Volume 4 | Issue 4 | MAR/APR 2022
March /April Spring Edition
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Staff Spotlight Did you know? Event News Women’s History Month Dirt Cake Recipie
RBS Staff Newsletter Table of Contents
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A Message from Dean Lei Newsletter Committee Updates
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Staff Spotlights Karin Crimmins
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Did You Know? Alumni Book Club Signs of Spring
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Human Resources Staff Hires & Separations
08 Professional Development & Committee Updates Wellness Week
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11 Staff News New Family Member Award Announcement
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12-13 Staff Shared Recipe Best Dirt Cake Ever 14-15 Monthly Observances Women’s History Month National Poetry Month
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09-10 Event News March Madness April Open House
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RBS Word Search
Volume 4 | Issue 4 | MAR/APRIL 2022
A Message from Dean Lei Graduation season is a wonderful time of year full of joyful events and celebrations. It is also a perfect time to recognize our staff members for their important role in helping our students attain their Rutgers degrees and certificates. From admissions to course scheduling, advising, mentoring, preparing, and coaching, our staff members are there for our students, supporting them every step of the way. As alumni, many students often return to campus to share their experiences and gratitude with many of you who helped them succeed. Thank you for all you do.
Newsletter Committee Updates As many of you know, Jenn Diaz, a founding member of our little newsletter committee, separated from RBS in March, so this is the first issue with a new creative lead. The Inside RBS Committee welcomes its newest member, Karin Crimmins, who is bringing her layout and design expertise to the RBS staff newsletter. Thank you, both, for helping to make Inside RBS the best-looking newsletter on campus. And best wishes to Jenn in all her future endeavors! Inside RBS continues to seek enthusiastic guest contributors to share their expertise, department news, local reports, and creative writing with staff. Do you have a special talent or hobby? What innovative things are happening in your department? Can you recommend a favorite day trip destination, ethnic restaurant, or a good book to read? We want to hear from you! Please help us keep the RBS Staff Newsletter interesting, current, and collaborative and send your photos, articles and suggestions to RBSstaffnews@business.rutgers.edu. This issue’s contributors: Brenda Anderson, Alyssa Clauhs, Karin Crimmins, Dana Greene Harris, Nancy Kiley and Melissa Rivera, with a special guest article written by Matt Peyrek.
To be eligible for the May/June Inside RBS contest, please send your newsletter submissions to RBSstaffnews@business.rutgers.edu. Thank you.
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RBS Staff Newsletter
Staff Spotlights
Karin Crimmins
Program Coordinator Department: Dean’s Office (Facilities) Years of Service: My first time at RBS I was here for eight and a half years, then four and a half years at SSW, totaling just over 13 years. Job Duties: Manage the day to day operations of the building, events management, maintenance and security. What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this? I would be a realtor. What are three words that best describe you? Optimistic, kind and considerate. What television show or movie are you ashamed to admit that you love? Selling Sunset and Million Dollar Listing. What are your hobbies outside of work? Cooking, entertaining, playing word puzzles and watching my son play baseball.
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Volume 4 | Issue 4 | MAR/APRIL 2022
Did You Know? Rutgers Alumni Book Club Did you know that RBS staff members are, not only eligible, but welcome to join the Rutgers Alumni Book Club? This FREE benefit is available to all Rutgers faculty, staff and alumni and is a great opportunity to read interesting books and discuss them with your peers. Titles are proposed by the Book Club Committee and then selected by members who vote for their favorites. Recent publications include The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi and Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield. Each book also includes a lively virtual session where the author, or other literary expert, speaks about their work and answers questions from club members. It is really a special treat to discuss contemporary literature with the writers themselves. The reading period for each book is several weeks, low pressure, and very manageable. Same for posting on the lively Rutgers Alumni Book Club discussion board. Although we would certainly love for you to become an engaged member and participate often, that is totally up to you. Please click the link below to learn more about the Rutgers Alumni Book Club and register today to join more than 1,500 lifelong readers in the club. https://www.rutgers.edu/event/rutgers-alumni-book-club
Are you caught up? Click below to check our previous issues! https://issuu.com/rbsstaffnewsletter?issuu_product=header&issuu_subproduct=publisher-home-v2&issuu_ context=link&issuu_cta=profile
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Volume 4 | Issue 4 | MAR/APRIL 2022
Did You Know? Signs of Spring Daffodils blooming throughout the Livingston campus are a sure sign of spring, but the large planters on the 100 Rock Plaza, full of colorful pansies, is what I find especially uplifting this season. Did you know that, in response to the global pandemic and ensuing fiscal emergency, Rutgers did not plant flowers the past two years?
