News and Events

Wagner School Alumni eNews – May, 2005

In This Issue:

• Top Stories
• Events and Regional Activities
• Office of Career Services
• Wagner Annual Fund
• Did You Know...?

Top Stories

Join us for Wagner's Year-End Event, May 6

Party with Wagner students, staff, faculty, and fellow alumni at the Year End Event: "Shakespeare in the Puck," on Friday, May 6, 2005, 6:00 pm - midnight, in the Puck Building's Skylight Ballroom. The evening will feature an open bar, a buffet dinner, awards, prizes, a DJ and dancing (attire is semi-formal). Alumni tickets are $35 in advance through TicketWeb (with $1 service charge) or $45 at the door. Thanks to the WAA for their generous donation of two gift certificates for the raffle!

Join in the Fun: Alumni Reunion Weekend, May 13-15

Sign up for NYU's Alumni Reunion Weekend, May 13-15, 2005 and attend "Lunch and the Wagner Legacy," a luncheon with Dean Ellen Schall on Saturday, May 14, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Puck Building. Join filmmaker Elisa Guarino for film clips and a discussion of her documentary The Wagners: A Legacy of Public Service, enjoy a relaxed lunch while you explore Wagner's beautiful new home, and honor the 2005 Torch Award Recipient, Melanie K. Smith (profiled below). Cost of the luncheon is $25 and the Alumni Weekend registration fee is $10. RSVP for both at www.nyu.edu/alumni/weekend/.

2005 Torch Award Recipient: Melanie K. Smith

Wagner congratulates Melanie K. Smith, MPA 1999, on receiving the 2005 NYU Wagner Torch Award in honor of her outstanding contributions to public service. Melanie is the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF), where she leads the organization’s efforts to make federal funding for lymphoma research and education a national priority. In addition to her professional achievements, Melanie is very involved in the life of Wagner and NYU. Join us in honoring Melanie at the "Lunch and the Wagner Legacy" luncheon during Alumni Reunion Weekend on Saturday, May 14, 2005.

Call for Nominations: WAA Election

The Wagner Alumni Association (WAA) is seeking committed Wagner alums to serve on the 2005-2006 WAA Board of Directors, for the term beginning July 1, 2005. Nominations will be accepted until May 7. For more information on the WAA and to submit a nomination, visit the WAA Election page. Also, don't forget to cast your vote at election time by visiting the WAA Election page between May 12 and June 1. Or, vote at the WAA Annual Meeting and Pass-the-Torch Party for New Grads on June 1, 2005, 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the Puck Building (RSVP online).

Film Screening and Reception at the U.S. Capitol, May 24

Washington, DC-area alumni: please join us for a very special event at the Capitol Building, sponsored by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Wagner will host a reception and preview of The Wagners: A Legacy of Public Service, a new documentary about the Wagner family, on Wednesday, May 24, 2005, from 5:00 - 6:00 pm, in the Lyndon B. Johnson Room of the Capitol Building. Guests will also receive complimentary admission to the NYU Regional Alumni Reception with NYU President John Sexton. (RSVP online)

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Events and Regional Activities:
May/June 2005

Talks, Receptions and Seminars

See the Wagner Alumni Calendar and Wagner Student Activities Calendar for details on the events below.

• May 6, 6:00 pm - midnight — Wagner Year End Event (Purchase Tickets through TicketWeb)
• May 10, Wagner Convocation
• May 12, NYU Commencement
• May 13-15, NYU ALUMNI WEEKEND (RSVP online)
• May 14, 1:00 - 3:00 pm — "Lunch and the Wagner Legacy" Dean's Day Luncheon (RSVP online)
• May 16, 8:00 am - 7:00 pm — The Treadwell Hopkins/Stanley Pechar Memorial Golf Outing (RSVP online)
• May 24, 5:00 - 6:00 pm — Washington, DC: Film Screening and Reception at U.S. Capitol (RSVP online)
• May 24, 6:00 - 8:00 pm — Washington, DC: NYU In Your Neighborhood Alumni Reception (RSVP online - free with attendance at 5:00 pm Film Screening)
• May 31 - June 3 — Global Health Council Conference (information and registration online)
• June 1, 6:30 - 8:30 pm — Wagner Alumni Association Annual Meeting (RSVP online)
  
  

Office of Career Services Events

For updated listings and event details, see the Wagner Career Services Calendar. Also see the OCS Event RSVP Form for RSVP information on selected events.

