"Isn't this fabulous!" With those words, President Jeremy Travis described the 2009 Alumni Reunion held in March. Enthusiastic school spirit permeated the lively atmosphere as more than 300 alumni returned to their alma mater to reconnect with their College and friends. They came from all eras to reminisce, network and enjoy a jovial evening with others who share this common bond – John Jay College. Urging alumni to become mentors, to become active in the alumni association and to participate in the life of the College, Travis told the crowd, "We have 14,500 students currently attending John Jay. Each of them looks to you as their future. Each of them needs to hear from you about what life is like after attending John Jay." Alumni Association President Michael McCann asked alumni to volunteer at student development events and reminded alums to consider John Jay students for internships and jobs.

Among the attendees were:

* Joe Guilinello (BA '73, MPA '76), who after attending an alumni event in Staten Island, came back for the reunion to connect with old friends. After a career with the Health and Hospitals Corporation, he is now a professor at St. John's University in the homeland security program.

* Teresa Demeo (BA/MA '84) noted, "Everything I've done in my life, especially my four years at John Jay, prepared me for what I'm doing now." Currently, she is the Principal Administrative Law Judge for New York Unemployment and a new mom having recently adopted a little girl.

* Odetta Fraser, who received her master's in forensic psychology in 2005 noted that her degree "absolutely helped" in her career. She's a psychologist for the NYS Office of Children and Family Services where she works in a juvenile detention facility for young girls - a job she loves.

* Michelle Smith, who graduated in 1995 with a bachelor's in forensic psychology, is now studying for her master's and working with adults who are developmentally disabled.

* Joseph Welter, who graduated in 1986, was "delighted" to be back at the College after 20 years. While a student, he was editor of the student newspaper, LEX. He now lives in Buffalo and is a civil litigation lawyer.

* Robert Evans (BA '92) gets to work with a number of John Jay alumni at the U.S. Marshals Service in the Eastern District of New York. "If it weren't for the terrific internship and co-op programs at the College, I would not have this job," he notes.

* Howard Brewer (BS '79) says he "is aspiring to be an aspiring actor." He has appeared in the movies Duplicity, Enchanted and The Hoax. Next fall he will be seen in Old Dogs.

* Stephen D'Andrilli (BS '74, MPA ‘79) is now the Dean at the High School of Graphic Communication Arts in Manhattan

* Lorna Reid (BA ‘94) is a global compliance analyst for Schering-Plough and a motivational speaker for Heaven Sent.




Michael McCann (far left) and President Travis (far right) marked the occasion with the presentation of the 2009 Distinguished Alumnus award to Anthony J. Lamberti (BS '78, JD) (second from the left) who is highlighted in this month's Alumni Spotlight. The Endowed Alumni Scholarship was awarded to Joseph Onwu (fourth from the left) who is featured in this month's Student Highlights. The 2009 Distinguished Faculty Award was given to Professor Karen Kaplowitz (center) of the English Department who is also President of the Faculty Senate at John Jay and a member of the Executive Committee of the University Faculty Senate of CUNY. Kaplowitz, who has been teaching at the College since 1972, has been instrumental in bringing back liberal arts majors that were sacrificed during the fiscal crisis of the mid 70s in order to keep the school open. She told the audience, "Every day that you contribute your knowledge and expertise to society...every day that you tell your John Jay story, you insure that our College's future is strong and great."

Also honored at the reunion were:

The success of the 2009 Alumni Reunion is in no small measure a result of many alumni employees of the College who enthusiastically volunteered for myriad duties ranging from registration through reporting. We extend our heartfelt thanks to:

Yvette Brickhouse BA '07; Yolanda Casillas BS'94; Isabelle Curro BS'84; Peter Dodenhoff BA'73; Anila Duro BA'05; Terrence Harrris AS'91, BA '92, MPA'95; Jean Louis BA'05, MPA '08; Yvonne Purdie MPA'98; Kymberli Roberts BA'06; Marie Rosen BS '82; Michael Scaduto BS'04; Johnny Taveras BA'90 along with his wife, Jacqueline BS '89; Janet Winter BS'80; and Paul Wyatt MPA'85.

                          Jerylle Kemp, Director of Alumni Relations

One of the highlights of the 2009 Alumni Reunion was the awarding of the 2010 John Jay Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship made possible through the generous support of our graduates. The scholarship provides financial support of approximately $4,000 annually to a highly qualified sophomore. The latest recipient is Joseph Onwu. Growing up in Nigeria, Onwu believed that graduating from high school would be the major educational accomplishment of his life. He came to live in the Bronx and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School. He was admitted to John Jay in 2007. Achieving a 3.66 GPA in his first semester, Onwu was inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society for first year students. This Dean's List student is also very much involved in the life of the College. In spring 2008, Onwu was elected Freshman Representative to the Student Council as well as Secretary of the African Students' Association. As one of his professors noted, "He was one of the very best students I have taught at John Jay...His attitude toward learning, along with his clear interest in his fellow students speaks well of [his] involvement in the community that is John Jay College." Onwu is majoring in government with minors in history and English. He intends to apply to law school and looks forward to a future as a lawmaker in Nigeria.