Honoring Our Distinguished Alumni: Elizabeth George Ivers & MaryEllen Swartzenberg Elia

Departmental alums Elizabeth George Ivers and MaryEllen Swartzenberg Elia, classmates in the graduating class of 1970, were recently honored by the Daemen College/Rosary Hill College Alumni Association. The blog post below includes profiles of Ivers and Elia and photos from their visits to campus in 2017 and 2018.

by Penny Messinger

The Distinguished Alumni Award

In November 2017, Elizabeth George Ivers (History & Government, '70) received Daemen's Distinguished Alumni Award. The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor that Daemen College confers upon its alumni. Ms. Ivers was the 34th person to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award since it was established in 1986.

Elizabeth George Ivers during her semester in England

Ivers graduated from the History and Political Science Department (then known as History & Government Department) in 1970, when Daemen was named Rosary Hill College. Ivers began her career in corporate America on the strength of her History & Government degree and two courses in accounting. She later earned an MBA from the University at Buffalo as she climbed the corporate ladder at Twin Fair (based in Buffalo), where she held the position of corporate accounting manager. Relocating to Texas, Ivers had a 17-year career with Houston-based Browning-Ferris Industries, where she reached the position of vice president, investor relations. She also worked with Houston-based EOG Resources, one of the largest oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the United States. Ivers was director, investor relations, when she retired in 2013.

Ivers with Ann Richards (Governor of Texas, 1991-93)

In her acceptance speech, Ivers recalled her time at the college and in the department with fondness and enthusiasm, emphasizing that her education provided her with "the solid foundation for my life's journey." She emphasized the impact of the semester-long study-abroad experience she shared in England with several History & Government classmates, three of whom attended the Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony (more below).

The versatile History & Political Science degree

Ivers described her experiences as a student in our department in her acceptance speech:

I loved the History and Government program and felt it gave me a fantastic, informed base for my future career....Daemen gave me a liberal arts education that encouraged me to think for myself, to write well, to gain perspective, to critically analyze, to ask the right questions, to think logically and to make ethically sound choices, skills I used and refined throughout my 43-year career in corporate America. 

We had personal contact with our outstanding professors -- Dr. Cuddy, Dr. Starkey, Mr. Predmore, Sr. Georgia Dunn, Sr. Jeanne File, Sr. Aline, Mr. Pack, to name just a few. Interaction with real people in a small class environment. What a blessing that was to have...

I am thankful for a college experience that gave me a fantastic base to pursue a distinguished career, which I loved, and encouraged me to give back and be involved in the communities in which I have lived.

Ivers concluded by urging the audience--including many students--to recognize the ways that their education at Daemen could create future success:

We have resided in Houston for almost 30 years...and there is an old Texas expression that I loved when I first heard it and have tried to embrace: "You should never forget who brought you to the dance." It has been my pleasure to remember the times during my college years and how Daemen shaped my life and helped me become the person that I am today. I feel blessed to have been able to support Daemen over the years to help continue its mission to prepare students for life and leadership in an increasingly diverse and complex world. I certainly encourage all of you to support, in whatever manner and amount that you can, those institutions, those organizations, and those people that have helped you to become who you are on your life's journey. It's your choice. Don't ever forget who brought you to the Dance!

Classmates in the History & Government Department

Elizabeth George Ivers, Mary Ellen Swartzenberg Elia, Nora Wren Kerr, and Mary Jo Carroll Kenna were friends and classmates in the History & Government Department (graduating class of 1970). The four studied abroad together at Wroxton College, near London. All have gone on to have successful careers; Elia is the current New York Commissioner of Education; Kerr has worked as an architect, and Kenna as a speech therapist. The classmates fondly recalled their time together in the History & Government Department at Daemen. Discussing the student culture of the late 1960s, Elia noted that students in the department became politically active in the community. The classmates drew connections between their education at Daemen and the careers they pursued after graduating. For Elia, this included her years as a social studies teacher followed by a career in educational administration.

