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PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rockefeller Jr., longtime residents of the Hudson Valley, philanthropists, and supporters of the arts, have donated a beautiful oil painting by a celebrated contemporary Chinese artist to Pace University.

The painting, entitled Sunflower by Huang Yue, will be on display in a secure location at Pace’s Mortola Library. It was presented to President Marvin Krislov on Feb. 10, 2022 at The Choate Art Gallery on the Pleasantville campus.

“This fine contemporary Chinese oil painting is a wonderful addition to our collection,” said President Krislov. “We are grateful to Steven and Kimberly Rockefeller, appreciative of their philanthropic leadership throughout the region, and very ​pleased that our students will now have the chance to admire this fine artwork and learn about its significance.”

“Huang Yue’s Sunflower has brought years of joy to our offices and then in our home,” said Steven Rockefeller. “Kimberly and I are delighted that it can now shed its good fortune on those passing through the distinguished halls of Pace.”

Huang Yue is an artist of international renown, in part, because of ways in which he depicts Chinese bird and flower motifs while fusing the ancient Chinese brush form that was developed hundreds of years ago with oil painting techniques, and blends influences from artists of the West.

The artist was born in Beijing in 1960 and graduated from the Beijing Film academy in 1982 with a degree in fine arts. He subsequently had an opportunity to continue his art studies in the United States. A selection of his paintings was exhibited in 2017 at the Grand Palais in Paris, which has a long and storied history of exhibiting artists such as van Gogh, Picasso, and Monet.

“This inspirational painting bridging Asian and Western European art traditions could not come to Pace at a more meaningful time,” said Professor Kim de Beaumont, curator of the Pace University permanent art collection. “The picture's vibrant colors emerging from a somber background suggest a world that is gradually returning to life and hope. Pace students--and the entire Pace community--will have a chance to reflect on the poetic possibilities every time they emerge from the Mortola Library into the natural surroundings of the Pleasantville campus.”

About Pace University

Pace University has a proud history of preparing its diverse student body for a lifetime of professional success as a result of its unique program that combines rigorous academics and real-world experiences. Pace is ranked the #1 private, four-year college in the nation for upward economic mobility by Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights, evidence of the transformative education the University provides. From its beginnings as an accounting school in 1906, Pace has grown to three campuses, enrolling 13,000 students in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in more than 150 majors and programs, across a range of disciplines: arts, sciences, business, health care, technology, law, education, and more. The university also has one of the most competitive performing arts programs in the country. Pace has a signature, newly renovated campus in New York City, located in the heart of vibrant Lower Manhattan, next to Wall Street and City Hall, and two campuses in Westchester County, New York: a 200-acre picturesque Pleasantville Campus and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains. Follow us on Twitter or on the Pace News website

With a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, you can enter many different fields in a wide variety of industries. Majoring in Computer Science can lead you to a range of career paths depending on your interests, the coursework you take, and your internship experience. Know that you can do so many things with a Computer Science degree! It is a very adaptable degree that is in high demand.

What do you learn as a Computer Science major?

Majoring in Computer Science unlocks your future opportunities by building your foundational knowledge in computer science and creating career-building projects that demonstrate your practical abilities. Typically, a Computer Science major covers the mathematical foundations of algorithms, incorporates calculus and programming languages, and explores larger questions about data science and cybersecurity. From hardware to computer networks, a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science introduces you to the concepts and skills that will support technology and computer science careers for years to come.

Careers in Computer Science

Computer Science graduates pursue careers across many industries, which is one of the key benefits of a computer science major. Graduates who can demonstrate their mastery of coding languages and theoretical knowledge through a portfolio, a variety of coursework, and relevant work experiences will be well-prepared for their future careers in computer science.

Many students imagine that majoring in Computer Science only leads to programming careers. In fact, the adaptability of a Computer Science major can lead you into the fields of business, healthcare, government, security, finance, tech, and many others. As the digital economy innovates and grows, there will always be a need for workers with computing expertise, especially in the ever changing areas of cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data science.

What can you do with a Computer Science degree? Join any industry that needs someone to innovate through computing and algorithms!

Computer Science Demand and Job Outlook

Beyond the technology sector, the demand for career-ready computer science training is strong in many different fields like healthcare, the military, finance, and business. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer and information technology occupations are projected to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029. This rapid growth will likely add over 530,000 new jobs across the United States. With the continued demand for computing knowledge and expertise, majoring in Computer Science is an excellent investment in your future.

