AT THE CORE College of Arts and Sciences

Celebrating 40 years of women at Fairfield with Sister Simone Campbell AT THE CORE Spring 2014

Table of Contents Professor’s research on memory goes viral

Professor’s research on memory goes viral...... 2 ant to remember the experience of seeing Celebrating 40 years of women at Fairfield...... 3 the Mona Lisa at TheW Louvre, the massive dinosaur Gifts, grants, and awards ...... 4 bones at the American Museum of Natural History, or Dorothy’s Happy birthday, Edith! English professor celebrates literary icon’s birthday...... 5 ruby slippers at the Smithsonian? Don’t bring your camera. Philosophy professor Dr. Sara Brill awarded CAS teaching award...... 6 So says Dr. Linda Henkel, professor of psychology, whose Bridgeport City Hall internship program a success...... 7 Jean Santopatre research into photo-taking and Dr. Linda Henkel memory was published in the Nick Lacy Studying Thailand’s development, globalization, and culture close up...... 8 December, 2013 issue of Psychological Science, a prestigious Dr. Henkel and her students performed their memory research at Fairfield journal of the Association for Psychological Science. University’s Bellarmine Museum of Arts. CAS Students Awards Night caps academic year...... 9 News of her research has been reported in more than 250 Dr. Henkel enlisted a team of psychology majors to media outlets in the United States, Germany, Italy, England, conduct the study, which grew out of a conversation she Do’s and don’ts of selling art: Behind the scenes at Christie’s...... 10 Australia, and the Republic of China. In addition, she was had in the lab with Alyssa Accomando ’12. Accomando, invited to attend the prestigious Milken Institute 2014 Global Chelsea Morales ’13, and Andrea Teofilo ’12 helped Dr. Performing for Change: Lizbel Escamilla creatively addresses immigration...... 11 Conference to present her research. Henkel with the study. Dr. Henkel was thrilled she and her students could move The road to a PhD and career in chemistry: Fairfield edition...... 12 out of the lab and into a real-world situation right on campus. “This was an amazing opportunity to extend my A farewell message from the Dean...... 13 laboratory research into the more complex world of everyday life, using stimuli far richer and engaging than would otherwise be possible in the confines of my lab,” she said. “Ultimately students got to see that psychological science is all around us, and the world literally is our lab!”

Dr. Henkel’s research on memory appeared in over 250 news outlets and close to 100 social media outlets

Nick Lacy including: A picture might not be worth a thousand words. Dr. Henkel’s research shows that taking photography gets in the way of establishing strong memories. • Canadian Geographic • Fox News Gwen Pellegrino Gwen Pellegrino Lopez ‘14 Tebben Taipei Times The Globe College of Arts and Sciences celebrates the Faculty and students come together at Students address hot-button topics through In research conducted with undergraduate students in the • • history of women at Fairfield University. the end of the year to celebrate academic creative performances. Page 11 Page 3 excellence. Page 9 Bellarmine Museum of Art, Dr. Henkel found that museum- • Pakistan Today • Slate goers who took photos of works of art while walking around • NBC News • NPR’s “All Things a museum had worse memory for the objects and for specific On the cover: The activist nun Sister Simone Campbell was the keynote speaker in the celebration of the 40th anniversary of undergraduate women Considered” from Fairfield and the 20th anniversary of the Women’s Studies Program (now Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies). Page 3. object details. • The Guardian Cover photo: Gwen Pellegrino “People so often whip out their cameras almost mindlessly to capture a moment, to the point that they are missing what is happening right in front of them,” she said.

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Celebrating 40 years of women at Fairfield

