SacredHeartu n i v e r s i t y fall 2009 :: in this issue :: 02 from the heart 32 shu leads in pt education 35 commencement 36 growing ahead of schedule

Alumni Profiles in______Success Outlining the achievements of several SHU Grads making their mark on the world.

ALUMNUS Name: Gra adu tion YEAR: M ajor: Tom Campbell 2008 Business

Occ upation: SHUO C LLEGe: Analyst, Goldman Sachs John F. Welch College of Business :: from the president in his words ::

Dear Friends, major who now serves the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In this year’s annual report, we focus on Naturally, in this annual report you’ll success. Not on success in the typical also catch up on the news of our professors, way most people define it—money and students and staff. For instance, you’ll power—but in the way we define it as discover why Sacred Heart’s Department an institution of higher learning in the of Physical Therapy is one of the top in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. To those of nation, you’ll read about our latest athletic us who belong to Sacred Heart University’s highlights, and you’ll find out how our extensive community, success means a life students and faculty measure up when it fully lived, with a commitment to spiritual comes to intercollegiate competitions in art, and ethical values as we strive to make the science and business. world a better place. Sacred Heart is a place where people In September 2009, the depth of our often discover surprising things about commitment to spiritual and ethical values themselves as they learn how to become culminated in the formal blessing of our lifelong learners and leaders. I hope that, like new sanctuary, the Chapel of the Holy me, in reading these stories you’ll feel proud “ To us, success means Spirit. Visitors from as far away as Europe to be part of a community where success and Canada filled our new Chapel for the isn’t measured in dollars, but in friendship, a life fully lived, with a dedication ceremony, which you can read responsibility, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to spiritual about in these pages. Our spring magazine working together to serve the greater good. and ethical values as we will include a complete feature on the We are indebted to you for your ongoing successful opening of the Chapel and its support and confidence in our efforts to strive to make the world inaugural year. be a premier University with a growing a better place.” To highlight the many successes of international reputation. We owe our success Sacred Heart alumni around the world, we’ve to you, and hope that your path to success profiled the unique journeys of some of them is as exciting as ours has been—and will here. These include a corporate attorney continue to be. who started out thinking she’d go into business, a business graduate who followed With every best wish,, I am in the footsteps of his father to become a Sincerely, Wall Street trader despite a family tragedy, a history teacher dedicated to immersing himself in public service, artists who bring excitement to advertising, and an accounting Anthony J. Cernera, Ph.D.

Magazine Staff Postmaster Sacred Heart University Magazine is Executive Editor: Michael L. Iannazzi Send address changes to: published for its alumni, parents, Editor: Tracy Deer-Mirek Institutional Advancement friends, faculty and staff by the Design: Keating Associates, Inc./Taylor Design Sacred Heart University Magazine Institutional Advancement Division of Sacred Heart University. Contributing Photographers: David Braun, Tracy Sacred Heart University Deer-Mirek, John Galayda, Nick Giaquinto, Stan 5151 Park Avenue Sacred Heart University Magazine Opinions expressed in this publication may Godlewski, Don Hamerman, Zachary Lane, Lauren Fairfield, CT 06825-1000 Sacred Heart University not necessarily reflect those of Sacred Heart Shay Lavin, Manny Millan, Jesse Neider, Chris 5151 Park Avenue University, its faculty or administration. Nicholson, Kit Noble, Bill Peterson, Zack Seckler, Fairfield, CT 06825-1000 Wayne Ratzenberger, J. Gregory Raymond and [email protected] Frank Veres On the cover Tom Campbell ’08 is taking lessons from the John F. Welch College of Business into the real world. Tom is just one of many SHU alumni who Contributing Writers: Holly Robinson and are on the fast track to success. Visit us online at www.sacredheart.edu Christopher J. Sheehan ISSN 1547-6219 Copyright ©2009 Sacred Heart University SacredHeartu n i v e r s i t y

:: in this issue :: fall 2009 Profiles in Success 20 Sacred Heart University alumni take unique paths to success when they leave the University. Here, we highlight some of their exciting journeys.

SHU Leads in 32 PT Education SHU has become a leader in the field of training physical therapists. The University ranks as the best in CT and among the best in the nation.

Commencement 2009 35 Colorful commencement ceremonies drew thousands of well-wishers to campus on the weekend of May 16-17.

Growing Ahead 36 of Schedule The Sacred Heart Fencing team is making their presence felt in the NEC.

Departments

02 » from the heart Insider information 42 » advancing shu Moving the University on achievements, events and people from and community forward with gifts, giving and advancement around campus 47 » class notes Catch up with old friends: 39 » on the field The latest on SHU athletic who’s doing what and where they are now successes, developments and special events Chapel of the Holy Spirit Dedicated

isitors from as far away as Canada and Europe filled the nations to the fullness of truth.” At that moment, all the lights in Chapel of the Holy Spirit on Sunday, September 27th, the new sanctuary were turned on, and the giant mosaics behind as Sacred Heart University formally blessed its new the altar were bathed in dazzling light. sanctuary. The Most Rev. William E. Lori, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport, presided at the Rite of Dedication. Regular student use of the Chapel began that evening with the normal Sunday night Liturgy. Morning prayer and daily Mass will The ancient liturgy, which lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours, be offered in a smaller chapel, and numerous special events are began with a ceremonial greeting in the spacious narthex—or planned all year to celebrate this milestone moment for the Sacred lobby—from University President Anthony J. Cernera to Bishop Heart community. Lori. Dr. Cernera presented the Bishop, who is also the Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees, with the architectural plans for the new Chapel, which seats 550 persons. Concelebrants, including the Most Rev. Basil Losten, Bishop Emeritus of the Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of Stamford, processed into the new Chapel accompanied by a 50-member student choir and the sounds of a new 2,000-pipe tracker organ and other musicians.

The ceremonies are rich with symbolism and included blessing water and sprinkling the walls and the congregation with holy water; anointing the altar and the interior walls with sacred oil, and incensing the altar and the people. Midway through the service, Bishop Lori offered this prayer: “Light of Christ, shine forth in the Church and bring all

Look for our spring magazine which will include a complete feature on the opening Clockwise from top left: President Anthony J. Cernera, right, hands over the plans of the Chapel to of the Chapel and its inaugural year. Bishop William Lori during the dedication, Bishop Lori and clergy celebrate the dedication mass, students formed a candlelight procession on their way to the inaugural student mass and Fr. Jerry Ryle, center, was the celebrant during the Mass of the Holy Spirit.

02 sacred heart university Student Michael L’Homme, center, with classmates Lauren Fritschi, left, Marketing Students and Edward Gurrieri, presented their marketing proposal to Bigelow Tea Say “Tea Matters!” President Cindi Bigelow.

Dr. Laurence M. Weinstein, a professor of Marketing in the John F. Welch College of Business, invited his students in Marketing Management 361 to explore ways to communicate the benefits of drinking tea—especially Bigelow Tea—to the SHU community. Members of his class this spring broke into groups in a competition judged by their professor and by Cindi Bigelow, CEO of the Fairfield-based national tea company that bears her family’s name. The winning team—Brian Flumere of Milford, MA; William O’Brien of Syracuse, NY; and Vinny Castelli of Syosset, NY—earned the right to apply as much as $5,000 to put their plans into place. As a result, their “Tea Matters” expo took place the week of April 27. The group set up a tent on the Flik Patio, inviting passersby to “Have a cup of tea on us,” accompanied by music. Each day, a different Bigelow Tea was featured­—from a Monday “pick-me-up” to a Friday springboard to the weekend, Cindi Bigelow and Dr. Laurence Weinstein loaded with antioxidants. Giveaways included “tea shirts” and “tea and his class. bags”—the latter being popular drawstring bags.

School of Education Receives Full Five Year State Program Approval

he Connecticut State Board of Education has granted full evaluation conducted over three-and-a-half days in April. The approval to SHU’s Isabelle Farrington School of Education University, which is the largest private educator of teachers and Tfor its programs preparing teachers and school adminis- school administrators in Connecticut, met all of the standards trators. The certification is for the period September 30, 2008 outlined by the State Department of Education. The state has through September 30, 2013. adopted the national standards used by NCATE, the National The five-year approval follows a lengthy process that included Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, meaning that self-analysis, individual program reports and an extensive on-site Sacred Heart is in the process of achieving national accreditation.

fall 09 03 The Genographic Project Band Fraternity Hosts College Do we all share the same gene pool? Students gathered Bands from Across the Northeast to discuss this idea in “The Genographic Project,” a On Valentine’s Day landmark study suggesting that all human beings trace weekend, Sacred Heart their lineage to a group of sub-Saharan ancestors in University’s National eastern Africa. At two separate meetings, students Honorary Band assembled to discuss this worldwide study, in which Fraternity hosted 250 many had also participated, and the implications that university band mem- we are all cousins. The seminars are customarily bers from across the directed by an interdisciplinary team of SHU Northeast. Members professors. In this case, they were Dr. Kirk of Kappa Kappa Psi’s Bartholomew of Biology, Dr. Lesley Members of SHU’s Lambda Nu chapter of the band Lambda Nu chapter fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi gathered during the event. DeNardis of Government & welcomed their coun- Politics, and Dr. Kathryn terparts from schools across the region and participated in sessions on LaFontana of Psychology. fundraising, leadership and preserving band history.

Center for Not-for-Profit Organizations Offers a Helping Hand

Project Return has a big challenge cant research paper that incorporates the management principles they've in providing care for troubled teen learned—chose Project Return as their focus. MBA students surveyed the girls. That challenge was made more program’s computer systems and began researching ways to standardize complex by its outdated computer and Project Return’s data collection. They also worked with software vendors business systems. The Westport-based to determine how they could integrate accounting systems and donor group got a boost from the John F. tracking systems. This past semester, MBA students developed a marketing Welch College of Business’s Center for Not-for-Profit Organizations in the plan for “Heal”—one of Project Return’s new programs that encourages spring of 2008, when MBA students—who are required to write a signifi- troubled teenage girls to do charitable work.

WSHU Voted Best College Radio Station e’ll chalk it up to such hard-hitting, addictive news sagas as the 2008 election, the economic collapse and the new W President's first hundred days that NPR station WSHU, based out of Sacred Heart University, beat out such hip music stations as Fordham’s WFUV and WestConn’s WXCI for Best College Radio Station this year in a poll conducted by Fairfield County Weekly. WSHU subscribes to the tried and true NPR formula: “Morning Edition” in the mornings, classical music in the afternoons, “All Things Considered” and “Marketplace” in the evenings—all sprinkled with local news updates. And there’s “Car Talk,“ “A Prairie Home Companion,” “This American WSHU Music Director Life” and “Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me” on the weekends. Kate Remington.

04 sacred heart university CollegeSpotlight

College of ARTS AND SCIENCES

Computer Science and Information Technology student Nicholas Falletta talked with Mathematics Mathematics student Kalani Efstathiou, left, talked with Associate Instructor Rosemary Danaher about his “SHU Rover” project during Sacred Heart University's Professor of Mathematics Dr. Peter Loth about his project entitled annual Poster Session last spring. “Energy and Cell Phones.”

10th Annual Undergraduate Research Poster and Showcase Session

On April 24, Sacred Heart University undergraduates presented also represented, with exercise science and athletic training, and the results of months of academic research at the 10th annual for the very first time this year, criminal justice, history and political College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Poster science also participated. and Showcase Session. The event drew a capacity crowd to Dr. Timothy W. Corson, a Yale postdoctoral associate, was University Commons to explore the work of more than 70 SHU one of 16 judges on hand for the three-hour session. “I am very students from a variety of disciplines, including biology, chemistry, impressed with the quality of the work,” he said. “The skills put computer science/information technology, mathematics, media to use here and the experience gained will be of clear benefit studies/digital culture, psychology and sociology. For the second to many of these students in graduate study, where poster year in a row, the College of Education and Health Professions was presentations are a regular part of academic scholarship.”

fall 09 05 SHUintheCommunity

Spring Break Students Presidential Honor Roll Head South for Service Includes Sacred Heart About 80 Sacred Heart The Corporation for National and Community University students and Service honored Sacred Heart University with advisors traveled south to a place on the President’s Higher Education participate in spring break Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary Habitat for Humanity projects service efforts. Launched in 2006, the Community Service Honor Roll is in Georgia, Mississippi, North the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for commitment to Carolina, Tennessee and El service learning and civic engagement. In all, nearly two-thirds of the Salvador. Alternative spring University’s undergraduates participate in regular community service. breaks are a well-established tradition at Sacred Heart, where many hundreds of students and staff members Students on the spring break service trip to Gulfport, regularly volunteer in the Mississippi, as part of Habitat for Humanity, take a SHU Featured in National Guide community. As Dr. Matthew break from the action. R. Kenney, interim director of to Service Learning Campus Ministry, said to the The 2008-2009 Guide to Service Learning: Colleges and departing students, these Universities includes Sacred Heart University for the ventures point to what is best first time among the nation’s top schools promoting about Sacred Heart. “You are volunteerism connected with academic coursework. God’s presence and God's Sacred Heart offers courses in close to 20 majors that hands and feet for these people. Students worked on fixing dirt roads during their either require or allow service in the community as an God bless you!” spring break trip to El Salvador in March. accredited focus of the class.

CURTIS Week Introduces Students Second “Straight From The Heart” Day A Success to Service Opportunities The chocolate almond cake made a big hit at the Bridgeport Rescue For the second April in a row, SHU freshmen fanned out across Mission, and that was just one of the things that helped sweeten Lindsay Bridgeport to learn about the needs of the city and discover how they Pucino’s last week of Christmas vacation. The Sacred Heart University could help. The students were accompanied by three dozen faculty sophomore spent the time as a student leader during CURTIS week, SHU’s and staff members from every discipline and department at SHU. immersion program in inner-city Bridgeport. This year, the program The program is designed to introduce students to the rich assortment helped acquaint 20 University students—from freshmen to seniors—with of service opportunities available in Bridgeport and connect them to the challenges and the satisfactions of service to others, accompanied by their teachers and advisors in a meaningful way. Students selected ser- three student leaders. This year's highlights included working with clients vice options based on their personal or academic interests from about at homeless shelters, reading to pupils in elementary schools and working 20 different locations, including soup kitchens, elementary schools, a with nursing home residents. program for developmentally challenged teens, and the zoo. 1. 2. 1. Jenna Gallagher (left) and Lindsay Pucino served lunch at the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. 2. From left, Francisco Sebastian Flores, Kelsey Mullaney and Sam Dowd with Habitat for Humanity’s Malena Yrigoyen. 3. Kelsey Mullaney (left) From left, students Brian Beatty, Melissa Krouse From left, professor Michael and Katie Schlosser in and Christina Smolanick cleaned up a yard as Giarratano with students the Habitat for Humanity part of Groundwork Bridgeport. Don Johnson and A.J. Cohen. 3. Warehouse in Bridgeport.

