academic Division in particular and the college community access and opportunity for computer resources and make them available to students. (26:06) She encouraged computing for teaching and learning for faculty. (27:00) Felt having the E building made the college more of a campus and the renovation of the C building made it airy and light and other impressions of the changing campus (pool, library, etc) (31:30) “The most unique thing [about the college] is the people and attitude people take. The attitude of the faculty and staff is supportive and approachable and encouraging.” Ends around 35:00
Subjects: , 25th Anniversary, Oral History, Students, Extended Day, Cooperative Education, Sclafoni, Rosemary
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: President Raymond Bowen
Description: President Raymond Bowen was president of the college from 1989 to 1999. He talks about his earlier career at the start of the college as Associate Dean and developing the curriculum. Also covers Middle College High School and going to Baltimore to start another Cooperative Education program. Timestamp summary of interview: (00.00) Introduction and talks about career before coming to LaGuardia Community College (2:17) First heard of Community College Number 9 and came in as an Associate Dean (4:59) Talks about planning the curriculum starting from scratch and going to Brooks, the restaurant by Court Square, to sit down and talk about how they wanted to plan out the curriculum. Also goes over the grant for the helicopter ride at the first orientation. (5:47) Describes the conditions of the M-Building before the college was opened and the work done to get the college ready to receive students. (7:24) Talks about the atmosphere of the early years of the college, especially the close relation between faculty and students (9:02) Gets George Hamada to come to the college to set up the Science Department. Also asks Ralph Garrett to join the college and set up the Extended Day Division (10:02) Talks about creating the Mortuary Science program and discusses the Nursing program. (12:42) Sets up a program in the Sony Building and describes “collaboratives” which involved professors team teaching different courses. (15:32) Talks about Division Chairs stopping the cluster teaching. (18:27) Goes into faculty initial concerns over Middle College students using the college’s space. Also describes bringing the Middle College model to Memphis, Tennessee with Janet Lieberman and Cecilia Cullen, and similar faculty concerns they faced there. (19:45) Leaves LaGCC, and helps set up the Cooperative Education Program in Baltimore, Maryland. (20:36) Covers the LUCED Program [?] and money brought to the college for economic development. (21:38) Describes the diversity and changes in the student body. (23:40) Talks about the Pluralism Taskforce and incorporating pluralism into the curriculum. (25:40) Mentions that 80 percent of graduates go on to get their Bachelor’s degree. Finishes with summary remarks on the interview and his outlook on the future of the college.
Subjects: , 25th Anniversary, Oral History, Bowen, Raymond, President's Office
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: Harry Heinmann
Description: Harry Heinemann was Dean of Cooperative Education, he discusses the Cooperative Education program. Timestamp summary of interview (follows Sandra Watson interview on tape): (41:13) Dean Harry Heinemann speaks about how President Joseph Shenker developed the college to integrate the academic curriculum with work experience and to serve the low middle income population of Western Queens. “… families would encourage their sons and daughters – particularly their daughters.” (44:39) Explains the Quarter Calendar. (45:15) “We wanted real jobs- we wanted students to be paid for the work they did” speaking of the Quarter Calendar and Cooperative Education. (46:06) Partnerships with LaGCC started with a lot of ideas – lots of changes had to be made. They had to go out and market Cooperative Education, Dean Heinemann said, He had spoke about IBM and mentioned Professor Dorrie Williams (LaGCC faculty member of Cooperative Education) (48:17) Discusses IBM and LaGCC students being hired and being hired as graduates and moving on to managerial positions. (50:25) “In 1971, before the college opened, we were out there developing jobs – they went to Official Electronics, up the street, and were developing jobs.” (51:40) Speaks about the development of Cooperative Education Prep for students and connecting work experience with classroom experience. (53:17) “Back in the 1970s there was a tremendous demand for secretaries – so it was very easy to develop positions for secretaries. Today, here is a tremendous demand for computer science students and telecommunications majors.” (54:27) Goes into how internships were developed. Faculty member would join in on meetings with business managers to work out educational needs (55:46) Becomes a member of organizations such as the Queens Personnel Management Association and Queens Chamber of Commerce, to get to know the business community and promote Cooperative Education. (57:24) Describes Changes in the economy and employment in the past 25 years and it’s effects on the Coop program. “We follow the economic pattern in the city and in the region.” (58:51) He also discussed Coop Seminar, bridging work experience and academic credit Speaks about the use of field manuals and described TAR (Teaching Application Reinforcement) handbooks which connect to learning to work experience [Archivist Note: TAR books are kept in Institutional Archives collections] (01:05:13) “LaGCC was really the first mandatory Cooperative Education program in the country at the 2 year college level and the first Cooperative Education that offered academic credit in all majors including Liberal Arts” (01:06:31) Bloomingdale's was one of the first employers to take Coop students (01.09.09) In reference to looking back 25 years – Heinemann spoke about the college changing to the Enhanced Calendar and how it made problems for Cooperative Education - the softening of the economy – internships becoming part-time and unpaid – working with IBM (01:13:29) He said, graduates tend to stay with employers. “Employers are interested in our students, interested in a flexible labor force”.
