Spotlight on: Nelson Nirenberg
Director, MSU Symphony Orchestra
Director, Orchestral and Conducting
Studies Program
It's not easy keeping up with Nelson Nirenberg. When he's not traveling around the world conducting symphony orchestras, he can be found in McEachern Recital Hall bringing out the best of students' musical abilities. Nirenberg has been conducting for 27 years with a career spanning Europe, Israel and the Americas.
This spring Nirenberg traveled to Brazil where he was bestowed with the Highest Commendation Award from the City Council by the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro. Nirenberg, who was born in Rio, said, "It was a very touching moment to be recognized by my own city." Even though his roots stem from Brazil, Nirenberg views himself as an "earthian." He says, "I consider myself a person of the world."
As a result of the trip, the Provost of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro visited Montclair State in May and met with MSU President Susan A. Cole, Provost Richard Lynde, School of the Arts Dean Geoffrey Newman, Global Education Center Director Marina Cunningham and International Studies Director Ben Hadis. Later that month, the wife of Rio de Janeiro's former mayor visited Nirenberg on campus and toured the School of the Arts facilities.
It was an invitation by his good friend Mehli Mehta, founder of the American Youth Symphony Orchestra and father of famed conductor Zubin Mehta, that brought Nirenberg to Los Angeles this summer to conduct a concert with the orchestra celebrating Mehta's 85th birthday. The concert was broadcast on Classic Arts Television Showcase and seen coast to coast and in several countries via satellite. "It is something very special to be seen in so many different places," said Nirenberg. "People in Florida, Los Angeles and Chicago called me to say they saw the performance."
Last month Nirenberg conducted the Chamber Orchestra of New Jersey in a concert celebrating Brazil's National Date. The event took place in the Rutgers-Newark Museum of Art. "It was packed and I received a standing ovation," said Nirenberg. "I learned that Gov. Christine Whitman complimented the governor of Rio for the success of my conducting performance."
The program included music of Brazilian composers from the last two centuries including Alberto Nepomuceno, Francisco Mignone and Villa-Lobos. Attending by invitation of the Consul-General of Brazil were Ambassador Flavio Perry and the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce.
Nirenberg recently received the Global Education Award from the Global Education Center and was invited to be a jury member of the National Chamber Music Competition in Rio de Janeiro. From there he will go to Los Angeles where he will deliver a speech about orchestral conducting and will conduct the opening concert of the season with the Culver City Chamber Orchestra.
This year's Homecoming promises to be a blast!
Get ready for Homecoming '99 as this year's theme, "A Blast to the Past," promises to send everyone for a fun trip back in time.
The festivities begin Friday at noon in front of the Student Center with a pep rally hosted by Athletics. There will be games and prizes as well as the chance to meet MSU athletes and hear what's in store for the Red Hawks this year.
At 7:30 p.m. the Child Care Center is holding a Battle of the Bands fund-raiser. From reggae to rock and roll, five bands will compete in three categories. Tickets are $12.50 in advance; $15 at the door. Refreshments will be served. For tickets, call Janey DeLuca at 7586.
The Homecoming street fair will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday on Valley Road in front of the Bond House. The annual Homecoming Parade will begin at 11 a.m. The parade route has been extended this year to run along Upper Mountain Avenue to Bellevue Avenue to Valley Road back to the University. This year's grand marshals are Montclair Mayor William Farlie, Jr. and Little Falls Mayor Mathew Witecki. Float judges are Michael Puglisi of the Montclair Chamber of Commerce; Bloomfield Municipal Clerk Louise Palagano; Brian Scantlebury, director of the Department of Citizen Services, Newark; Louis Anderson of Student Development and Campus Life; Julie Marchini of Community Relations and Special Events; Bryan Terry, director of Financial Aid; and Pat Ackershoek of the Alumni Association.
And the fun doesn't end with the parade. Here are the rest of the day's events:
1:30 p.m.: Soccer. MSU vs. King's Point.
2:30 p.m.: Alumni tennis match
2-4:30 p.m.: Campuswide picnic in front of the Student Center. Greetings by MSU
President Susan A. Cole and Deputy Provost Gregory Waters.
4 p.m.: Rededication of Life Hall plaque. Life Hall.
4 p.m.: Swim meet.
5 p.m.: Parents Reception. Student Center.
4:30 p.m.: Athletic Hall of Fame Reception. Student Center.
7 p.m.: Football. MSU vs. Kean. Halftime program includes announcement of Homecoming King and Queen, and fireworks.
Swim team recognized for excellence in academics
The MSU swim team has been recognized as a College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Academic All-American Swimming and Diving team in the "Excellent" category for the spring 1999 semester for its team grade point average of 3.09.
"We have always stressed academics within the men's and women's swimming programs," said Head Coach Brian McLaughlin. "Swimmers, in general, tend to be extremely disciplined individuals, both in and out of the water."
McLaughlin said he is proud of the team as well as past swimmers who are doing well in their studies and careers. He named Anthony Garrow, who graduated in 1995 with a 3.92 grade point average and recently became a chiropractor, and Vicki Zolotiyou, a 1997 graduate who is in her third year at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
Ferdinand named Environmental Health and Safety officer
Amy Ferdinand has been named Environmental Health and Safety Officer. She comes from New York City Technical College of the City University of New York where she was manager of OSHA compliance.
She also has served as assistant director of the Alternative Fuels Program for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection; an environmental engineer for Ford Motor Company and Allied Chemical Corporation; and a clinical pathologist intern at the National Health Institute in Bethesda, Md.
Ferdinand's office is located in College Hall, Room 228.
A representative from the Family Security Insurance will give an overview of the components of the Tax Save Program Monday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon in Dickson Hall. The Premium Option Plan is a benefit available to state employees participating in the State Health Plan under the State's Tax Savings Program. The plan allows you to save money by paying any dental or medical premiums with before-tax dollars. Since you will pay less in taxes, enrollment in the plan for 2000 will be automatic unless you decline enrollment.
Lynn Truesdell, director of Information Technology, has announced his retirement effective Nov. 1. Truesdell has served Montclair State for 29 years. "Under Mr. Truesdell's leadership, the University's Information Technology group has successfully met many challenges, developing a robust technological infrastructure and many essential computing services," said Harry Schuckel, vice president for Budget, Planning and Information Technology.
A memorial service for Solomon Honig will be held Monday, Oct. 11, at 3:30 p.m. in Partridge Hall, Room 114. During the service, the Solomon Honig Textbook Memorial Scholarship Fund will be announced and Honig's wife, Edith, will be presented with a collection of remembrances from the University. Honig was a faculty member in the Department of Economics and Finance for 18 years.
Corrections: In the Sept. 20 issue of INSIGHT, Susan Blount and George Hiltzik were noted incorrectly as president and vice president of the Board of Trustees, respectively. Their titles are chair and vice chair. In the Academic Calendar on page 4, Dec. 14 was incorrectly listed as Thursday designated as a Wednesday. It is actually a Tuesday designated as Wednesday.
For more information about position announcements, see the bulletin board outside the Personnel Office, College Hall, Room 316, or visit MSU's Web site at www.montclair.edu.
Search Reopened:
Associate Vice President for Facilities Management, Business and Finance. Salary: Up to $102,139. Anticipated starting date: January 2000. Send letter and resume by Oct. 20 to James Boylan, Search Chair, V-044
Nearly 400 students in grades 1 though 11 were on campus Saturday and Sunday for the opening of the10-week Gifted and Talented Weekend Program. The students will be studying everything from veterinary medicine and experimental chemistry to cartooning and animation.