SPRING FORWARD ➡ LEADING ➡ SPIRIT SACRED HEART VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 20 UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE MERGE (VERB ) — TO CAUSE TO COMBINE OR COALESCE ; UNITE PHOTO CREDIT HERE VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 | SPRING 2020 LETTER SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE Sacred Heart University 5151 Park Avenue A WORD FROM Fairfield, CT 06825-1000 [email protected] THE PRESIDENT ISSN 1547-6219 Copyright ©2020 Sacred Heart University “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch MAGAZINE STAFF of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season Creative Director Deborah Chute of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of Art Director Tim Oliver hope, it was the winter of despair ...” Executive Editor Deborah Noack Editor Tim Deenihan HESE ARE THE OPENING LINES of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities. With the value Contributing Illustrators Mark Hooper, Jim Luft, Martin Schmetzer of hindsight, Dickens was able to look back on T the period of the French Revolution between Contributing Photographers 1775 and 1792 and explore the connections Brendan Capuano, Mark F. Conrad, between historical events in Paris and the Tracy Deer-Mirek, Don Hamerman, conditions he observed in the London of his era. Sean Kaschak We have no way of knowing, of course, how historians and novelists will view what is transpiring today. These the front lines, be they doctors, nurses and other health- Contributing Writers Meghan Allen, Meredith unparalleled, trying times are testing our resolve, strength, care professionals; law enforcement and civil servants; ed- Guinness, Jill Jones, Sarah Pfeffer, Kim tenacity and compassion. As I write, I reflect on how ucators and those providing food, shelter and other critical Swartz, Gina Pribaz Vozenilek, Melissa Zarik quickly and relentlessly the coronavirus pandemic has services in their communities. They exemplify our mission spread. So fast, in fact, that this publication was already re- and are living examples of our goal to send out into the POSTMASTER Send address changes to: searched, written and designed before coronavirus became a world compassionate human beings with a desire to help University Advancement household word. And by the time you read this, it is likely the most vulnerable. Sacred Heart University Magazine that everything will have changed again. A commitment to service, caring and faith embodies Sacred Heart University While all of us at Sacred Heart University share your all we believe in at Sacred Heart University. Dedication to 5151 Park Avenue concern, anxiety and worries about the future, I am proud, the welfare and care of our students, alumni, educators and Fairfield, CT 06825-1000 as well, of how our University has responded to this crisis staff continues to be our first priority. We also are doing and how we have met many challenges with professional- all we can to support our communities and to work with ON THE COVER ism, empathy and resolve. local, state and federal officials in whatever capacity Business and technology forge a new SHU was among the first universities in the country to is required. partnership at SHU. Photo illustration bring our students home from overseas and then send all We are a campus that is known for “opening doors for by Willyam Bradberry. Story, page 24. our students home for online distance learning. With our one another.” As we observe safety protocols, we continue annual spring break earlier than most, and the information to reach out through all possible electronic, telephonic and Sacred Heart University Magazine is published by the Division of Marketing and on community spread of the virus changing day to day, we virtual means. Amidst the worst of times, there has been, Communications. Every effort has been made did not have the luxury of taking a week to make decisions and will continue to be, many tales of selflessness, heroism, to ensure its accuracy and completeness. and preparations. Our students had just gotten back to sacrifice and hope. I hope we can share some of those in Locations of towns and cities are indicated campus on March 9 when we made the difficult decision a future issue. except for those in Connecticut. to send them back home. We took just one day to ready In the meantime—and again in the words of ourselves for online teaching. I am proud of the way our Dickens—God bless us every one. Opinions expressed in this publication may faculty and staff rose to the occasion and did what was not necessarily reflect those of Sacred Heart needed for the safety of our students and community. And University, its faculty or administration. I am proud of the way our students handled the disap- pointment of leaving their friends and teachers and took TWITTER on the task of a very different learning style that I know @sacredheartuniv has been challenging for many of them. I am also very proud of the many SHU graduates on DR. JOHN J. PETILLO, PRESIDENT FACEBOOK facebook.com/SacredHeartUniversity INSTAGRAM instagram.com/sacredheartuniversity 1 SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE | SPRING 2020 CONTENTS ALBERGUE SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE • SPRING 2020 THE PYRENEES FROM A MOUNTAINTOP , OR HOSTEL, CALLED “THE REFUGE” ON DAY ONE OF SENIOR DANNY MCCARTHY’S 500-MILE TREK ALONG THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO (PAGE 18). 