What jobs can you get with a Computer Science degree?

Whether you are writing code, analyzing data, or creating websites, your Computer Science degree serves you well in a variety of jobs. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, common job roles for Computer Science majors include:

• Network Architects
• Programmers
• Systems Analysts and Administrators
• Database Administrators
• Computer and Information Research Scientists
• Security Analysts
• Web Developers
• UX Digital Designers.

Majoring in Computer Science at Pace University

At Pace University, both undergraduate Computer Science programs are STEM-designated, signifying their academic rigor and allowing international students to pursue Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.

The Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science features more streamlined major requirements to facilitate students having a relevant minor or concentration. Popular choices for a minor include Information Technology, Information Assurance for the Criminal Justice System (cybersecurity), Digital Design, Economics, and Business. By combining their study of computer science with another subject area, students can further explore their career interests.

In comparison, majoring in Computer Science to earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree offers an intense exploration of the field with advanced courses related to software and databases. The Bachelor of Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc highlighting our commitment to high-quality education leading to in-demand computer science careers.

Computer Science Internships in New York City

Pace students can pursue a career-focused Computer Science major on both the New York City or Westchester, NY campuses. The NYC campus provides streamlined access to professional opportunities.

At the Westchester campus in Pleasantville, NY, you can enjoy campus life on a newly renovated suburban campus and are connected to the Metro North rail system that takes students to Manhattan in 45 minutes. In addition, Westchester, New York has many opportunities of its own, with an emerging start-up scene and multiple headquarters for Fortune 500 companies.

Learn more about what you can do with a Computer Science degree!

At Pace University, our Computer Science Bachelor’s degrees prepares you to do so many technology-related jobs in software development, information security, and computing. Whether you join us in Westchester or NYC, our program provides a career-ready undergraduate education that translates your goals into a successful computer science career. For students looking to continue their education, Pace offers a range of in-person or online master degree programs, including an online Master of Science in Computer Science degree.

To learn more about Pace University, request information today!

In celebration of Black History Month, we asked Dyson professors, whose specialties or areas of interest include Black or African American history, art, or culture, to share their thoughts on poignant moments, figures, and initiatives.

Tiffany Henley, PhD

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Assistant Professor of Public Administration

What improvements would you like to see in public policy as we continue to battle COVID-19?

COVID-19 has shed a light on existing health and social inequities among people of color, veterans, low-income earners, people with disabilities, and adults older than 65. We can achieve health equity through public policy by focusing on the social determinants of health. More specifically, we can move toward a more equitable society by allocating resources to established programs to train low-wage earners in high demand careers, expanding Medicaid in states that have not adopted Medicaid expansion, addressing barriers to health care services related to cost, access, and quality of care, investing in mental health services through benefits and infrastructure, creating opportunities for affordable housing and home ownership, and eliminating systemic racism and discrimination.

Kiku Huckle, PhD

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Assistant Professor of Political Science
Co-founder of the Black Excellence Initiative

Why is it important to celebrate Black excellence?

There are many reasons to celebrate Black excellence. From a practical perspective, such recognition benefits us, as a society. This country has long ignored the brilliance, inventiveness, and significant contributions of Black individuals, thereby minimizing their potential for positive impact. By making a concerted effort to course correct this blind spot, we are better positioned to learn from and advance the progress begun by these individuals. From a normative perspective, the honoring of Black excellence is a positive way to counter problems that result from implicit bias and racism. This does not negate the need for policy responses to problems such as police brutality, housing discrimination, and disparities in healthcare and education. Instead, it acknowledges that the root cause of these issues can be attributed to the systemic denial of Black humanity. The celebration of Black Excellence challenges that narrative and creates space for a joyful recognition of Black accomplishment.

S. Brian Jones

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Assistant Dean of Diversity and Equity in the Arts

Tell us about an artist who inspired your activism.

“Good, better, best, never let them rest, until your good is better, and your better is your best!”

It is on the shoulders of my ancestors, who are a part of history both Black and American, I stand in my new role as Assistant Dean of Diversity and Equity in the Arts here at Dyson. First, I want to acknowledge, my great-great-great-great grandmother, Mrs. Jane Morris Chester, who was a slave and ran to her freedom at the age of 30 years old. In turn, she became an abolitionist, contributed to the Underground Railroad, was a well-respected restaurant owner in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and became known to the world not only for her world-famous taffy, but for her son, my great-great-great uncle, T. Morris Chester, a soldier in the civil war, who went on to be the first African-American in history to write as a correspondent for a major American newspaper, The Philadelphia Press. And, my great aunt, Leona K. Baylor, also a direct descendant of Jane Chester, was a respected educator in the City of Philadelphia. She and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. talked about civil rights on his only visit to Philadelphia as seen in the photo below.