During the 2010 congressional debate about Studies is one of the most dynamic programs on campus healthcare reform, Sister Campbell wrote the famous and we couldn’t think of a more dynamic speaker to help us “nuns’ letter” supporting the reform bill and got 59 celebrate with faculty, students, community members, and leaders of Catholic Sisters to sign, an act seen by many as hundreds of graduates of our program.” critical to the passage of the Affordable Care Act. WGS is an interdisciplinary program that challenges the In 2012, she was instrumental in organizing the cultural, intellectual, social and political assumptions about “Nuns on the Bus” tour of nine states to oppose a budget sex, gender and sexuality systems. Courses in the program she felt would decimate programs to help people in critically engage issues of race, ethnicity, class, gender, need. She recently completed another cross-country sexuality, and other key components of identity Nuns on the Bus tour in 2013 focused on immigration and the ways they intersect. reform. The program was first developed by a group of faculty Sister Campbell’s appearance was the centerpiece who met over the two years from fall 1991 to spring Gwen Pellegrino of the yearlong 40/20 celebration on campus. Though 1993 to first envision and then write the proposal for Gwen Pellegrino Drs. David Gudelunas and Emily Orlando, co-directors of the Women, Sister Campbell met and talked with many of the students minoring in Gender, and Sexuality Studies program, pose with keynote speaker professional schools admitted women students before the the program. The program was formally approved and the WGS program following her speech. Sister Simone Campbell (center). 1970s, the first class of women undergraduates walked inaugurated in fall 1993. across the Bellarmine Hall terrace at Commencement in “After listening to Sister Simone’s speech, I was very reflect the hope and fearless dedication of female leaders in 1974. Since then, female students have gone on to many he activist nun Sister Simone Campbell turned proud to be a member of the WGS community,” said Adavia our society. Sister Simone shared her gifts with me, and I am leadership roles on campus and many successful careers out to be the perfect keynote speaker to celebrate Thornton ’14. “It’s women like Sister Simone Campbell that inspired to share mine with rest of my community.” the 40th anniversary of undergraduate women after graduating from Fairfield. graduatingT from Fairfield and the 20th anniversary of the “We were thrilled to have Sister Campbell on campus Women’s Studies Program (now called Women, Gender to mark this significant milestone in the history of the & Sexuality Studies). University and our interdisciplinary program,” said Dr. Gifts, grants, and awards “Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies David Gudelunas, co-director of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGS). “Women, Gender and Sexuality Eighty school teachers will be able to attend one-week workshops involvement of undergraduate students in breast cancer research is one of the most dynamic programs on on jazz great Duke Ellington and his world, including a study of to be conducted primarily during 2014. how the interaction of music and the issues of race, class, gender, campus and we couldn’t think of a more The Jesuit Conference awarded $5,000 to Dr. Jocelyn Boryczka, and age helped develop American Popular Culture, from the dynamic speaker to help us celebrate with associate professor of politics, to help develop an international Jazz Age through Civil Rights. The National Endowment for the service learning model that U.S. Jesuit universities and colleges faculty, students, community members, and Humanities has awarded the University $177,340 for the project, may adopt to develop further their study abroad programs in hundreds of graduates of our program.” called “Duke Ellington and American Popular Culture.” Dr. Laura African nations. Nash, professor of music, leads the project. “Nuns on the Bus” organizer Sister Campbell The Earl & Hilda Brinkman Family Foundation provided a grant of Dr. Angela Kim Harkins, associate professor of religious studies, presented “The View from the Bus: Opportunities for $5,000 for a research project by Dr. Shannon Harding, associate was awarded a prestigious grant through the Marie Curie Making Mischief,” on April 3 at the Regina A. Quick professor of psychology, called “New Directions in Student International Incoming Fellowship to do research at the University Center for the Arts. Research at Fairfield University: Autism Treatment Studies in a of Birmingham, in the United Kingdom. During the two-year Sister Campbell is an attorney, religious leader and Behavioral Neuroscience lab.” position fellowship, worth approximately $500,000, Dr. Harkins will renowned advocate for systematic change. She is the study how the memory of the Teacher of Righteousness, a figure Susan Antilla, who teaches journalism as a part-time professor in

executive director of NETWORK, a Catholic leader Gwen Pellegrino found in some of the Dead Sea Scrolls, was experienced English, received the “Best in Business” award for News Agency in the global movement for justice and peace, which Celebrating the women of Fairfield, past and present (L-R): Lynn at Qumran. Commentary through the Sabew Awards (Society of American educates, lobbies and organizes for economic and social Babington, Dean, School of Nursing; Shannon Siwinski ’92, P’16, alumni president elect; Robbin Crabtree, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Business Editor and Writers). Antilla’s work was noted for being A $40,000 grant was received from the Connecticut Breast Health transformation. In Washington, Sister Campbell lobbies Mary Margaret Weber ’84, past alumni president; Elner Morrell ’81, “tough, engaging, enlightening, and head-snapping with terrific P’03, University trustee; Mary Frances Malone, Associate Academic Vice Initiative, Inc. for “The Role of Peroxiredoxin Proteins in Breast for issues of peace building, immigration reform, and topics and engaging arguments.” President for Academic Affairs; Laura Incerto’81, past alumni president; Cancer Cell Survival,” student/faculty research led by Dr. Shelley healthcare and economic justice. Janet Canepa ’82, Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations; Carolyn Vermont ’82, former trustee Phelan, professor of biology. This project will facilitate the

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Happy birthday, Edith! Philosophy professor Dr. Sara Brill awarded English professor celebrates literary icon’s birthday CAS teaching award

