REPORT FROM NEWPORT
Salve ReginaUniversity Magazine
Spring 2021 x
“Art in the Age of Pandemic: A Salve Student Photo Project,” at the Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery, Feb. 2021.
Campus Spotlights Advocates for Justice ...... 22 Campus Spotlights ...... 2 Dr. Paul Joyce takes the helm of the Department of e Investment Planning class shares its earnings with the Administration of Justice. By Tara Watkins ’04 community; a new Chief Advancement O cer joins the campus community; Sasha’s Pet erapy Fund is launched; the Getting rough It Together ...... 26 University ranks high in crises response; and student a airs sta Education alumni discuss the challenges of teaching through a are recognized by the National Association of Student Personnel pandemic. By Tara Watkins ’04 Administrators for their work. Community Connections ...... 28 Amidst the pandemic, service opportunities keep students busy. Campus Conversations ...... 12 By Samantha Tarbox ’21 Home Is Where the Heart Is Meet Father Scott Pontes, University Chaplain. Making Magic ...... 30 with Samantha Tarbox ’21 Tess Santore Bland ’11 brings her imagination to Disney World’s reworks displays. By Emily Whelan ’20 Captains’ Corner ...... 14 Paul Boutoussov ’21 and Devyn DeFalco ’21 inspire Seahawk spirit Alumni News and Notes in their teammates. ’ By Anna Downes 22 e Way We Were ...... 32
Alumni Pro les Features Maria Guadagno ’84 runs an international olive oil company; Rob Oswald ’90 is honored to serve as a UPS pilot; and Alison Gold ’16 e uest for a Vaccine ...... 16 helps families remember their loved ones. Noe Mercado ’14 is on the cutting edge of vaccine research. In Memoriam ...... 46 By Teryn O’Brien e Salve Regina community mourns the loss of alumni, sta , faculty and friends. Shi ing the Campus Culture ...... 18 A Presidential Commission for Equity and Inclusion is launched. Viewpoint ...... 48 By Matthias Boxler ’04 (M) e Power of Story By Ashley Bendiksen ’13 x
Report from Newport Message from the President The Magazine of Salve Regina University Spring 2021 Kelli J. Armstrong, Ph.D.
PRESIDENT As this issue of Report from Newport arrives in mailboxes, Kelli J. Armstrong, Ph.D. it will be over a year since the pandemic’s impact changed the PUBLISHER way we live and learn at Salve Regina. As I look back, I am Kristine Hendrickson amazed by all that our community has accomplished since Associate Vice President, University Relations that moment. anks to the engineering feats of faculty and & Chief Communications O cer sta last summer to transform our campus to a safe learning environment, we have remained open and in-person for much MANAGING EDITOR Mary Edwards ’86, ’12 (M) of this academic year. In spite of the di cult start to the spring Director of Constituent Communications & Design semester with increased cases of COVID-19, our numbers are now shrinking, thank God. e vaccine rollout is starting to DESIGN AND PRODUCTION gain momentum, and it looks like there will be spring sports in Paula Telford, Senior Visual Designer play soon. We are battle-worn, and carry some scars, but we are intact. is long ordeal feels as if the end is nally in sight. EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES Jessica Reitz ’23 Hints of spring provide hope for renewal and brighter Josie Rock days ahead—the sun lingers a bit longer each aernoon and the campus is brightened by spectacular blue skies and the CONTRIBUTORS sparkling ocean. e famous Newport da odils soon will be in Ashley Bendiksen ’13 bloom and it is heartwarming to see groups of students heading Matthias Boxler ’04 (M) down to the Cli Walk just to witness the sheer beauty of our Meghan E. Butler Anna Downes ’22 stunning views. Most health experts predict a better summer Emily Sirois Dussault ’04 ahead for all of us, and we pray for a fall semester on campus Ryan Miech ’21 that has mostly “normal” elements. Corilyn Henault Richard ’15 Although we are all so tired, there’s still an underlying Michael Semenza sense of gratitude for what we have as a community compared Samantha Tarbox ’21 Tara Watkins ’00 to so many. As I read the accomplishments of our students, faculty, sta and alumni in this issue, it is heartening to see the PHOTOGRAPHERS essential Salve elements shining through – service to others, George Corrigan ’22 social justice and kindness. Our indomitable spirit endures. Kim Fuller I came across this quote from Catherine McAuley, and it Joseph Gugliuzza reminded me of our Salve family: Ed Habershaw Andrea Hansen “ e blessing of unity still dwells amongst us and oh what Teryn O’Brien a blessing; it should make all else pass into nothing.” Andrew Pezzelli Jessica Pohl ’10 #salvesgotthis
ABOUT THE COVER Lorrie Burns (right), business and economics lecturer, conducts a team-building project with rst-year students in MGT212: Business Communications on Sept. 24, 2020. Students worked on the rocky beach along Cli Walk in small, socially distanced groups to build cairns, followed by a discussion about how important it is in business to work in teams, with di erent types of people. e class learned that successful outcomes sometimes require a balancing act—like the rock towers—and that adjustments are oen needed to make things work.
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VISIT US ONLINE salve.edu/report-newport Just moved? Email your new address to [email protected]. 2 CAMPUS SPOTLIGHTS SPOTLIGHTS
Doing Good by Doing Well Investment Planning students donate $15,000 from their portfolio earnings to charities.
Students who have managed a “ e portfolio has performed well growing stock portfolio as part of and the class decided to spend some the fall 2020 MGT320: Investment of its earnings on charitable initiatives Planning class donated $15,000 in that would support Salve’s mercy earnings from the fund over the mission,” said Sacco. e students holiday season and set aside another led all discussions on carrying out the $30,000 for two sections of the initiative, determining which stocks Samuel Sacco, business and economics lecturer, spring semester 2021 classes to do to sell, how much of the portfolio’s works with a student in the Center for Business Outreach. the same. earnings to donate and deciding Sam Sacco, lecturer in business which organizations to donate to, and economics, said the “Doing including speci c departments within even in perfect conditions, let alone Good by Doing Well” student each organization. in the middle of a pandemic,” said initiative is their unanimous response Students decided to divide William Hanna ’21, a nancial to the current public health crisis, $15,000 among four organizations, management economic distress and hardship being including: Boys & Girls Clubs of major who has a experienced by many families. Newport County to support a er- double minor in e class was launched ve years school programs ($4,400); Martin accounting and ago as a special topics workshop Luther King Jr. Center to support administration of under the guidance of Sacco, when its holiday food pantries ($5,600); justice. Hanna students opened a Morgan Stanley Boston Children’s Hospital to advocated to account with an initial $1,000 support its “Extraordinary Needs” support Boston investment. Students started making and “Every Child” funds ($4,000); Children’s real stock purchases based on market and Year Up Rhode Island to support Hospital. “I felt that if our class and industry analyses and the equity its jobs training programs ($1,000). could help even just one family in portfolio, and has since grown from “I think the class felt that we had a any way possible, especially during that initial investment to a valuation responsibility of lending a helping the holiday season, it would make all over $62,000 in 2020. hand to entities that face hardships the di erence in the world,” he said.
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 3
“The portfolio has performed well and the class decided to spend some of its earnings on charitable initiatives that would support Salve’s mercy mission.” – Samuel Sacco, Business and Economics Lecturer
“We all agreed that because so said. “It was important to me to give multi-year budget item or partially many people were going through back to the community during these funding a larger budget item despite hard times this year with COVID-19 di cult times, especially when the their philosophical support of the that it would be the perfect time to opportunity exists to give back.” initiative.” donate some of the money,” said Kelley Coen ’94, director of e Investment Planning Samantha Dolan ’21, a nancial development for the Boys & Girls course introduces students to the management Club, said she is not surprised Salve functions performed by nancial major who students made such a heartfelt managers and covers areas of” setting advocated for holiday gesture. investment objectives, determining supporting Year “We were thrilled to receive the investment values, types of Up RI. call to let us know the Investment securities, market procedures, “Year Up’s Planning class chose the BGC as a analytic techniques, and regional mission is recipient of their generous donation,” and global markets. Capital to close the Coen said. “ ere are many sta budgeting and planning processes opportunity members here, including myself, who as well as the critical issues of divide by ensuring that young adults are proud Salve alumni. at should accountability and duciary gain the skills, experiences and come as no surprise as the Salve responsibility are stressed. support that will empower them to mission is in direct alignment with “I really enjoyed learning about reach their potential through careers ours here at the Club.” the stock market by analyzing the and higher education,” Dolan said. Coen said the impact of the class’s real investment portfolio and “I wanted the class to donate to this students’ gi is immediate. “Over 70 then getting to donate the earnings organization because it gives young percent of the Club’s annual budget from the portfolio to causes of our adults the professional skills needed comes directly from philanthropy,” choosing,” said Dolan. in the workplace and helps put them she said. “It is very impressive “This class has taught me that on a path to success.” that the Salve students wish to earning profit on investments is Tori Bickel ’21, a business pay it forward to the youth of our heavily reliant on a plethora of administration community.” external and internal factors,” said major and Sacco said it was an interesting Hanna. “Professor Sacco has done economics minor, discussion when the class made an excellent job teaching us how advocated to decisions about their proposed to analyze many of these factors in support the Boys recipients and grant amounts. “ e order to earn a profit, but I think & Girls Clubs of students expressed a strong desire to the best part of this class was the Newport County make contributions to established ability to donate the profit to because she organizations and programs to have organizations that have meaningful knows rsthand an immediate impact as opposed goals of serving the community. how the organization helps in the to providing seed money that This class has definitely been an community. “I have volunteered there may not be used immediately,” important part of my education on multiple occasions and have seen he said. “ ey also were wary of and I will treasure what the class the impact they have on youths,” she contributing to a single year of a and Professor Sacco have done.”
Spring 2021 4 CAMPUS SPOTLIGHTS
It will be a true honor to serve Salve’s mission that is so fully integrated with the Sisters of Mercy values of service and social justice for all...” – MaeLynn Patten, Chief Advancement Officer Meet the CAO Research Foundation, Eastern Maine Medical Center, Merrimack Valley MaeLynn Patten joined the Habitat for Humanity, the Bill and campus community in January as Melinda Gates Foundation and Salve Regina’s rst chief advancement others. She has a bachelor’s degree in ocer (CAO). In this new position, biology from Clark University and a Patten will lead the advancement master’s degree in social work from team in all aspects of fundraising, Smith College. “with an immediate focus on the “ roughout the interview process, University’s upcoming 75th Mae expressed deep appreciation of anniversary in 2022. Salve’s unique mission and culture, “As higher education continues to and the many exciting opportunities MaeLynn Patten evolve, it is imperative for institutions at this particular moment in our to recognize where they can build history,” Armstrong said. “I believe to achieve long-term success,” said alumni a airs, College of Engineering). she will prove to be a wonderful Dr. Kelli J. Armstrong, president. She has also worked for a number of addition to our community, as she is “Mae’s extensive experience in major years as a senior consultant at CCS known for her energy, enthusiasm and gi s fundraising, launching capital Fundraising, which partners with empathy.” campaigns and creating strong nonpro ts to support transformational “I believe in the power of higher infrastructures will help Salve Regina change. education to transform lives and in the move to the next level in achieving As a senior consultant at CCS, power of philanthropy to exponentially our strategic goals.” Patten’s fundraising work supported deepen the University’s impact,” said Patten has worked for nearly a organizations focused on health Patten. “It will be a true honor to decade in leadership roles at Babson care, higher education access and serve Salve’s mission that is so fully College (associate vice president, a ordability, spiritual growth and integrated with the Sisters of Mercy advancement and campaign strategy) other philanthropic causes. She values of service and social justice for all and Northeastern University has helped strategize campaigns – a focus that is deeply important for (associate dean, development and supporting the Juvenile Diabetes our society and to me personally.”
“Capture It!” photo contest winner e Oce of International Programs announced the winners of its annual study abroad “Capture It!” photo contest in December 2020. Photo entries were submitted by students who studied abroad during the 2019-2020 academic year, and entries were judged by the Salve Regina community on Facebook and in McKillop Library. e winners are: Overall: Matthew Peterson ’21 with “Pink House” from Lisbon, Portugal. Salve Pride: Danielle Plou e ’21 with “ e Vatican” from Vatican City, Italy. Landscape and Surroundings: Kaitlin Carson ’21 with “Lake Como” from Lake Como, Italy. Filtered: Amanda Valentine ’22 with “Halls and Lights of Christ Church College” from Oxford, England. Customs, Cultures and Traditions: Ryley King ’21 with “Aged Balsamic” from Verona, Italy. “Pink House” by Matthew Peterson ‘21
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 5
Sasha’s Stress Busters Sasha, a beloved member of the stress busters a ect student attendees’ campus community and Salve’s emotional and physiologic states. unocial mascot, was a familiar, Students completed a brief friendly and furry face on campus questionnaire a er participating in for nearly 13 years. A sweet, gentle, an event, and physiological measures miniature poodle who was always at (blood pressure and pulse) were Dr. Robin Ho mann’s side at oce taken pre-and post-pet therapy hours and University events, Sasha interaction. Of the 157 students who passed away on Dec. 22, 2020, and will completed surveys a er attending be dearly missed by all. a stress buster, 112 self-reported His spirit lives on, however, in the decreased levels of anxiety, stress, Pet erapy Program, which began in feelings of depression and sadness. 2013 as an initiative to bring comfort Nearly 90 percent expressed that and care to Salve students struggling participation facilitated a feeling of Salve’s unofficial mascot passed away in December with stress, anxiety and homesickness. connection with the University. For 2020 but his memory lives on through the Sasha Ho mann and Jennifer Rosa, associate physiologic measures, out of 231 total Pet Therapy Fund. director of residence life, visited participants across three sessions, campus residence halls with Sasha and a majority (61 percent), showed a make sure a dog team is comfortable found that students looked forward reduction in blood pressure and 60 and has all they need. to seeing him. From those visits, the percent had a reduced pulse rate post- “I plan to continue hosting pet pet therapy stress busters evolved, and stress buster. therapy animals and have established the two have collaborated ever since in Nursing students representing all a Sasha Pet erapy Fund to planning the much-anticipated events class levels were involved in various provide resources for the program each semester. aspects of the project, such as making to continue,” she added, while “Sasha was a highly trained therapy posters and iers, greeting and acknowledging that losing Sasha has dog and we were successfully evaluated inviting attendees to participate in not been easy. “I miss my best friend. ve times to qualify as a Pet Partners the study, carrying out the consent “ e outpouring of support and Team,” said Ho mann. “We had an process, assessment, recording and sympathy from the Salve community amazing time bringing pet therapy to checking of pre-and post-stress has been upli ing. Two former Salve and hosting stress busters with buster blood pressures and pulses, students wrote in a note: ‘Sasha was his therapy dog friends. Sasha relished and directing those leaving the area a light in the lives of many Salve coming to ‘work’ and joyfully engaged to complete surveys. e results students, ourselves included.’ at with any students, faculty and sta of the study supported the nding says it all.” who needed some love. Sasha, and that interaction with therapy dogs “I am incredibly thankful that the introduction of pet therapy, had a increased feelings of well-being by Sasha brought Robin and I together positive impact on the well-being and reducing feelings of anxiety, stress, back in 2013,” said Rosa. “Sasha emotional health of our community.” sadness, depression, and a signi cant was the catalyst in our collaborative Ho mann enjoys organizing stress increase in feelings of connection work bringing pet therapy and our buster events, and collaborated with with the University through stress buster events to Salve. anks Rosa, Dr. Ellen McCarty, professor participation. to Sasha, what we’ve been able to of nursing, and Dr. Louise Sullivan, “I love putting together our pet develop and accomplish has been assistant professor of nursing, to therapy events and can bring trained so meaningful and special for our conduct a study about the e ectiveness therapy dogs to campus for stress students and he will be deeply missed. of pet therapy on campus. Titled busters even without my Sasha,” said I look forward to continuing my “ e e ects of Pet erapy Stress Ho mann. “I always have a cadre of work with Robin and having the Buster sessions on the physiologic and students who serve as my pet therapy Sasha Pet erapy Fund in his name emotional states of college students,” ambassadors. ey assist with our to continue our stress busters for the study investigated how pet therapy stress busters and each is assigned to Salve students.”
