New Era, Long-standing Ties
A new era has begun at TC, heralded by a new President and a redoubled focus on working together across our many fields and strengths. It’s an exciting time and one in which our alumni — and their experience, wisdom and influence — have become even more important. Indeed, President Thomas Bailey has hit the ground running in his efforts to reach out to alumni and communicate his vision for making the College an even more powerful force for building a better world.
Read on to learn about his travels and other inspiring alumni doings — including our ongoing programming around issues like smarter parenting, and the inspiring presence of so many illustrious TC graduates during Inauguration Week in December — as well as the launch of our new online directory. It’s all proof that while Teachers College changes for each new era, we continue to function as an extended community — 90,000 strong.
Rosella Garcia
Senior Director, Alumni Relations
The President Meets & Greets
Since becoming TC's 11th President in July, Tom Bailey has been all about reaching out. His trips to meet alumni and friends have included:
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Miami
Alumni, family and friends in Miami met President Bailey at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. Photo credit: Patryck Molczan at La Bella Pixel
Miami
President Bailey shared his vision for the future of TC with alumni in Miami in January. Photo credit: Patryck Molczan at La Bella Pixel
Miami
Miami alumni shared their ideas for building an even stronger TC. Photo credit: Patryk Molczan at La Bella Pixel
Miami
A future TC alum? Either way, a reminder that when it comes to education, the play’s the thing. Photo credit: Patryk Molczan at La Bella Pixel
Miami
During a lunch hosted by Lin Lougheed (Ed.D. '77) in Miami, President Bailey expressed gratitude to donors and alumni for their support of TC. Photo credit: Linda Colquhoun
Bay Area
In a bit of role reversal, Vikash Reddy (Ph.D. ’16), who during his TC student days worked with Tom Bailey and the Community College Research Center team, stepped into the role of interviewer to help introduce President Bailey to Bay Area alumni in November. Photo credit: Kara Gwyn of Kara Gwyn Photography
Bay Area
Alumni hobnobbed at the Bay Area reception. Photo credit: Kara Gwyn of Kara Gwyn Photography
Boston
At President Bailey’s debut event with alumni, in Boston in October, new TC Trustee Charles Desmond (right) interviewed him in front of an audience of alumni and friends. Photo credit: Jeremiah Sjoberg of Jeremiah Sjoberg Photography, LLC
Boston
Boston-area alumni and friends enjoyed catching up with one another as well as meeting the new President. Photo credit: Jeremiah Sjoberg of Jeremiah Sjoberg Photography, LLC
Washington, DC
At a packed house at the Top of the Hay, President Bailey connected with TC in DC in October, responding to a series of alumni questions moderated by TC Trustee Jay Urwitz. Photo credit: Gethro Geneus of Quantized Pixels
Washington, DC
Alumni reconnected and forged new friendships over lunch. Photo credit: Gethro Geneus of Quantized Pixels
FPI 2019 | TC in DC
Nearly 50 alumni and guests gathered at our annual Federal Policy Institute Reception in D.C., coming together with this year’s inspiring cohort of TC students in January. Attendees were inspired by remarks from Professor Sharon Lynn Kagan (Ed.D. '79), TC Trustee Jay Urwitz and special guest speaker Antoinette Flores, Associate Director for Postsecondary Education at American Progress. Photo credit: Gethro Geneus of Quantized Pixels
Sarasota
President Bailey chats with alumni in Sarasota during a breakfast hosted by trustee Dawn Duquès (M.A. '76) and her husband, Ric, at their home. Photo credit: Rosella Garcia
Sarasota
Distinguished Alumna Nancy K. Schlossberg (far right), an authority on life after retirement, joined alumni at the Duquès home. Photo credit: Rosella Garcia
Boca Raton
Trustee Marla Schaefer (M.A. '03, seated to the left of President Bailey) hosted a brunch for alumni at the Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton in January. Photo credit: Patryck Molczan at La Bella Pixel
Naples
Faculty emerita Ann Boehm (Ph.D. ’66), pictured with President Bailey, hosted lunch at The Catch of the Pelican for fellow alumni and donors in Naples, Florida in January
It Wouldn’t Be an Inauguration without Alumni
TC graduates were out in force at for President Thomas Bailey’s inauguration in December. They came, they saw – and they spoke, eloquently, and performed, too.
