Shu Reported First in State with Bicentennial Celebration Meskill, Bishop Curtis Serve As Co-Charimen for Initial Event
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Published Periodically by the Office of Public Information /Sacred Heart I niversity\ liridfieport. Connecticut Vol. 7 No. 3 June, 1974 SHU REPORTED FIRST IN STATE WITH BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION MESKILL, BISHOP CURTIS SERVE AS CO-CHARIMEN FOR INITIAL EVENT UCONN PRESIDENT, OTHERS HONORED AT COMMENCEMENT Dr. Glenn Ferguson, president of the University of Connecticut, was guest speaker and one of three honorary doctoral degree recipients at the University’s Eighth Com mencement on May 25 with 403 students receiving degrees. Other awards were given to Mother M. Bernadette, 0. Carm., director planning and development at St. oseph’s Manor, Trumbull, and John Sullivan, Fairfield first select man, who has served as president of the Connecticut Conference of May ors. Dr. William H. Conley, founding SHU president and chancellor who will retire July 1 to become chan cellor emeritus, read the citations. President Kidera conferred the hon orary degrees. Dr. Charles E. Ford, Governor Thomas J. Meskill, honorary co-chairman of the May 11 SHU musical Benefit academic vice president and dean, performance of “1776”, signs a proclamation designating that date as the opening one presented the undergraduates for for the state’s celebration of the National Bicentennial anniversary of the signing of the degrees, and the Most Rev. Walter Declaration of Independence. Also participating are the Rev. William J. Fletcher, new SHU director of cultural affairs and Whitney L. Brooks, chairman of the American W. Curtis, chairman of the Univer Revolutionary Bicentennial Commission of Connecticut. The May 11 Benefit sity board of trustees, delivered the performance thus became an initial event to commemorate Connecticut’s Bicentennial benediction. Celebration and initiates a two-year series of cultural activities at the University to focus on this theme. John V. Friel delivered class val edictorian remarks. The Rev. John Governor and Mrs. Thomas J. Meskill helped Sacred Heart University B. Giuliani gave the invocation. launch the State of Connecticut’s celebration of the Bicentennial Anniver Kenneth J. Marzik offered the class sary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by serving as president salute, and John A. co-chairmen of a special May 11 Benefit performance of the hit Broadway Croffy, dean of students, served as Musical “1776” by the University Drama group and related activities which mace bearer and marshall for Com launched a two-year series of ongoing events. mencement. The ongoing series of cultural presentations highlighting Connecticut’s role Prior to assuming UConn’s presi- in the signing of the Declaration carries the theme “Life, Liberty and the idency. Dr. Ferguson was president Pursuit of Happiness” and will feature prominent American artists, pf Clark University; chancellor of composers, poets, lecturers and drama productions. The Connecticut Long Island University; American American Revolutionary Bicentennial Commission in Hartford designated Ambassador to Kenya; director of SHU’s celebration as the first such commemorative event in the state. Vista and associate director of the The Most Rev. Walter W. Curtis, SHU Board Chairman, also served as a (Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 2) CURRICULUM PAMPHLETS BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION (Continued from page 1) STIMULATE INTEREST co-chairman. Serving on the Honorary SHU Committee for the Benefit were the entire State Congressional Delegation — U.S. Senators Abraham A new series of “curriculum fliers” A. Ribicoff and Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.; U.S. Representatives William detailing specific advantages and Cotter, Ella Grasso, Stewart B. McKinney, Robert Steele, Robert Giaimo opportunities within major sequen and Ronald Sarasin. Others were Bridgeport Mayor and Gubernatoria|l ces and programs have been de candidate Nicholas A. Panuzio and First Selectman John Sullivan, or signed to focus on the interests of Fairfield, along with other area notables. The University’s Regional prospective freshmen who have de Council and Alumni Association acted as co-sponsors for the Benefit cided on their field of specialization designed to add contributions to the Presidential Scholarship fund. Joseph and present an in-depth picture of R. Burkart, SHU director of development and the Rev. William J. specific departments for students Fletcher, University director of cultural affairs, coordinated arrangements still in doubt about the direction of and the drama production of “1776” was supervised by Claude McNeal. their college studies. President Kidera indicated the initiative of the University in kicking off the Majors and programs covered by state’s