Published Periodically by the Office of Public Information /Sacred Heart I niversity\ liridfieport.

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 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 ; 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 Heart University’s unique tion for graduates. commitment and character. Dr. Kathleen McGrory, professor of English at Western Connecticut State CoUege, recently was guest lecturer for a Rycenga society convocation on “Cosmopolitan Irishman: the Graphic James Joyce.”

Seventeen women students in the university’s Executive Secretarial program are earning coUege credits and gaining on-the-job training through a work/experience program initiated this year.

A lecture demonstration on the “Origin of Flamenco” by the Flamenco Ballet Inc. was sponsored this spring by the convocation committee and the department of modem languages.

• * *

Fifty-seven education students are student teaching in 42 different schools from Stamford to New Haven and as far north as Waterbury this semester.

Michael Harrington, author, lecturer and syndicated columnist, was the final speaker in the Orestes Brownson Prospective area students meet with President Kidera and Wiliiam J. Dean (fourth from Lecture Series in March. left), director of admissions, at one of a number of “Open House” sessions during the * * « past spring for those interested in expioring future opportunities at the University. John W. Brooks, assistant professor of mathematics, delivered a paper at the winter meeting of the “Math­ ematical Modeling and Computing" seminar at the CULTURAL AFFAIRS INCREASED APPROPRIATIONS University of Massachusetts, Amherst. DIRECTOR NAMED FOR SHU FINANCIAL AID