06 sacred heart university CollegeSpotlight

College of EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROFEssions

During the summer teachers program, participants tested their homemade vehicles during a motion and design challenge. From left are Jennifer Heitzke Students measure oxygen utilization through open-circuit indirect calorimetry, 2 of Stepney Elementary School in Monroe, Jennifer Reilly of St. Rose School in 1 under the supervision of Dr. Beau Greer, second from left. They are determin- Newtown, Denise King of Booth Hill School in Trumbull, Chris Treat of Chalk ing the subject’s VO2 (maximal oxygen uptake) and ventilator threshold. Hill School in Monroe and SHU Biology Professor Tom Terleph.

New Master's Program in Exercise D HE Grants SHU $115,000 1 2 Science and Nutrition Launched for Summer Program

Building on its top-ranking programs in allied health fields, Sacred The Connecticut Department of Higher Education granted Sacred Heart University recently inaugurated a master’s degree in Heart University $115,000 for a summer institute entitled “Combining Exercise Science and Nutrition. Inquiry and Applied Physics in Elementary Science Education.” The Sacred Heart’s new Master’s degree program is unique, in that intensive two-week program, which ran from July 6-16, drew over the course offerings include a Nutrition component with advanced 30 teachers from Bridgeport, Fairfield, Monroe, Norwalk, Trumbull study in Exercise Science, notes Dr. Michael J. Emery, chair of and Waterbury, in addition to teachers from area parochial schools. the Department of Human Movement & Sports Science. That The teachers, many of whom participated in a similar SHU program department houses the new program as well as SHU’s renowned last summer specializing in environmental science, received three Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, which has been called the graduate credits and a stipend for participating. best in Connecticut and one of the top five in New England. According to Assistant Professor of Education Paul W. Massey, The new program in Exercise Science and Nutrition requires the summer institute is designed to strengthen teaching skills in the 37 academic credits and students may attend full- or part-time. physical sciences using “inquiry-based approaches, performance- Students will benefit from SHU facilities, such as a new human based assessment and technology.” It is the second part of a three- performance lab, a motion analysis lab, and a state-of-the- year cycle that will conclude next summer with earth science. art health and fitness center. Graduates will be prepared for professional careers in hospital settings, long-term rehabilitation centers, health and fitness clubs; they may also work with athletic teams or recreation programs.

fall 09 07 FacultySpotlight

DR. JASON MOLITIERNO NAMED Dean Paolini to Serve DIRECTOR OF HONORS PROGRAM on State Advisory Council Dr. Jason J. Molitierno, an associate professor of Mathematics, has been named as the new director Dr. Claire J. Paolini, dean of Sacred of the Thomas More Honors Program. The pro- Heart University’s College of Arts and Sciences, has been named gram uses student-centered techniques to develop to serve on the International critical thinking, research and communications Education Policy Advisory Council skills while offering members a wide range of for the Board of Governors for extracurricular learning and cultural activities. Dr. Higher Education in the State of Molitierno earned a bachelor's degree in math- Connecticut. The appointment ematics from Connecticut College and a Ph.D. in was made by Connecticut mathematics from the University of Connecticut. The program follows the Commissioner of Higher Education standards of the National Collegiate Honors Council. Michael Meotti. The College’s founding dean, Dr. Paolini earned her Ph.D. in Portuguese and Spanish from Tulane University. Documentary On PROFESSORS GRODZINSKY AND SCARPATI Nomadic Life Premieres EARN FACULTY EXCELLENCE AWARDS On Campus Dr. Frances Grodzinsky, a professor of Computer Science and Information Technology, and Professor Stephen Scarpati, a clinical professor of Accounting and Information Systems, were honored on Commencement Sunday with special recognition for faculty excellence.

Professor Stephen Scarpati and Dr. Frances Grodzinsky

Left: Dr. Cima Sedigh at the opening of her film. Dr. Barry Herman Receives Above: A still from The Bakhtiari Alphabet.

Humanitarian Award In celebration of the Persian New Year, Sacred Heart University’s Farrington School of Education presented the The Italian-American Historical premiere of The Bakhtiari Alphabet, a documentary on nomadic Society of Connecticut presented pastoral life and education in Iran, on April 3. Directed by Reza Dr. Barry Herman with a special Ghadiani and Sacred Heart University Associate Professor Humanitarian Award at its annual Cima Sedigh, the film follows the Bakhtiari tribe, a nomadic dinner on April 19. A Hamden community in Iran, and provides insights related to the resident, Herman was a professor of challenges of educating children in a nomadic community. Education at Sacred Heart University for the past 22 years.

08 sacred heart university StaffCenterStage

University College Names Dean College, the 2005 Business Council of Fairfield County Leadership Class Mary Lou DeRosa, MBA, has been named dean and the 2003 UPenn Entrepreneurship in Education Institute, she currently of the University College. The interim dean of serves on the board of the Fairfield County Chapter of the Financial Planning University College since November 2007, she Association and The Unquowa School. manages the enrollments for 700 part-time adult students and the Stamford campus. The University In Memoriam: Dr. David Rice College portfolio includes the Center for Financial Sacred Heart University mourns the passing Education, the Center for Spirituality and Ministry, of Dr. David Rice, associate vice president for and English as a Second Language. Academic Affairs. He joined SHU in August 2007 DeRosa has over 14 years of experience in higher education. Most recently and developed the leadership of academic events she was the Director of New Initiatives and has expanded the enrollment of and programs, coordinating commencement and non-traditional learners at SHU by launching a Hispanic marketing campaign freshman convocation, managing the Provost Council and creating community college articulation agreements. She received her agenda, overseeing the University’s Academic BA in Communication Arts from the University of Dayton and her MBA from Program Review protocol, and leading special projects such as retention Sacred Heart. A graduate of the 2008 class of the HERS Institute at Wellesley improvement. Dr. Rice is survived by his wife Terri.

What’s on America’s mind? As always, Sacred Heart University’s Polling Institute has its finger on the nation’s pulse. Here’s a roundup of recent polls, seen in media outlets including Forbes, Newsday and America Online.

Long Islanders Are Concerned Americans Split on Nuclear Energy Safety About Area Hate Crimes A national poll of 800 residents found a nearly even split between those suggesting nuclear energy was very or somewhat safe A poll conducted among Long Island (NY) (46.1%) and those who said it's somewhat dangerous or very residents in conjunction with WSHU Public dangerous (44.7%). The two dangers that concern a majority Radio showed that a majority (86.8%) of of Americans are problems with radioactive waste storage and respondents are “very concerned” (56.3%) or possible plant meltdowns. Despite these concerns, over one-third “somewhat concerned” (30.5%) about recent of respondents (36.8%) expect the number of nuclear weapons hate crimes. When comparing current hate crimes to two years to increase worldwide as a result of building more nuclear power ago, nearly two-thirds of respondents, 65.0%, viewed hate crimes plants, and over half (54.2%) suggested that nuclear power plants on Long Island as increasing or remaining constant but high. will be safer in the future because of newer technologies.

Even Environmentally Conscious Americans Aren’t Measuring Their Carbon Footprints

national poll revealed that only 7.1% of 800 respondents have ever attempted to measure their own personal or household carbon footprints—despite the fact that a A strong majority (80.1%) said they were completely or mostly convinced that global warming is occurring. Overall, 31.8% were aware of the term “carbon calculator” but less than half of this group understood how it works. A larger percent, 65.0%, said they were aware of the term “carbon footprint,” with most suggesting they understood the term. Nearly all respondents, 94.0%, said they were willing to change their own lifestyle to reduce the impact of climate change.

fall 09 09 CollegeSpotlight

Jon h F. Welch College of Business

Dr. John Petillo was named Professor Anthony D. Macari, 1 dean in February of 2009. 2 the new MBA director.

What’s New in the Welch College W elch College of Business Offers 2 of Business? Welch MBA and Names New Director

Among an elite membership of fewer than 10% of business schools Financial events over the past decade have forever changed the worldwide, the John F. Welch College of Business is accredited way we do business. In response, the John F. Welch College of by AACSB International, the premier global accrediting body for Business at Sacred Heart University will offer the Welch Master schools of business. In 2008, the Welch College of Business was of Business Administration program this fall—a program designed included among the Princeton Review’s Best Business Schools. for working professionals who aspire to leadership positions in This past year, Sacred Heart continued to up the ante in business today's global economy. According to Dr. John J. Petillo, dean of education by adding a new dean and an innovative MBA program the Welch College of Business, this fall’s class consists of students with a new MBA director. whose “work experience and academic achievements are an indicator of their potential, desire and vision for the future.” D r. John Petillo Named Dean of the For candidates with a business degree from an accredited 1 college or university, the MBA can be accomplished in 36 credits; John F. Welch College of Business others will need to complete two additional courses. The integrated Dr. John Petillo took over as dean of the John F. Welch College of core will consist of intensive programs to develop cross-functional Business on March 2. He brings a rich background of leadership in skills. Finance, marketing, operations and accounting will be taught both higher education and business to the Welch College, previ- simultaneously in a “business process” approach. Spearheading the ously serving as chancellor and chief executive officer of Seton Welch MBA program is Anthony D. Macari, J.D., who has been with Hall University and as president of the University of Medicine and Sacred Heart since 2008 as a clinical assistant professor of finance Dentistry of New Jersey. He was regional president of First Union and had previously been director of its Stamford campus. Macari Insurance Services and president and chief executive officer of the has extensive academic and professional experience; in addition Newark Alliance, a distinctive private-public partnership to enhance to his teaching and administrative duties at Sacred Heart, he was the economy and quality of life of the City of Newark. Dr. Petillo a cofounder and partner in Carlyle Brands Consulting, where earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classical Languages and a his clients included Lehman Brothers, SchoolNet and Cardean Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Seton Hall University, a University. He was also a director of strategy and assistant dean Master of Divinity in Pastoral Theology from Darlington School of for business and legal studies at New York University. At Fortune Theology, and a Ph.D. in Counseling and Personnel Services from Brands in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, Macari was director of Fordham University. business development and of planning and forecasts. “With According to President Anthony J. Cernera, Ph.D., “Sacred Heart plans advancing for the Welch MBA this fall and executive University prides itself on educating the complete person—for success training programs on the table, we are pleased to have Tony on in one’s career and in the larger world. In Dr. Petillo, we have a man board,” said Dean Petillo. “His experience as a teaching faculty who embodies this approach. The John F. Welch College of Business member, coupled with his background in executive education continues to grow and to flourish, and Dean Petillo brings incredible and corporate training at New York University, will be valuable strengths to the position: he is a leader for the 21st century.” assets to our programs.”

10 sacred heart university CCJUNewsHighlights

Rabbi Irving “Yitz” Greenberg, at podium, addresses the crowd at the Leir Foundation in Ridgefield, CT.

10th Annual Institute for Seminarian and Rabbinical Students

The Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding (CCJU) held its annual institute for seminarians and rabbinical students on May 19-21. Now in its tenth year, the institute invites emerging rabbis, priests and ministers to learn from one another. Scholars lead presentations on the history, theology and current issues in Christian-Jewish relations. The 2009 program welcomed 36 partici- pants from over a dozen Jewish and Christian seminaries across the country. Graduates of the program can participate in CCJU’s “Colleagues in Dialogue” program that convenes every year in New York City.

French Priest Explores Eastern Europe’s “Holocaust by Bullets”

ather Patrick Desbois, a French Catholic priest, finds himself with Used to the threat of the unlikely responsibility of speaking for an entire generation as mass deportation, he ex- F he relentlessly pursues a trail of tears leading to the graves of nearly plained, a village’s Jewish two million murdered Jews. These residents of Ukraine and Belarus were population would respond systematically rounded up and executed. This was done not in the style that quickly to the loudspeaker has become familiar to the West in out-of-the-way gas chambers hidden from announcements that public view, but in broad daylight with the knowledge and often unwilling everyone should gather cooperation of the local populace. Father Patrick Desbois at a common spot for im- Desbois shared the results of his painstaking research with an audience spoke about his Holocaust research. mediate transport to Pal- of 200 at Sacred Heart University in a forum sponsored by the University’s estine. There they would Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding on March 4. He was drawn to be huddled into large holes in the ground and shot: hence the “Holocaust the subject by the vague recollections of his French grandfather, who was by Bullets.” The Nazi rule was “one bullet, one Jew,” so many victims were imprisoned during World War II in what was then the Soviet Union. Eventu- merely disabled by the gunfire before being buried alive. ally, he began exploring the rumors of a once-thriving Jewish community in This ethnic cleansing took place in full view of thousands of witnesses— Eastern Europe that was wiped out by gangs of Nazi gunmen. His stories are and accomplices—and yet it has remained buried until Desbois's research. as relentless and unforgiving as bullets. He and his team have investigated He signed copies of his book on the subject, Holocaust by Bullets: A Priest’s more than 850 execution sites and mass graves, and he expects their investi- Journey to Uncover the Truth Behind the Ukrainian Holocaust, and encouraged gations will take them next into Poland and Russia. interested parties to visit his organization’s website at yahadinunum.org.

