News & Events
‘Made in New York’ Scholarship Winners Feted at Borough Hall
City, Borough and College officials with 2008 “Made in New York” Scholarship recipients
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting
Commissioner Katherine Oliver and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz feted this year’s recipients of “Made in New York” Scholarships at an October 1 breakfast at Brooklyn Borough Hall.
The scholarships were awarded six students attending New York City College of Technology (City Tech) who are pursuing baccalaureate degrees in entertainment technology. Also on hand to congratulate the recipients were City Tech President Russell K. Hotzler and Tommy O’Donnell, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 817, the union which provided the funds that made the scholarships possible.
Announced by Mayor Bloomberg at a “Made in NY” Awards event this past May, the endowed fund will award a number of students each year with $5,000 scholarships, covering their full tuition and fees. The entertainment technology program, the only one of its kind in the Eastern half of the U.S., promotes mastery of the technologies that drive the production aspects of film, television, theatre and other performance arts.
The scholarship fund was made possible by a generous donation from Teamsters Local 817 to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City in support of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting. The Mayor’s Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding City programs throughout the five boroughs.
“We could think of no better way to use this donation than to promote the education of CUNY students looking to advance in the entertainment industry,” said Commissioner Oliver at the Borough Hall breakfast. “When you graduate, you will become invaluable additions to our local entertainment community.”
Commissioner Katherine Oliver with “Made in New York” Scholarship recipients
City Tech President Russell Hotzler said, “This is an extraordinary scholarship initiative. It will help City Tech support deserving students who will become the highly-skilled, diverse workforce needed to keep New York at the forefront of the entertainment industry. We are most grateful for the commitment of our partners to this effort.”
This year’s “Made in NY” Scholarship winners are Marcella Downer, a junior at City Tech and mother of two, who was born in Jamaica. Her current interests focus on video and film, and she plans to one day work in a television studio.
After enlisting in the U.S. Army National Guard in 2003, Michael McLean served his country in Iraq and expects to graduate next spring, after also graduating from the Officer Candidate School of the National Guard with the rank of second lieutenant.
Angelo Newsome, married with a young son, is in his junior year at City Tech. In addition to his studies, he works as a special education paraprofessional at the David Ruggles Middle School in Brooklyn, teaching eighth grade students.
Currently in his third year, Andrew Puccio plans to use his experience at City Tech to get a foot in the door of the entertainment industry. During his previous studies, he gained experience in technical theatre positions working as a sound board operator and production stage manager.
Matthew Barbara, a junior, has worked as part of the carpentry crew for Off Broadway productions. He plans to pursue his interest in set design and construction with a goal of entering the workplace as a member of the Local 1 Stagehands Union.
A recent transfer student, Toija Riggins is excited to be a part of City Tech’s entertainment technology program. Her aspiration is to gain a position as a production manager of live corporate events, themed entertainment/retail, tradeshows, concerts or arena events in New York City.
The largest public college of technology in New York State, New York City College of Technology (City Tech) enrolls almost 14,300 students in 60 baccalaureate, associate and specialized certificate programs in 21st century technologies and related fields. Located at 300 Jay Street in Downtown Brooklyn, City Tech is at the MetroTech Center academic and
commercial complex, convenient to public transportation.
