Dr. Petillo's Blog

President Petillo's Blog - Friday, March 22nd

Wow! It’s been another exciting week here on campus. You all took me seriously when I said let’s have a great conclusion to the semester. Among the many and varied events that took place was a lecture to WCOB students from alumnus Brian Hamilton, chairman and co-founder of Sageworks—a company that provides risk-management solutions to financial institutions and also financial analysis and benchmarking applications to accounting firms and private companies. Perhaps the most important part of his message was that family is his top priority. He shared that his wife had passed away just a few weeks ago, and nothing is more critical than the needs of his two children.

Brian Hamilton speaks in the Schine Auditorium.

We also had our second colloquia in the four-part “Reflecting on Sandy Hook” series this week. Craig LeMoult of WSHU and Jim Castonguay, director of SHU’s graduate programs in communications, talked about the challenges members of the media face in these situations when they have to balance consideration for the victims with the desire of their audience for immediate and detailed information.

WSHU's Craig LeMoult speaks during "Reflecting on Sandy Hook: Media & Trauma."

Students in Lucjan Orlowski’s Wednesday night class heard from prominent Czech economist Professor Evžen Kočenda of Charles University’s Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education in Prague. He was here to present findings of a new markets study on the correlation—or lack thereof—between gold, oil and stocks. We are very pleased that Professor Kočenda will be joining the Department of Economics and Finance during the upcoming 2013-14 academic year as our very first Fulbright Visiting Scholar in the Welch College of Business. He will be collaborating with us to examine the stability of the European financial markets.

Professor Orlowski, left, introduces Evžen Kočenda.

On Thursday, we heard from a panel about the life and struggles of Alexander Pierre Tureaud, a Louisiana attorney who passed away in 1972 and was influential in the battle to end segregation.

Panel discussion about A.P. Tureaud - from left are SHU English Professor Anita August, A.P. Tureaud, Jr., Rachel Emanuel of Southern University Law Center and Steve Walkley of Einstein Medical School.

Yesterday we had a film crew from PBS on campus talking to students, faculty and staff about our Irish Studies program. The show, entitled “Out of Ireland,” will air in the fall.

Student Erin MacDonald is filmed for PBS' Out of Ireland.

Perhaps even more importantly, we welcomed more of our accepted students and their families to campus this week. On Wednesday, 150 students accepted into the nursing program were here, and today we hosted 250 students who have been accepted into other health professions programs. Kudos to the staff in Admissions for putting on a great agenda to encourage students in their commitment to Sacred Heart.

Students from the nursing program’s class of 2014 were in Hartford Wednesday for the Connecticut Nurses’ Association’s annual Legislative Day. The goal of the event is to teach nurses how they can directly influence health policy and make a difference in the political arena.

Connecticut Nurses’ Association’s annual Legislative Day in Hartford

I hope you saw my email earlier today about the student initiative called the Last Straw Campaign. I recently wrote a blog for the Huffington Post where I suggested that rather than a call to arms, we needed a call to voices. In particular, I suggested that we listen to students and thinkers at institutions of higher learning. That is what is happening here. I am extremely impressed with the creativity and passion of these students and their desire to take their campaign beyond the classroom. Once again, I encourage all of you to support their efforts to collect 100,000 drinking straws for delivery to Congress.

Students Meaghan Garrigal, Lea DeRosa, Anthony Tartaglia and Stefani Wren announced the Last Straw Campaign on campus to raise awareness about gun control in the wake of the Newtown tragedy.

I am also impressed with the students and faculty who spend spring break on mission trips. While many of us were relaxing with family and friends or off getting a suntan somewhere, the goodness and generosity of the SHU community was in evidence around the United States and the world. For example, 100 students and advisers from our Habitat for Humanity Chapter participated in the Collegiate Challenge by sending delegations to Louisiana, Indiana, Alabama, Georgia and Delaware. In addition, the Office of Volunteer Programs & Service Learning’s Mission Matters program sent delegations to El Salvador, Costa Rica and Guatemala. The occupational therapy program also headed to Guatemala with the hundreds of pairs of shoes and socks that you all donated, while the nursing program sent a team to Jamaica. I know these efforts were greatly appreciated, and I thank all involved for representing the spirit and mission of this University so well.