History & Government alumnae from the class of 1970: MaryEllen Swartzenberg Elia, Elizabeth George Ivers, Nora Wren Kerr, & Mary Jo Carroll Kenna. The four were classmates in the department and also participated in a study-abroad trip to Oxford University's Wroxton College. (November 2017)

MaryEllen Swartzenberg Elia: Advancement in Career Award (October 2018)

In October 2018, MaryEllen Swartzenberg Elia received the Advancement in Career Award from the Daemen College/Rosary Hill College Alumni Association. Elia, currently New York's Commissioner of Education, was recognized for her success as a career educator. After her 1970 graduation from Rosary Hill College, Elia worked as a social studies teacher at Sweet Home High School before becoming a school administrator in Florida. In her comments, Elia thanked her classmates, noting her closeness with those who traveled to Wroxton:

It [the trip to Europe] was one of the best things that I did in my life, particularly in my career here at Daemen. 

I think it opens your eyes when you travel to other places. You see things that need to be done in the world; you see things that are doing really well here, and you also get the idea of things that need to change in your life....Interestingly enough, the people that I went to Europe with are the people that I see most often from Daemen.

Ivers, Elia, and classmates embark on their journey to Wroxton

Elia continued, describing the continuity between her years at Daemen and the College today:

I think that one of the things that helped me so much, when I came to Daemen, was the quality of the staff here...but also the dedication of people to really thing about community, and what we need to do to support all of our communities. The work that is being in New York by our teachers is the work that needs to be done across this country. The work that we have here in the Daemen Education Department, the History Department, the Math Department--we're really creating the people who can make our communities great.

New York Education Commissioner MaryEllen Swartzenberg Elia & Daemen College President Gary Olson

Students, alumni, and faculty from the History & Political Science Department attending the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Ceremony. From L-R: Maddie Ruger (HST major), Gabby Sinnott (H&P major), Tori Newmann-Campbell (PSC major), Damian Desbordes (PSC '08), Dr. Penny Messinger, MaryEllen Swartzenberg Elia, Elizabeth George Ivers, Dr. Lisa Parshall, & Mary Jo Carroll Kenna.

Elia, Ivers, and Kenna at the 2018 Distinguished Alunni Awards ceremony, October 2018

Connecting with current students

The History & Political Science Department held receptions (in 2017 and 2018) to introduce our current majors to Ivers and classmate Mary Jo Carroll Kenna, and to allow students to talk about their current educational interests and their plans for life after graduation.

Departmental faculty & students pose with Ivers and Kenna, Oct. 2018

Elizabeth George Ivers and Mary Jo Carroll Kenna, October 2018

Maddie Ruger & Gabby Sinnott at the Distinguished Alumni Dinner

Think Tank grant: Profile of Gabrielle Sinnott

The current issue of Daaemen Today profiles senior Gabrielle Sinnott (History & Political Science, '19) in a cover story on Daemen's Student-Faculty Think Tank grants. Gabrielle has collaborated with Daemen faculty on two separate Think Tank projects, one of which focused around research related to The People's Forum on the American Presidency, part of the department's History & Politics Event Series, held on October 1, 2016. 

Design by Gabrielle Sinnott

The People's Forum on the American Presidencyfeatured renowned presidential scholars exploring the complicated history and memory of four American presidents: Thomas Jefferson, Grover Cleveland, Warren G. Harding, and Woodrow Wilson, whose historical reputations range from "great" to "awful," and whose legacies are complicated by issues that are seen quite differently now than in their own times.

For her Think Tank project, Gabrielle collaborated with professors Lisa Parshall and Penny Messinger to create the image used to publicize the event (shown above) and on a related research paper exploring the role of political caricature and political cartoons in shaping contemporary and historical perceptions of presidents. The event design features Jefferson and Wilson, who are generally ranked among America's best presidents, looking askance at Cleveland and Harding, their not-so-great companions who have joined Jefferson and Wilson on a revised version of Mt. Rushmore, while the people stand in judgement of all four. (Read more about The People's Forum in this blog post.)