discussed the ways in which Wharton’s critique of the ince she began teaching at Fairfield University in Students examine topics such as race, gender, class, and representations of women in 19th-century visual culture 2004, students of Dr. Sara Brill, associate professor of power through classical and modern texts. For example, resonates in our 21st-century world. philosophy, have consistently described her as one of Dr. Brill paired Plato’s Crito with Charles Mills’ The Sthe best professors Fairfield University has to offer — one of Racial Contract; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from The audience included Wharton scholars, former Fairfield those special teachers that have had a great influence on their Birmingham Jail” with Plato’s Apology; and Sophocles’ students, and patrons interested in Wharton’s life and work. intellectual life. Antigone with Iris Marion Young’s “Throwing Like a Girl.” “As a scholar of Wharton and the visual arts in particular, It’s no surprise then, that Dr. Brill received the 2014 Dr. Gordon added that, in their evaluations of Dr. Brill, it would not be an exaggeration to say it was a religious Award for Distinguished Teaching in the College of Arts and students consistently noted that they felt comfortable talking experience to deliver a talk in Edith’s drawing room,” said Sciences during the annual faculty meeting on May 1. about these topics with her as their guide. Dr. Orlando. “From the minute she “Dr. Brill engages her Wharton’s books, Dr. Orlando explained, have remained began her course on Plato’s students in questions that relevant and popular in contemporary culture. Republic, I knew I had made challenge their assumptions, “As a scholar of Wharton and the visual the correct decision on coming but does so in a way that is to Fairfield University,” said respectful and inclusive.” Contirbuted arts in particular, it would not be an Luke Record ’14 a philosophy Edith Wharton expert, Dr. Emily Orlando, associate professor of English, was Dr. Brill received her PhD invited to deliver a lecture on the anniversary of Wharton’s 152nd birthday. exaggeration to say it was a religious major that recently received in 2004 from Pennsylvania experience to deliver a talk in Edith’s the top departmental award State University, specializing in t’s not every day you get to celebrate your favorite drawing room.” for 2013-14. “Over the course ancient philosophy and ethics. author’s birthday at the very house that the author helped of a college education… She wrote her dissertation on design. “In my lecture and in my Fairfield course called ‘Edith one is bound to encounter the role of medicine in Plato’s I Wharton and Her Circle,’ I have argued for compelling one or two professors who Dr. Emily Orlando, associate professor of English, did Republic and her book, Plato: connections between Wharton’s early 20th-century fiction profoundly shape the way in On the Limits of Human Life,

just that when she was invited to deliver a lecture in Lenox, Gwen Pellegrino and such fragments of contemporary culture as Sex and which one thinks: Dr. Brill published by Indian University Massachusetts at “The Mount,” in honor of Edith Wharton’s the City, Gossip Girl, Mad Men, HBO’s Girls, and so on,” she has undoubtedly had such an (L-R) Dean Robbin Crabtree presented Dr. Sara Brill, associate professor of 152nd birthday. philosophy, with the 2014 Award for Distinguished Teaching in the College Press, was released in 2013. explained. influence on me.” of Arts and Sciences. In the classroom, Dr. The lecture, “Fifty Shades of Lily: Wharton, Art, and Dr. Orlando is the author of Edith Wharton and the Visual Noting that Dr. Brill’s Popular Culture,” was a sold-out, standing-room only affair. Brill teaches Plato, Aristotle, Tragedy, Women in Classical Arts. She co-directed the 2012 “Edith Wharton in Florence” popularity among students is well deserved, Dr. Joy Gordon, Literature, and Ancient Medicine and Philosophy. In addition “It was an honor and pleasure to be invited to speak conference and currently serves as Vice President of the Edith professor and chair of the Department of Philosophy, said, to teaching philosophy courses, she team teaches courses at Edith Wharton’s historic home on the occasion of her Wharton Society. “She engages her students profoundly, and does so in creative in the Honors Program and is the director of the Classical birthday,” said Dr. Orlando. “The Mount is a testament to ways. Her students come to understand that philosophy is Studies Program. Wharton’s engagement with art and design, given that she fundamentally about examining our lives; but additionally, designed the house in conjunction with Ogden Codman, with Dr. Brill teaches that philosophy involves not only living an whom she also collaborated on the book The Decoration of examined life, but rather an examined life for others.” Houses.” “Over the course of a college education…one is bound to encounter one or two Dr. Orlando’s lecture, which took place in January, examined Edith Wharton’s career-long engagement with professors who profoundly shape the way in which one thinks: Dr. Brill has undoubtedly the visual arts and her lasting connections to contemporary had such an influence on me.” culture. Considering Lily Bart’s tableau vivant in The House of Mirth as a turning point in the writer’s work, Dr. Orlando