Earlier today, I sent out the last of our NEASC student trivia contest questions. Students have until Tuesday afternoon to send in an answer. One of the things the NEASC accreditation team will consider is all the ways we communicate to our many constituents within and outside of the University. Our goal is to provide frank, clear and consistent communications. Some of the ways we do that is through our website, our advertising in various mediums, our programs, our magazine and more. It even includes the things we say to our family and friends about the University. I am convinced that the more frequently we communicate and the clearer we are, the better our reputation will be. One small part of this process was providing an opportunity for the public to communicate their thoughts on Sacred Heart to the NEASC team. I am pleased to say that our request for feedback elicited several very positive comments.

Faculty members should mark their calendars for the Spring Faculty Institute on April 2. Provost Laura Niesen de Abruna has put together another exciting program that includes remarks from Dr. Scott E. Evenback, the founding president of the New Community College in NYC. He has a national reputation for scholarship in the areas of general education, first-year experiences, assessment and learning outcomes.

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, both the choirs and the University band will be performing. Both concerts will feature a special piece commemorating the Newtown tragedy. Our students never fail to provide the highest quality entertainment, and these presentations will be a wonderful lead-in to Holy Week. I wish everyone a good weekend and a blessed celebration of Palm Sunday.

Kudos to the staff in Admissions for putting on a great agenda to encourage students in their commitment Sacred Heart.

President Petillo's Blog - Friday, March 15th

I have been enjoying a relaxing vacation in Florida this week with my wife and daughter. It’s a little bittersweet since this will be the last time we spend Arianna’s high school break on vacation. She is off to college in the fall.

Taking a break in Florida

No matter where you were this week, it was impossible not to get caught up in the excitement and speculation as a new pontiff was selected. As I wrote on Wednesday, we wish nothing but the best for Pope Francis and will keep him in our prayers. The new pope and the process of choosing him was the topic for the weekly Breads & Spreads discussion in the Chapel last night. Approximately 15 students and other members of the community came by to weigh in on this historical event. I also hear that a colloquium is in the works on the subject for April. Stay tuned.

I want to remind everyone of the Innovation Committee’s information sessions scheduled for next week. I strongly encourage all faculty and staff to attend one of the sessions.

Our NEASC accreditation visit is rapidly approaching. They will be here soon after the Easter break. There are just two more chances to win a bookstore gift card in the NEASC trivia contest, so be sure to send in your answer to this week’s question by Tuesday at 4. Congratulations to Nitza Haddad who knew the answer to the last question was that 11 standards are considered during the accreditation process.

I was still on campus when Nicholas Sparks spoke Monday night as part of the Student Affairs Lecture Series. He was extremely entertaining and could consider a second career in stand-up comedy. And, although he only promised to sign books for 30 minutes, he stuck around for more than hour until everyone had an autograph. At the same time, Cormac O’Malley was reading the selected letters of Ernie O’Malley in the Schine. That event was sponsored by the Ryan Matura Library and the Center for Irish Cultural Studies. I love that no matter what your interest, there is a program for you at SHU.

Nicholas Sparks, left, meets with students; at right is Cormac O'Malley

Students and guests received a wealth of information and advice Tuesday evening when Mike Berland, global CEO of Edelman Berland, spoke to a MACOMM masterclass. He shared his experiences leading a global market research and strategic consulting business as well as advising New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg during his 2001 and 2005 mayoral campaigns.

Mike Berland

Even here in Florida, I heard about Rob Gilmore’s mouthwatering eggplant napoleon that was served up Wednesday as part of the Celebrity Chef program at 63’s. I hope there’s another opportunity to taste it! 

Celebrity Chef Rob Gilmore

We got more outside validation of the good work we are doing this week when our gaming design and development program received honorable mention in the Princeton Review’s list of graduate programs. Congratulations to Domenick Pinto and the rest of the Computer Science faculty for their outstanding work developing and teaching the courses in this program.

Congratulations to Leo Katsetos, associate head athletic trainer, who will be profiled in a video on the Everyday Health website in April. Leo was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2003 and has been working to raise awareness and money for research ever since. His positive attitude and response to learning of his diagnosis make him the perfect choice for this project. We will link to the video from our own site as soon as it is up and running.