Dr. Penny Messinger & Gabrielle Sinnott with drafts of the event design (above)

Read the full Daemen Today article about Student-Faculty Think Tanks grants here. 

Vote Smart: Facts Matter Tour comes to Daemen on October 21

The History & Politics Event Series features An Evening with Vote Smart President Richard Kimball this Sunday (October 21) starting at 6:30pm in the Wick Center's Alumni Lounge. We are proud to co-sponsor this event with help of the Buffalo Niagara League of Women Voters, a venerable non-partisan organization devoted to voter education. 

Mr. Kimball's hour-long multimedia presentation, entitled "The Facts Matter Tour: A Voter's Self-Defense Guide," explains such issues as why facts matter in a democracy, how to make sure you are making voting decisions informed by facts, and how to cut through political spin and commercials to become an informed voter.

Full information is included below, and on the department's Facebook page.

 
The event is free and open to the public, so bring your friends. Come early for a seat and light refreshments. Questions may be directed to Dr. Lisa Parshall, who is coordinating this event.

Amy Grimes--alumni guest blog post

Amy Grimes received her BA in History & Political Science from Daemen in 2014. This past spring, she completed her MA in Museum Studies (with concentration in Visitor Experience and education) from SUNY Buffalo State College. In this guest blog post, Amy writes about her project and the focus of her graduate degree.

Amy Grimes

By Amy Grimes:

For my degree, I completed a research project about 982 refugees who came to Fort Ontario in Oswego, New York, from Naples, Italy, on August 3, 1944. For the project, "The Story of Oswego Refugees: A Virtual Exhibit," I focused on why they were chosen to come and their journey, their time at Fort Ontario, how they were able to stay in the United States, and how their story is preserved and remembered to the present day. The project included the creation of a digital exhibit as well as a seventy-page research paper.

(courtesy Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Museum brochure)

From this project, I learned that this was the only group of refugees fleeing from the Nazi regime who were allowed to come to the United States during the war. Since I chose to create a digital exhibit, I learned how to create a website to feature key images and research from my master’s thesis.

(from The Oswego Palladium Times, March 1, 2014)

Based on my experiences at Daemen, both with my degree and involvement in the History and Government Club, I realized that I enjoy education, museums, and interacting with people. Since I wanted to stay in the Western New York area, I chose to go to SUNY Buffalo State since it is the only school in the area that offers a master’s program in this field.

You can read Amy's full research paper at: https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/museumstudies_projects/10/

...and you can view the digital exhibit here: 

https://oswego-refugees.my-free.website/https://oswego-refugees.my-free.website

Symposium on 100th Anniversary of Polish Independence -- Saturday, September 22

Constitution and Citizenship Day: Voter Registration Drive

The History & Political Science Department  encourages all students, faculty, and staff to exercise their political and civil rights by registering to vote and participating in the electoral process.

Watch for our nonpartisan, voter registration table which we will host as part of National Constitution and Citizenship Day, on Monday, September 17, 2018, at the Wick Center Lobby from 11:30-1:00. 

In the meantime, here is some information to help you vote in New York State:

Registering to Vote: 

How do I check if I'm already registered to vote or not? You can look up your voter registration information with the New York Board of Elections here.

How to I register to Vote? 
New York Voter Registration forms are always available through the New York State Board of Elections online here (English version) and here (Spanish version).

You can also pick up a voter registration form in the History & Political Science Department. Just stop by DS 139 and ask for a blank voter registration form: we are always happy to help you with any questions you might have about the voting registration process.

Am I Eligible to Vote? 

In order to vote you must: 

·                     be a United States citizen;

·                     be 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you file this form (note: you must be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary or other election in which you want to vote);

·                     live at your present address at least 30 days before an election;

·                     not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction; 

·                     not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court; 

·                     not claim the right to vote elsewhere.

