Produced by: Catherine J. Riggieri, Esq, Professor
December 14, 2018
On Dec. 6, 2018, students interested in fashion at both the Queens and Staten Island Campuses “met together” using technology to host a “Meet and Greet” for new Fashion Professor Richard Bigger. Professor Bigger, who will begin teaching for the College of Professional Studies this Spring, is recently retired from a major NY design house and has more than 30 years in the fashion industry. He is no stranger to St. John’s students, as he spoke last Spring to the Fashion Club at Staten Island Campus, to the Italian Club at the Queens Campus and also attended the Red House’ Fashion Show at the Queens Campus. He is excited to be teaching and helping St. John’s fashion students this Spring.
At the “Meet and Greet,” Professor Bigger was physically at Staten Island in the Kelleher Center with students, and then was joined by the fashion students located at the Queens Campus. Students who signed up for his Spring classes came to greet him and ask questions about the industry. The Queens campus students spoke first and then after about 40 minutes, Queens went off-line and the Staten Island students spent another hour with Professor Bigger. It was great for the students at both campuses to learn about the fashion industry and its many opportunities from an experienced professional who has traveled the world many times.
The event was made possible by many, and CPS at Staten Island would like to thank wonderful College staff people, Mrs. Charlene Rossomando at Staten Island, Mrs. Antonina Asaro at Queens, and the great support people in IT at both campuses who made this unique event possible. Also, a thank you to the CPS faculty who attended, Prof. Joyce Boland-Devito, Dr. Susan Glanz, Dr. Andrea Licari, Prof. Catherine Ruggieri who hosted from SI, and our new Professor Richard Bigger, without whom this event would not have been possible. Finally, to the Division Chair, Dr. Almerinda Forte, who encouraged this event wholeheartedly, much sincere thanks. Technology absolutely brings people together!
A student at Queens, asked about the event, wrote, “I personally think it was worth it, although it was brief. I wish we had more time to talk to him, but I guess there's a whole semester dedicated to learning valuable stuff from him, as it's apparent he's extremely knowledgeable about the industry. And it helps that he's super friendly because a lot of students interested in the fashion courses offered are trying to do what he's done just through different avenues whether it's marketing like myself, pr, communications, etc., and we wouldn't hesitate to pester and drill him with questions because of his openness.”
If you’re interested in the new Fashion Studies program, or in enrolling in one of Professor Richard Bigger’s classes in the Spring, (Fashion History in Film, Staten Island on Tuesdays, and Intro. To Design, at Queens on Wednesdays), please contact the Dr. Forte or the CPS Dean’s office at either campus to register.