Dear Friends:Hope your Christmas is filled with Happiness, Warmth and Joy!

Bon Voyage, Commodore

Bon Voyage, me Mateys!

.

I have so many amazing memories from Great American Mentoring.  The education I received from GAM was also outstanding to me.  I made so many new friends as part of the crew; and so could you.  

.

It was a lot of fun!  My favorite memories are of Valentine Noir (the masqerade ball), Moon On The Sail (weekly movies), Rolling With GAM (bowling), GAM MET BIZ (Metropolitan Museum of Art), Explore Strange New Worlds (Museum of Natural History) and many other fun, educational events.  I will never forget the time we went to the OW campus--GAM On The Island--and all of us girls ended up playing basketball while the boys cheered us on (you have to listen to their play-by-play video commentary).  

.

My favorite thing was coming up with new events, making ads for them, helping run the events, and of course recruiting new members to them.  I am extremely thankful for all the awards and contests I won.  Judge Gregorek is a very knowledgable and helpful person, who created GAM and made it the best club to join, not only for business majors, but any degree.  The skills I learned from GAM, I know I am going to use in life, because some things everyone needs to know.  After I graduate this term, I hope GAM will continue.  For me it was an extraordinary voyage!  Come aboard and make more memories for business sense and social grace! 

.

Alyssa D'Amico

.

Special Note from the Fleet Admiral:  Alyssa has been a superbly supportive shipmate to everyone--a generous spirit and magnanimous heart.  And she is modest.  One of the greatest successes of GAM was Alyssa taking GAM to a private high school to mentor and inspire them in GAMmy Smith Apple.  She won so many awards:  She won a $1,500 Frederique Constant watch at Time for GAM.  She won an iPod at MoMMA (Mother’s Day video card contest).  And she won the very first Atlas Shrugged Award at Bon Voyage.  She is our highest ranking officer; she is our Commodore.  She is my pride and joy.

Renaissance Man

Being able to help others with technical issues, such as removing viruses from their computer with the proper software, and being able to write well and use sophisticated and insightful language are two very important skills in today’s world. Whether you’re at school, work, at home or even just walking around on the street or a public place, technology will always be common. Computers (laptop/desktop) and Smartphones are inescapable in these situations. Furthermore, writing a simple email, text, or even an essay require at least some knowledge of writing. I can say all this from experience.

.

I happen to be an IT major at NYIT who is not only tech-savvy but also has some great writing skills. First and foremost, I know the basics of operating systems, networks, hardware/software and simply just assisting people with help desk issues. But that doesn’t mean I can’t write and express my thoughts like an author or journalist may do. I have proven myself to write exceptional papers in my college composition classes in the past. So I basically have taken these skills and knowledge and incorporated them into my daily routine. It’s as if writing comes naturally to me now just as technology does.

.

Being a “Renaissance Man,” or in other words, being good at more than one thing is something I firmly believe in. I know quite a few people who would agree and are adept in more than one skill as well. Having an additional skill can come in very handy in careers or just daily life. I think being open-minded is a great way to think of being skilled in more than one field. It can expand someone’s horizons. Like me for example: I have a technical background but also enjoy writing on my leisure time. So I’m pretty sure it will help me in the long run once I enter the real world.

.

If you know you are good at something that you don’t do often, anything from sports to music or even cooking, broaden your mind and integrate it into your life. It may serve as a great hobby or possible career. Friends and family will definitely notice that and respect your additional talent. So remember, never let anyone tell you otherwise. In fact, go with your gut instinct!

The Mystical Trip of a Fake Vampire

Despite the stillness of my posture, the beats of my heart gradually intensify with each breath that I am taking. I am looking around and myriad of happy excited eyes are frenetically scanning the new comers. Dragging my luggage packed with dozens of presents, I am blending with the crowd in the search for her, my best friend, my mom, my sister. “Hide and seek mommy!” I heard myself giving voice to my thoughts. That's what she would always say when she would give the start for our everyday game. In a jiffy, grabbed from behind I am feeling that warm, soft hug filled with all the love in the world. I turn around and those amazingly green eyes kissed my soul and embraced my being in a way that only a mom could do.