Subjects: , 25th Anniversary, Oral History, Heinmann, Harry, Cooperative Education
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: Max Rodriguez
Subjects: Rodriguez, Max, 25th Anniversary, Oral History
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: Raymond Schoenberg
Description: At the time of the interview, Raymond Schoenberg was Director of the Registrar Office. He talks in depth about the college’s early years and how the campus developed over the years. Timestamp summary of interview (follows John Hyland’s interview on tape): (45:23) Raymond Schoenberg started at LaGCC in its first semester in Fall 1971. Talks about his career at Hunter College and seeing the sign for Community College Number 9 and his first meeting with Mary Ryan, Assistant to the Dean of Faculty, Freeman Sleeper, Dean of Faculty, Raymond Bowen, Associate Dean of Faculty, and Janet Lieberman, Assistant Dean of Faculty. (47:54) Sees starting at a new college as an opportunity. (48:40) Talks about the Great Hall which had an area to the side for the Registrar Office, it was also used for classes, for tennis and registration, anything that required a large area and it was were all the action was at the college. (50:35) Mentions how faculty would drive their motorcycles into the back of the building and park their bikes in the Great Hall until they left. (51:11) Talks about working during the summer of 1971 and how the Registrar had needed paper. They received paper from the College of Staten Island with the Staten Island logo and had to remind students for several years that LaGCC was not in Staten Island and it was in Queens. (52:38) Says what was unique about LaGCC all the offices would put their feelings and input into the college. Talks about luncheons at a restaurant on Queens Blvd to discuss the policy of the college. (56:00) Mentions that the College Senate was called the Academic Programming Committee. (56:29) Speaks about technology in the workplace and in the Registrar Office at the time and compares his experience to that at Hunter College. (01:00:39) Schoenberg discussed the changes over the years at the Registrar Office. He had left the Registrar in 1983 – he spoke about the functions of the Registrar office. (01:05:06) He also spoke about the college and service with students and the procedures with computers and technology. (01:11:55) Discusses grades and students and the mail and calling systems. (01:12:29) Talks about the college’s need to grow and the different buildings such as the Satellite Building (Sony Building), Center 3 Building, and the L and P Building (01:12:58) He discussed wider CUNY growth in headcount which continuously grows and says there is a tremendous demand on space. (01:20:43) He discusses the importance of Cooperative Education and students. And the word on the street was LaGuardia cared. (01:24:20) Ends on graduation and changes in credits needed to graduate. Schoenberg mentioned technology and student mobility. He also discusses change in later years.
Subjects: , 25th Anniversary, Oral History, Schoenberg, Raymond, Registrar, Great Hall, M-Building
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: Vincent Banrey
Description: Mr. Vincent Banrey graduated from the college in 1977 and at the time of the interview was Associate Director of the Student Health Office. Timestamp summary [Interview follows the interview with Enock Charlotin on VHS tape]: (22:19) Introductions and discusses coming to the college as a student because of the Cooperative Education Program and his impressions of the college as a student. (24:41) “The college wasn’t very big so there was a sense of people knowing each other” (25:00) Describes the layout of the building, covering the cafeteria, “Sangria Junction,” and the multi-purpose Great Hall. (28:40) Discusses the different faculty and staff that helped him as a student and the counselors the college provided (31:20) Banrey discussed the closeness of the college in the early years and knowing people from different departments (32:53) Covers the Cooperative Education Program and mentions how the Writing for Business and Coop Seminar courses helped him prepare for writing resume and interviews. (36:07) Had an internship at the Brooklyn Navy Yards. He was a Research Analysis Assistant. (37:11) Talks about how internships helped him decide his career path. (40:00) Goes into the growth of the college, construction and the changing physical space of the college and changing administrative structure. (45:12) Covers the different support services and student resources on campus and how they have changed and grown over the years (48:32) Talks about changes in the student body and points out the large number of veterans who attended the college in the 1970’s, coming from Vietnam and benefiting from open admissions (51:35 ) In reference to the question “what makes LaGCC distinct,” Banrey said, “The slogan that was used – LaGuardia Works – because it cares about the people.”