I write and activate my art through activism because it is in my blood! American history is Black history!

Durahn Taylor, PhD

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Associate Professor of History

What do you think has been the most defining moment in US history for Black Americans?

The defining moment was when the decision was made, during colonial times, to adopt African slavery as a labor force for producing agricultural goods, such as tobacco and later cotton. Despite emancipation and the later civil rights laws, we have been grappling with the legacy of this colonial decision ever since, because it supported two notions: the racist notion that people of African descent were somehow less deserving of basic human rights, and the notion that economic profit was more important than human lives. The struggle against those notions has shaped the Black American experience up to this day.

Melvin Williams, PhD

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Assistant Professor of Communication Studies

Who in media and/or communications has been or is your inspiration?

Dr. Joan Morgan is my greatest inspiration as a Hip Hop feminist and communication culturist. She is an award-winning author and the “Mother of Hip Hop Feminism,” whose groundbreaking text, When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip Hop Feminist Breaks It Down, birthed a generation of Hip Hop feminist scholars in and outside of the academy. Coined by Dr. Morgan, Hip Hop feminism is concerned with cultural and feminist inquiries that examine issues rooted in the aesthetics and politics of Hip Hop culture. As a result of Dr. Morgan’s scholarship, I gained a greater understanding of the complexities of the lived experience of Black women, and the gendered and racialized oppression they face as they try to survive and thrive in Hip Hop’s intersectional, yet misogynistic space. Furthermore, When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost prompted my creation of the COS 296B: Hip Hop Feminism and the Media course in the Department of Communication Studies.

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We are deeply saddened to share that Jordan Robinson, a sophomore on our Pleasantville Campus, passed away on February 13, 2022. Jordan was a proud brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and involved with many student organizations, including the Black Student Union and Students of Caribbean Awareness. He was a former member of our Setters football team. He was a beloved son and brother. He was an aspiring entrepreneur who owned his own design business. And he was a supportive friend and classmate and a valued member of our Pace family.⁠

Many in our community have asked how we lost Jordan. The Mount Pleasant Police Department, who are in charge of investigating such matters, and who responded to our campus along with EMS, has advised that they are classifying what happened as a medical emergency, awaiting the medical examiner’s determination.

Jordan’s death is devastating and he will be deeply missed. Please join us in extending all our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to Jordan’s family and friends during this extraordinarily difficult time.

Pace Community Vigil

Join the Pleasantville Student Government Association and the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., for a vigil honoring the life and legacy of Jordan Robinson. This is a space for sharing memories of Jordan and the impact he had on the Pace Community. Join us in-person or virtually.

Wednesday, February 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Gottesman Room, Kessel Student Center
Pleasantville Campus

Processing Loss

The Counseling Center invites the Pace Community process this loss and discuss how grieving and coping affects the classroom on campus experiences. Additionally, this is an opportunity to grieve our own loss together. There will be a virtual and in-person option for attendees.

For Students:

Monday, February 14, at 7:00 p.m.
Butcher Suite, Kessel Student Center
Pleasantville Campus
Zoom Meeting ID: 947 6983 9418
Zoom Password: 015470

Wednesday, February 16, at 12:00 p.m.
Butcher Suite, Kessel Student Center
Pleasantville Campus
Zoom Meeting ID: 967 7899 6256
Zoom Password: 390913

For Faculty and Staff:

Friday, February 18, at 1:00 p.m.
Butcher Suite, Kessel Student Center
Pleasantville Campus
Zoom Meeting ID: 937 5740 0281
Zoom Password: 597958

Funeral Service Information

Pace University students, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to attend services for Jordan.

Viewing and Omega Service

Monday, February 21
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

New Hope Baptist Church
12 Dr Aaron B. Samuels Blvd.
Danbury, CT 06810

Viewing and Funeral

Tuesday, February 22
Viewing: 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Funeral: 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

New Hope Baptist Church
12 Dr Aaron B. Samuels Blvd.
Danbury, CT 06810

You can find the full letter to the community here. In the meantime, should you need support or just someone to talk to, the Pace University Counseling Center is available, as is the Dean for Students Office.