Taking Charge - Amazon Web Services · Michigan. Shapiro served as Princeton University’s 18th...

ALSO INSIDE:� Student Profile: John Kurzenberger

Delivering for UPS

� Commencement 2009

� The Grande Ball 2009

TakingCharge

Lt. Bradley Brezinski ’04

Invention is published byThomas Edison State College

DR.GEORGEA. PRUITTPresident

JOE GUZZARDOEditor

CHRIS MILLERArt Director

KELLY SACCOMANNOLINDA SOLTISContributors

W I N T E R 2 0 1 0

2 4 8

Contents

1 Message from the President

College News:

2 � School of Nursing Launches Online Databaseof Minority Nurse Educators

3 � College Receives $250,000 Federal Grant to Accelerate Developmentof Mobile Learning Initiative

4 37thAnnual Commencement

8 Feature:

� Taking Charge: Lt. Bradley Brezinski ’04

12 Student Profile:

� John Kurzenberger: Delivering for UPS

14 The Grande Ball 2009

16 Applause, Applause:

� Alumni News

12

Cover Story:8Lt. Bradley Brezinski '04

Radiation Safety Officer, Naval Submarine Base New London,posing with the propeller of the USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571),

the Navy’s first nuclear-powered submarine.

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Sincerely,

Dr. George A. PruittPresident

M E S S AG E F RO M T H EPRE S IDENT

Dear Alumni, Students and Friends,The Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner said, “Always dream andshoot higher than you know you can do. Don’t bother just to be better than yourcontemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.”

This issue of Invention focuses on Thomas Edison State College graduateLt. Brad Brezinski, ’04 and Thomas Edison State College student JohnKurzenberger, both of whom embody this sentiment.

In our cover story, Brezinski, a radiation health officer stationed at the NavalSubmarine Base New London in Connecticut, tells us how Thomas Edison StateCollege helped launch a naval career he could not have imagined as a high schoolstudent growing up outside Cincinnati, Ohio. Today, Brezinski oversees morethan 500 occupational radiation workers and three squadrons of 17 nuclearpowered submarines. He also serves as the Navy’s primary liaison for radiationhealth matters with Electric Boat, the General Dynamics subsidiary that designsand constructs submarines for the Navy.

Also in this issue, Kurzenberger, a transportation administrator at the UPS SupplyChain Solutions Center in Newark, Del., explains how Thomas Edison StateCollege is allowing him to complete his degree while managing his career andserving his community.

We also see images and stories from the 37th Annual Commencement Ceremony,which was held in October and attracted nearly 400 graduates. Coverage ofCommencement begins on Page 4.

In this issue, we also celebrate our annual Grande Ball, one of the signature eventssponsored by the Thomas Edison State College Foundation. Nearly 300 guestsattended the event, which honored our 2009 Spirit of Edison Award recipients,Greg Milzcik ’94, president and CEO of Barnes Group Inc., and Amy B.Mansue,president and CEO of Children’s Specialized Hospital of New Jersey.

We are honored to serve and work with individuals like those featured in this issue.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Invention.

INVENTION | WINTER 2010 1

C O L L E G ENEWS

School of Nursing Launches Online Databaseof Minority Nurse Educators

The national database, the only oneof its kind currently in the country,includes 52 experienced nurse edu-cators who have each completed theSchool of Nursing’s online MinorityNurse Educator certification pro-gram. The program includes a20-week Certificate in DistanceEducation Program (CDEP) atThomas Edison State College and a12-week mentored online teaching

experience at the College under theguidance of an experienced onlinenurse educator.

“Many nursing schools throughoutthe country have worked success-fully to increase the diversity of their

student populations, but thereremains a shortage of minoritynursing faculty to serve as role mod-els for students,” said Dr. Susan M.O’Brien, dean of the School ofNursing at Thomas Edison StateCollege. “We hope nursing school

deans and other administrators findthis new database useful in increas-ing diversity at their institutionsand, ultimately, enabling morestudents to benefit from moreculturally diverse educators, which

will enhance their overall educationand improves the care they provideto society.”

The nurse educators currently in thedatabase come from 24 states acrossthe country and represents ethnici-ties such as African American,Asian American, Latino, NativeAmerican and Pacific Islander.Educators in the database haveagreed to be shared by various insti-tutions in order to increase diversityat nursing schools nationwide.

The creation of the database is thefinal requirement of a 2005 grantthe School of Nursing receivedfrom the U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services,Health Resources and ServicesAdministration (HRSA) to recruitand prepare minority nurseeducators in online education anddevelop a collaborative network ofdiverse nurse faculty members toenhance nursing programsnationwide. In 2008, HRSArenewed the grant to the School ofNursing to expand the minoritynurse educator program. Each year,new educators will be added to thedatabase as they complete theprogram.

The grant was awarded byHRSA’s Nurse Education, Practice,and Retention Program, Division ofNursing, Bureau of Health Profes-sions. Eligible nurse educatorsinterested in the programmay [email protected] database is accessible atwww.tesc.edu/nursingdiversity.

