Visiting Chinese Professors Share Insights

Jack Spirk is the thorn between roses
Ying "Sunny" Shan (left) and Yan "Maggie" Zhang (right)

Professors from China's medical and legal professions are among those who recently wrapped up a semester at Northampton Community College. Yan "Maggie" Zhang, who teaches medicine and Ying "Sunny" Shan, a lawyer who teaches law, are from China's prestigious Jinhua Polytechnic, one of the nation's leading vocational colleges. Maggie and Sunny took some time to offer their perspectives on the differences between the China and the United States.

The Legal System. - Maggie and Sunny spent some time in Northampton County Court, watching the trial of Gregory Graf, a man who was accused of killing his step daughter so he could have sex with her corpse. For Maggie, it was her first time in an American courtroom. Escorted by Northampton Community College's Jack Spirk, who teaches criminal justice, they both had a bird's eye view of what goes on in an American trial.

Sunny noted that in China, there is more frequent use of the death penalty. But she explained that China also has a "death sentence with two-year suspension of execution".If the immediate execution of a criminal punishable by death is not deemed necessary, a two-year suspension of execution may be pronounced simultaneously with the imposition of the death sentence. And if a sentenced defendant shows sufficient rehabilitation over that time, the sentence is reduced.

The American legal system is premised on what is known as the common law, in which prior case law is very relevant. But China has adopted the civil law tradition, although Sunny explained that the courts in China are beginning to follow the precedent on cases published by the Supreme People's Court. She said combining both systems is "more fair to everyone."

Centralization. - One big difference noted by both professors is that in China, a licensed physician or attorney can practice anywhere. But here in the United States, a license is only good in the state in which it is obtained unless there is a reciprocal agreement with a sister jurisdiction.

That carries over to laws as well. In China, something permitted in one province is permitted in all. But in America, some practices that are completely legal in one state could be criminal in another. "If the law is not clearly known by the people, how can i ask them to follow it?" asked Sunny.

Medical System. - Maggie explained that, though all hospitals provide access to Chinese medicine and techniques, they also offer Western medicine as well. For acute problems, she indicated that most rely on the Western medicine. But for more chronic problems, Chinese medicine and practices are considered a better way to be used.

Maggie likes the use of specialized nurses in America, and will be recommending that option in China.

General differences. - "The sky is very blue," Maggie said when asked about the United States. "It's very quiet.China is more crowded." But that's fine with both of them. "In China, people are closer and friendly, we like to help each other. " Maggie explained. Sunny added,f or instance, students in her country think nothing of calling a professor over the weekend to ask for help.

They noted that in China, the income of a doctor or lawyer is much lower than in America, making legal and medical services more affordable.

They believe there is good and bad in both the American and Chinese way of doing things. "We are here to learn from each other," explained Sunny. "Combine the best of both worlds."

NCC Open House Proves Why It is Among the Best

With campuses located in Monroe County Bethlehem Township and on Bethlehem's South side, Northampton Community College is considered among the best in the country. It proved that at a recent open house at the Fowler Center, which is impossible to complete in just one day. Tobor the Robot, EMT demos, the Fab Lab and cooking classes are just some of the school's practical productions. In addition, there's a reading room for area children, filled to the brim with books.

EMT Training. - One of the school's offerings is a 200-hour EMT course that provide certifications for people to work in ambulances or at hospitals. Many people who take this course also go on to become R.N.s or physicians, including Dr. Rebecca Pequeno, who runs the Emergency Room at St.Luke's Anderson campus. Pictured above are instructors Mari Beth Esordi (left) along with Irene Mast and John Evans. Mast also teaches an eight hour heart saver class, which has provided CPR instruction to approximately 5,000 members of the public. "I think everyone should learn CPR to save a life," she said.

Cooking with Mary Grube. - People might need those CPR classes after eating all the different samplings dished out by Return to Elegance's Mary Grube. In addition to her cooking show on WFMZ-TV69, Mary is teaching nine different classes at the college this fall, from Dinner for One to Champagne Tasting. Her class, which offered champagne and tapas samples, was packed. "I love cooking," she said and that's good to know because her work product quickly disappeared. "I don't think you should fight food," she lectured, and nobody did. They just ate it.

Children's Literacy. - The Cops 'n Kids Reading Room, tucked away on the fourth floor, seems like no big deal. But is is. That's how Beverly Bradley, a retired teacher, has been able to distribute 683,736 books to Bethlehem children. For free. Children can bring books or take a "5-pack" every Wednesday. On Saturdays, different programs are offered to the children. For example, in early October, the Wildlands will be there to show kids how to make a planetarium out of toilet paper.

"I've got to see that one," said a dubious Bradley.

Bradley grew up in a large family on the South Side with next to nothing, and relies on donations to ensure that no child goes without at any of her events. She spoke of one occasion in which her brother, Tommy Donchez was cooking hot dogs. A father who was worried whether he'd have enough money to feed his four kids, asked how much.

"Five for nothing!" was Tommy's reply. The father started to tear up.

Donchez' group also helps select the children for the tree-lighting ceremony every year with the Mayor. This year they will come from Holy Infancy and Miller Heights. Every child will get his ir her very own back pack, a box lunch and a ride on a Trans-Bridge bus. Five children are designated as Mayor's Assistants and help him to turn on the lights.

