SCENE Winter 2016

SCENE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Winter 2016 STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK For Friends and Alumni RCC: ECONOMIC ENGINE N RCC Expands Presence into Nyack with Opening of Start-Up NY-Affiliated York Analytical Laboratories, Inc. yack – The opening of York Analytical Laboratories, Inc., (YORK) in Nyack under StartUp NY expands Rockland Community College’s reach into the dynamic waterfront village, thanks to the affiliation between colleges and local businesses. YORK (www. yorklab.com) is relocating its executive headquarters from Connecticut. the total to 157 businesses participating in Start-Up NY and committing to creating at least 4,278 new jobs across the state. YORK is an owner-operated business of longtime Rockland county resident Michael Beckerich, and has operated from Connecticut for more than 20 years. Its laboratory in Stratford, CT (50+ people) and client service center in Prospect Park, NJ, will continue operations, but YORK will relocate six jobs from Connecticut and invest $130,000 in the new executive facility in Nyack. RCC’s relationship to YORK offers students and alumni increased access to one of the fastest growing industries, environmental science. One of the leading NELAC environmental laboratories in the Northeast, YORK works with environmental engineers to provide testing of test soil, water and air samples for RCC is now partnered with York Analytical Laboratories, Inc., in Nyack regulated contaminants. YORK Start-Up NY, introduced in 2013, offers has been involved with many landmark new and expanding businesses that create projects in the region, including the new new jobs in New York State the chance Tappan Zee Bridge construction. to operate tax-free for 10 years on or near “We are very excited that Rockland eligible university or college campuses in Community College is now part of the the state. revitalization of the Nyack waterfront,” Governor Andrew Cuomo announced said Dr. Cliff L. Wood, President, RCC. on December 16 that York Labs is one of “Our partnership with YORK offers unique 16 businesses that recently unveiled plans opportunities to our students and alumni, to expand in or locate to New York as part particularly in the growing fields of engineering, of the Start-Up NY program, bringing environmental studies and green technology.” “Start-Up NY has provided YORK with an opportunity to continue growing the business in the metropolitan New York City area. The relationship with RCC accelerates new job creation and invigorates our existing staff with academic engagement,” said Beckerich. “YORK has a significant commitment to business in the region, and the new building in Nyack is a cornerstone to this long-term presence.” RCC is one of 75 schools participating in Start-Up NY, representing more than 440 Tax-Free Areas and more than 5 million square feet of tax-free space for new or expanding businesses to operate on or near campuses. Inside Career Center Opens 2 Auto Tech Center Drives Jobs 3 RCC Foundation Luncheon 4-5 New Trustees Join Board 6 Super Students 7 Amazing Alumni 8-9 Passings 10 RCC Goes Global 11 Upcoming Events 12 SCENE | 1