Southern Alumni Magazine Summer 2010

a publication for alumni and friends of Southern Connecticut State University

ALUMNI MAGAZINE | Summer | 10

Healing Haiti: Sherman Cassidy Malone, ’75, M.S. ’84

LET TER

FROM THE

President

Dear Southern Alumni, My greetings to all of you as I settle into my new role as interim president of Southern Connecticut State University.

Since the last edition of Southern Alumni Magazine, there have been a number of notable changes at your alma mater, not least of which was the retirement of President Cheryl J. Norton, who guided the university for the last six years. It is an honor and a privilege for me to follow President Norton and build on the many accomplishments that have taken place at Southern in recent times.

throughout their lives. The willingness of our alumni to step forward during these difficult economic times is particularly noteworthy — your scholarship support for our students is a lifeline enabling many of them to continue their studies and realize their dream of a college degree.

As some of you may know, my roots are in New England, as I grew up in Springfield, Mass. I earned my bachelor’s degree at Springfield College and a master’s degree at the University of Connecticut. Then, after completing my doctoral studies at the University of Pittsburgh, I returned to Connecticut to serve as both a professor and administrator at UConn and Eastern Connecticut State University. So in a very real sense, this is a homecoming for me, and it is one that I embrace with great enthusiasm.

As president, it is incumbent upon me both to respect the history of Southern and to advance its mission of public higher education. As we move ahead, there are clearly fiscal challenges that we face, in concert with the rest of Connecticut. In addition, there are significant projects on campus, such as the Buley Library expansion, that obviously need support to advance them to completion. But I also see many wonderful opportunities to embrace: for example, our established excellence in fields such as education and health and human services; our diverse array of offerings in the arts and cultural arenas; and our location in the vibrant city of New Haven, with all of the prospects for new and exciting partnerships that this provides.

Since I first arrived at Southern on May 14, I have made the effort to meet as many people as I can, both on campus, and in the wider community. I quickly came to understand that this is an institution that is truly studentcentered, an institution that realizes the importance of academic excellence, and one that fully understands the tremendous power of education to transform lives.

I look forward to meeting many of you at Southern events both on and off campus during the coming months, including Homecoming on October 16. I welcome your creative ideas, I celebrate your loyalty and commitment, and I thank you in advance for your continued support as we embrace the future, with all the challenges and opportunities that it provides.

I have also learned that this university has a talented, caring, and hardworking community of faculty, staff, and students. It is also fortunate to be graced with engaged and committed alumni, who warmly remember their student days here and have remained connected with the university

Dr. Stanley F. Battle Interim President

Southern

ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Summer | 10 features

2

After serving six years as president of Southern, Dr. Cheryl J. Norton departed the university at the end of May. On June 1 Dr. Stanley F. Battle, former president of Coppin State University and chancellor of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, assumed the role of interim president.

A Fond Farewell

Wanted: Tomorrow’s Scientists and Mathematicians

16

12

A founder of the relief agency Haiti Marycare, Sherman Cassidy Malone, ’75, M.S. ’84, has volunteered in Haiti more than 30 times — most recently lending support to those suffering after the devastating 2010 earthquake. Other spotlights include, Bringing Comfort, a profile on Karen Fitzgerald Zoeller, ’80, a critical care nurse who was part of the first wave of volunteers to arrive in Haiti after the quake, and Campus Aid, a look at SCSU 365, a university-wide effort to help the Haitian people for a full year.

departments

Healing Haiti

Southern unveils a new center designed to pave the way to enhanced mathematics and science education for K-12 students.

From the President

inside cover

Campus News Nostalgia

4

20

Supporting Southern

22

Out and About Alumni News

24

26

30 Southern Events 36 Alumni Notes

PHOTO: Courtesy of Haiti Marycare

Southern: Leading the way in graduate studies in health/life sciences, education, and social/public services.

A Fond Farewell After serving six years as president of Southern, Dr. Cheryl J. Norton departed the university at the end of May.

T

his spring Dr. Cheryl J.

Norton presided over her

sixth — and final — undergraduate commencement ceremony at Southern.