Last year, the mother of one of the children selected began to worry as he prayed every night, "Please God, make sure I don;t get sick." She asked her son why he was so worried and he explained. "Mom, the Mayor has picked me to turn on the lights of the City. If I'm sick, the City will be in the dark."

In the end, it's about the kids, not the books, explained Bradley.

Bev Bradley and Bethlehem Attorney Barb Hollenbach, who volunteers her time, offered to read Winnie the Pooh's Blustery Day. But it was time to play a little blackjack, something they don't teach kids.

Faites Vos Jeux. It's common to see college kids break out a deck of cards to play hearts or even poker between classes. But you won't find any gambling courses at Moravian College or Lehigh University. Not only does Northampton Community College offer instruction on gaming, but they bring in the casino tables as well for Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and every table game you'll find at The sands. Above, Anna Stofko tries her hand at spinning the Roulette wheel.

According to Deborah Driscole, who helps administer this program, students are offered a ten-week course in which they are trained and certified in two different table games. There are 15 students per class, which runs through about eight cycles per year. Students who become certified can go on to audition at The Sands and other casinos. Once they are hired, the casino will send some students back for additional training on other table games. Over the past five years, approximately 1,500 students have successfully completed this program. Ninety per cent of them are hired by a casino.

James Kandle, a Blackjack instructor, provides pointers to a would-be dealer.

Cocktail, anyone? - Most people who visit a casino enjoy a cocktail or two while they're gambling. Northampton Community College offers several programs for that, too. In mixology classes, students learn how to make a gin and tonic that even James Bond would approve. Students can  pick up ServSafe food handling and RAMP (Responsible Alcohol Management Program) certifications The school also offers instruction in how different wines complement different meals. Above, students Katarina Delnero, Taleya Folks and Isabbel Dacosta prepare mocktails for open house visitors.

Fab Lab - The brainchild of Dr, Paul Pierpoint, the Fab Lab is a place where anyone, from mad scientist to artisan, can test his ideas. It offers 3-D printers like the one above, along with laser engraving, woodworking, guitar building, metalwork, electronics and a sound studio..

In addition to being an open lab for the public, there are now 20 instructors who teach nearly 60 courses. Above you can see several guitars in their early stages as they are built by students in one of the many unusual courses offered. Students can select an acoustic or electric guitar, or even a ukulele.

Unless someone at the Fab Lab comes up with a time machine, this report has to stop here. There was simply no time to view many of the other programs, including the dental lab, nursing school and medical assistant training. Also, this open house was limited to the Fowler Building on the South Side campus.

Bethlehem's South Side is increasingly being equated with The Sands and Steelstacks. But this open house is proof that Northampton Community College has helped the city and its residents make the transition from an industrial-based economy to a what former mayor John Callahan liked to call a "knowledge-based economy.”

NCC Dedicates New Residence Hall

From L to R: Dr. Susan Salvador, Dr. Mark Erickson, Martin Till, Lauren Strong, Arif Fazil and Robert Fehnel 

A new residence hall for up to 330 students is open for business at Northampton Community College. During a brief ceremony on August 27, President Mark Erickson lauded the $20 million project, which will house students from 20 different countries, as a "learning laboratory." He was especially happy that the dorm, which connects with existing facilities, was finished on time and under budget. It nearly doubles the number of students who will be able to live on campus.

Lauren Strong will be a Resident Advisor

J.G. Petrucci Co., Inc., managed the construction of the facility, whose centerpiece is a dining commons with a 35' high ceiling. It includes free Wi-Fi, computers, 24-hour security, a den for late night snacks, an outdoor courtyard, and most importantly, washers and dryers.

Arif Fazil, President of D'Huy Engineering, was especially impressed by the washers and dryers.

"Do laundry often," he advised students. "Don't bring it home."

Lauren Strong, a NCC student who will be a Resident Advisor, explained to the audience of about 80 that she and many others are continuing their education after a break from schooling. In her case, it was a five-year break. What she likes about Northampton Community College is that it provides "quality and affordable education without sacrificing the college experience."

Toni DeHart and Josh Lopez are two of the cooks at the dining commons, which will include gluten and dairy-free options

The NCC Spartan provided security

NCC Wants to Double Campus Housing

Mardi Closson, NCC's Dean of Students

At Northampton Community College's sprawling campus, twelve apartments and a residence hall provide housing for about three hundred students. But by the time school starts in 2015, college officials would like to double its housing component. That's what Mardi Closson, the College's Dean of Students, told Commissioners at their December 3 meeting.

Closson, along with Attorney Bill Murphy and Facilities Director Mark Culp, pitched the expansion before a receptive Board, arguing that this would actually reduce traffic to and from the campus. She added that there already is a long waiting list for housing, which is determined by weighing distance, grades and disciplinary problems.  The college is the only facility in the state that offers funeral service education, and one of few offering a dental hygiene program. She denied any plans to convert from a two-year to a four-year college.

Commissioner Tom Nolan, who lives near the campus and has opposed expansion in the past, told College officials he is now sold. by their "good track record" and "history with the Township."

Agreeing, Commissioner Marty Zawarski noted there are only 11 incidents per year with police. He did, however, complain that college students crossing Green Pond Road to the main campus are "wearing blinders," and don't stop for or notice traffic.

President Paul Weiss, noting that 89% of Northampton Community College graduates remain in the Lehigh Valley, stated that the college "has been a good neighbor."

After getting an informal green light, college officials will now pitch their expansion to the Planning Commission in January.