Even with most of the students away for summer break, we continue to be busy with programs and activities around campus.
Last week, members of NBC Peacock North—an association made up of people involved in the television industry—visited our library to donate its archive of newsletters to Sacred Heart University. The newsletters are filled with fascinating stories about the industry, including interviews with well-known personalities, events and perspectives on the issues of the day. Thanks to Professor Joe Alicastro who was instrumental in bringing these materials to Sacred Heart. We are lucky to have this material that tells the story of broadcasting at NBC by those who experienced it firsthand.
Also last week, the Farrington College of Education hosted the Bridgeport Citywide Spelling Bee in the auditorium at University Commons. We are always happy when we can share our facilities with the neighboring communities, especially when it gives young people a chance to experience what a college campus is like.
Additionally, Professors Jody Bortone, Jaimee Hegge and Lola Halperin took nine first-year occupational therapy students to an archaeological dig in Saratoga Springs last week. Students and faculty volunteered during the dig and provided clinical services to the veterans who were taking part in the experience. Their services included kinesio-taping, education on ergonomics and body mechanics, relaxation strategies, assertiveness training and cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain. It sounds like it was both fun and educational!
Our 30th annual Pioneer Open took place on Monday, and the weather was perfect. It was a memorable day with a full field of golfers at Great River. Alumni, parents, students and sponsors competed for the Pioneer Open, Welch Cup and Alumni Championships. More than $125,000 was raised for student scholarships and programs. See photos from the afternoon here.
Thursday was a big day with several exciting events taking place. The eighth annual SHU Media Exchange, organized and executed by our communication graduate students, featured Ron Ropiak, host of The Full Story on WSHU Public Radio. A live-panel version of the show discussed the importance of media literacy, the challenges for modern journalists and more. The program was professionally done and enlightening—as always. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Also on Thursday, the College of Business hosted ScaleUp CT, an event for growing and emerging companies presented by the Connecticut Technology Council. The program featured a keynote address by Josh Geballe, commissioner of the state Department of Administrative Services, and various concurrent panel discussions addressing technology, cybersecurity, leadership, international trade and related business opportunities. The keynote address examined Gov. Ned Lamont’s plans to modernize operations, improve citizen experience and reduce costs. He also discussed what qualifications state officials are looking for as they search for candidates to fill key roles in upgraded digital operations.
We ended the day with WSHU’s presentation of “Little Pub Unplugged,” a special acoustic concert emceed by Steve Winters, host of Profiles in Folk! The program featured talented singer-songwriters P.J. Pacifico, Griffin Anthony, Benny Mikula and duo Barbie Tatum & Nick Depuy.
Congratulations to our student-athletes and coaches and everyone involved with athletics on winning this year’s Northeast Conference Brenda Weare Commissioner’s Cup for overall athletic excellence and the Joan Martin Commissioner’s Cup for excellence in women’s athletics. We now have eight overall cups and 11 women’s cups, which is a record number of trophies in both categories.
Our biology department’s Project Limulus is still going strong. Faculty and students continue to educate the community about the ecology and importance of the Long Island Sound horseshoe crab population. Last weekend, instructor and alumna Jo-Marie Kasinak and students were at the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point where they tagged horseshoe crabs and collected data. Also this week, Professor Jennifer Mattei led a tour of the Living Shoreline at Stratford Point where her work to restore coastal habitats has grown exponentially over the past six years. She met with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Long Island Sound Study group. It has been great to see these projects and initiatives take shape and impact our community and environment for the better.
Two of our students in the doctor of physical therapy program had articles published by their national organization—the American Physical Therapy Association—in its student blog called Pulse. Congratulations to Dani Warnken and Kaitlyn Mital. This was made possible in part because DPT student Kyle Stapleton was elected to the national office of director of communications (out of more than 200 DPT programs across the country).
Congratulations also to Rebecca DiSarro from the master of public health program. She is heading to a national conference for nutritional epidemiology. She will be presenting her research evaluating the relationship between dietary energy density and cardiovascular fitness at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting. She analyzed data from the National Youth Fitness Survey for her project, which was co-authored by Professor Jacqueline Vernarelli.
Have a wonderful weekend!