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The Northwest New Jersey Regional Women's Center at Centenary College Will Sponsor a Seminar on "Business Etiquette" on February 10, 2010.

Hackettstown, N.J., January 29, 2010 – Kerry Preston of Image Dynamics will be conducting a seminar on “Business Etiquette” at Centenary College from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 in the Front Parlours of the Edward W. Seay Administration Building.  The event is sponsored by the Northwest New Jersey Regional Women’s Center at Centenary College.  It is free and open to the public.

As the business environment becomes more competitive, appropriate business protocol and having the tools to handle any situation play an important part in one’s everyday lives.  This workshop is designed to enhance the way business is done by making one more confident in all business situations.  Some points discussed will be business protocol, which includes attitude, nonverbal communication, building an executive presence and much more.  

Preston’s employer, Image Dynamics, offers specialized training for personal and business effectiveness and was one of the best 25 small companies to work for by Working Mother Magazine.

“This is an excellent opportunity for professionals to brush up on their skills,” says Dr. Deborah Diamond-Fisch, Executive Director of the Northwest New Jersey Regional Women’s Center.  “I highly encourage individuals to participate in the resources that the Center has to offer.”

To pre-register, please call the Women’s Center at 908-852-9365.  To learn more about the Northwest New Jersey Regional Women’s Center at Centenary College, please visit www.centenarycollege.edu/womens_center.

ABOUT THE NORTHWEST NEW JERSEY REGIONAL WOMEN’S CENTER

The Northwest New Jersey Regional Women's Center is a private, nonprofit organization established by the New Jersey State Legislature in 1987 to provide educational and counseling services to women and their families in Northwest New Jersey.

The main location is Centenary College in Hackettstown, New Jersey, with service locations through Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex, and Warren counties. The programs are open to men and women throughout the region.

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Centenary Baseball to Host Beefsteak Dinner And Food Drive

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (January 27, 2010) – The Centenary baseball team will host a beefsteak dinner and food drive to kick off its 2010 campaign on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 3:00 p.m., at the United Methodist Church in Hackettstown, N.J., head coach Scott Kushner announced.

The all-you-can-eat affair will take place in Starr Hall at the United Methodist Church, located at 213 Main Street in Hackettstown. Fans are asked to bring canned food, which will be donated to the church.

The cost of a ticket is $35.00 if you order your tickets early, or $40.00 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the Centenary baseball program. T-shirts, hats, gift certificates and many other prizes will be auctioned off during the dinner and fans will have the opportunity to meet the team.

Centenary finished the 2009 campaign 15-20-1 and 7-8 in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC). The team earned a berth to the CSAC Tournament, falling to eventual champion Keystone in their first game and Gwynedd-Mercy in their second.

For more information, log on to www.centenarycollege.edu/baseball.

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Assistant Director of the New Jersey Small Business Development Center at Centenary College is Named the Business Leader of the Year by Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.

Hackettstown, New Jersey, January 22, 2010 – Mary Adelman, the assistant director of the New Jersey Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC), recently received the Business Leader of the Year Award from the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce at the Annual Holiday and Awards Gala held at the Knoll Country Club in Lake Hiawatha.

The Business Leader of the Year Award is given to individuals who demonstrate dedication to employees and customers, as well as unwavering commitment to the community as both a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and an active member of the town.

“Mary Adelman has provided a tremendous amount of insight that resulted in the Chamber’s growth,” says Craig Schlosser, Executive Director of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.  “It is a pleasure to work with her, and her knowledge is outstanding.  Any Chamber member who has also consulted with her for NJSBDC purposes has found her to be extremely helpful and resourceful.”

Adelman is also very involved with NJAWBO (New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners).  For the Sussex-Warren chapter, she has served as Secretary, President-elect, President, and, during 2007-2008, Immediate Past President and Boot Camp Co-chair.  At the state level, Adelman has served as Vice President of Membership and was the Vendor Chair for the 2008 State Conference.  She started a new program, Membership University, in 2007, selecting speakers to present business topics via teleconference to the NJAWBO membership.  

Prior to her position as Assistant Director of NJSBDC at Centenary College, she worked for a variety of organizations.  She is also the owner and founder of Green Star Services, LLC, a virtual assistant business providing administrative and marketing services to help support other businesses and organizations.  In addition to her business activities, she has served on the board of Gentle Passages Care, Inc., where she was Chair of the Board.  She has an AAS in Business Management from the County College of Morris.

For more information about the SBDC, visit www.centenarycollege.edu/sbdc or call (908) 852-1400, ext. 2127.

