INSIDECollege Hosts NationalDiversity in Nursing Event

Alumni Ambassador ProgramLaunched

New Leadership at HeavinSchool of Social andBehavioral Sciences

New MBA EssentialsCertificate

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PrimeMoverSteve King ‘93

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Page 12

Contents1 Message from the President

2 College News:� New Online Professional Certificate: MBA Essentials� New Leadership at Heavin School of

Social and Behavioral Sciences � First Annual Distinguished Lectureship On Diversity

6 Feature:� Steve King: Prime Mover

10 Alumni & Foundation:� Thomas Edison State College Launches

Alumni Ambassador Program� Ambassador Profile

12 Applause, Applause:� Alumni News

Invention is published by Thomas Edison State College

DR. GEORGE A. PRUITTPresident

JOE GUZZARDOEditor

CHRIS MILLER Art Director

Contributors:KELLY SACCOMANNO

LINDA SOLTISSHANIKA HENDERSON

F A L L 2 0 0 6

Cover Story:Prime Mover

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2 10

Sincerely,

Dr. George A. PruittPresident

M E S S AG E F RO M T H EP R E S I D E N T

Dear Alumni, Students and Friends,The success of virtually any effort usually depends upon leadership. Whileleadership comes in many different styles, it is always characterized by theresponsibility of carrying the burden of an entire organization.

Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the United States, said, “Progress occurswhen courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for thebetter.”

In this issue, you will meet some extraordinary leaders who have done just that.

One is Steve King, BSBA ’93, who describes his inspiration for earning hisbaccalaureate degree at Thomas Edison State College and how that degree helpedhim make the transition from a top IT sales position into a senior management

role at a growing company.

Of course, King did not settle into just any management role. He joined a fledgling companycalled E*Trade in the late 1990s and played key leadership positions during the organization’speriod of tremendous growth. Today, King is CEO of ZANTAZ, Inc., which is alsoexperiencing extraordinary growth under his leadership.

Like many of our graduates, we at Thomas Edison State College are also exercising dynamicleadership. Two new College programs demonstrating this are featured in the following pages.

The first is based in our School of Nursing, which recently hosted the first distinguishedlectureship in diversity in nursing, attracting nurse leaders from across the country. The eventfocused on building alliances, linking stewardship and diversity through online education andincreasing the awareness of the role of the professional nurse in promoting online educationas a tool that can help alleviate the nursing faculty shortage facing the country.

The second initiative is our new Alumni Ambassador Program, which provides an opportunityfor our graduates to play leadership roles in the College’s efforts to increase enrollment, buildpartnerships and expand development opportunities.

We are committed to offering programs that develop leadership qualities in adult learners, andwe are honored by the many excellent accomplishments of our alumni. I hope you enjoy thisedition of Invention.

2 INVENTION FALL 2006

C O L L E G EN E W S

The School of Professional andContinuing Studies at ThomasEdison State College has recentlylaunched a new online professionalcertificate: MBA Essentials.

This noncredit certificate is designedfor those in the business communitywho are interested in gaining theexpertise that can help them advancetheir careers. The 30-week programincludes five online courses thatcover essential skills needed to devel-op leadership potential.

“Business professionals are oftenlooking for slices of knowledge toimprove in specific skill areas identi-fied by themselves or their employers,”said David M. Grossman, PhD, viceprovost and dean of the School ofProfessional and ContinuingStudies at Thomas Edison StateCollege. “The MBA Essentials cer-tificate program constitutes a mini-MBA, covering key skills needed todevelop leadership potential.Courses can be taken individually aswell as in a sequence leading to acertificate.”

Courses for the MBA Essentialsprogram are lead by experts in eachprogram area. The focus on assess-ment and outcomes makes eachonline course directly relevant to anindividual’s work and professionaldevelopment. Courses in the MBAEssentials program include:

� Leadership and Management � Principles of Accounting and

Finance� Principles of Marketing � Fundamentals of Strategy� Economics for Managers

“The online format for these coursesenhances the College’s ability toensure that content, course materialsand class discussions remain on thecutting edge, as the business envi-ronment changes, almost daily insome cases,” said Grossman. “Usingreal-world examples and case stud-ies means the program has a directimpact on performance.”