Named as new director of cultural Governor Thomas J. Meskill signed The psychology department this year for the first time affairs is the Rev. William J. a general Appropriations Bill grant­ hosted an American Psychological Association Visiting Scientist for a day of discussion with faculty and students Fletcher, assistant professor of so­ ing a level of $3,056,000 for scholar­ and a lecture. Dr. Otello Desiderate, professor of psychol­ ciology, who will continue to teach. ship aid to students at the state’s ogy at , New London, was the scientist. His new duties coordinate the work independent colleges as part of of several University committees PubUc Act 551, administered by the Commission for Higher Education. The Alumni Association sponsored a career workshop to and departments sponsoring cul­ improve the techniques necessary for obtaining employ­ tural events, art exhibits, films, The funds represent the third in a ment in all fields of specialization. special lectures and dramatic and four-year program on the part of the musical performances. independent colleges which it is Walter E. Brooks, assistant professor and chairman of the He will seek to “schedule and stim­ hoped will eventually produce ap­ department of religious studies, recently received his ulate a full, balanced calendar of proximately $4,500,000 in such aid doctoral degree from Fordham University. cultural events for the year;” ac­ by next year. « • * cording to President Kidera and as­ Sacred Heart University received The name of Dr. Raoul A. DeVilliers, professor and chair­ man of the department of Mathematics and Operations sist in the staging, promotion and slightly less than $200,000 in such Research, has been included in the 1974 edition of the attendance at such events. aid last year and, depending on full­ Dictionary of International Biography. A professional artist. Father Flet­ time enrollment and costs at four- * « *. year public colleges, could reach the cher joined SHU in 1968. He re­ Dr Mariann Russell, associate professor of English, has ceived A.B., S.T.B. and S.T.L. de­ $300,000 mark in 1974-75. However, been awarded a six-month fellowship in ethnic studies such computations will not become from the National Endowment for the Humanities to study grees from St. Mary’s seminary in the work of contemporary American black poet Melvin B. Baltimore, Md., and both a master evident until the exact formulae are Tolson. of arts deg^ree in history and a mas­ completed for next year by the ter of science degree in sociology Commission, since funding alloca­ Charles Cyr, assistant professor of English, recently tions are based on variables in inde­ presented a paper at the 25th annual meeting of the Con­ from Johns Hopkins University, ference of College Composition and Communication, held Baltimore. He also pursued doctoral pendent coUege enrollment and a in Anaheim, California. studies at Johns Hopkins. formula of approximately one-half the cost of attending the public SUMMER EDUCATION Carol W. Ney, associate director of Continuing Education, colleges which also changes each was the subject recently of a feature article in the COURSES RESCHEDULED year. “Bridgeport Post.” The story highlighted the highly successful ‘Taste of College” program at the University Registration for courses offered The University is further hopeful for women contemplating a return to or initial attendance during the second regular summer that Federal Basic Opportunity at college later in life. session may be completed during Grant increases, reduced restrictive the day in the Office of the Reg­ provisions in the administration of Peter Lucia, a junior business major from Stamford, has istrar and during the evening in the this program and recent abolition of been elected president of the student government for the 74-75 academic year. New vice president is Manuel Office of Continuing Education need analysis tests on Federally Cardozo of Bridgeport. through July 10. Classes for the guaranteed loans for families with session begin July 15 and continue less than $15,000 income will be through August 15. helpful in developing further public This year for the first time SHU offered an Intensive 3'Week summer session in addition to the two regular (Continued on page 4) financial aid to University students. sessions. Summer Ed. (Cont’d. frompg. 3) As part of the second session, the University has rescheduled a num­ ber of summer education courses for area teachers because of snow days and school cancellations last winter. Some of the courses to be offered include Reading Problems of School Children, Introduction to Bilingual- Bicultural Education, Teaching Art in Elementary Schools, and Devel­ opmental Psychology for Teachers. Arthur Brissette, director of con­ tinuing education at SHU, from whose office further details may be obtained, said that since most area Sacred Heart University students this Spring met two of the dancers of the Boston Flamenco Ballet Inc., on campus for a lecture-demonstration before an audience of schools have extended their current several hundred on the “Origin of Flamenco.” The dancers, Heda Sevilla, second from terms to the end of June, teachers left, and Simon Blasco, talk with SHU students Madelaine Perez, Alberta Sansieri and wanting courses leading to certi­ Sylvia Romero. fication will probably find it easier to attend the July summer session. NEW SHU BUSINESS PROF. MORRISSEY RETIRES ADMINISTRATORS NAMED The Postal Designation of the University has Robert B. Morrisey, professor of been changed to the following and all fhose having correspondence with the University may John P. Huck, of Monroe, former physics and mathematics and pres­ want to note the change: chief accountant with the Sikorsky ident of the university 80x6460 Aircraft Corporation was named Bridgeport, Connecticut 06606 senate who served The University has been asked to inciude this University business manager April with SHU since 1969, designation on ail new envelopes ordered and 15 and Mrs. Muriel S. Menhart, retired this year and will do so as present supplies are exhausted. Campus Location Is 5229 Park Avenue, University assistant comptroller, was honored at a testi­ Bridgeport. was advanced to the position of monial dinner in April comptroller on the same date. given by the mathe­ LEGAL ASSISTANT Mr. Huck, a graduate of the matics club and involving alumni, PROGRAM APPROVED Wharton School of Finance of the faculty and friends. An associate degree program in University of Pennsylvania also had legal assistant study has been ap­ Before coming to Sacred Heart, he | served at Sikorsky as both an ac­ headed the physics department at proved at Sacred Heart University counting supervisor and section su­ and is being offered to help meet the and has auth­ pervisor. He had previous experi­ ored numerous articles both in his shortage of trained legal assistants ence with United Aircraft and var­ in Fairfield county. It will be es­ professional specialities and on the ious certified Public Accounting relationship between science and tablished through the business de­ firms in the Greater Hartford area. partment. religion. Last spring, he was recog­ Mrs. Menhart has been associated nized in “Outstanding Educators of The course will utilize the resources with the University since 1970. She America.” of the Fairfield County Law Library reports to Mr. Huck with major and will include areas such as legal responsibilities as custodian of all research, liberal arts electives, of­ University funds and administration fice procedures, accounting and of the budget. She has a B.S. degree NEWS DIRECTOR NAMED business communication in addition from the , Sarah S. Andersen has replaced Susan Dj to basic law study. is a candidate for a Master’s degree Holahan as news director for the university: Mrs. Andersen senred as a part-time writer in The University’s admissions office there, and was previously associa­ the news office prior to the new appointment. may be contacted for further details Mrs. Holahan Is relocating to Aspen, Colorado ted in accounting roles with the and has been with the university since and the program is scheduled to go Bassick Company, Warnaco and November, 1972. into effect for the 1974-75 year. General Electric.

Office of Public Information Non-Profit Org. SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY U. S. Postage PAID Box 6460 Permit No. 853 Bridgeport, Connecticut 06606 Bridgeport, Conn.

THIRD CLASS