The School of Nursing at Thomas Edison State Collegehas launched an online database of minority nurseeducators, who have been certified in online teaching,which is available free to nursing schools across the countryinterested in increasing diversity at their institutions andhiring these educators as adjunct faculty.

2 INVENTION | WINTER 2010

Presenters and participants from the 2009 Diversity in Nursing Lectureship, sponsored by the Schoolof Nursing.


C O L L E G ENEWS

Thomas Edison State College hasrecently received a two-year, $250,000federal grant that will be used toaccelerate the deployment of a newcourse delivery system that utilizescloud computing technologies and isdesigned to increase access andminimize technical issues for adultsearning a college degree.

The grant, awarded by the U.S. De-partment of Education’s Fund for theImprovement of Postsecondary Edu-cation (FIPSE), will enable theCollege to develop 40 courses over thenext two years that will be deliveredentirely via flash drives that containsimilar structure and functionality of

the College’s typical 12-week, asyn-chronous online courses, but withoutthe need for a constant online con-nection. For these new courses,students will need an Internet con-nection only to submit assignmentsand participate in online discussions.The remainder of course work can becompleted offline.

“This grant enables us to make ourcourses and degree programs morereadily accessible to students inlocations all over the world, even

where broadband Internet access islimited, including remote rural areasin the United States, in the MiddleEast and on ships at sea,” said Dr.George A. Pruitt, president ofThomas Edison State College.

The College launched its firstgeneration of flash drive-basedcourses, known as FlashTrack™courses, in spring 2009. They aredesigned for independent learners andprepare students to take a pass or failexamination without an Internetconnection. The FIPSE grant willenable the College to develop thesecond generation of its flash drive-based courses and help the College

begin to develop courses using cloudcomputing technologies,which utilizeservers in a load-sharing fashion thathouse all course content andmaterialsrequired to complete the courses.Thiswill change how the College designsits courses and will ultimately lead toa new, platform-independent coursedelivery system that enables theCollege to offer entire courses inmoreformats.

For example, through the new system,a course like Introduction to

Entrepreneurship would have the samecontent, general structure andmaterials, regardless of whether astudent takes it as an asynchronousonline course with discussion boardsand class interactions; takes it as anindependent study course orexamination program,where studentshave no interaction with otherlearners; has the course deliveredentirely on a flash drive, secure digital(SD) card or other removable storage

device; or has the course delivered to asmartphone or other Web-enableddevice.

Dr.Henry van Zyl, the College’s viceprovost of Directed IndependentAdult Learning, is directing the effortand said the grant helps the Collegeto take course delivery to a new level.

“I think what we are doing isrevolutionizing course deliverymethods in higher education,” hesaid.“We are going to be able to reach

College Receives $250,000 FederalGrant to Accelerate Developmentof Mobile Learning Initiative

”“ This grant enables us to make our courses and degree programsmore readily accessible to students in locations all over the world, even where

broadband Internet access is limited, including remote rural areas in theUnited States, in the Middle East and on ships at sea.

(continued on Page 16)

hen it comes to milestones, Peg Ugolickcornered the market for the month ofOctober in 2009. In the first three weeks ofthe month, she turned 60, celebrated her

40th wedding anniversary and received her collegediploma at Thomas Edison State College’s 37th AnnualCommencement in Trenton, N.J., after more than 20years of pursuing her education.

“Attending Commencement fell right between two bigevents in my life,” said Ugolick, a payroll, pension andbenefits coordinator for the Moorestown Board ofEducation. “Just like in my dreams, I finally walkedforward to receive my college diploma. What a ride it hasbeen!”

That ride started in 1988, when she first enrolled atBurlington County College. Ugolick juggled going toclass while raising four children and working full time.She earned her associate degree in 1995. Even thoughwork and caring for her family kept Ugolick busy, shemanaged to return to school in 2006 when she enrolled atThomas Edison State College.

“The College’s distance-learning format afforded me theopportunity to continue with my family and workresponsibilities while earning college credits,” saidUgolick, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberalstudies.

She said support from her family helped her finish theonline courses, which demanded a different type of focusthan classroom-based courses.

“The online program is hard work that requires disciplineand determination,” she said. “My husband, our childrenand 10 grandchildren have cheered me on throughout theentire process. I know my husband’s heart was poundingas hard as mine on Oct. 10. He has walked beside me andheld me up when I was ready to quit. It was quite a ride,but I am glad I did it.”

Approximately 375 graduates from 26 states attended theCommencement ceremony at the War Memorial inTrenton.

Thomas Edison State College’s37th Annual

CommencementW

Peggy Ugolick '09 celebrated a month of milestones in October 2009 when sheturned 60, celebrated her 40th wedding anniversary and received her collegediploma after more than 20 years.



Sarah Finley, MAEdL ’08, of Somerdale, N.J., gave theresponse to the graduates. She reminded her fellowalumni to have hope for a brighter future in the midst ofchallenging times.

