f riday, apr. 7, 1989
vol. XXXV, no. 18
cabrini college, radnor,pa 19087 r L
Serotta receives Lindback award
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Editor's note: Thefol.lowingis a speechgivenby Dr.MaryAnnBiller,vice-ptuidentof aeademk: affairsat diis.ycar's springconvocation on Mardi 31.
This year's recipient of the Lindbac.kaward is Carol HechtSerotta. Assistant Professor of mathematics. Carol Serotta's undergraduate and graduate education wasta.kenat die University of .Pennsylvania in mathematics andmathematicsresearch. She is active in a number of professional organizations. for· example: the Mathematical Association of America; National Council of Teachets of Mathematics; Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics; American ~on of University Women and National Association for the Advancement of Sciences. She is a member of Sigma Zeta, Delta Epsilon Sigma, Phi Lambda Theta, PhiDeltaKappa. PiMuF.piloo, Sigma Tau Sigma, Women's Athalon, Phi Beta Kappa,and recipient of The Four Chaplains Awad. • Carol Serotta bas been in
Carol Hecht Serotta, assistant professor, mathematics, addresses the audience at Convocation after receiving the Lindback award. The award was presented by Dr. Mary Ann Biller, vice president of academic affairs, who is looking on. (photo by Marian Armstrong)
Stuaent's praised for tneir social and academic achievements goal-oriented and far-sighted. ''I think Nancy Costello gave an excellent speech! She obviThey started it off by singing ously did extensive research. I also the Star Spangled Banner. But it admired her sense of humor at wasn't a baseball game. It was various points throughout the speech," Marian Armstrong, senConvocation. Yet, just like singing the Na- · ior, said. Costello concluded her speech tional Anthem at sporting events, by comparing the renowned saint Convocation is a tradition, a ritual. with Mother Ursula Infante, MSC. It is the bi-annual celebration to At this point in the address, Angie honor students and faculty for Corbo, next year's SGA president, their academic achievements. presented Mother Ursula with a Nancy Costello, director of the dozen red roses, in honor of all she comprehensive campaign, .and has done for Cabrini College. 1971 alumna, was selected to give Following a standing ovation for the convocation address. She was Mother Ursula, the awards cereasked to share her thoughts on the · life of Saint Frances Cabrini. The mony was continued. Six departday before Convocation was the mental honor societies acknowl100th anniversary of the saint's edged their newest members: arrival in America. Alpha Sigma Lambda, for Costello traced Saint Frances continuing education students, Cabrini's life, and cited some of presented by Midge Leahy, dean of her qualities which makes her an continuing education. excellent contemporary role model. Beta Beta Beta, for honor biolSome of these qualities include: ogy students, presented by Dr. John zeal, common sense, persistence, DeTurck, professor of Biology.
by Kerry M. GaUagher
pus Wide Benefits Committee; Curriculum Committee; faculty advisor for math club; and Llbnuy Committee. In addition 10 working with and enjoying her husband and three talented sons. Carol Serotta is extremely involved in volunteer and community work. Primarily, Carol Serotta has been a teacher of mathematics which she hasdone for 19 years. She has special gifts of making a relatively difficult subject understandable through her teaching ability-aethense of humor, she has the extraordinary ability to make math enjoyable. Her course evaluations are consistently very high. Peers and studentsperceiveher as afaculty member who cares about Stu• dents. Typical of their sentiments is a letter I received last month.
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aspects of mathematics and such topics as gifted students. Forexample, she has spoken at the Johns Hopkins Residential Honors Program at Dickinson College; the Association of Teachers ofMatbematics forPbiladelphiaandVicinity;onhv Homer~s radio programat WWDB,andat the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Muehofherresearchhas been in the study ofleft and right hemispheres and bow they affect the learning of mathematics. Another favorite question of her research is "Does truth orfalsity ofaconclusioneffectlogicalreasoning?" Carol Serotta also has done research on critical thinking as part of a Pew Foundation Grant and participated in a conference at the University of Chicago on critical thinking and accultura• tion. Carol Serotta' s past committee wotk at Cabrini College is
Delta Epsilon Sigma, the national scholastic honor society, presented by Dr. M. Antoinette Schiesler, academic dean. Lambda Iota Tau, the honor fraternity for students of literature, presented by Dr. Marilyn Johnson, professor of English and communications. Psi Chi, the psychology honor society, presented by Sr. Regina Peterson, MSC, assistant professor of psychology, sociology and social work. Society for Collegiate Journalists, national honor society for students of mass communications, presented by Dr. Jerome Zurek, chairperson of English and communications department. After this list was completed, the names on last semester's Dean's List were announced. The Cabrini College Honor Society roll call was given by See Convocation on page 4
"Dear Dr. Biller, I am teyoaia-die liiipis my calculus teacher - Carol Serotta- will be commended for her teachingstyle as well as her care and concern for her pupils. This past semester she has taken a student.me, one who had an intense fearofmath,andbrought out in rrie a keen interest and enjoyment in learning calculus. She is a shining example of an excellent teacher and wonderful human being. She makes her students want to learn and understand not only the subject matter, but how it applies to their lives. Because of Carol Setotta. this fall! will be able to enter the Masters program in architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. Thank you, Cabrini College and CaroJ Serotta. Sincerely, Mary Stuart Jenkins." In her own words, Carol Serotta has said, '• I have dedicated my life to the general purpose of improving students' attitudesand appreciation of mathematics and ofhumanizing the content, while maintaining academically honest standards. In short, I would Ii.Ice to think I helped in some way to make our next generalion 'teally count!'" .....
extremely lengthy. Currently, sbeis faculty senate president; ~rves -00 the Freshman Advising Committee; Bu.dgetJFmance Committee; Master Planning , Academic Subcommittee; Cam\.
inside perspectives ..••.. 2, 3
Celebrate the 100th
Athletics left out of
news •.....•... 4, 8, 9, 10
anniversary
features .......... 5, 6, 7
{see page 6)
tennis court planning
sports ..•.........•. 11, 12
{see page 12)