At what address should I register? 

If you are a college student, you may register at either your local college address (provided you will have lived there for at least 30 days before the election) or at your home-town address. The address at which you are registered to vote will determine your polling place on election day.  So, if you want to vote at a polling place near Daemen you should register using your local (Erie County) address, or fill out a change of registration card by the registration deadline.  

What if I am not registered to vote at my local (Erie County) address? 

If you are registered to vote at your non-college address (for example, if you are registered to vote in NYC) and are not able to travel back to cast your ballot then you will need to apply for an absentee ballot.

How do I apply for an Absentee ballot? 
If you are filling out a new voter registration form you can simply check the box on Item 15 in order to have an absentee ballot application sent to your local address.

If you are already registered to vote, you can request an absentee ballot from your county board of election. Absentee ballot requests forms can be found here (English) and here (Spanish).  The application request must be received by the county board of elections by mail no later than 7 days before the election (or the day before if submitted in person). 

Students who are registered to vote at their non-college address should check "absent from county" when filling out your absentee ballot form (i.e., you are unable to vote in person in the county where you are registered because you are away at college).

See here  for complete information on absentee voting.

If you do not want to worry about voting absentee, remember that you may also choose to fill out a new voter registration form to update/change your registration to your local (Erie County) address, as long as you will have lived there at least 30 days before the election in which you are seeking to vote.  

What do I do with the completed voter registration form? 

Once you've filled out and signed the form you should then mail it to the county board of elections (county in which you are registering to vote).  In Erie County, the address is: 134 West Eagle St., Buffalo, NY 14202.  You can look up the addresses for other New York counties here.

What is the deadline for registering to vote in the 2018 General (Midterm) Election (November 6, 2018)? 
Voter Registration forms must be postmarked no later than October 12 and received by a county Board of Elections no later than October 17 in order for you to be eligible to vote in the General Election on November 6.

You may also register in person at any Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or at the Erie County Board of Elections on 134 West Eagle St., in Buffalo up to October 12, 2018.

What happens after I mail in my voter registration form? Once the board of elections has received and processed the form, you will receive your voter registration card in the mail. This card will list the polling location where you must report to vote based on your registration address. If you misplace the card, you may look up your registration/polling place information with the New York State Board of Elections here.

I already registered, how do I change or update my information/address? 
You can always update or change your name or address by filling out a new voter registration form and mail it, same as above, to your county Board of Elections. You can also fill out a new form to change your party registration, but please note that in New York, party membership changes will not be processed until after the next general election.

Should I register as a member of a political party (i.e., declare party affiliation)? 
In New York you may only vote in a political party's primary (nominating) elections if you are a registered member of that political party.  So, if you want to vote in the primaries, you should select the party in whose primaries you wish to regularly participate on Box 14 of the voter registration form. Checking a box means that you will be recorded as member of that party and will be eligible to vote in only that party's primary elections. 

You can change your party affiliation by filling out a new voter registration form, but please note that in New York state any party affiliation change will not be processed until after the next general election. For example, an application to change one’s party enrollment for 2019 must be received by the board of elections no later than October 12, 2018.

See here for information on changing your party registration. If you wish to remain unaffiliated or independent (no party registration) then you should check the box "No party" on Box 14 of the voter registration form.

Please note: registering as a member of a political party only affects your eligibility to vote in a partisan primary elections (intra-party elections that are held before the general election in which the party members decide which candidate to nominate). In a primary election, only registered members of that party can receive the party’s ballot and may vote).

Declaring partisan affiliation does not in any way affect which candidate or party you may vote for in the general election. In the general election, everyone receives the same ballot with the candidates of all parties listed. You may vote for whichever candidate/party you prefer for each race. You may vote a straight ticket (vote for all of a particular party’s candidates) or split your ticket (cast a vote for which ever candidate you like best for each office – i.e. vote for the Republican candidate for some offices and the Democratic candidates for others). 

