Fall 2017 Vol

CONTACTFALL 2017 VOL. 19 A LEGACY Honoring a legacy p.10 OF LEADERSHIP STU students help neighboring school propel p.13 stu.edu CONTACT is published by the Office of University FAREWELL to president Advancement msgr. franklyn casale St. Thomas University 16401 NW 37th Avenue Miami Gardens, FL 33054 When Msgr. Franklyn Casale informed the Board of [email protected] Trustees that he was set to retire on January 2018, we accepted the news with deep appreciation of his excep- President tional leadership and vision. These qualities have trans- Rev. Msgr. Franklyn M. Casale formed and expanded St. Thomas University over the course of almost a quarter of a century. Writer/Editor St. Thomas has thrived and grown exponentially under Marlen Mursuli the tutelage of Msgr. Casale. His entrepreneurial spir- Director of Communications it and leadership has helped expand not only our aca- demics, but the University as a whole. His dedication to Art Director/Graphic Designer students, community engagement, and advancement of higher education has placed St. Thomas in a strong po- Hernan Pettinaroli sition to continue pursuing its mission: the creation of local and global leaders that change the world. Photography Scott Gillig Future students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends will Photographer appreciate Msgr. Casale’s legacy as they walk across the St. Thomas campus. Since his arrival, Msgr. Casale has worked to make St. Thomas a model resource that pre- Oanh Le pares students to lead and engage in the legal, business, Photography Assistant social entrepreneurship and scientific universe of the global community. He will leave a legacy of committed service to higher education, which has Lorena Hidalgo resulted in positioning the University not only as an innovator in this area, but as an institution Alumni Relations Director that produces ethical, knowledgeable and confident graduates that are leaders in their fields. Amongst other things, his legacy at St. Thomas is reflected by: Phil De Montmollin Athletics Information Officer ▪ The construction and expansion of campus facilities which has included the Chapel of Saint Anthony; the Carnival Cruise Lines Science and Technology Building; the future Gus Machado Business School building; School of Law’s Professional Development Building and Shojaee Law Annex; Evelyn and George Goldbloom Convocation Hall; Villanova Residential Hall; and the Fer- nandez Family Center for Leadership and Wellness. ▪ The academic restructuring into five schools and a college that positioned the University to better serve its globally diverse student body through enhanced focus on leadership development, academic rigor, and experiential learning. ▪ The introduction of the university’s first doctoral degrees, as well as an expansion of post-graduate programs. ▪ The renovations and additions to our athletic fields like the Dominick Miniaci Beach Volleyball Courts, and the Col. Jacquelin Kelly Field. FALL 2017 VOL. 19 Msgr. Casale has helped shape St. Thomas for the next generation and is leaving us in a great STAY CONNECTED WITH STU ON: place. Undoubtedly, his greatest legacy has and will be his desire to create graduates that are ethical leaders and change the world for the better. I know I speak for the entire extended St. Thomas community expressing our profound gratitude to Msgr. Casale, and bidding him farewell with our deepest love. We are thankful for having the opportunity to work with Msgr. Casale and wish him all the best in his retirement. Sincerely, John Dooner ’70 CONTACT Chair, STU Board of Trustees is also available online at: 2 stu.edu/CONTACTnewsletter President’s Message As I sunset my presidency of 24 years at St. Thomas University, I would like to thank alumni, friends, faculty, and staff for their support and belief in our mission. We have created a dynamic hub of learning, which supports our mission of creating successful, ethical leaders in our global community. St. Thomas has achieved so much in two decades, but no leader achieves success alone. I’ve had the pleasure of guiding the transformation with talented faculty, staff, life-long friends, and board members. The campus has blossomed through the years with nine major construction projects, extensive renovations and great landscape. With the generosity of many donors, we have been able to do all this without increasing the debt of the University. Our dynamic faculty has created many new degrees, strengthened the academic life of the University and provided more options for our students especially in new emerging markets. A hallmark of our academic development was the creation of doctoral degrees in theology, education and law. But nothing matches the personal attention and love our faculty has for our students–it is something that never ceases to amaze me. Together we have strengthened the