Leo Katsetos is filmed for the Everyday Health website

Today we welcomed next year’s Welch College of Business cohort to campus. We had 155 admitted students and their families here for the afternoon. Activities included academic presentations for the students, career development and financial assistance seminars for the parents, a celebratory reception, a trip to the Walnut Beach Creamery and a presentation on the Thomas More Honors program. We look forward to seeing them again at orientation and next fall.

Welch College of Business Acceptance Day

Tonight is the final leg of the faculty & staff trivia competition at Red’s. Can anyone beat the Teachers team? Clearly Iannazzi and the crew from Marketing & Communications are not up to the task.

I want to take a moment to congratulate the women’s basketball team on their successful 22-10 season. They still have a shot (okay, pun intended) at post-season play in the WNIT tournament, depending on how Quinnipiac does on Sunday.

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, the theatre students are putting on Nunsense in the Little Theatre (the old chapel next to Hawley Lounge) tonight, tomorrow and Sunday. Also, you can catch “1964…The Tribute,” a Beatles tribute show, tonight in the Edgerton Center, and tomorrow afternoon is the opening reception of the Student Art Exhibit at Oakview.

Whatever you do, have a happy St. Patrick’s Day and a safe, fun weekend.

President Petillo's Blog - Wednesday, March 13th

We congratulate Pope Francis on his election and wish him wisdom and success in his new role. He is already a Pope of many firsts – the first Francis, the first Jesuit, the first from Latin America. We welcome his leadership, and he will be in the prayers of the Sacred Heart Community now and throughout his tenure.

President Petillo's Blog - Friday, March 8th

Those of you who follow me on twitter or regularly read this blog know that I miss the students when they are away. The place is too quiet – almost desolate – without the enthusiastic bustle of activity they bring. That said, I know the break is much needed. I am especially proud of those students who have spent the break on mission trips. I’m looking forward to hearing about all their adventures next week.


On the other hand, as I observe that once again we are getting more snow than was predicted, I am grateful we don’t have to make a tough decision about whether to cancel classes.

Despite the absence of the students, some exciting things have happened this week. I want to congratulate the men’s fencing team on their fourth consecutive Northeast Fencing Conference Championship! Senior team captain Stuart Holmes was named the NFC Fencer of the Year after finishing the NFC season 28-0. This is the fourth year in a row that SHU has been 10-0 in conference play, and the team and Coach Tom Vrabel have much to be proud of. They are back in action on Sunday in the NCAA Regionals against St. John’s University, and we wish them continued success!


Sacred Heart was named to the President’s Honor Roll for 2013 this week. We also learned that for the second year in a row, we have been named one of the top colleges in New England on GoLocal’s “Super Ranking: Top New England Colleges 2013.” GoLocal uses other national rankings along with feedback from students on a variety of topics to determine where each school places on its list.

Sacred Heart University hosted a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Conference at Cambridge Commons this week. Organized by adjunct professor Bonnie Maur and co-sponsored by Carolina Supply Company, approximately 60 elementary teachers from local school districts and the Diocese of Bridgeport attended the event. They had the opportunity to participate in several breakout sessions covering such topics as “The S in STEM,” “Engineering and Technology in STEM,” “The Arts and STEM” and “The Literacy Tie to STEM.” Congratulations to Bonnie and her colleagues in the College of Education on a great event!


I am looking forward to watching everyone move back in on Sunday and to a great second half to the spring semester. Don’t forget to move your clocks an hour ahead this weekend.

President Petillo's Blog - Friday, March 1st

I’m finding it hard to believe that it is already March and time for spring break. This semester is flying by.

Sacred Heart University was all over the local and national landscape – from ESPN’s SportsCenter to the Wall Street Journal – with our announcement on Tuesday that Bobby Valentine will take on the role of executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics beginning in July.  We are looking forward to having Bobby as part of the Sacred Heart community.


We also announced this week that David Coppola, vice president for Strategic Planning & Administration, will be leaving us to become president at Keystone College in Pennsylvania.  Both David and Don Cook (outgoing executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics) have made immeasurable contributions here, and we wish them both much happiness in the next chapter of their lives. Although they will be sorely missed, they will always be part of the Sacred Heart family.