“Indeed, we are faced with the daunting decisions of howand where to channel our energies as we move forward,” saidFinley, a science teacher at Gloucester City Junior SeniorHigh School in Gloucester City, N.J., where she also servesas head of the Science Department. “Thomas Edison StateCollege opened a door to future opportunities andadventures for each of us, and we were fortunate to havemade the decision to step through that door. It is nowincumbent upon us to continue the always formidable workof continuing to improve ourselves and, therefore, our world.Never doubt that the world needs your experience!”

In addition, the College awarded three honorary degrees ofDoctor of Humane Letters.

The first was given to Nicholas L. Carnevale, vice presidentof Carnevale Consulting Corporation, who has served onthe College Board ofTrustees since 1995 and on the CollegeFoundation Board of Directors since 1983.

In the Response for Graduates, Sarah Finely MAEdL '09, reminded her fellowclassmates that Thomas Edison State College has opened a door to futureopportunities.

(Continued)

It is now incumbent uponus to continue the always formidable

work of continuing to improveourselves and, therefore, our world.Never doubt that the world needs

your experience!

”“


The College gave honorary degrees to (from left) College Trustee Nicholas L. Carnevale, vice president of Carnevale Consulting Corporation; CollegeTrustee George L. Fricke, former managing director of corporate training at New Jersey Bell; and Dr. Harold T. Shapiro, president emeritus of PrincetonUniversity and the University of Michigan.

37th Annual Commencement (cont’d)

The second was given to George L. Fricke, formermanaging director of corporate training at New JerseyBell, who has served on the College Board of Trusteessince 1989 and represented the College on the Board ofthe New Jersey Association of Colleges and Universities.

The third was given to Dr. Harold T. Shapiro, presidentemeritus of Princeton University and the University ofMichigan. Shapiro served as Princeton University’s 18thpresident, from 1988 through 2001, and currently holds a

faculty appointment as a professor of economics andpublic affairs. Prior to joining Princeton, Shapiro served atthe University of Michigan, where he served on thefaculty for 24 years as professor of economics and publicpolicy, and as president.

The College awarded more than 2,500 degrees in 2009and has awarded more than 34,000 degrees since it beganproviding flexible, high-quality, collegiate learningopportunities for self-directed adults in 1972. �


Amid child-rearing, household responsibilities andserving in the U.S. Navy, the Tompkins have beenpursuing their college degrees on and off together for 20years. Their journey toward finishing their undergraduatedegrees concluded this year at Thomas Edison StateCollege’s 37th Annual Commencement.

“I am a lifetime learner, but have always wanted toaccomplish a goal that was elusive to other members of myfamily – obtaining a college degree,” noted Michelle, whoretired from active duty status and now works as a systemsanalyst with the U.S. Navy. “Being a 48-year-old wife ofan ex-Navy man and a mother of two college-age childrenhas made my life very dynamic.”

She used the College’s Prior Learning Assessment program,Thomas Edison State College courses and transfer credits tocomplete a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.

Her husband is quick to credit the College’s flexibility in

being able to maintain the tempo of a busy life and earninghis Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree.

“Since I was assigned to rotating shifts during most of my12-year Navy enlistment, college courses were few and farbetween,” he said. “Later, I took many classes at a localcommunity college as well as at National University, but,unfortunately, neither had delivery methods that workedfor me as I was required to travel extensively in my job.”

The Tompkins met when both were ocean systemstechnicians stationed overseas during the Cold War. Asparents, Gregory and Michelle said their determination tocomplete their degrees served as good examples for theirtwo children. Their daughter, Genevieve, is a 2008graduate of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., andtheir son, Garrett, is a junior at Christopher NewportUniversity in Newport News, Va. Today, the Tompkinswork remotely for the Space and Naval Warfare SystemsCenter in San Diego, Calif. �

After 25 years of marriage, Michelle Tompkins blissfully approved of the outfit herhusband Gregory chose to wear on Oct. 10. The robe, mortarboard and tassel easilypassed her inspection. It should have. She was wearing the same thing.

Completing their Degrees, Together

When Brad Brezinski realized he was going to becomea father before he graduated high school, playing a keyrole in the development and operation of the U.S.Navy’s submarine fleet was not exactly on his radarscreen. In the early 1990s, he was an honors student, anathlete and an active volunteer at Williamsburg HighSchool, located outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. By thetime Brezinski graduated in 1995, his perspective onlife was completely transformed.

Brezinski’s transformation ultimately led him to theU.S. Navy, and today he is a radiation health officerstationed at the Naval Submarine Base New London inConnecticut. At the base, Brezinski is responsible forthe Navy’s radiation protection program, whichencompasses more than 500 occupational radiationworkers and three squadrons of 17 nuclear poweredsubmarines. He also serves as the Navy’s primaryliaison for radiation health matters with Electric Boat,

TakingCharge

A pessimist sees the difficultyin every opportunity;

an optimist sees the opportunityin every difficulty.