So next time you cross the footbridge to the Scarlet Lot or dash across campus on a scooter, please take a moment to appreciate the beautiful flowers brightening our campus. I, for one, will not be taking them for granted anymore.
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RBS Staff Newsletter
HR News Please welcome the following new staff members: Name Esteban Cevallos
Title Sr. Academic Coordinator
Department MAccy Governmental Acct.
Kenia Montijo
Sr. Department Administrator
PTL Office
Nicolle Williams-Restrepo
Web Content Assistant
Communications & Marketing
Georges-Issa Sako
Classroom Support Tech
OTIS
Nelson Santiago
Classroom Support Tech
OTIS
Good luck and farewell to the following staff members: Lisa Minieri OCM Jillian Ryan MBA Devon Powell
MAACY Professional Accounting
Claricia Crawford
SBDC
Jennifer Martinez Diaz
Facilities
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Volume 4 | Issue 4 | MAR/APRIL 2022
Professional Development & Committee Updates
RBS Health Week Was March 14 - March 17 Staff was treated to mini massage sessions, a tasty and healty lunch and fun give-a-ways! It was a wonderful opportunity for us all to mix and mingle together.
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RBS Staff Newsletter
Event News March Madness Just like our students, RBS Staff member Matt Peyrek (Coordinator of Student Experience & Engagement, RBS Dean’s Office) spent spring break travelling. First volunteering at the State Leadership Conference for high school students from all over New Jersey in the club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) held in Atlantic City, NJ and later in Dayton, OH to watch Rutgers Men’s Basketball in person. An avid fan of Rutgers athletics since his time as a student, Matt travelled with his dad to Dayton, Ohio to catch the Men’s Basketball Team’s “First Four” game of March Madness. This was the team’s second consecutive appearance in the National Tournament and the first time they appeared consecutively since the 1970s. Unsurprisingly, Matt attended last year’s game in Indianapolis, IN, too. It was the team’s first appearance in the national tournament in 30 years. Flying into Columbus and then driving through Ohio, the day started off great. Sunny and 75, they attended the Rutgers Alumni Association’s Pre-Game party at a local tavern, where appetizers were served and surprise appearances were made by the Rutgers Dance Team, Cheerleading Squad, and Sir Henry, the Scarlet Knight, for a room filled with excited Rutgers fans from across the country. All there for a single purpose: to cheer the basketball team to victory! RIOT Squad (student section athletic fans) President and RBS senior, Ryan O’Connor (SCM), along with Business Admin Minor, Parth Patel, and other Rutgers’ students were also at the game.
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Volume 4 | Issue 4 | MAR/APRIL 2022
In what some analysts predicted would be the “greatest basketball game this March,” the night ended in an action-packed and as-close-as-they-come game versus the University of Notre Dame. It was a back-andforth thriller that ended only after 2 overtime periods shortly after midnight. Despite Rutgers star player, Ron Harper Jr., scoring with only 23 seconds left, tying the game again at 87-87, it was the luck of the Irish that prevailed. Sadly, Notre Dame ultimately won the game 89-87 as their player, Paul Atkinson Jr., tipped a missed shot back into the net with less than 2 seconds to go and essentially ending the game. Ironically, and perhaps even comically, Notre Dame won in a second overtime period ending 12:02 am on March 17th… a happy start to Saint Patrick’s Day for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Scarlet Knights, not so much. But, as usual, it was a wonderful bonding experience for Matt Peyrek and his father, Tom, who is also a Rutgers alum. Both are already looking forward to Rutgers Men’s Basketball’s shot at March Madness 2023. And you know Matt will keep us all posted.
