"Berkeley College, You're My Hero!"
Submitted by Mellissa Johnson, Student

When I was a kid, my parents always told me to get my college education because a high school diploma is just a stepping stone. As an adult, going back to school is something that seemed impossible. Working full-time and being a parent are just two factors out of so many that stop most from attending college.

I am the oldest of five daughters. For most of my life, my mother supported us with the help of other family members. She was forced to work nights in addition to her day job just to feed and clothe our family. I would see her come in tired from being on her feet all day from waiting tables as well as cleaning people's homes. She would always tell me “Mellissa, I don’t want you to live like I do, working for little or no money because I did not finish high school and go to college. Please use me as inspiration to finish high school and go to college.” I did just that. I graduated from high school in 2000 and served in the military from 1999 to 2002. I also went to Medical Assisting School and graduated in 2001 as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist, and EKG Technician.

I worked in the field for a while but felt something was still missing, like I still needed more education. I wanted to get that degree. I wanted to make my family proud. At the time, I was recently hired by the city and they were not willing to give me time or change my shift in order to go to school. It was at this point that I thought to myself, “I am never going get that degree and I will never make my parents proud.” That night, I went home and started searching for colleges and stumbled upon Berkeley College. The degree programs were great and they offered exactly what I was looking for: Health Services Management. What was even more attractive was the fact that you could get your Bachelor's in three years. Then I looked on and saw the words that would change my life forever: “We offer weekend and online classes.” I quickly jotted the number down and called for an appointment. Not too long after the interview and placement test, I got a letter in the mail saying that I was accepted into Berkeley College. Tears began to roll down my face and an immense feeling of joy and ease came over me. Finally, I would be able to go to college and make my family proud!

I started class that July and thought, “What have I done? I am not going to pass these classes. What am I, nuts? College at twenty-six with a family and working full time?” As the semesters went on, I always thought about my family, more specifically my husband and daughter. They are a constant reminder of why I came here and why I have to press on.

I met my husband in 2001, right after I graduated from Technical School and had no idea what he was about. I found out that he was a cancer survivor in remission since 1993. Throughout our relationship, we talked about the future and what we were looking forward to. Two years into the relationship, we began to consider children and marriage. We tried to conceive for one year with no success and decided to consult with our doctor, who referred us to a fertility specialist. We then were told that due to his previous diagnosis, conceiving naturally was not in the cards for us and we needed to go through a lengthy process of tests, medication, and procedures. This whole process was very stressful and pricey. If it was not for the insurance (many companies, by the way, do not cover infertility treatment because it is expensive and not guaranteed), we would not have had our beautiful daughter.

As I look back at my journey, I realize what my purpose is in life: to become an advocate for families battling cancer as well as survivors who want to have children, but cannot because of their treatment. I plan to open up a fertility clinic for specifically, but not limited to, cancer survivors. In my opinion, having children is something everyone should have the right to, especially cancer survivors. These groups of people are really special. They have overcome a terrible disease and only want what others have: a chance to have a family with the person whom they love. With the combination of education and support of the staff at Berkeley, my dream will become a reality. So, to this I say, “Berkeley College, you’re my hero.”

Contest Winners

Lillian Radwanski won movie tickets in the Career Services contest!

Rita Everitt won a digital camera in our Photo Contest.

See the photo collage below of submissions. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Click image for enlargement

Buy Early, Buy Used, Buyback

Buy Early: The Berkeley College Bookstore generally has books available for purchase for the upcoming quarter a month prior to the start of the new term. By purchasing textbooks early, you are able to ensure that you receive the books necessary for your courses in a timely manner. Also, by ordering books early, you can take advantage of the used book inventory that the bookstore offers. Used textbooks are on a first-come, first-served basis. You don’t have to worry about having the incorrect book if you add or drop a class because the books are refundable or can be exchanged up to the second week of the new term.

Buy Used: The College Bookstore offers used textbooks at discounted rates. Typically, a used textbook is 25% cheaper than purchasing a new textbook. The bookstore has a large inventory of used textbooks for virtually all Berkeley College courses. Our used textbook inventory comes from wholesale suppliers and from our Berkeley College Textbook Buyback Program.