Having announced her retirement as of May 31, she has embarked on a year-long sabbatical to conduct research on K-12 educational reform. It is a fitting focus for Norton, who has built her career on the promotion of student success.

Her tenure at Southern was marked by numerous achievements: record full-time enrollment; the highest-ever level of academic accomplishment for incoming freshmen; and improved retention and graduation rates. She was the 10th president of Southern and the first woman to lead the 117-year-old institution, which has about 12,000 students and one of the largest graduate programs in New England.

She was succeeded

by Dr. Stanley F. Battle, former chancellor of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and president of Coppin State University, who

“I truly hope that people will say that Southern and the urban region it serves are stronger and richer because of what I did to help. I want to make a difference, and I want this institution to make a difference and be recognized for all it brings to the region.”

assumed the role of interim president on June 1.

(Story on page 4.)

2 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

— Dr. Cheryl J. Norton, speaking with Southern Alumni Magazine several months after she began her presidency on April 30, 2004.

Southern

| ALUMNI MAGAZINE | VOL 8 • NO 3

Dr. Stanley F. Battle, Interim President Megan A. Rock, Vice President for Institutional Advancement STAFF Patrick Dilger, Director of Public Affairs Villia Struyk, Editor Michael Kobylanski, Sports Editor Marylou Conley, ’83, Art Director Isabel Chenoweth, Photographer Alisha Martindale, Assistant Photographer Nancy Ronne, Development Editor Charlie Davison, Alumni Notes Editor ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICE Michelle R. Johnston, Director of Alumni Relations (203) 392-6500 EDITORIAL OFFICE Southern Connecticut State University Office of Public Affairs/ Southern Alumni Magazine 501 Crescent Street New Haven, CT 06515-1355 Telephone (203) 392-6591; fax (203) 392-6597 E-mail address: StruykV1@SouthernCT.edu University Web site: www.SouthernCT.edu Printed by The Lane Press, Inc.

Southern Alumni Magazine is published by the university in cooperation with the SCSU Alumni Association three times a year and distributed free of charge to alumni and friends of the university.

Opinions expressed in Southern Alumni Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the university or of the SCSU Alumni Association. Although the editors have made every reasonable effort to be factually accurate, no responsibility is assumed for errors.

Opposite page: Dr. Cheryl J. Norton focused on student success throughout her presidency.

This page: [TOP ROW] Norton takes a moment to show her Southern pride with the cheerleading team.

[CENTER ROW, FROM LEFT] Looking out from the inside of Engleman Hall.

The president played patient during an alumni event on campus.

Award-winning investigative reporter Connie Chung joined Norton before delivering the 2009 commencement address.

[LOWER ROW, FROM LEFT] Dr. Norton participated in the annual Day of Service.

Members of the Southern community established the Cheryl J. Norton Endowed Scholarship in her honor.

Postage paid at Burlington, Vt. Southern Connecticut State University, in compliance with federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services.

Summer 2010 | 3

As an Educator, Scholar, Administrator, and Community Builder, new Interim President has…

OPENED DOORS TO LEARNING

Interim President Stanley Battle

S

TA N L E Y

B A T T L E ’ S path to a life devoted to the better-

Battle’s father, Henry, was a laborer who could fix

ment of youth through education began in a hardscrabble,

anything with his hands; with the advantages of an educa-

working-class neighborhood of Springfield, Mass.

tion he could have been a mechanical engineer, his son

4 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

said. Battle’s mother Rachel not only cared for her three

a senior researcher at the Boston University School of

sons and daughter, but reached out to the children of the

Medicine, he worked to provide support for young fathers in

neighborhood as well: she fed them when they were hun-

urban neighborhoods and then, as professor at the University

gry, and gave them guidance and inspiration when they

of Connecticut’s School of Social Work, he established a

needed it. After a 60-year marriage, both parents

mentoring program for young children in Hartford.

