Events and Activities Run from April 20 to May 7
ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. (April 18, 2023) – Rockland Community College has organized the third annual Unity in Community: Rising as One Festival, which includes events and activities that highlight and honor the collaboration, passion and compassion that boosts RCC’s community spirit. The idea for Unity in Community was conceptualized in 2021 by RCC’s Patricia Maloney-Titland, Program Director of Visual and Performing Arts, Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of the Rockland Shakespeare Company, and a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor.
“The inaugural Unity in Community Festival in 2021 brought our community together during unprecedented times and I’m so proud to see the tradition continue into its third year,” says Dr. Susan Deer, RCC’s Officer in Charge. “The series of events and activities celebrates the talents of our students, faculty and staff and engages the community. The festival is a reflection of how our RCC professional family joins together to strengthen each other. I look forward to performances, readings, speakers, and other exciting programming the Committee has lined up for this year!”
The Festival includes theatrical performances, food festivals, historical event discussions, and more. Events and activities will also highlight the creativity of RCC students, faculty, staff, and the community. This year’s event will kick off with an Earth Day Celebration on April 20th, 12 pm – 2 pm on the College’s Suffern campus. There will be a Grand Reopening Ceremony of the Cultural Arts Center Theatre on April 27th at 7 pm, following much needed renovations, including new seating, carpeting, and curtains. The Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting will be followed by SOMETHING ROTTEN! at 8 pm, presented by the Visual and Performing Arts Department, Campus Players and the Rockland Shakespeare Company.
“As the President of RCC’s Campus Players and an ensemble member in RCC’s spring musical, “Something Rotten!”, I love being involved in the Performing Arts Department. Being a part of the ensemble for this year’s musical has especially given me a sense of belonging, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with all of my fellow cast mates,” says Adriana Hallerman, Honors and Visual and Performing Arts Student.
RCC student art work will be celebrated at the Impulse 2023 – the student art magazine – Launch Party on April 26th at 3 pm. The Art Department and Art Club is hosting “Empty Bowls” where handmade bowls and beads can be purchased to benefit the feeding ministries at Christ’s Church in Suffern, on April 25th, 12 pm – 2:30pm. Open Mic at the World-Famous Casa Jam at Casa del Sol in Nyack on April 20th, 7 pm – 11:30 pm, will feature local musicians, including RCC students and faculty.
Most of the events are free (unless otherwise noted on the webpage) and open to the public. For more information and details about all the events, visit https://sunyrockland.edu/about/media/unity-in-community/
About Rockland Community College, State University of New York
Rockland Community College (RCC), located in Suffern New York, provides purpose-driven educational opportunities in a supportive, affordable, and accessible environment, empowering individuals to positively transform themselves and their communities. RCC welcomes students from diverse backgrounds who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. Many graduates go on to top universities to further their education on their own or through RCC’s institutional collaborations.
RCC also provides career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through a variety of programs and educational opportunities including workforce training, certifications, and microcredentials. Many of the programs are developed with employers in the community in high-demand industry areas to enable graduates to move into a new career upon graduation. More information can be found at sunyrockland.edu.
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