ABOUT NJSBDC AT CENTENARY COLLEGE

The Small Business Development Center, which services Warren, Morris and Sussex counties, became part of the Centenary College community in 2006.

The NJSBDC network is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration nationally to provide management advisory services to current and prospective small business owners.  NJSBDCs are located across the country and offer comprehensive assistance to small businesses by providing a wide variety of information and guidance in central and easily accessible branch locations.

The New Jersey Small Business Development Centers (NJSBDC) network has 11 centers throughout the Garden State, with state funding from the Department of Treasury and Economic Development Authority.  

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Centenary College Equine Lecture Series to be Held in February

Hackettstown, N.J., January 21, 2010 – Centenary College is sponsoring an Equine Lecture Series every Monday in February from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Centenary College Equestrian Center, 220 Middle Valley Road in Long Valley.  It is free and open to the public and will be of interest to horse owners and enthusiasts.

On Monday, February 1, 2010, Centenary will sponsor “Understanding the Nature of the Horse.”  Rebecca Huestis, Equine Facilities Manager, will speak.  The evening will focus on the horse’s natural instincts and behaviors as they relate to safe handling and training.

The topic on February 8, 2010 will be “Shaping Your Horse’s Behavior.”  Basic conditioning theories will be discussed as they relate to successfully shaping your own horse’s behavior.  This session will be taught by Tara Clausen, Assistant Professor of Equine Studies.

On February 15, 2010, Timothy Cleary, Assistant Professor of Equine Studies, will discuss “Natural Horsemanship Techniques.”  Modern day techniques will be introduced.  The focus will be on ground work, body language and free schooling a horse.

On February 22, 2010, Tara Clausen, Assistant Professor of Equine Studies, will cover “Problem Solving for Safe Trailering.”  This session will focus on solutions for common trailering problems and techniques to safely load and ship a horse.
 
“It is my hope that many people take advantage of this opportunity to expand their knowledge base in this area,” says Clausen.  “Each session will cover topics that any horse owner could benefit from.”

For more information, please call (908) 852-1400, ext. 7232.

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January Marks the Culmination of Centenary College's 20-Year Athletic Success

January 29, 2010: The Grand Opening Celebration of the Zeitler Wrestling Facility. January 30, 2010: The Debut of Centenary College’s Athletic Hall of Fame

Hackettstown, N.J., January 19, 2010 – This month marks the culmination of 20 years of athletic success at Centenary College, with the grand opening of the Zeitler Wrestling Facility on January 29, and the debut of the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame on January 30.

The grand opening celebration of the Zeitler Wrestling Facility will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center.  It will be followed by a wrestling match against McDaniels College at 7 p.m.

The Athletic Hall of Fame 2010 Induction Ceremony will take place with a program and brunch at 11:30 a.m. on January 30, 2010.  At 1 p.m., the Women’s Basketball team will take on Cabrini College.  At approximately 2:30 p.m., an induction ceremony will take place.  Lastly, at 3:30 p.m., the Men’s Basketball team will compete against Cabrini College, as well.

Over the past 20 years, the Centenary athletic programs have grown in scope and size.  In 1989, Centenary College became a co-educational institution, and the first athletic director, Catello “Cardy” Gemma was hired to manage five sports.  It was also the year that the Men’s Basketball team achieved its first collegiate win, versus Sussex Community College.

Today, Centenary College offers 13 NCAA III Division teams and has increased in size from 53 athletes in 1999 to 226 student athletes in 2009.

“The Athletic Staff is committed to strengthening our sports programs and dedicates a lot of time and effort into this process,” says Billie Jo Blackwell, Director of Athletics at Centenary College.  “Our coaches are passionate about coaching and put countless hours into providing our student-athletes a quality college experience.”

Some recent athletic successes include the Women’s Soccer Team reaching the semifinals of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) tournament in 2008 and 2009 and also earned a berth to the ECAC South Tournament in 2009.  Centenary Baseball, Softball and Men’s Lacrosse all earned a berth into their conference tournaments in 2009.  The Softball Team also competed in the ECAC South Tournament finishing second.  
 
“Centenary College has quite a bit to celebrate in regards to our athletic milestones,” says Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite, Centenary College President.  “The programs and successes have grown in leaps and bounds and holding both events in one weekend is an excellent way to showcase the new Zeitler Wrestling Facility and the Athletic Hall of Fame in the recently renovated John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center.”