That's how it started, my long expected trip in the Dracula's land in the search for a revelation. Leaving the ever vociferous Romanian airport, we were heading to the neighborhood of my childhood. My mind was cluttered by long past memories that engraved on my face a constant and undisturbed smile. I was living up the excitement of a three weeks trip where my everyday schedule would leave me sleepless.

Every summer I would return there, to my fantasy world where my heart would be infused with all the joyfulness of a child. I needed that dosage of happiness to be able after, to return and confront for another year the loneliness I was bathing in, the loneliness of a city cluttered by over eight million people. But this time would be different. Wasn't a trip planned for only visiting my family, but a whole country? I was in need for rediscovering Romania, a country that hosts the Danube Delta, that baths in Black Sea, that has the only funny cemetery in Europe, that takes pride in having the most monasteries on the continent, a country where Carpathians Mountains barricade Dracula's Castle and its mystical stories.

All these represented for me itineraries to be explored. Grabbing my backpack and my camera, I started my adventure traveling from south to north and west to east. Far from being what I imagined, the unexpected was omnipresent. Riding horses, traveling in gypsies carriages, being rubbed by them, getting lost in mountains and forgotten caves, drinking holy water from the monks' palms and climbing trees for apples were just a few of all those magical moments that filled my trip with surprises. I was discovering a world stripped away of the concreteness of a metropolis. Every step made was unfolding the unknown, where a perfect combination of the nature and a manufactured world would make me grave for more. That world hidden by forests, monasteries and myths of an East European country represented a deep breath of oxygen that pampered my unsettled soul, a self introspection within my nature. I felt healthier, more awake and rejuvenated.

Once I got back in my beloved hometown, I came in contact with my friends and their two years stories in a place where the pace of life was run by other notions of calibration than mine in a city that never sleeps. At the dinner table, in my grandparent’s home, my family's eyes fixed solidly on me but their gaze traveled to a time when I enjoyed prancing around in my diaper dreaming of becoming a dancer. My attitude was affected by the way they anticipated showing me every part of their lives. They had so much pride in their culture and way of life, in their little vineyards with house made wines, in their traditional folklore, in their natural tomatoes and unstained commercialized views. The epiphany that I had was giving me a different perspective about my nature. It struck me to realize how selfish in a way I had become. In all this time being away from my homeland, I was losing the appreciation of the little things that made life so wonderful.

After recollecting my thoughts, I felt like a new being made from a slightly different mold, a humble young woman that would emerge herself in the beauty of life through openness of the heart, momentous observation with detail orientation and detachment. My perspectives on what us and life mean have changed, opening a new exciting chapter of my life. With youthfulness in my heart and maturity in my thoughts, I salute you all, travelers of the world. ;)

Made In China

Ambassador Chris, Lieutenant Cathy, Commodore Alyssa, 

Commander Fayon, and Vice Admiral Chris toured the 

"Made In China" Street Fair on Madison Avenue following an 

UP With GAM gathering with a cheese and pepperoni platter from 

our Commodore and additional goodies to eat.

"Now the looters' credo has brought you to regard [the] proudest achievements as a hallmark of shame, ... prosperity as guilt, [the] greatest men, the industrialists, as blackguards ...."  -- Atlas Shrugged.

GAM is the most diverse club of individuals on any campus.  But unlike the wrong-headed multiculturalists, we are focused upon American exceptionalism--E Pluribus Unum.  Out of many cultures, religions, and creeds, we come together to celebrate what is good--industry..  .

.  .

“In all things social we can be as seperate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress.” ― Booker T. Washington.

.  .

British Prime Minister Cameron admonished the United Kingdom's parliament that those ambiguous on Western values should no longer receive state funding, and should be banned from university campuses. "Under the doctrine of state multiculturalism, we have encouraged different cultures to live separate lives, apart from each other and the mainstream."  

.  .

As GAM officers walked through a Madison Avenue street fair, our Purser Cathy (Chief Financial Officer of GAM) noted that ironically she came all the way from China to walk this corridor of tents and booths with goods for sale all made in China.

.  .

Cathy is here in the United States to supplement her business education.  While the English language is new to her, she is fluent in dollars and sense.  E Pluribus Unum.

.  .

While Unions supportive of the Democratic Party seek isolationism from foreign competition, and the Occupy Wall Street hoodlums supportive of the Democratic Party demand redistribution from the prosperous, GAM hopes you see that the Made in China label is an extension of the ideal of "the people who created the phrase 'to make money'"across the world.  While China may be a communist state, and the United States a mixed economy, so long as industrialists sprout up around the world, hope for all mankind persists.  

