Journey Begins: CSE New Students Move In; Unpack Belongings and Dreams

“Chart your course,” “map your route,” “embark on your journey,” “see new horizons,” - these and more are the phrases that the College of Saint Elizabeth “Explorientation” were made of...On Wednesday, August 24, 2011, a new adventure - College - began for approximately 200 first-year and transfer CSE students. The College is located at 2 Convent Road, Morristown, N.J.

Armed with an orientation schedule literally presented as a map outlining a three-day excursion, students began a journey filled with moving in, creating time capsules representing their dreams and goals to be opened 100 days before graduation; “New Beginnings Family Blessing;” a Spirit of New Jersey Boat Cruise; a Community Service Project session, and workshops – all designed to get the incoming students to know each other and the College.

CSE President Sr. Francis Raftery notes, “Orientation is informational, enjoyable, and naturally helps students get to know each other, create memories, and have a profound influence on each other as we move forward.”

On Wednesday, students from nearly all the counties in the state, from out of state, and even from other countries including Russia, China, Burma, Tanzania, and more, pulled up to CSE dorms and unpacked not only their belongings, but their dreams. CSE Orientation Staff and Student Leaders were on hand to support and guide students.

Amid the hectic and nervous anticipation, students seemed happy to explore new surroundings, friends, and possibilities. Samantha Weirback, of West Deptford, N.J., ’15, Special and Elementary Education major, and her roommate, Jenae Goodson, of South Plainfield, N.J., ’15, Elementary Education/Early Childhood major, got to know each other. Weirback says she will always be an Eagle, since CSE and her high school both have an eagle as its mascot. While Goodson noted, “I love it at CSE. Everyone is SO welcoming.”

Near the end of the first day, the Family Blessing, in Holy Family Chapel on campus, featured a symbolic lighting of three candles, one representing remembering the past, lit by Jane Bourhill, CSE Assistant Dean of the Women’s College; another giving thanks for the present, lit by Diana Mora, ’12, of Elizabeth, N.J., Communication, Global Studies major; and the third, looking forward to the future, lit by Julie Rodriguez, ’15, Criminal Justice major, from Hoboken, N.J.

During the blessing, Carol Pisani, CSE Special Assistant to the President for Mission, spoke to the new students and their families about dreams about to come true (the future) and dreams that have already become a reality (the CSE College journey). According to Pisani, the journey encompasses vulnerability, trepidation; but also deep anticipation and hope for new life ahead.

Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, New Jersey, the College of Saint Elizabeth enrolls more than 2,100 full- and part-time students in more than 25 undergraduate, 10 graduate and one doctoral degree programs. For information on other activities or programs, visit the College of Saint Elizabeth web site at www.cse.edu.

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College of Saint Elizabeth Appoints Deborah M. McCreery Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Sister Francis Raftery, president of the College of Saint Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road, Morristown, N.J., announced today that Deborah M. McCreery, Esq., has been named vice president for Institutional Advancement, effective August 29, 2011. As the vice president for Institutional Advancement, Ms. McCreery will be a member of the President’s Cabinet and the chief advisor to the president on matters of development, communications, and external relations.

Before joining the College of Saint Elizabeth, Ms. McCreery held many leadership positions at Widener University School of Law, which has campuses in Harrisburg, Pa., and Wilmington, Del. She has been in educational administration since 1983 and joined Widener in 1991. At Widener, she has served as assistant dean of financial aid, associate dean for business and administration, and assistant dean for Development and Alumni Relations. She was most recently the assistant vice president for Law School Development and Alumni Relations and served as an adjunct faculty member for the Law School.

Ms. McCreery received a Bachelor of Arts from Temple University in 1983 and a Juris Doctor, also from Temple, in 1991. She is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania.

Ms. McCreery has been active in a number of professional and civic organizations, including the Colonial School District Action Planning committee, the Paralegal Board of Advisors, the American Association of Law Schools, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the American Council on Education – National Identification Program for the Advancement of Women in Higher Education Administration, and an executive board member of the Delaware-District of Columbia-Maryland Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, New Jersey, the College of Saint Elizabeth enrolls more than 2,100 full- and part-time students in more than 25 undergraduate, 10 graduate and one doctoral degree programs. For information on other activities or programs, visit the College of Saint Elizabeth web site at www.cse.edu.

Leading Salsa Expert Jose Obando Performs at the College of Saint Elizabeth, Tuesday, September 20, 2011

The sounds of salsa will fill Dolan Performance Hall, Annunciation Center, at the College of Saint Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road, Morristown, when Jose Obando and his band of musicians take to the stage, Tuesday, September 20, 2011. As the nation’s only musicologist dedicated to salsa, Obando will begin the program at 7 p.m. with a brief lecture about the more than 350-year evolution of this uniquely New World music. He will follow with a musical performance. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for senior citizens, 65 years old or older; and $5 for students with valid student identification. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-290-4378 or emailing events@cse.edu.

Obando’s lecture includes geography, history, anthropology, ethnomusicology, religions, African studies, music, and dance history. Immediately following, , he will give a musical performance accompanied by five musicians that includes dance. The instruments that will be used in the performance are the clave (two wooden sticks used to keep the African rhythms), maracas, and the Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican guiro. The salsa, cha-cha-cha, and bolero dances will be demonstrated, and the meringue will be taught. Dancing is strongly encouraged for those so inclined!

Origins of Salsa Explained

Through its music, salsa tells the story of the New World. Its origins are in west and central Africa, where singing, dancing, and drumming were means of communicating with the deities. The music was brought to the Caribbean by African slaves, where it combined with new elements from the native population called Taino as well as with Catholic and Spanish traditions. The music continued to evolve as the people from the Caribbean emigrated north. These musicians began to collaborate with their African-American colleagues. The result is a distinctively American music that the College of Saint Elizabeth is proud to present.

The program is presented by the CSE music and art departments, CSE multi-cultural studies program,CSE Office of International and Multicultural Affairs, and the College’s Lectures and Concerts series.

Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, New Jersey, the College of Saint Elizabeth enrolls more than 2,100 full- and part-time students in more than 25 undergraduate, 10 graduate and one doctoral degree programs. For information on other activities or programs, visit the College of Saint Elizabeth web site at www.cse.edu.