ABOUT THE ZEITLER WRESTLING FACILITY

Wrestling is a sport that has increased in popularity and has experienced considerable success since it began at Centenary in 1992.  The Cyclones Wrestling team was one of 34 NCAA Division III teams in the nation to earn a Scholar Team Award.  Boasting a team GPA of 3.2, the team posted the 22nd-best GPA among Division III schools in the country.  On the local front, The Wrestling Team has proved to be a good neighbor.  After snowstorms, they regularly shovel the sidewalks and driveways of Centenary neighbors and have been highlighted for this good deed in the local press.

The team is led by Coach John Garriques, who was a three-time New Jersey state place winner in high school.  He was also a Junior College National Champion at Gloucester County College, and an NCAA National Qualifier at Seton Hall University.

The Zeitler Wrestling Facility will contain a wrestling room and office space, and will make the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center, which was renovated and expanded in 2007, an even more attractive facility for current and prospective student athletes.  Funding for this facility was made possible by a gift to The Campaign for Centenary College from a single anonymous donor.

The new wrestling room also includes a wrestling mat that encompasses 3,928 square feet, a cardio room with stationary bikes, treadmills, climbing ropes that will reach 15 feet in height, pull-up bars and a storage area.  A 55-inch flat-screen television will be mounted on the wall, and the room has a surround-sound stereo system as well.

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

The Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony will feature the inductions of the late Catello “Cardy” Gemma and the 1995 Men’s Soccer Team.  Every year, additional individuals and teams will be inducted.  The Athletic Hall of Fame was established to showcase the many athletes, coaches and teams who have made an impact on Centenary sports.

Catello “Cardy” Gemma was a History teacher who coached boys’ and girls’ basketball at Glen Rock High School for many years.  Gemma’s arrival at Centenary in the late 1980s marked a turning point for Athletics.  Though Gemma retired in 1994, he remained committed to Centenary and kept up with the College’s many advances in NCAA Division III Athletics.  In recognition of his service and contributions to the College, the Department of Athletics established the Cardy Gemma Award in 1998.  Each year, the award is given to two graduating seniors who demonstrate outstanding athletic ability, attitude and leadership on and off the playing field.  

Gemma passed away on May 21, 2008.  He is survived by three children.

The 1995 Men’s Soccer Team had the best season in the history of Centenary soccer.  Centenary College also won the National Small College Athletic Association Championship that year.  Centenary’s Javier Velasco was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (see attached page for player roster).  The fall 1995 season ended with 17 wins, 3 losses and 1 tie.  

If you are interested in attending the Grand Opening of the Zeitler Wrestling Facility, please call (908) 852-1400, ext. 2468.

If you are interested in attending the Athletic Hall of Fame 2010 Induction Ceremony, please call (908) 852-1400, ext. 2296.

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Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Today, January 18, 2010, we as a nation observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day in memory of the slain civil rights leader. As the President of Centenary College, an academic institution with a strong belief in community service, I want to remind you of Congress’ challenge to us as Americans to consider today a “Day of Service” to others. With the recent return of Centenary and Drew University students, faculty and staff from their annual Disaster Relief Trip to New Orleans, and international efforts to overcome the current tragedy in Haiti, I can think of no greater way to honor Dr. King on this day than to give of yourself for the betterment of your fellow man.

Among the many efforts to alleviate the suffering in Haiti, one is taking place right here at Centenary: The Omega Rho fraternity’s “Penny Drive,” which will take place this week in the Edward W. Seay Administration Building and benefit Doctors Without Borders, an agency both working to help in the wake of the tragedy, and at the same time affected by it. I would encourage all of you to participate if you can. Click here for details.

Although when Dr. King spoke of freedom and equality, he spoke specifically to the black experience in America, I believe in my heart we can carry his “Dream” to all corners of the globe, to all people, in all aspects of our lives. As teachers, we can strive to enrich the minds of our students; as students, we can strive to put our youth and enthusiasm to most fulfilling use; as people, we can give of ourselves, in Dr. King’s spirit, to assist all those who do not share our good fortune.

With thanks for all you do,

Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite
President

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Local Business Boost Close to $20,000 in Sales through the Centenary College Cyclone Card.

Hackettstown, N.J., January 11, 2010 – The Centenary College Cyclone Card Program, which was launched in March 2008, yielded close to $20,000 in sales in 2009 for the 16 Hackettstown area businesses who participate in the program.  

The program was launched as a response to Centenary College’s commitment to updating resources available to its growing population.  The College partnered with the Hackettstown Business Improvement District (BID) to provide members of the Centenary community with the Cyclone Card program.  Designed to encourage students to conduct business within the Hackettstown community, the Cyclone Card acts as a debit card where business transactions will result in a direct draw of funds.