Spring 2021 6 CAMPUS SPOTLIGHTS
Tales are often told of teachers inspiring students, but I find it is more often the other way around: my students have inspired me, each and every day.” – Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady Did You Know? Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, was the keynote speaker for the Class of 2011’s Commencement May 15, 2011, where she also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. “Biden and her husband, President Joseph R. Biden, had a close connec- tion to Senator Claiborne Pell and his wife Nuala. During her remarks as Commencement speaker, Biden shared a heartwarming story about
Pell, to whom Salve’s Pell Center for Dr. Jill Biden waves as she receives a standing ovation during Commencement May 15, 2011. International Relations and Public Policy is dedicated. “Many of you wouldn’t know this, showed up in an Oxford button-down “People o en ask me why I teach, but I’m an avid runner, so I always bring shirt, Bermuda shorts, black socks and and my answer to this is simple: it’s you. my running gear with me wherever I black leather shoes.” It’s the students,” Biden told the Class go,” said Biden. “Senator Pell once saw An educator and bestselling author, of 2011. “Tales are o en told of teachers me dressed for a run and asked if he Biden plans to continue working as First inspiring students, but I nd it is more could join me. I said of course he could. Lady, just as she did while Second Lady o en the other way around: my students But I was quite surprised when … he during her husband’s term as vice president. have inspired me, each and every day.”
Forging the Trident for International Relations and Public Co-edited by Dr. William Leeman, Policy and the John E. McGinty Fund associate professor of history, and The Reading List in History,” remarked Dr. Timothy John Hattendorf, a U.S. Naval War Neary, professor and chairperson College professor, in the Department of History. “Forging the “Salve students and the reputation Trident: eodore William McKinley, and nally his of the University bene t from Bill’s Roosevelt and the presidency. Leeman’s work, “From excellence as a scholar and teacher.” United States Knowledge, Sea Power: eodore “First as assistant secretary of the Navy” was Roosevelt, Naval Education, and the Navy and then as president, eodore published by New Navy,” is included in the Roosevelt sought to use naval history Naval Institute publication, which wraps up with an and America’s naval heritage as a way Press in Annapolis, essay examining eodore’s inuence to gain the support of politicians, Maryland, in fall 2020. e book is a on his cousin Franklin D. Roosevelt. the press, and the public for the collection of essays by leading naval “ e publication of ‘Forging the expansion and modernization of the historians that provides an Trident’ was the result not only U.S. Navy in the late 19th and early examination of Roosevelt’s lifelong of Dr. Leeman’s expertise in U.S. 20th centuries,” said Leeman. “By interaction with the U.S. Navy from military and presidential history but examining his lifelong interaction his childhood, when he listened to sea also a successful partnership with with the Navy, this book provides stories from his maternal uncles who co-editor and leading naval historian new insight into Roosevelt’s were Confederate naval ocers during John Hattendorf, institutional multifaceted legacy as a naval leader the Civil War, through his work as a collaboration between Salve Regina and demonstrates how his naval naval historian, his service as assistant and the Naval War College, and the policies and reforms helped to build secretary of the Navy under President generous support of the Pell Center the U.S. Navy of the 20th century.”
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 7
The Reading List
Building Epistemic is its focus on building epistemic providencejournal.com on Nov. 12, empathy,” said Rose. “Empathy is 2020. Empathy the ability to walk “April was the great equalizer,” Dr. Alice Graham and Dr. Martha in another’s Rose’s short story begins. “It was McCann Rose, both professors of shoes. Epistemic during April when stores closed, special education, are co-authors, empathy is the libraries shuttered, services stopped. along with former ability to think/ e world halted, followed by a faculty member perceive as others hushed few days, followed by the Gia Renaud, of a do. Special thud. Everyone was marooned; book titled educators must everyone was isolated. Suddenly, the “Developing use epistemic pandemic had created a need that E ective Special empathy when educating children Cora could ll, since Cora was an Educators: with disabilities whose thinking is expert at managing loneliness. As she Building Bridges unlike the teacher’s. e purpose of stared out the window at the silent Across the this book is to help special educators street, Cora thought of her mother’s Profession.” Published by Teachers generalize this ability and use it in promise, and so ly whispered Mom’s College Press, the book was released professional and learning words, ‘Everyone gets a turn, Cora. in August 2020 and outlines a communities.” Your turn will come.’” program of collaboration enabling Rose also placed second in a fall “I was very surprised,” said Rose. novice teachers to gain insights from 2020 short story contest run by “ ere are a couple of strands in their more experienced colleagues. e Providence Journal. Entitled the story that really are part of my e book fosters professional growth “LonelinessManagement.com,” her life. My mother died during the opportunities for those new to the story is about a young woman who beginning of the pandemic—in classroom as well as continued loses her mother to the coronavirus February. She is present in the engagement and connection by and subsequently creates a website to story—she drank Manhattans, she veteran teachers as they share the help others navigate the isolation and loved to rearrange the furniture skills they’ve honed over the course loneliness of a world in lockdown. and she always said, ‘Everybody has of their careers. It was chosen from nearly 100 a turn.’ So it was an honor to my “One aspect of the book that’s key submissions and published on mother.”
The Apostle of American Temperance Tour, 1849- American communities have 1851,” the article discusses Father struggled with high rates of alcohol Temperance eobald Mathew’s much-anticipated addiction, I was intrigued to learn of An article written by John uinn, journey throughout the United States this priest who traveled the world, professor of history, is featured on the as Ireland’s famed “Apostle of administering the temperance pledge cover of the Temperance.” Hoping that his visit to so many Irish men and women. summer 2020 would encourage Irish Americans to “In the last few years, I have issue of e join their ranks, abolitionists were been studying Newport’s Irish Catholic disappointed when Mathew chose to community,” he continued, “and was Historical Review stay away from the issue of slavery and pleasantly surprised to nd out that (cuapress.org). instead focused on his mission inviting there was a Father Mathew Hall on Titled “‘We Were people to pledge themselves to a life of ames Street (where the Admiral All Prejudiced sobriety and abstinence from alcohol. Fitzroy Inn now stands) and that More or Less “I rst came across Father Mathew the Father Mathew Society members against Him’: e American Bishops’ in graduate school,” said uinn. used to march each year in Newport’s Response to Father Mathew’s “Knowing that the Irish and Irish St. Patrick’s Day parades.”
Spring 2021 8 CAMPUS SPOTLIGHTS
Salve Ranked No. Nine for Crises Response
Salve Regina has been designated keeping its positive coronavirus as one of the top 30 colleges and cases low throughout 2020 and for universities nationwide for its expert quickly implementing a shelter- management and adaptation in the in-place order when there was an face of two prominent crises that have uptick in cases in February 2021. dominated the news during 2020-21 On the social justice front, the – the coronavirus pandemic and the University was praised for several growing calls for social justice. actions implemented on campus e University’s comprehensive to advance training and awareness, responses and including the establishment of the action steps HAVE MERCY Presidential Commission for Equity addressing both and Inclusion. crises earned it a “By Dec. 11, 2020, Salve Regina number nine University had only recorded 47 national ranking cases of coronavirus on campus,” WEAR A MASK by Great Value the editors wrote. “In early 2021, Salve’s COVID testing site at Rodgers Recreation Colleges, which the college was just as stringent with Center released the its coronavirus safety protocols. ndings of its “2020 Crises Response” For example, the college ordered its World Report, National Geographic survey highlighting how 30 U.S. students to shelter in place when and Chronicle for Higher colleges handled a di cult year with coronavirus cases began rising … And Education, the editors compared expert responses. e nal ranking is in 2020, Salve Regina announced that enrollment gures to positive based on evidence of colleges keeping it would take new steps to eradicate coronavirus cases on campus. Any coronavirus cases on campus low, racism and make its campus more college with more than 1,000 evidence of colleges making signi cant diverse.” coronavirus infections and/or an changes to promote racial justice, and In addition to sourcing reporting infection rate higher than 10 percent colleges that have strong strategies at on both crises during 2020-21 by of the college’s overall student the start of 2021. publications like Inside Higher Ed, population by Dec. 11, 2020, was Salve joins institutions on the list the New York Times, U.S. News & excluded from the nal ranking. such as Colgate University, Brown University, Princeton University, Cornell University, Georgetown University, SOCIAL Boston College, Syracuse University and Harvard DISTANCING University. “Some institutions struggled is temporary to make the necessary changes,” editors wrote. “Others put measures in place that protected students, sta , and curricula and showed that Sal ve they cared about equality. e 30 colleges in this article all is permanent excelled at those goals.” e editors at Great Value #SalvesGotThis Wear a Mask W atch Your Distance Wash Your Hands Colleges praised Salve for
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 9
“Patty was one of my highlights going into Miley, she was always so pleasant and never failed to have a smile on her face. – Jenna Park ’23
“Patty is a gracious, kind, and A Salve Icon patient person who never failed to put College life can be stressful. a smile on my face, especially when Hours of homework, dicult exams, I needed it the most,” commented important projects and extracurricular Christopher Lyddy ’05. “ e best activities keep students busy and on part, her unknowing intervention the go. O en, a friendly face makes was always genuine and unassuming. all the di erence. Patty Miller, who Grateful for her! Congrats Patty” on a retired from Sodexo Campus Services career well done! Enjoy retirement!” in December 2020, has been that Roy Rossow ’98 also shared his friendly face in Miley Cafeteria for appreciation for Miller’s service. 41 years. Her contagious smile “Patty and all the sta were welcomed students at breakfast and ALWAYS very courteous, polite and lunch, brightened their days and helpful. ank you for feeding us all. helped take their minds o of all they Sometimes we don’t stop and think had going on. about how important this is in our “I had the pleasure of working Patty Miller education process.” with Patty Miller for 33 years,” says Miller’s kindness touched the Mark Rodrigues, general manager for Having served generations of hearts of thousands over the decades, Sodexo. “Patty is a Salve Dining icon Salve students, the outpouring of leaving an indelible mark on the Salve loved by all! Miley Hall will never congratulations for Miller’s retirement community. Malcolm Smith, vice be the same without her serving our ooded social media. Ali Paquette ’13 president of student a airs, knows students.” is just one of the many who extended that she has been one of the people Miller’s positive energy and friendly their best wishes on Salve’s Alumni who makes Salve “Salve.” demeanor made her a favorite among Community Facebook group. “I witnessed her checking on students. Ashley Daigneault ’22, a “ ere was NOTHING better students, caring for them, learning social work major, remembers that than coming into Miley on a Sunday about their lives, and making sure Miller was always nice and had a way morning to get breakfast from Patty. they got their meals. Students will of making people smile when she She is a Salve legend and was such a miss her making their eggs and served them. bright spot in so many of my days as omelets in the mornings, but more so, “Patty was one of my highlights a Seahawk. Congratulations on your they will miss her making them smile going into Miley, she was always so retirement and best of luck in the next and feel at home. We will all miss pleasant and never failed to have a smile chapter. Salve is so lucky to have you,” Patty at Salve,” says Smith. on her face,” recalls Jenna Park ’23. wrote Paquette. -Anna Downes ’22
The Office of Student Engagement continues to offer fun, informative and engaging activities despite the many challenges of campus life in a pandemic. Here, students enjoy a winter’s evening skating on a temporary ice rink set up at Gerety Hall Jan. 21.
Spring 2021 10 CAMPUS SPOTLIGHTS
I hope that my research will help change the campus environments for Black women and for all students of color.” – Chiquita Baylor, Director of Student Engagement NASPA Student Affairs Award Winners
Chiquita Baylor, director of awesome, to know that I’ve made an recognizes individuals, programs and student engagement, is the Rhode impact.” research that have made Island recipient of One of the anonymous extraordinary contributions to the the Mid-Level nomination letters submitted for advancement of wellness and health Professional Baylor talks about the positive education in higher education and Award for the inuence that she has in her role as student a airs. In order to qualify, a “ Doris Michiko director of student engagement. person must be in the profession less Ching Excellence “She’s been an inuential role than three years, they must be in Student A airs model and mentor,” the letter states. actively promoting health and Award, which is “She was my inspiration for pursuing wellness opportunities at their given each year by a career in student a airs, and during campus, and they must be a member the National Association of Student my time as an undergraduate student, of NASPA. Personnel Administrators (NASPA). she routinely challenged me and “I’m so honored to be awarded,” Following the state recognition, she is pushed me out of my comfort zone said Cli ord. “While it’s always been under consideration for the regional to grow as an individual. For other important, I think that mental health and national levels of the award. students at our institution, she is a and wellness is really up and coming “I was surprised to be selected trusted sta member and provides a within higher education. Universities out of nominees for a whole state, safe space for anything they may be today are really starting to be aware knowing that many of my colleagues dealing with.” of the importance of these topics in around R.I. are doing many amazing Baylor is a fourth-year doctoral their communities.” things,” said Baylor. “I’m very student within the joint education Cli ord, who recently became the honored to be selected.” program o ered by the University Region One NASPA wellness and e award honors a student of Rhode Island and Rhode Island health promotion KC representative, a airs professional demonstrating College, and she is completing it with was surprised to learn she’d received an outstanding commitment to the research focused on examining the the award — but her work on eld through the development of experience of collegiate Black women campus to promote health and programs that address the needs of activists to improve their experiences wellness had been noted by other students, the creation of a campus on college campuses. Her research is sta members who nominated her environment that promotes student timely based on the country’s current for the award. learning and development, and active reckoning with racial tensions and “Connelly’s passion and advocacy engagement in NASPA. injustice. for health and wellness has been While Baylor has been working “I hope that my research will help apparent through all her actions in student a airs for over 15 years, change the campus environments for since day one,” said one nomination this recognition comes at a time of Black women and for all students of letter. “She quickly became known immense challenges across college color,” said Baylor. as a sta member on campus who campuses in the midst of a pandemic, Connelly Cli ord, oce and was knowledgeable in health and social upheaval and racial justice. student wellness coordinator for the wellness and started to be contacted According to Baylor, the fact that her Center for by students, sta and faculty. ese work has been noticed is arming to Student actions and many more led to her. Development, was her promotion to Salve’s student “We all are being asked to do also awarded wellness coordinator. Salve has more with less around campus and NASPA’s never had a wellness coordinator around the state,” she said. “And to 2020-21 Wellness before, and Connelly has set the bar be a Black woman receiving such an and Health high.” award during this time is also very Promotion of KC Cli ord joined the Center for honoring as well, because … to be (Knowledge to Student Development in 2018 amongst some of the Black women the Community) Outstanding New because she wanted to get into honored this year is actually pretty Professional Award. e award student a airs while completing REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 11
her master’s in holistic and clinical facilitate trainings and programs student population about health mental health counseling at Salve. across campus to promote topics such and wellness through social media rough her work, she noticed as anxiety and depression, alcohol and outlets, and students play an active a gap in terms of educating the drugs, time management and more. role in making the content for it. community on the topic of health roughout the year, they hope to Cli ord is excited about the and wellness. bring approximately 30 student-run ongoing work at Salve around health In 2020, Cli ord built up the mental health and wellness initiatives and wellness. “I’m truly honored and peer wellness educators initiative to campus. grateful that I have colleagues who within student leadership positions Additionally, Cli ord helped recognize my work, and that I can on campus. She currently has 17 launch the Salve Wellness Instagram, step into a role to help assist students students who are peer wellness which now has over 1,000 followers. to speak out and also raise awareness educators, and these students help e account helps to educate the of these topics,” she concluded.
Virtual Ball Supports Student Scholarships
Even a pandemic could not stop event chairs Colin and Karen Kane, the spirit of generosity in which and to all those who participated Salve Regina alumni, families and from afar in making the Governor’s friends came together—virtually, of Ball a remarkable success. course—on Dec. 5, 2020 to celebrate Stay tuned for details on the holiday season. e “Ball at celebration plans for your reunion Home” raised more than $550,000 year. From the Reunion Awards this year’s reunion a special and for student scholarships, providing ceremony and online gatherings unique party in your homes—and critical support during challenging to celebration kits and champagne ours—to commemorate your special times. e University is grateful to toasts, plans are under way to make milestone year.
Brooke and John Solheim The Hertzwig family Shannon Sacharko Theobald ’98 and Craig Theobald
Spring 2021 12 CAMPUS SPOTLIGHTS
Home Is Where the Heart Is Meet Father Scott Pontes, University Chaplain. ~ with Samantha Tarbox ’21
njoying Sunday brunch a er joined the Seminary of Our Lady of Mass, exploring campus with Providence, and studied at Providence his Yorkiepoo Buddy and the College as well as L’Universite Laval E ve Critical Concerns of Mercy. ese, in uebec City, Canada. ough he along with the excitement of being part le Rhode Island to pursue advanced of an educational community, are just studies in Lisbon, Portugal, his min- some of the things that Father Scott istry keeps bringing him back to the Pontes loves about being a member of Ocean State. From being a high school the Salve Regina family. Before joining modern language teacher to studying the campus community in August 2020 the Portuguese language and culture as University chaplain, Father Scott overseas, Father Scott’s experiences sur- lived an adventurous life lled with love, rounding the Catholic, educational and faith and mercy. traveling portions of his life mean that Born and raised in Bristol, Fr. Scott as much as there is to learn from him, is a Rhode Islander at heart. He there is just as much to learn about him.
