FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Barbara Nitzberg (914) 654-5285

THE COLLEGE OF NEW ROCHELLE TO HOST 
ANNUAL FOUNDER’S DAY CELEBRATION


NEW ROCHELLE, NY, October 15, 2003 – On October 23rd, just five weeks after it officially launched its year-long Centennial celebration, The College of New Rochelle (CNR) will host its annual Founder’s Day.  This year, the College will honor its heritage by unveiling a statue in honor of St. Angela Merici, the woman who founded the Order of St. Ursula in 1535, and by recognizing four students with the Serviam Award from The Ursuline Institute at CNR.  This award is given annually to students who best embody the Ursuline philosophy of serviam, i.e., “I will serve.” 

The Founder’s Day festivities at CNR’s Main Campus in New Rochelle will include:
11:00 am Liturgy in Holy Family Chapel
Immediately after Liturgy Dedication of Statue of St. Angela Merici
1:00 pm Presidential Luncheon and Student Service Awards
2:30 pm Castle Gallery Tour of Ursuline Artists Exhibit
4:00 pm Concert in Holy Family Chapel
7:00 pm CNR College Bowl Game Show in Maura Ballroom
Join us as student teams representing CNR’s four Schools compete in a fun-filled trivia challenge!


CNR's first graduating class, 1908.

“We celebrate a Catholic liberal arts college for women; the extraordinary gift of the Ursulines to the world, which has touched and transformed lives for 100 years; and the 38,683 graduates who have shaped this special university community,” said Dr. Stephen J. Sweeny, CNR president.  “CNR is a privileged place, sacred space, where women and men can fully discover what it means to be human and develop the tools necessary for success in every stage of their lives.”

Founder’s Day commemorates the 1904 founding of the College by Mother Irene Gill of the Ursulines.  At that time, 16 years before women won the right to vote, the institution was established as the first Catholic college for women in New York State.  However, the spirit of CNR actually dates back to the 16th Century, when St. Angela Merici established the Ursuline order in Brescia, Italy to engage in works useful to society, particularly the care, protection, and instruction of young girls and women. 

The students being honored with the Serviam Award on Founder’s Day are:

Maya Georgieva (May 2004, School of Arts & Sciences)
A native of Bulgaria, Maya’s interest in global peace began when she was just five years old. 

She came to CNR for its highly regarded international studies program.  Fluent in German, Russian and English, Maya is being honored for her passion and work for human and children’s rights through internships with UNICEF and other NGO organizations.  She was a grant assistant for CNR’s application to the US Dept of Education to secure funding for a groundbreaking interdisciplinary approach to teaching human rights to undergraduates. This initiative was launched in 2001.  Maya plans a career in human/children’s rights and is considering graduate school to study public policy.

Kari Black (December 2004, Graduate School)
A longtime resident of Pelham, NY, Kari Black was formerly an executive with one of America’s leading apparel companies.  When she realized that her passion was to teach, Kari enrolled in one course with Dr. Nancy Brown, now Dean of the Graduate School.  She quickly realized that she found her calling.  A full-time graduate student and the single mother of two young daughters, Kari somehow found the time to volunteer at the Sunday school at her local Episcopal Church.  After serving as a kindergarten and first grade teacher, she is now co-superintendent of the entire church school program. Kari looks forward to receiving her certification to teach grades 2-6 and has a very strong interest in focusing on the critical pre-teen years for girls.

Rebecca Johnson (January 2004, School of New Resources)
A former fashion model and Harlem resident, Rebecca was working at a health care company several years ago when she realized that getting a college degree was essential to moving ahead in her field.  Currently enrolled at the Rosa Parks campus in Harlem, Rebecca helped organize and implement a successful fundraiser in 2002 for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.  She created a Harlem-based organization specifically to provide logistical support in the planning process for “Women of Spirit,” a reception and panel discussion to celebrate and honor prominent female leaders in the African-American community.  This event also included helpful information about the prevention and treatment of ovarian cancer.  Rebecca’s goal is to become a professional writer and public speaker.

Julie Rivera (May 2003, School of Nursing)
Julie takes her responsibilities as a registered nurse very seriously.  She is receiving the Serviam Award for her leadership role in a project undertaken with the Nurses Network of America (NNA) to promote safe medication use among senior citizens at the Richard J. Daronco Townhouse in Pelham, NY.  The project was so well received that Julie and her team have been invited to be an ongoing resource for the senior citizen community residing in Pelham.  Julie also volunteers in many other NNA health education promotions and fundraising initiatives.


The first Catholic college for women in New York State, The College of New Rochelle was founded in 1904 by the Ursuline Order. Today, it comprises the all-women School of Arts & Sciences, and three schools which admit women and men: the School of New Resources (for adult learners), the School of Nursing and the Graduate School.  The main campus of the College is located in lower Westchester County, 16 miles north of New York City.  The College maintains six other campus locations in New York City. Visit the College’s website at www.cnr.edu.


                                    # # #