"When we launched this program a year and a half ago, it was our hope that Centenary College would be able to increase its presence throughout the town of Hackettstown and the surrounding areas as a result of this project," says Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite, President of Centenary College. "I am pleased that we can report that our students, faculty and staff are frequenting the local businesses and boosting the local economy through the use of their Card."

"This program is an economic success that was made possible as a result of the collaboration of Centenary and the BID," says David Rucki, executive director of the BID. "I anticipate that this program will continue to flourish and I look forward to continuing implementing this project with Centenary College."

Participating businesses include: Achieve 24 Hour Fitness, Brian’s Deli, Frank’s Trattoria, Harper’s Bagel & Bake Shop, IHOP, Main Street Ice Cream, Mama’s Pizza and Café Baci, Marley’s Gotham Grill, Michael’s Salon, Pasta Grill by Enzo, River Star Diner, Schooley’s Mountain General Store, Skylands Community Pharmacy, the Laundry Basket, Tickner’s and Westside Hair Care.

If you would like more information about becoming a participating business, please call (908) 852-1400, ext. 2402.

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Centenary College, Drew University students return to New Orleans for fifth time to rebuild hurricane-damaged communities

Monday, January 11, 2010
By STEPHEN J. NOVAK
The Express-Times

This year marks the fifth time students and professors from Centenary College and Drew University helped New Orleans area residents rebuild from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

It won't be the last, they say.

Victoria Floriani, a Centenary senior from Atlantic City, said she plans to return with students even after she graduates in May, just as some alumni have already done.

"It's like a family," Floriani, a student leader on the trip, said of the groups that have traveled every year since 2006. The initial aid journey that January was five months after the hurricane overpowered the city's levies, flooding it and leaving widespread destruction.

"There's still such a need for people to be here," Floriani said over a cell phone after stopping work for the day Friday night. "Even though it's five years after Katrina hit, there's still such a need."

Stephen Davis, a first-year theater professor at the Hackettstown college, said AmeriCorps volunteers estimate it will take 17 years to completely rebuild the city at the current pace.

"People actually believe everything is fine ... and that's not really the case for a lot of people," said Centenary sociology professor Christopher Linne.

No winter break

The combined group of about 100 students is scheduled to return from New Orleans today after having been there a little more than a week.

Their mission was to help rebuild homes and work in a community center food pantry in St. Bernard's Parish, assisting the St. Bernard Project, which was co-founded by CNN's 2008 Hero of the Year Liz McCartney.

 The group faced an extra challenge this year as frigid weather hit the area. Temperatures in New Orleans hovered in the 30s for most of the week with near- or record-breaking lows at night.

Students and professors slept in a church, where having heat at night was not always guaranteed.

Much of the home-building work this year was done indoors, such as putting up wallboard, scraping away mold or installing insulation, although it didn't provide the workers much warmth as they were doing it, they said.

Instead, Davis said they were inspired by hearing the stories of some of the locals. The owner of one of their project homes, an elderly woman, told students about how some of her family died in the hurricane floods.

"This is the kind of worldly education that Drew University and Centenary College are a part of that will have an impact on students' educations," Davis said. "I see such humanity among all of (the students), such compassion among every single one of them. That's something that I can't teach in a classroom."

Support at Centenary

The annual trip has support among the Centenary student body. Among the ways funds were raised were a golf outing and professional wrestling event.

Davis said he plans to bring the experience back to Hackettstown as part of a production of the Greek tragedy "Antigone." The play will be paralleled with New Orleans, incorporating video of Hurricane Katrina and images of the continuing cleanup.

Some students still visit with those whose homes they have rebuilt. Floriani said one of her friends found time to catch up with a homeowner from three years ago.

"It was neat to see that there still is that relationship," she said.

The group described the sights of those who are less fortunate, those outside the city's main business areas. Some families still live in government relief trailers; some homes are still marked with the symbols rescue groups used immediately following the hurricane.

"It's a ghost town almost," Floriani said. "It's almost amazing to think that this is still America."

Reporter Stephen J. Novak can be reached at 610-258-7171, ext. 3542, or by e-mail at snovak@express-times.com.

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Kearney Brothers Make Hackettstown The City Of Brotherly Love

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (January 8, 2010) – Centenary forwards Ryan and Corey Kearney have always played against each other. Growing up in North Arlington, N.J., the two took their competitions very seriously, no matter what the game was. But the one thing they never had a chance to do was to play together. That is, until now. The Kearney brothers are both starting for the Centenary men’s basketball team, and now their competitive fire is leading the Cyclones to success.