“This have since passed on. But Battle says he will When he moved into administration is an institution never forget the values they instilled in him: as an associate vice president for academthat realizes the hard work, integrity, the importance of ic affairs at Eastern Connecticut State importance of academic University, he continued to work with church and community, and an active excellence and one that fully young men who needed some direction, compassion for those less fortunate. understands the tremendous or a helping hand. Battle and his wife of “I learned that the most important power of education to transform lives.”

34 years, Judith Lynn Rozie-Battle, a family thing is what you do for people and with people,” says Battle, Southern’s new interim president. “That’s why higher education is

— INTERIM PRESIDENT BATTLE

important, because when you’re involved in it you can never really get old. There are always new challenges to face, new students to educate.”

Battle’s community commitment started early in his

law attorney, even took in one Eastern student for a year as he struggled to get his life on

track. They helped the young man get a job and eventually gain admittance into a doctoral program.

“This is not a game. It’s an opportunity to impact a person and to impact that person’s life,” Battle says. “That’s

career in academia. As an assistant professor in the University

what people did for me and I feel I have a responsibility to

of Minnesota’s School of Social Work, he opened up the first

do the same.”

group home for African American girls in the state. Later, as

continues on page 35

PRESIDENT BATTLE AT A GLANCE Education: Post-Doctoral 2002

Harvard Graduate School of Education Educational Management Institute

Ph.D.

1980

University of Pittsburgh

M.P.H.

1979

University of Pittsburgh

Maternal and Child Health

M.S.W.

1975

University of Connecticut

Casework

B.S.

1973

Springfield College

Sociology

Social Welfare Policy

Career Highlights: 2007-2010

Chancellor and Professor, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

2003-2007

President and Professor, Coppin State University

1998-2001

Sullivan-Spaights Distinguished Professorship, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Schools of Social Welfare and Education

1993-1998

Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Eastern Connecticut State University

1987-1993

Professor of Social Work and then Associate Dean for Research and Development, University of Connecticut, School of Social Work

1984-1988

Associate Professor, Boston University Schools of Social Work and Public Health and Medicine; Senior Researcher in Health and Hospitals, Boston City Hospital

Other: Author of 10 books and more than 50 refereed journals. Co-Editor of the Journal of Social Work in Public Health, (Routledge Taylor and Francis Group).

Awards include the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Inc. Presidential Leadership Award (2008) and the Maryland Daily Record’s Innovator of the Year Award for the Coppin Academy (2005) Summer 2010 | 5

Campus

NEWS n

Academic Restructuring Brings Benefits The four depart-

divided between two of

With the elimina-

The Department of

ments within the School

Southern’s other schools

tion of the SCILS, the

Information and Library

of Communication,

as part of an academic

departments of Journalism,

Science has shifted to the

Information, and Library

restructuring, effective July

Communication, and

School of Education.

1, Provost Selase W.

Computer Science have

Williams has announced.

become part of the School

made as both a cost-sav-

of Arts and Sciences.

ings measure and to

Science (SCILS) have been

The changes were

improve the academic synergy involving those departments, according to Williams. He noted that Edward C. Harris, who served as the SCILS dean, officially retired July 1, 2009, although he continued for another year in the position on a parttime basis to help ease the transition process.

The consolidation enables the university to avoid having to hire a dean to replace Harris.

Williams says the shift of the departments into their new schools also is likely to offer more opportunities for interdepartmental collaborations than was previously the case within the SCILS. “As an example, the Computer Science Department has been working with the Physics Department (part of the School of Arts and Sciences) on some projects, so it seems like a natural fit for it to move The departments of Journalism, Communication, and Computer Science will now be housed in the School of Arts and Sciences. The Department of Information and Library Science has shifted to the School of Education.

6 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

into the School of Arts and Sciences,” Williams says.

Professor of English Timothy Parrish Joined Southern: 1994 Advice to Writers: “Writers should first write for themselves and then, if they have aspirations of being published and can stand real critique, try to work with knowledgeable writers to improve their vision and craft.”

The M.F.A. in Creative Writing: “Our new M.F.A. in Creative Writing, which is thriving, is a great place for serious writers to get the kind of instruction that exposes them to the wider literary world and joins them with a community of invested fellow writers.”