April Open House RBS held an Undergraduate Admissions Open House for Admitted Students on Saturday, April 9, at 100 Rock. Well over 1,000 prospective students and their families came to campus to learn about Rutgers Business School and our programs. After two years, it was wonderful to have an in-person event with our future students. Everyone, from current students, newly admitted students, parents, faculty and staff members, were all very happy to meet President Holloway. Our current students served as panelists in room 1095 and shared their learning, campus activities, and internship experiences. In addition, the day included two information sessions, faculty mock lectures, building tours, student advisement sessions, and an RBS student involvement fair. Our staff members ordered 1,000 cupcakes, but it was not enough for the large, happy crowd. Next year, we will order 3,000!
Gratitude Wall Click on the image or link below to share your words of gratitude and related photos.
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RBS Staff Newsletter
Staff News New Family Members Ben Lohmann, Assistant Dean, Rutgers Business School Undergraduate-Newark, and wife, Maura, welcomed a baby girl, Evelyn, back in February. “I would also like to thank the RBS-Newark UG Office for throwing us an amazing virtual baby shower back in mid-January.”
Chancellor Impact Award Winners Lian Qi (SCM) and Lucille Foster (RBS-N Undergraduate Program) have been selected by the Chancellor’s Office in consultation with the P3 Collaboratory to receive RU-Newark Chancellor’s Impact Seed Grant Awards. Lucy was awarded $10,000 for her proposal on “Rutgers ZEN Mirrored Meditation Garden.” Lian was awarded $25,000 for his proposal on “Analysis of Drivers and Benefits of Reshoring Productions in the Pharmaceutical and Life Science Industry.” Both of these proposals were selected for their promise to advance RU-Newark strapriorities and fulfill the vision of RU-Newark being a place where people with tremendous talent, intellectual capacity, and imagination can fully leverage their assets to have an impact on our students, our university, and the many communities with which we interact. For more information on the Chancellor Impact Awards, click here https:// chancellorsimpact.newark.rutgers.edu/home/chancellors-impact-awards/
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Volume 4 | Issue 4 | MAR/APRIL 2022
Staff Shared Recipes Best Oreo Dirt Cake Recipe. Ever. This is quite literally the best OREO Dirt Cake recipe (OREO Dirt Pudding) on the internet. In just 15 minutes plus chill time, you can make this delicious dessert with yummy chocolate and cream OREO cookies layered with a rich, creamy custard. WHAT IS DIRT CAKE? Dirt Cake is a classic all American dessert recipe, also called Dirt Pudding. It features layers of crushed OREO cookies and a thick, creamy custard that just melts in your mouth. It is often served with gummy worms on top INGREDIENTS • OREO cookies • butter • cream cheese • powdered sugar • milk • French Vanilla pudding mix • Cool Whip STEP 1: COMBINE SUGAR, BUTTER, AND CREAM CHEESE You can make the OREO dirt pudding mixture with either a hand mixer or stand mixer. Combine softened cream cheese, softened butter, and powdered sugar and cream together in the mixer until combined. STEP 2: MAKE THE PUDDING In a separate large bowl, whisk together the milk, pudding mix, and whipped cream. As the mixture combines you will notice the whipped topping stays on the top like in photo 2 below. Continue mixing until the mixture is completely uniform like photo 3 and a lovely buttery yellow color. Pour the whipped cream mixture into the cream cheese mix as shown in photo 4 above and mix on medium speed until completely blended. The pudding will be thick and thicken further as it sits. STYLING TIP: For a pretty presentation, set aside one OREO to top the dirt cake with after it’s finished! STEP 3: CRUSH OREOS Use a food processor or blender to crush the OREO cookies into fine crumbs as shown above. You can also crush the OREOs by hand by placing them in a gallon size Ziploc bag, sealing it, and crushing with a rolling pin. (The kids love to help with this!)