fall 09 11 SpeakingOut

2009 SPEAKERS

JANUARY 2009 Environmental advocate MARCH 2009 01 Dr. Majora Carter, who earned 03 a MacArthur “Genius” grant A Criminal Justice Forum panel in part for her work in creat- on March 4 included Assistant ing riverfront parks, building Special Agent in Charge Marc A. green roofs and implementing Lorenti of the U.S. Department the Bronx Environmental Stewardship Training of Homeland Security, (BEST) program, spoke about “Greening the Bridgeport Police Detective Ghetto” on February 11. Sponsored by the Anthony Davila, Captain of Administration Student Affairs Lecture Series. for the Stamford Police Department Thomas Wuennemann, State Trooper Debbie Celebrated filmmaker Apo Gutierrez, and Paul Healy, Executive Director Torosyan presented The of Emergency Management and Public Safety Morgenthau Story on February 12, at Sacred Heart University. Sponsored by Major League superstars Joba Chamberlain a vivid film exploring the heroic the Department of Criminal Justice, the of the New York Yankees and Jon Lester of efforts of Henry Morgenthau, Department of Public Safety and the Office of the Boston Red Sox conducted a “Hot Stove Sr., the U.S. ambassador in Career Development. Conversation,” discussing every aspect of Constantinople before World War I who helped baseball—and the historic rivalry between save thousands of lives in the years following the Fairfield County educators the two teams—before nearly 2,000 fans on Armenian genocide. Sponsored by the Center for explored “Catholic Social January 27. The players were interviewed Catholic Thought, Ethics and Culture. Teaching: A Class Act” during a by Andrew Marchand of ESPN Radio. Four communion breakfast at Sacred local fans—boys aged 9 to 12 from Fairfield, Boston College theology pro- Heart University on March 8. Trumbull and Milford—had the privilege of fessor Dr. Roberto Goizueta Sponsored by Centesimus Annus standing on stage with their idols and asking discussed immigration issues Pro Pontifice of Fairfield and SHU’s Isabelle a few great questions. Offstage, the pitchers on February 18 in a lecture Farrington School of Education. signed autographs and mingled with fans entitled, “No Prophet Is to Rise and the press. Media outlets from the New from Galilee: Re-imagining Robert Ellsberg, publisher and York Times to WFAN were among the many the Border.” The former president of both the editor-in-chief of Maryknoll’s represented in the Pitt Center. Part of the Catholic Theological Society of America and Orbis Books, spoke on March University’s Student Lecture series. the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians, 19 about Dorothy Day, the con- Professor Goizueta has written extensively on troversial Catholic activist and a U.S. and Latin American theologies, culture, leader of the pacifist movement in Bestselling cookbook author, jour- immigration and social responsibility. Sponsored the United States. He has just completed editing nalist and television personality by SHU’s Center for Catholic Thought, Ethics Day’s diaries and is working on a collection of her Mark Bittman talked about his and Culture. letters. Co-sponsored by the Ryan-Matura Library, new book, Food Matters: A Guide the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department to Conscious Eating with More Than Former Connecticut State of Religious Studies, and the University’s Center 75 Recipes, on January 10. Part of Historian, author of over 30 for Catholic Thought, Ethics and Culture. WSHU’s “Join the Conversation” series. books and Pulitzer Prize nomi- nee Dr. Christopher Collier Media critic, filmmaker and discussed “Educational Policy for scholar Dr. Jean Kilbourne spoke F E B RUARY 2009 02 Connecticut’s Public Schools” on about the impact of advertising Amy Dickinson, author of February 25. Sponsored by the Department of in a lecture called “The Naked the syndicated advice column Government and Politics. Truth: Advertising’s Image of “Ask Amy” and panelist on Women” on March 23. Part of NPR’s Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me, Author Nick Taylor spoke the Student Affairs Lecture series and sponsored talked about her new memoir, about “Lessons from the Great by the Kappa Delta sorority. The Mighty Queens of Freeville, Depression: What the New on February 8. Part of WSHU’s “Join the Deal’s Public Works Program Conversation” series. Can Teach President Obama and Us Today” on February 24. Sponsored by the Department of History.

12 sacred heart university Kerry Kennedy discussed her Stephen Baker, author MAY 2009 New York Times bestseller, of Numerati, and Watts 05 Being Catholic Now: Prominent Wacker, author of The Ategra Capital Principal Brett Americans Talk about Change 500 Year Delta and The Dougherty moderated a panel on in the Church and the Quest for Deviant’s Advantage, deliv- “Surviving the Economic Crisis: Meaning on March 23. Daughter ered a lecture entitled A Public Forum for Investors” on of the late Senator and U.S. Attorney General “Your Future, Your Place in It!” on April 22. May 21. Panelists included George Robert F. Kennedy, she is the founder of the Presented by the Council of Graduate Students. Bory, Managing Director, Head Robert F. Kennedy Memorial, which works of Credit Strategy, UBS; Greg Dyra, Managing to advance justice and human rights. Ms. Dr. Joan Kelly of Sacred Director, New Legacy Capital; Jonathan Kennedy brought “Speak Truth to Power” to the Heart’s Center for Spirituality Holtaway, Chief Investment Officer, 1st Portfolio University campus last year, including an all-star and Ministry delivered an Corp.; Dr. Lucjan Orlowski, SHU professor of staging of the play by the same name, in support address entitled “Exploring Economics; and Vinh Tran, Director, Alternative of the international struggle for human rights. the Footsteps of St. Paul” on Investments, Bank of America and author of April 28 to commemorate Evaluating Hedge Fund Performance. Sponsored Pulitzer Prize winner, bestselling the Catholic Church’s worldwide obser- by the John F. Welch College of Business, WSHU author, and former Washington vance of the 2000th anniversary of St. Paul’s and the Stamford CFA Society. Post managing editor Steve Coll birth. Sponsored by the University’s Campus talked about his new book, The Bin Ministry; University College; the Center for JUN E 2009 Ladens: An Arabian Family in the Catholic Thought, Ethics and Culture; and the 06 American Century, on March 29. Religious Studies Department. Novelist Alice Hoffman spoke Part of WSHU’s “Join the Conversation” series. about her newest book, The Story Sisters, on June 7. Part of WSHU’s “Join the Conversation” series. APRI L 2009 04 Political cartoonist Tom Tomorrow, creator of This Modern World, presented a lively slide pre- sentation and discussion of poli- tics and the media during SHU’s TeHmanh u Journey Core Colloquia Series 12th Annual Media Studies Symposium in April. The University’s Core Curriculum, recognized as a national model in values education, This Modern World appears regularly in approxi- helps the community of learners address the fundamental questions of human mately 80 newspapers across the country. meaning and purpose. Throughout the year, numerous colloquia are offered that further explore these foundational concerns. This past year’s series included:

Newsweek columnist and histo- •  B eing Catholic Now •  The Exonerated rian Jonathan Alter talked about •  E volution and Morality •  Sophocles: Fate or Free Will? his New York Times bestseller, The •  M edia Literacy and the Human Journey •  Does the End Justify the Means? Defining Moment: FDR’s Hundred •  Ga ttaca •  Brideshead Revisited Days and the Triumph of Hope, on •  E cology and Spirit •  No Prophet Is to Rise from Galilee: April 16. Part of WSHU’s “Join •  T he Genographic Project Re-imagining the Border the Conversation” series.

Human Rights Activist Kerry Kennedy, daughter Emmy winner Joe Alicastro, a of the late Robert F. Kennedy, spoke about her veteran news producer for NBC, book Being Catholic Now in March 2009. spoke about his career on April 20. Mr. Alicastro, who began teaching at SHU this semester, focused his talk on digital jour- nalism and the evolution of news production. Part of the Vision Project’s Photography in a Digital World lecture series.

fall 09 13

Today’sStudents

Junior Interns in Paris and Explores Eastern Europe’s “Holocaust by Bullets”

acred Heart University media studies major Sam Dowd really racked up the frequent flier miles this year by Sspending spring break in Central SHU sophomores America and heading to Paris for six weeks Sam Dowd, left, and beginning May 27. His spring break was a Paul Carrier, right. decidedly alternative version with the long- standing Sacred Heart mission in El Salvador. His time in Paris was spent working with SHU Knights Of Columbus Father Patrick Desbois exploring Eastern Carry Crosses To New Haven Europe’s “Holocaust by Bullets,” the village- by-village execution of nearly two million On Monday of Holy Week, April 6, two Sacred Heart University Jews in Ukraine and neighboring countries. students took up their crosses and carried them 21.7 miles to the City of New Haven. Paul Carrier and Sam Dowd, leaders of the University’s Knights of Columbus Council 9251, were responding directly to the invitation of Jesus in the Gospel of St. Mark: “If SHU Senior Earns McCaughey Scholarship to anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” The journey began at the Fairfield campus and Attend National Athletic Trainers’ Conference ended at the K of C in New Haven, where the world’s largest Catholic Thomas C. Streko, Jr. ’09 of Cranford, New lay fraternity was founded in 1882. Each student bore an 80-pound cross, pausing to spend the night in East Haven at a K of C Council. Jersey, earned the first Patrick McCaughey Scholarship this year. The annual grant, which allowed the athletic training student to attend the National Athletic Trainers’ Students Team Up with Researchers at Association symposium in June in San German Science Institute Antonio, Texas, is funded in memory of Matthew Rigoli with SHU juniors David Peregrim and Matthew Rigoli Patrick McCaughey ’97, who majored in a European Sharon McCaughey presents athletic training and whose academic and per- spent fall semester in Seewiesen, Germany, at Starling Thomas C. Streko his award. sonal life enjoyed a remarkable “turnaround” the foot of the Alps as the only undergraduate researchers at the world-famous Max Planck in his senior year. McCaughey earned his master’s degree at the University Institute, collaborating closely with scientists. of New Haven and was a high school athletic trainer until his death at age 31. Their unique experience was organized by biology professor Barbara Pierce with her colleague, Dr. Scott McWilliams of the Department of Natural Resources Science at the University of Rhode Island. They collaborated on a $420,000 Students Present at grant from the National Science Foundation that helped support the students. Intercollegiate Forums Junior Named One of 12 National Honorees Three Sacred Heart University students were featured presenters at pres- tigious intercollegiate forums. Junior finance major Nick Diieso examined Kelly Considine was one of 12 students nationally the current economic crisis and chaired a roundtable discussion at to receive a scholarship from Delta Epsilon Sigma, the Northeast Regional Honors Conference in Annapolis the National Honor Society for Catholic colleges and universities. The recognition is based on aca- in March. Michael V. Fazzino, a junior business admin- demic accomplishments, leadership and service. istration and political science major, and Amanda Considine is majoring in biology and chemistry, Francini, a sophomore psychology major, participated with minors in criminal justice and math. She is a in “Be the Change,” a conference at Babson member of the University’s Thomas More Honors College sponsored by the Core Commitments Program and plans to complete a master's degree program of the American Association of in chemistry at Sacred Heart before working on a Colleges and Universities in April. Ph.D. in biomedical engineering.

Mike Fazzino ’10 and Amanda Francini ’11

Five Selected for Prestigious Juran Scholarship

uran Institute, internationally respected for its efforts to promote quality in the business world, has selected five students from Sacred Heart University’s John F. Welch College of Business to receive the inaugural Juran Scholars designation. Each student will receive J $10,000 to help with tuition expenses. “We feel it is important to pro- vide this recognition on behalf of our founder, Dr. Joseph M. Juran, who felt education is the best way to improve the quality of our society,” said Joseph A. DeFeo, Juran CEO. Winners of the scholarship are senior Ashley Fortuna of Stafford Springs, Connecticut; and juniors Anne Archer of Littleton, Colorado; Morgan Kelly of Naugatuck, Connecticut; Christopher Kinghan of Rye, New York; and John Ross of Fairfield, Connecticut. The scholarships go to business majors with at least a 3.2 grade point average who participate in community service. The junior scholarships are renewable for senior year. Candidates were interviewed by the Juran Scholars Selection Committee at Sacred Heart University. This year’s committee included Ralph Lim, interim dean of the John F. Welch College of Business, Julie Savino, SHU’s dean of Student Financial Assistance, and Virginia Harris, SHU’s execu- tive director of Foundations and Grants. After recommendation by the Selection Committee, the Juran Institute, which has its world headquarters in Southbury, Connecticut, but serves and international clientele, made the From left are 2009 Juran Scholars Anne Archer, Christopher Kinghan, Ashley Fortuna and Morgan Kelly. Missing from photo is John Ross. final selection of scholarship recipients.

A Recipe for Hope in Honduras: Just Add Water

Mike with As Sacred Heart University senior Michael Fazzino knows, sometimes the things we take most for granted in this country—like his friends food and clean water—are difficult to come by in other parts of the world. He spent the month of May working in La Ceiba, Angel, Honduras, at the Children of the Light Village and brought along a special gift: $1,200 to install a massive 5,810-gallon water above, and tank for the project. Wilmer, below. Fazzino met the founders of this Children of the Light Village project, which serves street children in Honduras, three years ago. He has since traveled to Honduras several times to live and work with them. Over the past year, Fazzino and the ONE Campaign at Sacred Heart University raised money for the Children of the Light to install the new water tower. ONE, which Fazzino founded on campus, is part of a global college network designed to fight poverty and disease. The SHU chapter is a national leader in educating young people about ways to help others both locally and abroad. The previous water tower held only 1,320 gallons, an inadequate supply for the residents and elementary school The $1,200 donated went towards installing students living on the premises. Another organization purchased the tank itself. ONE Campaign funds were used a 5,810-gallon water tank. Pictured here is to rent a crane to raise the tank to the tower and buy essential hardware. Fazzino and friends Genevieve Gearity of the old water tank, on the tower, waiting to Emerson College and Andrew Carlquist of Fairfield University assisted in putting the new tank in place. be replaced by the new one, at left.

fall 09 15 Artists’Corner

Superstar rapper 50 Cent wowed the crowd inside of SHU’s William H. Pitt Center on March 27. Born in Queens, New York, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson rose to fame with his 2005 debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, which sold nearly 900,000 cop- ies in its first week. He has since remained at the top of the music charts while also establishing himself as an actor in such films as Home of the Brave and Righteous Kill, in which he starred opposite Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro. He is also a published author; a successful business partner to brands such as Reebok, Glaceau Vitamin Water, and Right Guard; and owner of G-Unit Records.

ROCKS SHU!

16 sacred heart university Student Art Exhibition rt lovers were in luck this spring when the Department of Art & Design presented 60 student works selected A by jurors David Cundy, clinical professor in the Mass Communication Department at Iona College; SHU alumnus Jason Roeder ’06, art director at Marketing Drive in Norwalk, CT; and Vladimir Shpitalnik, professor of illustration at Paier College of Art in Hamden, CT. The exhibit included digital art, drawings, oil and watercolor paintings, colored pencil works, collages, package design and computer-generated magazine layouts.

Left: (from left) Robert Lawson ’10, Asami Green ’12, and Jaclyn Constantino ’10 stood in front of their collaborative painting entitled “The Knockout” during Sacred Heart University’s 2009 Student Art Exhibit. Above: Meghan Williams ’09 stood under her painting entitled “Brooklyn” during the Annual Student Art Exhibit in March.

Gallery of Contemporary Haitian Musicians Art Showcases “Earth” Visit Campus

The Gallery of Contemporary Art staged “The Elements: Earth,” Keith Johnston, Sacred Heart its fourth and final exhibit in a series about the elements. The University’s Director of Bands, presentation, which opened January 25 with a reception and welcomed two accomplished talk by Eva Lee on “Art Meets Neuroscience,” ran through March Haitian musicians, oboist 5. The 16 artists showed work in media ranging from traditional Jean Gerald and clarinetist pastels and photographs to neuroscientific data translated into Mackelder Santilus, to a digital video installation. campus in March. He first worked with these young West 38g (2007) by Kim Keever (C-print, 32 x 48 inches, men while teaching edition of 3, Courtesy of Kinz + Tillou FINE ART, NYC) in Haiti last summer. The musicians met with students and performed for the community.

Haitian musicians Mackelder Santilus, left, and Jean Gerald performed during their visit to SHU last spring.

fall 09 17 Annual Spring Concert Edgerton Center Hosts

The annual spring concert at Sacred Heart University featured Summer Theatre Workshop 4 Heart Harmony, the University Concert and Liturgical choirs Students in the Summer Musical Theatre Workshops, and soloists on May 3. The concert was directed by Dr. John co-produced by the Edgerton Center for the Performing Michniewicz with accompanist Galen Tate, percussionist Ralph Arts and Connecticut Family Theatre, performed in the DeMasi, and bassist Jim Andrews. mainstage production of Oliver! following both sessions of the workshop on August 7-8. The cast also featured Dr. John Michniewicz (left), director of the professional actors and SHU students. academic music program, led the SHU choir.

