Cybersecurity and Forensics Conference
In conjunction with the Delaware Valley Chapter of the High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA), Chestnut Hill College hosted the third annual cybersecurity and forensics conference in October, welcoming more than 100 students and industry professionals. Presenters, who ranged from college professors to special agents in the FBI, represented both the private and public sectors of the cybersecurity and forensics industries. Their talks included presentations about incident response and malware, healthcare fraud, forensics on industrial control systems, GIS forensics and more.
BYOL Diversity Initiative Tackles Colin Kaepernick, NFL Protests
The Bring Your Own Lunch diversity series, started in September by Juliana Mosley, Ph.D., college officer for diversity and inclusion, focused on a timely topic for its October discussion — Colin Kaepernick and the impact of the NFL protests and the “take a knee” movement.
Faculty and staff came together to share their thoughts and to discuss the implication of taking a knee both in the NFL and on college campuses nationwide. In order to allow an open and honest forum of dialogue, Mosley led a separate discussion on the same topic, for close to 40 students, later in the month.
Alumni's Book a Resource for Children who Witness Domestic Abuse
Akea Pearson '12 was just five months old when her father killed her mother in a domestic violence incident. For as long as Pearson could remember, that fueled her desire to work with children and teens who are caught up in a home life of domestic violence. Pearson recently finished writing a children's book called "Mommy Wake Up," which tells the story of domestic violence through the eyes of an eight-year-old girl. Pearson's hope is that this book will be a conversation starter for children to ask questions and to know how to get help when the situation requires it in order to help end the silence and break the cycle of abuse.
Travel the World During International Education Week
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Members of the college community gathered to celebrate and reflect on Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The college welcomed councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez and State Representative Chris Rabb, both of whom shared their thoughts on DACA and talked about their experiences with, and contributions of, the Latino and Hispanic populations in Philadelphia.
November marks Native American Indian Heritage Month, the next in a series of cultural awareness events. Juliana Mosley, Ph.D., officer for diversity and inclusion is organizing this series and says the lecture will address many Americans’ claims to Native bloodlines and how untrue this is for many people. (Date and time to be announced.)
CHC Students Premiere Documentary at Ambler Theater
Countless hours of hard work and dedication paid off for Clayton Allen ’18 and Kristian Hernandez ’18, who recently premiered their original documentary, “Conquer 30," in front of family, friends and the local community.
What started out as simple math, because winning 30 games would have resulted in a championship, “Conquer 30” became a mantra for the 2016-17 women’s basketball team as it tried to reach goals that would have seemed unattainable just a few years ago.
Allen, who directed the film, and his team followed the players and worked closely with head coach, Mike West, to tell the story of the season. While the team did not conquer 30, their season was again one for the record books. Thanks to Allen’s documentary, the audience got a firsthand look inside the teams’ accomplishments, both on and off the court.
A second airing of the documentary will be taking place on Saturday, November 18th at 4 PM in the Redmond Room. Admission is $5 per person.
Fall Instrumental Concerts
Late October brought beautiful music to campus as the music department held its annual fall concerts. Over two nights, members of the Hill Singers choral group and CHC string, wood, jazz, and flute ensembles performed various classical and contemporary selections.
Ninth Annual Lily’s Loop a Success
CHC’s 2017 Lily’s Loop walk to raise money and awareness for preemies through Lily’s Hope Foundation drew 152 walkers the largest number of participants in its history. Faculty, staff and students raised a record amount to benefit the Lily’s Hope Foundation, which supports premature babies and their families with Bundles of Hope. The bundles, which include clothing, diapers and other items for preemies, are valued at $300 each. As of today, 815 preemies have received these bundles in 38 states. The Foundation is affiliated with eight local hospitals.
Thanks to CHC walkers, on October 18, Lily’s Loop donations amounted to more than $1,056. Fundraisers for Lily’s Loop were Bruno's Restaurant, which raised $571.31; raffle tickets to six local restaurants raised $485.00. Also, some individuals donated directly to Lily’s Hope Foundation.
Surviving the Holocaust
Young Ruth Kapp Hartz survived World War II thanks to the nuns who sheltered her in their convent. Ms. Hartz will speak about her experiences on Monday, November 20, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Redmond Room of Chestnut Hill College.
Remarkably, her parents survived the concentration camps and the family was reunited at the war’s end. Ms. Hartz earned a degree in biochemistry from the Sorbonne in Paris and immigrated to the United States in 1958, where she married, raised a family and had a long career as a teacher in Philadelphia.
Ms. Hartz’s memoir, “Your Name is Renee” was published in 1999. She will sign books after her presentation, which is free and open to the public.
Facing Discrimination Together
The Institute for Forgiveness & Reconciliation presents “Facing Racism and Discrimination: The Unmended Tear in our Life Together” by Juliana Mosley, Ph.D., director of the office of diversity and inclusion on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. in CHC’s East Parlor.
With more than 800 registered hate groups in the United States and a seeming constant stream of tragic events because of their behavior, Dr. Mosley will discuss how to face their toxicity by joining together in courageous counter-movements.
Police Training Program Gets Aid
Thanks to a grant from an anonymous donor, the Montgomery County College Municipal Police Academy was able to create a scholarship fund for students enrolled in its police training program.
Four scholarships per year of $2,500 each will be provided for cadets who demonstrate leadership and excellence.
One of the first recipients is CHC's Layla Cruz '16, who graduated with degrees in criminal justice and psychology.
Mask & Foil Drama Club presents . . .
Mask & Foil Drama Club presents “Closed for the Holidays” by Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus during four performances in November. After a blizzard closes the roads on Christmas Eve eve, a motley crew of travelers becomes stranded at the local community center. Everyone has troubles to untangle and to have a happy holiday, they’re going to need a miracle. Come out and enjoy this spirited and heartwarming comedy: Friday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 18, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; or Sunday, Nov. 19, 2 p.m.
All performances are held at CHC, in the Motherhouse Auditorium. Admission is $5.
Travels at Tea Time
Last week, Travels at Tea Time featured Dia de los Muertos, of Day of the Dead, a holiday celebrated throughout Mexico in order to pray and remember friends and family who have died.
In the classroom, Liora Schneider, a CHC student (Psy.D program) from Mexico, spoke to students.
Then in the hallway, Trachanda Garcia, director of the office of global education explained the significance of the various actions and symbols of the day.
It's Time for a Break!
Residence halls close for Thanksgiving break on Tuesday, November 21, at 6 p.m., and reopen Sunday, November 26 at noon.
Residence halls will close for winter break on Friday, December 15, at 6 p.m. and reopen Sunday, January 14, at noon.
Harry Potter Weekend a Success Once Again
The 2017 Harry Potter Weekend – beginning with the high school portion of the Academic Conference Thursday night, Oct. 19, the full conference on Friday and the Brotherly Love Cup Quidditch Tournament on Saturday – was once again fun, and a success in any sense of the word. See a sampling of photos from the weekend's events below.