Dr. Petillo's Blog

President Petillo's Blog: Friday, May 30th

Campus has seemed too quiet for me since the end of the semester and the departure of the students, but that, thankfully, is about to change. We already have 28 orientation leaders onsite gearing up for three freshman orientations that are slated for the next couple of weeks. We have almost 1,350 students registered to attend the orientations, which will take place Monday, June 2 – Tuesday, June 3, Thursday, June 5 – Friday, June 6 and Monday, June 9 – Tuesday, June 10. That means we are expecting more than 450 students and 400 parents at each of the three sessions. They will be wandering around campus and staying in the dorms. (Yes, some of the parents really do choose to stay in the dorms!) I know we can count on all of you to welcome them, assist them and make them feel a part of this special community.

Student Life has planned a very busy couple of days for the visitors. Their activities will range from information sessions on the First-Year Academic Experience, the responsibilities and expectations for a Sacred Heart student and life in the residence halls to meetings with their academic advisers and career coaches. There will also be quite a bit of fun mixed in. Welcome to the class of 2018!

This year marks the 10th year of the Presidential Seminar, which is a year-long program for a group of 10 to 12 full-time faculty members. The seminar has two phases—the first of which has been happening over the past two weeks. That involves an eight-day immersion program of study of the Catholic intellectual traditions on which this University was founded. The second phase will be four full-day workshops In October, January, February and April designed to deepen the study that began last week and this week.

The seminar has four objectives—to give participants a better understanding of the Catholic intellectual traditions, to articulate and explore the implications of the traditions for their work as teachers, to examine the research opportunities that engagement with the traditions creates and to incorporate the traditions into their academic lives. The immersion program was facilitated by Father Tony Ciorra and Professor Michael W. Higgins of Mission and Catholic Identity.

We received good news recently. Sacred Heart was ranked 33rd by U.S. News Media Group in its rankings of the Best Online Programs for Veterans. The rankings include more than 197 online degree programs nationwide.

Anyone who regularly drives by our new academic building on the corner of Park and Jefferson can see that progress has been rapid. It is really starting to take shape. We will also be starting work on our new Student Success Center across the street on Park Avenue. It continues to be an exciting time at SHU with much change and growth still taking place.

Have a wonderful weekend!

President Petillo's Blog: Wednesday, May 21st

Commencement went off without a hitch this past weekend with two beautiful ceremonies honoring more than 1,600 graduates. There were many wonderful stories within the story—from high honors and medal winners to mothers and sons graduating together. But the most poignant story was the graduation of Alison Cubbellotti—two years after she originally planned—because she had to take time out to recover from a liver transplant.

The transplant was made possible because John Vales ’10 donated 60 percent of his liver to Alison, who at the time was a total stranger to him. He saved her life, or as her mother said Sunday, coming to SHU saved her life.

I tweeted my thoughts yesterday about what inspirational young people Alison and John are. They are true representatives of what it means to be a Pioneer from John’s overwhelming generosity to Alison’s fighting spirit—not only to overcome her disease, but to finish her nursing degree so she can go out into the world and help others.

John was by Alison’s side as she received her degree on Sunday and received a thunderous ovation. The two have become very close, as you might expect. They consider themselves to be brother and sister. The Connecticut Post ran a story about Alison’s journey to get to Sunday’s commencement, and you can read it here. I think this is a great story for all of us to share with others, through social media, etc., so that people outside our community can get a sense of just how special a place Sacred Heart is.

Whenever I think back to the events of the weekend, the moment when Alison stepped forward with John and her godfather to receive her diploma quickly comes to mind. The joy in the room for all that she had achieved and for what John had given to her was palpable. It was the exemplification of everything it means to be part of the SHU family. I am incredibly proud to be the president of a community like this one. 

President Petillo's Blog: May 16, 2014

Commencement is here. It is always a bittersweet time—but certainly more sweet than bitter. After all, the whole reason the faculty and staff are here is to help our students earn their degrees and prepare them to successfully conquer the world. The bitterness is having to say goodbye to students whom we have come to know and love during their time here. That said, they will always remain part of the SHU family, and we look forward to having them come back to campus again and again.

