Queens College:

Urban school in a suburban setting

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

Sri Lankan students today have many options of higher studies abroad unlike in the past. There are many foreign universities in the country as well but still some prefer to go abroad and achieve this goal. Because, they believe having the opportunity to study abroad is a great experience and can also open many doors down the road. The cost may be little higher but students can get a different sort of exposure and learn something different from what they can learn in their own country.

In a recent graduation ceremony 1200 under graduates from Queens College, City University in New York graduated in smart black coat and cap. The university has a history of eight decades. It was a beautiful sunny morning in the 77 acre tree lined campus surrounding a traditional quad with a magnificent view of the Manhattan skyline at Kissena Bulvard. Thousands of cheerful graduates and their happy families and friends scattered all over the premises added much colour to the ceremony. The decorated outdoor stage was full of academics in colourful robes and distinguished guests.

The speech of John Bryant, who serves on Obama’s financial capability advisory council who happened to be an Alumni of the college was the Chief Guest. He delivered an inspirational speech. In an interview with Daily News Division of Enrolment Management and Student Affairs, Vice President Joe Bertino, said that he is determined to visit Sri Lanka in the near future.

Dr Joe has enhanced students’ in-class experience with extracurricular activities and programs, international student services, and student activities for the last seven years at the college. He is a psychological expert graduated from the University of Columbia.

Queens College is a place for passionate, confident, energetic, open-minded and innovative students. The faculty always encourages and pushes students to think big and consider new options. “It is a place where students can make their dreams come true,” said Dr Bertino.

Global education is very important today than ever before. Students who do not have

international relationships are going to be in trouble in the future warns Dr Bertino. The university has created such an environment so that the students do not lose out on this opportunity. According to him by 2015, Queens College will be one of the top five best-value institution. Global in reach, character and focus, it benefits from its location at one of the nation’s most diverse counties and a world centre of finance, communications and culture.

Queens College prepares students to become leaders of the global society by offering a rigorous education in the liberal arts and sciences under the guidance of a faculty dedicated to both teaching and research. Students graduate with the ability to think critically, address complex problems, explore various cultures and use modern technologies and information resources.

With a faculty and student population that reflects the diversity of New York City, Queens College provides an unusually rich education.

The only Sri Lankan student who graduated in Economics at Queens college this year is Hiran Ramyajith. “I enjoyed my student life at Queens College very much. I and my friends of various nationalities studied, played and cooked together as one family. I gained job experience at the College Health Centre as apart timer under the guidance of my boss, Coorni. The leadership classes were what I enjoyed best. It gave me full confidence to work anywhere in the world as a truly global citizen.

The college enjoys a national reputation for its liberal arts and sciences and pre-professional programs. The Princeton Review has featured Queens College in America’s Best Value Colleges every year since its inception, citing the school’s outstanding academics, generous financial aid packages, and relatively low costs.

US News and World Report America’s Best Colleges (2010 edition) ranks Queens among the top 10 public universities in its category, “Best Universities-Master’s (North).” This category describes colleges that offer a full range of undergraduate and master’s programs.

According to Dr Bertino Queens is also one of America’s most culturally diverse colleges. More than half of its students were born overseas; they come from over 130 countries and speak more than 60 languages. Their undergraduate ethnic breakdown is 46.2 percent white and 25.6 percent Asian–Pacific and the balance hispanic and black. Few Sri Lankan students also have studied there.

There are over 22,000 matriculated students out of which; more than 4,600 are graduate students without having promoted the university in foreign countries. Dr Bertino said that, because the academic strength of Queens College applicants continues to rise, the final target of having 25,000 students by 2015 therefore will not be a challenge.

The college is becoming more selective. In grades and test scores, our students compare favourably with those at leading public institutions, and our alumni are accepted to top professional and graduate schools he said.

Key themes of the university include making strong programs, world class education allowing students to be global citizens. It Inspires the students to develop their full potential and infusing academic programs with a global perspective and building a culture of community through strengthening and making the campus a welcoming place. The college hopes to increase recognition and produce a catalyst for the borough as per their motto ‘We learn so that we may serve’.

The college has expanded its wireless capability and opened new cafés and dining areas. Fresh landscaping, new tennis courts, and an extensive recycling program are among the latest improvements. The Summit, the first residence hall on campus, opened in August 2009.

There are 637 faculty members; nearly 90 percent have the terminal degree in their fields. Queens professors have received national recognition such as Guggenheim fellowships and Fulbright awards, and funding from prestigious organizations and government agencies such as the National Science Foundation.

Almost half of the current faculty were hired in the last six years after teaching and earning their advanced degrees at such distinguished universities as Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Oxford.

Academic programmes are organized in four divisions, which offer courses in: Arts and Humanities; Education; Mathematics and the Natural Sciences; and the Social Sciences. The college awards bachelor’s and master’s degrees in over 100 areas. Queens College is the centre for the arts in Queens.

It has all types of music, drama, films and all events are open to the public, and many are free of charge.

Students can enjoy sports facilities as Queens is the only CUNY college with Division II status. The college has 20 varsity teams; the options include basketball, tennis, soccer and swimming squads for men and women, as well as baseball and softball. Women’s lacrosse, the newest programme, was added to the roster in the fall of 2009. Less competitive athletes can join intramural teams, take classes or work out in the fitness centre.

Often referred to as ‘the jewel of the CUNY system,’ Queens College is a place of contrasts: An urban school in a suburban setting, where a large and diverse student body receives personalized attention. This formula has made it one of New York’s premier educational institutions.