While growing up, was there anyone in particular When did you join the seminary Q who influenced your spiritual beliefs? and what prompted you to join? It’s interesting because, no, I can’t say there was. I grew up In high school I had a girlfriend, who I was with into my in a typical Catholic family, going to Mass on Sundays. We college years, and we thought we would get married, have kids didn’t do anything crazy, we weren’t fanatical or anything and all that great stu . And then it just didn’t work out. She like that. Growing up, my parents were a big inuence started to go her separate way in faith; we weren’t going to just in going to church and living a good life. My father church together and that was a big part of my life. I remember was particularly big on charity and helping out di erent thinking this really is not working out—the girlfriend and the organizations. My mother was always making sure everyone’s dating scene, going out to bars and singing karaoke. I would feelings were okay and spiritually doing alright. ey were a always pray and say there has got to be more to life than this. big inuence, but I wouldn’t say they pushed me toward the I was teaching at the time with religious sisters and brothers priesthood, they never mentioned it at all. My father actually and I saw the way they interacted with the students and died one week before I became a priest. I buried him on a thought, that’s what I want. I want to be like them, working Monday and then became a priest on Saturday. My mother for God every day, but teaching in schools. So, in 1999 I passed away 11 weeks later and then my sister a year a er that. decided to enter the seminary to give it a shot and ever since At the time, it was dicult but, in a sense, it was freeing. It then it has been great. allowed me to go and do other things I probably would not Do you have any advice for college-age students have done, like go to Portugal or live in New Jersey. who may be struggling with their faith? Was there a moment in your life when you knew I know that college students, and those even younger, you believed and knew you had the faith? have diculty at times with that belief in God. I have a hard time understanding this a little bit because I never went ere are a few. I remember when I was a senior in high through that diculty, but I see it with my niece and some school, I used to ride my bike to Colt State Park and there former students. I try to get them to persevere and continue was one spot where I always felt God’s presence. I would going to church, even if they might not be getting something sit there easily—as a kid, sitting there for 15 minutes is like out of it right then and there. If you have that practice and sitting there for an hour—and just take in God’s presence. I make it a habit, it can really help. If you can’t go every week, always knew God and his love for me within the context of just go to have that relationship to build upon. It is okay to nature and the environment. at may sound like a childish have your doubts and it is okay to voice them to others. thing, but it always stuck with me.
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“Mercy to me is a way of life. – Father Scott Pontes, University Chaplain
Going through the deaths of my family members, I If you were able to travel back in time to any really started to understand the importance of God and my period in history for a day, where would you go? relationship with Him, rather than just a formal life of prayer. I would travel back to when my family rst came over As priests we pray ve times a day, we say Mass, we have all from the Azores, Portugal, in the early 1900s. is way I these things that are very ritualistic, which is great, but when could see why they moved here and how the process went experiencing those losses, I realized that just being in God’s and what the living situation was like in the islands back presence and having God there with me was more important then. than having to go through all those rituals. e most recent moment was coming here to Salve! I was What has the pandemic taught you? ” the pastor of the largest Portuguese-speaking church here in Rhode Island. At one point, I knew that God was calling me It has taught me patience, for sure. Not just in my to come back to education. I felt it so strongly that I went prayer and spiritual life but in life altogether. You can’t do to the Bishop and, from there, went to New Jersey to serve anything, you just have to be patient and wait. Having the at an all-boys’ school. In my prayers, I asked God to help me churches closed for a while was really dicult. In all of this, come back to Rhode Island because this is my home, and this the lesson to be learned is that we all need to appreciate is where my heart is. Someone then mentioned that Salve was what we have. looking for a chaplain and it was just amazing because you could see God’s hand in bringing me back to Rhode Island Do you have a bucket list? If so, what’s at the top? through Salve. Seeing how God brought me back here was I don’t technically have a bucket list, but there are a pretty big. few things I’d like to do, such as visit Luxembourg. And I have always wanted to get a tattoo. I have it all picked out What was your favorite course as an and designed; I just need to gure out where I’d like it to undergraduate? go! My favorite course as an undergraduate was when I was studying at L’Universite Laval in uebec City. I took a What do you do in your free time? course on uebecois Literature, in particular poetry – one of I love to travel but can’t right now because of COVID. my favorite literary styles. I used to travel at least four times a year to Portugal. I also enjoy reading; I like historical ction and I love to read What is your favorite thing about Salve? travel narratives. So far, I love the fact that I have a meal plan. On Sundays I can go and get brunch a er Mass, which is great. I also love What is the last show you binge-watched on TV? being around the students. e planning and doing di erent “ueen’s Gambit” – great show! things, the excitement of the students and faculty is really wonderful. I am really excited because next semester I will How do you define mercy? be teaching a Core Curriculum course, e uest for the Ultimate. Mercy to me is a way of life. It’s not only love or just plain kindness or mere forgiveness – it’s living a life that What was the best gift you ever received? promotes all of these things without e ort and without judgement. It’s de nitely something that we receive from e most special, heartwarming gi was a long-sleeved God and are called to share with one another. T-shirt from my nephew who recently passed away at 11 years old. It was a “Proud Uncle” T-shirt with the logo of a wheelchair on it and a heart! e most fun gi I’ve ever received was a Wii Do you have a favorite quote or motto that (back when they were cool). e most crazy-expensive gi from inspires you? a friend was a set of Elsa Peretti sterling silver rosary beads from My favorite quote is from “ e Little Prince” by Ti any & Co. e weirdest gi I’ve ever received was a vintage Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: “It is only with the heart that oriental framed print of chickens. one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Spring 2021 14 CAMPUS SPOTLIGHTS
Captains’ Corner
DeFalco is a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Student Nurse Organization and Campus Activities Board. She likes to be involved Leading with Grace on campus to demonstrate that student-athletes are capable of much Paul Boutoussov ’21 and Devyn DeFalco ’21 keep things more than just athletics. She enjoys positive in the pandemic. keeping her teammates in the loop and developing important life skills COVID-19 has changed the lives and admits she shed a few tears. She that come from being a well-rounded of people all over the world. Plans were was hoping that she and her women’s student. cancelled and adjusted as the world soccer squad could improve upon the Head Coach Jane Walsh speaks acclimated to living with the virus. e 9-11-0 record that they earned in the highly of DeFalco. “She sets a great sports community has been hit hard 2019 season. example for her teammates of how as physical contact is integral to many “No matter how many games you a high-functioning student-athlete cherished sports. Athletes around the play in, or even if you sit on the bench, should act. Devyn is a strong student, country had to take a seat while new it is heartbreaking to learn that your extremely engaged in our campus regulations were put in place in order season has been taken away,” says community, and a solid contributor to stay safe. Salve Regina’s student- DeFalco. on the eld. In terms of what athletes have felt the heartache of With permission granted to coaches look for in captains, she is losing their seasons and during such practice for six weeks last fall, the squad the full package. I am very grateful to trying times, passionate leadership is was divided into “pods” and went have had Devyn’s inuence on our necessary to maintain optimism and through three phases of progression program.” motivation for future seasons. Devyn in accordance with COVID-19 DeFalco’s teammates know DeFalco ’21 of the women’s soccer restrictions. By the end of the well her commitment and positive team and Paul Boutoussov ’21 of the progression, the team pulled out their attitude. In helping lead SAAC’s men’s ice hockey team have stepped up uniforms and played an inter-squad anksgiving food drive in in their roles as team captains during scrimmage to celebrate the Class of November, DeFalco sent reminders this pandemic. 2021. to the team’s group chat to encourage DeFalco, a “It is very easy to stop training all contributions, and even o ered to go nursing major, together,” admits DeFalco. “I needed to the store if they were too busy with was devastated to teach myself to think positively school work. Her encouragement upon hearing in order to bring that positivity back and dedication on and o the eld the news of the to the team. I tried to encourage my make her an admirable captain and Commonwealth teammates with this positivity and teammate. Coast Conference’s emphasize how lucky we were to even As senior captain of the men’s cancellation of all be playing at all.” hockey team, Paul Boutoussov also Devyn DeFalco ‘21 fall 2020 sports, In addition to playing soccer, helped with the food drive, and is
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 15
another great example of Seahawk Facing restrictions similar to the year. He prides himself on dedication. Boutoussov came to Salve those of the women’s soccer team, getting involved within the Salve and a er playing junior the men’s ice hockey team was Newport communities. He is also a hockey in the divided into two isolated groups of peer wellness educator, helping to Northeast, and like 15 to practice on a limited schedule raise awareness about mental health many who visit and with limited contact, working stigmas and creating positivity around the campus, he fell through progressions that slowly the issue. Boutoussov is a dedicated, in love with the li ed restrictions. Boutoussov recalls passionate student-athlete whose hard scenery. Coming that they had to wake up, sometimes work is celebrated by Head Coach into his senior year as early as 5:30 a.m., for practices at Zech Klann. Paul Boutoussov ‘21 with a couple of the URI ice rink. During this time “Paul has been through a lot at successful seasons he tried to li the team’s spirits by, Salve and in this program. He has as a Seahawk, he, too, was hoping to “talking through social media and shown leadership in the dressing improve upon the 14-11-1 record group chats, going to the gym in small room, on the ice, and as the head of that his team earned last year. Like groups. We used to hang out outside SAAC,” says Klann, who hopes that DeFalco and the many devastated when it was warm. We try our best to Boutoussov and the rest of the team athletes who had their seasons taken keep in touch.” will be able to play and to continue away, Boutoussov had to put himself Boutoussov is the president of to be one of the top 10 teams in the in an optimistic, positive mindset for SAAC, and enjoys doing volunteer country. his team. work and fundraisers throughout - Anna Downes ’22
New eSports Facility A full-scale, state-of-the-art gaming experience has opened in Gerety Hall.
The facility features dedicated high-performance data networking, multiple HD video displays mounted on the walls, and ergonomically optimized gaming tables and chairs. Adjacent to the eSports facility are additional areas for recreational gaming use and for delivering Oculus virtual reality experiences. Seahawk fans... visit us online at salveathletics.com.
Spring 2021 16 The Quest for a Vaccine Noe Mercado ’14 is on the cutting edge of research in developing a vaccine for COVID-19.
rom El Salvador to Newport and beyond, the story of Noe Mercado ’14 is one of triumph and determination despite the odds. His most recent chapter is no Fexception and his tenacity came in handy tackling one of the biggest challenges of 2020—working to create a vaccine for COVID-19. Born in El Salvador and raised by his grandparents since the age of 1, Mercado didn’t really “meet” his mother for the rst time until arriving in the United States when he was 8 years old. She had moved to Providence, Rhode Island – leaving Mercado and his sister behind – in an e ort to nd a better life for their family. Mercado’s mother, who does not speak English well, struggled to provide for the family by Noe Mercado ‘14 working long hours at minimum wage in a factory. ey later moved to Central Falls, where Mercado attended high school “My dream became a reality once I learned that I was and discovered his talent for biology and chemistry while awarded the [scholarship], which covered my tuition at Salve taking honors classes. His National Honor Society advisor Regina for four years,” said Mercado. “I felt so blessed.” encouraged him to apply to Salve Regina, and set up a meeting Once he arrived at Salve, Mercado found the academics with Sister erese Antone, chancellor. to be very challenging, but he ourished with the help of “Perhaps one of the greatest obstacles that I had to a supportive community. He was introduced to medical overcome was nding a way to a ord college,” said Mercado. research, and he’s never looked back. In 2013, he participated “As I spoke to my mother about the costs of college, she would in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship of the o en say, ‘I’m sorry, mijo [son]. I wish I could help you.’” National Science Foundation, and he also presented at several Unable to qualify for federal aid due to his immigration regional and national conferences. status, Mercado was advised to apply for the full-tuition “Research has been a major part of my life,” said Mercado. Aquidneck Island Multicultural Scholarship (now known as “I learned several molecular techniques and also began the OCHRE Scholarship) that Sister erese had instituted working on a project that was funded by a research grant. I during her tenure as Salve’s sixth president. Sister erese loved applying the concepts I learned in class.” also helped him gain assistance through other resources to A er graduation, Mercado began working as a research cover his rst year. A er that, Mercado served as a resident associate at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) advisor for three years and worked full-time each summer to in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been there for ve years. ll in the gaps. When he rst started, his role was standard research. He did
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 17 “ Back in January 2020, I remember to this day when I received an email from my boss. He said, ‘Can one of you extract the new coronavirus sequence from this fi le?’” ~ Noe Mercado ‘14
things like cloning, transformation and developing di erent vaccine platforms. Over the years, his position has evolved into a leadership position in the lab, where he gets to direct and lead much of the research. BIDMC has grown from being primarily focused on nding a vaccine for HIV to studying other pathogens as well. Research projects include tackling major diseases, such as cancer and tuberculosis. “Back in 2016, we developed one of the rst vaccines for the Zikka virus and showed 100 percent e cacy,” said Mercado. “ ere was a lot of concern, a lot of di erent countries that came together and got their scientists to learn more about it. But there was a lot of e ort, and because of the Noe Mercado ‘14 works in the lab at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical transmissibility, that was why it had to be contained.” Center. Handling problems like the Zikka virus were precursors to what Mercado faced in 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic began. has been working on the vaccine that Johnson & Johnson “Back in January 2020, I remember to this day when I is producing; phase-three trials had shown the vaccine to received an email from my boss. He said, ‘Can one of you be 66 percent e ective globally at preventing moderate to extract the new coronavirus sequence from this le?’” recalled severe COVID-19, 28 days a er vaccination. Overall, it’s Mercado. “We worked nonstop all weekend trying to unravel been 85 percent e ective in preventing severe disease and the genetic code, and things began progressing pretty quickly demonstrated complete protection against COVID-19-related a er that.” hospitalization and death as of day 28. e U.S. Food and Mercado said that initially they were not expecting the Drug Administration issued Emergency Use Authorization coronavirus to spread to the U.S, but as the world came for the single-dose vaccine on Feb. 27. screeching to a halt—and America went into quarantine in “We need more vaccines to increase distribution, March—Mercado saw that things were going to get worse. particularly in places where the infrastructure is not set up for e stakes were rising for coming up with a vaccine for ultra low temperature storage,” said Mercado. “ e bene t of COVID-19, and it was all hands on deck at BIDMC to nd our vaccine is the single-shot approach as well as the long-term a vaccine. storage in a common refrigerator.” roughout the past few months, Mercado’s team has At the end of the day, Mercado looks back on his life— been able to produce a vaccine that has e cacy—a journey full of struggles and pushing through enormous odds—and that has been highlighted in places like NBC Boston, the sees how everything has prepared him for the challenges Boston Globe and the e New York Times. He and his being faced in the world. Being an immigrant, working hard team have also published numerous articles in scienti c to attain an education through Salve Regina, and now being journals, including Nature and Journal of Virology. at the center of the world’s ght for a COVID-19 vaccine lls “I can’t take the credit all by myself, because a lot of him with gratitude for how far he truly has come. people have contributed,” said Mercado. “I’m so grateful to be “Would I do it all over again? De nitely,” he said. “Just be part of this team, and we’ve shown that we can develop this grateful for what you have and the people around you and all vaccine, and that there is e cacy. We’re going to need not the experiences, because every experience has brought me to just one, but we’re actually going to need multiple [vaccines].” this point—everything that happened at Salve, and everything Pharmaceutical companies including Moderna and that I learned, and everything that I’m learning now. I P zer have already put their vaccines on the market, and it couldn’t be more grateful for my time at Salve.” is clear that more vaccines are needed, as Mercado noted. He -Teryn O’Brien
Spring 2021 18
the Campus Culture
by Ma hias Boxler ’04 (M)
President Armstrong launches the Presidential Commission for Equity and Inclusion.