.  .

Let nations default, let children throw tantrums, let fools self-destruct.  But let's not turn our backs on friends in industry.  The People's Republic of China did not make those goods sold on Madison Avenue, Chinese industrialists did.  When you read Made in China, hear as an industrialist E Pluribus Unum.  American exceptionalism has no borders, only multiculturalism does.

.  .

[The opinion here is an inclusive expression from the Fleet Admiral and does not necessarily reflect the current understanding of anyone else.  Isn't that ironic?]  

Captain's Log: Routine Bounty

These are the voyages of the GAMship captains.  Our seventh Captain's Log is about two captains.  

.

Have you heard of Captain Bligh of the infamous Mutiny on the Bounty?  Our story is in part about Captain Lai and the famous Routine Bounty of GAM.  The routine is our traditions and the bounty is our shipmates.  This Captain's Log is about Captain Andrew Lai (NYIT) and Captain Yosr El-Azhary (NYIT).

.

GAM has a long tradition of officers selflessly switching titles to give each other a chance at the helm.  Our original two captains--Captain Harry Baker (NYIT) and Captain Ninoska Alvarez (CCNY)-- began the tradition.  More recently Captain Luiza "Lulu" Bilt (CCNY) set the example again for all our shipmates.  That tradition continues again now.  GAM's motto is that we all set sail together for business sense and social grace.  This tradition is a hallmark of ethics--graciousness.  

.

Lower classmate Captain Yosr has turned over the helm to upper classmate Bosun Andrew.  Captain Yosr has already distinguished herself as a creative leader of GAM.  Beginning as a sapphire class commander under the legendary Captain Christopher "Columbus," she has won awards for her creative and energetic leadership.  Now she evens the score between our sister chapters by sharing the helm with her crew mate.  

.

Captain Andrew began as a boatswain for Navigator Joy capturing treasured moments of GAM with his one eye to display on GAMour visible from the Verandah.  [Translation of GAMese to English:  Andrew was a ruby class officer who took pictures of our GAM.]  Now he will lead GAMship.  Only one day at the helm and Captain Andrew has already traveled to another college and laudably represented GAM.  There he met with another business club that is interested in joining our Valentine Day's dance.  So impressed were they that they may join our member(ship) as well as another chapter of GAM.

.

The voyages of these two captains are just beginning, so this Captain's Log will have to be updated.  Bon Voyage, Captains Yosr and Andrew

Careers Ahead with Charlene Degregoria

On Sept. 27, The GAMarray Gazette interviewed GAM's advisor Charlene DeGregoria, GAM's Harbor Pilot leading us safely through our Home Port (NYIT).  She is also the Director of Career Service of NYIT.  She shared news about what Career Services has planned for this semester and generously advised our shipmates about how to take advantage of our club's greatest resource--ourselves.  Charlene even mentored us in the preparation of this--our very first--interview for publication.  We here at The GAMarray learned a lot.  Thank you, Charlene; and to our shipmates:  enjoy the interview.
.
(G: The GAMarray Gazette; C: Charlene DeGregoria, Director of Career Services and GAM advisor)

.

G:  Now GAM has more than 60 members--it is a large number, so how do you think we can efficiently manage ourselves?

.

C:  We need to focus on personal connections.  Facebook, email, and Twitter are not as good as meeting people face to face.  We can use members’ personal information to connect them, so next time when we plan programs, we will know how to begin and how to involve people.

.

G:  Diversity is one big characteristic of GAM, how can we have a better utilization of that resource?

.

C:  People like to share their differences; they like multicultural things.  We can try to find out what people usually share:  food, music, video, art, etc.  Those things draw people in.  Although people with different backgrounds may have their own actions and ideas, we still have things in common as well.  Don’t worry about being different at the beginning.  Find out what people like and share it! Thanksgiving Day is a good opportunity; people like all kinds of festivals.

.

G:  What is the value of a student association in a student's life?  What is the most important element of a successful student association?

.

C:  Because students here live separately and there are a lot of distractions in N.Y., not too many students take part in a student association.  We need to find out things that attract people.  Just like flowers and bees.  Attract people easily, connect people easily.