These commencement exercises conclude a year of celebrating our 50th anniversary. It’s been an exciting year of special events, special lectures and special guests. We have honored our faculty and staff—both past and present, and we have celebrated our future as well. In this anniversary year, we are holding our commencement exercises off campus for the first time. We are excited because the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard not only keeps us warm (or cool) and dry no matter the weather, but it also allows us to provide more tickets to the graduates so that their family and friends can participate in the celebration of their achievements. I’ll be sharing my thoughts and photos through my twitter account, @SHUPrez, I could use more followers! We would also love to have you share your photos with us by using the hashtag #SHUGrad.

I have to confess to enjoying the Senior Week activities, and this year is no exception. The senior brunch was great as always. I even had a chance to teach Chris Lizio how to tie a bow tie—a skill that will serve him well throughout the rest of his life. Still to come is the Commencement Ball this evening and the Family Dinner Dance tomorrow night. Those are two of my favorite events. It’s an opportunity to let the seniors—and their families—know how proud I am of them.

Last week, I had a chance to attend the RSA (Resident Success Assistant) dinner. These students truly make a difference. From answering the simplest of questions to providing for the welfare and safety of their charges, they ensure that dorm life is comfortable and safe on campus. Thanks to all of them for their hard work and diligence.

Last Friday, four members of SHU’s chapter of Delta Tau Delta fraternity attended an event at the Governor’s mansion to honor the work of the Center for Family Justice in the state. Our four students, along with three staff members, were invited because of their support of the efforts of the Center. In February, members of Delta Tau Delta hosted a White Ribbon Campaign event, with a goal of increasing awareness of and ending abuse against women. The fraternity partnered with the Center for Family Justice in Bridgeport on the initiative and joined with Fairfield to make it a town-wide event. At the event on Friday, the students pinned a white ribbon on Governor Dannel Malloy, bringing even more awareness to the project. Congratulations to all of them and a heartfelt thank you for all they have done to try to support victims of sexual violence and to educate the campus community on this important topic.

Before I close, I want to wish everyone who will be heading out for the summer after this weekend’s festivities a happy, fun, relaxing and rewarding summer. We will miss you, and I look forward to welcoming many of you back to campus in August.

See you at commencement!

President Petillo's Blog: May 9, 2014

With classes over and the semester coming to a close, I am starting to look forward to the end-of-year festivities. I enjoy the chance to interact with the graduates and their families at events such as the family dinner dance. I am also excited to conclude our 50th Anniversary year of celebration with commencement activities in our new location at the Webster Bank Arena. It’s going to be a great venue for us that will ensure that everyone is comfortable during the ceremonies—no matter what the weather.

My wife and I had a great time last weekend experiencing the many and varied talents of our students. The Dance Company performance was incredible. Some of their moves seemed to defy what a human body should be able to do. The Pops concert was also great with toe-tapping music that made the audience want to sing along. Finally, the TheatreFest production of That was When was one of many great plays that have been written and performed by students this year.

I want to take a moment to say thank you to our amazing crew of SHU Ambassadors. They do so much more than just give tours. They truly are ambassadors representing SHU in every way.  This year, they helped welcome more than 8,000 students and family members to campus. Thank you for an incredible job.

I also want to thank the faculty and staff members who came out for the Late Night Breakfast for students. The students always enjoy being served by the people they have been working with all year.

The Biology Department experienced some excitement this week as the installation of their “living shoreline” took place on Monday and Tuesday at Stratford Point. Working with DuPont and the Connecticut Audubon Society, cement reef balls were installed to protect the marsh and reduce the erosion caused by climate change, hurricanes, etc. The hope is that birds, fish, shellfish and other shoreline wildlife will take up residence in the reef balls or “living shoreline.” The Stratford Point experimental project is associated with SHU’s Environmental Science & Management science master’s program. The SHU team leading this restoration includes Biology professors Jennifer Mattei, Mark Beekey, John Rapaglia and LaTina Steele and multiple graduate and undergraduate students. What a great experience for them! If the experiment works at Stratford Point, it will be expanded to other parts of the Connecticut shoreline.