Ryan is two years, 10 months and 22 days older than his brother. They both attended Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington, but never played on the same team.

“Our mom always says it was a dream of hers to see us playing together,” said Ryan. “When we were younger sometimes we would play together and he was always Scottie Pippen and I was Michael Jordan. But we did not play together often. Centenary is really the first place we have ever played on the same team together.”

“Because he was older, we never really played on the same team,” added Corey. “I would go to his practices when he was in high school. I would shoot on the side and I could not wait to get on the court myself.”

The fact that they were not on the same team did not stop the two brothers from playing against each other. Whatever the stakes, whatever the game, the Kearney brothers did not want to lose.

“If one of us sees the other one getting better at something, at anything, we have to do something about it,” said Ryan. “Our mom always says it is a competition all the time between us. If one of us is doing well, the other wants to do a lot better. If he says he can count to 100 faster, I will say no I can count to 100 faster, and it has always been that way.”

“We play a lot of video games, and those get pretty intense as well,” said Corey.

The competition between the brothers also spilled outside to the basket their parents set up in the backyard.

“Our games were always evenly matched,” said Ryan. “Even though I was bigger, he put up a good fight. Those games got pretty heated.”

“Our backyard was small, so there was not a lot of room to move,” said Corey. “Basically you would take two dribbles and then shoot, so we always really knew where the other was going to go when they had the ball.”

Although the competition in the backyard was fierce, the two did not start using each other to get better at the game they loved until Ryan graduated from high school.

“I was always the older brother, but when I went to college I went from being a senior in high school to just a freshman, and he was still younger but all of a sudden he got bigger,” said Ryan. “When I came back home, I thought to myself we have to start working out together.”

Both brothers agree that they are better players because of the games in the backyard and the time spent lifting weights and taking shots together. Ryan had to put up with an opponent who would not give up, no matter what.

“When I was in high school, Corey would ask me to play one-on-one,” said Ryan. “I would think that there would not be much competition because I was so much taller, but all of a sudden we get out there and he is playing me tough. He always put up a fight and I really had to play hard to try and get a win.”

Corey, meanwhile, was facing a player taller than he was, but he always played hard and that scrappiness stayed with him as he grew taller and bigger.

“When I was little I always played guard,” he said, “so once I got bigger I was able to play more of a guard’s type game with a forward-type body.”

After Corey grew, their backyard games became even more heated.

“There is a lot of trash talking during our one-on-one games, definitely,” said Corey. “The games get pretty intense.”

Ryan agreed.”The games get really intense. It helps, especially if one of us is struggling, the other will get in his face and that is a good motivator to play better.”

Both players have exceptional one-on-one skills, learned in the backyard at their house. With their height (Ryan is 6-5, Corey is 6-3), and their skill set, they cause matchup problems left and right for opponents.

“They might put a bigger guy on us, but I think we can handle them defensively,” said Corey. “But offensively, they might have more problems with our speed. I think we benefited from playing against each other at home and covering each other in practice.”

“We are lucky to have both brothers on our team,” said second-year head coach Enrico Mastroianni. “Ryan is such a complete player – we always have a chance to win with him on the floor. The best attribute about Ryan is that he is committed to getting better every day – he never takes a day off. Corey is a quiet leader on the floor and he does so many things to help us that statistics do not always measure. Corey seems to always be in the right place at the right time; he has amazing basketball instincts.”  

Ryan’s path to playing with his brother started at Caldwell College. Ryan appeared in 21 games as a freshman, averaging 2.2 points per game, before transferring to Ramapo. In 2005-06, he played in only nine games for the Roadrunners, averaging 3.7 points per game. He decided to step away from basketball for a year, but then he got the itch to play again when he saw his brother being recruited by Centenary.

“After I left Ramapo, I took a year off from school,” he said.

“Meanwhile I was being recruited to Centenary by the previous coach,” said Corey. “Ryan got in touch with him and then he started recruiting Ryan as well.”

“When Corey decided to go to Centenary, I said I wanted to go back to school and join him,” added Ryan. “I missed playing basketball. I went from playing all the time to not playing at all and it was tough. I felt like I needed to get back, and I wanted to go back to school as well, so I figured what better opportunity than the school where my brother was going to play.”

Sitting out one year became two years as Ryan had to complete a year of Academic Residency according to NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Transfer Rules.

