As we continue to grieve for the lives lost in Sandy Hook a week ago, I want to thank all of you who came out for our memorial service on Monday. I know it helped me to gather as a community to express our grief, faith and even hope. I hope it did the same for you. I thank you also for joining with the rest of the state in the moment of silence this morning that Governor Malloy requested.
As we go through the break and reconvene here for the start of the second semester, I am hoping that we can begin to move from grief and mourning to action. My hope is that we as a community can work to ensure that these lives were not lost in vain. Whether it is through colloquia and other programs, fundraising or a call for legislative reform, let’s see what we can do to make a difference.
Along those lines, Sacred Heart is involved with two upcoming concerts to raise money in honor of the victims. SHU is co-sponsoring a concert in Newtown on December 28 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown. The concert will feature The New Baroque Soloists, with special guest artist Christine Buras, and all proceeds will go to need-based scholarships for Newtown high school graduates who attended Sandy Hook Elementary School. The scholarship has been established by the Newtown Scholarship Association. Our own Julie Savino, executive director of University Financial Assistance, is president of the Association and a Newtown resident.
In addition, Scott Aliberti of the Career Development and Placement Center is working on a special event to take place on January 19 in the Edgerton Center. Entitled “Dancing for the Angels of Sandy Hook,” it will be a night of music and dance. Scott is working with Aaron Tolson of the Broadway Dance Center in New York City to organize the event and is hoping to incorporate our own bands, choral groups and dancers into the show. As the show comes together and the talent is finalized, we will tell you more.
Congratulations are in order for Madeleine Monaghan and her team on the recent accreditation of the English Language Institute at Sacred Heart by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA). CEA, an international accrediting body, is charged with promoting excellence in the field of English language instruction for second language learners. This is an internationally recognized accreditation that has been diligently pursued for 18 months by the faculty and staff of the English Language Institute. In addition, there were many others throughout SHU who were instrumental in the success of this accreditation application. My thanks and congratulations to all for their hard work and their success on this project.
More than 30 transfer students and their parents were on campus on Tuesday for our new student orientation. They heard from staff on a variety of topics ranging from residential life, financial aid and career development to student activities, club sports and Greek life. Parents received a special tour and had a chance to chat with Dean of Students Larry Wielk. We look forward to having these students with us next semester.
Our Horizons students were back on campus this week for a pizza party and basketball game at the Pitt Center. Thanks to Mark Adzigian for the tickets and to Jim Carl of the College of Education for joining the students and their families for dinner and the game. The kids even got out onto the court during halftime – something I’m sure they will always remember. I appreciate how invested in these students the entire faculty and staff has become. The more we can introduce them to all that a college experience has to offer, the greater the impact we make on their future educational choices.
Let me close with my best wishes to all of you for a peaceful and blessed Christmas and a happy and restful break with your friends and families. We have been through a roller coaster of extreme highs and lows this fall, but I know we will all be back in January energized and ready for another successful semester. To our faculty and staff, thank you for all you do every day for our students. And to our students, thank you for being such a vibrant part of our community. We are blessed to have you at SHU. Have a very merry Christmas.
« November 2012 | Main | January 2013 »
December 2012
President Petillo's Blog - Friday, December 14th
In the midst of the great tragedy today, I am looking back to a week filled with great joy.
We began last weekend with a variety of opportunities to celebrate the sounds of the season on campus. I always enjoy hearing our talented students perform. That enjoyment continued with our annual advent wreath lighting ceremony that preceded the faculty and staff Christmas party. We heard both traditional and contemporary Christmas songs from several of our choirs and were entertained by soloes not only from among the current student body, but also from Allegra De Vita ’11, who returned to campus to sing a beautiful rendition of “O Holy Night.” I hope more of our talented students will come back to share their gifts with us once they graduate.
Allegra De Vita ’11, left, sings "O, Holy Night" during the Advent Wreath Lighting Service.
At right, the choir processes into the Chapel.
At right, the choir processes into the Chapel.
Christmas Party
Demo 2012
I would like to encourage any full-time undergraduate students who have not yet participated in the Princeton Review’s Undergraduate Survey to do so. Not only will you have the chance to win a raffle prize, but you will also be providing valuable information about SHU to prospective students and their parents. You can access the survey here.
The College of Health Professions has come out with its 2012 Reflections magazine. It’s full of valuable information about what the faculty and students have been doing in the past year. You can check it out here.
A delegation of Sacred Heart University representatives were at Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC) last week to finalize plans for Farrington College of Education students to take courses in comparative education and educational technology there. They will also observe and practice-teach in bilingual primary and secondary schools in Cartago, Costa Rica. TEC education students in science and math will take similar courses here, as well as visiting Connecticut high schools. There are also plans for engineering students from TEC to attend a SHU English Language Institute program in Stamford where they will learn English in business and technology settings.
This is a very exciting program and my thanks go to Stephanie Reyes, graduate assistant for Volunteer Programs; Maria Lizano-DiMare, professor of Education Technology; Jaya Kannan, director of the Jandrisevits Learning Center; Madeleine Monaghan, director of the English Language Institute; Jim Carl, dean of the Farrington College of Education; and Matthew Kay, director of Volunteer Programs, for making the trip and attending a conference at TEC for instructors of English as a foreign language. The first group of SHU students will travel to Cartago during spring break in 2013 as part of a service learning experience in tandem with TEC.
In Costa Rica are, from left, Maria Lizano-DiMare, Jaya Kannan,
Madeleine Monaghan, Stephanie Reyes, Jim Carl and Matthew Kay.
Madeleine Monaghan, Stephanie Reyes, Jim Carl and Matthew Kay.