Winston Churchill


the General Dynamics subsidiary that designs andconstructs submarines for the Navy.

“There is no margin for error when you work withnuclear power, especially in the Navy,” said Brezinski.“Planning is essential. Our standards are exacting, sothere is no such thing as being too prepared.”

The base is a long way from Williamsburg, where hehoped to pursue an engineering degree at the University

of Cincinnati after high school. But Brezinski’s lifechanged forever just before the start of his senior year. InAugust of 1994, his daughter, Whitney, was born.

“Just like that, I went from being Brad Brezinski, thescholar/athlete, to being Brad Brezinski, the teenageparent,” he said. “I had such a narrow perspective of theworld at that time, but I realized that I had an importantchoice to make.”

Lt. Bradley Brezinski ’04


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That choice was how to respond to the challenges ofbeing a young parent.

After graduating high school, Brezinski enrolled at theUniversity of Cincinnati and worked two jobs to pay forhis tuition and support his family. Working, going toschool and being a young father proved to be a lot forBrezinski and he began to consider other options.

It was at this time that a Navy recruiter at the Universityof Cincinnati approached Brezinski, based on his ArmedServices Vocational Aptitude Battery Test scores andenthusiasm for the field of science and engineering. Therecruiter encouraged Brezinski to apply to the Navy’sselective Nuclear Power Program.

Brezinski realized the Navy provided him a betteropportunity to support his family while continuing hisengineering studies, so he discussed the idea with the oneperson who always counseled him: his father, Robert.

Brezinski’s father agreed that joining the Navy was a goodplan, so he set a new course for his future.He enlisted andwas accepted into the Nuclear Power Program.

“I realized that you can’t change the way your storybegins, but you have the ability to change how it ends,”

said Brezinski.

After enlisting, Brezinskimarried Whitney’s mother,Kimberly. The couple had asecond child, Clay, who wasborn in 1998. While hisenlistment took him awayfrom his family, it enabledhim to provide for hisyoung family. As a juniorsailor, Brezinski hadmultiple deployments thatput a significant strain onhis marriage. The coupleagreed to have an amicabledivorce, but to remain closeto the children.

Brezinski first learnedabout Thomas EdisonState College when he wasstationed aboard the U.S.S.

Dwight D. Eisenhower and befriended AaronThomlinson ’02. Watching Thomlinson complete hisdegree inspired Brezinski to enroll.

Brezinski completed his Bachelor of Science in AppliedScience and Technology degree in nuclear engineeringtechnology in 2004 and earned an Arnold FletcherAward.

“For any active duty service member, it is almostimpossible to sit in a classroom,” he said. “ThomasEdison State College makes it possible to manage amilitary career and global deployments. You do nothave to put your life on hold to finish your degree.”

Brezinski said a key factor that distinguishes ThomasEdison State College from most other institutions is thevalue it places on the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program.

Most institutions award credit for the Navy’s NuclearPower Program, but require students to apply thatcredit to electives and lower-level degree requirements.Thomas Edison State College enables students to applycredit awarded for its specialized assessment of theNuclear Power Program to their area of study, and tothe physics and chemistry requirements in the nuclear


Brezinski reviews glow curves with Electric Boat's Shannon Morence '08, a fellow graduate of Thomas EdisonState College. Examining glow curves help Electric Boat and the Navy measure radiation exposure of sailorsworking on nuclear submarines.

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engineering technology degree program.

Brezinski said Thomas Edison State College has beeninvaluable to his career, preparing him for the future andhelping him set an example for his children about theimportance of education and reaching their potential.

Shortly after completing his degree, he was selected tothe Navy’s senior enlisted ranks as a chief petty officerin 2005. In 2006, he made the decision to apply to theNavy’s radiation health officer program.He received hiscommission as a lieutenant junior grade in 2007.

Interestingly, approximately 18 of the Navy’s 77 radiationhealth officers are graduates of Thomas Edison StateCollege’s Bachelor of Science in Applied Science andTechnology degree in nuclear engineering technology.

Brezinski continued his education at the graduate level.He earned a Master of Business Administration fromLiberty University as well as an Executive Education

Certificate in Strategy and Innovation from CaseWestern Reserve University and a Graduate Certificatein Project Management from Boston University, wherehe is currently finishing a Master of Science inManagement degree.

Brezinski remarried in 2003. He and his wife, Laura,have two young children, Evan and Ella, and currentlylive in Colchester, Conn.

“I owe a tremendous amount to Laura,” said Brezinski.“Her selfless support and encouragement has allowedme to reach for higher levels of personal andprofessional achievement.”

In 2008, Brezinski lost another key supporter in lifewhen his father passed away.He said his father watchedhim and helped him transform from a teenage parent toa naval officer.

In March 2009, Brezinski established the Robert E.Brezinski Foundation in memory of his father. Thefoundation provides funding and assistance to the poor,distressed and underprivileged.