We concluded this year’s colloquia program with a showing of the film, “The Invisible War,” which deals with the horrendous issue of rape in the military. The film includes interviews with high-ranking military officials and members of Congress as well as the stories of some of the victims of this all-too-common crime and cover-up.

Wednesday was the annual Faculty Reception where we honor the faculty for their hard work throughout the year. Provost Laura Niesen de Abruna announced newly tenured faculty members, promotions, sabbaticals and grants in addition to the top four award winners. Those were Gregory Viggiano for the Excellence in Scholarship award, Donna Bowers for the Excellence in Teaching award, Jerry Reid for the Service Learning Award and Robert McCloud for the Global Awareness Award. The last two awards are new this year in acknowledgement of the high-impact practices that we have been focusing on. In addition, Alan DelFavero received the Faculty Excellence award, which is given to a professor chosen by the students enrolled in the programs offered by University College.

We also gave the prestigious 50th Anniversary Curtis Medal to four retired faculty members. Those honored were Ralph Corrigan, Pete Fairbough, John Kikoski and Constance Young.

Congratulations to staff member Joe Beleznay on the success of his recently released album, What Are You Waiting For? It recently hit number 20 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts. The album also features alums Jeff LeBlanc and Jack LaBarca and current student, Ronnie Joy. Congratulations to all, and thanks to the SHU community for supporting their efforts.

I wanted to share a story dear to my own heart about a sixth-grader who is working to bring the bow tie back. He recently appeared on Shark Tank where Daymond John offered to mentor him. His name is Moziah Bridges and he calls his company Mo’s Bows. I also appreciate his decision to give back some of his proceeds by establishing Go Mo’s Summer Camp—a scholarship program that sends one to five kids to summer camp each year. You can find out more about this special young man here.  And, I am looking forward to seeing more bow ties from the style conscious at graduation.

Eight Sacred Heart athletic programs were recently recognized by the NCAA for academic achievements. The baseball, men’s golf, men’s indoor track, men’s volleyball, women’s basketball, women’s cross country, women’s ice hockey and women’s soccer teams were acknowledged for scoring in the top 10 percent in each sport with respect to their Academic Progress Rates. Top-performing teams this year posted APR scores ranging from 980 to a perfect 1,000. Sacred Heart is one of 58 institutions across the country to have at least one team win recognition in all nine years of the NCAA’s academic reform program. Congratulations to all our student-athletes for their hard work both on and off the field.

For those of you leaving campus for the summer in the coming week, I wish you safe travels and safe, relaxing and productive summer. And, as you know, I very much look forward to your return in August. 

Enjoy the weekend!

President Petillo's Blog: Friday, May 2nd

I think I am in a little bit of denial that Monday is the last day of classes. That said, I want to invite the faculty and staff to join me in serving the students late-night breakfast Monday night at 63’s. It is always a lot of fun and much appreciated by the students as they begin studying for their final exams.

We announced this week that we have agreed to purchase Jewish Senior Services’ current property, also known as The Jewish Home, next door on Jefferson Street after the relocation of their campus is completed in 2016. This is exciting news for us. This addition of 15.6 acres will increase our current footprint of 77 acres by 20 percent. While we are a long way from taking ownership of the property, I am hopeful that it will provide a solution to our current shortage of on-campus housing for our students.

If you had a chance to stop by last weekend’s Relay For Life event, you know that it was very special. It was both celebratory—as it commemorated the extra birthdays that will be celebrated as a result of the funds raised for the American Cancer Society—and moving with the Survivor’s Walk that kicked off the event and the luminary walk later on that honored both victims and survivors of this horrific disease. Congratulations to the student organizers and their team. They raised a record-breaking $42,000+ this year. You can still help them reach their 50th anniversary goal of $50,000 by making a tax-deductible donation here.

 

Relay For Life

Speaking of setting records, we welcomed a record-breaking 8,000+ families to campus this year. Thanks to all of you for being so welcoming and making such a great impression.

As part of our 50th anniversary celebration—and also in celebration of the Town of Fairfield’s 375th anniversary—Jennifer McLaughlin, professor of American history, delivered a talk about how American warfare has shaped the town, from the Pequot War to present day. Through her lecture, titled “A Call to Arms: War and Commemoration in Fairfield from the Pequot War to the Memorial Day Parade,” she spotlighted the most significant American conflicts over the past 375-plus years and provided information about the level of town involvement, how residents were impacted and the way events were memorialized going forward.

