Farmingdale State College Michael S. Goodstone, PRD Division of Academie A fairs ‘Acting Associate Provost Phone: 631.420.2337 Fax: 631.794.6290 goodstms(@farmingdale.edu November 22, 2016 Dear Admissions Counselor: It is my pleasure to write to you to recommend Eric Foltrauer for admissions to graduate studies in social work. I have known Eric for most of his undergraduate education due to my previous role as the Chair of the Psychology Department (where Eric is both a work- study student and major) as well having been his professor in two classes. Although I have been serving as our Acting Associate Provost for the past year, I have stayed in contact with Eric as he is currently taking my Applied Personnel Psychology class. ‘As the former Director of the Applied Psychology program and former Psychology Department Chair, I have had the opportunity to observe many students prepare for graduate school and several of our graduates have pursued careers in social work. Although I am an industrial/organizational psychologist, I also re-specialized in clinical psychology and worked as a staff psychologist in a community mental health clinic. mention this because [ have had the opportunity to work with many social workers over the years, Whenever I have a student interested in social work, I try to point out how all the best social workers I have known have a certain quality. I have never found a good way to describe it but to me, it is that calling to help those who may be the least able to help themselves. This is exactly what | observed in Eric long before I knew he would become interested in social work. My first memories of Erie are the conversations a department chair is likely to overhear taking place just outside his office. I would frequently be struck by the fact that Eric had ‘a unique interest in his fellow work-study students’ academic struggles and level of social consciousness. Long before I thought I might someday write Eric a letter of recommendation for graduate school, it was apparent to me that Eric genuinely wanted to support his program-mates with helpful academic observations and suggestions. More strikingly, he was extremely well informed and engaged regarding social issues particularly those impacted by energy policy, environmental protection, immigration and trade poliey. The common denominator for Eric’s interests seemed to be helping people who are underprivileged, underrepresented or simply in need of assistance. Erie would often discuss current events related to these issues with his student colleagues and in doing so, it was apparent he was raising consciousness and educating others about topics they had not previously considered. It was remarkable how Eric would speak with other students who knew nothing of the topies he was clearly passionate about and he could do so without seeming condescending in any way. Quite the opposite, the students I observed him interact with always appeared to enjoy the opportunity to learn from him. ‘A Campus of The State University of Ne Farmingdale State College + 2350 Broadnollow Road « Farmingdale, New York 11735-1021 + 631-420-2000 + war farmingdale edFarmingdale State College Eric’s academic record speaks for itself. I have always known him to be a conscientious and competent student. In my writing intensive Organizational Behavior class, Erie made really good use of feedback and ended the class with a grade of A-. Currently, he is working with a group of students in my Applied Personnel Psychology class to develop a job analysis, structured interview, performance appraisal and job attitude survey. Eric and his group appear to work exceptionally well together and their assignments on this capstone type project have been of the highest quality. In summary, I believe Erie has the ability to succeed with the academic demands of graduate studies in any number of fields. He has demonstrated the type of social consciousness, empathy and concem for others that I believe are key elements for an effective social worker. I hope you have the opportunity to interview Eric and see the wonderful potential this young man has for the field of social work, Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, : RUNLES Michael S. Goodstone, PhD Acting Associate Provost s The State University of New York Farmingdale State College + 2350 Broadhotiow Road + Farmangaale, New York 11735-1021 + 631-420-2000 * wwvwfarmingdle.edu