The spring semester is officially off to a great start. It’s nice to see the campus buzzing with activity again. My video blog highlights a recent one-act play, the choir’s recent trip to Orlando, more parking availability and much more. Have a wonderful weekend!
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January 2017
President Petillo's Blog: January 20, 2017
Welcome back, Pioneers. It is great having you back on campus. I hope everyone is ready for another exciting and challenging semester.
We commemorated the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Wednesday with a diverse and exciting event. Entitled “The Many Voices of Social Justice,” it included moving reflections, spoken word poems, music and songs from local middle school students, special guests, faculty and students. Many shared stories of struggle and issues with being accepted. It was wonderful seeing so many students, faculty, staff and community members in the audience.
Many students gathered today in Hawley Lounge to watch the presidential inauguration. The smooth transition of power has always been a hallmark of American politics, and it was great to see so many take the time to see history in the making once again.
Sally Ross, professor and faculty fellow for internationalization of the curriculum, led a two-day workshop, “Developing Effective International Course Content” at the Martire Center last month. The workshop was about how to internationalize courses taught in the states. It was well received by those in attendance. Great work, Sally.
From left are Kittipong Laosethakul, assistant professor of accounting, Susan Ringler Pet, professor of education, Karen Waters, assistant professor of education, Sheelagh Schlegel, instructor of occupational therapy, Carrie Wojenski, executive director of Global Affairs & ESL, Sharon McCloskey, clinical assistant professor of occupational therapy, Sally Ross, associate professor in the School of Communication & Media Arts and Diana Veneri, assistant professor of physical therapy.
This weekend at the Ferguson Library in Stamford, SHU is hosting a Global Game Jam. Gamers from all over the state will join professor Bob McCloud to attempt developing a game. Good luck to the participants.
Our student-athletes have another exciting weekend ahead of them. Our men’s volleyball team plays Fort Wayne today at 7 and battles Ball State tomorrow at 7. Our men’s ice hockey team takes on Bentley at the Webster Bank Arena today at 8:30. Our women and men’s basketball teams play a doubleheader on Saturday against Wagner to celebrate cancer survivors. Our women play at 1, and the men at 3:30. Our wrestling team competes against Bloomsburg and F&M on Sunday at 1 and 3. Good luck to all Pioneers playing home and away.
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— Dr. P (@SHUprez) January 14, 2017
Students returning this weekend. I hope they had a great holiday with family n friends. Return safely. I'll be delighted to have them back.
Have a great weekend!
President Petillo's Blog: January 13, 2017
Happy New Year! I hope our Pioneers enjoyed their winter break! In just three short days, they will be back on campus. We have missed their energy and are looking forward to having them back for a rewarding spring semester.
While our students and staff had some time off, that hasn’t stopped them from making us proud. Linda Strong, director of SHU’s RN-BSN and RN-BSN/MSN nursing programs, was selected to join the Nursing Board at the American Health Council. She will share her knowledge and expertise in public health nursing and emergency preparedness. Congrats, Linda.
SHU’s director of performing arts, Jerry Goehring has been named the commercial producer for the musical revival of The Secret Garden. Jerry is no stranger to big plays and musicals as he was lead producer of the 2012 Broadway musical adaptation of A Christmas Story. Good luck with the production, Jerry. We can’t wait to see it.
Lisa Stump, a healthcare informatics adviser and adjunct professor, was named a Most Influential Women in Health IT by Healthcare IT News. Congrats, Lisa. What a triumph.
Linda Strong, Jerry Goehring and Lisa Stump
The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education has voted to accept our request to change the degree level of our athletic training program. The program will now be offered at the master’s degree level. Congratulations to all faculty and staff who worked so hard to make this happen.
Band members from Sacred Heart University, Robert Morris University and Saint Francis University joined forces in a special first-ever performance at Walt Disney World last week. The bands were representing the Northeast Conference (NEC) in which each of the colleges’ athletic programs compete. The band performed on the Waterside Stage at Disney Springs, one of the premiere performance venues of its kind. Great work!
NEC Bands at Disney
In keeping with tradition, SHU students participated in CURTIS Week during the last few days of winter break. Students were involved in a week of immersion and engagement in the Bridgeport community. They stayed at the Hall Neighborhood House performed community service at a variety of nonprofits throughout the city each day. Evenings were spent sharing a meal and reflecting on issues faced by the community.
Student participation in CURTIS Week included a visit to the Kennedy Center’s Maggie Daly Arts Cooperative in Bridgeport, a talk at the Islamic Center of Fairfield County in Monroe and volunteer chores at the Thomas Merton Center in Bridgeport.
While some of Pioneers were busy volunteering and learning locally, one group of students worked with Habitat for Humanity in Mississippi before going to New Orleans to work with the nonprofit Camp Restore on another project during their winter break. I can’t wait to hear about our students’ experiences.
Habitat for Humanity Service Trips
We have many home games this weekend. Our men’s ice hockey team faces Holy Cross tonight at the Webster Bank Arena at 7 and again on Saturday at 2. Our women’s ice hockey team battles St. Michael’s tonight at 7 at the Sports Center of Connecticut. Our men’s volleyball team plays North Greenville at 2 and again on Saturday at 2. Good luck to all our student-athletes playing home and away.
As we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, let’s take a moment to remember the importance of his work and the ongoing need for his kind of wisdom.
Have a great weekend. Can’t wait to see everyone back on campus Tuesday.