One of David’s many achievements is intense preparation for our upcoming accreditation visit from NEASC. That leads me to this week’s topic – Standard 7, which focuses on the library and other information resources. The library is no longer simply about books or articles in periodicals. With the ever-increasing pace of information sharing, it is nearly impossible to keep up with the scholarship that is being disseminated all over the world, let alone in the United States. The library and its capable faculty and staff have the responsibility to provide the most current and relevant resources to support the academic programs here, beginning with the liberal arts curriculum in the Catholic intellectual tradition and continuing through our masters and doctoral programs. This is a tall order and often libraries must share resources to best serve students’ learning and research needs.

The NEASC team will seek to evaluate the extent that the University invests appropriate resources into books, articles, on-line subscriptions, etc., to ensure student academic success. The team will also consider the nature of learning and research in the 21st century, which is increasingly team-focused and problem-based with collaboration among individuals and groups. That is why our renovations of the first floor of the library two years ago included study rooms and areas where teams and work groups can gather. Most of all, the library is meant to be a welcoming place for exploration and engagement. I know that the coffee bar and the comfortable seats draw students into deep reflection and occasionally even meditation. I think the NEASC team will see that our continual attempts to improve the library and its services have made it a place where students and faculty can not only successfully complete their research, but also gather for both serious and casual conversation.

Congratulations to Justin McLoughlin who was the winner of a gift card for correctly answering last week’s NEASC trivia question. You have until the Tuesday after break at 4 p.m. to submit an answer to this week’s question.

Our student-veteran population gathered for a mixer at Red’s recently. It was a great opportunity for them to get together and share their experiences both in service and as students here on campus. We hope this will be the first of many such gatherings for our student-veterans. SHU has nearly 70 student-veterans registered for classes, and we are proud of our status as a Yellow Ribbon campus since 2009.


This was Student Philanthropy Week, and it seemed like everywhere I looked I saw either tags indicating equipment or services supported by donations to our Annual Fund or a student wearing a t-shirt proclaiming the importance of those gifts. Students also wrote more than 800 thank-you postcards to SHU donors during this week’s thank-a-thon. Any and all gifts in support of our students are greatly appreciated.


This week was also the second annual see-saw-a-thon put on by Greek Life. Entitled Greek Life Goes Back to Give Back, the 24-hour event raised more than $10,000 in support of a playground at the Six to Six Interdistrict Magnet School in Bridgeport. My favorite part of this event is seeing all the Greek organizations working together for a valuable cause.


In other acts of generosity, students in our Rotaract course raised $600 in a very short period of time and presented a check to the Nursing Department to support its mission trip to Jamaica. Also, the SHU community supported the Department of Physical Therapy’s shoes and sock drive for Guatemala with donations of more than 400 pairs of shoes and hundreds of pairs of socks.


Philanthropist Jonathan Sackler was on campus this week to talk about new trends in charter schools and the need to make sure that no students fall through the cracks. He highlighted three schools taking a creative approach to education, including Achievement First Amistad High School right here in Connecticut.


If you didn’t stop by 63’s when Maura Coppola of the College of Business was serving as guest chef, you missed a treat. Stay tuned for future culinary offerings from faculty and staff.


Ten of our Horizons students and their families, along with some SHU staff, attended Freckleface, the Musical at the Bridgeport Downtown Cabaret Theatre recently. This was one of several events planned to keep in touch with the students in between the fall and spring Saturday sessions here on campus.


If you didn’t make it to the reception at the Watermark at 3030 Park this week, you can still go by to see the work of our Art & Design students. It will be on display there through April 11.


Last night, I enjoyed a great meal in the Hearth room with the students who helped out in the kitchen during the recent blizzard. The company was thoroughly enjoyable and the food was delicious – so delicious, in fact, that some people had seconds of the dessert. I won’t mention any names, but if you follow my tweets, you know who I mean!

Last, but not least, whether you are going on a Habitat or mission trip, taking a sunny vacation or just relaxing with family and friends, please enjoy the break and come back ready for a great finish to the spring semester! Travel safely.