ix months before officially taking over more fully advance our mercy mission and manifest an as Salve Regina’s eighth president in July 2019, institutional commitment to anti-racism.” SDr. Kelli J. Armstrong was hearing the community’s In fall 2020, Armstrong established the Presidential concerns loud and clear. In smaller conversations during her Commission for Equity and Inclusion with a mission to interview process and in larger forums like the campus-wide examine all aspects of University operations and develop town hall during which she was introduced to Salve students, action steps that will advance the institution’s mercy mission. faculty and sta as their next leader, the voices were anxious As chair, she has assumed a central role and will share the and the themes – racism, diversity, equity, inclusion – were commission’s progress regularly with an engaged Board of consistent. Trustees. “It became clear that we needed a comprehensive e ort,” “ is is one of the areas where I hope we can make Armstrong said. “We weren’t as well coordinated as we could signi cant progress here at Salve,” added Armstrong. “We’ve be as a community, together, in terms of our e orts.” assembled a group that is really incredible, contributing with A er the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States their own set of experiences, their own backgrounds, to this hard in March 2020, so much of Salve’s collective resources community e ort. It is a lot of important work and it is a real were consumed by adapting safely and e ectively to continue honor to work with them.” serving its community. But the voices of concern remained Prior to being hired as an admissions counselor, Santiago steadfast and bubbled over following the May 25, 2020, death Durango ’19 was active as an undergraduate student at of George Floyd. A campus-wide “Vigil and Forum for Racial Salve, serving the community as a resident advisor and on Justice” was held virtually to mourn the tragic deaths of the Student Government Association (SGA). Currently Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others. enrolled in the master’s program in humanities/humanistic “We could not wait,” Armstrong said. “We needed to studies, he said a big reason he joined the do something. Racism is one of the ve commission was to take the work he saw Critical Concerns we are expressly as a student and continue to advance it called to engage with as a mercy, as a member of the sta . Catholic institution. We will not “It’s all about accountability. Hold lose sight of what we stand for, and us accountable,” he told the Salve I am committed to listening deeply, community during a virtual open particularly to our faculty, sta and forum hosted by the commission in Dr. Kelli Armstrong students of color, so we can together January. “You know our faces, where Santiago Durango ’19
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 19
e importance of establishing an o ce on campus for minority members of the community to gather together, to talk, to share, to listen, We can never say cannot be overstated, Durango said. “ Nassim now serves as assistant vice president for student success and director of multicultural ‘it is enough.’ programs, and the legacy he is advancing through ” his commitment is foundational for so much of – Familiar Instructions of Rev. Mother Catherine McAuley the di cult work being tackled today. And it will Foundress of the Institute of the Religious Sisters of Mercy be critical for the work ahead. “Issues of diversity on campus, both past and present, have shi ed the culture of the student body on campus,” said Izabella Mangual-Solivan ’22, a global studies major we are, where we work. We don’t know how to address these who also serves as president of SGA. issues if we aren’t hearing directly from the community. Let She points to the diversity initiative us know. Bring it up. We’ll work together on it. is isn’t just she helped launch in spring 2019 as a a presidential commission.” rst-year student as one such example Durango said that now – as Salve approaches its 75th that has had a ripple e ect in sparking anniversary – is an important time for the University campus-wide conversations around community to both re ect on its past and look forward to its diversity. Izabella future. “It’s critically important that our community is aware “ is community will grow stronger Mangual-Solivan ’22 of the history, of the entire scope of work.” and move forward,” she said. “I have no While conversations about equity and inclusion on doubt Salve can be this and will be this.” campus have been happening throughout Salve’s history, Internal change is the primary focus, the late Sister Leona Misto, who served in a variety of but bridges must also be built to the capacities at the University for 36 years, including being outside world, said Keith ompson, appointed the rst vice president for mission integration in a learning management systems 2001, formalized these discussions by bringing together key specialist in the O ce of Information stakeholders. A de ning moment in the movement occurred Technology. in 2012, when Dr. Sami Nassim joined the Salve community “ e world has a problem, this isn’t as founding director of the O ce of Multicultural Programs. Keith Thompson just Salve’s problem,” he said. “We’re
Presidential Commission for Equity and Inclusion
STUDENTS: Donnie Aikins ’23 Izabella Mangual-Solivan ’22 Naomi Cummings ’23 Tracey Cunningham Martins ’19 (M) ’22 (M)
STAFF: Rose Albert ’13, assistant director of multicultural programs and retention Jennifer Boulay, assistant director for assessment and institutional research, ex-offi cio member Santiago Durango ’19, admissions counselor Jody Mooradian, director of athletics Keith Thompson, learning management systems specialist
FACULTY: Oyenike Balogun-Mwangi, assistant professor of psychology Belinda Barbagallo, assistant professor of biology and biomedical sciences Julie L’Europa, assistant professor of nursing Tracy Pelkowski, assistant professor of education
Spring 2021 20 SHIFTING THE CAMPUS CULTURE trying to change the culture at Salve and hope this spills out serve on the commission and stands ready to challenge her into the world outside.” beloved Salve community to do better. For Tracey Cunningham Martins ’19 (M), ’22 (M), the “We need to act upon the injustices opportunity to serve on the commission was welcome. She that minorities are dealing with on has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree campus and truly discuss those issues from Salve in rehabilitation counseling, and is currently with understanding, empathy and enrolled in the University’s master’s program in innovation transparency,” she said. “Equity works and strategic management. She also has a daughter who when everyone has what they need to graduated from Salve in 2019. thrive and Salve has some work to do e associate director of employment for the State of to truly be inclusive.” Rose Albert ’13 Rhode Island, Cunningham Martins said she has devoted her Albert said the University entire career to working with individuals with developmental community needs to stand willing and ready to truly make disabilities. She said she has witnessed the discrimination, change happen without feeling threatened, targeted or upset exclusion and mistreatment of this population, and works by it. Solivan believes the community is up for the challenge. every day to advance inclusion, employment, systems change, “I love Salve with all my heart,” Solivan said. “And being strategic planning, leadership development, culture change, involved with a community trying to improve is truly an workforce development, training and social justice. honor.” “Salve has always been a treasured place,” she said. “I want to be a member of this dynamic team to develop strategies and processes that will allow every student and visitor to feel at home on the Salve campus.” Oyenike Balogun-Mwangi, assistant professor of psychology, said many in the Salve community may be fearful and/or tentative about engaging in issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. “It is my deepest hope that the commission will introduce initiatives that will equip our community to wade bravely into these most important discussions and actively engage in the work of social change.” Rose Albert ’13, assistant director Oyenike for multicultural programs and Balogun-Mwangi retention, said she is thrilled to
Presidential Commission for Equity and Inclusion
The commission is charged with the following duties:
• Regular review of Salve Regina’s policies and procedures to ensure that they promote our University values and mercy mission and advance an institutional commitment to equity and inclusion. • Review and recommendation of ongoing training and development for students, faculty and staff to foster a culture of equity, inclusion and support for all members of our community. • Sponsorship of University-wide events and programs to promote deeper understanding of the systemic issues of social inequity and injustice and the ways in which a mercy education calls us to respond. • Regular, ongoing data collection to monitor University progress on institutional commitments to equity and inclusion.
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Multicultural Education Week panel discussion, fall 2020
Presidential Commission for Equity and Inclusion
The commission will spearhead the following initiatives:
• Develop a statement to acknowledge and clearly defi ne the University’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and communicate a process to receive, review and redress bias incidents on campus that violate this statement. • Host an annual Equity and Inclusion Summit for the campus community each spring to provide the best thinking on how to promote equity and inclusion on campus and give the University concrete best practices for improvements to its environment. • Design and implement a training process for members of the Salve community, particularly those in high-impact roles, to offer a common vocabulary and understanding around issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion, in order to develop a deeper foundation for inclusive conversations and community on campus. • Contribute to the development of a leadership development program for faculty and staff that will include training to better support members of the University community from diverse backgrounds with an increased awareness on how to leverage the power of our diversity in living our mission. • Review University admissions and hiring processes and make recommendations for how to recruit, select and support future faculty, staff and students to ensure Salve refl ects the diverse backgrounds and gifts of our wider community. • Develop and implement a regular campus-wide climate survey to provide an ongoing measure of the University’s commitment to advancing equity and inclusion. • Review virtual and physical spaces on campus that support the work of equity and inclusion and make recommendations for modifi cations and improvement.
Spring 2021 22 Advocates for JusticeBy Tara Watkins ’00
alve Regina’s administration of justice (ADJ) program program at Endicott College. He is excited to have the leads the way in developing professionals grounded in opportunity to work directly with undergraduate students at the mercy principles of universal justice and creating a Salve, serving as a mentor and educator from their rst day Sworld that is harmonious, just and merciful. through their nal day on campus. “Salve’s mission and commitment to developing the whole Joyce credits the support he received from fellow ADJ person, as well as the strength and reputation of the ADJ faculty— Dr. Michael Brady, associate professor, Dr. Robin program really spoke to me,” says Dr. Paul Joyce, assistant Ho mann, professor, and Vincent Petrarca, senior lecturer— professor, who took the helm as chairman of the Department as key to his smooth transition to department chairman. of Administration of Justice in August 2020, joining the Salve Having served at Salve for 20, 33 and 39 years, respectively, community with 32 years of policing experience, including 14 the trio’s dedication to the program has impacted generations years as superintendent in the Boston Police Department. of students. “ eir commitment to students and the In July 2017, Joyce received his Ph.D. in Criminology department as a whole are a real strength and what helps make and Justice Policy from Northeastern this program so successful,” says Joyce. University with his dissertation, “Street is commitment, as well as opportunities for mentorship Gang Membership in Boston: A Life- and career advising, are among the factors that make the Course Perspective.” e qualitative study program strong. Annie Avila ’22 is a double major in social focused on a cohort of former Boston gang work and administration of justice, with career aspirations members who led the emergence of the to advocate for the most vulnerable and marginalized in the Dr. Paul Joyce street gang culture in the late 1980s and court system. examined their lives from childhood through adulthood. “ e ADJ professors are always willing to help,” says Avila, “During my time in the Boston Police Department, I found “it really shows that they love their students. Mr. P. helped that if you treat people with dignity and respect, they will most me pursue what I want to do. I wouldn’t be on the path I am o en treat you the same in return,” says Joyce. “I had former today without his guidance and support.” gang members willing to sit Avila believes her internship experiences are laying a rm down with me and share foundation for future career aspirations. She completed an their life stories because I internship in fall 2020 at the Elizabeth Bu um Chace Center treated them fairly. It can in Warwick, R.I., where she operated the crisis hotline for be done.” the Center, which provides services to victims of domestic Most recently, Joyce and sexual assault. Currently, she is interning as a domestic served as director of the violence advocate for the Kent County court system. “Both of homeland security these experiences help build on my desire to work one-on-one studies helping people,” says Avila. graduate Kellie Senecal ’02, ’03 (M) was hired by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in 2004. Prior to her assignment as a special agent in the Providence, R.I., Field O ce, she worked in Miami, Texas, Washington, D.C., and
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The ADJ professors are always willing to help, it really shows “ that they love their students.” ~ Annie Avila ‘22
Hartford, Conn. She credits the ADJ faculty with easing her di erence in my career eld,” says Lill. She recalls how the transition from college to career. advising and mentorship of Brady, Ho mann and Petrarca “Dr. Robin Ho man, Vin Petrarca, Dr. Michael Brady- were instrumental in her decision to go to law school. with each of them I remember the time they took to talk “Dr. Brady helped focus my goals on what I wanted to get one-on-one, to think about where I wanted to end up, to out of my college experience,” says Lill, adding, “Mr. P. really write a letter of recommendation, and to put me in touch helped me probe more into why I wanted to go into law school, with someone in that eld.” and if it was the right the decision for me.” For Senecal, the ve-year master’s degree program option “Dr. Ho man was my prelaw advisor,” she continues. “She was an added bonus. “I knew I wanted to pursue a career helped me reach for and achieve my dream of law school. Her in federal law enforcement,” says Senecal, “but I wasn’t guidance made all the di erence. Even today, she remains an guaranteed the exibility in my work schedule to pursue incredible mentor. Without her I would not be in the a master’s later on, so it was a huge bene t to be able to place I am now.” complete it in just one additional year.” Lill credits a Day One anti-tra cking “ e federal hiring process is quite lengthy,” she explains. workshop with sparking her “So a er graduation, as I was submitting applications for career path in human tra cking. job announcements, I was able to complete the graduate “ e workshop provided a lot of requirements while my background investigation was in knowledge on this progress.” issue,” says Lill, Paying it forward is important to Senecal and she enjoys adding “Salve was being available to help current students network and explore just wonderful at their career interests, just as her alumni mentor, eresa helping prepare Murray ’83, did for her. “Mr. P put me in and tailor my law touch with eresa, a veteran federal special school focus (anti- agent. eresa brought me on as an intern tra cking).” and helped me through the process of all the federal application paperwork. I’m lucky to still be friends with her today!” Cynthia Lill ’18 was the rst person in her family to go to college and is currently in her third year at uinnipiac University School of Law, where she serves as the executive chairwoman of the Human Tra cking Prevention Project. Lill is also a member of the Civil Justice Clinic, representing survivors of human tra cking and working on legislation aimed to expand criminal conviction relief for human tra cking survivors. “Salve really helped teach me how I could make a
Spring 2021 24 ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE
I remember the time they took to talk one-on-one, to think about where I “wanted to end up, to write a le er of recommendation, and to put me in touch with someone in that field.” ~ Kellie Senecal ’02, ’03 (M)
“Salve’s mission of working to create a harmonious, communities through being accessible and listening.” just and merciful world is really embodied throughout the In fall 2020, the ADJ program hosted a law enforcement program,” she continues. “It runs through the coursework panel discussion that was attended virtually by nearly 100 and critical thinking skills, as well as the presentation of students. Senecal and Alfred “Chip” Cooke ’17 were among the di erent sides of issues, and in all we experience.” panelists. Brendan Clancey ’19, ’21 (M) earned his master’s degree Cooke is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in ADJ and homeland security while working in Salve’s supervisory special agent serving as chief of the Organized Technology Service Center, which plays an important role Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Section at the DEA in assisting faculty, sta and students during the pandemic. headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Looking to broaden his He stresses that the variety and range of coursework are an career basis, he began researching master’s degree programs essential element of the program’s continued success. “My with a focus in homeland security across the United States. favorite class was Criminal Procedure,” says Clancey, “It really “It was like the stars aligned when I found Salve,” says guides you through what happens in the court system from Cooke, who rst saw the campus while vacationing in Rhode arrest to conviction.” Island with his wife. Salve’s investment in the department’s cybersecurity and “I had been searching for years,” Cooke recalls. “I walked digital forensics labs really makes the program stand out, out of a tour of the Breakers and saw Salve’s campus. It was however. “ e labs are state-of-the-art and very hands on,” truly what I had been academically searching for and has says Clancey. greatly broadened my skillset as an agent.” Joyce hopes to build on the department’s foundational Cooke completed most of his coursework online. “For excellence in providing broad-based coverage of the justice someone like me,” explains Cooke, “a mid-career, older system within the context of mercy values by strengthening student, the online option really worked well.” its relationship with local, state and federal law enforcement “ e world can be ugly at times,” says Cooke, “with people agencies. trying to harm others.” He emphasizes that Salve’s ADJ “ is is a di cult and challenging time for those working program focuses on ways to protect humanity. “We learn in the criminal justice eld,” stresses Joyce. “It is important to to think about how we can advance people, help them to be take the opportunity to strengthen relationships, while also more resilient, and bounce back from tragedy. I am proud to teaching and modeling the importance of building trust with be a graduate of this program and recommend it to others.”
My favorite class was Criminal Procedure, It really guides you through “what happens in the court system from arrest to conviction.” ~ Brendan Clancey ‘19, ‘21 (M)
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Meet the Professors
Hoffmann: During my time in the administration of justice program, I implemented a mentoring program at the R.I. Training School, the state’s locked facility for delinquent youth. Hundreds of students in the ADJ department became role models and mentors to troubled youth. This shows how our department actively embodies Salve’s mission. In 2015, I had the honor of being selected as a recipient of a Mercy Award. Dr. Robin Hoffmann Dr. Michael Brady Vincent Petrarca Q: What makes the program stand out? Q: What keeps you at Salve? Petrarca: Naming the program “Administration of Hoffmann: I love both the students and tremendous Justice” and not “Criminal Justice” was intentional sense of community. Some of my most meaningful work because it has a broader appeal. Student interests often has been as an advisor to student organizations. Currently, change over the course of their four years in college. I I’m the advisor to the Black Student Union (BSU). Each have students who started out thinking they wanted to year I work with the BSU to plan a Black Lives Matter be police offi cers, but over time, realized they really were March. I’ve also been fortunate to have the opportunity to called to be fi refi ghters. Others have become superior work on many student satisfaction initiatives. court judges, federal law enforcement, probation Petrarca: I don’t think of going to work at Salve as a offi cers, lawyers, police offi cers…I could go on…the job. I really love what I do. I have taught generations of degree is just so versatile. students, parents as well as their children. I am dedicated Also, our professors are not just in academia but also to my students and love to see them do well. practitioners in their fi elds. This has been important Q: What do you love about teaching in the in our program since the very beginning. Our current ADJ program? department chair, Paul Joyce, was a police offi cer in Boston for over 30 years. Brady: As ADJ faculty, we are passionate about what we do. The day I get up and fi nd that I no longer have Brady: Our department faculty are passionate about the passion for what I do is the day I should retire. I teach what we do both in the classroom and as practitioners. because I love it. We are excited about the topics we teach and show our students the reality of what happens in the justice system. Hoffmann: I love working with students and having the Academics teach students how things should work in opportunity to open their hearts and minds. Our students a perfect world. That is not always the case in real life. are our future and I feel hopeful that they will go on Practical experience helps teach our students the skills to make a difference and distinguish themselves in the and coping mechanisms necessary when real life does not vast justice fi eld. This enables me to introduce them to go as we planned it. controversial issues in justice with the knowledge that they may effect positive change. Q: Are there any interesting facts you’d like Petrarca: I still keep in touch with many of my students to share about yourself? even after they have graduated. I love to see how they are doing and where their careers and life have taken them. Hoffmann: I started the pet therapy program in 2013 Q: How do you think the program embodies with my beloved therapy dog, Sasha. We have held many “stress busters” since then and conducted a study with the University’s mission statement? Louise McCarty from the Department of Nursing and Brady: I think the ADJ program really is a personifi cation of Jenn Rosa, associate director of residence life, of the the mission statement. Professors, students and graduates effi cacy of pet therapy on college students that is being all work for universal justice. We are citizens of the world, written up for publication. working toward a more harmonious, just and merciful society. Our job is to take the demands of an ever-changing Petrarca: I was in the Air Force for 26 years; fought in society and teach our students how to balance societal two wars, Vietnam and the Gulf War; worked in juvenile interests and the rights of those accused of violating the probation for 35 years; and coached football at various laws of our society. This goes hand-in-hand with what levels over 20 years (including at Salve from 1992-99). students experience in our program every day. Brady: I’ve been blessed to have had three careers in Petrarca: I believe that you cannot make the world more the justice fi eld that I’ve loved; serving as a police offi cer harmonious, just and merciful without being your best for 20 years (retired in 1998), a practicing criminal law self. If you do this, you’re going to be successful. I think attorney for the past 22 years, and also as a professor at it’s important for students to hear this message. Salve for the past 20 years.