Professional certificates offered bythe College focus on specific skillsand knowledge development inmany business areas, and enablesstudents to develop advanced skillsets for positions in fast-growingindustries in as little time as a tradi-tional college semester.

For more information about theprofessional certificate in MBAEssentials, or other noncredit programs designed for business professionals, visit www.tesc.edu andclick on “Professional Certificates,”or call (888) 442-8372.

S c h o o l o f P r o f e s s i o n a l a n d C o n t i n u i n g S t u d i e s

Offers New Online Certificate f o r B u s i n e s s P r o f e s s i o n a l s

MBA Essentials

INVENTION FALL 2006 3

C O L L E G EN E W S

Judith S. Krom, PhD, will be retiring in January 2007 after nearly 11 years at Thomas Edison State College.

Dean of the Heavin School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

To Retire in January

“It has been mydelight to serveadult students forthe past 35 yearsand especiallyduring the past 11years at ThomasEdison StateCollege.

Judith S. Krom, PhD Krom has served as dean of theHeavin School of Social andBehavioral Sciences since its incep-tion in 2004 and has led the develop-ment of many of the College’s degreeprograms focusing on human servicesand social sciences. She has alsoplayed a key role in developing curriculum and degree programsfocused on emergency responders,law enforcement officials and military personnel, including thegraduate certificate program inHomeland Security.

“Judy is a dedicated educator andacademic leader who has made significant contributions to developprograms for adult learners,” saidWilliam J. Seaton, vice president andprovost at Thomas Edison StateCollege. “Her efforts helped theCollege to expand the depth andscope of its academic programs.”

Krom joined the College in 1996 asassociate dean for the human servicesprograms. During her tenure, she hasparticipated in several institutionalcommittees and played a key role inthe restructuring of the College’sDivision of Academic Affairs, whichincluded the formation of the HeavinSchool of Social and BehavioralSciences.

“It has been my delight to serve adultstudents for the past 35 years andespecially during the past 11 years at

Thomas Edison State College,” saidKrom. “I feel it has been a privilege tohelp students achieve their lifelongambition of earning a college degreeand to learn to value learning whileearning their degree.”

In August, the College named Dr.Susan Davenport as interim dean ofHeavin School of Social andBehavioral Sciences. Davenport hasbeen working with Krom on transi-tional plans at the School for the pastseveral months. She will officiallybecome dean of the Heavin School ofSocial and Behavioral Sciences inJanuary 2007.

Davenport joined the College in 1997as a senior program advisor and wasappointed vice provost for LearnerServices in 2004. She earned aBachelor of Arts degree from DrewUniversity in Madison, N.J.; a Masterof Science degree from theUniversity of Pennsylvania; and adoctoral degree (PhD) from theUniversity of Nebraska.

“We are extremely fortunate to haveSusan as our new dean of the HeavinSchool,” said Seaton. “She brings adeep passion for academic excellenceand new program development, aswell as a wealth of expertise in workingwith adult students. I look forward toworking with her to enhance andexpand programs for adults.”

”

Susan Davenport, PhD, was named interim dean of the Heavin School ofSocial and Behavioral Sciences in August and will officially become dean in January 2007.

4 INVENTION FALL 2006

C O L L E G EN E W S

Minority Nurse Educators Identify Online Education as Key Strategy

in Increasing Diversity in Nursing and Reaching More Students

The School of Nursing at ThomasEdison State College recently hostedits first annual distinguished lecture-ship on diversity, where nurse educa-tors from across the country identi-fied online education as a key strate-gy to recruit more diverse nurse edu-cators and prepare more students toenter a profession currently facingserious labor shortages.

Approximately 45 nurse educatorsattended the event, Stewardship andDiversity in Nursing Through OnlineEducation, which took place onOct. 11 in Prudence Hall on theCollege’s Trenton, N.J., campus.Many participants said flexibility andaccess were important componentsof online education that can helpreduce both the nursing shortage andthe nurse educator shortage facingthe country.