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TC alumni serving as delegates included Allan Hoffman (Ed.D.'75) representing the Institute for Clinical Social Work; Jane Brown (M.A. ’10) representing LeMoyne College; Jeffrey Putman (Ed.D. ’11) representing SUNY Downstate Medical Center; and Corlisse Thomas (Ed.D. ’01) representing Rutgers University.
Thirty former and current members of the Alumni Council joined us to be a part of the inauguration procession.
James Borland (Ph.D. ’81), Professor of Education, delivered greetings on behalf of the faculty.
Delivering greetings on behalf of her fellow graduates, Alumni Council President Marion Boultbee (Ed.D. ’96) said, “President Bailey, we stand ready to serve as mentors and ambassadors who will help you create new pathways for current and future TC students to flourish.”
Rhea Francani (M.A. ’15), a graduate of the Music & Music Ed Program, sang “America the Beautiful” at the inauguration.
Violinist Katy Ho (M.Ed. ’16), a Morse Scholar, performed alongside pianist Jihea Hong-Park, President Bailey’s former piano teacher.
Belinda Miles (Ed.D. ’00), President of SUNY Westchester Community College, delivered greetings on behalf of academia. Led by Miles, WCC has achieved a 42% increase in three-year graduation rates.
Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz (M.A. ’95), Associate Professor of English Education, composed and delivered “Creating Pathways Where There Were None Before,” a poem in honor of the new president.
Class Notes
Shartriya Collier-Stewart (M.A. ’99) was named the new Associate Dean of the School of Education at Nevada State College.
Stephen Pultz (M.A. ’87) was appointed to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Board of Directors.
Priya Sircar (M.A. ’11) is now the Director/Arts with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation based in Miami.
Read more class notes — and submit your own — when we launch TConnect, the online alumni network! Stay tuned to emails from TC Alumni Relations for more details.
Don't Be a Stranger
There are so many ways to remain part of the TC community – and we know you'll be glad you did...
The Young and Sometimes Restless
Frederick Douglass said that it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken adults. Erma Bombeck said never lend your car to anyone to whom you have given birth. And TC's Smarter Parenting and Grandparenting Series adds its own insights.
NEW TC Alumni Online Directory!
Opt in to TConnect, the NEW TC Alumni Online Directory!
Connecting with TC’s global network of 90,000 alumni is about to become easier with the introduction of TConnect — an online, searchable alumni directory! The Office of Alumni Relations is proud to offer this platform, which will allow alumni to build an online profile that includes educational and professional information; share career and personal news; grow their TC network; and connect with old friends. More details about the directory are soon to come! Stay tuned to tc.columbia.edu/alumni/network/ for updates.
Global TC Day
Celebrate the TC community at a location near you during this year’s Global TC Day events! Events throughout the summer will include happy hours and trips to museums, concerts and plays. Join alumni around the world as they celebrate the spirit of TC — and share your celebration on social media using #GlobalTCDay.
Academic Festival 2019 — Creating Pathways for All to Flourish April 13, 2019
Don’t miss out on our signature homecoming event, Academic Festival, on Saturday, April 13! The theme of this year’s event — “Creating Pathways for All to Flourish” — reflects President Bailey’s vision for moving the College forward. The day will feature interdisciplinary breakout sessions; the presentation of the Distinguished Alumni and Early Career Awards and the first-ever Alumni Award for Outstanding Service; the fifth annual Golden Alumni Society Reunion; a Student Research Poster Session; and much, much more! Join us at TC to see what’s new at the College, connect with old and new friends, and engage in important conversations.