When he thinks about his life, Brezinski said he oftenrecalls how one life-changing event in 1994 helpeddefine who he has become.

“One of my favorite quotes from Winston Churchill is,‘A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; anoptimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty,” hesaid. �

Brezinski with his father, Robert E. Brezinski

Brezinski’s oldest children,Whitney and Clay

Brezinski’s wife, Laura, and their two children, Evan and Ella

11


Delivering for UPS

John Kurzenberger knew he had to sacrifice something from his busy scheduleto find time to complete his bachelor’s degree, and he was determined to make it work.


s an avid reader, active volunteer, fatherand husband, his solution would involvetrading Steinbeck for Social Gerontology.

“For me, the only available time I had to trade was thelittle time I was devoting to reading for enjoyment,late at night or on weekends,” recalled Kurzenberger,a transportation administrator at the UPS SupplyChain Solutions Center in Newark,Del. “Eventually,I decided it was worth an attempt at exchangingthose precious leisure periods for course work relatedto completing my BA degree in sociology.”

Once Kurzenberger made that decision, the restbegan to click. As a UPS employee, he said theprocess of qualifying and investigating the bestcollege was easier than it might have been if he hadnot been employed by the company.

“Thomas Edison State College was listed as a UPSpartner and I believed, correctly, that thisrelationship would save me the legwork of searchingand comparing,” said Kurzenberger. “Completing anapplication, obtaining my previous transcript forevaluation of transfer credits and signing up for theeducational reimbursement benefit offered by UPSwas easy and pain-free.”

Kurzenberger said the next step was working with anacademic advisor at the College early in the process,who helped him identify the required courses for hisdegree requirements.

“The flexibility offered by Thomas Edison StateCollege in the various types of class formats as wellas the convenient start schedules are a tremendousadvantage to me in choosing how to allocate mytime and still meet the demands of school, work,family and community involvements,” he said.

Kurzenberger is not alone among UPS employeesattending Thomas Edison State College. Sincejoining the UPS educational network in 2005,Thomas Edison State College has earned the fifth

highest enrollment out of UPS employees who usethe company’s tuition programs currently to attendone of approximately 2,000 colleges and universitiesthroughout the country.

Patrick Myers, corporate compensation managerresponsible for UPS Tuition Assistance Programs,said the College enables UPS to provide itsemployees with quality educational programs thatwork around the needs of a global, 24-hourorganization.

“Quality and flexibility are critical to ourorganization, and that is what Thomas Edison StateCollege provides our people,” he said. “We have beenable to customize an operations managementcurriculum that leverages UPS training and can leadto degree completion for our employees, which canultimately lead to professional growth within theorganization.”

In 2008, the College evaluated the company’s HubSupervisor Training School for college-level credit.Employees who complete the training program canearn up to 9 credits toward either an undergraduatecertificate in Operations Management or an associateor bachelor’s degree from the College.

Kurzenberger said the College has enabled him tomanage his professional and personal responsibilities,and continue serving the community.

Kurzenberger, who lives in Newcastle, Del., with hiswife, Renée, and their two sons, has been a volunteerfor both Delaware Hospice and the nonprofitliteracy organization, Read Aloud Delaware, forabout 10 years.

“Although I still have a way to go, I am thrilled thatI made the decision to find a few hours each week tocontinue my education,” he said. “It has been one ofthe best decisions I have made. I feel this experiencehas made me a more valuable employee of UPS.” �

A

Completing an application, obtaining my previous transcript forevaluation of transfer credits and signing up for the educationalreimbursement benefit offered by UPS was easy and pain-free.“ ”


Nearly 300 guests helped the Thomas EdisonState College Foundation honor twooutstanding individuals and raise moneyfor Thomas Edison State College at its

annual Grande Ball, which was held at Marriott Hotelat Forrestal in Princeton, N.J., on Nov. 7.

The black tie gala event raised approximately $116,000for Thomas Edison State College and honored twodistinguished individuals for their accomplishments atthe College and in the community with Spirit ofEdison awards, which recognize community leadersand alumni whose spirit reflect the pioneering genius ofThomas Alva Edison.

This year’s honorees included:

Greg Milzcik ’94, president and CEO of Barnes GroupInc., recipient of the 2009 Spirit of EdisonDistinguished Alumnus Award.

Amy B. Mansue, president and CEO of Children’sSpecialized Hospital of New Jersey, recipient of the2009 Spirit of Edison Community Leader Award.

Dr. George A. Pruitt, president of Thomas EdisonState College, said this year’s honorees exemplify thecommitment to innovation, concern for the public goodand spirit associated with the mission of ThomasEdison State College and the inventor for whom theschool is named.

“We are honored to recognize individuals of suchtremendous distinction this year,” said Pruitt. “BothGreg and Amy embody the commitment to innovation,concern for public good and spirit of excellenceassociated with the mission of Thomas Edison StateCollege and its namesake.”