Jennifer McLaughlin presents her talk about the history of Fairfield.

Other events this week included a colloquia with Jason Guberman-Pfeffer ’09, curator/coordinator of the Diarna Geo-Museum of North African and Middle Eastern Jewish Life, who spoke on digital mapping. We also heard from Professors Steven Michels, Amanda Moras, Andrew Pierce and Brian Stiltner on the political implications of Pope Francis’ first papal exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel.

Alumnus Jason Guberman-Pfeffer '09 talks about his Diarna Project.

Sacred Heart’s Faculty Institute took place at the end of the Easter Break and continued with the theme of high-impact practices. Organized by Laura Niesen de Abruna, provost, the focus for the day’s activities was global awareness. Conor Gearty (who received an honorary degree from SHU to kick off the day’s events) gave the keynote address on the way increased global awareness impacts our attitudes about terrorism. Attendees also heard from Harvey Charles, vice president for Global Affairs at Northern Arizona State University on “Internationalizing the Curriculum,” and Rick Falco, SHU’s coordinator of multimedia journalism, shared photos taken on his student photography trips to India and Ireland.

I want to take a moment to congratulate Paul Guarino ’14 on his continued success with PG Sports—his line of athletic apparel. Paul has a double major in sports management and marketing and recently raised $5,000 on Kickstarter to add to his line. He was also recently featured in an article in Connecticutmag.com. You can read the article here.

Paul Guarino with some of his PG Sports products

Our annual Campus Life Leadership Awards were announced Wednesday night. Congratulations to all the winners. The house came down when it was announced that the yearbook had been dedicated to Father Jerry Ryle. Clearly, both the honor and the ovation meant a lot to him. He surely will be missed.

Campus Life Leadership Awards

Last night was Senior Portfolio Night in the Art & Design Gallery at the Edgerton Center. What a tremendous amount of talent was on display. Our art and design students have much to be proud of, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they go on to do in the future.

Senior Portfolio Night

Yesterday was our Annual Campus Donor Day. Students, faculty and staff who have contributed financially to SHU were treated to lunch and delicious cupcakes from Sugar Bakery. Faculty and staff gave more than $114,087, while the student philanthropy group, Forever Pioneers, raised $10,514 from more than 325 student donors. The student gifts were matched dollar for dollar by Gary and Mary Anne Levin from the class of 1978. In addition, the softball team was the first athletics team to reach 100 percent participation in the Forever Pioneer Athletics Challenge. Congratulations and thanks to all of you.

Campus Donor Day: Gary and Mary Anne Levin ’78 present their check
and the Sugar Bakery cupcake truck is on hand for the event.

We said goodbye to Mike Emery this week who is retiring from his role as associate dean, chair and professor of the physical therapy program. Through his leadership and vision, the master’s program in physical therapy evolved into our first doctoral program. During his tenure here, he participated in the El Salvador delegation served as co-director of the SHU-St. Charles Health and Wellness Center and participated in the Gulf Coast delegation to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. Last fall, he received the prestigious Curtis 50th Anniversary Medal.

Mike Emery's retirement party

Congratulations to the club softball team on qualifying for the 2014 National Club Softball Association World Series in Columbus, Georgia. They will be heading down to Georgia during commencement weekend, and we wish them the best of luck there. Go Pioneers!

If you are sticking around campus this weekend, you have a lot of options. At 4:30 this afternoon, “A Really Big SHU” will be reprised on 63’s patio by faculty, staff and student musicians. Tonight is the annual Mr. SHU competition, and I’m told we have a fine selection of talented young men participating this year. The Dance Company performs their show, Perception, tomorrow afternoon, the University band and choirs present a Movies and More pops concert tomorrow evening and Robin Roberts will be here for WSHU’s Join the Conversation series on Sunday. You can also catch the theatre arts program’s performance of That was When both Saturday and Sunday afternoons in the Little Theatre.

Have a great weekend!