“I see online education as enablingethnic minority faculty to makethemselves more available nationallyand internationally,” said Ngozi O.Nkongho, PhD, RN, deputy direc-tor, National League for NursingAccrediting Commission. “It opensup the whole world for anyone whowants to teach online. Flexibility andaccess builds confidence because thestudent has time to work at his or herown pace.”

Leo-Felix Jurado, MSN, RN, presi-dent-elect of the Philippine NursesAssociation of America and assistantchairperson, Department of Nursingand Allied Health, County Collegeof Morris, said online educationempowers talented individuals with aunique opportunity to reach theirpotential.

“Some minority groups are very shy,and online learning allows those stu-dents to pour out every idea becauseof the anonymity,” he said. “We needfaculty who are ready to invest theirtime to help students succeed.Minorities need that support, andthe access and flexibility of onlineeducation allows those students topursue their dreams.”

The focus of the event was on build-ing alliances, linking stewardship anddiversity through online educationand increasing the awareness of therole of the professional nurse in pro-moting online education as a toolthat can help alleviate the nursingfaculty shortage facing the country.

Online education allows faculty toteach beyond traditional retirementage and enables students from ruralareas to access advanced education,according to Susan M. O’Brien,EdD, RN, dean of the School ofNursing at Thomas Edison StateCollege.

“The conference was attended by adiverse group of people interested inusing online education as a tool toincrease access to minority nurseeducators thereby reducing the nurs-ing faculty shortage,” said O’Brien.“It was a very interesting andthought-provoking day in which

Dr. Susan M. O'Brien, dean of the School ofNursing, discusses the important roles that diversityand online education can play in helping to reducethe national nurse educator shortage at the firstannual distinguished lectureship on diversity innursing held at Thomas Edison State College onOct. 11.

INVENTION FALL 2006 5

C O L L E G EN E W S

people were able to share thoughts,ideas and experiences that will pro-mote faculty diversity through theuse of online education.”

The event was moderated by GloriaKersey-Matusiak, PhD, RN, diversi-ty coordinator and assistant professorof Nursing at Holy FamilyUniversity in Philadelphia. Speakersincluded:

� Linda Gural, RN, president,New Jersey State NursesAssociation

� Kem Louie, PhD, RN, FAAN,secretary, Asian America/PacificIslander Nurses Association

� Hilda Richards, EdD, RN,FAAN, chancellor/president emeri-tus, Indiana University Northwest;Board Member, National Coalitionof Ethnic Minority NurseAssociations; past president,National Black Nurses Association

� Peter Block, author, Stewardship:Choosing Service Over Self-Interest

The event also featured the paneldiscussion, Strengthening Diversityin Nursing through OnlineEducation, which was moderated by

Louise Riley, MS, RN, BC, assistantdean of the School of Nursing atThomas Edison State College.Panelists included Ngozi O.Nkongho, PhD, RN; Leo-FelixJurado, MSN, RN; Joann PacisCummings, MS, RN; and ThomasEdison State College School ofNursing student Carmen Rivera-Ozoria, RN.

The lectureship is part of a three-year, $600,000 grant the Collegereceived in 2005 from the U.S.Health Resources and ServicesAdministration to recruit and pre-pare minority nurse educators inonline education and develop a col-laborative network of diverse nursefaculty members to enhance nursingprograms nationwide.

In October, the first 15 minoritynurse educators to take part in theinitiative at Thomas Edison StateCollege completed the program.

“With online education, you areanonymous and it’s the quality of yourthoughts that are viewed. You are freeto express yourself,” said Joann PacisCummings, MS, RN, a grant partici-pant and panelist. “Online educationis great for the English as a SecondLanguage student who perhaps can-not speak English well; however, canwrite very well.”

Linda Gural, RN, president of NewJersey State Nurses Association, saidenhancing diversity is a key issue fac-ing the country.

“A diverse nursing population is nec-essary to meet the healthcare needsof the nation,” she said. “The underrepresentation of minorities in thehealth professions is but one indica-tor that we fail to recognize anddevelop the human resources of ourdiverse population.”