Spring 2021 26 GETTING THROUGH IT
Salve education alumni discuss the challenges of teaching during a pandemic.
alve Regina’s education graduates are among the many who have faced adversity and risen to the challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. When in-person Sinstruction halted in March 2020, education switched solely to online or “distance learning.” Educators adapted, learning quickly how to bring curriculum to students in new, engaging and interactive ways. “At rst, I didn’t know what to do,” says Nicole McDermott ’01, who has been Head of School at Pinecrest School, located in Annandale, Virginia, for the past 15 years. Nicole McDermott ’01 reads to fi rst grade students in Nov. 2020. But then, McDermott remembered her guiding principles of gratitude and grace. “ ere is always something to be grateful for,” she states. “I tried to lead by example, Having completed months of in-person learning, knowing there would be challenges and that we would handle McDermott con rmed that the seemingly impossible is them with grace.” possible a er all. “Everyone is surprised by how easy it was to “When I’m on a Zoom call and my screen freezes, I acclimate to wearing masks all day,” she says. “We don’t love might feel like panicking, but it’s okay,” she explains. “I try to it, but we can do it.” stay calm and get back on the call as quickly as I can, and to One of the biggest pandemic challenges is living with remind everyone else to do the same.” uncertainty. “Connections are important to me,” explains “I try to start from a place where doing hard things is McDermott. “I try to sit with our sta , students and families possible, not impossible” continues McDermott. “We went in the uncertainty, just be fully in the moment with them. through ve versions of COVID protocols before even at’s really all we can do.” starting the school year last fall. Over the summer, when we Jallah Leonard ’98 agrees. He tries to teach from the were thinking about starting school with masks and shields, perspective of meeting students and families where they many thought it would be impossible. Parents asked whether are at, both during the pandemic and beyond. Leonard is a kids would be able to wear masks all day. But kids are more math teacher in the alternative learning program at Rogers capable than we think.” High School in Newport. He has 22 years of experience in education, both at the high school and college levels. “I love helping kids learn and reach their full potential, especially student-athletes,” says Leonard. “I try to instill that there is no separation between the classroom and the eld. Whatever you bring to the classroom you also bring to the eld and vice versa.” According to Leonard, weaknesses are areas for potential growth, but without the right mindset, they can hold a student back. is is one reason why he strongly feels that in-school education should remain an option during the pandemic. “It’s hard for a lot of my students to learn math virtually,” says Leonard, “I need to be in front of them, be able to take a pencil and explain how something works out.” He explains that although distance learning might work for some school districts, those with less access to resources and supports 27 in the Somerset, Mass., school system for the past 15 years. She agrees in the importance of leaning on peers for support during the pandemic. “Having colleagues to help problem- solve makes all the di erence,” she explains. Helping students be successful during the pandemic requires more preparation than ever before. “I teach in person but have to prepare lessons for both in-person and online classes,” explains Faria. “I try to give my students more time to complete assignments when they are home because I don’t always know what kind of direct support parents are able to provide during lessons. “I know it can be hard for 5-year-olds to stay in one spot during distance learning, they like to move,” she continues. She tries to work quick movement activities into the lesson plans when possible. “I also have to be more animated and over-exaggerate my voice on screen to get my message across since I’m wearing a mask.” But Faria, whose mother was also in education, knows that being a teacher o en requires thinking outside the box. “My mother was a foreign language teacher, she modelled how to be a good teacher. I always knew teaching was a lot of Jallah Leonard ‘98 (left) and Vincent Petrarca work and not a job that ended at 3 p.m.” “Education is a real vocation,” says Christina Simons ’00 who works in early childhood special education in White outside of school really depend on the in-person instruction Plains, New York. “Salve prepared me well. I learned skills for and structure to nurture and develop their educational how to engage students and work with families that I still use development and well-being. every day.” Leonard tries to lead by example, a skill he learned from Like Leonard, Gallo and Faria, Simons works in person his coaches at Salve Regina, Vincent Petrarca, administration while also managing distance learning students. “It’s been a of justice senior lecturer, and Timothy Coen, former head wild ride,” she says, “learning how to engage 3- and 4-year football coach. olds in virtual conversation and activities.” “Coach P. and Coach C. still inspire me,” says Leonard. Simons has an iPad where she uploads and posts videos “Coach Petrarca loves helping people, tells it like it is, and into Google classroom. “It can be challenging at times, empowers others. Coach Coen taught me to Refuse to Lose. juggling the balance of educational needs with the new at doesn’t mean you win all the time, but it puts you in a regulations and safety protocol around hand washing every mindset to push yourself beyond your comfort zone.” 20 minutes and mask wearing,” admits Simons. “But I try to Kaci Gallo ’08 believes that now, more than ever, break it down into terms my kids will understand. I try to working closely with colleagues as a team is especially explain that we are doing these extra steps to help keep our important. For the past 11 years, Gallo has taught students bodies safe and whole right now.” with IEPs at Rogers High School. In addition, she has McDermott also believes that teaching is a vocation. coached Salve’s cross country and track and eld teams for “Since I was in second grade I knew I wanted to be a teacher,” nearly a decade. she says. “I always feel like it chose me rather than I chose it. Rogers High followed a hybrid model for much of the fall “My relationships at Salve, particularly with some of my 2020 semester, with special education teachers co-teaching professors, taught me so much about community building, in the classroom both in person and virtually to students. which is so important to me today,” she continues. “Staying “Working in partnership with other teachers really helps,” connected matters, and especially in this moment in time, says Gallo. “is year I’ve been teaching ninth-grade English trying to process through it to keep moving forward with ease and algebra. It can be hard to give the same level of attention and not anxiety. at’s the goal.” virtually to students, so I try to be available for one-on-one “We might feel like we have more questions than answers Google meets at the end of the school day. at times during this pandemic, but it will ip eventually…and “As a high school teacher,” she continues, “Seeing your we will get through this, together.” kids progress across the four years, and then watch them walk ~ by Tara Watkins ’00 across that stage, is very ful lling and makes all the struggles Editor’s note: Salve acknowledges with appreciation all education we experience worthwhile. We will persevere through this alumni teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are proud pandemic.” of you; thanks for all the hard work you do day in and day out to Karin Cordeiro Faria ’05 has been teaching kindergarten advocate for children and provide quality education.
Spring 2021 28 Community Connections in a pandemic By Samantha Tarbox ‘21 Illustration by Ryan Miech ’21
Despite the challenges, both virtual and in-person service opportunities keep students busy.
With 118 service opportunities, 346 student volunteers Another opportunity for service was “Virtual Reading and 32 service advocates, Salve Regina combated the Rooms” for children, which took place during the Day of struggles posed by the pandemic and continued to serve Service at the start of the fall 2020 semester. Participating the surrounding community in typical Seahawk fashion students read and acted out children’s books while throughout the fall 2020 semester. recording themselves. e videos have been posted on “Even with COVID, it was a great turnout of volunteers, McKillop Library’s YouTube page, and are shared by which is amazing considering all of the challenges students community members and teachers with their younger had to face,” said Kelly Powers, director of the Center for students. An additional group of students made holiday Community Engagement and Service. door decorations for children at Lucy’s Hearth, a 24-hour roughout the fall 2020 semester, the biggest challenge emergency and transitional shelter in Newport County. faced by the Center for Community Engagement and Rendos is extremely proud of the Center’s work to create Service was developing virtual service opportunities for virtual opportunities, and explains how everyone had to step students. Typically, service programs are generally planned out of their “comfort zones” in order to expand outreach. six months in advance. Kathleen Rendos, assistant director, irty-two service advocates stepped up, taking the lead on shared that the Center had to adjust to a more day-by-day new opportunities and contributing 1,112 hours at various approach to planning. community organizations. ey have been a constant support “It was di cult to wait until the last minute to plan in getting more student volunteers out into the community. service opportunities, but things would constantly change with the community partners, the volunteers and general logistics,” said Rendos. “Our traditional methods of thinking and planning didn’t work as we had to always adapt to new obstacles.” As with many procedures in the pandemic, con guring virtual service was an evolving experience that o ered lessons from which to build on moving forward. Nevertheless, virtual service occurred over the course of the semester in several di erent forms. Saarah Papineau ’23, who is part of the service advocate program, coordinated phone calls between Salve students and residents in Aldersbridge Communities nursing home in East Providence, R.I. From these interactions, several wonderful friendships blossomed. Salve students found a way to create meaningful connections with the residents that lled a void Georgia Rossetti ’22 works with student volunteers to make fl ower so many have experienced during the pandemic. arrangements for Newport Hospital.
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Student volunteers gather to tie-dye masks for the Boys & Girls Club while taking part in the Day of Service on campus.
“ ey have risen to the occasion to become an advocate said Boutoussov. for the community needs that pop up,” explained Powers. With seasons postponed, annual fundraiser games could Rendos’ favorite memory from the fall semester was the not take place, but athletes were not discouraged from Service Plunge, which took place Sept. 2-6, 2020. e annual helping the community. In collaboration with Clean Ocean service immersion experience was more important than ever Access, more than 80 student-athletes helped clean local in a world impacted by the pandemic. beaches. In November 2020, 50 campus community members “Our Service Plunge facilitators dove head- rst into the plunge joined together in a walk for equality hosted by SAAC, which before the semester even began,” explained Rendos. Incoming supported the NCAA’s diversity and inclusion campaign. students participating in the Service Plunge were able to have a Boutoussov, who is a member of the men’s ice hockey team, great experience, thanks to the highly dedicated facilitators who made sure attendees were kept safe at all events by wearing committed to following all COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions masks, social distancing and wearing gloves when necessary. in order to keep both Salve and their community partners “I think that Salve Athletics is a wonderful organization safe. Students dedicated their time to nonpro ts such as Child lled with wonderful people,” said Boutoussov. “ ere are and Family Services, Methodist Community Gardens, Rhode always individuals from numerous sports teams who are Island Food Bank and Gi s to Give. willing to lend a helping hand.” During the holiday season, service advocates hosted Big or small, groups of Salve students were positively anksgiving and service week events if they stayed on campus, impacting Aquidneck Island all semester long. In September and wrapped and delivered gi s from Angel Tree donations. and October 2020, over 20 volunteers helped with Newport’s “ ey are truly ambassadors for service and their positive Zorro Brigade, passing out free masks on busy streets and in uence continues to enhance Aquidneck Island,” said along Cli Walk. Powers. “Salve is a place where students with a natural passion “Salve students were a real shot in the arm for the for serving can go above and beyond.” volunteers who’ve been out there all summer long with the While Seahawk student-athletes were unable to represent Zorro Brigade passing out masks to anyone who needed them. the University on the court, rink, eld and track due to e students were prompt and conscientious, and a complete the Commonwealth Coast Conference’s decision to cancel delight,” remarked Susan Taylor, former Newport city intercollegiate competition, they shined instead in other ways. councilor, as she expressed gratitude for the Salve community. rough the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Like Catherine McAuley in 19th-century Dublin, Salve they redirected their energy to various service opportunities. students do not back down in times of uncertainty, and Paul Boutoussov ’21, president, shared that despite the are dedicated to volunteering their time with mercy and pandemic struggles, SAAC was able to engage with the gratitude, taking action to help wherever possible. e Center community, although some of the annual events that are for Community Engagement and Service is always ready and considered “close-contact” proved challenging. willing to launch new initiatives to assist neighbors in need. “ is year has been a bit tough, but we raised more canned “We encourage students to talk to us if they have addi- goods than the previous years for our anksgiving Drive,” tional ideas for virtual service opportunities,” said Rendos.
Spring 2021 30 Making Magic
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 31 S B ’11 D W’ M K Tas a child and watching with awe as the reworks lit up the night sky over Cinderella’s Castle. It seemed as though everything, from the music to the lighting, was timed just right in order to make the spectacle perfect. She always knew she wanted to pursue a career in pyrotechnics, but her fascina- tion with the art didn’t start in Orlando, Florida. It began back home in New Jersey, where her family has owned and operated Garden State Fireworks, Inc. since 1890. Coming from three generations of pyrotechnicians, Bland was destined to work in the eld. Today, she is the reworks and special FX designer for Disney Parks Live Entertainment, creating the same shows that lled her with wonder at a young age. Bland’s favorite part of the job is what used to be the best part of her vacation–seeing the guests’ reactions when they watch her work come to life. “It’s so cool to think that families are making memories from the work that I am doing,” she said. At Salve, Bland majored in chemistry to better understand the science behind the art and learn how the chemical reac- tions could produce such brilliant colors. e combination of her studies and her family’s background in the business helped Tess Santore Bland ’11 and her husband Tyler are on duty for the pave the way to her dream job today. A er graduation, Bland opening night of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. was accepted into the Disney College Program. A few months later she accepted a role as an entertainment technician. In this role, she helped to execute the shows that were already “I ink it’s so special at I get to be designed and built and continued to grow her knowledge in special e ects. In March 2016, she began her current role as a part of creating memories for a designer on the nightly shows, choreographing the displays that include everything from confetti to ames to bubbles. families and guests every day.” “I ask myself how I will best be able to tell a story through -Tess Santore Bland ’11 the show,” she said, “My hope is that people walk away remem- bering what they saw.” Bland and her team are responsible for two popular. nightly public. “Hearing the guests in the crowd is something that Hollywood Studios shows. “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” won’t ever get old,” she added. lls the air with music and reworks as scenes from the movies Bland lives just outside Orlando with her husband Tyler are projected for the audience to see. “Disney’s Wonderful and their dog Molly. Tyler is the rigging and rope access pro- World of Animation” takes guests on a journey through more gram manager for all of Walt Disney World’s property. e than 90 years of Disney and Pixar animation in just 12 minutes. couple met at the park in 2012 while working a New Year’s e projection show includes moments from various Disney Eve event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In May, they will lms, and ttingly begins and ends with Mickey Mouse. celebrate three years of marriage. ey have their own slice of In the fall of 2019, Bland completed the year-long en- paradise on just under ve acres, surrounded by 400 acres of deavor of replacing the holiday reworks at Mickey’s Very orange groves. When they aren’t working or visiting the parks, Merry Christmas Party. e project included developing a they enjoy taking on home projects, traveling and visiting new musical score, storyline, projection ideas and reworks family. Bland considers herself pretty lucky. displays. In order to get things just right, she viewed computer “It’s amazing to think back to standing with my family at renderings that captured the reworks and the castle projec- Disney World and watching the reworks. I can remember it tions to 1/100 of a second. A er a lot of work alongside a like it was yesterday! I think it’s so special that I get to be a part team of show directors, lighting, broadcast and projection of creating those memories for families and guests every day.” partners, and a few overnight test-runs, “Minnie’s Wonderful - Emily Whelan ’20 Christmastime Fireworks” debuted on Nov. 8, 2019, in front of a sold-out crowd. Editor’s Note: At press time, Disney Parks are open with health “I think we not only met every expectation, but surpassed and safety measures in place to protect employees and guests. them all,” Bland said. e countless hours that are put into Bland continues to design pyrotechnic projects and looks forward creating the show all become worth it when it opens to the to sharing them with visitors in the future.
Spring 2021 32 ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES The Way We W e Photos courtesy of Regina Maris yearbooks.
1951: Left to right: Jane Quinton, Mary M. Shea, Frances Almonte.