university’s position as a leading Catholic University in the Southeast by developing and gradu- ating recognized leaders in ministry, science, business, education, and justice. Our reach is global and intensive. In Haiti, for exam- ple, we have created a new school for applied learning and assisted the economic development in the Northwest region. We are internationally recognized for programs in the Center for Intercultural Human Rights. And I have personally been involved in the fight against the global scourge of human trafficking. My biggest sense of accomplishment, however, as both a spiritual and academic leader, comes every year during commencement. Nothing matches the sense of pride I feel at seeing our students from all walks of life take the stage and become college graduates. I am proud of our graduates, proud of their professional accomplishments, and proud of their leadership in the community. As I prepare for my retirement in the spring, I am confident in St. Thomas’ future and in those who continue to help our students achieve excellence. It has been a great honor to serve as President of St. Thomas University, and I look forward in continuing to have a role in shaping St. Thomas’ future and to see it thrive as it becomes the best Catholic university in the Southeast. Sincerely, Msgr. Franklyn M. Casale Msgr. Casale on one of his first days if work, circa 1995. CONTACT is also available online at: stu.edu/CONTACTnewsletter 3 A Legacy of Leadership While names like Nintendo, Jordan, and O.J. were making headlines Young Casale was active in the church, starting off as a mass server in 1994, the groundwork for major headlines to come was being qui- at the age of 10, and as a result he grew very close to the sisters and etly laid at St. Thomas University. Twenty four years ago, on April 19, ministers of his parish St. Francis Xavier in Newark. The pastor was a 1994, Msgr. Franklyn M. Casale began his first day of work as presi- dominant and positive figure in the area who inspired Casale to start dent of St. Thomas University. thinking of a leadership role within the clergy. “St. Thomas became his second family the moment my brother He attended Seton Hall Preparatory School, where he started giving stepped on campus,” said Gail Casale, Casale’s younger sister. “It’s serious thought to going into the priesthood. He then went to Seton a family to him because he personally knows so many people that Hall University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. work and study there.” He also has a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology from the Catholic University of America, and a master of divinity degree from the Im- Casale is hard to miss when he’s on campus. On any given day he can maculate Conception Seminary in Darlington, New Jersey. be seen chatting with students, faculty, or staff, a chat that is usually punctuated by his unique laughter. He makes it a point to be as ac- After being ordained a priest by the Catholic Church in 1967 and re- cessible as possible to students. This is something that stems from ceiving the title of Monsignor in 1979, Casale thought he would be a the days he was interviewing for the position at St. Thomas. Students parish priest his whole life, but God had different plans for him. were part of the interview process, and he asked one student what he would like to see in the university’s next president, “more on-cam- Prior to joining St. Thomas, Casale was the secretary, chancellor and pus presence and interaction with students” is what the student told vicar general of the Archdiocese of Newark, where he worked for 20 him. years, and met his mentor and life-long friend Archbishop Peter Ge- rety.* “He’s not your typical president,” said Pam Loconto, executive assistant to President Msgr. Casale. “He’s accessible to everyone. To put “I have been fortunate to work with a number of wonderful priests, it in perspective, he has a secret entryway to his office that he never especially Archbishop Peter Gerety,” said Casale. “He was a man of uses because he prefers the longer way, which allows him to interact great integrity and honesty. Tremendously respected man with a with others, and to see what’s happening on campus.” wonderful disposition. I learned a lot from him.” And according to his friends and family he has always been that way. “We have had a transformational journey in renovating, reinventing and strengthening many aspects of the academic, physical, and student life at St. Thomas. And I could not have accomplished these things alone.” Casale, a former Boy Scout, was born and raised in Newark, New As vicar general, not only did he have the opportunity to meet Pope Jersey during the 1940s and 50s, a time when children roamed the John Paul II, but he learned the inner workings of the church.

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