The M.F.A. is considered the culmination of studies in creative writing; Southern’s program is the first fullresidency M.F.A. program in Connecticut.

Current Projects: “I’m finishing up a memoir titled, ‘Southern Man,’ about growing up in the racist South and about my own struggles with racism.”

Excerpts from the memoir appear in the lit periodicals “Cincinnati Review” and in “Ninth Letter.”

Another Recent Accomplishment: His story, “After the River,” was reprinted in the anthology, “The Best of LSU Fiction,” (Southern Review Press).

— By Mary Faulkner Summer 2010 | 7

Campus

NEWS n

Congratulations Class of 2010!

Some 1,586 students from the Class of 2010 were

Geoffrey Fletcher, an Academy Award-winning

honored at Southern’s undergraduate commencement

screenwriter who faced his share of disappointments earlier

exercises, which were held on May 28 at the Connecticut

in his career, offered Southern’s graduates a dose of reality

Tennis Center in New Haven.

during his commencement address.

Southern celebrated its undergraduate and graduate commencement exercises in May. [TOP ROW, CENTER] Academy Award-winning screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher delivered the undergraduate commencement address. The graduate commencement speakers included [Lower row, left] Bob Englehart, editorial cartoonist for The Hartford Courant, and [LOWER ROW, RIGHT] Thomas O. Ryder, chairman of the board of the Readers Digest Association, Inc. 8 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

PROOF 3 ____ PD ____ VS

“[Life] might get harder before it gets easier,”

age. In addition to serving as secretary of Iota Iota Iota, the

Fletcher said, describing his many rejections from the film

women’s studies honor society, she was president of the

industry in his early days as a screenwriter. Fletcher perse-

Anthropology Club and the LGBT Prism Club, and treasurer

vered, and in March, became the first African American to

of the campus chapter of Amnesty International.

win the Academy Award for screenwriting for his work, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.”

He urged the Class of 2010 to set ambitious goals and pursue them. “Never give up on your dreams or be

The honorees also included exercise science major Edward Dostaler, ’10, who graduated with a 3.94 grade point average. Dostaler served as president of the Exercise Physiology Club, and interned and completed an undergraduate summer research

ashamed of them, no matter how far-fetched they may be,”

fellowship at several hospi-

he said.

tals. A marathon runner,

On May 27, two graduate commencement exercises were held at Southern’s Lyman Center for the Performing

Dostaler placed among the

Arts. Thomas O. Ryder, chairman of the Board of Directors

top 10 percent of all male

of the Readers Digest Association, Inc., was the guest

finishers at numerous

speaker for the schools of Arts and Sciences, Business, and

events, including the 2009

Health and Human Services.

Bob Englehart, editorial cartoonist for The Hartford Courant, delivered the graduate commencement address for the School of Education Lauren Chicoski, ’10

and the School of Communication, Information, and Library Science. A total of about 1,500 students have earned graduate degrees this year from Southern.

n

The Fabulous Four

Edward Dostaler, ’10

Emily Brown, ’10

Boston Marathon. He worked as a medical volun-

The Henry Barnard Foundation Distinguished Student Award, among the university’s most prestigious

teer, and as an orphanage

honors, was presented to four graduating seniors in recog-

volunteer in Tanzania.

Award recipient,

nition of their outstanding academic achievement and

Allison Kelly, ’10, a political

commitment to Southern and the greater community.

History major, Emily Brown, ’10, graduated with a

Allison Kelly, ’10

science major, graduated

3.87 grade point average. Brown was a past president of

with a 3.91 grade point average. A Presidential Merit

the History Club, and a member of Southern’s Future

Scholarship recipient, she was a member of the Honors

Teachers Organization and the campus chapters of Zeta

College. In addition to serving as president of the campus

Delta Epsilon, a service honor society, and Phi Alpha Theta, a

chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, a political science honor society,

history honor society.

Kelly was a member of the Pre-Law Society. She also holds

Fellow honoree, Lauren Chicoski, ’10, majored in anthropology and graduated with a 3.72 grade point aver-

a third-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art, and is president of the Karate Club.