Grande Ballthe 2009THOMAS EDISON STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION HONORS

GREG MILZCIK ’94 AND AMY B. MANSUE


Milzcik’s journey began in the blue collarindustrial town of Chicopee, Mass. His parentsdied when he was young and due to the

circumstances this created, he developed an independentand determined nature.

Milzcik’s work history began at age 14, when he took afull-time job at night. School work took a back seat toearning money, however, and his grades suffered. As highschool graduation approached, he had no concept of acareer. Milzcik’s guidance counselor discouraged anythoughts of his going to the local community collegetelling him that “college may not be right for you.”

After testing particularly well onthe Armed Services Aptitude test,he joined the U.S. Marine Corpsand benefited greatly from thediscipline and focus. After beingdischarged from initial active duty,Milzcik remained in the reservesand found a job as a machinist.

He knew he would need to makeup for his poor high schoolshowing, so he immersed himselfin literature and historicalnonfiction. Milzcik taught himselfalgebra at work on the back ofdiscarded blue prints while hismachine was running. Soon, he began attending collegenights. Initially, jealous of the regular day students, hediscovered an advantage to combining work with school.College gave his active mind the challenge he sought,while striving to compete at work provided the incentive.

However, going to college nights was not easy. Canceledcourses, course schedule conflicts, transfer creditrestrictions and long delays for required courses createdsignificant difficulties in completing a degree.

When Milzcik foundThomas Edison State College, it wasa perfect solution for his goals. He banked credits from fivedifferent colleges to finish his BSAST. Milzcik’s thirst foreducation pushed him to complete graduate programs atCambridge College and Harvard University beforeearning a doctorate from Case Western Reserve University.

He became a firm believer in lifelong learning as the keyto success. While pursuing his education at night, he wassimultaneously working on a career that was aided by hisincreasingly broad education and credentials.

Appointed to lead the nation’s largest pediatricrehabilitation hospital in September 2003, Mansueis a highly regarded healthcare executive, a skillful

leader and a long-time advocate for quality healthcare.

As president and CEO of Children’s SpecializedHospital, she provides leadership to an extremely skilledteam of clinicians providing specialized care for children.An affiliate member of the Robert Wood Johnson HealthSystem, Children’s Specialized Hospital operates eightsites throughout New Jersey and served 16,500 patients in2008. The hospital provides a full range of pediatricrehabilitative services including the PSE&G Children’s

Specialized Hospital providinginpatient rehabilitation in NewBrunswick, and long term careservices in their Mountainside andToms Rivers facilities.

The sites also offer a wide range ofservices including early intervention,outpatient therapy and physicianservices, medical day care, a schoolfor children with severe disabilitiesand have centers of excellence inbrain injury, spinal cord dysfunction,educational and rehabilitation tech-nology, respiratory care andambulatory services.

Under Mansue’s leadership, Children’s SpecializedHospital was named by NJ BIZ as the Number One “BestPlace to Work” in 2008 and ranked in the top 100 besthealthcare employers in the U.S. by Modern Healthcare.

In her public sector career, Mansue oversaw programs forchildren, people with developmental disabilities, mentalhealth and Medicaid as a deputy commissioner in the NewJersey Department of Human Services. She served asdeputy chief of staff to Gov. James McGreevey and apolicy advisor to Gov. Jim Florio.

In 1998, Modern Healthcare magazine named Mansue asone of its up and coming healthcare executives and NJBIZ named her as one of the top 40 executives under theage of 40. She has been honored by numerous nonprofitorganizations for her work on healthcare reform and forhelping to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Mansue presently serves on the boards of the New JerseyHospital Association, the New Jersey Chamber ofCommerce and the National Association of Children’s

GregMilzcik ’ 94 and Amy B.Mansue with Dr. GeorgePruitt at the Grande Ball 2009.

(continued on next page) (continued on next page)

Greg Milzcik ‘942009 Spirit of Edison Distinguished Alumnus Award

Amy B. Mansue2009 Spirit of Edison Community Leader Award

16 INVENTION WINTER 2010

A P P L AU S EAPPLAUSE

Keith Ambersley BSBA ’95, MSM ’04Keith Ambersley is in the process of publishing his first book, which isa resource to help unemployed Americans to thrive financially duringthe current economic downturn.

Tsvi Bisk BA ’85Tsvi Bisk is the director of the Center for Strategic Futurist Thinking and isthe contributing editor for Strategic Thinking for the Futuristmagazine,where he has published several articles on energy strategy. His mostrecent book is entitled The Optimistic Jew: A Positive Vision for theJewish People in the 21st Century.