“It was pretty frustrating,” said Ryan. “It was my second year away from basketball, so it was definitely tough. I just concentrated on school work so that I could make sure I was eligible to play when my year of residency was up. I went to most of the home games, so if I saw something, I would tell Corey what he did wrong. My mom always says my dad and I are Corey’s toughest critics, so if we see him doing something wrong we will not hesitate to tell him.”

The time away from the court was not only tough on Ryan, but also his brother.

“It was a rough year in general since we only won four games, and I knew Ryan really wanted to be out there with us,” said Corey.

“It was tough to watch, but it was a good experience for them,” said Ryan. “Anytime you put four freshmen starting at the college level, it is throwing them to the wolves. But they got a good experience out of it, they made the best of it, and now we are trying to turn it around. We did a pretty good job last year and we are trying to build on that.”

Finally, last season, the Kearneys were on the court together. They had been brothers all their lives, but this was the first time they were teammates, and it was a little strange for each at first.

“It was kind of weird to be on the same team for the first time,” said Corey. “The competition thing is still there, so if he misses a shot I get really upset, because I feel that I should have shot the ball instead, and it is probably the same for him.”

“It has its ups and downs, but in the end it is great to be on the same team as your brother,” said Ryan. “Even though it does get kind of heated sometimes.”

“But it does not take us much time to get over a fight,” added Corey.

“Half the time I do not even remember what we were arguing about,” said Ryan.

On the court, however, the two always remember where the other is. Although they were never teammates, playing against each other at home gives them a sense of where the other is on the court, which is invaluable during a game.

“If we are on a fast break, I always know where he is and he knows I am going to throw it up to him,” said Corey.

During practices the two brothers always guard each other, which helps during the games. Ryan has two inches on his brother and Corey usually defends against players who are taller than he is. Corey is more solidly built than his brother and Ryan has to guard players who have a little more bulk than he does.

The two brothers led Centenary to its best season in five years in 2008-09, as the Cyclones went 13-13, including 8-8 in the conference, before falling to Keystone in the first round of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) tournament. The team’s 13 victories was more than the win total from the previous five seasons combined. Ryan averaged 16.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while Corey chipped in 5.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest. They both worked hard in the offseason to improve their games.

“We both worked on our three point shooting,” said Corey. “With the offense we are running this year, our three pointers should be like layups. I worked hard on my shot and I am feeling good with it right now.”

“We can take the ball to the rim and we can both finish layups, but if we get an open three we have to be able to knock it down consistently,” said Ryan. “Our mom used to work at a gym nearby, and during the summer we would go four days a week to lift and we would close out the session by shooting. We did a drill where we would set up seven spots on the three point line, put four minutes on the clock, and you would not be able to move to the next shooting spot until you made two in a row. You have to go all the way around and back in those four minutes. It was tough and tiring and it worked our endurance, so we put in some good work over the summer.”

The hard work has paid off, as Ryan is leading the team in both points (18.9) and rebounds (8.1), while Corey is scoring 11.0 points and grabbing 6.0 rebounds per contest.

The brothers hope to use their improved play to take Centenary even further in the CSAC Tournament.

“Our goal is to make Centenary a consistently winning program,” said Corey. “Last year we played pretty well but we want to do better. Our goal is to win more games than last year.”

“With the talent we have on this team, I think the sky is the limit for us,” said Ryan. “Coach Mastroianni put together a really tough schedule, we are playing the preseason No. 2 and No. 9 teams in the country, as well as Montclair State who went to the NJAC championship, so our non-conference schedule should get us ready for our CSAC schedule. I do not see why we cannot be competing for the conference championship. We were knocked out of the conference tournament last year by Keystone and we want to do better this season.”

“They should not have beaten us,” said Corey. “We did not play as well as we could have.”

Although they are competitive, they each agree that Corey is the better passer, driver and post up player while Ryan is the better shooter. The two also agree that the goal is to make Centenary a winning program. After winning 13 games last year, they both want to take the Cyclones to new heights.

“If we come and play our game, things are already looking better at this point than last year, so we feel we can win the conference,” asked Ryan. “We are all working hard. I want to help the team however I can and be in the talk for player of the year in the conference. I was honorable mention last year and this is my last go around, so I want to make it count.”

Ryan is motivation enough for Corey.

“The fact that this is his senior year is a motivation for me, to work hard and help make his final season a good one,” he said.

Their head coach, and Centenary basketball in general, are reaping the benefits of the brothers’ hard work and dedication.

“It is great watching them compete against each other every day in practice and then put it together to work as one during games,” said Mastroianni. “With the Kearney brothers on the team, we truly feel that we can compete with anyone.”