George A. Pruitt, PhD, president ofThomas Edison State College, chal-lenged nurse educators to use thecollege in their efforts to increasediversity in nursing.

“We have to make healthcare acces-sible to all individuals. Minorities inhealthcare are severely under repre-sented in this country,” he said. “Weare trying to change this. We wantyou to help us and to use this Collegeas a tool to do that.”

Funding for the distinguished lectureship was made possible (in part) by grant award D11HP05199 from theU.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. Theviews expressed in written conference materials or publica-tions and by speakers and moderators do not necessarilyreflect the official policies of the U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services, or the Health Resources andServices Administration, nor does mention of tradenames, commercial practices, or organizations implyendorsement by the U.S. government.

Minority nurse leader Dr. Hilda Richards,chancellor/president emeritus, Indiana UniversityNorthwest, engages nurse educators from across the country who attended the first annual distin-guished lectureship on diversity in nursing held atThomas Edison State College on Oct. 11.

“I see online education

as enabling ethnic

minority faculty to

make themselves

more available

nationally and

internationally.Ngozi O. Nkongho, PhD, RN,deputy director, National League for Nursing AccreditingCommission. ”

6 INVENTION FALL 2006

Steve King’s father may not have meant to setan example for his son by attending collegewhile working full time and raising a family, butit was something the boy would never forget.

“My father had originally attended collegeimmediately following high school, but leftafter one semester to serve in the U.S. AirForce. He later pursued an engineering degreeat the same time he had a career and was pro-viding for us,” said King, BSBA ’93, who wouldfollow in his dad’s educational footsteps.

Like his father before him, King balanced aburgeoning career and a growing family whileearning his college degree.

“My parents had a huge influence on me,” saidKing, who grew up in Washington State withthree brothers and a sister. “My father took anontraditional career and academic track andspent many hours in night school. I reallyadmired that.”

While he is quick to divert any accolades tothose around him, King has earned quite a bitof admiration himself.

Based on his distinguished performance aspresident and CEO of ZANTAZ, Inc., a globalprovider of enterprise-class software and on-demand solutions for information retention and

INVENTION FALL 2006 7

AFTER LEADING E*TRADETHROUGH TREMENDOUSGROWTH, STEVE KING, ’93,ENJOYS A REMARKABLE SECONDACT AS CEO OF ZANTAZ, INC.

PRIMEMOVER

discovery management, Kingearned the 2006 Ernst & YoungEntrepreneur of the Year Awardfor the Business Services Categoryin the northern California region.

“I’m really humbled by beingselected for the Ernst & Youngaward,” said King. “The awardrecognizes the contributions ofevery one of the nearly 500 mem-bers of our organization. It alsorecognizes the close relationshipswe have built with our customersand partners.”

The recognition is typical of theaccomplishments made by King,who had already amassed a wealthof professional experience by thetime he enrolled at ThomasEdison State College.

At New York-based Ziff-DavisTechnical Information Company,King supervised sales in 11 western states and increased therevenue base in his markets by

270 percent. Later, at KMIServices based in Livermore, Calif.,he negotiated and managed multi-million dollar contracts with IBM

and the federal government. By1993, King was at InformationAccess Company, a division ofThomson Corporation, based inFoster City, Calif., where he man-aged sales of $60 million.

Accomplishments like these wouldbe the highlights of a successfulcareer for most people, but forKing, it was just the beginning.

Interestingly, his Thomas EdisonState College degree helped King

achieve new goals with regards tohis career and family.

“I had professional as well as personal motivations for completing

my BSBA degree, and doing sowas a very valuable experience thatcame at a pivotal time in mycareer,” he said. “I applied what Iwas learning almost daily to actualbusiness situations.”

King surmised that progressingfrom sales into a senior manage-ment role would afford him moreflexibility to be with his family.His degree helped him make thattransition.

“My job entailed a tremendousamount of traveling and it wasimpacting me personally,” herecalled. “I felt as though I wasmissing too much of my 2 and-a-half-year-old daughter’s life. Wealso had a son on the way, and Iwanted to spend more time athome with my wife and family.”

