ANNUAL DONOR REPORT 2007-08 THE ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE EXPERIENCE ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE 2007–08 ANNUAL DONOR REPORT Experience 2 4 6 8 Executive Academics Students Alumni Messages A letter from The St. Francis College Students thrive in an A lifelong relationship Brendan J. Dugan ’68, experience begins in environment that with St. Francis College president, and the classroom. New combines challenging contributes to a message from technologies and academics, satisfying alumni John F. Tully ’67, program innovations extracurricular experience. Lending chairman of the board are attracting high- activities, great expertise, mentoring of trustees, offer quality faculty to the internships and study students and raising reasons for optimism College. abroad programs. funds are just some of at St. Francis College the ways alumni stay now and in the future. connected. St. Francis College Donor Report “When we attend events such as the Scholarship “Because of the quality of our faculty and Reception, it’s striking to see the wonderful technology resources, St. Francis College relationships at St. Francis College among Management and Information Technology students, faculty and alumni.” majors are at the top of their game.” — Elizabeth Becker ’78 — Dr. Timothy J. Houlihan academic dean and vice president for Academic Affairs St. Francis 10 12 36 37 Institutional Honor Roll of Statement of 2007–08 Advancement Donors Activities St. Francis College Board Continuous We acknowledge Details provide an of Trustees and improvement is those who contributed overview of the possible through the generously to financial health of Alumni Board generosity of alumni St. Francis College St. Francis College. of Directors and friends. A record- in 2007-08. We are grateful to those breaking year for the who offer leadership College and several and vision in creating noteworthy gifts made a meaningful and 2007-08 memorable. relevant experience for students, faculty and alumni of St. Francis College. The St. Francis College Experience Sustaining a Vibrant Community Asset DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE, he St. Francis experience is about more than becoming an accountant, teacher, scientist or lawyer. Over the College’s 150-year history, our aim T has been to produce graduates who not only contribute meaningfully to their fields but are also community-conscious critical thinkers. We strive to produce people who do good while doing well. The character of our institution reflects what we expect of our students. With economic and social indicators forecasting uncertain times ahead, St. Francis College remains stalwart in its ability to continue the tradition of offering a quality education to our students, many of whom are first generation attending college. We are committed to individual personal attention, a low student/teacher ratio, knowledgeable well-trained faculty, small classes and a generous financial aid and scholarship program. Fortunately, over the years, our alumni and friends have provided extraordinary support to allow others to experience what means so much to them. We are poised for a future that continues to build upon our Franciscan tradition and at the same time allows us to graduate students who are well prepared for the exciting and dynamic marketplace of New York City and beyond. To assure that today’s students succeed, we have recently invested approximately $50 million in our infrastructure, technology, faculty development and program enhancements. To remain current and relevant, we will need to double our expenditures on these items over the next five years. As the College continues to evolve as a vibrant and valuable community asset, we are blessed to have the expertise and energy of Dr. Frank J. Macchiarola ’62, who stepped down this past summer after a remarkable 12-year term as president of the College. In his new role as chancellor, Dr. Macchiarola will remain a significant presence in the College’s fundraising effort. His many talents will be applied to exploring new and nurturing existing relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations and key political figures whose contributions will support programs, facilities and scholarships. St. Francis College is proud of and indebted to its involved and supportive alumni and friends and deeply appreciates the contributions of many private foundations, and government and community partners. It is this generosity that allows us to faithfully uphold the mission that guides all our work and decision making. Sincerely, Brendan J. Dugan ’68 President 2 St. Francis College Donor Report A ME S S A GE FROM JOHN F. T UL LY ’67 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Assuring a positive experience now and for the future he bar has been set high at St. Francis College. A decade ago, administrators, faculty and trustees T set forth a new vision in the form of a master plan to improve academic excellence, attract qualified students, strengthen resources and enhance community relations at St. Francis College. Bolstered by a common