July 11, 2012
Wagner College lauded for Port Richmond Partnership program that immerses students in community-building initiatives
The Port Richmond Partnership was recognized last night during the New York City Department of Small Business Services’ annual Neighborhood Achievement Awards presentation program.
Wagner College President Richard Guarasci accepted the award during a ceremony at Gracie Mansion, on behalf of the partnership.
Wagner College is a founding member of the Port Richmond Partnership and provides the logistical support necessary to keep the initiative running.
The award honors a joint endeavor between businesses and organizations whose partnership has brought new benefit and services to the community.
The Port Richmond Partnership was created in March 2008 to bring Wagner College administrators, faculty members, academic departments, classes and students together with 23 schools, churches and nonprofit organizations within Port Richmond to focus on four specific areas of need: Education, immigration, economic development and health.
The partnership has placed more than 1,000 collegians in programs coordinated by community agencies, including literacy acquisition, truancy prevention, after-school tutoring, nutrition campaigns, college and career readiness and business improvement research.
Former President Bill Clinton gave special recognition to the partnership at the 2009 Clinton Global Initiative University. And earlier this year, Guarasci accepted an invitation by the National Task force for Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement to make a White House presentation on the program.
PHOTO AT TOP: Members of Wagner College's Port Richmond Partnership faculty and staff and several students directly involved in the project joined Wagner President Richard Guarasci on the Gracie Mansion lawn yesterday. From left are Curtis Wright, associate dean of campus life; Kellie Griffith, Port Richmond student advisory board; Patricia Tooker, dean of integrated learning; Carin Guarasci, Education Department; Samantha Siegel, assistant director, Center for Leadership and Service; Steven Preskill, chairman, Education Department; Dr. Guarasci; Kevin Ferreira, Port Richmond student advisory board; Lori Weintrob, chairwoman of the History Department; Lily McNair, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Marie-Laurence Archambault, Port Richmond student advisory board. (Staten Island Advance/Wagner College)
VIDEO OF AWARD PRESENTATION. Presenting the award was Robert W. Walsh, NYC’s Commissioner of Small Business Services. Assisting with the presentation were Robert K. Steel, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, and the four members of the Neighborhood Achievement Awards panel: Bob Annibale, Citigroup’s Global Director of Microfinance; Eileen Auld, Citi Community Development State Director for New York; Frances Resheske, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Consolidated Edison, and Kevin Burke, Chairman, President and CEO of Con Ed. (The award was presented inside a large tent on an unlighted stage, which affected the video quality.)