Summer 2010 | 9

n

Apolo Ohno, the

Olympic Champion Visits Campus

most decorated American Winter Olympian of all time, delivered the 12th Mary and Louis Fusco Distinguished Lecture to a packed house on May 12 — earning several standing ovations from the thrilled, fan-filled audience with his message of “zero regrets.”

Casually speaking to the crowd, Ohno detailed his journey from a rulebreaking teenager to an

s

outhern has about

12,000

students pursuing

degrees in 69 undergraduate and 45 graduate programs.

s

outhern’s School of Graduate Studies is among the

top 10

largest

graduate schools in New England.

s

didn’t understand the potential I had in the sport

outhern prides itself on its diverse, culturally rich campus:

20%

of students belong to racial

and I wasn’t giving it my heart and soul,” he said.

or ethnic minorities.

s

Ohno went on to win eight

outhern students are extremely hard-

Olympic medals — includ-

65%

ing two golds in short track

working:

work 10 or

more hours per week.

T

Olympic gold medalist. “I

speed skating. He advised the young members of the

he university earned a full

10-year

audience to figure out

reaccreditation by the New England Association of

what they are passionate

Schools and Colleges in 2001. Southern is currently

about and commit them-

preparing for the next reaccreditation scheduled for 2011.

selves to “giving 100 percent” at whatever it is they choose to do.

10 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Meet South Student Athern’s lete

sport shorts n

Letecia Taylor

Stars in the Classroom A record-breaking 153 student athletes were

named to the Spring 2010 Northeast-10 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll, having met or exceeded a minimum 3.0 grade point average for the semester. The Owls’ previous high of 148 student athletes was set during the fall 2009 semester. baseball

Class of 2010 Business Administration Major, concentration in finance

The Owls captured the Northeast-10 Conference regular season title, matching the program record with 38 wins

Recent Wins: At the Northeast-10 Outdoor Championship, won the 100-meter hurdles and 400-meter hurdles, setting meet and facility records. Part of winning — and record-setting — 4 x 100-meter relay team.

for the season.

Athletic Accomplishments: 2009 U.S. Track and Field and men’s track The men’s outdoor

women’s swimming and diving

track and field team claimed

The women’s swim-

its eighth-straight Northeast-

ming and diving team won

10 Conference Champi-

its seventh-straight

onship. The Owls have

Northeast-10 Conference

now won 16-consecutive

Championship.

indoor and outdoor titles. softball The team capped off its best season in history,

women’s track and field The outdoor track and field team took first

Cross Country Association Indoor Track Athlete of the Year; 2008 and 2009 All-American; 2008 New England Champion in 400 hurdles; 2007 and 2008 Northeast10 Conference Champion in 55 hurdles; 2007 and 2008 Northeast-10 Conference Champion in 100 and 400 hurdles; 2007 Northeast-10 Conference Champion in 400 hurdles (outdoors) Favorite event: 400 hurdles Key to Success: “I never sleep before the meets. I think it might have something to do with my success. Everyone sleeps on the bus, but I am always awake talking to my coaches or looking out the window.”

earning 42

place at

victories and

the North-

capturing its

east-10

track, but not for a Division-I school. It [track] wasn’t

first North-

Outdoor

my top priority.”

east-10 Con-

Champi-

ference Tour-

onship for

nament

the third

Champi-

time in

onship.

four years.

Balancing the student with the athlete: “I wanted to run

Favorite Athlete: (Lori) Lolo Jones, a hurdler.

Other sports played: Cheerleading Sport she’d like to try: “Definitely football. I think I could handle it.”

Most proud of: Her college education. She is the first person in her family to graduate college.

Looking Forward: “An office job isn’t for me. I would

For more sports news, visit www.SouthernCTOwls.com.

rather be a high school (business) teacher.”

— By Sarah Houseknecht, ’10 Summer 2010 | 11

A founder of the relief agency Haiti Marycare, Sherman Cassidy Malone, ’75, M.S. ’84, has volunteered in Haiti over 30 times — most recently lending support to those suffering after the devastating 2010 earthquake.

