Iona Month of Excellence in Scholarly & Creative Activities
Iona University will celebrate Iona Month of Excellence in Scholarly & Creative Activities in April 2024 with a variety of activities and events designed to showcase Faculty-Student accomplishments in academic research, performing arts, and creative work. Featuring performances, lectures, presentations, alumni talks, and much more, the Iona Month of Excellence in Scholarly & Creative Activities is an exhibition of Faculty-Student achievements across a variety of disciplines. Please view the events listed below for important save-the-dates.
Past Events: Iona Scholars Month 2022
Thinking about getting involved in research on campus, but don't know where to start? In this month-long series, faculty members from disciplines across the college will give short (15-minute) talks about research activities they're working on, so you can see some of the options happening right here at Iona! There will be plenty of time for questions and discussions after these short presentations, so bring an open mind and see what piques your interest.
All talks will be held in LaPenta 203.
Friday, 4/1, Noon-1 p.m.
Free Will, the Self, and the Brain
Speaker: Robyn Waller, Ph.D., Philosophy Department
Professor Robyn Waller, Ph.D., will discuss Free Will, the Self, and the Brain.
"Free will seems to be a familiar feature of our everyday lives — most of us believe that what we do is up to us to some extent, at least at times. Free will is not just that I control my movements, but that I exercise meaningful control over what I decide to do. My decisions and actions are up to me in the sense that they are mine — a product of my values, beliefs, and desires. When we hold people accountable — morally and legally — for their actions, we believe that it matters whether they acted freely. Neuroscience tells us a great deal about how our bodily actions are produced and what happens in the brain when we observe our own actions. In this talk, I’ll give an introduction to my research, both in philosophy and neuroscience, on questions of free will."
Monday, 4/11, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Art in the 16th and 17th Centuries
Speaker: Thomas Ruggio, MFA, Arts and Languages Department
Professor Thomas Ruggio will be discussing his scholarship in the area of 16th and 17th-century artists. For the last two years, Professor Ruggio's research has focused on the work of the Italian Baroque painter Cesare Dandini which resulted in the rediscovery of an important painting and an exhibition at Iona University in 2021. Professor Ruggio will be sharing insights on this topic as well as briefly discussing his current scholarship.
Friday, 4/22, Noon-1 p.m.
The Game of Cycles
Speaker: Ben Gaines, Ph.D., Mathematics & Physics Department
Professor Ben Gaines will be discussing the Game of Cycles, a game played on a graph of dots and lines, where the goal is to be the player to draw an arrow that completes a "cycle"- completely enclosing a region of the graph with arrows going the same direction. This simple game features some interesting mathematics and serves as an introduction to the way mathematical research can literally be fun and games!
POSTPONED:
Power, Influence, and Team Learning
Saturday, April 02, Iona Campus
The Eastern Colleges Science Conference for 2022 will be hosted by Iona University in New Rochelle, New York on Saturday, April 2.
Iona Scholars Day Keynote Speaker: James P. Oates '95
Principal, Eventum Risk Advisors, LLC
Retired Senior Leader of UBS Group AG
“From North Avenue to the World: Reflections from My Career Journey”
After retiring from a 17-year career with UBS Group in June 2019, Jim formed the advisory and consulting practice Eventum Risk Advisors, LLC; and serves on the boards of Aison Technologies AG and the Iona University Alumni Association.
Jim joined UBS in 2002 as part of the Trading Risk Audit (TRA) team in New York and was responsible for various fixed income businesses. In 2005, Jim was appointed global head of TRA and in 2007 as global head of the Investment Bank Audit Division. In March 2010, Jim was appointed the head of Group Internal Audit for UBS globally. On March 2016, Jim was appointed as Global Head Compliance & Operational Risk Control (C&ORC).
Prior to joining UBS, he worked in internal audit at Credit Suisse First Boston in New York from 2000 through 2002 focusing on its MBS/ABS and Private Equity businesses. From 1994 to 2000, Jim worked at Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette which included a secondment to DLJ International in London from 1998 through 2000. He received an Honours BBA Degree in Finance from Iona University in 1995 and was North American Securities Administration Association Series 7 and Series 63 registered. He is a Certified Director and member of the National Association of Corporate Directors.
In addition to these accomplishments, Jim has been instrumental in creating the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Programs at Iona University. These programs serve to connect students and alumni and provide a space to discuss career goals and other important life topics.
Jim and his wife and two children live in New Jersey. His hobbies include tennis, golf and genealogy.
Tuesday, April 12, Noon
Zoom
Speaker: Dr. Leah Hendrickson, University of Leeds (UK)
Dr. Leah Henrickson is a lecturer in Digital Media at the University of Leeds (UK). She leads the School of Media and Communication’s MA New Media in addition to contributing to various modules across the BA Digital Media. Leah’s current research projects use theoretical frameworks and empirical methods to investigate the social and literary implications of textual technologies, commercial and community applications of digital storytelling, and social perceptions of artificial intelligence. She tweets @leahhenrickson.
Wednesday, April 13, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Romita Auditorium
Speaker: Jeanne Zaino, Ph.D.
Dr. Zaino is a professor of Political Science at Iona University.
JOIN US FOR A PANEL DISCUSSION ABOUT THE Gaels Go Further Mentoring Program
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
12-1 pm
LaPenta School of Business, Room 304
Moderator
Jim Oates ’95
Panel
Professor Tricia Mulligan, Vice Provost
Michael LaPerch, Alumni
Sebastiana Tagliamonte, Alumni
Gabe Cinanni '22, Accounting
Katherine Meyer '22, Marketing & Management
Zaina Shleiwet '24, Speech Pathology
Tiffany Weston '22, Marketing
Chris Wiggan '24, Finance
Synopsis
Iona's Gaels Go Further Mentoring Program is here to support students and help them achieve their college and career goals. Similar to LinkedIn, GaelsConnect Networking is a state-of-the-art platform EXCLUSIVE to students, our 50,000+ alumni and our Iona community. Whether students are looking for career advice, insight into how to maximize their college experience, feedback on an entrepreneurial idea, or someone to talk with about their life goals, we are confident Iona will find them the right person.