Brian Bovyn BSHS ’08Brian Bovyn, CEM, emergency services supervisor for the ManchesterNew Hampshire Police Department, was recently selected toparticipate as assessor team leader for an onsite pilot EmergencyManagement Accreditation Program (EMAP) assessment of the U.S.Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Bovyn led the seven-memberEMAP assessor team on the onsite review of the U.S. VHA inWashington, D.C., in July 2009. EMAP is an independentnongovernmental organization based out of Lexington, Ky., thatmaintains the industry EMAP Standard. The team reviews thecandidate’s policies, procedures and other key documentation, alongwith conducting key staff interviews and onsite observations, and thenwrites up their findings in support of EMAP industry standardcompliance. There are 103 EMAP standards and sub-standards, whichare reviewed by the team. A review by an EMAP assessor team isvoluntary and a reviewed program may use the onsite evaluation toseek national EMAP accreditation for its emergency managementprogram. Currently 24 state and local emergency managementprograms have achieved EMAP accreditation.

Juana Cantador BA ’01Juana Cantador moved from New Jersey to Georgia in 2001 andenrolled at Madison University to pursue a Master of Arts degree anda doctorate degree, both in psychology. In 2006, she graduated fromher doctoral program cum laude.

Harold Coghlan Montero BSAST ’85Harold Coghlan Montero was selected by the Birmingham RegionalChamber of Commerce as the Small Business Person of the Year(Category 1). Additionally, he was a finalist in the selection ofMinority Business of the Year 2009 by the Birmingham BusinessJournal. Coghlan Montero runs a small aviation management andair charter company in Alabama.

Heather DeConde BA ’98Heather DeConde, who has been teaching art for 10 years at LakeRiviera Middle School in Brick, N.J., is the recipient of the Art Educatorsof New Jersey’s (AENJ) Middle School Art Teacher of the Year award for

College Receives $250,000Federal Grant to AccelerateDevelopment of Mobile LearningInitiative (continued from Page 3)

a level of flexibility and access that is unprecedented, and thatgoes beyond recreating the online experience in an offlinesetting.”

Just as important to access, van Zyl said that the platform-independent system is expected to help eliminatemost of thetechnical glitches that students taking online coursesexperience, such as those caused by upgrades to learningmanagement systems and software compatibility issues.

Van Zyl said the new system will be “operating systemagnostic” and will work as well with PCs as it does withApples, regardless of the computers’ operating systems.

“In addition to delivering the entire course and all materialsto our students in the format they prefer, our new platformwill provide access to all of the software required to completethe course,” he said. “Using multiple servers with majorredundancies, we expect downtime to be greatly reduced.” �

Greg Milzcik ‘94 (continued from Page 15)2009 Spirit of Edison Distinguished Alumnus Award

Amy B. Mansue (continued from Page 15)2009 Spirit of Edison Community Leader Award

Leveraging his love of aerospace, Milzcik held aprogression of technical and management positions at aseries of leading aerospace companies.The most recent wasvice president and general manager of InternationalOperations for Lockheed Martin Aircraft and LogisticsCenters followed by a series of executive positions atBarnes Group Inc. culminating in his ascent to the positionof Barnes Group CEO in 2006. �

Hospitals’ Public Policy Council. She has been widelyrecognized by organizations for her work to improve thelives of people with disabilities.

Mansue received her bachelor’s degree in social welfareand master’s degree in social work, planning andmanagement from the University of Alabama. She livesin Hightstown, N.J. �

2009. Furthermore, DeConde loves inspiring fellow art teachers byteaching art workshops at the AENJ conventions and volunteering hertime as a co-chair at this year’s Ocean County YAM (Youth Art Month)Art show. In the past, DeConde has been awarded Teacher of the Yearby her district and has won many art contests, including her favorite,the Kellogg’s Rice Crispy Sculpture Contest, and grants for her school.The money is spent on art supplies for her free after school artenrichment classes. DeConde noted, “Art should be available toeveryone who wants the chance to express themselves...especiallymiddle school children. I try to create art assignments that really speakto my students and make them excited to come to class!” DeCondeadded that she could not have done it with out the love and supportof her husband, Dave, daughter, Daniella, and son, David.

Silvia Dukes ASM ’98, BSBA ’01Silvia Dukes was awarded the designation of Certified InternationalProperty Specialist (CIPS) by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®(NAR), which recognizes members who have achieved the necessarytraining and experience to work successfully with international clients andproperties. To earn the CIPS designation, REALTORS® (NAR members’designation) complete rigorous course work devoted to learning culturaldifferences and international business practices as well as proveachievement in international real estate transactions. Dukes joins adistinguished society of more than 1,600 real estate professionalsworldwide who have earned this designation. “This is a highly prestigiousaward in our industry,” said Barbara Schmerzler, CIPS, NAR InternationalOperations committee chair. Dukes also is a member of the TransnationalReferral Network through the International Consortium of Real EstateAssociations and holds the At Home with Diversity Certification. She is aREALTOR® with Tropic Shores Realty in Spring Hill, Fla.

Deborah L. Edmonson BA ’07Deborah L. Edmonson is planning to further her education bybecoming a LVN (licensed vocational nurse). She began her nexteducational journey in November 2009.