Subjects: , 25th Anniversary, Oral History, Students, Great Hall, Cooperative Education, Banrey, Vincent
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: Umoja Kwaguvu
Description: Umoja Kwaguvu was the Coordinator of Student Activities, a long time staff member and a Family Institute Adjunct. He was involved in organizing many events in the early college years. Timestamp summary of interview [Follows Gil Muller interview on VHS tape]: (41:37) Professor Umoja Kwaguvu began to work in LaGCC in 1972, starting in the Veterans Program teaching English, and then moving to Student Services in 1974. (43:40) Covers organizing theatre shows, student parties and flyering the college buildings for events (45:03) “The Main building was like a factory and there was a little room there they called Student Activities.” (46:00) Talks about all night movie festivals that were organized, the mix of students and faculty at the events (49:33) “We could do almost anything we wanted to do. Bureaucracy had not set in yet.” (51:12) Describes African American Reading Marathon – President Shenker said we were to do something for the 1976 Bicentennial. The event had people continuously reading from February 1st-8th for 200 hours straight. [Archivist Note: Institutional Archives has photographs of the African American Reading Marathon in the photograph collection] (58:38) Became fulltime Coordinator in Student Activities in 1976. (58:53) Describes organizing trips to: Stratford, Connecticut; Montreal, Canada; Jamaica; Brazil; Europe (London, Paris, Rome). Trips were focused on opening students up to the world, many who never left New York City before (01:02:53) Student Services had a performing arts Marathon in the late 1980s/early 90’s. LaGuardia was a regional representative at the Bob Hope Talent Show in 1977/78 [Archivist Note: Institutional Archives also has photographs of the Bob Hope Talent Show in their photograph collection] (01:05:30) Talks about having prominent figures visiting the college including: the comedian Dick Gregory, Judge Bruce Wright, Yolanda King (Dr. King’s daughter), and Attallah Shabazz (Malcolm X’s daughter). (01:13:29) Direction and guidance for events and programs came from the Director of Student Activities – Leo Newball (01:16:20) Talks about the change of events that happened when Student Activities became Student Life (01:80:00) Describes his experience working with students and the changes in the student body, and political in. (01:21:31) Covers the 1989 student takeover and other protests, where students occupied parts of the campus in protest over rising tuition. Describes the students as militant but non-violent during these events. (01:23:40) He discussed what he thought made LaGCC different – "Students get training fit for work – see them professionally doing their work – anywhere you go you find LaGuardia people" (01:25:10) End
Subjects: Kwaguvu, Umoja, Kwaguvu, Umoja, 25th Anniversary, 25th Anniversary, Oral History, Oral History
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: Roy McLeod
Description: Dr. Roy McLeod is a “founding” faculty member of the college and Professor of Mathematics. He currently [2019] still teaches in the Mathematics, Engineering & Computer Sciences (MEC) department. (00:55) Talks about the need for a community college for the Long Island City area to help develop economic growth, similar to why Hostos Community College, York College and Medgar Evers College were created. (3:00) Speaks about his earlier career at Hunter College and Nassau Community College and how he came to LaGCC and his excitement about coming to a brand new college and the challenge it would be. (8:20) Faculty did not have an office they just had a desk and a chair and were just excited about starting the college (9:26) The first floor was The Great Hall. Registration and everything was done there in The Great Hall. (10:21) Dr. McLeod said in July, the college had an orientation to get the college ready - that was handled by Dr. Janet Lieberman. (10:53) Dr. McLeod also said they were able to be as innovative as they could. The structure was not rigid, there was creativity. (11:25) The name of the first mathematics course was Symbolic Communication, Dr. McLeod said. He said, we were doing things differently. Dr. McLeod spoke about the grading system he said they call non-cumulative grades and he said they had – E (Excellent) G (Good) P (Pass) and NC (No Credit). (13:05) Shows his first gradebook. (Archivist Note: Dr. McLeod’s gave his first grading book to the Institutional Archives and it is kept with his collection in Division Institutional Advancement) (14:19) The students that attended LaGCC were from around the area, Dr. McLeod said, Astoria, Long Island City. There were about 540 students in the first class. They were excited about coming here. Student were very much on our minds – trying to encourage them. (15:42) During that time there were teams of faculty for advisement, students would talk to them about their classes, Coop, or