commitment to carrying out the plan’s hard work and unprecedented support from alumni and friends, these goals have been achieved. That doesn’t mean, however, that our work is done. Although St. Francis College might look different than it did in years past, our purpose remains unchanged. As it has been for 150 years, our mission is to provide students a high-quality, affordable, liberal arts education. And as ways of delivering that continue to evolve, so must St. Francis College. The day-to-day aspects of this responsibility fall to those who teach our students and manage the institution. But it is not possible without the continuing support of those who love St. Francis College and understand its value to the community at large. Of course, contributing to the College financially is only one form of support. Alumni and others have countless opportunities to “come back to St. Francis” this time with the wisdom and other benefits of life and professional experience. A positive response to these opportunities offers reminders about the reasons St. Francis College is special and helps grow our desire to support the institution in ways that match our interests and talents. In this spirit, the College is fortunate in its choice for new president, Brendan J. Dugan ’68. An alumnus and longtime trustee and board chairman, Brendan assumes the presidency with an insider’s knowledge of St. Francis College and its priorities and brings a business perspective necessary for success in today’s competitive higher education environment. This fall, as Brendan inherits from former President Macchiarola a day-to-day operation that is thriving academically and financially strong, the trustees of St. Francis College can promise the entire St. Francis community continuity in its purpose and innovation in its leadership. One will keep us grounded while the other allows us to set new goals and achieve even greater heights. The St. Francis College Experience 3 FaCULTY: ALWAYS LEARNING ince 2001, St. Francis College has increased the size of its full-time Sfaculty by 35 percent, a move that corresponds to the introduction of new academic programs and courses. As of the 2007-08 academic year, 78 full-time faculty members were in place, with 85 percent of them possessing the highest academic degree available in their disciplines. “We have the elements in place to attract motivated, high-quality faculty members,” said Dr. Timothy J. Houlihan, academic dean and vice president for academic affairs. Essential to recruiting and retaining committed professors is an environment that offers the latest in teaching technology, support for managing information out of the classroom and training that brings all faculty members to the highest possible level of technological proficiency. At St. Francis College, where all these are present, faculty members receive their own laptops when they complete a training program designed to familiarize them with all available interactive hardware and software. So far more than half of all professors have signed on—and the rest are in the pipeline. In addition, opportunities for developing interdisciplinary programs with their colleagues and providing release time from the classroom to do so—something Dr. Houlihan describes as “not the wave of the future, but now”— is vital for continuous learning among faculty. For example, faculty from several academic departments are currently developing an American Studies program, an interdisciplinary certificate program that will complement a variety of majors. “This is an enormous undertaking that involves not only the development of new courses, but also time-consuming administrative work,” said Dr. Athena Devlin, assistant professor of English. “Temporary freedom from teaching allows us to be more thoughtful and creative with the program rather than simply getting it done.” Faculty members from all disciplines utilize state-of-the-art classroom technology. 4 St. Francis College Donor Report EXPERIENCE ST. FRANCIS “We have the elements in place to attract motivated, high-quality Academics faculty members.” — Dr. Timothy J. Houlihan academic dean and vice president, Academic Affairs “Nothing is more ontinuous academic improvement is a priority at St. Francis College. The rewarding than cornerstone of all we do, a high-quality academic experience influences a making sure faculty Cstudent’s relationship with the College before and after graduation. have access to the latest technology and providing them the A state-of-the-art facility is only one element to a complex equation whose parts add up to PSYCHOLOGY L A B HEIGHTENS POST- G RA D tools they need to assimilate it into OppORTUNITIES satisfying teaching and learning. A superior faculty, their everyday teaching.” Innovative technologies in the Department of engaging programs and exceptional extracurricular — Sue Mulderrig Psychology, in particular a program called opportunities round out what is exchanged in technology training associate, the classroom. St. Francis College is tackling this SuperLab, are making research and data collection Office of Information Technology in a number of ways.