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Bridgeport City Hall internship program a success Studying Thailand’s development, globalization, and culture close up ust two years since it first launched, the Bridgeport City “Students are learning a lot and making Hall internship program is going strong with more than connections with local organizations J40 students earning academic credit while working for “The first Thai phrase I learned continues to motivate me,” and with members of the community. In numerous city agencies. said Quinones. “It’s ‘put their hearts in our hearts.’ This taught addition, those working in departments for me that when trying to help others, one must think of how “It’s been a great success so far, both for the students the city are getting a chance to work with it will be beneficial to them, taking into consideration their and for us,” said Erin McDonough, liaison to the Office of morals, values, beliefs, and customs.” Mayor Bill Finch, and the on-site coordinator for the Fairfield enthusiastic interns.” University internship program. Living in Thailand introduced Quinones to many Administrators of the program will continue to build on experiences, from delicious spicy food to trips to elephant “Students are learning a lot and making connections with the partnership between Fairfield and the City of Bridgeport. sanctuaries. But her favorite experience was meeting the Thai local organizations and with members of the community. In “It’s become an important way for students to learn about people. addition, those working in departments for the city are getting a neighboring city, Bridgeport, which is the largest city in a chance to work with enthusiastic interns.” Connecticut and taught dozens of students about many aspects “Each home stay reminded me of how universal love is,” of government and community work,” McDonough said. she said. Each ‘meh’ or host mom that I had showed me so In the two years the program has been running, students Contributed much care and love even though we could not communicate have been placed according to their academic interests in offices “It’s also in line with Mayor Bill Finch’s dedication to public Astrid Quinones ’14 studied abroad in Khon Kaen, Thailand in the same language. Every smiling child and passionate ranging from sustainability, construction management, labor service and ensuring students have the experience they need through an alternative program under the Council of International Educational Exchange. community activist showed me that Thailand is a truly relations, the animal shelter, to be prepared for 21st beautiful place.” human resources, city attorney, century jobs.” hen asked about her study abroad experience in civil services, and even the Khon Kaen, Thailand, Astrid Quinones ’14 said Looking back on her College of Arts mayor’s office, all based on their three words could sum up her experience: peace, experience, Quinones was and Sciences Associate compassion,W and growth. happy to say that she had interest. Dean James Simon, who grown in many ways and “In our Sustainability spearheaded the program, At Fairfield, Quinones chose an individually designed hopes that other students Department alone, students have said he expected continued major that focused on social work and justice and also declared will be inspired to travel to worked on dozens of different growth in summer City minors in peace and justice; women, gender, and sexuality Thailand. projects from biological surveys Hall internships that build studies; and philosophy. “I would say you need to energy program analysis to on the work in the spring The combination set her up well for studies in Thailand, carbon footprint forecasting,” and the fall. He said he had two things: an open mind where she participated in an alternative study program and an adventurous soul,” said McDonough. Contributed a personal interest in the under the Council of International Educational Exchange in a Patrick Cooney interned in both the Bridgeport City Mayor’s Office success of the program. she said. “Everything that Students taking part in the and the Sustainability Department while Sarah Bennett interned in the development and globalization program. is asked of you in this program come from a variety Mayor’s office as part of a new program through the College of Arts and “I grew up in nearby Sciences. “Every day was different, Quinones said. “We had Thai program is challenging, of academic disciplines. Majors Stratford in the 1960s, and language class, lectures, group discussions, Quaker meetings, not only in academics, have included international studies, mathematics, engineering, Bridgeport was THE place to go for restaurants, shopping, and trips to villages all over the Isaan region and more. Thailand but also because it is truly nursing, marketing, English, economics, history, and entertainment. I remember several downtown record stores was full of surprises.” testing your ideas and philosophy, to name just a few. where you could go into listening booths and preview 45 rpm perspectives of the world During her program, Quinones learned about the history Responses from students taking part in the program have records,” he said with a laugh. “It’s nice to give something back.” and encouraging individual and economic developmental issues that have shaped Thailand growth and discovery. Contributed been very positive, with 100 percent of students that took part Quinones traveled with friends to from professors and guest speakers in class. Outside of class she Take every moment as in a survey saying that the program was a positive experience. visited village communities around the Northeastern region an elephant sanctuary in Chiang an opportunity to learn Mai – an unforgettable experience, “My time in the Mayor’s office was extremely valuable,” of Thailand and interviewed villagers, government officials, something new.” she noted. “I was so happy to said Sarah Bennett ’14, an English major. “It allowed me to use and non-government organizers to get an in-depth look at the spend time with such a calm and skills from both my journalism and communication courses, country. serene creature.” and introduced me to new skills that have helped me in The hands-on, intensive experience changed Quinones subsequent positions. It really helped me determine where I views on many things. want my career to go.”

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CAS Students Awards Night caps academic year Do’s and don’ts of selling art: Behind the scenes at Christie’s cademic achievements of more than 50 students at Award for Distinguished Work the College of Arts and Sciences were on display in The Social And Behavioral s part of their “up and out” “Not only were we privileged in April when faculty, administrators, and students Sciences Aand their families celebrated award-winners from each Senior Art History seminar, enough to learn at these places, but we Klevisa Kovaci received the top department and interdisciplinary program. social and behavior sciences award for Dr. Philip Eliasoph, professor got private tours and meetings to learn Aof art history, and Fairfield’s graduating about the ‘behind the scenes’ operations The April 28 celebration has become a time-honored her paper, “Democracy in Albania: tradition where the College applauds students for their Shortcomings of Civil Society in Democratization due to the art history majors went on a specially of each place. This not only made me dedication to their studies and share with the attendees some Communist Regime’s Legacy.” arranged tour of Christie’s fine arts realize I wanted to continue my studies of the interesting research projects and papers. Pictured with Dr. Michael Adreychik, Chair of the Social/Behavioral auction house in New York at 20 at graduate school, but also helped me Sciences Award Committee. Rockefeller Plaza. narrow down my passions within the art The Lieutenant William Escorted by a senior member of the industry,” she said. Award for Distinguished Work Koscher Award in Arts American Art department, the students Peck’s graduate program will consist in Visual and Expressive Arts Victoria Dolloff, studio art major examined paintings proposed for future of art business related courses such as in the Department of Visual and Crystal Rodriguez received the top auction sales, visited the preparatory investment, insurance, valuation, art Performing Arts and a minor in award in visual and expressive arts warehouse, and heard about the do’s law, and economics, among others. anthropology, received The Lieutenant for her project “Pintando el Futuro William Koscher Award in Arts. This award recognizes the sin Limitaciones (Painting the Future and don’ts for transactional sales in arts Once in the program, she’ll choose a student majoring in the social sciences, humanities, or arts without Limits). and antiques in the international auction focus for her studies and career. trade, Dr. Eliasoph reported. with the highest grade point average. Pictured with Dr. Ryan Drake, Chair of the Visual & Expressive Arts “It’s hard to choose right now Pictured with President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. Committee. “Christie’s auction house had such where I see my career heading, since I Award for Distinguished Work an amazing energy and buzz,” said am really passionate about all areas and The College of Arts and Morgan Peck ’14, one of the students open to new opportunities in the art Sciences Award in Sciences in the Natural Sciences and

