SUMMER 2006 FOR ALUMNI, PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LYNN UNIVERSITY In Focus The Next Chapter: Mission-Driven,Vision-Directed It is a great honor and privilege to have been chosen tribute greatly to this effort. At Lynn we tell our students, as the next president of Lynn University, one of the most “We believe in you.” Our dedicated faculty and staff exciting institutions in modern American higher educa- engage our students in and outside of the classroom to tion. It is particularly poignant for me as I am following promote self-awareness and to prepare them for the chal- in the (rather large) footsteps of my father who has led lenges of a rapidly changing world. this institution so successfully for the past 35 years. Due Our vision, the declaration of what Lynn will look like to the hard work of those who have been the stewards of in the not-too-distant future is: To be recognized as one of this special place before us, we have behind us a rich his- the most innovative, international, and individualized small tory of innovation and accomplishment and ahead of us universities in America. an incredibly bright future. We are well on our way to accomplishing this ambi- Our mission, the foundation of what we do, is an tion and have posted early success toward the initiatives of exceptionally worthy one: To provide the education, sup- the Lynn2020 strategic plan (www.lynn.edu/2020). The port and environment that enables individual students to entire Lynn University is focused on our future, and there realize their true potential and prepare for success in the is a palpable sense of excitement on campus. world. Lynn University is an institution on the move…fast. I This is the important work we engage in each day and invite you to be a part of our exciting plans for the future the dedication and efforts of so many people here con- and to visit campus soon. —Kevin M. Ross, president That’s the Spirit Editor’s Note This issue comes to you after a very spirited spring at you. It’s our alumni’s memories of caring professors and Lynn. From heart-stopping athletics to new and old cam- lifelong friends. It’s our students’ life-changing experi- pus traditions, we had it all. I know I’ll never forget the ences of study abroad and discovering a subject they’re side-splitting stories of alumna Joanne Donnelly Archer passionate about. It’s our parents’ joy in seeing their sons at the 40th reunion of Marymount’s Class of 1966. Or and daughters blossom at Lynn. It’s the generous soul the sight of Dr. and Mrs. Donald E. Ross arriving on who funds a scholarship that transforms a deserving stu- campus for the first Founders Day as scores of students, dent’s life. And so much more. faculty and staff lined the Lynn entrance all the way to Turn the pages and see for yourself. From new presi- Military Trail. Or the first-ever separate commencement dent Kevin Ross’ plans for Lynn, to the innovations under ceremonies for graduate and undergraduate degree candi- way in the College of Hospitality Management, to the dates. (Who would have thought the smaller graduate triumphant faces of our newest graduates and athletics ceremony would be as robust as the undergraduates’?) standouts, to the amazing strides funded by our benefac- All the excitement made me ponder what “Lynn spir- tors—Lynn spirit, in all its manifestations, is a wonder to it” really means. My conclusion? It’s as different as all of behold. —Liz McKey, editor SUMMER 2006 VOLUME II NUMBER 2 Editor Liz McKey Art Director Andréia Brunstein Assistant Editor Debbie Stern FOR ALUMNI, PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LYNN UNIVERSITY Contributing Writers Chad Beattie Carol Mandel Joyce Shelfo Laura Vann ( FEATURES ) Photography Geoff Anderson A Conversation with Lynn’s New President Gary Brittain New president Kevin M. Ross talks about people-power, great Brad Broome teaching, multitasking, the university’s greatest challenge, the Andréia Brunstein 14 Joe Carey “perfect Lynn moment” and more. Teisha Huggins Gina Fontana Mike Jurus Hospitality’s Wave of the Future Barbara McCormick Karin Martinez With an innovative new curriculum and first-rate industry ties, Kate Raudenbush Lynn’s Hospitality Management program is well on the way to J.C. Ridley 20 establishing its distinctive niche in higher education. Robin Roslund Jeffrey Tholl Tya Tiempetch Triumph Times 2 President Comprising both graduate and undergraduate ceremonies for Kevin M. Ross 24 the first time, Lynn’s 2006 commencement offered twice the joy, achievement and memories. Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communication Michele M. Morris Senior Vice President for Administration and Interim ( DEPARTMENTS ) Vice President for Development Gregory J. Malfitano 2 On Campus Director of Alumni and Parent Relations 7 Ask the Professor – Nick Ravo Susana Fernández 9 Parents and Families 10 Making a Difference Lynn Magazine is produced for alum- ni, parents and friends by the Office of 28 Sports Marketing and Communication at Lynn University, 3601 North Military 32 Alumni News Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33431-5598 Class Notes e-mail: [email protected] 35 www.lynn.edu 36 Then and Now – Darin Haft, ’91 Lynn University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability and/or age in administration of its educational and admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and/or other On the cover: Lynn University’s new president, Kevin M. Ross. school-administered programs. Photo by Karin Martinez. ( ON CAMPUS ) Lasting impression: The Rosses leave their handprints along the university’s main walkway. Top o’ the morning to you: Faculty,staff and students greet Donald and Helen Ross on Founders Day. Lynn celebrates first Founders Day Lynn archivist Kathleen Clunan, The Lynn University community President and part of the university from the turned out en masse to celebrate Mrs. Ross then very beginning,with one of the the leadership of retiring President left their hand- commemorative “Thank you”cups Donald E. Ross and First Lady prints in concrete Helen L. Ross during the university’s along the universi- first Founders Day on March 29. ty’s main walkway Everyone waved cups imprinted with the Launching the festivities shortly as a permanent message “Thank you for saving our college,” after 8 a.m., students, faculty and symbol of their 35 a reference to the first day Donald Ross came to staff lined the circular driveway in years at Lynn. front of the Schmidt building to Afterwards, the an almost-bankrupt Marymount College. greet the Rosses as they arrived on Rosses gathered campus. Everyone cheered and with their “univer- waved cups imprinted with the mes- sity family” at a sage “Thank you for saving our col- coffee reception in lege,” a reference to Nov. 1, 1971, the Student Center courtyard and the first day Donald Ross came to later at a barbecue lunch on the an almost-bankrupt Marymount lawn. Student leaders from Lynn’s College. In those days, students fash- Residence Halls Association and ioned cups from the cafeteria’s empty Student Government Association soup cans, labeled them with the presented the Rosses with commem- message: “Help save our college” and orative gifts as tokens of the students’ canvassed neighborhoods to raise appreciation and affection. Students Neil Solomon,Megan Perry (center) and funds for their struggling college. Emily Lipman at the Founders Day picnic 2 SUMMER 2006 | LYNN MAGAZINE Alumna Kristen Moraz is named Lynn’s athletics director Kristen In her most recent role, the that advanced to the NAIA National Moraz, ’97, Columbia, Md., native handled myr- Tournament. ’00, is Lynn iad duties for the 11-sport Fighting Moraz also found time to be a University’s Knight program, including oversee- campus leader, serving as Student new athletics ing budgets, supervising coaches and Government Association president, director. teams and co-advising to Lynn’s a member of the Knights of the In making Student Athlete Athletic Council Roundtable honorary society, and the announce- (SAAC). She is the representative on recipient of the Trustee’s Medal, the ment, Gregory the NCAA II’s Softball South Region university’s highest J. Malfitano, Advisory Committee and serves as a senior vice president for administra- point-person for all home events and tion and interim vice president for conference championships held on development, said, “As Lynn’s associ- the Lynn campus. Moraz also has ate athletics director/senior woman served as a member of the SSC administrator for the past four years, Basketball Tournament Committee Kristen has distinguished herself as since 2004. She will serve as chair- one of the country’s brightest and person for the 2006-07 SSC bas- most capable athletics administrators. ketball tournament, which Lynn We are confident that under Kristen’s will host on Feb. 28-March 4, leadership, our national champi- 2007. onship-winning athletics program A member of the National will soar to even greater heights.” Association of Collegiate Malfitano added his gratitude to Women Athletics Administra- departing athletics director, John tors (NACWAA), Moraz is a McCarthy, who has resigned. “Lynn 1993 graduate of Hammond High Moraz,second from right, won two national championships, School in Columbia, where she and a few of her 1993 teammates three Sunshine State Conference reg- played for the girl’s basketball team. ular season titles and 10 SSC tourna- Her accomplishments led Lynn to honor for a graduating senior. She ment titles under John’s leadership,” recruit Moraz for its first women’s earned her BS in business administra- Malfitano said. basketball team in 1993.