Phi Theta Kappa Establishes Relief Fund for
Borough of Manhattan Community College
New York Region, International Officers,
Urge Chapters and Regions
to Plan Special Fundraisers on Founders Day
September 11 began as a day like any other at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. Minutes into their first classes, students heard the impact as the first of two hijacked aircraft crashed into the World Trade Center, four blocks away. As the college was evacuated, students rushing toward safety saw office workers plummet from the Twin Towers windows. The BMCC buildings were quickly transformed into emergency aide stations and triage units. The college would remain closed for three weeks. It would reopen as a wounded community in a changed world.
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On October 2, Phi Theta Kappa members and other Borough of Manhattan Community College students returned to a college damaged by the September 11 attacks. Located only four blocks from Ground Zero, BMCC was rocked by the terrorist activities, physically and emotionally.
Six students and one alumnus of BMCC died in the terrorist attack. Two were firefighters --- one the father of five young children. Four were employed in World Trade Center offices.
Hundreds of students lost their homes and their livelihood. Students who worked at the college itself missed three weeks of work; others employed in or near the World Trade Center have lost their jobs entirely. For these students, their ability to continue their college education is severely at risk.
BMCC's Fiterman Hall, which houses about a third of the college's classrooms, offices and research facilities, sustained nearly $230 million in damages. Recently renovated in a $56 million improvement project, Fiterman Hall was next door to 7 World Trade Center.
No other college was as severely affected by the September 11 disaster as the Borough of Manhattan Community College, whose 17,000, multi-ethnic student body represented some of the most economically fragile families in America.
In response to the overwhelming needs of BMCC and its students, Phi Theta Kappa's New York Region and the International Officers are calling on chapters and members to establish a day of giving on November 19, the Society's Founders Day.
"Chapters can raise funds through bake sales, car washes, set up a collection booth on campus, or walk through their community - this is our chance to directly help our community college family and other Phi Theta Kappa members," said International President Warren Jackson. "The Borough of Manhattan Community College is home to Alpha Kappa Chapter, as well as to many thousands of our fellow students."
"This is a wonderful cause, and can bring a closer focus and goal to the minds of Phi Theta Kappans that want to do something in the continuing aftermath of this tragedy," said International Vice President Ari Disraelly, whose region includes New York.
"Phi Theta Kappa members have already donated to September 11 relief agencies, but so many people, members and advisors, from all across the country, have contacted us in New York, wanting to know if there is a specific need among community colleges, and a specific fund to address that need," said New York Regional Coordinator Leanne Jardine. "This day of giving by Phi Theta Kappa members will raise funds that will be sent directly to the Borough of Manhattan Community College."
BMCC has indicated four areas of great need, to which contributions by Phi Theta Kappa members on November 19 will be applied:
- Aid for the families of the seven BMCC students and former student who died during the attack
- Emergency funds to help students who lost jobs, homes and textbooks
- A Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor the seven BMCC students and former student,
who included:
- Anette Dataram, an accounting major who worked at Windows on the World as an accountant
- Khamladia Singh, a computer programming major who worked at Windows on the World as an assistant banquet manager
- Hector Tirado, a liberal arts major and a firefighter with Engine Company 23, one of the first to respond to the attack. He leaves five young children.
- Jorge Morron, a MBCC Spanish tutor at the Learning Resource Center and security guard at the World Trade Center
- Shevonne Mentis, a Learning Resource tutor
- Curtis Noel, a liberal arts major employed at General TelCom at the World Trade Center
- Maynard Keithroy, a New York City firefighter with Engine Company 33, a BMCC alumnus
- Angela Rosario
- Funds for rebuilding Fiterman Hall and other physical campus needs
Chapters and regions may mail their contributions to New York Regional Coordinator Leanne Jardine, Herkimer County Community College, 100 Reservoir Road, Herkimer, NY 13350-1545. The deadline for funds to be received is November 30.
Phi Theta Kappa's International Headquarters staff at the Center for Excellence also raised funds for the Borough of Manhattan Community College on Founders Day. View a photo of the staff with their contributions:
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| Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters' Staff raise funds on Founders
Day for the Borough of Manhattan Community College
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For questions regarding this initiative, contact Leanne Jardine at leanne.jardine@ptk.org or New England/Middle States International Vice President Ari Disraelly at ari.disraelly@ptk.org.