who attended the trip. “The day my Contributed industry,” Peck said. Lisa Naples, mathematics major and Mathematics class visited, an auction had taken place Art history professor Philip Eliasoph education minor, received The College Bayan Abunar was presented with the “However, with the learning just a few hours earlier so we had the traveled with students from the art history of Arts and Sciences Award in Science. top prize for a research project in the capstone seminar to Christie’s for a close- experiences I have had this semester in opportunity to see the show being taken This award is presented to the student natural sciences or mathematics for her up look on the inner workings of the my seminar, I can see myself within the down and a new one being put up. It world’s largest fine arts auction house. majoring in the natural sciences or mathematics with the research with Dr. Amanda Harper-Leatherman studying the auction house industry or even managing really amazed me how quickly these highest grade point average. electrochemistry and spectroscopy of cytochrome c associated a private art collection.” Pictured with President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. with gold nanoparticles. exquisite shows are put up and taken Pictured with Dr. James Biardi, Chair of the Natural Sciences and down after the auction ended.” Mathematics Committee Award for Distinguished Work Peck, who was accepted to Sotheby’s Institute of in the Humanities Art in New York for an MA in Art Business, said that her Megan Kuzniewski received the Department’s trips to museums and auction houses have been CAS award for distinguished work in For the complete list of student awardees, helpful to her when deciding what to do after she graduates. the Humanities for her essay, “Ousting visit www.fairfield.edu/cas the Petrarchan Lady: The Irony of “All of my art history courses required at least one trip Desire in the Taming of the Shrew.” All photos by Gwen Pellegrino to a museum in Connecticut or New York City, which really Pictured with Dr. Emily Orlando, Chair of the Humanities Award exposed me to the ‘real world,’ she said. “My senior capstone Committee. course traveled to galleries, museums, and auction houses in Connecticut and New York City every week over the course of the semester.”

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Performing for Change: Lizbel Escamilla creatively The road to a PhD and career in chemistry: addresses immigration Fairfield edition

last performance especially clicked for Escamilla. “It’s not ndrea Della Pelle said she always enjoyed science, synthesis of triarylamines for applications in electrocatalysis. something that a lot of people know about, but I think it’s and she decided to major in chemistry at Fairfield This experience changed everything for me. This was when I important to know that children of immigrants exist and that because she wanted to attend a school where the realized what research was all about. It was really beneficial their parents came to the U.S. looking forward to a better Aprofessors’ main focus was on the education of the students. for me to be able to learn directly from Dr. Steffen in a life,” she said. “The audience was great and we all felt like we research setting. I was also able to attend the American “I knew that I wanted to be a name not just a number,” brought our hearts to the stage,” she added. Chemical Society meeting at the end of the summer, which she said. “I’ve spent the entire year trying to help my parents get further opened my eyes to the possibilities of graduate school legalized,” Escamilla said. “But immigration isn’t something Della Pelle graduated in 2008, completed her PhD in and a career in research. that a lot of people talk about on campus.” Escamilla felt chemistry from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, 3. Why did you decided to pursue your PhD in chemistry? that this was a way to bring the conversation to students in a and now works at Brewer Science, a chemical company. She After my research experience with Dr. Steffen, I decided that comfortable and open way. is part of the Research and Development team inventing new Tebben Lopez ‘14 Tebben I wanted to pursue scientific research as my career. I decided Lizbel Escamilla ’14 (L) shared her personal and academic experiences Now that both she and her parents, who have been in technologies for the fabrication of transistors. on immigration through Performing for Change, a group that creatively to get my PhD because I addresses social issues in a non-political way. America for 25 years, are reaching milestones in their lives, Here are highlights of her wanted to learn how to Escamilla is excited for what the future holds. journey from the Fairfield or Lizbel Escamilla, Fairfield’s 2014 commencement think critically about the University chemistry classroom, ceremony held special memories beyond her own “My parents are so proud of me, and despite all of the time problems that can be solved to a chemistry doctorate, to a graduation. Not only was she the first person in her and sometimes frustrating process, I’m happy to be able to by chemistry. I spent familyF to graduate from college, this May will also see her help fulfill our dreams.” chemistry career. some time talking with the parents take one more step to becoming citizens of the U.S. 1. What do you like about chemistry professors at Fairfield to learn what to “Now that I’m 21, and a U.S. citizen, I can petition for my chemistry? look for in a graduate school parents to become citizens,” she said. “It’s like a dream come I have been interested in true, and if it happens around the time I’ll be graduating, it science ever since I was a and a research advisor. will be two major events at once.” little kid. I decided to major 4. What is your field in chemistry due in large Escamilla, a native of Bronx, New York, has been involved of specialty? in immigration reform since she was a child, traveling to part to a teacher that I had in Contributed My thesis work is focused high school. She was really Andrea Della Pelle ’08 received her PhD in chemistry from the on the design and synthesis Washington D.C. for rallies and working with faith-based University of Massachusetts – Amherst and now conducts research organizations. In addition, the double major in communication passionate about chemistry and at Brewer Science, a chemical company. of small molecules and and Spanish major has studied it as part of her coursework. showed the class how exciting polymers for organic solar it could be. I love chemistry cells. Commercially available solar cells are made from She also shared her experiences through Performing Lopez ‘14 Tebben because it is constantly evolving. Every day new discoveries silicon, which requires time consuming and costly processing for Change (PFC), a student organization that seeks to Performing for Change members use spoken word, poetry, dance, short are uncovering the answers to questions we didn’t even know bring awareness about important matters in a non-political plays, and song to encourage open dialogue. conditions, which is why they are so expensive. Organic way, share perspectives, and provide a lively and heartfelt to ask. Chemistry is making impacts in all of our lives, from solar cells can offer a cheaper alternative to traditional solar performance. PFC members choose themes that relate to clean energy production and cell phone technology to cancer cells. Additionally, silicon solar cells are heavy and rigid, current events and topics that resonate with students. Past research and hair dyes. but organic solar cells are lightweight and can be made to be topics include drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, gun 2. Did you work with any faculty on research projects? flexible. Imagine if you could use a solar cell printed onto violence, pregnancy, and social media, all performed through The summer before my senior year I had the opportunity to your jacket to charge your cell phone while you walk down spoken word, poetry, dance, short plays, and song. stay on campus and work on a research project with Dr. Kraig the street! At PFC’s last event in March, they discussed three Steffen. I was also able to continue the research throughout topics: social media, gun violence, and immigration. Their my senior year. Our research focused on the design and