I want to reiterate how stunned and horrified I am by the events in Newtown this morning – as I’m sure you are, as well. There is never a good time to hear news like this, but to have it happen as we joyously prepare to celebrate the coming of Christ somehow seems particularly heartbreaking. I know you will continue to join me in prayer for all those who have been impacted in any way by this unimaginable tragedy. Our prayers also for safe travels and a wonderful Christmas and break for those students who are still finishing up their finals and getting ready to leave.
President Petillo's Blog - Friday, December 7th
Today is Pearl Harbor Day. I can’t help but stop and think not only about the shocking events that led to this country’s entry into World War II, but also about all the men and women who have made sacrifices to protect this country – from the Revolutionary War to today.
With the beginning of advent last Sunday, this University is in the heart of its Christmas celebration! Students, faculty and staff are sponsoring families, collecting toys for tots, filling the shelves of the food banks, donating socks to the homeless and more.
We gathered in the chapel Monday evening for the annual tree lighting ceremony. It was a festive occasion, complete with the singing of carols, hot chocolate and cookies. It was followed by a Praise & Worship session with the group InSight. Stop by to listen the next time they are on campus. They feature beautiful harmonies and a variety of music.
Christmas Tree Lighting in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit
We continued the celebration with our fourth presentation of Handel’s Messiah Thursday evening. The chapel is the perfect setting for this kind of performance, and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and Christ Church New Haven Choir did a spectacular interpretation of this magnificent work.
Handel's Messiah featuring the New Haven Symphony Orchestra
and the Christ Church New Haven Choir.
If you haven’t had your fill of Christmas music, there are plenty of additional opportunities this weekend with a presentation of Irish Christmas music Saturday evening, the University Band’s interpretation of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Sunday afternoon and the annual Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday evening.
I had the opportunity to entertain about 50 student leaders at my home for dinner Tuesday night. I thoroughly enjoyed the company and the conversation. We have an impressive group of students leading the student body.
On Wednesday, we celebrated the opening of the Sacred Heart University Physical Therapy Specialists Center – the physical therapy clinic at the Pitt Center, which is now fully owned by SHU. The center provides a professional setting for students to learn clinical skills, while faculty members provide outpatient services in many specialty areas, including pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, vestibular rehabilitation and neurologic physical therapy. This combination of teaching with practice creates a wonderful environment for everyone involved.
Congratulations to Education Professor Jacqueline Kelleher on her appointment to serve on the State Advisory Council on Special Education, a federally mandated advisory board. As part of her duties, she has been assigned to the SRBI Ad Hoc Committee. I look forward to her updates on the activities of the board and her committee.
I am looking for volunteers from the faculty and staff to join me Monday night in serving the students at the traditional late-night breakfast that marks the last day of classes. It’s a great opportunity to interact with students outside the classroom and make sure they head back to the books properly nourished.
I hope to see lots of students not only at the late-night breakfast, but also at 63’s on Tuesday afternoon where I will be cooking for the lunchtime rush. Please take a quick break from your studies and come on by.
I wish all of you the ability to focus as you study next week and the best of luck as you take your exams. As I said in my message to you, earlier this week, I couldn’t be more proud of the way you all conducted yourselves this semester.
Best wishes for a Happy Hanukkah to all the Jewish members of our community. Have a wonderful weekend.
With the beginning of advent last Sunday, this University is in the heart of its Christmas celebration! Students, faculty and staff are sponsoring families, collecting toys for tots, filling the shelves of the food banks, donating socks to the homeless and more.
We gathered in the chapel Monday evening for the annual tree lighting ceremony. It was a festive occasion, complete with the singing of carols, hot chocolate and cookies. It was followed by a Praise & Worship session with the group InSight. Stop by to listen the next time they are on campus. They feature beautiful harmonies and a variety of music.
Christmas Tree Lighting in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit
Handel's Messiah featuring the New Haven Symphony Orchestra
and the Christ Church New Haven Choir.
I had the opportunity to entertain about 50 student leaders at my home for dinner Tuesday night. I thoroughly enjoyed the company and the conversation. We have an impressive group of students leading the student body.
Students enjoy a Christmas dinner and singing carols at the President's home.
On Wednesday, we celebrated the opening of the Sacred Heart University Physical Therapy Specialists Center – the physical therapy clinic at the Pitt Center, which is now fully owned by SHU. The center provides a professional setting for students to learn clinical skills, while faculty members provide outpatient services in many specialty areas, including pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, vestibular rehabilitation and neurologic physical therapy. This combination of teaching with practice creates a wonderful environment for everyone involved.
ABOVE: At the ribbon-cutting are, from left, President Petillo, Physical Therapy Department Chair Michael Emery, CHP Dean Patricia Walker and Clinical Physical Therapy Instructor Victor Vaughn.
BELOW: Clinical Assistant Professors David Cameron, left, and Jason Grimes in the PT evaluation room.
BELOW: Clinical Assistant Professors David Cameron, left, and Jason Grimes in the PT evaluation room.
I am looking for volunteers from the faculty and staff to join me Monday night in serving the students at the traditional late-night breakfast that marks the last day of classes. It’s a great opportunity to interact with students outside the classroom and make sure they head back to the books properly nourished.
I hope to see lots of students not only at the late-night breakfast, but also at 63’s on Tuesday afternoon where I will be cooking for the lunchtime rush. Please take a quick break from your studies and come on by.
I wish all of you the ability to focus as you study next week and the best of luck as you take your exams. As I said in my message to you, earlier this week, I couldn’t be more proud of the way you all conducted yourselves this semester.
Best wishes for a Happy Hanukkah to all the Jewish members of our community. Have a wonderful weekend.