1961: Sister Mary Antonine, RSM, Nancy Ellis, Carol Rourke and Judith Kelley
1951: Eileen Schwenk, Claire O’Connor and Frances Bridgeman
1961: Freshman and sophomore students
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1971
1971 Fun Facts
• Most popular TV show was “All in the Family.” • Album of the year: “Tapestry,” Carol King • IBM introduced the oppy disk. • The Walt Disney World Theme Park opened in Orlando, Florida. • NASA’s Apollo 14, the third manned mission to the moon, launched. • Greenpeace formally comes into existence. • Federal Express was started by Fred Smith. • The rst Starbucks opened in Seattle, Washington.
1996
1996 Fun Facts • Most popular TV show was “Frasier.” • Album of the Year: “Falling into You,” Celine Dion • Pokemon is rst introduced. • Bill Clinton was re-elected as president. • Dolly the Sheep was the rst mammal to be successfully cloned. • Ebay started its online auction and shopping website. • Doing the “Macarena” became a popular dance craze. • Tomb Raider video game was introduced.
Spring 2021 34 ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES 34 Compiled by Jessica Reitz ‘23 ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES and Corilyn Henault Richard ‘15
History majors from the 1960s to 2020—and all decades in between—got together on Zoom Feb. 11 for a fun-fi lled and informative reunion. The conversation included faculty updates on Department of History initiatives and research projects, and alumni shared news on where they are living and working. A great time was had by all and plans are under way for another gathering in the future.
1952 1965 Sandra Flowers ’65, ’06 (Ph.D.) is in her 12th year on the Newport, R.I., School Committee, serving on several subcommittees. Flowers was recently nominated to be president of AARP of Newport County, and serves as vice-chair of the Newport Democratic City Committee and corresponding secretary of Forum Lodge, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America. She continues to be active in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Eileen Schwenk ’52 (bottom le ) is a member of the Maryknoll Sisters Eastern Church, including teaching religious United States Region. She uses her nursing and counseling experience to help friends education classes for grades ve and and neighbors. six.
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 35 1966 1973 meet the challenges of being any type of nurse and felt a true calling to become a Susan Allard Erinakes ’66 has Linda Skya Brown Abbate ’73 earned hospice nurse at this time in her life. 12 grandchildren and learned the her doctoral degree in bioethics in May challenges of online education during 2020 from Loyola University Chicago. the pandemic in her role as a middle 1984 school Spanish teacher 1974 Janet Titus Boudreaux ’84 won the 2020 Outstanding Judge Ourania Papademetriou ’74 1969 Part-Time Faculty serves on the Court of Common Helen Dor inger Ryan ’69, who Award at Pleas of the First Judicial District of serves on Salve’s Heartland Pennsylvania. In this role she has shared Board of Trustees, Community her experiences, insights and advice, was awarded the College, Illinois, demonstrating her commitment to Cross Pro Ecclesia where she teaches seeking justice for those in need. et Ponti ce, also psychology in the known as the liberal arts and Cross of Honor, 1981 social sciences. She uses active learning, from the Most Reverend Vincent Howell ’81 (M) emphasizing her high expectations with Reverend Robert was recently high support, and a sense of humor in E. Guglielmone, Bishop of Charleston, appointed director order to help students understand the S.C. e Papal honor comes directly of the fundamental principles of psychology from the Holy See and is composed of Congregational and the connections between learning a gold medal with the name of the Faith and Learning and real-world experiences. honor inscribed, as well as a scroll. e Center at Hood honor was established in 1888 and is eological 1986 given to Catholics aged 45 and above Seminary in Katherine Aldrich ’86 is the deputy who have shown distinguished service Salisbury, N.C. counsel for the commandant of the U.S. to the Church and to the Papal o ce. Howell was ordained as an elder in the Marine Corps. Aldrich is responsible for African Methodist Episcopal Zion assisting the counsel in her duties as the 1970 Church nearly 25 years ago. senior legal advisor to the commandant, Donna Place Cox ’70 owns her the deputy commandants and numerous own SAT/ACT tutoring company, 1983 other top o cials. Aldrich was appointed Cox Tutoring Group. She has been Karen Miguel ’83 has been working to the Senior Executive Service in 2020, tutoring for 18 years and has three and her experience supervising over associate tutors who work with her. on the front lines of the pandemic since before the coronavirus arrived in 100 civilian and marine judge advocate Cox completed her 25th year as chair attorneys and support sta at Marine of the school/business partnership the U.S. In her role as a patient safety o cer of radiology at Massachusetts Corps Headquarters and 14 other eld committee for her local Chamber of o ces worldwide has helped her prepare Commerce in North Attleboro, Mass. General Hospital Care Services, she helped monitor the spread of the virus for this position. 1972 across Asia and into Europe during early spring 2020. Miguel helped create Gerald Willis ’86, ’88 (M), director Dodie Kazanjian ’72 is the founder the hospital’s Interdisciplinary Proning of alumni, parent and director of the new art exhibit Team, which is responsible for helping and family in the August Belmont Memorial to care for COVID-19 patients who programs, was Chapel in Newport’s Island Cemetery. are in crisis, and trained more than 80 chosen as the 2020 Originally built in 1886, the chapel sta members in three days. recipient of the has been transformed by Kazanjian, in Boys & Girls Club collaboration with artist Piotr Uklanski, Gretchen Berrigan Muschamp ’83 of Newport the Island Cemetery Company and the decided to choose a dierent direction County’s Belmont Chapel Foundation with the in her long nursing career and joined Outstanding Service Award, which is curated exhibit, “Piotr Uklanski: Suicide Care Dimensions, a hospice/palliative given to an individual who has gone Stunner’s Séance.” e paintings and care organization on the North Shore above and beyond with volunteering renovations were inspired by the chapel’s of Boston. She has always felt that Salve their time and energy in the neo-Gothic architecture and history. Regina prepared her in a special way to community.
Spring 2021 36 ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES
Th Maria Guadagno Elixi ’84 relies on ofaith andLif resilience as she continues working to be her best self.
Many people saw Guadagno With the strong faith, business struggle and wondered why she had skills and determination that she le the land of plenty for a land in had developed as a Salve student, dire need. She was unphased by the Guadagno created Loutraki Oil negativity and fueled by faith. Company, which has become an “I trusted God to nd a position international success in the olive for me somewhere, somehow, because oil industry. “Against all odds and times were hard in Greece and bills many competitors, together with my were piling up,” said Guadagno. “I husband, my two children and my remember a professor of mine once wonderful team, ELEA and other n olive branch is well known told us, when you have a problem or ne olive oil products are shipped as a symbol of peace. A burden, go out and help others.” worldwide.” business management major, With this valuable lesson in Highly dedicated to everything AMaria Guadagno ’84 could not have mind, Guadagno made it through she does, Guadagno knows that predicted just how that symbol would her hardships. As she waited for God success means not cutting edges or play a central role in her life. to help her nd work and wisdom slacking o . She does everything in Running an errand one day a er in her new life, she formed a loving the best way she can and is constantly she had graduated, she met her community of people. encouraging and teaching those future husband, who was taking a “I spent so much time encouraging around her to do the same. And the summer class at Salve. Five years and praying and sharing all I had with lessons she learned while on Salve’s later, Guadagno traded the Atlantic those in need, I was able to create campus are put into practice each day Ocean, which had been a part of my own ministry, which I took very thousands of miles away. her life as a Rhode Islander, for the seriously and still am very active with,” “I promised I would be my best Mediterranean Sea and her husband’s said Guadagno. possible self every single day,” said native country. As time went on, God began Guadagno. “Salve has helped me, my “I was not sure if we would move providing for Guadagno and her family, and so many people I minister to Greece forever, but it became family in surprising ways. One day, to in Greece, and even so many evident that it was God’s plan for when on a walk with her two young others who plop themselves in my us, as I have been here for the last 30 children through the olive groves that o ce chairs hoping to try to sell our years,” said Guadagno. her husband inherited, Guadagno had product without even knowing where Adapting to a new lifestyle wasn’t a realization about the fallen olives. “I to begin.” easy. Being a woman of great faith, was sad because attention was not given - Samantha Tarbox ’21 Guadagno embodied resilience to collect these olives and produce olive throughout her struggle to nd oil, which is something that is necessary comfort. She relentlessly tried to nd for good health,” she recalled. work in Greece but found it di cult. At the time, olive oil was not a Women faced inherent biases in the big commodity in Greece, Guadagno workforce, whether or not they had a explained. A er collecting her rst University diploma, as she did. harvest and creating her rst batch “It was very hard for me in the of olive oil, she knew she had found beginning, as I was in a new land, a new a treasure. “I started to notice the culture, and very far from the freedoms, freshness, fruity smell, gorgeous color luxuries and opportunities I had in the and never mind the taste… I wanted United States,” she explained. to o er this oil to the whole world.”
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 37 1989 1994 Dr. Barry Black ’89 (M), ’16 (Hon.) Dan Titus ’94, associate director of was featured in a June, 2, 2020, user support services, was appointed ChristianHeadlines.com story by to the board of directors for the Fort Michael Foust. Respected by both Adams Trust in Newport, R.I. As Democrats and someone who is passionate about Republicans, historic preservation and history, Titus Black has served has been volunteering for the Trust as U.S. Senate since the 1990s and considers Fort Chaplain since Adams his “home away from home.” 2003 and deliv- e Trust has made amazing progress ered Salve’s 2016 preserving this national treasure and is Commencement currently working on the stabilization address. Opening the June 1 Senate and preservation of the southeast Session in the wake of George Floyd’s demi-bastion, which houses the heart death, and amidst both the racial pro- of the fort – its kitchen. Titus’ most tests and global pandemic, he prayed recent project was to clear and remove that God would “use our lawmakers gra ti on Battery Belton, a c. 1903 for [His] glory. May they strive to defensive position. nd a vaccine to inoculate our nation Dan Titus ‘94 stands amid the historical Fort Adams. against hate, sin and despair.”
Maria Catanese Hurley ’89 was Alumni Spotlight named senior vice president of people at the NIP Group, a business Tia Scigulinsky ’94 was honored insurance program manager located with the 2020 AARP Rhode Island in Woodbridge, N.J. Hurley brings Andrus Award for Community a wealth of expertise in the human Service, an award that recognizes resources eld a er receiving her recipients for their ability to enhance undergraduate degree in human the lives of AARP members, resources and nance from Salve and completing Harvard Business improve the community and inspire School’s Strategic Human Resource other volunteers. She is proud to be Management Program. Hurley plans a part of an organization that cares to further promote growth through about the elderly and provides so She and her husband also the company’s successful human many bene ts. sponsor foreign o cers attending resource strategies. Noting that it was a privilege to be recognized by AARP, Scigulinsky the Naval War College, one of said: “Upon my retirement, I joined her favorite roles as it provides the 1992 the thousands of AARP volunteers opportunity to greet families and Catherine Chace L’Heureux ’92 is a to support the many issues that ensure they have a place to stay. nurse anesthetist in an ICU who has AARP promotes. AARP has the ey have hosted families from worked throughout the pandemic. As ability to focus on relevant issues, all dierent religions, sharing Maine faced a shortage of PPE, she not only for the 50-plus population, their anksgiving and Christmas reects that “one thing that Salve gave but for all Americans. Health care, traditions. me during this horri c time was the drug prices, homelessness and livable “I appreciate that we are able ability to rise to the challenge, be my communities continue to be priority to help other people who have best self and a whole lot of prayer.” concerns.” not been as fortunate as we have Scigulinsky’s other volunteer and need to connect outside of activities include the Portsmouth their homes,” said Scigulinsky. Library, NEA Retired RI, -Jessica Reitz ’23 (with portions Partnership for Families and excerpted om a story published by Children and Rhode Island PBS. EastBayRI.com, Dec. 8, 2020)
Spring 2021 38
Sitting at the controls of a UPS cargo plane, Rob Oswald ’90 runs a mental checklist per corporate standards. Are you honest? Check. Don’t steal anything. Check. Sober? Check. On time? Check. And then he asks his own question. Am I honored to do this work? Check. Oswald’s devotion to honor began on the soccer elds and in the math labs of Salve Regina, not 35,000 feet above ground. Sister Madeleine Gregoire, his math professor, and Father John Meade, the Seahawks soccer coach at the time, formed in him a powerful fusion of intellect and leadership. ese hard-earned qualities led him to serve in the United States Air Force, eventually becoming an Air Force pilot.
“Once I learned I could earn a good living doing out and fast-tracked my career.” something I love - like ying planes, I never looked back,” In addition to ying for UPS, Oswald established the said Oswald. A er retiring from the Air Force in 2015 Pilot Career Consulting Group, LLC, in 2015, and also a er 24 years of service, and while actively serving in serves as an Air Force Academy liaison o cer. “Both roles the reserves, he went on to y for Northwest Airlines, support my passion for helping young adults who aspire to American Airlines, and, nally, UPS, where he has served be a part of the aviation community, whether through the as a pilot for 15 years and is now a captain. Air Force or a non-military route,” said Oswald. e son of an engineer, Oswald discovered his knack “I’ve taken the compassion and mercy that underscored for math in Sister Madeleine’s classroom, alongside a small my Salve experience with me throughout my life, cohort of four math majors. always bringing it to my work,” he added. “A powerful “Sister Madeleine was one of the kindest and most combination of luck, hard work, and collaboration has compassionate people I’ve known,” Oswald recalled. “She blessed me with an exciting life. And the bonds I formed instilled in me a love of problem-solving and equations.” at Salve Regina are built to last. For all of this, I am very Oswald ultimately found his home on Father Meade’s grateful.” soccer eld. -Meghan E. Butler “Once you played for Father Meade, you were his son and your teammates were your brothers,” Oswald said. “Father Meade used humor and kindness to help us form long-lasting bonds.” A particularly memorable soccer match proved dire during the rst half. But Father Meade’s speech during half time was so passionate and galvanizing, the team returned to the eld to win the game. “Most of the time, we had no idea what Father Meade actually said,” Oswald admitted. “His Irish brogue was so thick! But his charisma and emotional demonstration provided the clarity we needed. His message was never lost. “When I was a Salve student,” he continued, “I didn’t realize I was developing as a good team member and leader, or building a capacity for honor, but my experiences at Salve Regina followed me to the Air Force where I stood
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 39 1995 David Kriso ’99 was published in Tourist Attractions & Parks Rebecca Clark Homer ’89, ’95 has magazine with a story about Six Flags been working at Newport Hospital’s America in Washington, D.C., and Birthing Center as a labor and delivery has other stories that will be featured nurse for nearly 20 years. In summer in multiple magazines. Kriso has 2019, she went to the Dominican also written magazine articles about Republic with her daughter to work Pittsburgh’s historic Kennywood with Haitian refugees as part of a Park as well as a story about the top medical mission, which she says was an 15 places to drink beer in Pittsburgh, amazing and life-changing experience. which was featured recently in e Beer Connoisseur Susan Harrington-Shuby ’95 was . promoted to senior Danielle Carvealle Walsh ’99, quality engineer at ’00 (M) has successfully led the Perkin-Elmer, an Needham Banks accounting American global department for the past 11 years. corporation Rebecca Clark Homer ‘89, ‘95 focused on diag- nostics, life science 2000 research, food, Cynthia French ’00 (M) specializes environmental and 1997 in medical surgery at Rhode Island industrial testing. She graduated in Steven Magno ’97 was appointed Hospital in Providence. Having April 2020 from the Institute of as principal at Peabody Veterans earned her bachelor’s degree in Integrative Nutrition and is now a Memorial High School in Peabody, nursing from Graceland University health and wellness coach. She started Mass. He has had 22 years of in Lamoni, Iowa, in 1995, she then her own business called “Vibe with ur experience in education and has completed her master’s degree in Tribe LLC” in Shelton, Conn. Shuby’s served as an administrator for the health services administration from goal is to educate and coach others to past 10 years at Revere High School. Salve Regina in 2000. help “rede ne” their goals. Lisa Rowe ’00 began a new position 1999 1996 as account services manager at Shauna Falanga-Liverotti ’99 has Finger-paint in Cedar Knolls, N.J., Rocco Santurri III ’96 returned been working with Florida Virtual as part of their account service team. from an assignment with the O ce School, a leader in online public Prior to joining the agency, she was of Defense Cooperation at the U.S. education, since 2008. She also an account supervisor at Aircra Embassy in Budapest, Hungary in consults for the National Council for Health, where she managed client December 2019. He served as an History Education as a master teacher accounts through day-to-day support advisor to the U.S. Department of and writer. Over the past four years as well as long-term goal planning. State and the Hungarian government Falanga-Liverotti has been serving on on civil-military relations and the colloquium team for a grant with military cooperation. Santurri the Astronauts Memorial Fund at 2003 will be graduating from American the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Jennifer Perrault-Minshall ’03 University’s School of International Canaveral, Florida. She works on a was selected as the recipient of Service in August 2021 with a master’s team with historians and museum Massachusetts’ 2020 Stanford degree in international service and a personnel to teach teachers from all Teacher Award, which recognizes concentration in global governance, over the country how to implement and celebrates 51 inspirational politics and security. Santurri has also strategies in the classroom for student teachers from across the country been collaborating with a Hungarian success. She has had the opportunity for the learning environments they musician on his recent album. One to meet many astronauts, rocket create and how they motivate their song, titled “Coming Home,” was engineers, safety o cers and high- students. recently released and has been entered ranking U.S. Air Force personnel, and in two competitions in Europe witnessed history with the successful launch of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon abort test. Spring 2021 40 ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES Sarah Stone ’03 won top spot in education programs for over 17,000 2006 a four-way contest for the North students at 26 schools. Carroll was Erinn Gloster ’06 graduated from Attleboro, Mass., school board. one of the Salve Regina’s rst music law school in 2014 and was admitted Stone was serving as president education majors when the program to the Massachusetts Bar Association at an early learning center and debuted fall 2000. volunteering with a weekend food the same year. She is working as an program in elementary schools but associate at Melick & Porter, LLP in became more involved a er her 2005 Boston and volunteers as a teacher for Discovery Justice, a program designed two sons began as students in the Vice Admiral John W. Miller ’05 (M) to teach inner-city students about school system. Stone’s focus on the (Ret.) joined the Atlantic Council as a issues associated with constitutional board was to create a reopening task nonresident senior fellow. Miller is also civil rights. Gloster is also an associate force composed of parents, teachers, a consultant, policy advisor and speaker board member of the Insurance sta and administration during the in Washington, D.C. He attended Industry Charitable Foundation’s pandemic. the United States Naval Academy Boston chapter. and earned his master’s degree in 2004 international relations at Salve Regina. Julie Carroll ’04 was appointed Jared Wallin ’05 has joined T.A. to the position of interim director LaBarge of Harwich, Mass., as project of music for Lynn, Mass., Public manager on the high-end residential Schools, overseeing the music construction team.