From left, Broadway star Kevin Gray played Fagin, along with Patrick Agonito as Oliver, and Media Arts Exhibit Peter Charney as the Artful Dodger, during a production of the beloved musical Oliver! The Department of Media Studies and Digital Culture, the Media Students Association and SHU’s Channel 3 joined forces to present the 2009 Media Senior Portfolio Night Arts Exhibition (the Max) There’s no mystery as to why companies like WWE, ESPN, on May 2. The exhibit show- Sikorsky Aircraft, Byte Interactive, Ryan Partnership, Vogue, cased photography, video, television, magazine, radio, Harpers, Ferragamo Handbags, MTV, Tommy Hilfiger and video game design, anima- many others have been working with students from Sacred tion, screen writing and Heart University: we have some of the hottest young graphic Instructor Greg Golda, left, presented Lacey more from students in Media Gilleran with the “Above and Beyond award.” designers and illustrators, as seen on campus on April 30 Studies and Digital Culture. during Senior Portfolio Night.

Art & Design Expo Showcases Student Talent Sacred Heart University’s Art & Design Department hosted the 17th Art & Design Expo on April 7 at the Gallery of Contemporary Art. The exhibit included student artists and featured guest lecturer and well-known art- From left, Art & Design student Mary Dannegger talks with sophomores ist Miggs Burroughs. Nearly Lindsay Soraci, Katie Reilly and Meaghan Conklin about her work during 200 high school students Senior Portfolio Night last spring. Miggs Burroughs, a prolific and well-known graphic attended the Expo from six artist, painter, postage stamp designer, inventor area high schools. and television producer, addresses the crowd.

18 sacred heart university CollegeSpotlight

UNIV ERSITY COLLEGe

SHU Welcomes Veterans to Campus with Yellow Ribbon Program

This summer, SHU has begun offering tuition assistance to veterans for students entering SHU under the Yellow Ribbon Program. and service members under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational De Benedictis says he’s already been in touch with several veterans Assistance Act of 2008, helping members of that population study and service members, including a few who are still serving in Iraq. in its graduate and full- or part-time undergraduate programs. “They want to get set up so that once they’re out of the service, they SHU will assist those eligible as part of the Yellow Ribbon GI come home and they unwind a little bit, and then they jump into Education Enhancement Program, a provision of the Post-9/11 GI school here at Sacred Heart,” he says. “One of the nice things now Bill that allows degree-granting institutions of higher learning to is that they’re able to get a quality education at an institution where voluntarily enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of they’ll receive individualized attention. Getting them here to take Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund tuition expenses that exceed the courses is one thing, but I think it’s important that once they’re here, highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. As part of the we make them feel like they’re really part of the community at SHU.” program, Sacred Heart may contribute up to 50 percent of those The importance of the program is apparent also to Dr. Gary expenses, and VA will match the amount. Rose, the author of several books on government and a frequent “The new Post-9/11 GI Bill takes veterans’ educational commentator for various media regarding national politics. opportunities to a whole new level,” says Mary Lou DeRosa, SHU’s “Sacred Heart University’s willingness to participate in the GI dean of University College. “There are now better benefits in terms Bill’s Yellow Ribbon Program demonstrates the firm commitment of of eligibility criteria, the eligibility period and the financial value.” our institution to the brave men and women who have served our The funds for tuition and fees for eligible veterans and service country during a time of crisis,” Rose says. members will be sent to the University. Additionally, students in On June 16, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) publicly commended the program may receive funds directly from the Yellow Ribbon the institutions taking part in the Yellow Ribbon Program. “The Program for monthly housing allowances, books and supplies, participation of numerous Connecticut colleges and universities… tutorial assistance, work study benefits, rural allowance, and is remarkable and impressive, although not surprising,” Dodd said. licensing and certification fees. “Connecticut’s colleges and universities have long supported the DeRosa notes that SHU’s participation in the program fits perfectly men and women who serve our country. This program allows with the University’s mission. “It’s the right thing to do for the service America’s military heroes to attend some of the best colleges men and women who have put their lives on hold for our country, and universities across the nation, providing them with the critical and it’s wonderful that we have the opportunity to help them with resources needed to assimilate back into civilian life and pursue their education when they return from their service,” she says. their academic and career goals.” DeRosa also points out that in return, veterans provide a benefit SHU has committed to extend the Yellow Ribbon benefits to to other SHU students by their presence and unique understanding up to 100 students for this academic year. According to the VA, of world issues. “Veterans bring a different perspective to the two million vets are eligible for benefits, and the GI Bill expansion classroom,” she says. will spend about $62 billion over 10 years for a projected average SHU has designated Jon De Benedictis—a recruiter and annual benefit of $19,600 per vet. admissions coordinator for University College—as the point person

fall 09 19 «

Graduation YEAR: SHO U C LLEGe: 2008 John F. Welch College of Business

O ccupation: Major: Analyst, Goldman Sachs Business ______Alumni Profiles in Success ______

What is the best path to a successful life? Sacred Heart University alumni take unique paths to success when they leave the University, but all of our graduates hold this in common: an education in the Catholic intellectual tradition, characterized by rigorous scholarship and a commitment to spiritual and ethical values. With its emphasis on the liberal arts, this tradition prepares SHU alumni to achieve success within a chosen profession while assuming responsibility for making the world a better place. Here are some of their remarkable journeys.

Tom Campbell

s an analyst for Goldman Sachs “My internship was an amazing Ain London who assists European experience that exposed me to all clients investing in U.S. equities, Tom areas within the bank,” he explains. “I Campbell regularly draws on the was able to sit with sales and trading education and skills he learned at desks in foreign exchange, U.S. equity, Sacred Heart University’s John F. Welch European equity, money markets, College of Business. commodities, interest rates, bonds and “My professors were knowledgeable emerging markets, just to name a few.” and experienced,” says Tom. Perhaps Not surprisingly, given that Tom was the even more importantly, “they were only American on the intern program in accessible, always willing to talk with me London, he was far more familiar with about my ideas, plans and aspirations.” U.S. equity markets than U.K. markets. Now that his days revolve around the The U.S. equity desk turned out to be the computer at work, Tom says that the way perfect fit for a permanent position. laptops are integrated into the classroom “The way I had to combine my studies at Sacred Heart was especially valuable. at SHU with traveling for the University’s He arrived on the job prepared for the real golf team also helped prepare me for the world, starting with his internship in the fast-paced life I live now,” Tom says. “To London office of Goldman Sachs. During really succeed in life requires balancing this 10-week program, he rotated through obligations. My time at Sacred Heart different areas within fixed income was invaluable in preparing me for my currency and commodities (FICC). current role.”

Fall 09 | 21 Alumni Profiles in Success

______“ It’s so much fun to be back at Sacred Heart…This is a school where students are given a broad, diverse, meaningful education. In the Catholic intellectual tradition, Sacred Heart ensures that students graduate with all the tools needed for a successful career and a successful life.” ______

HhEat er SCHRoder

eather Schroder’s mom will tell Heather went on to Syracuse Hyou that her daughter was destined University College of Law, earning her to become a lawyer. After all, by junior law degree as well as her Master’s in high school Heather was involved with Public Administration. After almost a Alumni Online the junior Chamber of Commerce and year with a law firm in New York City, Community Young Republicans. But, for Heather, the she returned to Connecticut and became By signing up for the Alumni Online path to a law career was further down the assistant corporate counsel for ATMI, Community and regularly updating road. She elected to major in business at Inc., a company that specializes in your information, you will always stay first. “I thought it had the most potential process solutions and manufacturing for connected to the University and your of any major to help me become both the semiconductor and life sciences SHU friends. You’ll receive news and successful,” she explains. industries. She’s also teaching a new information about upcoming alumni events and will have easy access to Despite her 4.0 GPA, though, Heather core curriculum course at SHU called Class Notes. Go to www.sacredheart. didn’t really find her passion until Dr. “The Individual and Society,” conveying edu/alumni.cfm, click on Alumni Gary Rose’s First Amendment class. “It her enthusiasm for the law and politics Online Community, then click on was the greatest class ever,” she remem- to Sacred Heart students. Member Log In, and fill in the New bers. “We had weekly debates about “It’s so much fun to be back at Sacred Member Registration Form. controversial issues involving freedom Heart,” she says. “This is a school where Once your new account is confirmed of speech, religion and the press.” She students are given a broad, diverse, by the Office of Alumni Relations, you immediately switched her major to meaningful education. In the Catholic can always update your information by political science and, with Dr. Rose’s intellectual tradition, Sacred Heart logging on and clicking on My SHU. encouragement, completed an internship ensures that students graduate with all at the Capitol with then State Senator the tools needed for a successful career Stay CONNECTED AT www.sacredheart.edu/alumni.cfm David Cappiello, where she discovered and a successful life.” a whole new world—and loved it.

22 | Sacred Hear University «

Major: Graduation Date: Political Science 2004

O ccupation: Assistant Corporate Counsel, ATMI, Inc.

SHO U C LLEGe: College of Arts & Sciences «

From left are Sacred Heart University alumni Kevin O’Malley Jr., Kimberly Derleth, Robert Van Etten Jr., Donna Roethel and Marc Lorenti. All work for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Major: Graduation Date: SHO U C LLEGe: John F. Welch Business + 1982 College of Accounting Business

O ccupation: Assistant Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Customs Enforcement Alumni Profiles in Success

______

“ It’s not like you’re sitting behind a desk. You’re out there making split-second decisions, many of them life or death.” ______

marc A. Lorenti

ounterterrorism, border security, agent. His first job was with the U.S. Ccritical infrastructure, disaster Treasury, working in the criminal response and recovery: those are just a investigation division of the IRS, a job few fields under the auspices of the U.S. he saw as a “stepping stone to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Customs Service, which interested Immigration and Customs Enforcement me for the vast variety of work, from (ICE), the umbrella organization created money laundering to narcotics and arms after 9/11 to keep the nation secure. exports.” Today, as an Assistant Special Those who become ICE Special Agents Agent in Charge for DHS/ICE in the must meet “rigorous qualifications, both New York Field Office, Marc is “right physically and intellectually,” explains where I envisioned myself to be. I knew Marc A. Lorenti. “It’s not like you’re the path to get here would be a solid Setting Up your sitting behind a desk. You’re out there education, and Sacred Heart gave me Alumni Profile making split-second decisions, many of the knowledge I needed to succeed.” You will receive confirmation of your them life or death.” In fact, the University prepares its account activation from the Alumni So what’s the perfect college major for graduates so well that four other Sacred Relations office within 48 hours. Once someone as determined as Marc was to Heart alumni have also succeeded in you have, you can set up your account enter the risky, fast-paced world of federal navigating the complex path to work by logging in at sacredheart.edu. law enforcement? Accounting, of course. within the U.S. Department of Homeland ∆ In the top left navigation, click on “Think about it,” Marc says. “Most Security as ICE Special Agents: the My SHU link criminal investigations have a financial Kimberly S. Derleth ’02, Donna Roethel ∆ Click on My Profile to set up your side. Otherwise, there would be no ’86, Kevin O’Malley, Jr. ’98, and Robert E. own profile reason to be a criminal.” Van Etten, Jr. ’03. ∆ Check back here anytime you have Marc chose Sacred Heart University “It’s kind of unique that this small a change of address, career or for its strong accounting program and Catholic institution has produced so personal information put himself through school partly with many people who have qualified as an athletic scholarship in return for special agents employed by Homeland Stay CONNECTED AT managing the men’s basketball team. He Security,” Marc reflects. “As an www.sacredheart.edu/alumni.cfm also held student government offices all individual, you need a lot of drive and four years of college, ending up as senior the right attitude to succeed in this class president. line of work. You also need a solid Following graduation, Marc worked educational foundation. Sacred Heart as an internal auditor for Georgia Pacific gave all of us the education we needed Corporation and took the necessary to work in this fascinating field and exams to apply for the job of a special protect the American public.”

Fall 09 | 25 Alumni Profiles in Success

______“ The availability of this training was a dream come true. I met the 20 students at lunch, and they were tremendously grateful for the opportunity to pursue this education close to home.” ______

Karin Douglas

n 1980, Karin Douglas enrolled in wristband now used in many U.S. I Sacred Heart University’s paralegal hospitals to warn medical professionals studies program at the encouragement to avoid using at-risk limbs for of her friend, the late Evelyn Conley, procedures. As a director of the National SEARCHING THE an attorney and wife of the University's Lymphedema Network, Karin has Alumni DIRECTORY founding president, Dr. William H. spoken around the country, spreading Conley. In gratitude for her excellent her message that knowledge is power. Once your registration has been academic experience, Karin created the To that end, Karin also became confirmed by the Office of Alumni Evelyn M. Conley Scholarship. While the involved in Sacred Heart University’s Relations, you will be able to search the paralegal program at SHU is no longer Physical Therapy Department. Thanks Alumni Directory for old friends and classmates. operating, the Conley Scholarship Fund to her advocacy, the department secured now provides financial assistance to an a $25,000 grant from the Breast Cancer ∆ Log into the Alumni Online outstanding pre-law student each year. Alliance to support a training program Community Karin never wastes an opportunity for health care practitioners in Complex ∆ In the left navigation, click on the to promote one of her special causes. Decongestive Therapy, which is used Directory link When baseball icon Joe Torre spoke at to treat lymphedema. She also created ∆ Search the Directory by Class Year, Sacred Heart, Karin asked him if, during the Dr. Margaret Palliser Endowment Major, Name or Organization Name his treatment for prostate cancer, Torre for Physical Therapy in 2001, in honor was educated about lymphedema—a of Sister Margaret, the Sacred Heart Stay CONNECTED AT debilitating side effect that often follows assistant vice president for mission who www.sacredheart.edu/alumni.cfm cancer surgery with removal of some also experienced lymphedema following lymph nodes and causes a painful cancer therapy. That endowment offers swelling of the arm or leg. She wasn’t scholarship assistance to SHU students surprised when he said no. interested in women's health. Karin learned about lymphedema “The availability of this training in firsthand following her own breast our own state was a dream come true,” cancer surgery and treatment in 1992. Karin says. “I met the 20 students at She also discovered how little medical lunch, and they were tremendously professionals knew about this condition, grateful for the opportunity to pursue and started educating professionals and this education close to home. Now we’d the public, forming the first lymphedema like to try again. There are many more support group in Connecticut and students who could benefit from such creating the Lymphedema Alert pink training—and patients as well.”

