Dr. Petillo's Blog

Dr. Petillo's Blog - June 20, 2014

This weekend marks the beginning of summer, but we have already gotten a taste of summer weather. My family and I have had a nice vacation in Europe, but I am looking forward to getting back to campus. While we were in Italy, we had a chance to meet up for dinner with the students who are studying at John Cabot University in Rome. They enthusiastically shared what a great experience it has been both to study in Rome and sightsee and tour on the weekends. I hope many more students will take advantage of the various opportunities that SHU offers for study abroad.

Our freshman orientations have concluded, and there was good news for Heartfelt Designs—the student-run T-shirt business that donates its proceeds to our spring mission programs. Their orientation shirts sold out so quickly that two rush orders for additional shirts were needed. Not only did the team make a profit of $1,015, but they were able to share the T-shirt program with students and parents—many of whom showed great interest. The shirts will be back on sale at the beginning of the fall semester.

In true pioneering spirit, we are testing two patent-protected backboards for a trial period for sports manufacturer, TrueBounce. The TrueBounce backboard is backed by a unique technology that “softens” shots by absorbing 28 percent of the energy of the ball, creating a true touch off the backboard. It will be interesting to see if the new technology improves the in-game experience for players as the manufacturer suggests.

Momentum is building for the SHU CT Challenge team, and there is still time to join. The team has set a goal of 75 members – either actual riders or virtual riders. So far about 20 are on board, including team leader Tiana Williams and Bobby Valentine, who is a spokesperson for CT Challenge and is riding for the second time. The team is riding in honor of the late Christopher Cook, son of former executive director of Athletics, Don Cook. SHU is also sponsoring a rest station the day of the ride, so there will be a call for volunteers to help with that. For more information about the SHU CT Challenge team, click here.

More kudos are in order for our student-athletes. A total of 136 of them were named to the NEC Sports Academic Honor Roll, which requires a cumulative GPA of 3.2. In addition, Pioneers made up 18 percent (34 students) of the Commissioner’s Honor Roll, which requires a cumulative GPA of 3.75. Thank you for making us proud both on and off the field.

Barb Susi ’71 and Sue Pulos ’81, ’85 MBA from the alumni team, the Prologues, and Joe Giffune from Delta Tau Delta fraternity will be at Fairfield’s town meeting on Monday to pick up a proclamation honoring SHU’s participation in the food drive that was part of the town’s 375th anniversary celebration. The Prologues and Delta Tau Delta spearheaded the drive, which took place during our annual Relay for Life event, after Betsy Browne ’90 of the celebration committee invited our participation.

I heard from a recent graduate, Jennifer Biagiotti, who decided to make her senior project a film about the many good works of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She did an internship there and was inspired to spread the good news through her project, which features a SHU alum who was first diagnosed with cancer at age 17. She is hoping her film can inspire others to give back by supporting the very worthy Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Bank of America’s Charitable Foundation has provided $10,000 to Sacred Heart University for the new Bank of America Problem-Based Learning Projects for Not-for-Profits Organizations program. The program will combine elements of two existing programs in the University’s John F. Welch College of Business—the Center for Not-for-Profit Organizations and the Problem-Based Learning Lab. The Bank of America Problem-Based Learning Projects for Not-for-Profit Organizations program will support three problem-based learning projects each academic year that focus on a critical need of a local not-for-profit organization. We are grateful to Bank of America for partnering with us in this new project that will benefit both area non-profits and our students who are preparing for careers in business.

Summer means softball, and SHU’s fourth annual faculty and staff softball season is under way. I’m looking forward to seeing who emerges victorious this year.

Enjoy the weekend!

President Petillo's Blog: Friday, June 6th

Although I am traveling in Italy right now, I have been keeping tabs on what has been going on back at SHU. It has been a busy week, and there is a lot of good news.

First, I am not the only one who is traveling. Among the many students and staff who are overseas are four students from the John F. Welch College of Business who are in China to learn about the culture and observe business practices there. The students, who are increasing their exposure to today’s global economy with hands-on experiences, arrived in China May 21 and will remain until June 20. In addition to sightseeing, the students visited Tasly Group where they learned about the origin of the plants used in modern traditional Chinese medicine and attended a meeting with the executives at Deepure Tea that included an overview of the brand and plans for future growth. The student interns have been tasked with providing a plan for marketing Deepure Tea in the United States.

The campus was teeming this week with members of the class of 2018 and their parents as we completed two of our three orientation sessions for incoming freshmen. Thanks once again to the orientation leaders, members of the Student Life team and everyone else who has been involved in providing information and reaffirming their decision to choose SHU.

A group of faculty members are participating in a Summer Seminar that is the result of the combined efforts of Provost Laura Niesen de Abruna; Jaya Kannan, director of Digital Learning; and Robert Tullonge, director of Academic Computing. Participants, who comprise two teams of faculty from each of the Colleges, are learning how to integrate digital technology into their teaching. Each team, selected by their dean, has been paired with a faculty leader and a student from Academic Computing. This morning, after five days packed with presentations, demonstrations, discussions and more, each team is presenting a project showcasing the things they have learned—a perfect example of learning by doing.

We learned this week that Sacred Heart has won the NEC Building Communities Award for the fourth consecutive year, which is all the years the award has been in existence. The award recognizes the institution that demonstrates the highest dedication to making an impact in the community through the efforts of its student-athletes, coaches and administrators. Congratulations to all in our Athletics Department and thank you for your efforts in the community on behalf of SHU.

Congratulations also to Professor Michael W. Higgins, who will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, at commencement exercises on June 11. He has also been asked to deliver the keynote address that day.

Meanwhile, Role Development for the Nurse Practitioner, by Professors Julie Stewart and Susan DeNisco, just received five stars and a perfect score of 100 from Doody’s Review Service. According to reviewer Kathleen M. Woodruff from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, it is “a wonderful guide for nurses transitioning into the advanced practice role.” Congratulations!

Still in the kudos category, Professors Michelle Loris and Marie Hulme have received a $2,000 grant for their proposal entitled “Assessment Methodology for Core Curriculum Courses on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.”  The funding comes from the ACCU Small Research Grant Competition for 2014. 

Andy Irvine will give a solo performance at the Schine Auditorium Monday evening at 7:30. One of the great Irish singers, Andy is a musician, singer and songwriter who can be counted on for a great performance.

Enjoy the weekend!