.

     To be a successful student association, strong leadership is a key factor.  Leaders must get to know people and people have to want to follow them.  Besides that, we have to set up some valuable events, not just “free food, free drink.”  We need things people value.  For example, we can hire a pop band and give people a great event.

.

G:  What do you think about the relationship between different student associations, especially when these clubs have the same members?

.

C:  Sometimes we need help; we can’t do everything by ourselves.  Be a partner with other clubs.  We can advance a proposal, invite other clubs to be in and ask for advice.  The core part is we need someone to propose and motivate it.  This is our work.  For movie events, for example, we can plan a Drive-In movie; each club can be a car, drive out and have a movie shown outdoors.  But remember:  email is less useful than face to face connecting.

.

G:  The GAMarray Gazette is our club journal and we post it on GAM’s GLOG.  How can we attract more students to contribute?

.

C:  There are a lot of things they can write, especially for new members such as:  students can share their feelings about their new life in N.Y.C.; they can also write about what kind of help they want to get from GAM; etc.  We need to challenge them with a topic share about.

.

G:  How does Career Services like their new location/offices?

.

C:  Beautiful!  Amazing!  Now we have enough space to have workshops, hold activities, even video conferences.  Everyone is welcome!

.

G:  What is Career Services planning this semester that they would like your shipmates to know of?

.

C:  Let me show you....

.

[Editorial Note:  Charlene showed us the Career Services Fall 2011 brochure full of events and programs for all of us.  For your copy, we invite you to come see for yourself at the brand new offices of Career Services at 26 West 61st St., 2nd Floor.]

Welcome Aboard GAMship

Ahoy ye Mateys,

Time to sign up a whole new crew for our fourth voyage of GAMship. Yes, this is going to be our fourth year: we have collected along the way Emeralds, Rubies, and Sapphires; and this year will be Citrines. By signing the Crew Manifest, you can make sure you are counted among the crew, sharing in the treasures, such as handsome steins, artist-designed t-shirts, engraved rings, and other booty. 

We have two college ports for our (member)ship: NYIT and CCNY. Shipmates are welcome to join adventures at both ports. "Gam" means seafarers mingling to talk business and to socialize. GAM offers educational entertainment, joins other clubs together and invites all majors and interests to participate and share with each other. We have a long list of unique and diverse GAMes, like our Valentine Noir Masquerade Ball, our Now You're International Too cultural celebration, our Come Celebrate New Years going around the world with GAM, and sailing ahead to do so much more.

There are no time or financial obligations. Sail as often or as little as you like. But you cannot share in the booty unless you sign up. So sign aboard.  Everything there is to know about GAMship is on our Wheelhouse (our online electronic clubhouse). We need your help making GAM better.  Take a leadership role, such as Yeoman, Boatswain, Chief Mate or Ambassador, and help steer GAMship for the horizon. 

Beneath this sea of maritime adventure is the indelible letter of marque (your resume with GAM) to come laud your internships, leadership, certificates, awards and other accomplishments.  Join for the companionship, friendship, fellowship, kinship, GAMship!

Welcome aboard GAMship!

For Business Sense and Social Grace,
GAM it!
gam@gamship.net | GAMship.net

GAM Moves The World

"America's abundance was not created by public sacrifices to the common good, but by the productive genius of free men who pursued their own personal interests and the making of their own private fortunes." -- Ayn Rand

GAM’s premier initiation is to read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand and I was given a copy of this novel to read over the summer. The first thing that stood out to me from this book was not the cover, but the length. As a student who barely enjoys reading textbooks I didn't know how I was going to complete it. The book remained on my desk for a while as I was being showered with guilt: how could an officer lead a club without fulfilling the one basic responsibility? So I braced myself for a task that I believed would take up my entire vacation and I began to read it.

One month later I turned the last page of Atlas Shrugged, a book that was no longer a task to be completed but a guide to follow for the rest of my life. Although this novel is based on a dystopia, it definitely holds many realistic elements. As I was reading I couldn't help myself but reflect upon how the events occurring today and the moral standards being taught were so similar to that of the book: a tanking economy, constant bailouts, and a government that intervenes in every aspect of society. In the book, businessmen were often referred to as “exploiters” and their wealth made by their success were constantly sought to be taken away. But wouldn't those who fight for unearned wealth be the real exploiters? What will those looters do when the businessmen disappear? Or run out of money? How will such people survive then? The real exploiters are those who tell businesses to remain running at a loss. The real exploiters are those who take a company’s profits to help save a business that can’t remain in competition. The real exploiters are those who seek one’s wealth for the use of their social programs.