26 | Sacred Hear University «

Alumna Karin Douglas, ’84 (left), with Physical Therapy Department Chairman Dr. Michael Emery in one of the physical Major: Graduation Date: therapy clinical labs at the College of Education Paralegal and Health Professions’ 1984 Cambridge site. Studies

O ccupation: Regulatory Agency Compliance Coordinator (Retired), ITT Flygt «

Major: Graduation Date: Business + Education 1991, MAT 2003

O ccupation: Social Studies Teacher— Bassick High School + Connecticut State Representative Alumni Profiles in Success

______“ Balancing my teaching job, politics and my family means that I have to juggle a lot of balls in the air, but I have a great support system. Plus, my education at Sacred Heart taught me to do the best I can for others by sharing whatever I gained through my education to help effect change for a better world.” ______

ANDRES AYALA

hen Andres Ayala teaches and primary sources. Andres is not just W history, he often starts by asking a social studies instructor, but a history his high school students to flip through maker himself: in addition to being the pages of textbooks and look at elected State Representative for the the pictures. “They start seeing these 128th District in 2006, Andres served the amazing photos, and I ask them to 137th Common Council District in the analyze those pictures and try to place City of Bridgeport for five terms. In 2002, SHU CLASS Notes themselves back there in time. What he played a key role in organizing the It has never been easier to keep up would you do if you were one of those First Annual Walk to End Homelessness with classmates or share your own people in that time? What would you in Bridgeport, which he has chaired news with other alumni. Class Notes see, smell and feel?” for five consecutive years, raising over allow you to share information about What has always excited him most $100,000 to assist the only emergency career changes or advances, weddings and births. Death notices are also about history, Andres says, is looking at shelter for families in the city. He also posted on Class Notes. Once you have primary sources to discover how people became the first Latino in Bridgeport to logged into the alumni community: lived their lives. “I love to read the letters become president of the City Council. ∆ In the left navigation, click on the they wrote to each other and look at “Balancing my teaching job, politics Class Notes link old newspapers and artwork. I try to and my family means that I have to ∆ Search for Class Notes or Submit understand what's going on in the world juggle a lot of balls in the air,” he admits, your own! today in the context of historical events.” “but I have a great support system. Plus, Of course, some day in the future, my education at Sacred Heart taught me Stay CONNECTED AT history students are going to do the to do the best I can for others by sharing www.sacredheart.edu/alumni.cfm same, and Andres Ayala will no doubt whatever I gained through my education be in some of those textbook pictures to help effect change for a better world.”

Fall 09 | 29 Major: Graduation Date: Art 2000

SHO U C LLEGe: College of Arts & Sciences

O ccupation: Associate Creative Director, TracyLocke

LAURA VARDZIK «

SHU CLASS Notes t’s a world many only see on Ania Glodek-Harrell, who also works at Other places to find SHU alumni I television: working with stars like TracyLocke, as a Senior Art Director, online on the Class Notes link David Beckham, Britney Spears, Shakira “but we wouldn’t want it any other way.” ∆ Twitter— and Enrique Iglesias. Brainstorming Both Laura and Ania chose Sacred twitter.com/SacredHeartAlum the next “big idea” for companies like Heart University for its distinguished Pepsi, Levi’s, and Kimberly Clark. Graphic Design and Illustration Delivering breakthrough ad campaigns programs and for its liberal arts ∆ Facebook— and building brands through innovative foundation. Ania earned a B.S. by sacredheart.edu/ thinking and marketing strategies. choosing electives like biology and CTAlumniFacebook.cfm “It’s a job that’s both exciting and astronomy–classes she feels opened demanding,” says Laura Vardzik, her way of thinking through problem- Associate Creative Director at solving and understanding the products TracyLocke, one of the country's top she markets. Laura, meanwhile, Stay CONNECTED AT advertising agencies. discovered that “the professor-to-student www.sacredheart.edu/alumni.cfm “Our jobs are very fast-paced,” agrees ratio at Sacred Heart provided ample

30 | Sacred Hear University Alumni Profiles in Success

Major: Graduation Date: Art 2000

SHO U C LLEGe: College of Arts & Sciences

O ccupation: Senior Art Director, TracyLocke

« ANIA GLODEK-HARRELL ______opportunities for one-on-one interaction America Marketing. Ania accepted her and attention.” Jack De Graffenried, position at TracyLocke following her Laura’s Illustration professor and internship there between her junior and adviser, encouraged Laura, a Graphic senior years at SHU. “ Our jobs are Design major, to take her drawing “We design concepts from abilities further. Under his guidance, brainstorming to the finished product,” very fast-paced, Laura graduated with a B.A. in Graphic Ania says, “always trying to come up Design with a secondary emphasis in with fresh ideas for bringing concepts to but we wouldn't Illustration, enabling her to have a dual life through the best art.” skill set, which she uses in her current “I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to profession. Laura was also a member do,” Laura agrees. “We get to be creative want it any of the Sacred Heart University Art every day and work with amazingly Club and served as Vice President for talented people. We come together to other way.” one year. Prior to joining TracyLocke, make the impossible possible and have she worked at Pitney Bowes and News fun doing it.” ______

Fall 09 | 31 1. SHU Leads in PT Education No matter who’s talking about reforming health care in this country, one consistent focus is the need to provide care that is “more cost-effective and efficient without sacrificing quality,” says Dr. Michael Emery, professor and chairman of Sacred Heart University’s Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Science. “Fortunately, physical therapists from Sacred Heart are well positioned for the future, no matter what changes there are in our health care system.”

Sacred Heart recognized early on that the country’s U.S.News & World Report lists Sacred Heart’s physical need for physical therapists would continue to grow. therapy program as the best in Connecticut and among About 90,000 physical therapists practice in the United the best in the nation. In the magazine’s list of “Best States and long-term employment prospects for the Graduate Schools 2009,” SHU ranked among the top profession are stronger than ever as our population five programs in New England. Over 60 new students ages and the profession develops new ways to treat were admitted to the doctoral program this fall—the people of all ages in a wide variety of settings. biggest class yet—and Dr. Emery expects the program In addition, the University was among the first institu- to continue to grow. tions to recognize that physical therapy professionals “Private institutions like Sacred Heart really have would benefit from being trained at a doctoral level, to provide added value to attract students,” he notes, so that they would be prepared to offer direct access “and we do that well. Ours is a truly unique program.” to clinical care and provide diagnosis, treatment and Dr. Emery describes Sacred Heart as a place where referrals. To meet this need, Sacred Heart recruited “there’s really an opportunity to move with the times in Dr. Emery to begin developing a master’s degree an agile way and keep up with changes.” One reason program in physical therapy here 15 years ago. By he was so excited to join the University is because 2004, he had spearheaded Sacred Heart’s doctoral Sacred Heart made the decision to develop profes- program in physical therapy and put it firmly in place. sional education programs, such as those in business That was just five years ago. Since then, Sacred and the health professions, along with innovative liberal Heart has rapidly become a leader in the field. arts programs for undergraduates.

32 sacred heart university “ PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS LIKE SACRED HEART REALLY HAVE TO PROVIDE ADDED VALUE TO ATTRACT STUDENTS…AND WE DO THAT WELL. OURS IS A TRULY UNIQUE PROGRAM.”

2. 3. 1) Rachael Savarese (top) helps Julie Messenger perform back exercises for core stabilization over a physioball. Both are former DPT students. 2) John Fitzgerald, right, administers ultrasound treatment for shoulder inflammatory pathology onto Phil Denema. Both are former DPT students. 3) Clinical Assistant Professor Donna Bowers, right, worked with client Chelsea in the Neuro- cardiopulmonary laboratory at SHU's Cambridge campus to challenge her dynamic standing balance with a trapeze exercise.

physical therapy services in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living centers, sports teams and programs for children with special needs. This past summer, 97 physical therapy doctoral students were fanned out into clinical place- ments among 420 sites in 30 different states across the country. “We require our students to work in at least three different settings,” explains Dr. Emery, “including acute care, rehabilitation and a community-based environment.” What does the future hold? The department’s Sacred Heart’s Department of Physical sors receive the coveted American Physical aim is to continue meeting the needs of physical Therapy owes its reputation partly to an excep- Therapy Association Baethke-Carlin Award for therapy professionals in an ever-evolving health tional faculty widely recognized not only for the Excellence in Academic Teaching. care system, promises Dr. Emery, who says that quality of their teaching, but for the depth of their Another aspect of SHU’s Department of SHU will continue to expand to meet area and scholarship and the breadth of their professional Physical Therapy that regularly earns notice is its national needs. One of these areas will be the clinical expertise. Last year, for instance, physical focus on Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Design, ongoing development of professional educa- therapy professor Dr. Pamela Levangie earned which allows students to learn about the theories tion programs so that Sacred Heart “can serve top national honors as a Catherine Worthingham and practice of physical therapy while solving as a resource to professionals throughout their Fellow from the American Physical Therapy clinical problems. Classes are organized around careers, not just at the entry point.” Recently, for Association (APTA), which recognized her with carefully designed patient or professional prac- instance, the University added an orthopedic that association’s highest accolade based on tice problems, which students study, discuss and physical therapy residency program to provide her 35 years as a physical therapy educator. research in small groups. This highly interactive, professionals with advanced training. Dr. Levangie has made “lasting and significant intensive, tutorial learning style “gives graduates “One of the best things about being at advances in the science, education and practice a clinical readiness that many graduates from Sacred Heart is that the University is always of the profession of physical therapy,” according other programs lack,” says Dr. Emery. open to new ideas and programs,” Dr. Emery to Dr. R. Scott Ward, president of the APTA. Sacred Heart’s top-notch facilities also attract says. “That’s a very good thing when you’re in Fewer than 100 of the APTA’s 65,000 students. There are two large physical therapy the business of preparing highly knowledgeable members serve as Worthingham fellows. Yet, clinics on the Main and Cambridge campuses, and skilled professionals.” just the year before, Dr. Emery was similarly as well as a Motion Analysis laboratory where honored. Sacred Heart also holds the distinction students can pursue topics in human movement of having two of their physical therapy profes- science. Sacred Heart also provides contractual

THE PROGRAM IN PHYSICAL THERAPY Dina Paschalides (left), PT, DPT and orthopedist in Sacred Heart University offers a graduate program of study leading to a Doctor of Physical Therapy residence, Veronica Brassell, (DPT) degree. The DPT is a clinical doctoral degree that prepares graduates to enter the physical a PT student, worked on balance exercises with therapy profession. Program applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree and have completed Abe Zimmer during a the necessary prerequisites, or they must be undergraduate degree candidates at Sacred Heart. session at SHU Sports Qualified students can opt to complete an undergraduate degree and a DPT degree in just six years Medicine & Rehabilitation Center on campus. at Sacred Heart if they elect undergraduate majors in exercise science, psychology or biology.

fall 09 33 PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM HONORED AT APTA CONFERENCE

Recently, nearly 20 students and professors from Sacred Heart University’s At the APTA Honors and Awards program Department of Physical Therapy gathered were, from left, William Boissonault, PT, DHSc, FAAOMPT, chairman of the in Baltimore with about 2,400 colleagues Foundation for Physical Therapy at for an American Physical Therapy the American Physical Therapy Association Honors and Awards Program. Association; Cathy Schnell, DPT III student and president The SHU group was honored at the of the SHU Physical Therapy event for national leadership in the field Student Association; based on the Marquette Challenge, which and Yanira Figueroa, PT graduate, Class of 2009, gathered funds for research and service. In and former president of its first year of participation, Sacred Heart the SHU Physical Therapy University raised over $10,000 for the Student Association. Challenge and was recognized with both an Honorable Mention Award and as the Most Successful Newcomer. featuring nationally known therapist and Sacred Heart doctoral candidates Yanira The University’s leadership contribution educator Dr. Josh Clellan. The event Figueroa, who was also named Minority to the Challenge resulted from last fall’s drew participants from throughout the Scholar of the Year, Ruth Crossley and special educational seminar on campus Northeast. Among the organizers were Jennifer Colonna.

Dr. Pamela Levangie Earns Top National Honors

ment in the field of physical therapy.” members serve as Worthingham fellows. “The In 2007, Dr. Michael Emery, professor fellowship category was established in 1980, and chairman of the department, was similarly so there’s a relatively small group of people in honored. The association’s highest accolade the profession who have been recognized,” Dr. was formally presented to Dr. Levangie at Emery said, adding that the fellows of the asso- the APTA national conference in Baltimore in ciation meet annually to provide comment to the June. It is named for a widely respected leader APTA’s board of directors on a variety of issues in the discipline for more than 50 years, Dr. within the field. He called Professor Levangie “the Catherine Worthingham. most deserving of this national recognition, and In announcing the recognition, Dr. R. Scott she continues to be a most valued colleague and Ward, president of the APTA, explained that member of our department.” Professor Levangie was selected for a body of U.S.News & World Report lists Sacred Heart work that has resulted in “lasting and significant University’s physical therapy program as the advances in the science, education and practice best in Connecticut and among the best in or the second time in three years, a of the profession of physical therapy.” He added the nation. In the magazine’s “Best Graduate member of Sacred Heart University’s that she has demonstrated “frequent and sus- Schools 2009,” SHU is ranked 52nd nationally, F Department of Human Movement tained efforts” on behalf of the profession. placing it as one of the top five programs in New Science has earned national honors as a Professor Levangie holds a Bachelor of England, along with Massachusetts General Catherine Worthingham Fellow. The American Science degree from Northeastern University and Hospital, Boston University, the University of Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has recog- her master’s and doctoral degrees from Boston Vermont and Simmons College. Sacred Heart nized Dr. Pamela K. Levangie, a professor and University. She was nominated for this prestigious has been a regional and national leader in the associate chair of the department, for her “sus- honor last fall by the faculty of her department. field, having introduced the first doctoral program tained national leadership, influence and achieve- Fewer than 100 of the association’s 65,000 in Connecticut in 2004.

34 sacred heart university 1) SHU Trustee Norbert Becker smiles as his hood is placed just prior to the Graduate Commencement. 2) From left, Denorah Pacheco-Irby was congratulated by Dr. Susan Burger and Dr. Anne Barker of the Department of Nursing during SHU’s Graduate Commencement. 3) President Anthony J. Cernera, left, presented Dave Price with an honorary doctorate during the Undergraduate ceremony. At right is University Trustee James Costello. 4) Graduates Arman Dixon, left, and Scott Giordano cheered together on stage. 5) From left, facing, Michael Dragonetti, Katelyn Fitzsimmons, and Sean Gaffey received congratulatory hugs from professors, from left, Dr. James McCabe, 1 2 Dr. Patrick Morris and Dr. Pearl Jacobs.

