Monsignor Robert Sheeran President, Seton Hall University Alumnus
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01/31/01 18:28 FAX 973 275 2519 SETON HALL g]002/003 i •* Monsignor Robert Sheeran President, Seton Hall University Alumnus, priest and innovative administrator, Monsignor Robert Sheeran was named 19th president of Seton Hall University in December 1995. During his first five years in office this dynamic leader has fulfilled a number of ambitious plans and has set forth a grand vision for the 143-year-old diocesan institution located in South Orange, New Jersey. Declaring in his investiture address to be "a hands-on participant in the life of the University," Monsignor Sheeran is leading several key initiatives aimed at positioning Seton Hall among the nation's greatest Catholic universities. Among his first efforts were the revision of the University's mission statement and the announcement of six strategic goals for the coming four years. These goals are: • to strengthen the Catholic identity of the University; • to enhance the academic quality and strengthen the intellectual climate; • to respond to changing environments and student populations; • to provide a technologically advanced learning environment for students and faculty; • to prepare students to be leaders in their professional and community lives; and • to enhance the University's image and resources. Since taking office, Monsignor Sheeran has presided over a student body that has increased in both size and quality. The average SAT score of incoming undergraduates has improved by nearly 60 points in the past five years, and innovative graduate programs are attracting highly qualified professionals in the fields of business, law, education, nursing, communications, public service and ministry. Under his leadership, Seton Hall also has taken a leading role in online education through SetonWorldwide, the University's Internet-based graduate degree programs. Monsignor Sheeran's endeavors include the development and ongoing guidance of the University's School of Diplomacy and International Relations and the University's Center for Catholic Studies. He continues to lead the implementation of Seton Hall's innovative Mobile Computing Program, wherein all undergraduate students at the University receive IBM notebook computers and experience a core curriculum in which the use of technology is integral. The Mobile Computing Program is widely-recognized as one of the nation's best and is at the core of the University's ranking as one of the nation's "Most Wired" universities by Yahoo! Internet Life magazine. Born in Troy, New York, Monsignor Sheeran graduated from Bergen Catholic High School in Dumont, New Jersey, before enrolling as an undergraduate at Seton Hall. In 1967, he received a bachelor's degree in classical languages and subsequently began studies in Rome at the United States seminary, the North American College. He was ordained at St. Peter's Basilica in December 1970 for service in the Archdiocese of Newark and received a theology licentiate degree (S.T.L.) in 1971 from the Gregorian University in Rome. 04/31/01 18:29 FAX 973 275 2519 SETON HALL i]003/003 f k Clay Constantinou, J.D., L.L.M., Dean Clay Constantinou was appointed the first dean of the School of Diplomacy and International Relations in May of 1999. Prior to his appointment, he served the United States as Ambassador to Luxembourg from September 1994 to January 1999. His tenure as Ambassador occurred during one of the most intense periods of European integration and transatlantic relations, with historic decisions taking place in Luxembourg including NATO expansion, European Union enlargement and Economic Monetary Union. During the Luxembourg EU presidency, he led numerous American delegations and participated in negotiations with European Union officials on key diplomatic, trade and global-cooperation issues. He also collaborated with president of the European Union Court of Justice, Gil Rodrigues Iglesias, to create the Dean Acheson Legal Internship program, at which American law students clerk for members of the Court. Ambassador Constantinou continues to serve the Clinton Administration as an advisor on Cyprus and Eastern Mediterranean issues. Previously he was a partner in the law firm of Wilentz, Goldman 6c Spitzer in Woodbridge, New Jersey and was active in national politics. In 1991, he served as the national finance co-chairman of the Clinton Presidential Campaign, went on to serve as finance co-chairman for the 52nd Presidential Inaugural and president of the New Jersey State Electoral College. He has served as Commissioner of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, the Essex County Utility Authority and Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO. Dean Constantinou holds a B.A. in political science from New Jersey City University, a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and an L.L.M, from the Graduate School of Law at New York University. He was named New Jersey City University Distinguished Alumnus in 1991 and Distinguished Graduate of the Year by Seton Hall School of Law in 1997. In 1999 New Jersey City University awarded Constantinou a Doctor of Letters honoris causa..