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Centenary College's Newly Launched Program Provides College Credit for Prior Life Experiences

Hackettstown, N.J., January 8, 2010 – Achieving one’s academic goals may not be as far reaching as one might think.  Centenary College recently launched a new program where individuals can turn life experiences into college credit through the Prior Learning Assessment Program (PLA).  Start this New Year right by making strides toward academic goals that may have been put on hold.

“This new program saves students time and money,” says Dr. Heather Pfleger-Dunham, dean for Outcomes Assessment Research at Centenary College.  “It is a program that is designed for those who have a wealth of knowledge in certain areas.  It is dedicated to bringing academic credibility to and awarding credit for life experiences.”

Starting now, eligible students can enroll in an eight-week, one-credit course (PLA1000) to learn how to complete a portfolio that reflects their professional experiences.  Those who complete this course can then submit the portfolio(s) of their work for courses that they wish to receive credit for, if they meet all necessary criteria.  A trained faculty assessor will then review the materials and determine the amount of credit to be awarded. Those who submit portfolios for evaluation will pay a reduced rate of 50 percent of the course’s cost that they wish to receive credits for, plus have the opportunity to finish their undergraduate degree at an accelerated rate.  For student convenience, the PLA1000 course will be offered quarterly.  Those interested in starting in January must sign up in the next two weeks.

Those who wish to participate in the Prior Learning Assessment process must be 23 years of age or older and must have completed eight or more credits at Centenary College.

“This new program is one that should be quite exciting to a student,” says Dr. Pfleger-Dunham.  “This program is one that took a year to develop.  The result is a well-thought-out and   researched program and procedures that one-third of our faculty members are now participating in as assessors.  It is a wonderful opportunity for our students.  One that is not offered at many institutions.”

For more information about the Prior Learning Assessment Program, please call Robert Quade, director of PLA Portfolios at (908) 852-1400, ext. 2241 or Dr. Pfleger-Dunham at (908) 852-1400, ext. 2242.

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“The undisputed masters of blues-based American roots music.” - Chicago Tribune. "The music kicks, the singing is a classic mix of gravel and honey, and the material is outstanding. The Holmes Brothers are an undiscovered American treasure..." - Associated Press, Eric Fidler.

January 7, 2010. Hackettstown, NJ. With  spine-tingling harmonies, boundless energy and “telepathic musicianship, “ the Holmes Brothers will bring roadhouse rock with a gospel fervor to the Centenary Stage on Saturday, Feb 6 at  8 PM in Hackettstown.

“Jesus turned water into wine, not wine into water,” says guitarist Wendel Holmes, and the group’s chilling harmonies resonate with a passion matched only by their inspired musicianship and their ability to perform low-down roadhouse blues, sanctified gospel, deep soul, Americana/country and pure pop—all in one set.   The Holmes Brothers have gigged on stages throughout the world, including the White House, and they have performed with countless luminaries of the music world, including Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, Odetta, Phoebe Snow, Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash and Levon Helm.  They have been touted as “The undisputed masters of blues-based American roots music’ (Chicago Tribune) and Billboard Magazine declared the group, "Richly soulful and as daring as ever… The Holmes Brothers remain a musical force unto themselves."

Winners of the coveted Blues Music Award from the Blues Foundation, Rolling Stone Magazine called the music created by Bassist/vocalist Sherman Holmes, guitarist/pianist/ vocalist Wendell Holmes, and drummer/vocalist Popsy Dixon “Harlem grown soul with revival-tent ardor, finding God and grit in unlikely cover...”   The Chicago Tribune hailed their album  “Speaking In Tongues”  as a “joyous, foot-stomping carnival…a gift to the world of music.”   Their 2004 release, “Simple Truths” earned even more acclaim with  The Chicago Sun-Times calling it, “A breathtaking and heartfelt journey through gospel-drenched soul, blues, funk and country.”

Tickets for The Holmes Brothers concert  are $22.50 for adults and $17.50 for seniors and students, and they can be purchased through the Centenary Stage Company box office at 908-979-0900, and online at www.centenarystageco.org.    Locally, tickets may be purchased at Green’s Beans (Greene Brothers Specialty Coffee Roasters) at 313 High Street in Hackettstown.

Performances at the Centenary Stage Company are made possible through the visionary support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, and CSC members and sponsors.

CONTACT: Catherine Rust  908-979-0900 x5

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Centenary College and CSC Offer Saturday Continuing Education Classes in the Arts.