3 4

5

COMMENCEMENT 2009

acred Heart University presented a total of 1,427 Commencement Mass was celebrated by Bridgeport’s Bishop degrees this year, including 35 Doctor of Physical William E. Lori, who is also chairman of the University’s Board. Therapy (DPT) degrees, 433 master’s degrees, 884 Sunday’s Undergraduate ceremonies on Campus Field took bachelor’s degrees, 25 associate’s degrees and 50 place in frigid temperatures and blustery winds. The guest speaker professional certificates. Colorful commencement ceremonies drew was Dave Price, the weather anchor and feature reporter for thousands of well-wishers to campus on the weekend of May 16-17. CBS’s The Early Show, who entertained the graduates and their Saturday’s Graduate Commencement, in the William H. Pitt Health families with an often humorous analysis of the challenges they and Recreation Center, included an address by Norbert Becker, confront. The University presented him an honorary Doctor of an international business leader from Luxembourg and member Humane Letters degree in recognition of his professional and of the University’s Board of Trustees. He offered a sweeping personal accomplishments and especially his close relationship overview of the present global business climate and encouraged with Sacred Heart. A second doctorate was presented, in absentia, the graduates to put the lessons they learned at Sacred Heart to Connecticut jazzman Dave Brubeck, designated by the Library to good use in confronting the many challenges of the present of Congress as a “Living Legend” of the arts. The recent winner economy. Mr. Becker was presented an honorary Doctor of Humane of Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, he has been making music—and Letters degree by the University in the year 2000. An afternoon headlines—for more than 65 years.

fall 09 35 36 sacred heart university Dr. Thomas Vrabel arrived at Sacred Heart University in 2005 as head coach of the men’s and women’s fencing teams. His goal was to build the program into something that would be nationally recognized within about eight years. Instead, he did it in five.

“The biggest thing we have from—and we even have one people want to come.” come from the hard work of going for us now is that we’re who comes from Mexico.” One example is incoming the athletes. Sophomore epeeist getting over the hump as far as The team—which lost only freshman Igor Krivenko from Justin Dion of North Attleboro, getting recognized,” Vrabel says. one senior—now boasts a Westchester, NY. Krivenko has MA, was a D-rated fencer when “It takes a while. You have to roster of 25 men and 17 women. already had a notable national/ he joined the team last year. get vetted, you have to have a And still, much of the talent is international career. He is “But he worked hard,” Vrabel few kids come in and produce.” young: The men’s and women’s ranked in the top 15 junior says. “He blended in with the And that’s exactly what has teams could each have four or foilists in the U.S., won the team and did extremely well. happened. five freshman starters. Vrabel bronze medal at the Junior He’s a really good athlete who Last season the team says that’s not a reflection of World Cup in Madrid last just maybe didn’t have the had seven athletes in the the lack of talent returning season and recently placed 12th level of training that some Northeast Intercollegiate from last year, but is rather a at the USFA Division I NAC foil of the other kids did coming Fencing Conference’s all-league testament to the level of talent competition in Portland, OR. in. By Christmas he was a selections, the most of any coming in. “Athletes who would Jared Rebeor of Coeymans B-rated fencer, and he took program in the conference. The 17th at the Division I-A national men’s epee squad repeated as championship.” Dion was one conference champions. And “ We’re at a place where we can compete of SHU’s first-team all-leaguers, the season also marked the and have a chance at making the top 20 and was also selected as a first time SHU saw three of its Sacred Heart Rookie of the Year. fencers make the finals of the in the country and possibly the top 15 in Another example is senior regional round of the NCAA Krista Bacci, who also began her Fencing Championships. the next couple of years. It’s a place where collegiate fencing career with The improvement can also students can have a great collegiate a D-rating. In one season she be seen in individual skill levels. improved to B and was named In Vrabel’s first year as coach, experience, improve their fencing, first-team all-league player for the top talents of the program compete with the best college fencers and three consecutive years. As a were two C-rated fencers. sophomore she qualified for This year the men’s team will have a chance to be an All-American.” the NCAA Championships, and feature six A-rated fencers, eight Vrabel predicts that she has “a B-rated and four C-rated, while very good chance” of qualifying the women will be led by two have been at the top of our Hollow, NY, is another A-rated again next season. B-rated fencers. program a few years ago, if fencer joining the team this Such a successful young “We’ve really improved they were to enroll now they’d fall. The 6-foot-4 foilist is also an program does not come around in a short time,” Vrabel says. be in the middle of the pack,” accomplished basketball player by chance—it can be built only “Quality fencers from around he says. “The quality of those and was the captain of his with experience, which the SHU the country are coming to we have on the team, their basketball team at Loudonville staff has in abundance. Sacred Heart. We have fencers experience and credentials Christian Academy, where he Vrabel has been fencing from California, Texas, Maryland have rapidly gotten better and was an all-league forward. since 1974. He worked as and Pennsylvania—in addition better. Once you get the best As successful as the team’s assistant coach at Brown to the core states that most of people and they start winning, recruiting efforts have become, University and the U.S. Naval the Sacred Heart kids come it becomes infectious and more part of its success has also Academy, and coached the

continued page 38 >>

fall 09 37 the Eastern seaboard, the team strong program, and have an can get to meets easily. “We opportunity to compete in the can do this without having to NCAA Championships,” Vrabel take time out of school because says. “Some programs have a we can just hop on the bus. We star system, but we don’t have don’t have to be flying around the country and interfering with time in the classroom.” Another benefit of the fencing program is that it’s one of the few in New England that offers scholarships. “So among state championship team that nine of his fencers are in the other things students can at Bridgeport’s Central High the honors program. “We stress get here, a fairly sizable part School. He has also been a academics a lot. We’re really of their college costs could be coach at the Candlewood proud of our academic results taken care of, too,” Vrabel says. Fencing Center in Danbury, as well as our athletic results.” “We are relatively competitive CT, since 2002. As for recruiting for future in that area—not many His assistant coach, Paul seasons, Vrabel says that it's colleges have athletic grant Luciano, fenced in college for getting easier and becoming money in fencing.” Rutgers University, where he even more fruitful. Lastly, Sacred Heart is a was a first-team All-American “One of the good things place where incoming fencers in 1996. He coached the fencing about us is our location,” Vrabel can make an immediate teams at Fairfield High School says. “We’re less than an hour impact on a program. “You for seven years, where he won from New York City and not can sit on the bench or maybe both the boys’ and girls’ state far from Boston, so there are not even make the team in championships in 1993. a lot of top competitions some other programs; or you that. Everybody has to pull his Between Vrabel and outside of the college realm can actually play at Sacred or her weight just as hard, Luciano, the SHU team benefits that go on here. For people Heart, help continue to build a and that also means everyone from the guidance of over 50 coming from other parts of who comes in has a fair chance years of fencing experience. the country, this is a really to compete.” What attracted Vrabel to desirable place to be, right in As much as the fencing Sacred Heart? “The opportunity the heart of one of the major program has grown, Vrabel to build a program,” he says. meccas for American fencing.” looks forward to even more “The other thing is that it’s just Vrabel notes that SHU’s success soon. a very nice atmosphere to work location also makes playing “We’ve really come on strong in. It’s very positive, we get a tough schedule possible over the last couple of years, good support from the athletic without much ancillary and we have some really top- department and good support effort. The Pioneers fence 12 level fencers with us now,” he from the coaches and athletes to 14 of the top 20 teams says. “So we’re at a place where from other teams. We’re in the country each we can compete and have a recognized as a serious sport year. Because most of chance at making the top 20 at SHU. We have good respect those schools are in in the country and possibly from the other folks that we’re the northern half of the top 15 in the next couple serious athletes just like the of years. It’s a place where other major sports.” Clockwise from students can have a great The last reason, but certainly top: 1. Justin collegiate experience, improve not the least, is SHU's academic Dion (left) of the Epee their fencing, compete with the Squad. 2. Nate Quigley of the Epee Squad. program. “There are a lot of 3. Krista Bacci, who began her collegiate best college fencers and have a quality athletes who can really fencing career with a D-rating, in one chance to be an All-American. benefit from the educational season improved to a B-rating and was We haven’t had any yet, but named first-team all-league player for opportunities at Sacred Heart,” three consecutive years. hopefully that, too, will happen says Vrabel, as he points out in the next couple of years.”

38 sacred heart university Pioneer Programs Claim Five NEC Championships and Prestigious Commissioner’s Cup

or the second consecutive year, the Sacred Heart University women’s and men’s cross country, field hockey, football, women’s athletic program has been awarded the Northeast indoor track & field, men’s and women’s outdoor track & field, Conference Commissioner’s Cup, winning the 2008-09 men’s basketball, baseball, women’s tennis and women’s golf. title on the strength of five league championships this season. “Winning the overall Northeast Conference Commissioner’s Cup In addition, SHU won the NEC Women’s Cup Championship is a special capstone achievement for Sacred Heart University,” for the third straight year and, for the first time in program commented Athletic Director C. Donald Cook. “Winning in both history, won the NEC Men’s the men’s and women’s Cup Championship as well, categories just adds an extra sweeping all three awards. “ This year’s sweep of all three measure of satisfaction to what The Pioneers posted the categories, including setting a was an immensely satisfying highest point total in NEC new NEC record for overall and accomplishment a year ago Overall Commissioner’s Cup women’s points, is a wonderful when the University won its first history with 244.07 points overall Commissioner’s Cup. validation of hard work and Athletic Director Don Cook, left, and and in NEC Women’s Cup Associate Athletic Director Alicia Alford, This year’s sweep of all three dedication at every level.” right, with NEC Commissioner Brenda Weare. history with 140.85 points. categories (men’s, women’s, The 2008-09 season at overall), including setting a Sacred Heart included NEC Championships in women’s basketball, new NEC record for overall and women’s points, is a wonderful women’s lacrosse, men’s golf, men’s tennis, and softball. The validation of hard work and dedication at every level.” 2009 women’s lacrosse and men’s golf teams became the Sacred Heart has completed its 10th season of competition first programs at Sacred Heart to earn back-to-back NEC on the Division I level and in the Northeast Conference. The Championships, while the men’s tennis team and the softball team Pioneer athletic program has won 16 Northeast Conference took home their first-ever NEC titles this spring. The Pioneers Championships during that time span, with 10 coming in the last finished among the top three in the final NEC standings in two years of competition.

The Softball team finished a perfect  The Sacred Heart Pioneers shot a The Women’s Basketball team The Men’s Tennis team defeated The Women’s Lacrosse team  tournament in May with a 4-0 team score of 291 with three golfers claimed their second NEC league Monmouth in the final match of the won their second straight NEC shutout of LIU to capture the NEC finishing in the top 10 to bring championship and a trip to the 2009 NEC Tournament to win the women’s lacrosse title in April,  Championship for the first time in home their second straight NEC NCAA Tournament with a 74-66 NEC Championship at the Mercer beating the Quinnipiac Bobcats program history. Championship in the spring. win over Saint Francis (PA). County Tennis Center this spring. 11-6 on Campus Field.

Gary Reho “breaking”  Pitt Center Director “Breaks” Record the record. During Fundraiser for Moray Scholarship The Sacred Heart Mixed Martial Arts Club held an extreme breaking demonstration in April to benefit the Lisa Moray Scholarship Fund, raising over $1,000. Gary Reho, director of the William H. Pitt Health and Recreation Center, broke 126 boards in 8.2 seconds during the event, breaking a world record. Gary is a member of the United States Breaking Association (USBA) and World Breaking Association (WBA), and he advises the Mixed Martial Arts Club.

fall 09 39 138 Seniors Honored at Awards Banquet

The Sacred Heart University Department of Athletics held its 17th Annual All-Sports and Senior Awards Banquet on May 4, honoring 138 senior student-athletes and others at the Trumbull Marriott. Jeff Holtz, the voice of the Pioneer Radio Network, served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies as the Department of Athletics recognized the accomplishments of student-athletes from among 32 athletic programs. The awards portion of the program was highlighted by the presentation of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Medal of Merit, the highest award given by the Department of ABOVE: Dr. Gary Rose Athletics. Throughout the ECAC region, this medal is presented presented the Dr. Gary Rose ABOVE: Joey Henley, ECAC ECAC Scholar-Athlete Award Medal of Merit winner, to the senior male and female athletes who combine the best to Sarana Hyatt of Women’s addressed the crowd. in athletic and academic excellence. This year’s recipients were Track & Field. Carsten Snow (Amherst, NH) of the women’s track & field team ABOVE: Student-Athlete Advisory Council Award and Joey Henley (Kent, WA) of the men’s basketball team. winners included, from left, Laura Cook, Steve Tedesco, Kaitlin Sowinski and Callan Taylor.

Kathleen Henry Named NEC Two Students Earn Places on Academic All-American Teams Scholar-Athlete of the Year New graduate and business Junior Kalani Efstathiou (Beaverton, OR) of the men’s volleyball major Kathleen Henry (Basking team has been named to the 2009 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Ridge, NJ) was named the 2008-09 Northeast Conference Academic All-American District I At-Large team. A mathematics Female Scholar-Athlete of the major, he was recently named to the EIVA All-Academic team, Year. The award, sponsored by holding the highest GPA of any player in the league. the league’s Faculty Athletic Senior forward Joey Henley (Kent, WA) of the men’s Representatives, is bestowed basketball team was also named to the CoSIDA/ESPN The upon the NEC male and Magazine All-District I team. Henley, a graduate student, has female student-athletes who a 3.71 GPA in his graduate studies, after compiling a 3.40 GPA have the highest GPA in the as an undergraduate business major. He has been a three-sport Conference at the conclusion standout in football, basketball and track and is the only player in of the academic year. Henry conference history to be named All-NEC in two sports (basketball opened her career by capturing and outdoor track). the NEC Freshman of the Year award at the league’s Cross Kathleen Henry, 2008-09 Female Kalani Efstathiou (left) Country Championship meet in Scholar-Athlete of the Year. and Joey Henley (right) both made the 2005. The NEC Cross Country 2009 CoSIDA/ Championship’s fifth overall individual finisher in each of her first ESPN The two seasons of intercollegiate competition, she led Sacred Heart Magazine Academic All-American District I to its first-ever conference title as a freshman and a third-place At-Large team. finish in 2006. Most recently, Henry took fourth in the 10,000 meters at the 2009 NEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

40 sacred heart university Amanda Williams Alisa Apo Named Named NEC Women’s NEC Women’s Basketball Lax Player of the Year Player of the Year

Senior Amanda Williams Sophomore guard Alisa Apo (Monroe, CT) was named the (Freehold, NJ) was named the 2009 2009 Northeast Conference Northeast Conference Women’s Women’s Lacrosse Player of Basketball Player of the Year in a the Year in a vote conducted vote conducted by the league’s head by the league’s head coaches. coaches. Apo, last season’s Rookie Pioneer head coach Laura Cook of the Year, was also named to the was voted NEC Coach of the All-NEC first team along with senior Year by her peers after guiding teammate Kaitlin Sowinski (Hopkinton, the Pioneers to a share of their RI). Freshman Callan Taylor (Overland second straight NEC regular Park, KS) earned a spot on the NEC season title. All-Rookie team while head coach Ed Williams also earned a spot Swanson was named the Brenda Reilly on the All-NEC first team and Coach of the Year after leading the Alisa Apo, 2009 NEC Women’s was joined by senior midfielder Pioneers to an 18-0 conference record Basketball Player of the Year. Mary Montesarchio (Cortlandt Amanda Williams, 2009 NEC Women’s and the #1 seed in the tournament. Lacrosse Player of the Year. Manor, NY) and junior goal- Apo becomes the second player in Sacred Heart history keeper Chelsea Wagner (Aurora, to earn the NEC Player of the Year award after leading the CO). Three Pioneers earned All-NEC second team honors: junior Pioneers to the 2009 NEC Regular Season Championship. Apo attacker Carissa Hauser (East Northport, NY), junior defender took home three Choice Hotels NEC Player of the Week awards Jackie Pierce (Cortlandt Manor, NY) and freshman midfielder Kate this season and ranked in the top five among league leaders in Kmiotek (Farmingville, NY). five different categories.