Alumni Spotlight
e fear of failure o en holds “She’s like a sister to me,” says people back from accomplishing Koenig. “She is an integral part of my their goals. Overcoming this fear is success and the one who introduced a key motivator for Mary Milanesi me to the products and the company.” Koenig ’96, who is the national Even though Koenig lives in marketing director for the Juice Plus New Jersey and O’Neil lives in + company. Pennsylvania, they have remained e Juice Plus + Company oers close over the years and consider products such as juice capsules and each other “best friends for life.” vitamins for healthy living, as well as ey even collaborated on creating the Tower garden program, which a team-building business known as enables people to grow their own Best Friends CEO LLC, which is fruits and vegetables. an organization that exists within As a mentor for over 400 members the Juice Plus + Company. Along of the direct sales team worldwide, with Koenig, O’Neil also motivates and someone who has experienced employees to overcome their fears the fear of public speaking, Koenig in their work in order to inspire motivates her newest employees to eating right and staying t, and was people to embrace good nutrition and overcome their fears of rejection drawn to the Juice Plus + Company healthy lifestyles. in sales pitches. “When people are by Renee O’Neil ’96, whom she met A member of her 25th reunion new to sales, they o en have a fear as a freshman living in Miley Hall and committee, Koenig is looking forward of rejection and take it personally is also an executive marketing director to re-connecting with her friends and when the person they are reaching for the company. Like O’Neil, Koenig classmates. Reunion planning is well out to doesn’t want to buy the received her bachelor’s degree from under way and she is trying to get product,” says Koenig. “Action leads Salve in social work, and went on to the word out to as many people as to momentum and momentum leads earn her master’s degree in elementary possible. to con dence.” education from Fairley-Dickinson Koenig has always believed in University in Morristown, N.J. -Emily Dussault ’04
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 41 2007 2011 Lieutenant Daniel DiMaio ’07, Lynda Casarella ’11, ’20 (M) was ’08 (M) is a 10-year veteran of the recently promoted to controller at Warwick, R.I., Police Department. Poly Prep Country Day School in Now serving as team commander, he Brooklyn, N.Y. She and her husband has been a member of the SWAT team transferred to Fort Hamilton Army since 2013 and is also a pistol, rie and Base in 2015. shotgun instructor for the department. 2012 2008 Joel Ewing-Chow ’12 (M) was Elissa Slason Kerr ’08 published named police chief for the South a children’s book, Kingstown, R.I., Police Department “ e Sweetest a er serving as interim chief. He Season,” in 2019. A has been serving the town for 25 childhood years, starting as a civilian dispatcher education major, in 1995 before he became a police she is excited to o cer in 1999. expand her resume. Amanda Goodheart Parks ‘08 and Michael Parks ‘08 2013 Amanda Goodheart Parks ’08 Ashley Bendiksen ’13 was featured exercise, which have been published in recently earned her Ph.D. in History on whatsupnewp.com in July 2020 “Religion and Contemporary Politics: from the University of Massachusetts for the release of her debut memoir, A Global Encyclopedia.” Most recently, Amherst a er successfully defending “ e Language of Time.” e author, Jumper provided a plenary address to her dissertation, “’No Seas Can who was valedictorian for the Class the 70th Anniversary Symposium of the Now Divide Us: Captains’ Wives, of 2013, serves on the Board of U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps on Sister Sailors, and the New England Directors of the Women’s Resource “Healthcare Ethics and Conquering Whale shery, 1840-1870.” She began Center of Newport County, and is a Zero Harm: A High-Reliability researching the topic as part of her nonpro t spotlight writer for Newport Organization Perspective.” Jumper undergraduate history thesis at Salve Neighbors Magazine. Having cared for continues to lead the Professional and is currently working on a book her mother, who developed early-onset Advisory Group for the clinical pastoral about women in the New England Alzheimer’s, Bendiksen also served as educational program at the Veterans whaling communities. chairperson of a regional Walk to End Aairs Medical Center in Virginia. Alzheimer’s from 2014 to 2017, has testi ed on behalf of Alzheimer’s policy 2009 Karl Krohn ’09 joined Mercyhurst change, and has raised countless dollars Tyler Dyment ’09 was working at the University as an assistant professor in for research. She shares her experiences University of California as assistant the Intelligence Studies Department. in her book, which is described as director of residence life before “a powerful, moving, and honest moving back to the East Coast to 2010 account of one daughter’s sudden and take on the role of assistant director unplanned journey as a caregiver. It of marketing and communications at eresa Teo lak-Wilson ’10 has combines journal entries, transcribed Dexter South eld, which is a private been working in the mental health conversations, and vivid storytelling elementary school in Brookline, Mass. eld since she graduated, and started that will make you both laugh and a private practice in holistic mental cry, while provoking reection on life, Mark Jumper ’09 (Ph.D) received health counseling, Happy and Free meaning, family, and time.” See page 48 tenure as associate professor and Healing. She expanded her rm to a for Bendiksen’s “Viewpoint.” director of chaplaincy and military group practice with eight therapists aairs at Regent University School of in 2019 and opened a yoga studio Divinity in Virginia Beach, Virginia. in 2020. A lifelong learner herself, He is co-editor of “ e Holy Spirit Teo lak-Wilson runs education classes and the Reformation Legacy,” and for other mental health professionals has authored several articles regarding and is working toward her 1,000-hour constitutional law and religious free yoga therapist certi cation.
Spring 2021 42 ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES Katharine Hanavan ’13 graduated bene ts. Cooper also serves as council 2016 in May 2019 from the University of president for the City of Attleboro Jennifer Chelo ’16 is a nurse at the North Carolina Wilmington with and is a member of Sturdy Memorial Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center at her Master of Social Work. She is Hospital’s Board of Managers. Cooper Newport Hospital. Chelo’s greatest now pursuing her clinical social work is also a licensed registered nurse challenge over the past year was license and works at a Wilmington in Massachusetts and a respiratory when the Center’s patient capacity non-pro t as a care manager. therapist. more than doubled to accommodate Rhode Island’s surge plan during the uadry Oladayo Olalekan ’13 (M), Kara McGuire ’14 was honored as pandemic. Chelo, who worked as a ’16 (M) has introduced Listbuy, an Teacher of the Year at Chastain Road oat nurse at Newport Hospital for e-commerce so ware platform with Elementary School in Liberty, S.C., for four years prior to joining the Center, Escrow payment technology, to his the 2019-20 academic year. McGuire has loved seeing the hospital sta start-up business in Nigeria. Olalekan’s has been a special education teacher come together during such a di cult new company, IderaOS, will transform at the school since September 2017. time. the e-commerce market in Africa She is an avid “CrossFitter” and is by protecting online buyers from currently working toward her master’s Courtney Flynn ’16 was working fraudsters. Olalekan chose the name degree in special education. at New York of the company, IderaOS, because Presbyterian Weill “Idera” is the Yoruba word for ease, Cornell Medical which he hopes to bring every user. 2015 Center in Sheila McKenna ’15 works as a nurse Manhattan during Alexis Gallipoli Paquette ’13 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical the pandemic, returned to Center (BIDMC) in Boston, Mass. where her oor Middlebury She currently serves on a 44-bed was turned into an College as assistant medical unit and has been at the intensive care unit director of athletic hospital for over four years. McKenna for patients with COVID-19. She communications and her coworkers, all healthcare plans to go back to school to study to a er working at heroes, have been on the frontline become a nurse practitioner. Wesleyan since spring 2020 in the battle University for a against COVID-19, treating patients Patrick Golden ’16 participated in time, where she suering from the virus. In her work the 11th annual Run to Home Base managed the social media and graphic at BIDMC, she has re ned the skills presented by New Balance. e goal design for athletics. she learned as a Salve nursing student of the event is to raise funds for and was one of the rst sta members Home Base, a partnership of the Red Katherine Picarde ’13 published Sox Foundation and Massachusetts her rst children’s to be vaccinated for the coronavirus, General Hospital dedicated to healing book called “ e receiving her rst dose on Dec. 29, the invisible wounds for veterans of Little Ouch.” 2020. all eras, service members, military Picarde wrote the families and families of the fallen story to illustrate James Pickering ’15 was named through world-class clinical care, children’s the 2019-20 Businessperson of wellness, education and research. experiences with the Year for Massachusetts Future anxiety and Business Leaders of America. He Captain Scott Robillard ’16 is a discomfort when has volunteered for the organization 19-year veteran of the Warwick, receiving shots. Her goal is to bring as the State Leadership Conference R.I., Police Department, a er humor to children who struggle with competitive events coordinator. having previously served on the this fear. West Warwick Police Department Taylor Robertson ’15, ’16 (M) is for three years. He spent 10 years 2014 currently working for a healthcare training new recruits as an emergency IT company, Surescripts, as an event vehicle operation and control Mark Cooper ’14 (M) was named planner on the marketing team. She instructor at the R.I. Municipal vice president of Neighborhood helps plan and support 80 events a year Police Training Academy and was a Health Plan of R.I.’s INTEGRITY, ranging from 40 attendees to 40,000 eld training o cer and supervisor a health and drug plan that covers attendees. for many years. both Medicare and Medicaid
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 43 2017 2018 Caroline Bender ’18 is working on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., for Ariana Puopolo ’17, ’18 (M) opened a Michelle Baptista ’18 is currently the Senate Homeland Security and nutrition-based smoothie bar, Sblended, working as a care coordinator in the Governmental A airs Committee as in Beverly, Mass., in May 2020. Due to Supportive Adoptive and Foster a research assistant on border security the pandemic, Sblended was restricted Families Everywhere Program at St. and immigration issues. to takeout only and Puopolo admits Mary’s Home for Children in North that she was unsure how the business Providence, R.I. Baptista also accepted would do. Sblended has thrived, a spot in the advanced standing Master however, attracting passersby with of Social Work class at Rhode Island its grab-and-go menu and Puopolo is College, taking on a full-time graduate thrilled that her shop has brought joy to assistant job in the Learning for Life others during such di cult times. Program on campus.
Glowing Memories Allison Gold ’16 helps families deal with losing those they love.
Allison Gold ’16 began her Each memory box contains a nursing career with a summer heart shaped frame in which the internship at Katz’s Women’s nurse may place a ngerprint, two Hospital in ueens, N.Y., in the small glass vials that can contain labor and delivery unit. Upon an EKG strip of the loved one’s graduation, she was selected for the heartbeat, a packet of forget- 2016 William Randolph Hearst me-not ower seeds to plant in Critical Care Nursing Fellowship. memory of a loved one, and a Over the three-and-a-half years that nondenominational prayer card she worked as a registered nurse, to o er condolences. Each box she advocated for her patients and also contains an individual ink families, developed tools to enhance strip to complete the ngerprint the patient and family experience, for infection control purposes. and worked as an integral member of ough Gold volunteered her the interdisciplinary team. time putting the boxes together Having resigned from her full- serving in the Medical ICU, they time position as an intensive care are now pre-packaged so that they unit (ICU) nurse, Gold is now in the can be distributed as needed. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)- Nurse Anesthesia “In an ever-changing world where personal contact program at Florida International University and has can o en be lost, this small yet thoughtful gesture
turned her focus toward creating a positive experience con rms that a healthcare organization values patient Alumni Pro le for all patients and families. and family-centered care,” says Gold. “Upon seeing the “As an ICU nurse, I think it is important to o er di erence this small gi makes in a grieving family’s physical and emotional support to each patient as well hospital experience, I knew I had to expand further. My as their family in situations that can range from joyful to ultimate goal is for every family who has lost a loved one tragic,” says Gold. in the healthcare setting to return home with cherished To honor the human spirit in the event of a loved mementos of their loved one, to honor their life and keep one’s passing, Gold created Glowing Memories™, a them in their hearts forever. small memory box consisting of cherished mementos. “ e University’s nursing program taught me that you e gi is presented to each family a er their loved one can do anything you set your mind to,” Gold continues. has passed, providing a sense of closure and closeness “With the nursing skills I gained throughout clinical and to their dearly departed. She received the Zuckerberg didactic courses, paired with a focus on mercy and giving Family Award for nursing service excellence in May back to others, I was able to start my own company. I am 2019 for the creation and implementation of memory grateful for my education and experiences while spending boxes in the hospital. four years at Salve Regina.”
Spring 2021 44 ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES
Ariana Puopolo ‘17, ‘18 (M) Blake Wojtala ‘18
Alexandra Curtis ’18 (M), a former team ended with a record of 19-5-2, Miss Rhode Island, is now serving including two shootout losses and two her state and country as a second overtime losses. lieutenant for the Army National Guard. In competing for Miss America, Curtis used her platform 2019 to show the world that women can Edward Cullinane ’19 successfully be in leadership positions. Curtis was completed his comprehensive exams stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in in October 2020 and plans to graduate summer 2020, and participated in with a master’s degree in higher the training exercise of Field Artillery education administration from Boston Basic O cer Leader Course Class College in May 2021. 3-20. Curtis continues to work full time as a public aairs specialist with Allison Daly ’19 is an assistant eld the Rhode Island Army National hockey coach at Marblehead High Guard. School. In her role, she has been helping the team’s goalies with their Kaela Kennedy ’18 has exhibited penalty strokes and the forwards on her artwork in Austin, Texas, and Jessi McNeill ‘18 looking for angles. Florence, Italy, and participated in the Jamestown Arts Center’s 2017 Abigail Gray ’19 is in a graduate members’ show. A er graduating Tommy Seaver ’18 is the football program at the Middlebury Institute from Salve, Kennedy joined Aurora coach for East Catholic High School of International Studies and spent Collaborative as the nonpro t in Manchester, Connecticut. Seaver three weeks living and studying in organization’s graphic designer and has worked with the baseball and Cuba in January 2020. Gray had visual arts director and has designed basketball programs at Rocky Hill the opportunity to research crisis its programs and advertising. She High School and was an assistant management in the context of continues to work as a freelance baseball coach at East Catholic before education abroad, which was an graphic designer for a variety of being appointed to his new position. incredible experience to have had pre- clients; “Nordic Triptych,” however, COVID-19. will be the rst time her work has Brianna Wilcox ’18 works in a been incorporated into a concert. cardiothoracic surgical step-down unit at Hartford Hospital in 2020 Jessi McNeill ’18 has been accepted Connecticut. Following the onset of Michaella Pace ’20 started working into the doctoral program in the pandemic, she began working in on Block Island a er graduation as the anthropology at City University of the COVID-19 ICU unit. only pump-out girl. Pace’s role is to assist New York’s graduate center with a boats in emptying their waste systems full scholarship. She also received the Blake Wojtala ’18 is a goalie for the a er a day on the water. When she is not Provost Enhancement Fellowship ECHL’s Marksmen hockey team pumping out, she can be found sailing or and will act as a graduate mentor and has been instrumental in their singing karaoke. Price hopes to be part to undergraduate students in the victories. eir 2020 season was of the Harbors Department for many CUNY pipeline program. shortened due to COVID-19 but the summers to come.
