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Ferkauf Holds Family and Friends Brunch

Family Members and Friends Get a Taste of a Day in the Life of a Psychology Graduate Student The second annual Family and Friends Brunch hosted by YU's Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology on Sunday, Oct. 25 gave nearly 150 family members, friends and other supporters a glimpse of a day in the life of a Ferkauf student. Held in the Abraham Mazer Building on the Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus, the event showcased the work being done by Ferkauf students and faculty. Dr. Carol Bravmann ’82FG, the new chair of Ferkauf’s Board of Overseers, and Dean Lawrence J. Siegel welcomed guests and noted the reputation that Ferkauf has gained for academic excellence. Four students—Elana Dumont, Rachel Matoto, Jantra Coll and Hillary Lewin—presented an overview of their degree programs, their courses and the projects that they are involved in, which range from working with substance abuse patients to studying global health issues. Following their presentations, attendees were invited to take part in sample psychology classes taught by faculty members Dr. Abe Givner '70FG, who gave a lecture entitled “Why Do Kids Do What They Do? Everything is Multi-Determined”; Dr. Jeffrey Gonzales, who spoke on “Psychological Factors in Chronic Illness"; and Dr. John Pachankis, whose class focused on “Can Cognitive-Behavior Therapy Cure All?” The purpose of the brunch was to provide an opportunity for attendees to learn about the school from the perspective of students and faculty and to introduce them to the Family and Friends Council, a network of dedicated family and friends inaugurated in 2008 and committed to the advancement of Ferkauf. Attendees came away from the brunch with a greater understanding of the school’s mission and a new appreciation for the work being done by students and faculty. Parents were particularly pleased to be able to take part in the classes. “I was impressed with Dr. Pachankis’ class,” said Toby Glick, whose daughter Lauren Glick is a Ferkauf student. “It gave me a really good feeling.” “I thought the students who spoke were really good,” said her husband, Peter. “I think they gave a flavor of what the programs are about, and how those programs can be socially useful.”