Joe McGuigan Inducted Into Soccer Hall of Fame

ormer Sacred Heart men’s soccer head coach Joe McGuigan has been selected for induction Finto the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. McGuigan led the men’s soccer program for 20 years before retiring at the end of the 2004 season. He joins current head coach Joe Barroso in being inducted this year. McGuigan helped guide the program from Division II to Division I, racking up 124 victories on the bench during his tenure. Originally from Scotland, he was a standout player for the Pioneers from 1968-72. In 1970, he became the first All-American athlete in Sacred Heart University history. McGuigan virtually rewrote the Pioneer record book during his playing days.

fall 09 41 AdvancingSHU moving shu forward: gifts, giving and advancement

20th ANNUAL DISCOVERY DINNER A SUCCESS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

Sacred Heart University hosted its 20th Annual Discovery Awards 1 2 and Scholarship Dinner on April 22 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Old Greenwich, CT. Over the past 20 years, the Discovery Dinner has raised millions of dollars for financial assistance to deserving scholars, and this year the event raised more than $550,000 for Discovery Scholar Grants. The annual gala honors notable individuals while raising funds for SHU’s Discovery Scholar Grants, which provide a tuition-free education to low-income students 4 5 in Fairfield County. The Discovery Scholar Grants, established in 2008, allow Sacred Heart to offer financial assistance to Fairfield County students whose family incomes are at or below $50,000. The plan provides each qualified student with 100% tuition coverage. SHU’s Discovery Dinner invites the community to recognize and celebrate the gifts of caring and accomplished people—those who embody the tradition of the University in their lives. They 3 represent a wide diversity of professions but hold in common a 1) Taariq Kane ’10 speaks of his experience receiving financial assistance. 2) From left, Lidia passion for excellence and a devotion to their fellow citizens. This Matticchio Bastianich, Dave Price, Bill Mitchell, Linda McMahon, Dr. Anthony J. Cernera, Kerry Kennedy, and Mark Freitas. 3) From left Ralph Lembo, Vice President for Institutional Advancement year’s honorees included acclaimed chef, author and restaurateur Mary Young and Honoree Lidia Mattichio Bastianich. 4) From left, Dana (Scinto) Colangelo ’98, Bob Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and human rights activist and best- Scinto ’71 and University Trustee Jim Morley. 5) Mary Coakley ’09 gratefully speaks on her experience selling author Kerry Kennedy. receiving financial assistance. 6) Dr. Anthony J. Cernera surrounded by student scholars. Lidia Matticchio Bastianich is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and Public Television cooking activist for human rights since 1981. Her writings include Speak show host. Her latest series, Lidia’s Italy, was nominated for Truth to Power, which explores the lives of important human an Emmy in 2008. In addition to over ten years with Public rights advocates, and Being Catholic Now, the New York Times Television, Bastianich is well known for her acclaimed restaurants bestseller that shares the views of 37 prominent Americans on including the three-star Felidia and Del Posto restaurants in New change in the Church and the quest for meaning. She brought York. Active in a number of charitable causes, she added another “Speak Truth to Power” to Sacred Heart last year and returned to accomplishment to her resume when she cooked for Pope campus in March to discuss her latest book. Benedict XVI during his visit to the United States. Dave Price, weatherman and feature reporter for CBS News’s Kerry Kennedy founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for The Early Show, was the evening’s master of ceremonies. The Justice and Human Rights and has led delegations to more event was chaired by SHU Trustees Mark E. Freitas, president than 40 countries. She also chairs Amnesty International’s and COO of Frank Crystal & Company; Linda McMahon, CEO of Leadership Council. A graduate of Brown University, she earned World Wrestling Entertainment; and Bill Mitchell, vice chairman of her law degree from Boston College. Kennedy has been a vocal Mitchells of Westport and Richards of Greenwich.

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42 sacred heart university Alumni Set Record in Annual Fund Contributions This past year, Sacred Heart University alumni saw no reason why national financial woes should slow their dedication to their alma mater. Not only did alumni keep on giving, but they did so in record numbers. According to Anthony A. Cernera, SHU’s director of Annual Giving, 11.58 percent of undergraduate alumni gave to the Annual Fund this year, up from 8.24 percent in 2008; 2,202 alumni donated this year, the highest total in the 46-year history of the University. Moreover, total Annual Giving increased by 3.6 percent based on gross figures while many universities saw their totals drop. their alma mater. More people attended SHU alumni happenings in “We have a lot of people who might have lost a job this year, or the past year than ever before, including homecoming weekend, maybe things were tighter and they weren’t able to give as much as sports-team reunions, lecture-series receptions, donor events and in previous years,” Cernera says. “But they still felt it was important “Pioneers in Business” networking functions. to give even a little something, and a lot of people giving a little “Part of what’s remarkable about our participation rate is just how adds up to a lot.” active the young alumni have been in supporting their alma mater,” In addition to loyalty to their University, Cernera attributes the Cernera says. “It speaks volumes about their character and the types alumni’s generosity to the fact that alumni have stayed close to of alumni we have here at SHU that they are this generous.”

Sacred Heart University Curtis Society Member wenty-five years after graduating from Sacred challenge into something that would benefit others. Heart University, Karin Douglas is still in a class In 1992, she received the traumatic diagnosis of breast T by herself. A long-time Stratford resident, she cancer. While the treatment was successful, it left her attended the University’s Paralegal Studies program, with what was then a little understood medical condition: earning her associate’s degree in 1984. It was, she recalls, lymphedema—a swelling (edema) of her arm after lymph a highly respected program that gave her a leg up in node dissection. Her doctors could tell her little about the the business world since it allowed her to combine her condition, so she took it upon herself to learn as much as engineering skills with a thorough knowledge of related she could and quickly became an activist in the field. legal issues. Mrs. Douglas created the Dr. Margaret Palliser A magna cum laude graduate, she continues to earn Endowment for Physical Therapy at Sacred Heart’s “highest honors” as a member of Sacred Heart’s exclusive College of Education and Health Professions. The fund Curtis Society. This special cadre of supporters has chosen honors Sister Margaret Palliser, a long-time administrator to remember the University through a planned gift— at the University who was also successfully treated for whether a will, a life insurance policy, the eventual gift of cancer and, similarly, left with lymphedema. Karin Douglas ’84 real property, or the creation of a trust. A non-traditional Sister Margaret recalls meeting Karin Douglas student in every way—she matriculated when she was in upon arriving at Sacred Heart in 1993. “At that time, her early 50s—Karin Douglas makes it sound simple: “I she was already on fire with her mission to educate For further information on the have made it a priority in my life to do what I can to help health professionals about ways to treat lymphedema Curtis Society and the opportunities others reach their goals and dreams.” and to make it possible for women in the United States for supporting Sacred Heart To that end, she established the Evelyn M. Conley to receive that treatment. I am deeply humbled that University’s students and programs, Scholarship Fund to assist students in her original Karin chose to create an endowment in my name for the visit www.sacredheart.edu/ academic field: Paralegal Studies. The trust is named for education of physical therapists in the treatment therapies shuplannedgiving.cfm or call her good friend and long-time neighbor, the late Mrs. for lymphedema.” The Palliser Endowment awards (203) 371-7958. You will find Evelyn Conley, the University’s first “first lady” and the scholarships to PT students in SHU’s award-winning plenty of information on numerous wife of its founding president, Dr. William H. Conley. program who show an interest in women’s health. options for giving that may provide When the program was phased out, she generously agreed Curtis Society bequests of this kind will keep on personal benefits as well as the to apply the gift to graduating seniors who had been providing financial assistance in perpetuity. The principal satisfaction of advancing the next admitted to law school. cannot be touched, and only the interest income is tapped generation of leaders. In a like fashion, Mrs. Douglas turned a personal each year to assist the recipients.

fall 09 43 AdvancingSHU

SHU Welcomes Sacred Heart University welcomed four new members to its Board of Trustees: Norbert Becker, Patrick J. Carolan, M.D., Lawrence Foley, Four New Trustees and Vincent A. Roberti.

N oRBERT Becker VINCENT A. ROBERTI

Norbert Becker has been involved Vincent A. Roberti chairs the board of SHU’s in global professional services for Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding, and three decades and is a founding he is a former member of the University’s Board partner and chairman of Atoz, a of Regents. He is chairman and chief executive high-end independent advisory officer of Palisades Media Corporation and its firm offering comprehensive tax subsidiary, Palisades Pictures, as well as managing director of and financial advisory services. In Palisades Media Asset Fund and chairman of Navigators Global, 2007, he co-founded Compagnie a Washington-based government affairs communications firm. de Banque Privée “CBP,” a private bank incorporated in Variety named him one of the “top ten” emerging leaders in Luxembourg, which he serves as chairman. Mr. Becker is also the independent film industry in 2004. Mr. Roberti attended involved as an independent director with other companies in Fairfield University and divides his time between Connecticut, Luxembourg and abroad, including Skype and Paypal, both New York City and London. Among numerous accomplishments wholly owned subsidiaries of eBay. In addition, he serves as an in business, he was credited as being instrumental in shepherding independent director of a number of investment companies. through the $67 billion merger of AT&T and BellSouth. A four- Sacred Heart sponsors the only American-accredited MBA term Connecticut state representative, Mr. Roberti is a trustee of program in Luxembourg, and he has been a member of the Board the American Foundation for AIDS Research, the Empire State of Regents, SHU’s advisory body there, since 2005. Mr. Becker College Foundation, and the Catholic Alliance for the Common was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Good. He has long been active in state and national politics and the University in 2000. was an advisor for more than 75 House and Senate races.

Dr. Patrick J. Carolan L aWRENCE G. FOLEY

Dr. Patrick J. Carolan, an orthopedic Lawrence G. Foley recently retired surgeon, is returning to the SHU from SAC Capital Advisors, where Board, where he served from 1995- he was a Portfolio Manager since 1997. He is the chief of orthopedics 1994. A graduate of The College at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in of the Holy Cross, he and his Bridgeport. An alumnus of Fairfield wife Megan have been active in University, Dr. Carolan served community and philanthropic for many years as physician to the affairs. Their Family Foundation university’s athletic teams and received assists a wide variety of that institution’s Outstanding Alumni causes, including churches and Christian agencies, community Service Award in 1980. A 1963 graduate of UMDNJ-New Jersey development, health care and the arts. Mr. Foley serves as a Trustee Medical School, he has been active in local community and of The Fairfield Country Day School, sits on the St. Vincent’s cultural affairs. He has been a member of the advisory committee Medical Center Foundation Board and is on the Board of Directors for SHU’s College of Education and Health Professions. for Constellation Wealth Management.

44 sacred heart university Left: Mark Freitas, right, receives an honorary doctorate from President Anthony J. Cernera during undergraduate Commencement in 2008.

Right: from left, Mark Freitas looks on as Kerry Kennedy is introduced by President Cernera during the 2009 Discovery Dinner.

Mark E. Freitas: Corporate Leader, SHU Trustee and Philanthropist

member of Sacred Heart University’s Board of Trustees of his humble and Catholic beginnings, is very conscious of the since 2003, Mark E. Freitas received an honorary Doctor many blessings he has received in his life and has made it his A of Humane Letters degree from the University in 2008 priority to ‘give back’ to the community. His charitable endeavors for his exceptional record of success in business and in the larger are carefully chosen to achieve the maximum good for those community. Among his many Sacred Heart commitments, he most in need, and he especially looks for ways to give young is a leadership donor and serves each year as co-chair of the people a hand up.” Discovery Awards and Scholarship Dinner that raises funds for In addition to its religious beneficiaries, the Freitas Foundation student financial assistance. A recent, first-time father, he lives in has been a major benefactor to Best Buddies International, an Greenwich, Connecticut, and Palm Beach, Florida. agency that assists those who are intellectually challenged, as well Mr. Freitas spent a remarkable 25 years with Frank Crystal & as the Shake-A-Leg Foundation, an organization that provides Co, headquartered in New York City, serving as its president and therapeutic services to children and adults who have been chief operating officer. His intelligence and integrity have made disabled by a spinal cord injury. him a national leader in his industry and a sought-after authority A 1981 alumnus of the University of Connecticut, where he on complex financial issues. lettered in hockey, Mr. Freitas was honored in 2005 when his Mark Freitas thrives on building long-term relationships and alma mater dedicated the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum in his looking out for the concerns of others. He has been active in a name. He has been inducted into UConn’s School of Business number of important community causes himself and continues Hall of Fame, serves on the school’s leadership cabinet, is on the to play many key roles at Sacred Heart University. As University board of the UConn Foundation, and has established a business President Anthony J. Cernera notes, “Mark is an outstanding scholarship and an athletic endowment. Mark Freitas looks for member of our Board: a gifted and very giving volunteer. Even opportunities to encourage educational initiatives, particularly with a host of business and philanthropic commitments, he those that help young people in special circumstances of need. recently stepped forward to head the University’s Institutional Mr. Freitas also serves on the board of the Robert F. Kennedy Advancement Committee. Sacred Heart University and our Center for Justice and Human Rights and has supported its students owe him a great debt for his caring and his service.” work on behalf of international civil and human rights. Founded In 2005, Mr. Freitas established the Mark Edward Freitas by Ethel Kennedy in honor of her late husband, the Center has Foundation to advance a number of significant causes, especially presented its “Speak Truth to Power” program to wide acclaim those that support children and adolescents who are physically, on the University’s campus. Their daughter Kerry, who is the intellectually and financially challenged. In the past several recipient of a Sacred Heart University Discovery Award, praises years, the foundation has provided generous assistance to Mr. Freitas as a man who generously supports worldwide human numerous religious, educational and cultural institutions. Principal rights—“while never forgetting needs that are closer to hand. beneficiaries have included Catholic charitable agencies and His love of those with developmental challenges is evident in his several health care organizations. commitment to such organizations as Best Buddies. He is a great His former pastor at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Riverside, friend to my family and me—and to so many others.” Connecticut, Monsignor William A. Genuario, is a fellow SHU For Mark Freitas, it is one more way to make a significant trustee. He describes his long-time friend this way: “Mark, mindful difference and to help ensure that the world will be a better place.

fall 09 45 AdvancingSHU

20th Annual Pioneer Open Raises Record-Breaking Green for Scholarship Fund

The 20th Annual Pioneer Open Golf Tournament took place on June 8 at Rockrimmon Country Club in Stamford, CT. This year’s honorary chair was actor and alumnus John Ratzenberger of Cheers and Pixar SHU Trustee Bill Mitchell took to the fame, with Trustees Jim Morley and green during the 20th Larry Foley as co-chairs. This year, From left, President Anthony J. Cernera Annual Pioneer Open. the event raised over $220,000, presented Co-Chairmen Larry Foley and all of which directly supports the Jim Morley, both University trustees, with appreciation awards. University’s Scholarship Fund.