Contact: Lea Antolini-Lid or Pat Lanciano 908-979-0900

January 5, 2010. Hackettstown, NJ. The Centenary Stage Company in conjunction with Centenary College will be offering continuing educations courses this spring semester in the disciplines of art of and dance.  The Saturday classes are designed to offer the community affordable, high quality classes in  the disciplines of art and dance.

All courses in The Saturday Art Conservatory continuing education program   are taught by highly qualified instructors   who are currently working as educators and professionals in the world of art and dance.  Whether you are looking to brush up on your skills or take a class for fun, this is the program for you! Classes are recommended for ages 14 to adult.  The classes run in   two 6 weeks sessions starting 2/6-3/13 and 3/20-4/24.  The following disciplines are being offered this term:

Adult Yoga: Saturday 10am-11am (Ages 17+). A great way to increase flexibility, strength, and energy while improving muscle tone.  No previous experience required. Emphasis will places on deepening awareness of the body, and the understanding of alignment principles.  The class will strengthen your posture awareness and breathing practices to help deepen your experience.

Gentle Yoga: Saturday 11:15am-12:15pm (Ages17+). The Gentle class is designed for students interested in a slower, but equally effective, practice to loosen and strengthen muscles while calming the body and mind.  This is the class for times of high stress or low energy, giving you an opportunity to safely build strength, mobility and balance – even if you’re healing from injury or illness.

Open Level Hip Hop: Saturday 11:30-12:45pm ( Ages 14 to Adult).  this class fuses a fluid street jazz and Hip-Hop style to create innovative movement with attitude. Most importantly is to have fun with the experience of dance.

Beginner tap: Saturday 10am-11:15am  (Ages14 to Adult). Technique and terminology  is taught through rhythm exercises, short combinations of steps and across the floor work which is then put together into a longer combination. Also different styles of Tap are introduced in this basic course.

Watercolor/Gouache Painting: Saturday 10am-1pm (2 credits). This course will introduce the student to watercolor and gouache as mediums in the creation of art.  Techniques in their application will be demonstrated in order achieve various textural qualities and effects.  Students will be able to develop their drawing abilities and painting skills through concentrated study of still-life and natural objects.  

Photography:  Saturday 10am-1pm (1 credit). This course will teach the student basics in camera and darkroom techniques by formulating an aesthetic judgment to the photography process.  It will focus on developing film, printing and negatives, dodging and burning techniques, composition, form, space, lighting, tone, depth of field and action exposures.

Ceramics: Saturday 10am-1pm (1 credit). This class is designed for students who have an interest in working with clay and gives students experiences in making functional as well as sculptural pieces, using a variety of hand building techniques. W  ell thought out forms, designs and functional use along with good craftsmanship is emphasized.

Intro to Graphic Design Saturday 10am-1p (1 credit). This course is an introduction to the principles of graphic design and digital illustration. Students will explore a range of problem solving design exercises using Illustrator, and Photoshop. At the end of this 6-week course students will be comfortable and able to use a wide range of software skills needed in the field of Graphic Design and Multimedia. This course will be great preparation for a more in depth study in these areas.

All the fine art classes are $225 per 6 week session. The courses may also be taken for credit. For more information please contact the admissions department at 908-852-1400.

The Saturday dance and yoga classes are $60 per six week session. For more information on the dance and yoga classes please contact the CSC box office at 908-979-0900.

Centenary is also offering the following dance classes to members of the community during the week. These Dance Classes are designed to allow young dancers to train without the pressure or financial strain of the traditional recital.  There will however be opportunities to perform in the annual dance concert at Centenary if the student wishes.   

Jazz I: Thurs.  6:40-8pm (Ages 14 to Adult). A beginner level jazz course designed to introduce the student to the technical fundamentals of Jazz dance. The class will focus on building a dance vocabulary which will bring the dance student to the next level .The student will be introduced to the various styles and techniques of the jazz world.

Ballet I: Tues. or Thurs. (Ages  14 to Adult).  For the beginner student who wishes to learn and work slowly on the fundamentals of Classical Ballet. Vocabulary will be broken down and emphasis will be placed on understanding proper placement, coordination, musicality and the joy of moving the body in space

Intro to Dance: Wed. 6:40pm-8pm (Ages 14 to Adult). So you think you can’t dance? Well come to this class and learn the joy of dance in a fun supportive environment.   This class will take you through the basics of ballet, modern and jazz.

For more information on any of these programs please contact the Centenary Stage Company at 908-979-0900 or visit www.centenarystageco.org.

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