The attacks made on those who use their minds and skills for success reminded me of the “Robber Barons” of the 19th Century. Nineteenth Century entrepreneurs such as Vanderbilt and Rockefeller built great businesses. They provided goods and services that maximized the public's utility, thereby increasing the total welfare of the country. Moreover, the profits served as incentives for entrepreneurs to take on the inherent risk of operating their own business. These entrepreneurs that were portrayed as ruthless and greedy were a benefit to the society and got paid voluntarily by people who found a benefit in what they do. However, there were individuals who looked down upon Vanderbilt, Rockefeller and others. Instead of owning their own shortcomings, they blame those superior to them. For the most part, Captains of Industry and CEOs are not born; they get there by hard work and thinking outside the box. Blaming others instead of seeking to turn a given situation around is the hallmark of a looter. They are the ones who would complain and label those who are successful as a "Robber Baron."

At the heart of Atlas Shrugged lies Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism that continues to move our society. Objectivism focuses on being individualistic and logical (rational) – two key characteristics for the pursuit of one’s happiness. Individualism is being independent; it’s thinking, acting for oneself while using reason as your guide. This is opposed to collectivism where everyone is interdependent and living in an altruistic manner. Objectivists, like me, are advocates for Capitalism, a free market with no government intervention – the only true economic system that can help a country prosper. It is such truths underlying Objectivism that can bring our country back to its fundamental principles.

As I was sworn in as GAM’s new Captain for NYiT, I repeated a quote from Atlas Shrugged. However, it wasn't until I finished the book that I completely understood the concept. “I swear by my life, and my love of it, that I will never for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.” This is my oath and the rule of which I will live the rest of my life by. I will use my mind and my talents to the best of their abilities. My life is mine to deal with, and it is mine to grow and achieve because self-interest is the most powerful motivator for success. Atlas Shrugged moved me, and now I will move the world. Will you?

-C. Y.

GAM-BIT(E)S

Freshmen were urged to SOAR Toward Excellence today (Aug. 2nd). And GAM recommended they Go GAMANAS! 

Picture from June 4th GAMnic in Central Park

(SOAR is a program to welcome new freshman to NYIT. Go GAMANAS! is GAM's initiative to encourage nutritious bites between classes.) GAM joined other clubs at tables set up to greet the new freshman.
 .
At GAM's table, sandwiched between their friends from the UN TEAM and SGA, GAM offered freshmen free bananas, along with copies of the latest GAMarray Gazette produced in high gloss by our Captain Yosr E. Also at their table greeting freshmen were GAM's Commodore Alyssa D., Commander Elias W. and Crimpee Christopher K. Leading freshmen around NYIT was GAM's Ambassador Bella L.  .
.
Captain Yosr bestowed GAM's artist-designed, ocean-blue shirt to Crimpee Chris for his efforts to welcome freshmen at two orientations now. Crimpee Chris is currently working on his initiation by reading Atlas Shrugged and his rank by attending these orientations to earn his citrine class GEM (GAM's Excellence Marque). GAM signed up, with Chris's help, 8 students on July 21st. (See that news in our earlier note: 20,000 GAM-BITS.) Today (Aug. 2nd) GAM signed up 23! Welcome aboard, Crimpees! We have for ye gold ahead, and it began with a golden banana today. Arrrrrrgh!

20,000 GAM-BITS

Another summer update with good news for you: 
.
Following the summer party at Admiral Jesse's, the crew of GAMship set sail on additional adventures.
.

With reference to bottom left picture:
Commodore Alyssa, Captain (NYIT),
Captain Luiza (CCNY) and Navigator Christopher

GAM Officers descended (20,000 Leagues) on the American Museum of Natural History to find "Job" (the great white whale on the Great Crest of GAM), and questioned MODOK (Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing). GAMs learned Peachie Pie (the bird on the Great Crest of GAM) evaded giant octopi and squids, before a stone-faced mo'ai (not pronounced like blowing a kiss at the close of The Dating Game) bellowed after GAMs (attracted by our club name).

