More applicants for SPC; Rhodes finalist
St. Peter’s College received “a record number of applicants” for its fall class, according to Stephen J. Hudik, the college’s director of public relations and publications. “The Class of 2010 consists of approximately 540 students, one of our biggest in recent years,” Hudik said.
More than half of the new class resides on campus, Hudik said.
Also at Saint Peter’s College, student Kris Gryte (Class of ’07) was selected as a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship. The Rhodes Scholarship, created in 1902, is the oldest and most prestigious award for international study. Outstanding students from countries around the world study for two or three years at Oxford University in England. Finalists for the scholarship are chosen after a rigorous application process.
“I was thrilled to be named a Rhodes finalist,” Gryte said. “It is such an incredible honor. Also, it was a great experience to meet other finalists from all over the world and to compete to study at Oxford University.”
Gryte, a Physics, Mathematics and Philosophy Major with a minor in Biology, applied for the prestigious award at the urging of several professors. He attended the final-round interview last November. The Missouri native hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Biophysics upon graduation.
The Rhodes Trust selected 32 American women and men as Rhodes Scholarship winners from a pool of 207 finalists.
Blue-ribbon committee to plan Culinary Arts strategy
Hudson County Community College President Dr. Glen Gabert announced recently that a Blue Ribbon Committee has been established to develop a five-year strategic plan for the college’s Culinary Arts Institute. Included in the committee’s responsibilities are culinary arts and hospitality management-related credit and non-credit programming, student support services, related activities such as marketing and development and the operations of the College’s conference center.
The panel is comprised of local entrepreneurs, politicians, executives and culinary experts.
“We are very fortunate to have such talented and concerned professionals working on this committee and appreciate the support and guidance they will provide in planning for our future,” Dr. Gabert said.
The HCCC Culinary Arts curriculum is one of just two programs in the New York region to be fully accredited by the American Culinary Federation Accrediting Commission.
Soccer and more at upcoming summer camp
This summer, Waterfront Montessori will again combine forces with Jersey City’s Soccer Learning Center to offer a sports-intensive full-day summer camp program to children from 3 to 10 years old.
Coach Alex Lalaoui, founder of the Soccer Learning Center, will direct the soccer and other sports programs offered at the school’s Summer Camp, which begins in mid-June. The school will provide music, art, dance, karate and swim activities to round out the campers’ days.
For information about the Waterfront Montessori Summer Camp, call (201) 333-5600 or email info@waterfrontmontessori.com. For information about Soccer Learning Center, call (201) 656-1156, email soccerlearning@aol.com or visit soccerlearningcenter.com.
NJCU opens waterfront location
New Jersey City University began offering business courses in the city’s financial district in January at an off-campus site on the second floor of the Harborside Financial Center.
Initial offerings at that location included graduate-level courses in business, which can lead to Master of Science degrees in finance or accounting. Courses are offered in three financial specializations: Professional Financial Planning, Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management, and Financial Management.
“The fact that NJCU will offer courses in the heart of Jersey City’s financial district makes enrolling in class much more convenient for those who are stretched for time, but eager for personal enrichment and career advancement,” said Dr. Carlos Hernandez, NJCU president.
Dr. Richard Hendrix, dean of graduate studies and continuing education, anticipates that in addition to business offerings, courses for advanced professionals will be offered in education. He hopes that eventually liberal arts enrichment courses as well as continuing education classes will be offered at the Harborside location.
St. Dominic’s hosts Swiss exchange student
St. Dominic Academy is hosting a Swiss exchange student this year. Kimberly Zwygart of Berne, Switzerland, will spend her Junior year at the academy.
Zwygart reports that “everything is going great,” although she admits that she felt overwhelmed during the first week of school. Now she can boast of having completed her “very best soccer season ever.”
Zwygart played on the school’s Blue Devils Soccer Team – or “fussball” team, to those in her native Switzerland. “I enjoyed every practice and every game I played with them,” she said. “I really appreciate the experience and will never forget it.”
In addition to soccer, Zwygart has become a member of the prestigious SDA Glee Club. Zwygart said that her experience at St. Dominic Academy is different than what she’s used to at her home school, Gymnasium Koniz-Lebermatt, a co-ed facility.