Bicentennial Celebration had generated a great deal of statewide, the fliers include: accounting, amer- regional and even national interest in its general plans and activities in ican studies, biology, business ad addition to assisting outstanding area students possessing academic ministration, chemistry, education, excellence through the Presidential Scholarship fund. English, history and political sci ence, legal studies, life/work ex A former star catcher for the nationally-known Raybestos Brakattes softball team, Rosemary “Mickey” Stratton, has been named the University’s first women’s varsity Basketball coach. perience, mathematics, media stud She played ten years for the Brakattes, was a member of four National Championship teams and ies, operations research, psycholo was the first Brakette to enter the amateur Softball Association’s Hall of Fame. Mrs. Stratton was chosen to five National All-Star first teams and three second teams during her career. gy, religious studies, sociology, J. Donald Feeley, athletic director. Indicated that the women’s sports program will be a vital part of Spanish, philosophy and urban stud Institutional growth and that other women’s varsity sports will be considered In the future. ies. A separate flier also has been prepared on financial aid available. THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER Further information on the fliers by Robert A. Kidera may be obtained by contacting President, Sacred Heart University William J. Dean, University direc Each year in the life of the University has a dis tor of admissions. tinctive, unique character, reflecting the special influences and events of the society and times of which it is a part. This is especially true of Sacred Commencement (Cont’d. from pg. 1) Heart University, a “locjil” institution closely U.S. Peace Corps. He also has done allied to a designated community. extensive administration and teach The academic year 1973-74 was different in several ways. First, without" ing in the field of public affairs and prior warning, the Sacred Heart University campus felt the reverberations served as chairman of the U.S. of two major crises in our national life: the crisis of morality in our federal Senate Task Force on Private government and the crisis in energy. Higher Education in 1971. The crisis in political morality seriously challenged the attitudes and values Mother Bernadette, a nationally held by our faculty and students, forcing them to rethink their own ideals recognized expert in the field of ger and standards. The crisis in energy, caused in part by the Arab embargo, iatrics and care for the aged, has provoked a similar reevaluation of priorities, while creating serious achieved national and international financial and transportation problems for students and the University recognition in her profession. She administration. has been chairman of the Connec I am happy to report that students and the University responded effective ticut State White House Conference ly to both crises. on Aging, the Governor’s Commis sion on Aging and has received The coming year — 1974-75 — will, among other things, be the first year several awards from federal and of the two-year national Bicentennial Celebration of the Declaration of state bodies for her leadership in American Independence. It is scheduled to be a period of national self-ex this field. amination, re-appraisal, and re-dedication to the high ideals and principles upon which our nation was founded. The Bicentennial Celebration couldn’t Mr. Sullivan has served 15 years as have arrived at a better time. Fairfield first selectman, as a Pres idential Elector from the State of We at SHU, because of our special commitment to values and Christian Connecticut, a member of the Gov humanism, expect to provide some of the leadership and input for this ernor’s Planning Commission on historic rededication. Criminal Administration, and a On May 11, by Proclamation of Governor Meskill, Sacred Heart University member of the Connecticut Muni staged the first Connecticut Bicentennial Celebration event with the pro cipal Police Training council as well duction of the hit historical musical play “1776.” This was accompanied by as holding a large number of leader extensive exhibits of Colonial Art and revolutionary history, as well as a ship posts in various advisory book exhibit of Eric Sloan’s Americana art and writing. ^ boards and commissions in the Fair- For the next two years, a series of special events, built around the themef field and greater Bridgeport area. “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” will dominate the campus. Senior week activities included a We invite all alumni, friends and benefactors to join with SHU in this senior awards night, dinner dance spiritual and intellectual regeneration. It will be another important period and a post-Commencement recep in the life of our institution, reflecting Sacred