Voting: How does it all work?

On election day, you must report to the designated polling place for the address at which you are registered to vote. If you're not sure where your polling place is, or you lost your voter registration card, you may look up your information here.

In New York, POLLS OPEN AT 6 AM - CLOSE AT 9 PM on election day. New York does not have an early voting period and absentee ballot voting is excuse-required (see below). 

What if I'm not able to go to my polling place on the day of the election? 
If you are not able to report to your registered polling place on election day for any of the reasons listed below, then you will need to request an absentee (mail in) ballot. Information on requesting an absentee (mail-in) ballot, along with the absentee ballot request form, can be found here. Upon completion, applications must be mailed to your county board no later than the seventh day before the election or, if delivered in person, no later than the day before the election.

You are eligible to vote absentee if you are: 

·                     Absent from your county or, if a resident of New York City, absent from said city, on Election Day. 

·                     Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability; or because you are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled. 

·                     A patient or inmate in a Veterans' Administration Hospital. 

·                     Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.

Students should check "absent from county" when filling out your absentee ballot form.

For the November 6, 2018 General (Midterm) Election, the last day to postmark an absentee ballot request is October 30, 2018. The last day to make an in-person absentee ballot request is November 5.

Absentee ballots (vote) must be returned and post-marked by November 5, or may be delivered in person by November 6 to the appropriate county board of elections.

Do I need ID to vote? 

New York does not have a voter ID requirement, but it does not hurt to have some form of ID with you when you go to the polls in the event your identity or eligibility is challenged. 

I've never voted before, what can I expect? 

There will be trained poll workers to assist you at the polling place. Generally, there is a line/table with poll workers where you check in. The voter registration rolls are divided by precinct – your precinct number is indicated on your voter registration card. If you do not know it, just tell the poll worker where you live (the address at which you are registered to vote) and they will tell you which table to check-in at. The poll workers will check the voter registration rolls for your name.  Once you are verified as properly registered (listed in the voter roll), you will sign the poll book and will be given a ballot and necessary directions by the poll workers as to the voting process.

Erie County uses a DS 200 ballot scanner. You will be given a paper ballot and directed to booth or area where you complete the ballot in privacy.  You will then feed the completed paper ballot into a scanning machine in order to have it counted.  A video on the process can be found here. You can find information on the various voting equipment used in other New York counties here.  If you encounter any difficulties, just ask a poll worker for assistance. 

What if I am turned away at the polls? 

If, for whatever reason, a poll worker tells you that you are not eligible to vote and you believe that this is an error and you are lawfully entitled to vote, you may ask for a provisional ballot.  

Provisional ballots are set aside until the Board of Elections clarifies your eligibility/registration status. If it is determined that you are legally entitled to vote, your ballot will be counted.  If it is determined that you are not eligible/properly registered, the ballot will be destroyed.  You may be asked to fill out/sign an affidavit as to your eligibility/status when casting a provisional ballot.

What if I'm working on Election Day? 

New York does not allow voting by absentee ballot due to your work schedule but it does entitle all workers who do not have at least four consecutive hours free during the period in which the polls are open, to take time off of work (without a loss of pay for up to two hours) in order to vote. Please note that the law requires that you notify your employer and verify eligibility at least 2 days (but no earlier than 10 days) before election day.  You can read the law here and should consult with your employer.

What if I'm Out of State Resident/Voter? 

If you are not a New York state resident, you may register to vote by completing the National Mail Voter Registration Form: http://www.eac.gov/voter_resources/register_to_vote.aspx.

You may also contact your State's board of elections for state-specific information on registration and absentee voting rules in your state of residency. 

Information for Military and Overseas Federal Voting can be found here.

Still have questions?
Feel free to stop by the History & Political Science Department for help. We're always happy to answer your question or help direct you to the right place to get information.  And remember, you can always contact the NY State Board of Elections, or the Erie County Board of Elections, directly for voter registration assistance.