W I N T E R 2 0 1 0 F O R A L U M N I , P A R E N T S A N D F R I E N D S O F L Y N N U N I V E R S I T Y 8 A+ Outreach 14 Inspired Teaching 18 Little Caregivers Our journey of hope s Kevin M. Ross President u c On Jan. 11, an enthusiastic group of 12 Lynn students o and two faculty members f embarked on a humanitarian mission called the Journey of Hope to Haiti. The trip was n M one of 73 courses, 19 of A R i K them travel programs, that F A L C Lynn offered for January Term, O Editor’s Note N 1 E the 2- /2-week period between fall and spring semesters. In our hearts and Traveling to Port-au-Prince were students Stephanie Crispinelli, Michael DeMatteo, Lindsay minds forever Doran, Melissa Elliott, Nikki Fantauzzi, Britney Gengel, Christine Gianacaci, Courtney Hayes, Last fall, we began work on this issue with the theme Daniela Montealegre, Thomas Schloemer, Julie of “Hearts and Minds.” Our purpose was to tell the stories Prudhomme and Paul Tyska, along with Ross of some amazing students, faculty and alumni who with College of Education dean Patrick Hartwick and passion and purpose are making the world a better place. College of Liberal Education assistant professor Among the good works we covered were Lynn’s January Term Richard Bruno. Their purpose was to feed the hungry travel programs to Haiti and Jamaica called Journeys of Hope and visit children in schools and orphanages. (see the stories beginning on pages 8 and 14). We were set to Tragically, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck go to press in mid-January, but on Jan. 12, our plans—and so just south of Port-au-Prince on the late afternoon many lives—changed unexpectedly. of Jan. 12, devastating the city and causing their A major earthquake struck hotel, the Hotel Montana, near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where to collapse. What began a 2010 Journey of Hope class as a Journey of Hope for of 12 students and two faculty these 14 dedicated stu- members was based. Here in my dents and faculty soon office, we postponed publication became ours, as we of the magazine and focused on worked, hoped and prayed more pressing communication for their safe return. work following the tragedy. Early on, we learned And we waited and hoped for that eight of the students— the best possible outcome. As Thomas, Nikki, Daniela, President Kevin Ross relates Julie, Michael, Melissa, in his message, eight students Lindsay and Paul—were returned, but our faculty well and at the American members and the remaining Embassy. Through the gen- four students were lost. erosity of an anonymous As the weeks passed, it was time to turn our attention donor who offered a plane, they returned to back to these pages. After reading the issue with new eyes, we campus and were reunited with their families. decided the “Hearts and Minds” theme is more relevant than Four students—Stephanie, Christine, Courtney ever. Yet, it has taken on a newer and more profound meaning. and Britney—along with Drs. Hartwick and Bruno, This issue is no longer only about the hearts and minds of the were lost. extraordinary people portrayed in this issue; it’s now also about During this difficult time, we have drawn our hearts and minds—yours and mine. For that’s where our strength from the incredible outpouring of concern students and faculty on the 2010 Journey of Hope to Haiti from so many—those known and previously will live forever. unknown to us. A fitting tribute to these dedicated individuals will be forthcoming. Meanwhile, now —Liz McKey, editor and henceforth, we will honor them by continuing to encourage our students to live, work and serve The 2010 Journey of Hope to Haiti participants: (front row, seated, l to r) abroad. Paul Tyska, Lindsay Doran, Nikki Fantauzzi, Richard Bruno, Christine Gianacaci, Daniela Montealegre, Britney Gengel, Stephanie Crispinelli; (back row, standing, l to r) Patrick Hartwick, Michael DeMatteo, Courtney Hayes, Julie Prudhomme, Thomas Schloemer and Melissa Elliott ( F E AT U R E S ) STUDENT POWER Putting their ideas and passions into action, Lynn students are helping others in need— 8 and themselves—by gaining experiences and skills they’ll carry with them for a lifetime. LESSONS THAT CHANGE LIVES By integrating community service in their teaching, Lynn professors are inspiring and engaging students in meaningful ways—from making a life-saving discovery in the lab 14 to documenting U.S. history. THE LITTLEST CAREGIVERS Through her groundbreaking work, Connie Siskowski ’04 is assisting a hidden population: 18 young people who help take care of their aging, ill and disabled family members. 