.
GAM's Commodore Alyssa D'Amico met a school of freshmen at NYIT to invite them aboard GAMship. Eight took the bait and are reeling themselves in - as eveyone should - by signing the new Crew Manifest for our fourth year voyage.

Christopher and Commodore Alyssa
 (sporting GAM's designer T)
reaching out to freshmen at orientation

.
On the Horizon:

• GAM is producing another edition of the GAMarray Gazette for August. If you would like to add your story, email gam@gamship.net.
• GAM will attend another freshman orientation (on or about August 2nd at NYIT) with a greater delegation to encourage potential crimpees to parlay aboard GAMship.
• GAM will hold more summer events, including sailings to Liberty Island (the Statue of Liberty) and Governors Island.

Just step aboard and you'll join the crew,

You will be grateful for the trip

That started from just one college U

                Aboard this mighty GAMship.

GAM-BITS

Good news for you:

Our ships (chapters) are meeting in July and August to prepare the events for the Fall and Spring.

One of those events is our Valentine Noir Masquerade Ball, which will have a new spring in step with our new dance partner--Salsa! Are you on the ball? Send an email to gam@gamship.net to join the committee.

We are also planning an alumni event with our past officers and shipmates, like our Captain Tasnim (The Path of Ugg) who this past week visited NYIT to participate in a panel discussion for HEOP.

Fleet Officers, July 2, 2011

Our Admiral Jesse invited shipmates aboard his houseboat (ok, ok, his house) for his annual backyard party, where we welcomed Captain Christopher (Columbus Circle) to Fleet Command.

Christopher Engel is working full-time for The Daily News (along with Clark Kent, Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane. ...What? ...Oh. Correction: That would be The Daily Planet). Christopher is now Vice Admiral of GAM bringing all his newspaper experience to all our publications.

Look forward to Joy To The World and La Bella Vita from our two Boatswains editing our publications. Bosun Joy will edit our GAMarray Gazette and Bosun Bella will edit our Facebook and Orgsync.  Our GAMour (photo albums) will be edited by our Bosun Andrew.

Our Captain Yosr is sailing GAM MA ahead with stunning innovations for her shipmates. They're surprises, so get on board to enjoy the fun. Sign the Crew Manifest.

Our newest edition of the GAMarray Gazette is out.  Get yours at either campus or on the Wheelhouse.

Here is a little tidbit of information that not many know.  Today is GAM's birthday.  Three years ago we were just finishing our first GAMA group and making plans for GAM's first event.

Happy Independence Day!
GAM it!

Great American Minds

Many of you will recall our shipmate Sahar Khan as a contributor to our GLOG in March sharing her experience at GAM's Moon On The Sail movie series in a blog entitled "eXistenZ is better with the Moon On Yer Sail." Sahar Khan served the CCNY community as Executive Vice President of the Undergraduate Student Government. Recently she was was heaped with awards and praise at the Student Affairs Leadership Awards Dinner. As the presenter noted, she is a Great American Mind.

Sahar Khan is headed for law school. As part of GAM's summer series, we share her law school entry essay.

Sahar Khan, Awardee, May 20, 2011
(second from right)

Following my aspirations in high school, I joined an organization called Women In Islam. This organization advocates to correct the unstable life styles of women who reside in Queens, New York. Working with these women and recording their tragic histories helped me overcome my apprehension. Nothing felt better than assisting members of an underprivileged community achieve the level of legal care they deserved. Starting college, I kept in touch with the legal aid community by training as a translator for the Women In Islam legal aid. While my time with them was limited, I used my ability to communicate clearly during any emergency.

Fired up by my intellectual curiosity, college allowed me to explore the different fields of academics. While completing a major in Media Communications & Arts, it was crucial for me to link the world of politics to the humanities. I thoroughly enjoyed taking a position in Undergraduate Student Government, presenting the multiverse theory to liberal art students and discussing current trends in public interest law. Learning how to use verbal skills, marketing and examining politics and media literature further reassured my interdisciplinary studious pursuits.