From 1997 through 2000, Kingheld a series of executive-levelmanagement positions at E*TradeFinancial Corporation. From 1999to 2000, he served as vice presi-dent and general manager ofE*Trade’s Investment BankingGroup, and as interim presidentand CEO of its investment arm,E*Offering.

During his tenure at E*Trade, thecompany grew from 200 employees

8 INVENTION FALL 2006

(from left) Bradley King, Steve King, Kay Kingand Karli King enjoy a night out together.

I had professional as well as personal motivations for completing my BSBA

degree, and doing so was a very valuable experience that came at a pivotal time in my career. I applied what I was learning almost

daily to actual business situations.

”“

to more than 4,000, and revenuestopped $1.5 billion.

“It was disruptive to the financialservices market and very exciting,”said King, who noted that his positions at E*Trade enabled himto combine his affinity for salesand technology with management-level opportunities in the compli-ance and regulatory industry.

Today, as the chief executive atZANTAZ, Inc., based inPleasanton, Calif., he leads thecompany in its focus on the financial services market.

“By providing the tools to capture,preserve and access instant mes-sages, e-mail and electronicrecords, our clients can respond toregulatory action or litigation in amore composed and proactiveway,” explained King.

The company’s customers includenine of the 10 top global law firms,11 of the Fortune 25, and 14 of thetop financial securities firms.

ZANTAZ, Inc., which supports anumber of charitable activitiesincluding many related to educa-

tion, is on an impressive trajectory.When King came on board aschief operating officer in 2000, thecompany reported less than $1million in revenue; by 2005, thecompany was reporting more than$100 million in revenue.

While he is a dedicated executive,life is not all about work for King.

He and his wife, Kay, and theirson, Bradley, a senior in highschool, and daughter, Karli, a jun-ior at Pepperdine University, enjoyas much of the outdoors as theycan during free time together.

“From the time our kids couldtravel comfortably, we enjoyedtraveling and taking them to inter-esting places,” said King. “They’vespent a fair amount of time inother countries, so they’re not reti-cent at all about setting out ontheir own. My son recently spenttwo weeks on a youth mission tripto a boys’ orphanage in Kenya,Africa; and my daughter just

concluded international study inLondon, England.”

King said his parents did an excel-lent job of teaching him theimportance of family and theimportance of education, which hetries to impart to his own children.

For those juggling family andcareers who want to completetheir college degree, he advisesadult learners to stay the course.

“One of the things that kept megoing while I attended ThomasEdison State College was the flexibility and the convenience.It was challenging and difficult,but I advise those considering it to just do it,” he said. “You canalways rationalize putting it off,but don’t be lulled into inaction.Once you’ve built the momentumto get the process started, you’veconquered the biggest hurdle.”

For King, manning the grill in his backyard,no job is too small when it comes to family.

(from left) Steve and Kay King enjoy a golfouting with friends.

INVENTION FALL 2006 9

10 INVENTION FALL 2006

& F O U N DAT I O NA L U M N I

Thomas Edison State College Launches

Alumni Ambassador Program

The College is calling on all graduates to consider taking partin the Alumni AmbassadorProgram, a new initiative thatleverages the experience, skills and passion for education of itsalumni into the institution’s effortsto grow enrollment, build partner-ships and expand development initiatives.

“No one can better explain thebenefits of attending ThomasEdison State College than ourknowledgeable and passionatealumni,” said Roxanne L. Globis,alumni director. “By taking part inthe Alumni Ambassador Program,our graduates can play a direct,active role to enhance higher education for adult learnersthroughout the country and theworld.”

Founded in 1979, the AlumniAssociation represents more than27,000 alumni worldwide whohave earned their degrees fromThomas Edison State College.The association is committed tohelping advance the College’s mission to provide flexible,

high-quality, collegiate learningopportunities for self-directedadults, wherever they live or work.

