By Maggie Biunno
The New College within the University is a place where students and professors interact in a unique way within the classroom. The professors are well-educated in the areas that they teach which include Creative Studies, Humanities, Social Science, Natural Science, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Within the large group of professors, Assistant Professor David Pushkin entered the University's atmosphere seven years ago and has been an excellent addition to the team since.
Pushkin wanted to be an artist during the course of his life. He grew up in West Virginia and reaching New York was a goal that he wanted to strive for.
"Coming from West Virginia," Pushkin said. "New York City present itself as a place full of resources." It did not take long for his dream to come true.
The studies he pursued clearly show his interest. Pushkin attended Rhode Island School of Design with a concentration in composition. Next he crossed the country to go to the San Francisco Art Institute where he received a Bachelor of Fine Art in Experimental Film and finally he returned back to the east coast to attend Columbia University, where he received a Master of Fine Art in Drawing and Printmaking.
"My background in fine art and film makes the New College a good place to teach the students a disciplinary approach to fine art," Pushkin said.
Pushkin chose the University as a way to get back to New York. The New College program caught his attention and lured him away from his teaching at American University.
"When I first came to the New College I met Heather Johnson, the assistant dean and former New College Student," Pushkin said. "I was impressed with her commitment to the school and enthusiasm to the New College as an alternative program."
When Pushkin started teaching at the University in 1998, he was stepped onboard immediately to cover for his predecessor, Professor Michael Gordon, when he became ill.
"He automatically had a great following," Rene Giminiani-Caputo, senior administrative associate of New College, said. "What the students really like, and what I really like about David is how he takes the heart of the New College, the community where we meld together, and brings it into the classroom."
Giminiani-Caputo has worked with Pushkin through out his whole career at the University.
Professor Doug Friedlander, writing program coordinator with University Studies and area coordinator of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies, worked with Professor Michael Gordon closely at the New College. He met Pushkin when Pushkin arrived at the University. Friedlander teaches a course with Pushkin and believes highly in his co-worker and friend.
"He is a visual artist and a scholar," Friedlander said. "He is really a bright and intense guy."
Along with his teaching career, Pushkin's artwork has appeared in many exhibits across the country. His work has received acknowledgement in magazines and he has even won awards for his great talents.
His artwork includes works on paper, paintings and stained glass. Stained glass made by Pushkin is on display in various public places around the country, including one that is displayed at the Tamarak Center in Beckly, W.V. The amount of dedication put into each piece he creates is shown obviously through his finished products. His background education and experience make him an excellent professor.
"He is a good professor because of what he knows and the way he leads students towards what he knows," Friedlander said. "He is tremendously popular with the students because of his understanding for the program. He always has individual projects for the students and always gives his time for them."
"David is my best friend here," Giminiani-Caputo said. "He can be hilarious and serious at the same time."
At the University, Pushkin teaches for the New College courses on Basic Drawing, Basic Painting and Visual Narrative Experimental Film.
"David mixes his creativity and scholar," Friedlander said. "He is really invested in the success of his students."
Pushkin's talent does not end with his amazing artistic ability.
"He changes students that are not naturally artistic and has them create amazing work in the time of the course in seven weeks," Giminiani-Caputo said. "It's all because of his innate ability to draw people in and bring out only the positive in them."
She recollected on the inspirations that she saw in students once working with Pushkin. He made it possible for students that believed they did not have the ability to be artists make self-portraits and other pieces that were outstanding.
Pushkin has been an assistant professor at the University for seven years and is now being reviewed for tenure. His love for the New College environment has never been stronger.
"New College students have an open mind," Pushkin said. "They represent a diverse group on Hofstra's campus."
Pushkin is only one of the many talented professors at the University and at the New College. His time spent creating pieces of artwork and teaching has been extremely rewarding.
"New College is the crossroads of Hofstra University," Pushkin said.
His journey has lead him to a place where he is able to express his interests and share them with the students that he inspires each day with his honorable dedication.
Professor Pushkin is well-known for his talents for teaching students in Basic Drawing, Basic Painting and Visual Narrative Experimental Film. (Harry Tanielyan/The Chronicle)
Professor Pushkin´s reviews a student´s work during Tuesday´s class. (Harry Tanielyan/The Chronicle)