8 14 ( DEPARTMENTS ) 2 On Campus 7 Ask the Professor—Malcolm Asadoorian 22 Sports 24 Connections 30 Class Notes 36 Close-Up—Michael Dolce ’91 18 On the cover: Lynn University’s students, faculty and alumni are applying their knowledge in manifold and innovative ways to help make the world a better place. W I N T E R 2 0 1 0 V O L U M E V I N U M B E R 1 President Editor Liz McKey Kevin M. Ross Lynn University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, nationality, ethnic Art Director Vice President for Marketing origin, disability and/or age in administration of its educational and admission policies, scholarship Andréia Brunstein ’00, ’03 and Communication and loan programs, athletic and/or other school-administered programs. Michele M. Morris Production Assistant Lynn Magazine is produced for alumni, parents and friends by the Office of Marketing and Shaun Aaron Vice President for Development Communication at Lynn University, 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33431-5507 Assistant Editor Debbie Stern and Alumni Affairs Judith L. Nelson e-mail: [email protected] Staff Writers www.lynn.edu Chad Beattie, Jason Hughes, Susan Philbrick, Joyce Shelfo, Laura Vann ( O N C A M P U S ) Lynn launches three-year degree program Lynn University has begun offering a new three-year degree program for eligible first-year students. The new option will save students a minimum of $45,000 on the cost of their under- graduate degree while enabling them to embark on their careers or graduate programs a year earlier. The program, known as Lynn Degree 3.0, was announced by Presi- dent Kevin M. Ross last October. The program, he said, is aimed at the “most President Kevin M. Ross underscored Lynn’s commitment to veterans at a Veterans Day ceremony on campus Nov. 11. driven” students—those who are highly motivated and with clear educational Programs cover costs for post-9/11 veterans and career goals. The program is limited to 20 first- Post 9/11 military veterans can obtain who served at least 90 days of aggregate year students per year, and is available bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Lynn duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001. The in all majors with the exception of University tuition- and fee-free, as a program will pay for eligible veterans’ music and education. Among the re- result of Lynn’s participation in two tuition, fees, books and housing. quirements are that students achieve government programs. The Yellow Ribbon Program, a 3.0 grade point average during their As a part of the post-9/11 Veterans coupled with the new GI Bill benefits, first semester at Lynn and maintain the allows veterans to have all of their same GPA during the spring semester. tuition and fees covered during their For those students who are accepted “In this economy, studies at Lynn. As part of this pro- into Lynn Degree 3.0, the dean of the being a veteran gram, Lynn contributes 50 percent college in which their major is offered you need an of any tuition and fee amount above will become their academic advisor, education. Now, the GI Bill cap. The VA covers the closely guiding them and ensuring they we have an upper remaining 50 percent. stay on track. Other program benefits Yolanda Martinez, a veteran who hand in that, include priority course registration; the actively served from January 1999 to especially with ability to design a course of study with August 2003, is pursuing an under- strict guidance from the dean; and no this program.” graduate degree in business followed additional charges for required summer YOLANDA MARTINEZ, VETERAN AND LYNN STUDENT by an M.B.A. at Lynn through the courses and accelerated course loads. Yellow Ribbon program. With her Like other Lynn undergraduates, previous academic credits, Martinez Lynn Degree 3.0 students will take a Educational Assistance Act of 2008, enrolled as a junior last fall. course load of 15 credit hours for the and the inception of a Yellow Ribbon “Before the Yellow Ribbon program fall and spring semesters, plus 2 credits Program through the Department of I didn’t think I could further my edu- (one course) during the January term. Veterans Affairs, many veterans serving cation,” she says. “I didn’t know how I Once selected into the three-year pro- on or before the terrorist attacks of was going to pay for my student loans. gram, students will enroll in summer Sept. 11, 2001, can now attend Lynn It was like a miracle when it came out. school tuition-free to take 9 credit hours for the same price as at larger state In this economy, being a veteran you of 200-level Dialogues of Learning (core institutions.