Globis noted that the new AlumniAmbassador Program is structuredso that alumni can take part in avariety of ways that can help theCollege, such as:

� Referring your friends, relatives orco-workers to Thomas Edison StateCollege to complete their degree

� Helping set up a meeting withtheir company’s human resourcesdepartment

� Helping the College identifypotential corporate partners

� Providing a testimonial theCollege can use in its marketingefforts

� Talking to the media abouttheir experience at the College

� Partnering with key Collegestaff to promote academic programs within their industries

“As an Alumni Ambassador, theCollege will work closely withgraduates to provide the resources,training and support to make theirefforts successful,” said Globis.“This includes program orientationand training, support materials andpromotion of ambassador activitiesin our College publications.”To learn more about the AlumniAmbassador Program, contact theOffice of Alumni Affairs at (609) 633-8592, ext. 2090 oralumni@tesc.edu.

ALUMNI AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

THE OFFICE OF ALUMNIAFFAIRS HAS A MESSAGEFOR ALL THOMAS EDISONSTATE COLLEGE GRADUATES:

NO ONE CAN HELPTHOMAS EDISON STATECOLLEGE LIKE YOU CAN.

Veteran Broadcaster to Advocate for College

Jim Harrington has had the kind ofbroadcasting career that many ofhis peers would envy. It includesstops at WCBS-FM in New Yorkand serving several years as theprogram director at KDKA radioin Pittsburgh, the nation’s firstcommercial broadcaster.

Harrington ran his own marketingand video production business for10 years before returning to broad-casting. He is a published novelist,and is preparing to launch a newsyndicated morning radio showcalled “Your Morning with JimHarrington and Friends.”

This year, Harrington also completed his college degree,earning a Bachelor of Arts degreein communications. As a ThomasEdison State College graduate, hewas quick to respond to a call tojoin the new Alumni AmbassadorProgram.

Harrington said he felt compelledto participate in the new initiativeso he could better promote his almamater to adult learners who maythink that their chance to earn adegree has come and gone.

“People need to know aboutThomas Edison State College,” hesaid. “This school offers many people a second chance. I want tohelp spread the word that ThomasEdison State College provides anopportunity that can change yourlife forever.”

Harrington said earning his degreewhile juggling his professional andpersonal responsibilities was a challenge, but one that was wellworth it. He advises any adultthinking about finishing theirdegree to seriously consider theCollege.

“Trust me, Thomas Edison StateCollege has changed the rules,” hesaid. “I put my two daughtersthrough Penn State and then, in myfifties, I went back. If you are dedi-cated and focused, you can do this.”

Jim Harrington ’06

& F O U N DAT I O NA L U M N I

No One Can Help Us Like You!

INVENTION FALL 2006 11

As a graduate of Thomas EdisonState College, no one can talkabout the importance of finishingyour degree and achieving youreducational goals while balancingthe demands of professional andpersonal responsibilities betterthan you.

If you are interested in helping theCollege advance its work to bringthe finest educational programsdesigned exclusively for busyadults to more adult learners, wehope you will consider joining theAlumni Ambassador Program.

To learn more about the AlumniAmbassador Program, contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at (609) 633-8592, ext. 2090 or alumni@tesc.edu

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06

Joseph A. Ascoli BSBA ’01

Joseph A. Ascoli graduated from New York Law School with a jurisdoctor degree in 2005. Ascoli subsequently passed the New Jersey BarExam in February 2006 and was admitted to practice in May of 2006.He now plans to enter into private practice.

Charise B. Balaam BA ’05

Charise B. Balaam was accepted into Rutgers University School ofSocial Work.

Emmanuel Sorel Bourjolly BA ’03

Emmanuel Sorel Bourjolly received the Master of Divinity degree fromPrinceton Theological Seminary at the school’s 194th CommencementExercises on May 13, 2006. The Master of Divinity is a three-yeargraduate degree that is the basic professional degree for ministry. TheSeminary awarded a total of 207 degrees at the CommencementExercises.

Patrina Clark BA ’04

Patrina Clark has been selected as staff director for the FederalElection Commission (FEC). Clark joined the FEC on July 10, 2006, inone of two staff positions mandated by the Federal Election CampaignAct (FECA). As staff director, Clark is responsible for managing theoverall operation of the commission. FEC Chairman Michael Tonernoted, “Patrina comes to the commission with an outstanding list ofaccomplishments and a fresh perspective that has impressed us all.”

