A Growing Alumni Association: How to Get Involved

The Derner alumni association got off the ground in 2014. Its goals are to help you connect with Adelphi, with Derner, and with one another; to help you professionally through networking; and to raise money for scholarships and other worthwhile purposes. The association is formally known as the Derner Ph.D. Alumni Chapter (D-PAC). Its successes depend on alumni who donate their time and talent.

Pictured above: Gordon Derner Advisory Board Meeting, October 5, 2016. From left to right: Drs. Anita D’Amico, Sam Weisman, Marjorie Hill, Jairo Fuertes, Bob Mendelsohn, Jacques Barber, Chris Muran, Carolida Steiner, Alex Levi and Grace Pilcer.

Here are examples of alumni who have stepped up: Allison Rothman and Amy Vigliotti coordinated 10th Year Parties in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Jessica Shimberg is coordinating the 2016 10th Year Party.

The Derner Institute has been training psychologists for over 50 years. Alumni who started the program before 2004 have also taken time out of busy schedules to reconnect with their classmates. So far, there have been three Class Reunions—one coordinated by Gwen and Steven Alter, one by Sherry Breslau, and one by Debbie Ramirez.

Most alumni are still in the New York metro area. About a third are out-of-state or in other countries. The alumni association is looking for ways to involve friends and colleagues who cannot attend New York events. In that spirit, Tanya Cotler, herself a resident of Toronto, coordinated an alumni brunch at the 2015 APA National Convention.

Alternatively, you could become a Class Representative. Kathy Bacon Greenberg and this writer are both Class Reps. It simply involves locating classmates, those who are still friends, and those with whom one has lost touch.

Are you interested in volunteering? Would you like to coordinate a Class Reunion, 10th Year Party, or another event? Do you want to be a Class Rep? Or how about a greeter at a Lindemann Lecture or other event? Can you help grow the Derner Alumni Collection? If so, please contact Dr. Carolida Steiner.