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 45 Alumni Spotlight
rough her work for the Dr. of what I’ve been able to accomplish Martin Luther King Jr. Community today.” Center (MLK Center) in Newport, Cassese looks back fondly on her her dream of working for social justice time at Salve Regina, remembering and equality for all has come true her professors and classmates and the for Mirasia Cassese ’19. She began impact they had on her life. “I found volunteering at the MLK Center to that Dr. [Mary] Montminy-Danna ful ll a requirement for her degree in was not only very passionate about social work and found that she loved the profession of social work, but also doing so. She dedicated her time at about her students,” said Cassese. “She events such as Santa’s Workshop, the is the epitome of a great professor to breakfast programs and coat drives me.” and, later, landed a position as mobile A er participating in a retreat food pantry coordinator a er receiving group of people who are driven by the held by the O ce of Multicultural her bachelor’s degree from Salve same mission that I strongly believe in. Programs, Cassese was so moved by a Regina, as well as her master’s degree in “I know this won’t be my nal “privilege walk” exercise, which seeks social work from Rhode Island College. destination because I plan to achieve my to raise awareness of various forms Because the MLK Center holds a state social work licensure in order to of privilege in order to appreciate special place in her heart, Cassese said work in the Newport school system,” she diverse individual backgrounds that it was an easy transition from continued. through participants a rming various volunteer to full-time employee. e Cassese not only wants to make a statements, that she changed her major goal of the mobile food pantry is to di erence in the Newport schools, but from biology to social work. alleviate food insecurity and increase she also hopes to become part of the “ is was one of my favorite accessibility to food and toiletries for school committee and city council. She memories at Salve because it a rmed low-income families in the Newport believes that she inspires others to create the realization of my journey to become County area. a harmonious, just and merciful world. involved in social work,” she re ected. “What I love most about my job “Here I am, a black, LGBTQ+ In o ering advice to those who is that even though my title doesn’t individual, raised by a single mother, are interested in making a di erence read ‘social worker,’ I’m able to use and I have achieved both my bachelor’s in their communities, Cassese says all the skills and knowledge I learned and master’s degrees by the age of they should believe in themselves and throughout my college and practical 23,” said Cassese. “I am proud of my believe in others. “We can’t lose faith in eld experiences in a way that bene ts individual success, but I stand for a lot ourselves or other people if we want to the MLK team and those we serve,” more than what meets the eye -- as early see a future world better than the one said Cassese. “It’s also an honor and as 60 years ago, those with my minority we live in presently.” privilege to work with such a great background couldn’t have dreamed -Emily Dussault ’04
Salve Celebrations Weddings Corilyn Henault Richard ’15, ’20 (M) Melissa Janco Brennan ’17 and Rylan Richard ’15: Oct. 29, 2020 and John “Jay” Brennan: July 4, 2020 Meghan Baker Sophocoles ’07 Tyler Dyment ’09 and Nicholas Sophocles: Aug. 24, and Salome Miclette: June 29, 2019 2019 Send us your news [email protected] Mia Hargadon ’10 New Arrivals and Grant Tankoos: Oct. 4, 2019 Carrie Bonanno Reinhardt ’96 welcomed Davis Michael Reinhardt Jody Zerrenner Jones ’17 to the world in July 2019. and Garvin Jones ’16: Oct. 10, 2020 Submit your photos at Maryann Oudheusden ’11 salve.edu/salvecelebrations and Peter Adelman: Sept. 18, 2020 to be included in our Flickr gallery.
Spring 2021 46 ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES n v n em r iving a life of service, Jim Farrington le an indelible Farrington was a dedicated volunteer in the Newport Lmark at Salve Regina during his 18 years as part of the community, where he helped to feed hungry people each campus community. A former week and facilitated nancial and other assistance to those professor and chairman of the in need in the soup kitchen and emergency food pantry Department of Administration at St. Joseph’s Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul of Justice, he enjoyed his work, Society. He was also a member of the U.S. Coast Guard serving as teacher and mentor to Auxiliary in Newport. In 2008, he received the Newport both undergraduate students and Daily News Community Service Award, and also received police o cers, and in 1993 received a Humanitarian Service Award from the Former Agents of a student-nominated Teacher the FBI Foundation. He was inducted into the Rhode Island Excellence Award. Criminal Justice Hall of Fame in 2011 and also received A veteran of the U.S. Army Air an Ozanam Award in 2017 from St. Vincent de Paul R.I., James C. “Jim” Corps, Farrington ew on C-47s which he accepted on behalf of the volunteers at St. Joseph’s Farrington as a radio operator in World War soup kitchen. July 24, 1925- II before earning his bachelor’s “Professor Farrington was a visionary who recognized January 5, 2021 degree from the University of the need for ethically-centered law enforcement who New Hampshire, and an LL.B. would be imbued with the mercy orientation and liberal from Boston College School of Law in 1952. He joined the arts education achieved at Salve Regina,” says Dr. Robin Federal Bureau of Investigation in June 1957 as a special Homann, administration of justice professor. “During agent in the Newark, N.J., and then Washington, D.C., his years as chairman of the department, he imparted the eld o ces. Assigned to the Crime Records Division at highest standards of integrity, ethics and professionalism headquarters in 1961, he later was chief of the Freedom to those aspiring to enter the vast justice system. His of Information Unit and then inspector-deputy assistant contributions will live on in the distinguished careers of director in the Legal Counsel Division before retiring in those whom he educated and mentored. He was my mentor 1980 and beginning his new career in higher education. and friend.”
he University community is saddened counseling from Salve. DeCiccio continued Tby the passing of U.S. Army his work with veterans, most recently veteran Adam DeCiccio ’19 (M), who serving as a health science specialist for received a standing ovation following the Providence, R.I., VA Medical Center. his inspirational and impactful remarks He was also a veterans service o cer and as the keynote speaker for the graduate member of the Kelley Gazzerro VFW Post Commencement ceremony May 16, 2812, continuing his civilian service by 2019. A sergeant in the 10th Mountain helping veterans obtain bene ts. Division, Second Battalion, 22nd DeCiccio said he struggled in his Infantry, DeCiccio was a highly decorated transition back into civilian life, something veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom he shared with many veterans. “I sought (’03-’04) and Operation Iraqi Freedom help at the VA hospital and began searching (’05-’06). His actions during service for something that would ll the void and earned him many honors, including three that gave my life meaning,” he said. “I began Army Commendation Medals. Sgt. Adam DeCiccio ’19 (M) my post-military life by helping newer “I joined the U.S. Army infantry when I Oct. 31, 1983-Dec. 5, 2020 veterans navigate the VA system. My VA was 17 on Sept. 7, 2001; four days later the counselor recommended that I consider world changed forever,” DeCiccio said. “Over the next six helping veterans as a career and pursue a master’s degree in years I was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq ghting for our mental health counseling.” country. It was my job to be on the front lines and, most of DeCiccio set out following graduation with a new mission: all, to keep everyone safe around me so we all got back home. to improve access to housing, mental health and employment is was my mission.” services for veterans. Embracing the motto “Deeds not A er his military service, he earned his bachelor’s degree words,” he lived a life of service through countless acts of from Johnson & Wales University, and his master’s degree kindness to his fellow veterans and remains an inspiration to in clinical mental health and vocational rehabilitation the Salve community.
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY 47
he Salve Regina community lost As a shuttle driver for Salve, his most recent Ta legend in the passing of Donald position, he transported students to and Mosher, known a ectionately by all from campus for 19 years. Much more than a as “Moe the Shuttle Driver.” A native driver, Mosher was a mentor, storyteller and Newporter, Mosher began working early friend to the many students he met, o en in life to help support his family before giving them advice or sharing a story from his he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in life. Always a favorite, he was o en speci cally Germany and Austria as a company clerk requested by those who called in for a ride and in the Dixie Division. Following his tour even had his own student-created Facebook of service, he returned to Newport to page, “Moe the Shuttle Driver.” work a variety of jobs including as a tester “He was my next-door neighbor,” wrote for braided hoses for the Apollo space Debbie Nellis, Salve’s mail distribution clerk, program and as custodian for the Newport in a Facebook post following news of Mosher’s School Department, where he had the Donald L. Mosher passing. “He was so kind and always such a reputation of having the cleanest school in Sept. 5, 1931-Jan. 23, 2021 gentleman. His laugh was contagious and he each location that he was assigned. While was always happy and had a kind word for working for the schools full-time, he ran everyone. He was a great family man, storyteller a Sunday newspaper stand that was a weekend tradition and a hard worker. If you were lucky enough to know him, for many residents who enjoyed Mosher’s friendliness and you loved him. So many cherished memories of him. He will commitment to customer service. truly be missed by all.”
n em r m Mary A. Adams ’68 Constance Lynch Feely ’54 Terri Carmody Molloy ’64 Catherine O’Connor Andersen ’77 Brenda Collins Finn ’63 Sylvia J. Mulligan ’79 Marcy Roggero Anderson ’70 Peter J. Flatley ’91 (M) Lindy Pilibosian Muraca ’98 Meghan E. Ashe ’04 Sister Joyce M. Flowers ’70 Barbara A. Nass ’90 Susan Anderson Baker ’69 Juanita Butler French ’76 Elena M. Natalizia ’71 Audrey E. Banks ’86 (M) Dorothy Maclaughlin Glover ’61 Carl “Nick” Nykaza, Mary Baru aldi ’92 Sandra Dennis Gould ’69 former nancial aid director Marcia E. Bliss ’65 Kathleen Kelly Graw ’65 Anne Curry Porter ’94 Mary Kolkmeyer Burk ’69 Marilyn T. Hamilton ’94 Largie M. Richardson ’81 Paul E. Burke, Jr. ’89 Marilyn Fontes Jose ’61 Madeleine O. Robinson ’57 Sharon Henry Caine ’56 Dr. Robert Kulo, former professor of Elizabeth Hennessy Seaman ’60 Jonathan A. Castaneda ’13 English and speech communication Russell S. Serpa ’73, ’92 (M) Claire Phelan Clark-Siegel ’56 Shelly Laroche ’18 Elaine M. Sheridan ’73 Adam DeCiccio ’19 (M) Ellen Delaney Linn ’71 Richard M. Spirlet ’78 Adeline Donohue-McDonald ’76 Frank L. Lupo ’73 Sister M. Mauricita Stapleton ’62 Rose Mary Healy Dougherty ’69 Kathleen Kane Lynch ’78 (M) Joy Ann Stau enberg ’76 Gail A. Dowling ’81,’84 (M) Marie I. McCarthy ’61 John B. Tilley ’70 Daniel J. Driscoll ’87 Doris C. McElroy ’65 Patricia Walsh Toto ’56 Sister Bernadette C. Duggan ’67 Carole Freeman Mendes ’72, ’81 (M) Margaret Bruton Ward ’61 Lois Scialo Ellis ’65 Lori A. Merritt ’19 (M) Marilyn Mattox Wiener ’52 Sister M. Christine Escalante ’67 Ann Heaney Moan ’52
Winter 2021 48 VIEWPOINT The Power of Story Finding purpose in her past, Ashley Bendiksen ’13 uses her story to educate and inspire.
Early on, I learned the power of valedictorian (even a er dropping out). story. I was just 20 years old, fresh I was serving on two boards of directors out of an abusive relationship, and at in my community and running my own the end of a six-year cycle of trauma. I nonpro t initiative. was homeless, penniless and a college It was here that I learned the dropout. I remembered wondering importance of self-care. So o en, we let what path my life would take. Despite the needs of others or our to-do lists having nothing le , one thing I knew run the show. In this, we lose ourselves. was that I was determined to grow from I lost myself as a teen, as a victim of my experiences. I wanted to embrace violence, and at times, even as a caregiver the opportunities in my “rock bottom,” despite all I knew and had learned. instead of limitations. I wanted to Today, running a business and still rewrite the narrative of my life. wearing a dozen hats, self-care is my non- I began by simply surviving, one day negotiable. I make it an intentional daily at a time - working, nding a safe place practice. I give myself permission to take to live, saving money as best I could. I breaks. I require an element of fun each also knew I wanted to somehow help Ashley Bendiksen ‘13 day. I set boundaries on my time, space others. I reached out to my local and emotions. I prioritize my health. I domestic violence agency, and as a “Within each of us is a capacity don’t let drama or others’ opinions take volunteer, I learned and got involved. to serve. I’m a believer that our over. I know my own well-being has to It was here that I found my rst life experiences happen to us be my top priority in order to serve. speaking opportunity. I was asked to for a reason. Each of us has a Within each of us is a capacity share my story and was terri ed. Now, story that can impact the lives of to serve. I’m a believer that our life I haven’t stopped telling it since. others.” experiences happen to us for a reason. is was the moment in which I Each of us has a story that can impact learned I could use my story as a tool the lives of others. We can create to educate and inspire. I also fell head- rst into advocacy, solutions to the problems we see. We can play a role in social victim services and social justice. ese became my new path justice, show others what’s possible, and build a better world. in life. It informed what I’d study when I returned to school, And part of this big responsibility is taking time for you, the jobs I took, and the business I would build. Little could too - whether you pray, meditate, journal, dance or sip your I have imagined that today, I’d be an expert on domestic morning coee a few times a week on the Cli Walk. violence prevention, an award-winning activist, a published I like to call this nding balance between the “doing” and author, and a national speaker traveling the country the “being.” Life can quickly revolve around never-ending educating everyone from students to the military. lists. e challenge is to balance all the action-taking with Many ask about this full-time profession of mine - public intuition and grounding. is balance is where inspiration speaking. Truly, it all began with a choice to tell my story. I comes. You nd your power and your unique purpose. was given that one fateful opportunity, and this opened my Today, that has me running my own mission-driven business eyes to the world of speaking and the power of storytelling to as a speaker, coach and writer. I also run an online global drive change. My speeches have evolved over the years, now storytelling platform for survivors - allowing others to heal lled with research and education. However, at its core, the and serve using the power of story. story is where impact happens. Stories help validate a person’s So lean into yours... learn from your story, nd meaning experiences, build solidarity and build community. ey also from it, share it, consciously keep writing it. You are here to teach others new ways to think, live and respond. ful ll your truest purpose. e world needs what only you can It’s no surprise then, that when my mother was diagnosed oer. Remember this. with a rare case of early-onset Alzheimer’s at age 48, I turned -Ashley Bendiksen ’13, Class of 2013 Valedictorian to writing. I journaled simply to vent and process what was going on. ough soon, I also realized that I was chronicling Ashley Bendiksen earned her bachelor’s degree in administration a story that needed to be told. I blogged occasionally, sharing of justice. She is the author of “ e Language of Time,” a my sudden journey as a caregiver, and was validated by how memoir chronicling her journey as a caregiver. Learn more helpful it was to others. I also wrote about life struggles. By about her book, as well as her speaking and coaching programs at this time, I was a student at Salve working toward becoming ashleybendiksen.com.
REPORT FROM NEWPORT | SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY Salve Regina University will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit April 18-21, 2021, The public is invited to submit comments by a team representing the New England Commission regarding the institution to: of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Public Comment on Salve Regina University Association of Schools and Colleges, NEASC). New England Commission of Higher Education 3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100 The New England Commission of Higher Education is one of Burlington, MA 01803-4514 seven accrediting commissions in the United States that provide E-mail: [email protected] institutional accreditation on a regional basis. Accreditation is voluntary and applies to the institution as a whole. The Commission, Public Comments must address substantive ma ers related which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, accredits to the quality of the institution. The Commission cannot se le approximately 220 institutions in the six-state New England region as disputes between individuals and institutions, whether those well as several American-style institutions overseas. involve faculty, students, administrators, or members of other Salve Regina University has been accredited by the Commission groups. Comments will not be treated as confidential and since 1956 and was last reviewed in 2011. Its accreditation by the must include the name, address, and telephone number of the Commission encompasses the entire institution. person providing the comments. For the past year and a half, Salve Regina University has been engaged in a process of self-study, addressing the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation. An evaluation team will visit the Public Comments must be received by April 21, 2021. institution to gather evidence that the self-study is thorough and accurate. The team will recommend to the Commission a The Commission cannot guarantee that comments continuing status for the institution. Following a review process, the received a er that date will be considered. Commission itself will take the final action. Salve Regina University 100 Ochre Point Avenue Newport, Rhode Island 02840-4192
Growing The SALVEfund Introducing Salve Regina Celebration Gardens
Make your gi to The SALVEfund this spring and you will be recognized in one of three perennial gardens planted on campus. Gi s to The SALVEfund are the seeds needed to help the University thrive through support of scholarships, academics and campus life. Celebration Gardens for 2021 are the Commencement Garden at O’Hare Academic Building, the Alumni Memorial Garden at Our Lady of Mercy Chapel and the Reunion Garden at Ochre Court.
The first 200 gi s of $25 or more will receive a packet of lavender seeds as a special thank you and a reminder of the flowers on Salve’s beautiful campus.
salve.edu/celebration-gardens