From Top Left: Gabe Cinanni '22, Katherine Meyer '22, Tiffany Weston '22 and Chris Wiggan '24
Jim Oates '95
After retiring from a 17-year career with UBS Group in June 2019, Jim formed the advisory and consulting practice Eventum Risk Advisors, LLC; and serves on the boards of Aison Technologies AG and the Iona University Alumni Association.
Jim joined UBS in 2002 as part of the Trading Risk Audit (TRA) team in New York and was responsible for various fixed income businesses. In 2005, Jim was appointed global head of TRA and in 2007 as global head of the Investment Bank Audit Division. In March 2010, Jim was appointed the head of Group Internal Audit for UBS globally. On March 2016, Jim was appointed as Global Head Compliance & Operational Risk Control (C&ORC).
Prior to joining UBS, he worked in internal audit at Credit Suisse First Boston in New York from 2000 through 2002 focusing on its MBS/ABS and Private Equity businesses. From 1994 to 2000, Jim worked at Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette which included a secondment to DLJ International in London from 1998 through 2000. He received an Honours BBA Degree in Finance from Iona University in 1995 and was North American Securities Administration Association Series 7 and Series 63 registered. He is a Certified Director and member of the National Association of Corporate Directors.
In addition to these accomplishments, Jim has been instrumental in creating the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Programs at Iona University. These programs serve to connect students and alumni and provide a space to discuss career goals and other important life topics.
Jim and his wife and two children live in New Jersey. His hobbies include tennis, golf and genealogy.
Sebastiana Tagliamonte '92
Sebastiana Tagliamonte graduated from Iona University in 1992 with a degree in Public Accounting. She is a licensed CPA in New York and Connecticut and started her career with KPMG. She left KPMG in 1998 and has held positions in Corporate Accounting and SEC Reporting groups in the media & advertising fields. Today she is a VP, Controller at Paramount Global in New York City, where she is primarily responsible for overseeing their corporate division. Mrs. Tagliamonte is the Treasurer of the Get Schooled Foundation, and has also held executive positions in her parish council and school PTA. She supports various charitable organizations, such as Second Chance Toys, and also volunteers her time at Iona University by participating in various networking events as well as the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Program.
Michael J. LaPerch Sr. ’79, ’84MBA
Michael LaPerch Sr. graduated from Iona University in 1979 with a degree in accounting and returned to Iona to earn his MBA in Finance in 1984. He is currently working at Pitney Bowes in strategic sourcing and most of his 40-year career has been with Fortune 500 companies in various roles within finance. Having been a member of the board of directors for 4 years prior to serving as president, he enjoys being an active member of the Iona Community. Working closely with the Hynes Institute, he is currently a speaker, a mentor and judge in the program. Additionally, you will find him at many on-campus events throughout the year.
Michael has resided in Newtown, Conn. with his family for 35 years. In his spare time, Michael loves finding new walking trails around New England with his wife Lucille, as well as spending time with his four children, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren, Rosie, Michael III and James.
Tricia Mulligan, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
April 27, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Henry Lecture Hall, LaPenta School of Business
Speakers
Richard Garcia, Chief Talent Officer, North America
Samantha Leon, HR-Campus Recruiter
Armeen Junaid, HR-Campus Recruiter
Synopsis
Have you found yourself wondering how professionals grow their careers? And how did they learn how to do it? How do they know which roles to pursue, what skills they should learn, and when to learn them? How did they know their career path was the right one for them?
Have you ever asked yourself, “What if I don’t know what I want to do when I grow up?”
Whether you think you know what you want to do post-graduation or are still figuring it out, join us as we welcome guests from Havas Health & You (HH&Y), the world’s largest health and wellness advertising and communications company, as they share insights about shaping a career you desire, and how they can help you get started with early-career opportunities. Learn about the vital and innovative work HH&Y creates on behalf of its clients, their Fellowship Program for soon-to-be graduates, and their Summer Internship Program, targeting students still pursuing an undergrad degree. You can also sign up for one-on-one conversations with HH&Y campus recruiters.
HH&Y will provide free boxed lunches for those in attendance. These will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn directly from a company seeking to share insights and philosophies on hiring and developing their talent.
Richard Garcia
Richard Garcia brings with him a wealth of experience in the Human Resources field. Currently, he is Chief Talent Officer and Head of Human Resources at Havas Health & You of New York, a part of the world’s largest healthcare network, providing healthcare and wellness marketing solutions. He leads a team across North America delivering a full spectrum of talent solutions, allowing agency leaders to achieve business and cultural goals.
Formerly, Mr. Garcia was Global Head of Talent and Development at Brown Brothers Harriman of New York, one of the largest private banks in the United States. In that position he partnered with management teams across geographies and cultures to develop succession plans and oversaw executive coaching, talent management, learning & development, and organizational effectiveness.
Mr. Garcia studied Biology and has attained many certifications in Human Resources and Leadership effectiveness.
Most recently, Mr. Garcia has joined the Saint Barnabas Board. His goal is to apply his experience and energy to further enhance the core mission of providing a quality education for young women, ultimately preparing them for today’s competitive career marketplace. Saint Barnabas High School (SBHS) is an independent all-girls college preparatory school, serving a diverse group of young women.