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A farewell message from the Dean Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

rofessor RoxanaAfter Walker-Canton, serving for six years assistant as the Dean in As a multimedia installation “Living Thinkers” showcased At the Core these past several years. It’s impossible to communicate professor ofthe new College media, of film, Arts television, and Sciences, and Dr. Robbinvideo clips, interviews, photography, and cultural artifacts. sufficiently the depth of my gratitude to the College staff; their Crabtree will return to her native California rofessor Roxana Walker-Canton, assistant dedication andThis professionalism installation came along out with of some good ofhumor the video and tenaciousmaterial radio, has been interested in African American The title was inspired from Harriet Jacobs’ life -- she escaped professor of new media, film, television, and that Professor Walker-Canton collected for the media “Pwomen’s personal experiencesto assume in thehigher position education of dean ever of sincethe from slavery and became an abolitionist speaker, but had to teamwork sustained me throughout my deanship. This group includes Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts at Loyola radio, has been interested in African American my associateproject, deans, which who includes have included the production Beth Boquet, of a documentaryJoan Weiss, she was a student in graduate school. “I was aware of a lack of hide in her grandmother’s attic for seven years before she “Pwomen’s personal experiences in higher education ever since titled Living Thinkers: An Autobiography of a Community of diversity in the coursesMarymount I was taking,” University said Professor (LMU), Walker- a could escape to the North. Manyul Im, and Jim Simon along with Aaron Perkus, all of whom have Jesuit institution in Los Angeles. she was a student in graduate school. “I was aware of a lackleft of theirWomen mark ,with an archive, their strategic and a website. vision and The project installation’s leadership. associate The Canton, who has an M.A. in Black Studies and an MFA in Professor Walker-Canton first presented the media Assistantproduction Deans, Sue designers Peterson areand filmmakers Dawn DeBiase Tina (now Morton in the from Dolan It is with a mix of sadness and pride that I Creative Writing from Ohio State University and an MFA in project at Emerson College in Boston during the Film and School ofHoward Business), University along with and Andrea NaOme Martinez Richardson who from is new Eastern to our write this, my final “Message from the Dean” Films and Media Arts from Temple University. Video Association Conference. “This exhibition tells many team, consistentlyUniversity. exhibit The installation care for and was dedication produced towith students the support that of for At the Core. At the end of this semester, inspires me every day. The operational staff – Cathy Alberti, Giovanna I embark“As an on African a new Americanadministrative woman and in academic film school, journey I was as Dean first person narratives,” she explained. It also looks at the the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism. an anomaly at the time,” she continued. “My classes showed 21st century African American woman. While every woman’s Lindquist, Sandy Richardson, Jean Siconolfi, and Fran Yadre along of the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts at Loyola Marymount with many graduate“This project assistants was andan exciting work-study companion students to over Professor the years Gary Lewis no films by, for, or about blacks. There were no models for experience in higher education is different, Professor Walker- Jean Santopatre University in Los Angeles. Not surprisingly, I have been reflecting – have providedWalker-Canton’s crucial day-to-day full documentary support film,”with a said special Dean warmth Robbin onus. my When 13 yearsthe few at Fairfield,black women and particularly students in thethe lastprogram six years duringCanton In 2013,noted Dr. that Crabtree often, was “The named story “Distinguished of one woman Woman tells the in Dr. Crabtree (left and middle) enjoying lunch with faculty, staff, Higher Education Leadership Award” by the Connecticut and students in a Sukkah. Sponsored by the Carl and Dorothy that makesCrabtree. the College “The functionmulti-media and presentationthrive. And Iwas could highly not haveengaging whichsuggested time that I was we honored bring in tosome serve films as Dean by black of the women College. It has story of all, but with degrees of experience. So there are done anyand of evocativeit without for the our incomparable students, whether Ms. Jean they Daniele, study Assistant film and beendirectors an extraordinary from Women experience Make Movies during in New what York, have I beenrecall unusually the placesACE where Network everyone’s (American experience Council on crosses.” Education). L-R: Dr. Bennett Center for Judaic Studies and the Jewish student Mary Frances Malone, associate academic vice president for organization, KADIMA, the Sukkah marks the Jewish fall to the Dean,media, who history, exemplifies education, the highestsociology, level etc. of Theprofessionalism event animated and challenging times for higher education, yet we have persevered