My dedication to law was tested after joining the Skadden Arps Honors Program in Legal Studies at The City College of New York.  I remember one semester in this vigorous program, my professor said, "Sahar, you might want to consider a different profession." Closing my eyes, the advisor's words endlessly replayed while I sank deeper into the gap of the couch.  My early experiences in mock trial and the images of suffering women burned into my eyes and the feeling of powerlessness came rushing back. This setback did not cause me to digress from my goal of becoming a humanitarian. From then on, I directed myself and slowly learned how to study harder.

Studying through college, advertising courses were always captivating and during law seminars I was amazed at how the law system works. There has never been a class that I have not enjoyed and I anxiously await the integration of more knowledge in law school. The Skadden seminars, taught by Yale Law School graduate, Professor Lynda Dodd helped me learn the value of evidence-based cases and understand how legal research could be applied in clinical practice.

By my senior year, I needed to revisit the courtroom to ascertain the legal maturity essential to be an efficient lawyer as a first year law student. I gained this knowledge through my internship at Queens County Courthouse in the summer of 2010.  Collecting clinical research data in the Queens County Courthouse brought me back to the misery of women, when their children faced emotional trouble due to the unstable environment they lived in.   No words could express my emotions when a woman lost everything. At the same time, I knew that the lawyers did their best to do the most for their clients.

Gradually, I grew to be comfortable in the courthouse setting and became familiar with many of the lawyers and judges. Communicating with the layers, many of my fiery questions were answered, such as the role of the judge in different types of courtrooms. The courthouse soon became a learning ground where I could not only be a curious student but also a teacher. Becoming a mentor for the second cohort of the Skadden program, I enjoyed advising the students how to achieve their research goals.

The result of all of my experiences in academia and various courthouses has made me recognize that there is only one profession that encompasses my intrinsic desire to help others and my enduring love of learning. Working with lawyers and judges is invigorating and provides me with a unique sense of fulfillment every time I leave the courtroom. Having tested my dedication to the field, I have never felt more motivated towards pursuing a law degree. I am no longer a trembling powerless girl, but a woman filled with potential, ready to be the best lawyer I can be.

I am a multi-faceted individual:  a daughter, a sister, a student; but my identity describes me to be a Pakistani Muslim.  Muslim women have had the strongest impact on my life and aspirations. I was born in Dubai and arrived in the United States when I was two years old. Growing up in poverty helped me value the inner qualities that nobody can take away from me. As a Muslim woman, I was determined to grow beyond the traditional roles that my culture laid out for me. By obtaining a law degree, I will find a way to make possible the progress of other under-represented people. I want to be a symbolic figure for all Pakistani women.  I hope to show them that they can be more than mothers and wives.

I came to see that women had very limited opportunities in the Pakistani community. In Pakistani culture, women are only portrayed as daughters, sisters, wives, and then mothers. I do not mean to undermine the roles that women play in society, but I want to have as many doors of opportunity opened for me as a man might have. I have seen how my parents distinguished between their daughter and son. They rarely hold high expectations of women, and are not attentive of them to pursue higher education and work beside men. My parents constantly tell me, “You are a woman and you do not need a great deal of education. Your husband will provide for you.”

I gathered the strength to respond that just because I am a woman does not mean that I cannot succeed in life. I have tried to be the best daughter and sister, and I am sure I will do just as well when I become a wife and a mother. Nonetheless, I want to have something of my own. My parents are coming to terms with my ambitions now, since I am coming up on graduating college.

In addition, I was fortunate to have the chance to show everyone that I have the potential to accomplish the aspirations I have set for myself. I have taken each challenge and worked out a coherent plan to prevail. I had to break the English language barrier because, even though I am a fluent English speaker, I speak many different languages and my fluency in them has put me to the test particularly with respect to developing strong writing skills in English.  I have never been fearful to face the unknown, but people’s beliefs and assumptions about me as a Muslim woman here in the United States mean I always feel like I need to do a little extra to show I am capable.

I want to conquer my dreams. I want to take a position and tell the world that I have accomplished my own success because I was determined and hard working. By achieving a law degree, I would not be only completing my dream, but I will be taking a step onward to help my community. Many of the women in Islam do not have the courage to fight against the injustice done to them.  I would like to become the voice for such women and battle against such factors in my community.  The women in my community are conditioned to be introverts, and not all have the strength to speak against the wrong.  Some may be immigrants, and may not speak English, or have other concerns and questions about the legal system.  It is important for such a community to be represented, and I would like to be that person.

