Alumni Newsletter Fall 2019
Welcome from the Director
Welcome to the Alumni Newsletter-a new publication from the Five Towns College Career Services Center and the Alumni Association!
We all know that the summers in New York are fast and furious! We constantly scurry to get enough sunshine and fun moments with family and friends before the daylit skies begin to creep away. As the leaves start to prepare for the autumn air, and the smell of pumpkin spice wafts through coffee shops and local farm stands, we are reminded of all the Fall’s fun and productive endeavors. It starts to sink in that we will be back to fixed schedules, studying for exams, or reporting to supervisors at work. But, there are other great happenings that come with the Fall . . .
ESPECIALLY, the great things going on at Five Towns College! In an effort to focus on FTC alumni, we are KICKING OFF our semester with a fabulous event at TOA of Farmingdale on Thursday, September 26th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. If you are a “city dweller”, TOA is across the street from the Farmingdale train station. If you have not received an invite or need more info, please contact The Career Services Center. We look forward to sharing some wine, beer, appetizers and great conversation. We have a cap on this event so be sure to RSVP as soon as possible. Spots are limited and RSVPs are coming in everyday!
As you continue to read, you will see all of the wonderful events that are planned for the Fall semester. Our Employer Mix N Mingle on November 6th is a productive event where we have 15 to 20 employers meeting with seniors and alumni to discuss job opportunities in their companies. You may want to attend as an alumni or be there as an employer. Alumni are always welcome to contribute as speakers for one of our many GET HIRED: EMPLOYER BUZZ events. We feature panels as well as individual presentations to students.
As we continue to thrive, we want to invite you to become more involved with all that FTC offers. We are eager to hear about your professional successes. Similarly, we want alumni to know that The Career Services Center/Alumni Affairs Office is here to provide support and resources for career placement, job transition and/or just for questions and advice. Please feel free to join us by attending any of the exciting events planned for the Fall 2019.
Thank you for choosing to create your future @ Five Towns College!
With pride and continued success,
Krysti O’Rourke, M. P. A.
Director Career Services Center and Alumni Association
Alumni Spotlight
Alex Fulton graduated from Five Towns College in 2012 with A B.P.S. in Business Management with a concentration in Audio Recording Technology. Alex presently is working as a music producer, sound designer, and engineer with credits on critically acclaimed albums, Netflix shows, Super Bowl commercials, and more.
Alex Fulton
While a Five Towns College student he served as a studio assistant, peer tutor, and senior resident advisor, and took internship opportunities at studios in Sacramento and New York City. An internship at a commercial music house lead to a ground level position with a newly founded original music company in 2012, a month before graduation. Over the course of seven years, Alex worked his way from junior composer to executive music producer at Storefront Music.
In 2019 Alex parted ways with Storefront to divide his time between producing albums and serving as an independent sonic branding consultant to brands and advertising agencies. He keeps a recording studio in Brooklyn and lives nearby with his wife Katy.
45th Annual Commencement Exercises
Honorary Doctorate Recipient, Wyclef Jean performing with FTC graduates
Five Towns College finished a great 2019 academic year with its annual commencement exercises. Dignitaries, students and staff attended the ceremony conducted at Half Hollow Hills High School. In addition to the day’s general festivities, Honorary Doctorates were awarded to two distinguished guests: Grammy award winning performer and FTC alumnus, Wyclef Jean and Emmy award winning broadcast journalist, Vanessa Tyler. They both graciously accepted and shared personal stories that brought them to this great day.
Career Fair
On Tuesday April 16th, The Career Services Center held its annual career fair for potential employers, students and alumni in the Sound Gymnasium. Students and alumni were encouraged to come interview ready (well dressed with resume in hand) so that they could network with potential employers. Some of the participating companies were Cox Media (WBAB, 106.1BLI), Mason Technologies, Governor’s Radio, the Argyle Theater, Beyer Dynamic, Newsday, The School of Rock and many more. Refreshments were served and contacts were made.
Spring 2019 Music and Entertainment Industry Seminar (MEIS)
Love and Hip Hop’s Bridget Kelly was the Keynote speaker at the MEIS Seminar
On April 12th 2019, Business Division Chair Kate Kimmel, Professor Ed Crocoll, and several other members of the Business Division hosted the Music and Entertainment Industry Today- Spring Seminar, now be a bi-annual event here at Five Towns College.
This year’s event focused on a creating a multi-faceted approach to the music industry. The seminar consisted of panel discussions that ran all day in The Downbeat and covered a lot of ground. The panel topics ranged from Podcasting to The Live Performance/Touring Industry to Social Media and Marketing, to Careers in Entertainment. The keynote speaker for this Spring’s seminar was “Love and Hip Hop’s” Bridget Kelly.
Panelists ranged from long time industry veterans to recent FTC Alumni. Panelists included Brendan McDonald (co-creator of the WTF with Marc Maron podcast), Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (former guitarist in Guns n’ Roses), Randy Nichols (CEO Force Media Management), Steve Lagudi (live sound engineer for Machine Head) as well as some FTC Alumni including Lisa Marie Smith (Sr. Program Manager at Sirius XM), Rudy Valme (Crossing Midnight Entertainment) and Tameeka Henry (Executive Marketing Manager, Reporting and Analytics, D S Simon Media).
