I am always excited when I hear about students representing SHU with grace and generosity. Monday, I received an email from a parent touring the University with her daughter. She commended us for the actions of a student who paid for their lunch when she couldn’t use her credit card and was short of cash. It’s a small gesture, but it meant a lot to them. I appreciate the faculty and staff who are so generous and thoughtful, the students who demonstrate SHU’s welcoming nature and, especially, their parents, who instilled excellent values in them long before they became Pioneers. It was a wonderful beginning to the week.
Our students have also been giving compliments. This week, the SHU Panhellenic group hosted Confidence With Heart Week. Activities included giving out compliments, guest speakers, fitness and body image workshops and more. The program is part of a self confidence initiative sponsored nationwide by chapters of the Kappa Delta Foundation to empower and educate women. A big thanks to our students for a heartwarming display of solidarity.
The Farrington College of Education and the SHU Education Club hosted a technology conference in the Martire building on Monday. The conference featured Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Teachers, an organization that mentors financially challenged students to help them succeed in high school and beyond. Central High School students attended the event and learned about creating digital presentations, animation, apps and more.
Tuesday, professors Joe Carter, Ali Ryerson and Leco Reis filled the Chapel with jazz. They were joined by La Voz de Tres joined them in a presentation of traditional Latin American music, as well as original works. It’s delightful to hear that so many students attended to support their teachers, and I’m grateful to our faculty for sharing their creative gifts.
Wednesday was a day of remembrance. It was Veterans Day, and the class of 2017 took the opportunity to encourage students, faculty and staff to submit notes of gratitude to be mailed to the troops. We are grateful to all the armed forces—past and present—for their service and their courage.
Wednesday was also our annual Kristallnacht commemoration, where we reflect on the “night of broken glass,” that forecasted the Holocaust. It was a moving program as the choir performed beautifully, and local residents who survived the concentration camps lit candles in memory of those who were lost. Fairfield Rabbi Marcelo Kormis also reminded us of the lessons we can learn by continuing to remember and acknowledge these horrendous acts.
Wednesday was also a time for celebration. That afternoon, students treated classmates to a flash mob performance outside 63’s in honor of Diwali, the traditional Hindu festival of lights. Their performance was a delightful reminder of how our students use creativity to share their personal experiences, and it was just a preview of a larger Diwali celebration happening Saturday evening.
While our students celebrate foreign traditions like Diwali on campus, they also immerse themselves in other cultures by studying abroad. Next week, SHU participates in International Education Week to celebrate the adventures so many of our students experience. The Office of Global Affairs has planned events focused on foreign food, arts, academic opportunities and more. You can follow the activity on social media with hash tags #shuglobal and #IEWeek2015.
Thursday, the Jack Welch College of Business hosted Linda McMahon and Campbell Brown as part of Linda’s “Women Can Have It All” series. Campbell is a former CNN and NBC news anchor and the co-founder of the news site The 74, which focuses on childhood education. Together, she and Linda discussed perspectives on women in leadership and offered sound advice on how to make your dreams a reality. I thank them for taking time out of their busy lives to visit with our students and serve as role models to our future business leaders and journalists.
Last month, I wrote about biology professors Jennifer Mattei and Mark Beekey receiving a $148,000 grant to help them continue their coastal restoration work at Stratford Point. I am happy to report that a formal announcement of the award was made Thursday at a ceremony celebrating the achievement. In addition to representatives from SHU and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy and several other local politicians attended to show support. Congratulations again to Jennifer and Mark on their continued achievements.
Religious studies professor Christel Manning is also meeting with great success this week. Christel recently published her book Losing Our Religion: How Unaffiliated Parents Are Raising Their Children. The book explores how parents who don’t subscribe to a particular faith approach their children’s spiritual formation. The book has received wonderful coverage online. It’s great to once again see SHU faculty receiving national recognition for their work.
And while we are handing out kudos, I don’t want to forget to congratulate the faculty and staff of the master’s in finance and investment management program. They received word this week from the State of Connecticut that the MSFIM program has been officially designated a STEM program. That is great news for the Welch College of Business.
The weekend is full of activity for everyone at SHU. In addition to our athletes competing across the region, and the Diwali celebration kicking off International Education Week, SHU’s 4 Heart Harmony ensemble performs their Concert Against Bullying Saturday evening in the Chapel narthex. The concert is a tribute to the power of music has to help us overcome our differences, and I hope you attend to lend them your support.
On Sunday, we will host our largest-ever open house for prospective students and their families. More than 1,000 families have registered to attend. I know I can count on all of you to give all our visitors a warm welcome, answer their questions, tell them about our special community and show them SHU at its best.
After the past few rainy days, we can expect a little sun. Enjoy it, and have a great weekend.