Buyback (June 12-19): Our Textbook Buyback occurs once every quarter through our website. When selling books back, simply click on the “Sell” module and begin entering ISBN numbers. The system will then supply a value for the book. Ship the books to the address provided on the website. Once the books are received, funds will be placed onto your Berkeley College ID Card. This is a great way to get money back for the purchase of next quarter’s books. Also, by selling your books back to the Berkeley College Bookstore, you help make sure used textbooks are available to other Berkeley College students at the most reasonable prices possible. The Buyback (Sell) feature is enabled three weeks prior to the start of the new term (June 12 – 19). Books must be received during the week of finals (week 12). This quarter, the deadline to receive books is June 25.

Eye on Art
Submitted by Dr. Cathy St. John

Welcome to the first issue of “Eye on Art.” We want to surprise you, inspire you, and fuel your creativity. In the festival atmosphere of today’s art world, there are many happenings! To participate, simply log into the “Community” tab in Blackboard, and visit the “Student Development and Campus Life” organization discussion board. Here are a few of the current topics…

The Venice Bienniale (www.labiennale.org/en/art) is the world’s most famous event where people go to see amazing art. This year over 80 countries will participate including Gabon, South Africa, Monaco, Pakistan, Iceland, and the United Arab Emirates. Opening June 6 at the Palazzo Grassi to coincide with the biennale is an exhibit of the collection of the French billionaire businessman, Selma Hayek’s husband Francois-Henri Pinault, owner of such luxury concerns as the Gucci Group.

Money and art are a fascinating combination and while the financial crisis has drastically shrunk the pool of art buyers, people love it when a painting sells for millions. Buying art goes beyond investment and becomes an assertion of cultural wealth. Well-heeled collectors at auction houses like Phillips and Christie’s are buying art right now. Let’s hope that strong sales will restore confidence throughout the global art market and protect price levels for the world’s top artists.

Picasso’s painting of his young daughter playing with a toy boat is estimated at between $16,000,000 and 24,000,000 and will be auctioned at Sothebys. Visit WSJ.com to see some items at auction this season. Just click on “Spring Auction Lessons” slide shows. Incidentally, auction houses are free and open to the public.

Click here for more “Eye on Art” discussion topics.

We hope you have enjoyed this tour of the arts. Please let us know some of your favorites. Your suggestions are very valuable.

Check Out Our Summer Online Campus Calendar of Events

The Summer 2009 Clearance Deadline is June 30!
Please contact Student Accounts (SAonline@berkeleycollege.edu) with any questions or concerns.

Dear Berkeley is a new advice column in the Berkeley College newsletter where students can ask questions they have about Berkeley College. Questions will be answered by Dr. Shannon Burton, who is currently a management professor and a graduate of Berkeley College. Dr. Burton can give you input and insight from both ends of the spectrum due to her extensive experience as a student and professor. Please send all questions to smb@berkeleycollege.edu. Please be advised that questions will be compiled and answered in future newsletters.

Academic Support Center: Candice Kaup-Scioscia, Assistant, cmk@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1766

Admissions: Susan Mandra, Interim Director,
srm@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1213

Advisement: Susan Alicea, Dean,
sub@berkeleycollege.edu, or AdvisementOnline@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1305

Advisement: Linda DeLisle, Advisor, AdvisementOnline@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1126

Bookstore: Jason Surniak, Online Bookstore Associate,
jsu@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1346

Campus Operating Officer: Sharon Goldstein, sfg@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1122

Career Services: Rosemarie Berman, Director, rob@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1221

Dean, Online: Dr. Beth Coyle, Interim,
bmc@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 4145

Financial Aid: Barbara Sylvester, Interim Director, FAonline@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 2309

Financial Aid: Donna Daidone, Administrator, FAonline@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1362

Library Services: Marlene Doty, Director
md@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1232

Student Accounts: Ashley Maikranz, Director, SAonline@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1344

Student Accounts: Theresa Omelczuk, Administrator,
SAonline@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1129

Student Development & Campus Life: Carrie Ginetto, Director,
StudentDevelopmentOnline@berkeleycollege.edu,
ext. 1127