Roundtable Series: Get Hired Employer Buzz
The Career Services Center has continued to showcase its speaker series under the Roundtable Series label. This semester saw some truly interesting guests. Beatstreet Productions owner/former Twisted Sister/Good Rats drummer, Joe Franco , came to FTC to talk about his career as a touring musician, session musician, Emmy winning post production producer, and post production studio owner. It was a great conversation that many students with a variety of interests benefitted from listening and attending.
WBAB DJ “Fingers” came to FTC at the end of April for an on-air interview about his life and professional career. Interviewed by Career Services representative, Ryan Schimmenti as well as FTC students Jason Troy and Victoria Solimo, Fingers walked everyone through the ups and downs of a fascinating 35+ year career in broadcasting. This was just another example of how the knowledge learned from visiting speakers presented inspiring and engaging conversations on campus for students from all academic disciplines.
Roundtable Series: Get Hired Employer Buzz
The Career Services Center has continued to showcase its speaker series under the Roundtable Series label. With about four-five specific events consisting of professional panelists who are currently experts in the entertainment industry field, this series provides on-site education and insight from industry specialists. If you are working in the industry and are interested in being featured in a Get Hired: Employer Buzz series event, please email us at [email protected].
Grammy Award Winning Bassist Victor Wooten visits FTC
Bassist Victor Wooten at a clinic at FTC
On February 9, 2019, Electric Bass Legend and five-time Grammy Award Winning Musician, Victor Wooten conducted a private seminar at Five Towns College sponsored by Samson Technologies, Hartke Amplifiers and President Jack Knight. Students, faculty and staff all eager to hear Victor Wooten play, share experiences, and give advice attended the exclusive event. Wooten kicked off the seminar by doing what he does best– wowing everyone on his electric bass guitar powered by a Hartke gear bass amplifier. Wooten led the private event-for FTC only-by suggesting that students should be “Musically free . . . the world is waiting for you to claim it; you have your own speaking voice, do the same thing in music-reclaim your freedom in music.” Later on, Wooten invited FTC Music Graduate student and bass guitarist, Jared Burnett, to join him on stage. Jared practiced the double thumb technique, while the audience listened to the wonderful music that filled the Upbeat Stage. It was one of those sleepy winter weekends that turned into a powerful educational event on campus.
Theatre Arts Division Main Stage Productions
Alumni are always invited to attend the Main Stage productions of the Theatre Arts Division. This Spring brought a spectacular interpretation of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, to the Five Towns College Performing Arts Center with packed audiences enjoying the event over a period of four performances. Five Towns College has resurrected the small black box theatre in a new space called the Studio Theatre. Here, acting students produced the Pulitzer Prize winning, Disgraced and delved into some serious conversations about tolerance and diversity.
Alumni are encouraged to visit www.ftc.edu/ftcpac/ for upcoming shows and events.
Five Towns College recently reestablished its commitment to intercollegiate athletics by relaunching its Sound Athletics program. The new Athletics Director, Matt Guercio, was appointed in the Fall 2018 and announced the addition of Men’s & Women’s Soccer and Women’s Volleyball joining the program this Fall 2019. Men’s Volleyball will begin competition for the 2020-21 academic year.
Both the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams finished the 2018-2019 campaign with winning records and were ranked nationally in the top 20 coaches poll. Head Men’s Basketball coach, Gregg Drzal will begin his second season in 2019-2020. Senior Chloe Walton and Sophomore Kyree Sawyer were both named USCAA Honorable Mention All-Americans for the second straight year. More information about the Sound Athletics roster and schedule is available here: https://athletics.ftc.edu/landing/index
On May 6, 2019 it was announced that Five Towns College was accepted as a full-time member for the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC) for 2019-2020. Five Towns College is a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA), the national organization for intercollegiate athletic programs of 85 institutions across 24 states in the U.S.
Five Towns College is extremely proud of the Sound Athletics Program, its coaches and the accomplishments of all the team members. We shout out a big thank you for the addition of an energetic and vibrant group of student athletes on campus and look forward to an exciting year!
Upcoming Fall 2019 Alumni Events:
- October 8: Get Hired: Employer Buzz Series with FTC Alum Martha Velasquez (HBO)
- October 11-13: Theater Division Production– The Laramie Project
- November 1-3: Theater Division Production- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
- Wednesday November 6th: Employer Mix and Mingle
- Tuesday November 12th: Get Hired: Employer Buzz Series Film/Video Alumni Panel Discussion
- November 21-24: Theatre Division production-A New Brain
- December 6th: Get Hired: Employer Buzz Series Event with Live Sound Engineer Steve Lagudi (Machine Head/God Forbid/Testament)
For more about upcoming Alumni events, email [email protected] or call (631) 656-2146.
The FTC Alumni Association
As a graduate of Five Towns College, you instantly become a member of the Alumni Association. While the college provides the means for personal enrichment and the realization of educational and career goals, the Alumni Association gives you an opportunity to enhance the value of your Five Towns College education. Through your active networking and participation, you can amplify its contributions toward the strengthening of Five Towns College and the college’s ability to continue its tradition of excellence. Plus, you will benefit and network with many other alumni in the professional world. We welcome you to all that is going on!
Stay Connected @ FTC!
The Alumni Affairs team is looking to increase its alumni membership and involvement. Stay connected with FTC and former classmates! Participate in alumni activities and events! If you would like to be included in ongoing Alumni events, please contact Ryan Schimmenti at [email protected].