and white male students in the class protesting that they didn’t Livingacademic Thinkers: affairs; HarrietChristine Jacobs’ Siegel, Atticassociate 2 will vice look president at festival of Sukkot and stands in memory of the Jews who lived competenceour celebration in all she does. of Dr. All Martin of these Luther individuals King, live Jr.’s their legacy lives very for triumphed much more than we have faltered. Contributed know why they had to watch the films and suggested that for academic affairs; Dr. Crabtree; Dr. Lynn Babington, dean, in temporary huts as they wandered the wilderness for 40 and withwell.” Fairfield University, and manifest cura personalis and the Magis Dr. HarkinsSchool and of Iulia Nursing; (Oana) and Basu Melissa ’10 celebrating Quan, associate the completion director of of years in search of a permanent home. Fairfield’s Sukkah serves Thisthey ishad the no 10th production issue of Atvalue.” the Core, a newsletter I developed in Basu’s research project on gendered imagery in the Hebrew Bible. in all they do. the Center for Faith & Public Life. as a place to share a meal, hold class, or simply reflect. 2011. As a multimedia installation “Living Thinkers” showcased collaborationThe idea interestedwith our Marketing Professor Walker-Canton& Communication so muchdivision to There have been many surprises during my years at Fairfield, not highlight the extraordinary accomplishments of our students, faculty, and alumni. At the Core also has affirmed the central place video clips, interviews, photography, and cultural artifacts. that she began to talk to other African American women to the least of which has been the unexpected friendship and companionshipThe title in wasmission inspired I have from found Harriet with theJacobs’ Jesuits. life In-- particular,she escaped ofhear the about College their in experiencesa Fairfield University as students education, in the University. and provided testimonialrace, class, to theand enduring gender in value universities, of the liberal and Professor arts in the Walker- Jesuit Fathers Jeffrey von Arx, Gerry Blaszczak, Jim Bowler, George Collins, and Paul Fitzgerald have been intellectually and tradition, two aspects that have been the corner posts of my work as Dean. from slavery and became an abolitionist speaker, but had to Over the years she continued to spend time on the project, Canton eventually hopes to archive all of her data online. professionally supportive in ways that have far exceeded notions of colleagueship or mentorship.

B. Winkler hide in her grandmother’s attic for seven years before she Theand inachievements February she of presented College students the Living detailed Thinkers in these exhibition: pages over the“This years, is a alongholistic with view hundreds of a woman’s of stories journey we did to notbe educated,” tell, IngridAnd Betancourtso, as I move home to California after 30 years, I will carry in could escape to the North.Pexhibition tells many first person have simply bowled me over. Our students exceed our expectations and do us proud during their years with us and long Harriet Jacobs’ Attic 2 at Fairfield University. she concluded. my heart so many people, programs, accomplishments, and lessonsnarratives,” she explained. afterward. The College faculty is comprised of dedicated teacher-scholars who animate the Fairfield University mission in from Fairfield University that will continue to inform my leadership. all theyThis do. installation I have been came inspired out of by some their of dedication the video eachmaterial and every day and have enjoyed working with them to advance our diversity in the courses I was taking,” said Professor Walker- that Professor Walker-Canton collected for the media Canton,Gratitude who is an has insufficient an M.A. in concept Black Studiesto express and all an that MFA you in have meant collective institutional wellbeing. The faculty leadership made to me. Perhaps a better one is Grace. project, which includes the production of a documentary up of CAS department chairs and program directors along with Creative Writing from Ohio State University and an MFA in titled Living Thinkers: An Autobiography of a Community of elected members of our planning and curricular committees, as Films and Media Arts from Temple University. Women, an archive, and a website. The installation’s associatewell as CAS faculty who serve more broadly at the University have Sincerely,“as an African American woman in film school, I was production designers are filmmakers Tina Morton from been exceptional partners in my work, sometimes also productive an anomaly at the time,” she continued. “My classes showed Howard University and NaOme Richardson from Eastern adversaries, and always good companions. Similarly, our CAS Board no films by, for, or about blacks. There were no models for University. The installation was produced with the support of Advisors members – alumni, parents, and friends from every us. When the few black women students in the program the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism. generation and professional background – have been an invaluable Contributed resource to me as Dean. They have shown exceptional generosity suggested that we bring in some films by black women Dr. Harkins and Iulia (Oana) Basu ’10 celebrating the completion of