Joseph R. Cole ASPSS ’01

Joseph R. Cole was promoted to police lieutenant of the AberdeenTownship Police Department in April 2006. In addition to this proudaccomplishment, Cole also received his Master of Criminal Justicedegree from Boston University in 2006.

Jeff Dickerson ASAST ’99

Jeff Dickerson has been appointed as senior director of themanagement consulting and engineering firm R.W. Beck, Inc. inSeattle, Wash. In his new appointment, Dickerson will be responsiblefor all internal computing and networking systems.

David A. Humbrecht BSAST ’03

David A. Humbrecht received a Master of Science degree inengineering management from Eastern Michigan University inYpsilanti, Mich., in 2005.

Paul R. Jordan BSAST ’05

Paul R. Jordan noted that his degree from Thomas Edison StateCollege has allowed him to apply early to nursing school. He will begraduating with a BSN degree in 2007 from St. Cloud State Universityin Minnesota and plans to re-enter the U.S. Navy as a RN immediatelyfollowing graduation.

George W. Karacostas BSBA ’84

After completing his Thomas Edison State College degree, George W.Karacostas opened his own business, Karacostas Car Repair, which isstill successful after 22 years. Karacostas, who specializes in antiqueVolkswagens, and his son set national records racing Volkswagens in2000.

Roberta L. Karchner BA ’05

In addition to completing her Thomas Edison State College Bachelorof Arts degree in communication in 2005, Roberta L. Karchnercompleted a master’s program at San Francisco Theological Seminary’sSouthern California Campus in Pasadena, Calif., and received herMaster of Divinity degree. Shortly after completing both programs,Karchner and her husband Gary relocated from California to Kansaswhere she now serves as a solo pastor to a Presbyterian church inLakin, Kansas.

Jason M. Kish BA ’05

Jason M. Kish was honorably discharged from the United States Navyafter nearly 10 years of decorated submarine service. He was recentlyhired by Constellation Energy as a chemistry technician at its CalvertCliffs Nuclear Power Plan in Lusby, Md.

Raymond G. Klebs AA ’03 BA ’04

Raymond G. Klebs was awarded a National Honor Roll’s OutstandingAmerican Teachers recognition on June 22, 2006, for his work inmathematics at Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, N.J.

Marita A. Lawler BSHS ’98

Marita A. Lawler, who received a Doctor of Chaplaincy degree in 2005,holds the position of chaplain for the Chickaloon Fire Service, Inc, inChickaloon, Alaska. In addition, Lawler noted, she provides pastoralcounseling in the community using many of the skills she learned atThomas Edison State College.

Thomas Maguire BA ’94

Thomas Maguire has begun work on his doctoral degree in business.He also had his second child, a daughter, born on Father’s Day, June18, 2006.

12 INVENTION FALL 2006

A P P L AU S EA P P L AU S E

Rebecca McCarthy BSHS ’98

Rebecca McCarthy is currently the director of Nursing at PrincetonCare Center in Princeton, N.J.

Louis Mignone BSHS ’05

Louis Mignone earned a Master of Art degree in liberal studies fromExcelsior College of Albany, N.Y., in February 2006. He continues in hisposition as a police detective with the Township of West Orange PoliceDepartment of New Jersey and is in his 19 year of law enforcement.

Barbara Mitchell, DCH BA ’82

In November 2005, Barbara Mitchell was awarded a Doctor of ClinicalHypnotherapy degree. Her private practice includes hypnotherapy, neurolinguistic programming and stress management.

Melanie Darlyne Morgan BA ’03

Melanie Darlyne Morgan, MEd, has accepted a fourth grade teachingposition at Krueger Elementary in the Northside Independent SchoolDistrict. Morgan noted that she appreciated the support of her family asshe secured the first teaching position of her career in a student-focuseddistrict; thanks to their encouragement, her dreams have been fulfilled.Morgan said she is proud to join the faculty and staff of the “destinationdistrict” of San Antonio, Texas.

