As the New York State presidential primary election approaches, the New York Public Interest Research Group is working to increase voter registration on campus. New York ranks 46th out of 50 in state voter turnout. NYPIRG, New York’s largest student-direct government watchdog group, hopes to change this. Franklin Rodriguez, senior majoring in psychology and sociology, is an intern with NYPIRG and felt that low-voter turnout in America is a cause of concern. In the 2014 mayoral campaign, only 11 percent of young voters aged 18 to 25 turned out. Rodriguez said barriers preventing underrepresented groups are affecting voter turnout. “America, in general, has the lowest number of people registered to vote compared to…
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Iraqi Jew reads from memoir about struggles in 1960s
Dr. Cynthia Kaplan Shamash, who was one of the last remaining Jews in Iraq, read a section of her memoir that explained how her people were brutally treated during the 1960s. She read from “The Strangers We Became: Lessons in Exile From One of Iraq’s Last Jews” on March 3 in the Benjamin Rosenthal Library, with support from the Center for Jewish Studies. Most of the Jews in Iraq left after World War II. Before that, Baghdad had a flourishing Jewish population. Back in the 1920s, 20 percent of the population was Jewish. In ancient times, Babylonia was home to many Jews, including Biblical prophets. But in modern times there…
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Veteran seeks to ease transition for fellow vets
Dennis Torres served with the Marine Corps Reserves in Fallujah, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Today, he is the Veteran Outreach Specialist at Queens College. Born in Jamaica, NY in 1985, Torres is the youngest of three siblings. His parents were from Ecuador and his father was part of U.S. special forces near the end of the Vietnam War to gain citizenship. “I grew up hearing stories of camaraderie. [My father] went to Cambodia for a little bit, and, hearing his stories, [it] made me want to experience it,” Torres said. Inspired by his father’s tales, Torres enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves after graduating from St. Mary’s High School…
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CUNY recognized in Military Friendliness
On Feb. 23 Victory Media announced that CUNY is the first public university system of undergraduate colleges to be designated as “military friendly.” Victory Media is a major player in connecting the military and civilian worlds. Its military friendly designation provides military members and their families with data driven ratings about post-military education and career opportunities. 17 CUNY Schools, including Queens College, were awarded the 2016 military friendly School title for their efforts in aiding Veterans during their time in school and post-graduation. The Veterans Support Services at QC helps veterans seeking an education. “I’m very pleased that the number of military friendly campuses has expanded from seven last year…
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Remembering a cherished figure at SEEK
Frank Franklin, director of the SEEK program at Queens College, passed away at 71 on Feb. 7, 2016. His achievements were hailed by peers thankful for the help given to SEEK. The SEEK program—which stands for Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge—began in 1966 to help high school students qualified for college, but unable to attend for financial or educational reasons. The program consists of workshops and programs for the benefits of entrants. Franklin worked as a social worker for at-risk children and youth. In 1971, he joined QC and assumed several roles, including Financial Aid Counselor, SEEK Financial Aid Director and Assistant to the vice President of Graduate Studies.…