“This project was an exciting companion to Professor of spirit, offered insights and advice, and modeled the importance directors from Women Make Movies in New York, I recall the Basu’s research project on gendered imagery in the Hebrew Bible. Bob Winkler Walker-Canton’s full documentary film,” said Dean Robbin of giving back. The Science Institute and Humanities Institute whiteRobbin male Crabtree, students Ph.D. in the class protesting that they didn’t Dr. Crabtree presents the Women, Gender, & Sexuality Crabtree. “The multi-media presentation was highly engagingEndowments in the College, along with many other funds and Studies program with an El Salvadorian cross she bought knowDean, whyCollege they of had Arts to andwatch Sciences the filmss and suggested that during the Ignatian Colleagues Program immersion trip. and evocative for our students, whether they study film andevents that support College students, faculty, and programs, are a they had no production value.” She was speaking in honor of Dr. Dina Franceschi, professor Jon Chase media, history, education, sociology, etc. The event animatedlasting and impactful testament to their dedication. of economics, who received the 2010 “Woman of the Year” The idea interested Professor Walker-Canton so much ourDr. Crabtree celebration (far left)of Dr. with Martin faculty andLuther students King, who Jr.’s presented legacy very award (now Lucy Katz Award) for her work in developmental their research on cancer research at Genzyme Corporations, I want to take this opportunity to thank a number of essential that she began to talk to other African American women to well.” economics and social justice in Latin America. Dr. Crabtree hosted by CAS Advisory Board member, Dr. Ted Sybertz ‘72 colleagues. To Carolyn Arnold, CAS Marketing & Communications hear about their experiences as students in the University. also has done considerable research, teaching, and (far right). 2010. liaison to the College of Arts & Sciences, for her hard work on Over the years she continued to spend time on the project, community engagement in Latin America. and in February she presented the Living Thinkers exhibition: Harriet Jacobs’ Attic 2 at Fairfield University.

13 www.fairfield.edu/cas www.fairfield.edu/cas 14 The College of Arts and Sciences At the Core New faculty publications: SPREAD THE WORD! Congratulations to the faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences that had books published in 2013-2014 Find us on Facebook Faculty publications 2013-2014:

Sara Brill, Author Associate Professor facebook.com/FairfieldUniversityCAS of Philosophy Plato on the Limits of Human Life Indiana University Press, 2013

Mary Ann McDonald Carolan, Author At The Core is published twice Associate Professor of Modern a year by Fairfield University Languages & Literatures for alumni, students, parents, The Transatlantic Gaze: Italian benefactors, and friends of the Cinema, American Film Front row (L-R): Drs. Brill, Primavera, Sealey, and Crabtree. Back College of Arts and Sciences. State University of New York, row (L-R): Drs. Downie, Li, Crawford, Carolan, and Thiel Editorial offices are located at: 2014 Danke Li, Author Fairfield University Matthew P. Coleman, Author Professor of Mathematics Professor of History 1073 North Benson Rd. An Introduction to Partial Differential Women, War and Memory: 35 Chongqing Bellarmine Hall Equations with MATLAB Women’s Experiences during China’s War Fairfield, CT 06824-5195 CRC Press, 2013 of Resistance against Japan Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013 EDITORIAL BOARD David Crawford, Co-Author Associate Professor of Sociology & Judy Primavera, Co-Editor Dr. Robbin Crabtree Anthropology Professor of Psychology Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Nostalgia for the Present: Photography Civic and Community Engagement and Ethnography in Berber Morocco Going Public Carolyn Arnold Leiden University Press, 2014 Michigan State University Press, 2013 At The Core Editor David Crawford, Co-Editor Kris Sealey, Author Edmund Ross ’86, MA’89 Associate Professor of Sociology Associate Professor of Philosophy Senior Designer, Fairfield University & Anthropology Moments of Disruption: Levinas, Sartre, Design & Digital Print Services Encountering Morocco: Fieldwork and and the Question of Transcendence Cultural Understanding State University of New York, 2013 Meredith Guinness Indiana University Press, 2013 Assistant Director of Media Relations John E. Thiel, Author David Downie, Co-Author Professor of Religious Studies Adavia Thornton ’14 Associate Professor of Politics Icons of Hope: The “Last Things” in Marketing and Communications Intern Global Environmental Politics Catholic Imagination English major and women, gender, 6th Edition University of Notre Dame, 2013 and sexuality studies minor Westview Press, 2014

Paul Lakeland, Author Professor of Religious Studies Printed at Fairfield University A Council That Will Never End: Lumen Design & Digital Print Services Gentium and the Church Today Liturgical Press, 2013

2 37707_6/14 www.fairfield.edu/cas