5 11 18 24 30 34 38 45 47 53 FORWARD LEADING FINDING ‘ALEXA, WHAT A DECADE OF NOT YOUR AMAZING AN IMAGE OF SPIRIT FROM THE Navigating our Turning ideas THE WAY TIME IS THE JOY AND HOPE MOTHER’S GRACE HAPPINESS Heart is always ARCHIVE differences, into realities and SHU senior REVOLUTION?’ Celebrating the LIBERAL ARTS Dr. Grace Flannery: A deeper look at central to Sacred Kevin Nealon ’75, sharing our questions into Danny McCarthy Business and 10th anniversary of Weighing marine biologist, SHU’s ranking as Heart University. from SHU to SNL humanity, answers. and 500 miles of technology come the Chapel of the the value of University one of America’s ... and back again. embracing the Camino together in a new Holy Spirit. a liberal arts ambassador, “Happiest Schools.” uncertainty. de Santiago. College with education. raconteur a dynamic new dean. extraordinaire. SPRING 2020 | SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE 2 3 SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE | SPRING 2020 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 | SPRING 2020 FORWARD “I WANT TO STAND AS CLOSE TO THE EDGE AS I CAN WITHOUT GOING OVER. OUT ON THE EDGE YOU SEE ALL KINDS OF THINGS YOU CAN’T SEE FROM THE CENTER.” — KURT VONNEGUT, PLAYER PIANO A DEDICATION RETURNING Sacred Heart University was founded with a mission to members of the SHU community working to serve their IN THE FALL of 2018, Michael W. Higgins, distinguished educate students “in mind, body and spirit to prepare families, their communities, their God and each other. professor of Catholic thought, was concerned that them personally and professionally to make a difference To you medical personnel, one and all; to you truckers, CIVILITY in the global community.” Arguably, never since that you cops, you clerks and comedians; to you soldiers, students never witnessed healthy debate—only the founding have we been called upon to be so dedicated small business owners, you sisters of the poor; to vitriol and point-scoring of talking heads on television. in mind, in body and in spirit as we are today. It is with everyone whose sacrifice, whether great or small, stems TO CIVIL To remedy this, he approached Michelle Loris, professor heartfelt thanks and appreciation that we dedicate this from the knowledge that we are strongest together, and associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, issue of Sacred Heart University Magazine to all the even when we are six feet apart, we say, Thank you. DISCOURSE about the idea of having a debate on campus. ➜ SPRING 2020 | SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE 4 5 SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE | SPRING 2020 FORWARD FORWARD PROFESSORS MICHAEL W. HIGGINS AND GARY ROSE AT THE GREAT DEBATE BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING The newly named Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing grows a new generation of nurses by starting at the root of care. REATNESS often begins with little things. Last ➜ FROM PREVIOUS PAGE October, Dr. Susan L. With encouragement from Loris, a Davis, R.N., urged such year later, Higgins went to Gary Rose, G greatness when she longtime political science professor, and addressed nursing students suggested an open debate on the topic at the dedication of the College of of religion’s place in public policymak- Nursing which now bears her and her ing. Rose accepted and, before a room husband’s names. Her voice was quiet packed with students, faculty and staff, but strong, and her message clear: the Great Debate lecture series was nurses can “go and change health care.” born. Her vision for the potential of the This past September, a panel of “I never lose an profession to take on such a daunting professors met to weigh in on what task is shared by Mary Alice Donius, economic system is best for the country. opportunity of dean of the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Amanda Moras, sociology professor; urging a practical Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Lucjan Orlowski, economics and fi- Donius has a plan for where to start. nance professor; Burton Spivak, history; beginning, however It may seem like a little thing, but it’s and Bill Yousman, communication and everything: “We must begin where the media studies, all met before an even small, for it is patient is,” she says. larger crowd to present their arguments wonderful how Where is the patient in the modern for the second Great Debate: Socialism health-care system, which becomes ever versus Capitalism.