whatever they needed to address. (16:17) Students felt they could talk to us, Dr. McLeod said, he said it was small so it worked very well. Class size during that time was small from 16-20 students and there was individual attention you couldn’t dream about today – that made a difference, Dr. McLeod said. (21:11) Discusses the split of the Division of Natural Environment into the Mathematics Department and the Division of Natural and Applied Science Department. He had been elected the first Chairperson of the Mathematics Department. Served as Chairperson from 1976 – 1988. (25:48) Talks about the Math Lab and its functions. (26:25) Talks about the Mathematics Department moving around to different locations on campus, Main Building, Sony Building and later the C building. In 1988 became Acting Dean of Faculty (27:37) Dr. McLeod discussed Basic Skills development and assessment tests in reference to remedial courses and the Math Lab. (29:02) Describes the computer courses and the Math Express course (an intensive one week course) and its relation to remedial courses. (31:29) Talks about English Express course that was developed by Professor Daniel Aulicino. (32:29) Discusses the physical growth of the college and challenges the limited space provided such as crowded offices and classrooms. (36:18) “[The college] grew so large so quickly” talks about the attractiveness of the Coop Program and the opportunity to earn income while earning college credit. (38:17) Dr. McLeod also spoke about students coming to LaGCC from many countries and “many come in with extraordinary skills, especially in Math and Science.” (38:57) Dr. McLeod discussed his teaching experiences with students in his classes. (42:12) “What makes LaGuardia special? the way the college started makes the college special – we emphasized on students and focused to be innovative and to have freedom.” He also discussed being a department Chairperson.
Subjects: , 25th Anniversary, Oral History, McLeod, Roy, Math, Engineering and Computer Science
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: Terry Parker
Description: Terry Parker, head of the Library’s Media Center, started at LaGuardia Community College as a student, later working in the Media Center recording events and activities across the College. He retired in 2017. (1:00) Talks about the working in the SETA(?) program at York College, and making the decision to start college, eventually attending LaGuardia in 1976 as a full time student. He describes and his first impressions of the college and thinking it was the airport. (5:50) Said students at the time operated in circles and you only notices who was in that circle. He was in the Student Activities Office. (6:24) Describes the students he attended with, mostly older nontraditional students influenced by the late 60’s and the Vietnam war and self-reliant. (7:41) Describes his Social Science class with Professor Reitano who let students interpret history themselves based on primary documents and how it changed his opinion on learning history. (10:02) Talks about his major, different jobs he had on campus and eventually working in with the Audio Visual person with Student Activities, which became his major. Talks about his AV role on campus. (14:47) Compares evening students with the day students, student clubs and the roles of Student Government and Student Activities on campus and their use of the Student Activities Fee. (19:51) Describes being part of the “student patrol”, which supplemented the professional security on campus. (22:56) The full time person at the Student Activities department had left and Terry had graduated and had filled his position. (23:17) Talks about the 1978-1980 Student Government elections and how voting was organized, initially with their own voting machines and then reaching out to an outside vendor to handle the ballots. (27:33) Started a film program and purchased a lot of equipment and was very pro student. His boss had felt he was too pro student. (30:48) Returns to talking about Student Government (31:57) Talks about the growth of the college, changes in student/faculty relations and the need for more space even after the addition of the E-Building. (34:48) Mentions the institutional support students and staff received in the 1970s and 80’s (36:45) Reflects on his time spent as a student at LaGuardia, how the college helped him create a career, and the gratitude he has towards the people he has worked with. “It is more than just a place where you come to work - it is your second home a lot of times it is your first home.” Total time 43:22
Subjects: Student Activities, 25th Anniversary, Oral History, Parker, Terry, Library, Students
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: Sandra Watson
