Dr. Petillo's Blog

President Petillo's Blog - Friday, January 25th

Last week, I began sharing the 11 standards that the NEASC accreditation team will look at when they visit in April. This week, I want to tell you about Standard 4, the Academic Programs standard. I am particularly proud that at Sacred Heart, learning takes place anywhere and everywhere – not just in the classroom. The SHU Square website that complements the First-Year Seminar is one example, but as I travel the campus, I see engaged learning taking place in the library, in the dining halls, in the residence halls with our Living and Learning Communities and even on the lawn…on days a bit warmer than today.

When we respond to the Academic Programs standard, we will describe and assess our academic programs and project our future growth. For example, when we went through this process 10 years ago, we were getting ready to introduce the doctorate in physical therapy. In this report, we are introducing the nurse practitioner doctorate, along with future plans for additional doctoral programs. In the same vein, we offered just 10 master’s programs 10 years ago; now we have 24.

The exciting thing about this process – and this standard in particular – is that it gives us a chance to reflect on the success of our programs and to focus on the future opportunities we have to respond to the growing needs of our students and the marketplace.

Our NEASC contest begins next week, so watch for an email with your first opportunity to win a $10 gift card to the SHU bookstore.

This has been an exciting week at Sacred Heart with lots of good news to share. Congratulations go out to Don Cook, director of Intercollegiate Athletics, on his election to the Northeast Conference Hall of Fame. Don is one of three inductees this year and is more than deserving.

Congratulations also are in order for several students. Alyssa Papachristos’ illustration, "Frog," was accepted into the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles WEST 51 national juried competition, and clarinet player Lora Streett, bass clarinet player Nate Tallo and tuba player Mike Tomanelli have all been named to the New England Intercollegiate band. This honors band gives students an extraordinary opportunity to perform in a college ensemble with peers of the highest caliber. Kudos to all.

Sacred Heart has received its fourth consecutive Gold Award from the Business Council of Fairfield County. The award goes to employers that are successful in promoting a healthy workplace. Congratulations and thank you to Rob Hardy and Sally Schettino of Human Resources, who have done an outstanding job developing the University’s Health and Wellness program.

A tip of the hat (or maybe a stomp of the feet is more appropriate) to Scott Aliberti on the success of last weekend’s Performing for the Angels of Sandy Hook fundraiser. A total of $2,067.03 was raised in donations at the door, and more than $500 in additional funds came from the sale of the Newtown t-shirts. Totals from online donations are still being determined.

Similarly, the Aunt Terry Foundation recently raised $5,000 at a fundraiser for SHU’s Horizons Program. The Foundation is run by attorney Victoria Ferrara and our own Michelle Loris and was founded in memory of long-time educator Theresa Martinez.  The foundation’s goal is to serve children and the elderly. The event was a concert featuring Vicki’s Dini Band.

Ernie Anastos was on campus Tuesday to meet with our communications students and faculty. Ernie, a longtime journalist, freely shared his experiences and advice in his upbeat “positively Ernie” style. It was great to see him, and we appreciate his taking time out of his hectic schedule for our students.

The penchant for giving back to the community is not limited to SHU students, faculty and staff, but also includes our high school Upward Bound students. On Saturday, the students will be down the street at St. John’s Church where they will package and distribute food for the homeless and organize clothes that were donated by themselves and others. They participated in a similar event in early December.

The grand opening of the student-run Walnut Beach Creamery took place Wednesday evening at Roncalli Hall. Leave it to us to open an ice cream shop on the coldest day in seven years! Despite that, the shop was crowded, and the ice cream was delicious. Stop by and try some of the great SHU-themed flavors! The shop is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m.

If you are looking for something to do in a weekend when there is no football to watch on TV, there are a number of great events happening on campus. Tomorrow is Pack the Pitt with the women’s game at 4 p.m. and the tipoff for the men at 7. If you are more into the arts, check out Craig Cramer, University of Notre Dame organ professor and artist-in-residence, who will perform in the chapel Saturday evening. Or head over to the Edgerton for Theatrefest, which features plays written, directed and performed by SHU students and a performance by the Awkward Handshakes improv group. That show takes place both Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Whatever you do, stay warm and have a fun!

President Petillo's Blog - Friday, January 18th

I want to start with a big welcome back to the students and faculty and a welcome to new transfer and graduate students. We are glad to have you as part of the Sacred Heart family. I wish everyone a successful and rewarding semester with just the right balance of work and play.

Meteorologically, we got just enough snow on Wednesday to make for a messy commute, but it also gave the campus a clean winter look – just right for January!


Initial sales of the “We are Newtown” T-shirts I wrote about last week have been extremely positive, and it looks like a second printing will be needed. The shirts are available for $20 in the SHU Bookstore and are a joint venture by the Art & Design Department, the Welch College of Business, the Marketing and Communications Division and the University. All proceeds go to the Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial Scholarship Fund.

I enjoyed the Dueling Pianos event at Red’s last night. It was a nice venue for that kind of entertainment, and the music was great! It was wonderful to see such a good turnout. Hopefully it will be the beginning of many such programs.