I will be proud to tell the people around me, who doubted that a woman could go so far, that I have done it. I will take the extra mile to prove myself and I am proud to take this journey diligently with a purpose.

Sahar Khan

College Graduate

Law School Bound

My early experiences of reading domestic violence cases during high school left me with a feeling of powerlessness. The stories, voices of women suffering with pain and rape, stay with me like a film covering my eyes. Being unable to read the stories about such insanity of women all around me was immobilizing. Watching how compassionately lawyers comforted their clients and discussed their past, present and future helped me handle my erupting emotions. It was then that my concern transformed into a passionate desire to help others in need.

Captain's Log: Columbus Circle

These are the voyages of the GAMship captains.  Our sixth Captain's Log circles back to Columbus where it all started with our first captain and his first officer.  The very first mate to sign on to GAMship.  The very first officer to be elected.  The longest sailing shipmate of GAM.  The longest commanding officer of GAM.  The most decorated.  The most respected.  This is GAM's very own Columbus:  Captain Christopher Engel.

"[T]he sight of an achievement [is] the greatest gift a human being could offer to others."  [Atlas Shrugged]  Captain Christopher has brought award after award to GAM and his shipmates.

Outstanding New Organization Award, 2008-2009, to GAM 

from NYIT Manhattan Campus Student Government Association

Best GAM Watch Design, in Time For GAM, Fall 2009, to Christopher Engel 

from Frederique Constant

Certificate of Completion, Mentors in Gam and Emprise, 2009-2010, to Christopher Engel 

from NYIT School of Management Professional Enrichment Program

Certificate of Recognition, Career Perks, 2009-2010, to Christopher Engel 

from NYIT School of Management Professional Enrichment Program

Above and Beyond Award, 2009-2010, to Christopher Engel 

from NYIT School of Management Professional Enrichment Program

Certificate of Recognition, 2009-2010, to GAM 

from NYIT School of Management

Certificate of Completion, Internship Certificate Program, Spring 2010, to Christopher Engel 

from NYIT Career Services

Outstanding Student Organization Award, 2009-2010, to GAM 

from NYIT Manhattan Campus Student Government Association

Student Organization of the Year Award, 2009-2010, to GAM 

from NYIT Manhattan Campus Office of Student Activities

Outstanding Club President of the Year Award, 2009-2010, to Chris Engel 

from NYIT Manhattan Campus Student Government Association

Outstanding Student Leader Award, 2009-2010, to Christopher Engel 

from NYIT Manhattan Campus Office of Student Activities

And the countless additional awards that his shipmates have earned through GAM and the programs it supports.

As apparent storms seemed to chase his ship into port to run aground, Captain Christopher sailed against the gales to save the integrity of the ship.

Captain Christopher Engel, GAM MA 2008-2011

“The port would fain give succor; the port is pitiful; in the port is safety, comfort, hearthstone, supper, warm blankets, friends, all that’s kind to our mortalities. But in that gale, the port, the land, is that ship’s direst jeopardy; she must fly all hospitality; one touch of land, though it but graze the keel, would make her shudder through and through. With all her might she crowds all sail off shore; in so doing, fights ‘gainst the very winds that fain would blow her homeward; seeks all the lashed sea’s landlessness again; for refuge’s sake forlornly rushing into peril; her only friend her bitterest foe!”  [Moby Dick].

This Captain Christopher learned at the helm:  that the safest port is into the storm.

"There is a wisdom that is woe; but there is a woe that is madness. And there is a Catskill eagle in some souls that can alike dive down into the blackest gorges, and soar out of them again and become invisible in the sunny spaces. And even if he for ever flies within the gorge, that gorge is in the mountains; so that even in his lowest swoop the mountain eagle is still higher than other birds upon the plain, even though they soar."  [Moby Dick]

In his honor GAM establishes a new award.  In addition to being the third captain to retire with the Me Hearties Pennant, Captain Christopher receives the Take A Bow trophy, which logs his voyage at the helm of GAMship.  And Captain Christopher was first to reach for the brass ring, so we name it after him:  the Columbus Circle.

How befitting that Captain Christopher's last event is to say bon voyage to us.  We come full circle to conclude the Columbian Era by bidding our Captain Columbus the same for the bon voyage he gave us.  Bon Voyage, Captain Christopher Engel