The_Rambler_2008-09

              The Rambler
Farmingdale State College Student Newspaper • Volume 79, No. 5 September , 2008
STATt UNIVtH^ii i Physics Ribbon in China Brings New
Cutting Ceremon35!®„ BRyv KKepnnnnvy KKnannpe Students to Farming^^d ale State
September 4 was a proud day for the
Physics Department as they held a ribbon
cutting ceremony in their new home on
the second floor of Lupton Hall. Faculty,
staff, and students turned out to tour the
new state-of-the-art science labs and
departmental offices.
The construction of the labs, which
could be heard throughout last semester,
reached completion in time for the Fall
semester. Dr. Lloyd Makarowitz, the
department chair, said that the need for
the new classrooms is due to increased
enrollment at FSC as well as the benefits
of offering a wide variety of physics
classes. Dr. Makarowitz is pleased with
the new setting. "Students and teachers
will feel good in the new classrooms,"
said Makarowitz.
The physics department, which
called Whitman Hall home for 45
years, was in need of a move due to fire
regulations. Another important factor
was the physical limitations faced by
the department in Whitman Hall which
affected coursework.
Students who benefit from the new
classrooms include technology as well
as liberal arts majors. Currently FSC
doesn't offer a degree in physics.
FSC President, Dr. W. Hubert Keen,
was also in attendance at the ribbon
cutting ceremony. Dr. Keen said that
the physics departments relocation is "a
small part of a larger renovation with
expansion and renewal over the next five
years." Students can look forward to
a new Student Center as well as a new
School of Business building.
Renovating Hale is the next project
which will start the summer of 2009.
By Mike Assip
On May 12, 2008 in the Sichuan
Province of China the land trembled and
fell to pieces. A 8.0 magnitude earthquake
ripped through the region causing over
ten billion dollars' worth of damage. The
lives of 51,151 people were lost with
an estimated 29, 328 still missing. Five
million people were left homeless, their
lives forever changed in a matter of
minutes.
T h o u g h
the physical
effects of
the natural
disaster were
centralized to
southeastern
China, the
emotional
after effects
and outreach
spanned the
globe. Such
a response is
evident in the
China 150
program, an
effort made
by the SUNY school system to take 150
college students from Sichuan Province
and allow them to continue their education
at 20 campuses throughout New York
State. Farmingdale State College has
taken in 19 students, 11 women and eight
men.
Tan Miao, 20, is studying to be a human
resource manager. She's very happy to
be in the United States continuing her
education. She said she has developed a
bond with the students she has traveled
to Farmingdale State College with. "We
are very close," said Miao.
She believes the only way society can
advance is through helping one's fellow
man and woman. Her first impession of
FSC students is that they are all "very
sweet."
He Wen and Tan Miao have enjoyed a warm
welcome from Farmingdale State College.
He Wen, 21, is studying biology. He's
very excited to be "making many new
friends at Farmingdale." He said he felt
humble and greatful for the China 150
program so students like himself can
continue their studies. "If anyone ever
needs our help, we will lend them our
hands." He is excited to complete his
degree and take part in medical research
to help humanity.
"I think
SUNY made
a very good
decision to
reach out to
these students.
They will return
to China and
become leaders.
They will learn
what we are and
we will learn
more about
them," said Kathy
Coley, director of
communications
at Farmingdale
State College.
In order to enrich the American
learning experience, Farmingdale State
College has many activities planned for
the students. "We have trips planned for
Sagamore Hill to visit Teddy Roosevelt's
estate [a trip that Tan very eager to
attend] as well as a trip to the Montauk
Lighthouse," said Coley.
Tan and He have both previously
attended a trip to Jones Beach which
Tan described as "her favorite American
experience." The experience was also a
first for students like He who have never
set foot on a beach before.
"The program is definitely something
special," said Greg Valdner, 21, a junior
at Farmingdale State College. "It makes
you really happy to see your school
participating in something so altruistic."