Mildred Purcell Fritz BSN ’04Mildred Purcell Fritz, a school nurse, received a Master of Science inNursing and Health Education degree from St. Joseph’s College ofMaine.

Delgratia D. Greene-Robinson BA ’08Delgratia D. Greene-Robinson is in the process of completing herdoctoral dissertation on humanitarian violence against children. Shealso began her practicum working with offenders in California.Greene-Robinson anticipates graduating with her doctorate degree in2012 after completing her internship for the California School ofForensic Psychology at Alliant International University in IrvineCalifornia under the direction of Dr. Eric Hickey.

Dr. John T. Hill BSHS ’91Dr. John T. Hill recently published his fourth textbook, Directed PolicePatrol: And Other Service-Driven Policing Strategies (2ndedition, Pearson Publishing, Boston, Mass.). Hill serves as an associateprofessor of criminal justice at Salt Lake Community College in Utah.

Jennett Ingrassia AASRT ’02, BSAST ’05Jennett Ingrassia received a Master of Science in Radiologic Sciences(MSRS) degree from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls,Texas, in December 2008. This is one of only three colleges in thecountry to offer this type of master’s degree. Currently Ingrassia is anassistant professor in the Radiologic Technology and Medical ImagingDepartment at New York City College of Technology of the CityUniversity of New York.

Patricia A. Martinelli MAPS ’03Patricia A. Martinelli is looking forward to the release of her next truecrime book, Rain of Bullets, in February 2010. On Nov. 17, 1950, aGloucester County New Jersey man named Ernest Ingenito shot andkilled five of his in-laws during a domestic violence dispute. The book,based on court records and Ingenito’s personal papers, relates whathappened that night and the trials that followed.

Pete Mazzaroni ASPSS ’92, BSHS ’95Pete Mazzaroni, the manager of public affairs at Roche Carolina,recently earned a Master of Science in Administration (MSA) degreefrom Central Michigan University.

Melody McBeth BA ’08Melody McBeth has been named the director of AdvancementServices at the Mercersburg Academy, a preparatory boarding schoolin south-central Pennsylvania. McBeth credits the possession of herThomas Edison State College BA as the pivotal factor in herappointment. Without the degree, the search for a new directorwould have quickly become external, noted McBeth, who nowdirectly leads a team of five members, while providing guidance andassistance to the entire alumni and development office as theMercersburg Academy embarks on a new campaign. McBeth liveswith her husband and two children in Scotland, Pa.

Virginia Pendleton BA ’08Virginia (Landow) Pendleton married Joel Blaine Pendleton on July 4,2009.

Robert Schwenck BSAST ’08Robert Schwenck is the vice president of the company Wired 2 Save,LLC. The company is a tenant of the Burlington County Small BusinessIncubator and a member of the Burlington County Chamber ofCommerce.


continued on back cover

Michael J. Semones ASAST ’89Michael J. Semones was recently presented with the distinguished2009 Transportation Safety Professional of the Year Award by theAmerican Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). Semones was recognizedfor his lifelong dedication to the safety profession, his involvement inASSE affairs, his promotion of the safety profession to local collegestudents and his educational presentations at ASSE ProfessionalDevelopment Conferences. Semones noted, “I am always willing toassist anyone who can benefit from my safety expertise.”

Patti Sherlock BA ’00Patti Sherlock’s memoir, A Dog for AllSeasons, will be published in April 2010 bySt. Martin’s Press, New York. The author’sworking relationship with her Border Collie,Duncan, got her through the ups and downsof 16 years on a sheep farm in Idaho. Duncanwas her unwavering companion through thedestruction of her marriage, her childreninevitably leaving home one by one and, eventually, her decision tostop raising sheep. The book is a reflection on beginning and endingsand the cycle of seasons in all of our lives. The memoir is the author'ssixth book. Sherlock has written two other nonfiction books for adultsand three novels for young adults.

Rodney Stone AA ’07, BSAST ’95Rodney Stone, who recently completed two graduate courses toward amaster’s degree program at the University of Oklahoma, explained thatit was his experience at Thomas Edison State College that made all thedifference. He noted, “Thementors were very knowledgeable and currentwith information in their profession. I am making plans to enroll inadditional classes through Thomas Edison State College once I returnfrom deployment. Thomas Edison State College is absolutely the best!”

Lenore Villavecchia AA ’03Lenore Villavecchia obtained a Bachelor of Nursing degree from theUniversity of Dundee, U.K., in 2008.

James Voorhies BSAST ’03James Voorhies recently passed the Board of Certified SafetyProfessionals examination. Currently employed by SM StollerCorporation as a health and safety manager, Voorhies noted, “Thankyou Thomas Edison State College for helping to set my career in theright direction.”

Richard R. Zientek AA ’73Richard R. Zientek, who received a BA degree in publicadministration from St. Thomas University in Florida in 1984, retiredfrom the U.S. Coast Guard as a chief warrant officer. Currentlyresiding in Lakewood, Colo., he is on a mission to visit every state inthe United States.


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