SAVE THE DATE! Get your swing down and clubs ready for the 21st Annual Pioneer Open Golf Tournament take place on June 7th, 2010. Actor John Ratzenberger (center) spent some time with professional golfer Nicole Hage, left, and VP for Institutional Advancement Mary Young.

Get in the Program The Parent Affinity program is designed to families by assisting in our recruitment and connected with the University and get involved offer parents the opportunity to participate in development efforts. with the many regional and on-campus events building upon the loyalty, tradition and Pioneer The Alumni Legacy program is designed planned throughout the year. spirit that each student and family experiences to offer you the chance of recommending a We look forward to your participation, at Sacred Heart University. Also, by sharing prospective candidate to be considered for which will allow us to continue to strengthen your family’s thoughts and experiences, you can undergraduate or graduate admission to your and grow the Sacred Heart University make an impact on future students and their alma mater. It is also an opportunity to stay community.

For more information on these programs, please contact the office of Alumni Relations at 203.365.4827 or via email at [email protected].

46 sacred heart university on June 9th with a party for ing a place to learn, have fun keep in touch! family and friends at Anthony’s together and share “real mom” 1992 Ocean View in New Haven, wisdom. She co-hosts the Share your news and events by CT. Future plans include a trip show and does a segment Alberto Martins was named as a submitting a class note. Visit: to London with her husband called “The Momager (mom principal at the accounting firm http://alumni.sacredheart.edu Joseph (’73) and spending and manager) Moment.” of Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte & and click on class notes, or more time at their home on Streczala in Shelton, CT. Alberto email your notes to: Cape Cod, MA. has been with the firm since [email protected]. 1986 1992.

1976 Beverly Salzman recently became a part-time local 1996 1969 Marie (Masso) Hepp is an childcare coordinator for Oncology Outreach Education Cultural Care Au Pair, which Michael Devine (MAT) was Nicholas Scalisi was named vice Coordinator for the Regional offers cultural exchange stu- recently named as the principal president of finance and treasur- Cancer Center of Lee Memorial dents from 47 countries for of Hull High School in Hull, MA. er of Harrel Inc. in Norwalk, CT, at Health Systems in Ft. Myers, affordable live-in childcare. a recent meeting of the compa- FL. Marie and her husband ny’s Board of Directors. Nick is a celebrated their 25th wedding 1997 21-year veteran of the company, anniversary on April 7, 2009. 1987 which designs, manufactures and Greg Coyle recently graduated markets precision extrusion sys- Mirella (Scafidi) Johnson is from Albertus Magnus College tems for the medical, automotive 1978 a corporate paralegal and with a dual master’s degree and appliance industries. global corporate manager at in Business Administration Michele (Kovach) Johnson has Carrier Corporation, a divi- (valedictorian) and the Science joined the Bank of Fairfield sion of United Technologies of Management, summa cum 1974 as the Vice President of Corporation. She resides in laude. Gregory also received Compliance. Farmington, CT, with her his Doctorate from Capella John Emery Istvan husband and 14-year-old son. University in Public Health, completed a nine-month summa cum laude. He is the intensive Multiculturalism 1979 executive director of clinical Training Program with the 1988 services and public relations Connecticut Department of The Connecticut for the Connecticut VNA’s All Mental Health and Addiction Society of Kathleen McGannon retired About You Homecare. Services (DMHAS) and initi- Certified Public at the end of June 2008. She ated a Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/ Accountants continues to volunteer at Transgendered/Intersex (CSCPA) has Longmont United Hospital (LUH) 1998 (GLBTI) Committee with the installed Ann D. in Longmont, CO, as a Caring intention of reducing the invis- Jevne, CPA, PFS, CFP, CDS, Clown named Rosebud. She also Robert Antonellis was ibility of sexual minority staff AEP of Ridgefield, CT, to serve serves as the clown coordinator recently promoted to chief and clients. His efforts resulted as president for the organiza- and was recently elected to the of the Asia Terrorism Analysis in the partial resurrection of a tion’s 2009-2010 activity year. Board of Directors of Volunteers Unit at the FBI. In November dormant DMHAS GLBTI Work at LUH. As a board member, she 2008, the FBI legal attaché in Group under the auspices of the will be responsible for setting India and the FBI assistant direc- DMHAS Office of Multicultural 1984 volunteer policies, fundraising tor placed Robert on the FBI Affairs. John is a Clinical Social and recruiting volunteers. Rapid Response Team, which Worker Associate for DMHAS Steve Gniadek (MBA) was was sent to Mumbai, India, fol- in the Waterbury Area office of named as controller for the lowing the terrorist attack. the Western Connecticut Mental Town of Redding, CT. 1991 Health Network. Christian Ayala has been Tracy Johnson was unanimously accepted into the Ph.D. Joan DeFilippi Marrone has 1985 voted to the position of director program in Material Science retired after 35 years of of pupil services by the Boards and Engineering at the teaching for the Orange Board Christine (DeMarchis) of Education in Chester, Deep University of Connecticut for of Education. The Orange Martinello recently launched River, Essex and Region 4, all in the fall of 2009. Teachers’ League honored Joan “Real Mom Radio”—a program Connecticut. by moms and for moms, offer-

fall 09 47 1999 2005 Jonathan Parsons ’08 has recently joined the Women’s Basketball Coach- Don Harrison was honored for Lauri Fernandez is a second- ing Staff at Brown University in Provi- his seven years of service as grade teacher in Wallingford, CT. dence, RI. Parsons joins the Bears from the editor of the Greenwich the University of New Haven, where Citizen newspaper by the Boys Meghan Kelley received the he spent a year as a volunteer assistant & Girls Club in Greenwich, CT, “Rising Star Teacher Award” coach while also serving as the gradu- in July. Serving as emcee was from the Blackboard Awards ate assistant for NCAA Compliance SHU’s Director of Athletics Don presented by Manhattan Media. and Student Development. During his Cook, also Don’s brother-in-law. Meghan was recognized for her undergraduate time at SHU, Jonathan Proceeds from the event ben- outstanding work teaching sci- Parsons spent four years with the Men’s efited the Boys & Girls Club’s ence to sixth and seventh grad- Basketball Program as the head student athletic program. ers in Manhattan’s public schools. manager under Head Coach Dave Bike.

Christopher Winters was named interim headmaster for 2007 Greenwich High School on July Maid of Honor Christina Rivera Caitlin McNamee (’08 MBA) 1, 2009. Jennifer Nadeau (MAT) was announces the engagement of and Robert Andrews (‘04) named Killingly Public Schools Kathryn Gross (’04) to Gary were wed on June 20, 2009. “Teacher of the Year” for 2009. Flynn-Santoro (’04). A May 2002 2010 wedding is planned. Kristi Migne (’05, ’06 MAT) to Sean McCann (’05). They Justin Liberman is attending 2008 Suzanne Haar (’05) is engaged celebrated their wedding on Columbia University to pursue to Erik Johnson (’04, ‘05 MAT). August 29, 2009. an MFA in film directing. Kevin O’Brien was hired by the Hartford Police Department in Meghan Hickey (’07) to Gregory Whitney Olds (’07) married June 2008 and completed the Woods. The couple plans to be Thomas Kennedy on June 2003 police academy in December married in the fall of 2010. 27, 2009. 2008. He recently completed the Melissa (Losi) Armstrong Field Training Officer Program Melissa Mezzina (’03) to Kevin Victoria Pezzulo (’05) and graduated with her Master of and is now in his own cruiser. O’Sullivan (’05). The couple will Robert Lee were married on Arts in Teaching Degree from be wed on October 10, 2010. September 27, 2008. SHU in August 2008. Engagements Liz Minutoli (’05) to Andrew Jennifer Postiglione (’06) and Cutrone (’05). A wedding is Ray Mencio (’05) were wed on 2004 Danielle De Name (’00) is planned for July 30, 2010. July 18, 2008. engaged to Louis Simone. A fall Katie Milmore has been 2010 wedding is being planned Lindsay Rapp to Aaron Kaska with Home Box Office, on Long Island. Marriages (’05). The couple celebrated Inc. since 2005 and was their nuptials on April 18, 2009. recently promoted to Liz Egan to Joe Vicidomino Christian Ayala (’98) to Michelle marketing coordinator–DVD (’05). Their wedding is planned Roy. The two were wed on Jennifer G. Zalewski was in the Consumer Marketing for July 9, 2010. June 19, 2009. wed to Mario Donini (’97) on Department. Her former role November 28, 2008. Mario is was in the Affiliate Sales Lauren Feeney (’08) is engaged Janine Favuzza (’01) wed David currently employed by Yale Department working on the to Joseph Gangemi (’07). A Gelfond on January 17, 2009, in New Haven Health Systems as a Time Warner Cable Account May 2010 wedding is planned. Tulum, Mexico. senior financial analyst. His wife Team as team administrator/ is a middle school math teacher executive assistant to the vice Shayla Fortin (’05) to Michael Melissa Losi (’03) married Patrick in Milford. president of Affiliate Sales. Tuorto (’05). The couple will be M. Armstrong on July 29, 2006. wed on June 26, 2010. Heather McKillop (’07, ’08 Kathleen Gelchion is engaged MAT) to Curtis Lewsey (’05). to Jim Daly (’07). A wedding is The couple had their wedding planned for June 25, 2010. in July 2009.

48 sacred heart university Gimenez, on September 13, Michael Nagy (’95) and his Births 2008. Daniel was born weigh- wife Alison Nagy had a daugh- In Memoriam ing 8 pounds and he was 21-1/2 ter, Emma Elizabeth Nagy, on Emily (Houlihan) Blakeslee (’00) inches long. August 21, 2008. Christine Busher (’05) passed and husband away on June 29, 2009 follow- Dan Blakeslee Laura (Mackey) Hulsaver (’03) Nicole (Rizzo) Rivera (’02, ’03 ing a short illness, surrounded welcomed their and her husband Mark MAT) and Carlos Rivera (’01, ’04 by her family. She was a gen- first child, Ryan welcomed their first child, MBA) welcomed their beautiful, erous spirit and well loved. Patrick, on April Brooke Shea, on April 23, 2009. daughter, Abigail Rose, into the Christine graduated from the 6, 2009. world on February 23, 2009. Occupational Therapy Program John Johnson (’00, ’01 MAT) Abigail weighed 7 lbs., 6 oz. and and served as an adjunct faculty Cathy (Swenson) Blomeke and his wife Allison announce was 20 inches long. member facilitating problem- (’92) and her husband Mark the birth of their first child, based learning tutorial groups. welcomed their second child, John C. Johnson IV (“JJ”), on Leah Marie Rondon, daughter of Christine also served as an Madison Catherine, on January May 3, 2009. Henry Rondon (’96, ’98 MAT) Executive Board Member for 29, weighing 7 lbs., 14 oz. and Colleen (McGrath) Rondon the Connecticut Occupational Madison joins big brother Tyler. Jim (’94) and Jackie Kraemer (’98, ’04 MAT), was born on Therapy Association. Christine of Merrick, NY, welcomed January 30, 2009. She joins big was a dedicated professional Scott Fitzgerald (’04 MAT) Samantha Rose on August 18th, brothers Henry II and Samuel. and a warm and generous per- and his wife Andrea welcomed weighing in at 7lbs., 10 oz. and son; she will be missed by her their first child, Rylan Matthew measuring 19.5 inches. Samantha Colleen (McDermott) Rooney clients, students and colleagues. Fitzgerald, into this world on joins brothers Chris and (’99) and Michael Rooney Monday, July 6. He weighed 8 Patrick. Jim is Vice President (’99) welcomed baby Brendan Cynthia Carano (’07) passed lbs., 15 oz. of Customer Experience at Michael Rooney into the world away on February 13, 2009. She Alpharetta, GA based Aon on December 9, 2008. Brendan was a beloved teacher at Preston Matt Boeckeler (’97) and his Integramark. weighed 9 lbs. 12 oz. and was 22 Veterans’ Memorial School. wife, Maria Gaudioso (’98), inches long. welcomed new daughter, Samantha Erin (DeVita) Kollar Thomas E. Howard (’83) Nina Theresa, into their family (’03), and husband, YN1 Joseph Amy (Foster) Wernicki (’01) passed away on May 19, 2009. January 21, 2008. Her 5-year- John Kollar, welcome the birth and Jim Wernicki welcomed Thomas worked in sales at old sister Brianna Maria could of their second child, Zachary their second child, Cohen James, Olin Corporation for 32 years not be happier! Joseph, born on May 11, 2009. on March 26, 2008. Big sister before starting his own com- He joins big sister Olivia Marie Maggie was excited that her pany, Resource Consulting LLC. Krista (Metrinko) Gimenez (’02) Kollar, born December 24, 2006. baby brother arrived the day Thomas is survived by his and Stefan Gimenez welcomed The family is currently stationed before her second birthday. wife, Heather Lennon Howard, their first child, Daniel John in Annapolis, MD. two brothers, two nieces and two nephews.

Center for Irish Cultural Studies Travel Program

Sacred Heart University’s Center for Irish Cultural join us in Dingle, Ireland, from April 30-May 9, 2010 for Studies is hosting a new, non-credit educational and a living experience of Celtic culture through lectures, cultural travel program for adults next spring. Come and guided walks, workshops and cultural activities.

WHEN . April 30–May 9, 2010 (program sign-up deadline is February 1, 2010) INFO . For more information, log onto shuireland.sacredheart.edu/ or call the Irish Studies office at 203.365.7626.

CELTIC SPIRITUALITY . ARCHAEOLOGY . FOLKLORE . IRISH LANGUAGE . TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND SONG . STORYTELLING . LITERATURE Nonprofit Organization 5151 Park Avenue US Postage Fairfield, CT 06825-1000 PAID Sacred Heart University Change Service Requested

“Best in the North” —U.S. News & World Report

“Best in the U.S.” —The Princeton Review

SHU’s core curriculum has been recognized nationally by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) e! t a v Discovery Awards and Scholarship Dinner will take place on April 21, 2010.

a For more information, please visit www.sacredheart.edu/discoverydinner.cfm. S e the D