• May 3, 4:30-6:30 pm — Capstone and Residency End Event (RSVP online)

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Office of Career Services

Looking for a Summer Intern? Post a Position on the Wagner Job Site

Tap into the Wagner pool of talent! Some Wagner students are now required to do an internship as part of their Wagner experience, and alumni are a wonderful resource for internship opportunities. All you need is a username and password to post your organization's summer internship opportunities on the Wagner Job Site. You can also use the Job Site throughout the year to post jobs, internships, and fellowships, and to review resumes online. If you have never used the site before, contact the Office of Career Services at 212-998-7474 or wagner.ocss@nyu.edu to create an organization account.

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Wagner Annual Fund

Follow the Wagner Student Association's Example

Before they walk across the graduation stage, the Wagner Student Association and current students are supporting Wagner by making donations toward the 2005 Class Gift. Follow their example and match their generosity by making an online contribution to Wagner at any giving level. Be sure to indicate that your gift should go to support the Wagner School. Thank you for the difference you make by supporting Wagner.

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Did You Know...?

Gayle Binney (MPA 1997) was recently elected President of the Board of Directors of the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation. She has served as a Board Member of the Foundation since 2000. Professionally, Gayle is the Manager of Corporate Responsibility for The Dannon Company, Inc. Congratulations, Gayle.

Grace Chu (MPA 2004) is the Director of the Refunds and Adjustments Unit at the NYC Department of Finance, which deals with financial processing related to taxpayer and parking issues. Grace is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of this group.

Walter Fields (MPA 1990) is V.P. and Director of Political Development at the Community Service Society (CSS), one of NYC's oldest not-for-profit social research and advocacy organizations. He is responsible for developing and managing the political and civic agenda for CSS. Congratulations, Walter.

Claude Gooding (MUP 1995) will soon be appointed as the Commissioner of Community Development for the Incorporated Village of Hempstead, New York. Congratulations, Claude.

Cary Hirschstein (MUP 2004) and his studio apartment on the Lower East Side were featured in the "Home" section of the Thursday, April 28 issue of New York Metro. In addition to sharing his thoughts on decorating with dried branches, Cary highlighted how living in a changing neighborhood such as the LES allows him to see the effects of his urban planning and policy work first-hand.

Tamara Jazbec (MPA 2003) has accepted a position with AFS Intercultural Programs as the Southeast Asia and Middle East Project Specialist (or YES Specialist). This exciting new position is part of a public diplomacy initiative authorized by Congress that seeks to build bridges of international understanding, specifically between Americans and people in countries with significant Muslim populations. Congratulations, Tamara.

Eugene Laka (MS 2002) is Director of Administration at Generation USA Inc., where he is responsible for human resources, finance and accounting, marketing, sales, legal affairs and public relations.

Rock Miller (MUP 1993) is Director of Technology Implementation at the Division of Housing Finance, NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development. He is the staff business analyst and project manager for a major operations reengineering and production systems development effort in HPD's housing finance area.

Dawn Valentine (MPA 2003) will soon take on the role of Senior Advisor to the Commissioner at the NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS). Dawn will be an advisor on implementing reforms in child welfare, serving as a bridge between policy, program, and budget. Congratulations, Dawn.

Terra Vinson (MPA 1999) received a 2004 NIH Director's Award for her outstanding management of complex reorganizations at the NIH's Center for Scientific Review (CSR). The CSR performs 70% of the peer review of grant applications for all of NIH Institutes and Centers. Congratulations, Terra.

Be the next "Did you Know..."

In each Wagner School Alumni eNews issue, we highlight alumni who are doing interesting work in the public sector. Please share your professional comings and goings with us at wagner.alumni@nyu.edu, and perhaps you'll be the next alumni "Did you know..."!

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