Description: Sandra Watson Director of Family Staff (at time of interview) talks about her experience in the Division of Adult and Continuing Education and as a counselor in the Veterans Program (00:46) Sandra Watson spoke about the founding of LaGCC in the early 1970s -- a period when people struggled during the Civil Rights movement and CUNY was in position to respond – at a time for women and people of color wanted to come into the institution -- it was a time after the Vietnam War. (2:23) Goes on to describe the student body (2:47) Talks about her coming to LaGuardia Community college as a vocational counselor for the Veterans Programs. (4:05) Came to LaGCC in 1974 and said it was a very exciting place. Talks about the Great Hall, Leonard Saremsky who would drive up in his motorcycle right up to the door; tennis courts in the back; partitions separating the space, no offices – a feeling of oneness. (4:47) Talks about Joseph Shenker’s age and the overall young staff. (5:43) The Division of Adult and Continuing Education was written in the Governance Plan – the arm to reach out to the community – a community that was very diverse. (6:53) Speaks about Adult and Continuing Education creating programs which would later be turned into degree programs – The Dean of Adult and Continuing Education was Ann Marcus, Sandra spoke about different faculty lines in Adult and Continuing Education and support for President Shenker. (8:18) Sandra said, most of the people in the division ran program areas and knew how to write grants. (8:47) Mentions the Single College Concept (9:38) “We were told we could fail, we could try, we could experiment” (11:22) Discusses the Veteran’s Program and says it was one of the most challenging programs she ever worked in. Talks about how the counseling and workshops were organized (14:14) Mentions that the Veteran’s program was not funded for the first time in 24 years (1996), in her opinion due to the sharp conservative political turn in government (15:11) Talks about how ACE programs were funded, developed and community involvement in the process. Discusses the Deaf Program (17:55) Speaks about Fern Kahn (18:19) Speaks about collaborating with funding agencies and city agencies (19:19) Goes in depth about the Deaf Program and its diversity (22:31) Discusses the continual need for space in the college, the Great Hall, moving offices (25:44) Speaks about changes in the college now and before, and innovation and LaGCC. (30:11) She also discussed changes and development of programs for changes and the community. Sandra spoke about Queens and the development of programs and going to the community – Children’s College was built. (30:11) Mentions the change of the ESL program – credit and non-credit programs. (36:11) She discussed the college and its growing older. (37:04) Sandra says she comes to a place where she works with social problems and social change – happy to be here. The institution is for the students.
Subjects: , 25th Anniversary, Oral History, Watson, Sandra, Veterans Affairs, Adult and Continuing Education, Program for Deaf Adults
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

Title: Shirley Saulsbury
Description: Shirley Saulsbury, Executive Associate to the Dean and Assistant Dean of Affirmative Action at the time of interview, started at LaGuardia Community College in 1974 as an employee, later becoming a student at LaGuardia which served to help her continue both her professional and academic careers. Timestamped summary of video (follows Andy Saluga on tape): (33:28) Saulsbury started as an hourly worker in 1974 in the Adult and Continuing Education department. She was convinced by a counselor at the time to begin to attend LaGCC. Talks about the student side of the registration process in the 70’s (36:00) Talks about working in the Human Services department and Augusta Kaplan, one of the department’s chairs. (37:14) Describes the positive classroom environment and professors she had as a student, as well as crowding issues. Mentions Professor’s Deborah Harrell and Elaine Leff. (39:16) “Students were vibrant and vocal, they knew how to voice their opinion and there was student unity.” (41:09) Describes her Coop Seminar with Professor Janet Cyril. (42:16) Talks about physical growth of the college “…it’s so large we barely know the people in our immediate area. It’s changed.” (43:00) Talks about getting her Bachelors Degree at York College and Master’s Degree and Baruch College. (45:30) Goes into her career at LaGuardia working for Human Services, Adult and Continuing Education, and then Assistant to the President. Describes writing grants, specifically for the Sheet Metal Program. (50:24) Describes the evolving campus, E-Building and Main Building (52:55) Talks about her role as Vice President of the Alumni Association and working with President Shenker to develop a more diverse Alumni program. (53:55) 1989 is interviews and hired by President Bowen as Assistant to the President. Talks about the Deans and Administrators and their involvement with the college. (1:00:01) End
Subjects: , 25th Anniversary, Oral History, Saulsbury, Shirley, President's Office, Cooperative Education
Publisher: LaGuardia Community College (New York, N.Y)

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