Week-long Festivities in April Planned for Bertolino’s Inauguration
Week-long Festivities in April Planned for Bertolino’s Inauguration
INAUGURATION PLANS ANNOUNCED
March 12, 2013
Details about the mid-April week-long celebration of the College, its students, and the inauguration of President Joseph Bertolino, Ed.D., have been announced. Bertolino is the 15th president of the 102-year-old college. “Moving Forward” is the central theme of the week with each day dedicated to a specific theme. “Moving Forward” is both the guiding principle of Bertolino’s vision for LSC’s future and the name of his bi-monthly newsletter.
The festivities begin April 14 by “Celebrating the Arts in the NEK” with the premiere screening of Kingdom County Productions’ dramatic feature film “Northern Borders.” The film, based on Howard Frank Mosher’s award-winning novel, was produced and directed by Jay Craven. It creates an enchanted and rough-hewn world where family mysteries run deep and an older generation resists change. The film’s cast includes Academy Award nominee Bruce Dern, Bill Raymond, and Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick. The 7 p.m. showing marks the finale of the Green Mountain Film Festival.
Bertolino presents “When the Gays Move into Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” during festivities on “Inclusiveness and Social Justice” day, Monday, April 15. Bertolino uses this funny, interactive, and challenging program to get today’s college students thinking about important “community issues” such as diversity appreciation, homophobia, and heterosexism. He draws from his own life, his experiences as a fraternity man and student affairs professional, his family experiences, and the dynamics of his own relationship with his partner.
Tuesday the 16th is dedicated to “Community Service” and allows everyone an opportunity to participate in local service activities. A guest speaker is planned for the evening. “Green and Gold Pride” on Wednesday the 17th sees the College’s alumni and friends from across the globe compete for the “best expression of pride.” All members of the college community-past and present-are asked to wear green and gold, or LSC gear, and to post photos.
Thursday’s “Career Pathways” activities include a day-long Regional Business & Education Summit with special guests Wayne State University President and retired Ford Motor Company CFO Allan Gilmour and Jay Peak CEO and President Bill Stenger. The summit gives educators, employers, and community leaders a forum to discuss how every Northeast Kingdom student, pre-kindergarten through grade 16, can fulfill their potential.
The inauguration ceremony is Friday, April 19, at 10:30 a.m. in the Alexander Twilight Theatre and will be followed by a reception in the Stannard Gym. The day is capped by an evening concert by Québécois progressive folk music quartet “Le Vent du Nord.” Two LSC student bands, “Suncooked” and “Summit of Thieves,” are also scheduled to appear.
Joseph Bertolino became the 15th president of Lyndon State College in July 2012. A nationally recognized author, lecturer, and teacher, Bertolino has presented programs to students at over 600 colleges and conferences nationwide. In 2007, Campus Activity Magazine named him “Best Diversity Artist.” He has authored numerous articles and book chapters, and is the co-author of Let The Games Begin, A Guide For Peer Mentors, (2012).
He has been recognized with numerous outstanding professional awards, including the American College Personnel Association’s prestigious Annuit Coeptis Award. His undergraduate alma mater, the University of Scranton, presented him with the 2011 Frank O’Hara Award in Education, the highest award given jointly by the University and the National Alumni Society. In 2010-11, Joe was a fellow with the American Council on Education.
Bertolino earned his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration and Organizational Leadership from Columbia University, Teachers College in 2003, a Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University in 1990, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Scranton in 1986. Dr. Bertolino lives with his partner of 19 years, Bil Leipold, a higher education professional at Rutgers University.
Complete information and registration for inaugural events is at LyndonState.edu/inauguration.