I want to remind our full-time undergraduates that we are still hoping for a good response to the Princeton Review’s Undergraduate Survey. This is your opportunity to share your thoughts on SHU with prospective students and their parents. Be sure to stop by the Undergraduate Admission Lobby in Curtis Hall with your printed thank-you page, so that you are eligible for Sacred Heart’s survey raffle as well as the one offered by the Princeton Review. You can access the survey here.

Last week, I mentioned that we are preparing for an accreditation visit from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) in April. In fact, 11 committees made up of students, faculty and staff have been focusing for the past two years on the 11 standards that the accreditation team will look at when they are here. One of those standards is Mission. The committee’s preparation for the review also provides an opportunity for us to recommit to the core mission and values that make this University such a special place.

For example, our mission statement talks a lot about service, social responsibility and making contributions to the human community. We will be extremely proud to tell our visitors that we donated 52,000 hours of community service last year and are well on our way to matching – or exceeding – that number this year.

In the weeks between now and the NEASC visit, we will continue to update you on the process – through this blog and our website. We will even have a weekly NEASC-related trivia contest for a gift card to the SHU bookstore. Stay tuned.

With the Golden Globe winners announced last weekend and the Oscars rapidly approaching, I have been trying to see some of the movies that have been receiving so much acclaim. I recently saw Lincoln and Zero Dark Thirty. They were both based on history, and they were both excellent. I was especially struck by the underlying philosophical approach to human dignity underscored in the story of Lincoln’s final months in office.  It was particularly outstanding considering that in those times it was unfashionable to speak for human rights, especially those of black men and women. It’s a good reminder that we all should be willing to take a risk for justice and for what is morally right.

For students who would like to get out and see some of the great movies that are playing right now, the Oakview shuttle bus is available to take you to the Trumbull theaters any day after 5 p.m. Just hop on and let the driver know you want to go to the movies and what time you need to be picked up afterwards. You can also purchase $7 movie tickets in the Student Life Office.

I want to remind you of the “Performing for the Angels of Sandy Hook” benefit here on campus Saturday evening. It will feature performances by our own students and professional dancers from New York City’s Broadway Dance Center. There is no charge for the event, but attendees are asked to donate to the Newtown Scholarship Fund’s newly established Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial Scholarship Fund. Please support Scott Aliberti who has worked hard to put this show together and Julie Savino who is president of the Newtown Scholarship Fund.

Have a fun and relaxing holiday weekend!

 

President Petillo's Blog - Friday, January 11th

While some might feel that the Christmas break has flown by all too quickly, I am looking forward to next week and the return of our students. The academic building and Commons have been like a ghost town. I can’t wait to see them filled with students studying, getting a bite to eat and hustling from one class to another. I look forward to a new semester filled with exciting programs, concerts and lectures, news of the accomplishments of students and faculty, volunteer opportunities on campus and in the community and much more.

This week, a group of our students were back early to participate in the annual ritual of CURTIS Week. CURTIS Week, which stands for Community Understanding & Reflection Through Inner-city Service, honors the Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis, second Bishop of Bridgeport and founder of the University. During the week, students live at St. Charles Parish in Bridgeport and participate in both cultural and service activities. This year’s program included volunteer work at Alpha Community Shelter, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity, Caroline House and more. The students also visited Al Aziz Masjid, an African-American Mosque; attended a service at B’nai Israel Synagogue; attended a Puerto Rican dinner, did some salsa dancing and socialized with teens from the RISE program. This is always an eye-opening and rewarding week for participants as they see the various sides of life in Bridgeport.

From top, clockwise: CURTIS Week participants volunteer at the
Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Caroline House and a Habitat for Humanity site.

Next Saturday, January 19, is the “Performing for the Angels of Sandy Hook” benefit here on campus. It is being facilitated by our own Scott Aliberti. In addition to performances by students, it will feature Aaron Marcellus of season 11 of American Idol and the professional dancers of New York City’s Broadway Dance Center. There is no charge for the event, but attendees are asked to donate to the Newtown Scholarship Fund’s newly established Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial Scholarship Fund will also benefit from the sale of “We are Newtown” T-shirts in the SHU bookstore. This tribute to the Newtown victims, survivors and first responders is a joint effort by the Art & Design Department, the John F. Welch College of Business, the Marketing and Communications Division and the University. The $20 shirts will go on sale tomorrow. If the initial run of 100 sells out, more will be printed.

In a related topic, a letter on gun control by SHU alumna Christina Dolzall has been getting play locally. Christina grew up in Newtown and was an intern at Sandy Hook Elementary School with victim Vicki Soto. She has a degree in psychology and an elementary school teacher certificate from Sacred Heart. Her letter is thoughtful and articulate. Check it out here.

You probably noticed the construction going on at the Edgerton Center. Renovations are well under way to expand the lobby and create an outdoor patio. Both areas will be used for receptions and events. The new expanded lobby will also serve as an art gallery for student and faculty art. Work has also been continuing on the University’s new Health Center on Park Avenue, and you will find a shiny new sign outside the doors of 63’s.

We are gearing up for an accreditation visit from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). NEASC provides accreditation services for more than 2,000 public and private institutions in the six-state region – pre-K through university. NEASC accreditation uses self-reflection, peer review and best practices as integral components of its assessment process. Their team will be here in April, and we will be telling you more about the process and how you can help in the coming weeks.

Have a great weekend!