Hans M. Nunemaker MSM ‘06

Hans M. Nunemaker has been approved to retire from the active UnitedStates Army after 20 years of faithful service as a chief paralegalnoncommissioned officer in March 2007. Nunemaker recently completeda yearlong deployment to Balad, Iraq, and returned to Texas to teach atthe college level.

Kirsten D. Person-Ramey BA ’04

Kirsten D. Person-Ramey, along with production company Cool PeopleEntertainment LLC, has recently achieved nationwide distribution ofPerson-Ramey’s first feature film “Mary Proud.” The film, previously selfdistributed, has secured national distribution through MaverickEntertainment. Person-Ramey is in the process of shooting her secondfeature film.

Ashley L. Pistorio BSAST ’99

Ashley L. Pistorio completed her MS degree in biotechnology from JohnHopkins University in Baltimore, Md., in 2003. After working for 10 yearsin medical research, eight years of which was spent in the Department ofBiomedical Engineering at John Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore,she finally was able to follow her true calling. She started her first year of

� New Job � Promotion� Award� Marriage� Baby� Career Switch

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A P P L AU S EA P P L AU S E

continued on back cover

THE COLLEGE STOREOFFERS A VARIETY OFMERCHANDISE THATYOU CAN USE TO SHOWYOUR SPIRIT AS YOUADVOCATE AND INSPIREOTHERS TO FOLLOW INYOUR FOOTSTEPS

Treat yourself to a gift from

the College Store — or treat

someone special to a birthday

or other celebratory surprise.

Mugs, pens, key chains, shirts,

umbrellas, tote bags, rings and

diploma frames are among the

items available for purchase.

Proceeds are contributed to

the Alumni Association

Endowment Fund.

Giving these items as a gift is

a great way to show family

and friends your appreciation

for their support of your

educational pursuits as you

help build the ongoing success

of the College.

Shop online at www.tesc.edu/

bookstore/giftshop or request

a brochure from the Office of

Alumni Affairs: (609) 633-8592,

or by e-mail: alumni@tesc.edu.

Show Your Thomas Edison

School Spirit!

medical school at the Pennsylvania State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pa., in August. She expressedher appreciation of Thomas Edison State College by saying “The ability to complete my undergraduatedegree while continuing to work full time has opened doors I could not have dreamed of when I firstenrolled at the College. It is because of my experience with Thomas Edison State College that I am a hugeadvocate of distance education for working adults.”

Matthew C. Quirk BA ’04

Matthew C. Quirk was recently promoted to the position of programmer analyst. He expressed howhe could not have achieved this position without his baccalaureate degree from Thomas Edison StateCollege. He noted, “Education is truly the key to my success.”

Ivan Reales AAS ’06

Ivan Reales was promoted to chief petty officer of the United States Coast Guard on July 1, 2006. Thepromotion was announced shortly after Reales completing his AAS degree in computer studies atThomas Edison State College. Reales earned his degree while serving on active duty with the CoastGuard. Reales noted that this was his most honorable and prestigious accomplishment during his 15years of service. He is currently stationed at Coast Guard Sector Miami, Fla.

Samuel Roberson BA ’97

Samuel Roberson graduated from Baruch College in New York City with a master’s degree in publicadministration. Roberson noted, “Thomas Edison State College counselors supported me in myapplication process to obtain a fellowship for my MPA immediately upon graduation. Since acquiringmy BA and MPA my career has excelled.” In addition to working as a senior staff member at TheLennard Clinic, Roberson opened Little Lamb’s Childcare Center as director and vice president in 2001.

Stacie L. Ryan BA ’01

Stacie L. Ryan received her master’s degree in elementary education through the University of Phoenixin Phoenix, Ariz. In addition, she completed two years of probationary status. She has recently beengiven tenure status at the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District as a second grade teacher.

Sana Saud Al-Hajri BSBA ’05

Sana Saud Al-Hajri said how attending her commencement ceremony with her fellow classmates wasone of the most memorable moments of her life. She hopes that her future will shine bright withmany achievements. She noted, “After my bachelor’s degree experience, all else seems easy. I’vedecided that my journey should not end here, and I plan to pursue a master’s degree in humanresources management, hopefully in 2006.”

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