It has been a great semester filled with plenty of celebrations, events and lectures. For students who have finished up final exams and projects, have a great break. I am excited to hear all about your summertime adventures when you return to campus in the fall. For soon-to-be grads, I look forward to Senior Week and celebrating with you.
Last weekend kept our students and community quite busy. Exercise science students in Professor Pete Ronai’s “Exercise and Aging” class helped plan and coordinate a community health fair at the Watermark at 3030 Park in Bridgeport. There, they spoke with the retirement community’s residents about the importance of staying active.
Exercise science students at the Watermark Health Fair
Students showcased their talents at our annual variety show, Mr. SHU, on Friday night at the Edgerton. Congrats to Connor Rossi who was crowned the winner.
Mr. SHU
Our performing arts students hosted an array of great shows over the weekend, including a concert by the orchestra on Friday night. On Sunday, the dance program performed “DanceWorks, a special choreographic showcase, and the band presented “Broadway and Beyond” as part of its 25th-anniversary year celebration. The choir wrapped up the year with “One Enchanted Evening: A Broadway Romance” on Monday.
Band 25th Anniversary concert, choir and DanceWorks
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes in downtown Fairfield on Saturday concluded SHU’s activities recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month. I was pleased to see so many students, faculty and staff at the walk supporting this important cause. Throughout April, we hosted a variety events to raise awareness about sexual violence and educate the community on how to prevent it.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month events included "What Were You Wearing?," Walk a Mile in Her Shoes,
Denim Day and the White Ribbon Campaign.
Our men’s soccer team helped load two trucks with clothing and furniture for a women and children’s shelter in Virginia on Saturday. Good work, team.
The men's soccer team volunteers
While it was a little chilly, students managed to have a great time at Spring Fest on Saturday. They enjoyed the food trucks and SHU swag.
Spring Fest
Engineering students gathered at the annual Maker Faire on Saturday in Westport. They showed off their drone abilities and other engineering skills. They also received an award for best event at the fair.
SHU Engineering at the Westport Maker Faire
Our gaming club hosted “Pioneer Clash,” a Smash Brothers Ultimate tournament on Saturday. Looked like a fun time.
Pioneer Clash
The SHU community was involved in two separate Earth Day events on Sunday. A group was at Great River Golf Course cleaning up the Housatonic River, while another group worked with our biology department at Stratford Point’s Party for the Planet. Thank you all for doing your part to help Mother Nature.
Party for the Planet at Stratford Point and the Housatonic Cleanup at Great River Golf Club
Thank you to the SHU in Dingle students who participated in the County Clean Up. The group worked alongside others to fill almost 40 bags of litter and collected 200 bottles and 200 cans from around the town.
Dingle County Cleanup
We welcomed high school sophomores and juniors to campus on Sunday for our Spring Preview Day. We hope to see them back soon.
Spring Preview Day
Students enjoyed Mass on the Grass on Monday before eating a delicious meal at our annual Late-Night Breakfast. Thanks to all our faculty and staff who helped serve the hungry students before a week filled with exams and projects.
Mass on the Grass and Late-Night Breakfast
Even though Monday was the last day of classes, we still hosted many presentations and events this week. Health science students presented their senior capstone projects on Tuesday. Their research was thought-provoking. We honored International Jazz Day on Tuesday with a concert featuring the Darren Litzie Trio. Wednesday was a busy day. The first cohort of students in our superintendent of schools certification program were honored at a ceremony. Students in our School of Communication, Media & the Arts presented their final projects at the MAX. At the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker prayer service and reception, we honored the many SHU staff who prepare our food, maintain the grounds and buildings, provide us with books and help us feel safe and secure. Adjunct instructors were celebrated and recognized at an appreciation reception on Thursday. We also greeted Shane Finn, a SHU in Dingle instructor and ultra-athlete, to campus on Thursday. He began a 36-day biking and running journey on March 29 from the Golden Gate Bridge to raise money for the Irish organization Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland. A few miles before he reached SHU, he met up with junior Ryan Litwin who is embarking on his own journey across the country this summer to raise money for the Ulman Foundation.
Health science capstone presentations, the MAX, CAS adjunct appreciation reception and the
Farrington College of Education 093 certification graduation reception
Shane Finn and Ryan Litwin
On Tuesday, the Washington, D.C., Alumni Chapter formally launched with a reception in the nation’s capital at the historic DACOR Bacon House. The reception, hosted by inaugural chapter president Bruce Tully ’73 and his wife Barbara, helped connect alumni, parents and friends with all that is happening here in Fairfield. We look forward to the continued growth of this new regional alumni chapter.
Washington, D.C., Alumni Chapter
Our baseball team plays Fairleigh Dickinson today at 3, Saturday at 1 and Sunday at 1. Good luck to all our student-athletes playing home and away.
Be sure to follow me on social media for news and updates as we head into commencement week.
Have a great weekend!