Dr. Petillo's Blog

President Petillo’s Blog: January 25, 2019

Things are beginning to gear up as we move into the second week of the semester.

On Wednesday, we commemorated the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., at the Edgerton Center. Guest speakers and attorneys Michael J. Jefferson and Robert L. Pellegrino celebrated Dr. King by sparking an important dialogue, focusing on race relation challenges that persist in today's society. It was an enlightening event.

The Isabelle Farrington College of Education welcomed a team of teachers from China on Wednesday. Eighteen elementary, middle and secondary teachers from the Northeast Normal University from Changchun, Jilin Province, P.R. China, came to campus to learn about the certification requirements of future American students and to have a discussion about the similarities and differences between our countries. Dean Mike Alfano and Professors Kristen Rainville and Mike Giarratano hosted the discussion that was followed by a tour of West and Main Campuses. The delegation will be in the U.S. for two weeks and will visit several schools and colleges.


Our Theatre Arts Program was thrilled to receive a note from Tony-award winning actor Lin-Manuel Miranda thanking the group for donating funds to the Hispanic Federation to aid families affected by Hurricane Maria. The group raised the funds during its spring performance of In the Heights, a play for which Lin-Manuel wrote the music and lyrics. I am proud of our students for participating in such a great cause—and the play was incredible, too!

The Sacred Heart Audiology Clinic, headed by Professor Jamie Marotto, was named “Readers’ Choice” by Fairfield Magazine. The magazine’s second annual Readers’ Choice Awards inspires readers to go online and vote on the best of Fairfield. Congrats to Professor Marotto and all those involved in the clinic.  

Looking for something to do this weekend? There is still time to get your tickets to WSHU’s “Mozart: Hidden in Plain Sight,” a unique concert series of six live intimate performances in WSHU’s Broadcast Studio showcasing Mozart’s work. For information on tickets click here.

This weekend at the Ferguson Library in Stamford, SHU students and other game enthusiasts will participate in the annual Fairfield County Global Game Jam. Good luck to the participants. I look forward to hearing how you did.

Tonight our men’s ice hockey team takes on Holy Cross at 7 and again tomorrow at 2. Both games will be played at the Webster Bank Arena. Men’s wrestling hosts AIC tonight at 6 and faces Bucknell tomorrow at noon. Our women’s tennis team kicks off their spring slate this weekend as they host NJIT at 3. The match will be played at Yale University. Good luck to student-athletes playing home and away.

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Have a wonderful weekend.

President Petillo’s Blog: January 18, 2019

The spring semester is officially here, and it was great welcoming students back to campus this week.


With the new semester comes some new dining options at Linda’s. Watch this video by SHU graduate student Emily Gentile ’18, ’20 to learn more about the three new options at one of my favorite eateries on campus.

Last year, WSHU moved into its new, state-of-the-art facility on Park Avenue. This week it was time to say goodbye to the old house on Jefferson Street that the radio station operated from for decades. Crews demolished the building and—even though it no longer stands—the memories will live on.

Congrats to computer science professor Bob McCloud who was recently invited to be a member of the Fairchild Wheeler Campus Advisory Board. He has been an integral component in helping grow the vision and mission of the institution, an interdistrict science magnet school in nearby Bridgeport. He’s also been helping with their gaming and digital communications programs.

Tonight, our women’s ice hockey team plays Quinnipiac at the Sports Center of Connecticut in Shelton at 7:30. Tomorrow, our men’s volleyball team takes on St. Joseph’s at 1. Our men’s ice hockey team plays the Air Force Saturday at the Webster Bank Arena at 2 and again on Sunday at Yale’s Ingalls Rink at 4. Good luck to our student-athletes playing home and away.

Be sure to follow me on social media for campus updates.

Have a great weekend, and take a moment to think about the work of Martin Luther King, Jr., as we observe his birthday on Monday.

President Petillo’s Blog: January 11, 2019

I hope everyone had some time to relax over winter break. I look forward to seeing students return to campus this weekend refreshed and ready to start the spring semester.

Many students found time to volunteer and give back to communities abroad and nearby over break. Through Volunteer Programs & Service Learning (VPSL), a group of faculty and students traveled to Puerto Rico in December to work in areas of the island still dealing with the destruction from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Campus Ministry hosted a group of students and staff who went to Jamaica in early January to assist children and adults with disabilities. This week, VPSL organized the University’s annual CURTIS Week, named for SHU’s founder Bishop Walter W. Curtis. This program allows our students to immerse themselves in volunteerism while celebrating the many cultures and religions of the local community.

Clockwise from top left: Puerto Rico, Jamaica and CURTIS Week at Hall Neighborhood House and the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants.

This week, the SHU Band performed in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World in Orlando with other bands in the Northeast Conference. They had a great performance and were encouraged by many friends and family in the audience.  

The SHU Band performs at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

Don Barbee, Jr.

Alumnus and former Fairfield police officer Don Barbee, Jr., will be sworn in as circuit judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida at an investiture ceremony in Brooksville early next month. Congratulations, Don, and good luck in the new role.

If you happen to be back on campus early, you can catch a game. Our men’s volleyball team plays UC San Diego tonight at 6, and our men’s basketball team battles Bryant Saturday at 2. Good luck to our student-athletes playing home and away.

Have a great weekend and see you all on Monday.