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RBS Staff Newsletter STEP 4: LAYER THE DIRT PUDDING AND OREOS To layer in a trifle dish, you will need your pudding mix, cookie crumbs, a ladle, and two spoons-one for the cookies and one to spread the pudding. Now it’s time to layer the dirt cake! I like to make this recipe in a trifle dish so you can see all the deliciousness! If you don’t have a trifle dish you can easily make it in a 9x13 pan, the layers will just be thinner. Sprinkle about ¼ inch layer of OREO crumbs over the pudding (step 1 above). Continue layering the pudding adding new layers to the middle of the cookie layer (step 2) then gently pushing the pudding to the edges (step 3). Add the pudding and OREO crumbs until it is gone, usually four layers of each. TIP: For the prettiest layers always place the custard in the middle over the crumbs and push outward gently with the back of a spoon. Pat the top layer of OREO down with the back of a spoon as well (step 4 above). Top with a whole OREO or gummy worms if desired. TIPS & TRICKS • Be sure to thoroughly soften the butter and cream cheese before creaming together to ensure your pudding layer turns out smooth. • If your dirt cake turns out runny instead of thick, check to make sure you used INSTANT pudding, not traditional stovetop pudding. • If you do not have a food processor or blender (affiliate link) to crush the OREOS, simply place them in a large gallon storage bag and crush with a rolling pin. • You can eat the dirt cake right away, but it tastes so much better if you let it chill to let the flavors blend. I recommend no less than 2 hours of chill time or preferably overnight. • To achieve the pretty layers in a trifle dish, ladle the pudding mixture into the direct center of the dish then use the back of a spoon to gently push it towards the edges. Keep the spoon away from the crumbs so they don’t mix together.
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Volume 4 | Issue 4 | MAR/APRIL 2022
March is Women’s History Month In 1980, the National Women’s History Alliance championed for the holiday to be observed as a national week, and this was backed by President Jimmy Carter, who issued the first proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. The following year, Congress forwarded a resolution establishing a national observance. Think of all the women in your life who have made a difference to you, your community, or the world at large. 1. a. b. c. d.
In what year did the United States government officially recognize Women’s History Month? 1979 1980 1981 1982
2. Which president issued a proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980 as National Women’s History Week? a. Ronald Reagan b. Jimmy Carter c. Bill Clinton d. George Bush 3. a. b. c. d.
Who was the first woman to become a licensed air pilot in the United States of America? Bessie Coleman Imogene Harrigarity Harriet Quimby Renata Jones-Smith
4. a. b. c. d.
Who was the first woman to earn a doctorate degree in the United States of America? Helen Magill White Betty Moses Samuels Roberta Freidman Deanna Stroberson
5. a. b. c. d.
Who was the first woman to walk on the moon? Mae Jemison Suzette Peters Rhonda Myerson No woman has yet walked on the moon
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RBS Staff Newsletter
April is National Poetry Month This national celebration of poetry was launched in 1996. Each of us is a poet, and this national observance reminds us that poets are needed and a part of our everyday lives. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families, and, of course, poets. 1. a. b. c. d.
Which of the following people is not a US poet? Anna Piuitti Conrad Aiken Raymond Foss Frances Mays
2. a. b. c. d.
Who wrote the poem entitled “The Spirit of Poetry”? Henry Thoreau Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Allen Ginsburg Nikki Giovanni
3. a. b. c. d.
The first Poet Laureate of the United States Library of Congress was: Patricia Jones-Smythe Robert C. Jones Joseph Auslander Rebecca Atwater
4. a. b. c. d.
Which poet spoke at the inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden in 2021? Felicia Brightstar Amanda Gorman Rebecca Smith-Wiley Monica Harbor-White
5. a. b. c. d.
Who was The United States of America’s first published poet? Phyllis Wheatley Rebecca Sinclair Anne Bradstreet Jane Smith-Perrine
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Volume 4 | Issue 4 | MAR/APRIL 2022
Words of Inspiration
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