Community News (16-37)

Syed Rizvi Wins Top Award

The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) holds an annual state-wide “Reach for the Stars” competition to recognize student interns who have demonstrated great skills and initiative on the job and for a reflective essay of their experience. The essay question posed to the 2014 summer Interns was, “How has your diversity as a person living with legal blindness impacted your life and your preparation for employment?” Western New England University freshman Syed “Mahmud” Rizvi, of Longmeadow, won First Place and was awarded a $2,000 scholarship. MCB Commissioner Paul Saner remarked, “Mahmud’s candid and inspirational essay clearly expresses how his blindness has impacted his preparation for employment. I am pleased that Mahmud recently completed another productive internship experience with Western New England University. Mahmud appears to have a bright future in front of him. I wish him the best of luck and look forward to hearing of his future successes.”

Christine Ventulett, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at MCB, Syed “Mahmud” Rizvi,     MCB Commissioner Paul Saner, and MCB Deputy Commissioner John Oliveira
Rizvi worked for the past two summers in the Facilities Management Office on campus and was supervised by Facilities Office Manager Melissa Brooks who remarked, “Mahmud, as he likes to be called, plans to major in Computer Science and was a big help to us. He’s very down to earth and has a wonderful attitude all the time. Despite his challenges, I learned more from him than he learned from me these past two years.” In his essay Mahmud said, “I may not have sight, but I do have what really matters, vision.”

Apple hires Musa Tariq Digital Marketing Director

Computing giant Apple has hired a Tariq as it new head digital marketing director as of last month.

He previously worked for  Nike as global senior director of social media and community. Before that he was global director of social media, digital marketing, a position he held for about one year.
Tariq’s addition seems to signify a drastic shift in Apple’s approach to advertising, as the tech giant finally shifts its focus more toward digital and social media. As 9To5Mac points out, his addition also “could tie into Apple’s marketing push for the upcoming fashion and fitness-oriented wearable band.” Tariq worked closely with athletes on social media campaigns while at Nike, experience which could also contribute to marketing Apple’s wearable band device.

Ameer Abdullah is the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Week

Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah is the Big Ten’s offensive player of the week, according to news agency reports.

He scored a career-high 232 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries in the Cornhuskers’ 55-7 win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday.

It was Abdullah’s 18th career game over 100 yards rushing and his 12th in the past 14 games.

He also became the eighth player in school history to surpass 3,000 career rushing yards. He now stands No. 6 on the Huskers’ all-time list.

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/09/01/4114274/nebs-abdullah-is-big-ten-offensive.html#storylink=cpy

16-37