NINA FINK

FINK--Nina Jones. The Westchester Community College family extends condolences to the family of our matriarch, Nina Jones Fink. Nina had been part of the fabric of Westchester Community College since 1973, when Governor Nelson Rockefeller appointed her to the Board of Trustees. When Hugh Carey became governor, political affiliations changed and Nina had to leave that board. She was immediately asked to join the board of the newly-formed Westchester Community College Foundation, and was an active member of that board to the date of her passing on December 16, 2009. In 1984, Westchester Community College President Joseph Hankin asked her to lead the male-dominated Foundation Board and Nina agreed, on one condition: that she could be both president and chairman. She did not want anyone else telling her what to do. Nina set about to build a Board of Directors whose membership was based on excellence and women were equally represented. Speaking of Nina, President Hankin remarked, "She has always been ahead of her time. She was a feminist in her own inimitable, quiet way, long before it was fashionable." Her quiet leadership and forward thinking dedication to public education has left a legacy of accomplishment unequalled in the history of the college. She set a high standard for future volunteer leaders of the college and her gracious presence on campus will be missed. The college will hold a memorial service on Wednesday, December 23 at 11am in the Library and Learning Resource Center on the Valhalla campus. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes any contribution to be sent to the Westchester Community College Foundation.