By Joan Wells 12 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

afael, 14, was a mystery to those helping in Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating 7.3-magnitude earthquake that hit on January 12. He had headaches, stomachaches, and difficulty sleeping, but a visiting pediatrician couldn’t find a physical cause for Rafael’s symptoms.

That’s when licensed clinical social worker, Sherman Cassidy Malone, ’75, M.S. ’84, who specializes in treating those dealing with trauma, entered the picture.

Malone spoke with Rafael and learned that his house had fallen in the quake, trapping

two siblings in the rubble. They were rescued, but their feet were crushed and had to be amputated.

Malone quickly determined that because he was the oldest son, Rafael felt responsible. “The shame and tension from not being able to protect his siblings and feelings of inadequacy because he couldn’t save them,” contributed to his symptoms, she says. Malone, who speaks fluent Creole, worked with Rafael to address his trauma and helped him discover an important future role — caring for his mother and siblings.

Helping Rafael was just one of the many ways in which Malone was able to aid the people of Haiti in the wake of the tragedy. A longtime volunteer, she has made more than 30 trips to the small island nation in the last 14 years.

She became aware of the plight of the people of Haiti through a friend who was volunteering there. One of the leastdeveloped countries in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti is also one of the world’s poorest. According to a recent report from continues Summer 2010 | 13

UNICEF, Haiti has the highest mortality rate in the region for those under the age of five — at 78 deaths per 1,000 live births. The same report concludes that one in three children under the age of five was chronically malnourished prior to the quake. And while the Haitians value education, only 55 percent of children attended school before January 12 — and less have returned to the classroom since the disaster.

lies. Fittingly, her efforts in Haiti have focused on children and families, as well.

Much of Haiti Marycare’s efforts have been concentrated in the isolated fishing village of Jacquesyl on Haiti’s Northeast

coast and Cite Soleil, an extremely poor area in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The group’s focus is multifold: child and family health programs, education, and community development.

Sherman Cassidy Malone, ’75, M.S. ’84, who provides psychological aid, meets with Youdinx Joseph, an earthquake survivor who was afflicted with polio.

ouched by the extreme need she saw, Malone went on to help found Haiti Marycare, a non-profit organization that aids the Haitian people. Today she serves as secretary of the group.

In the states, Malone is director of case management and clinical services at New Haven Family Alliance, a communitybased agency serving children and fami-

Bringing Comfort

Karen Fitzgerald Zoeller, ’80, remembers missing a chance to put her nursing skills to work in Southeast Asia after the tsunami struck in 2004. Her children were younger then, her passport needed updating, and she couldn’t get immunized in time.

So when she heard that the international aid organization, Project HOPE, needed medical volunteers to respond to the devastating January 12 earthquake in Haiti, Zoeller, a critical care nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, was among the first to sign up.

“I never really had done anything like this before and I’d always wanted to. It was always on my life list,” says Zoeller, who went on to spend three weeks aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort caring for those injured in the quake.

Among the first wave of volunteers to arrive in Haiti, Zoeller flew by helicopter to the ship, which was docked two miles off the coast of Haiti. She went to

Karen F. Zoeller, ’80, stands with supplies at the 82nd Airborne Airfield in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

14 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

work the next day, logging 12-hour stints on the night shift for 16 days in a row.

continues on page 34

Campus AID

A weeklong event, Paix Et Amor (Peace and Love): Students for Haiti, was held on campus in April.

Among the fundraisers and activities was a food tasting of dishes from Haiti and the West Indies.

With some 230,000 fatalities and an estimated 1.5-plus million Haitians affected by the earthquake in Port-au-Prince, the Southern community has launched a multipronged relief effort, SCSU 365. The goal, says Southern’s Associate Dean of Student Affairs Aaron Washington, is to provide an

Southern’s Associate Dean of Student Affairs Aaron Washington is a guiding force behind SCSU 365, a yearlong effort to help the people of Haiti.

active reminder to members of the campus community to commit to aiding the survivors — and to do so for a whole year.

“Haiti was already extremely poor,” says Washington of the nation, the most impoverished in the Western Hemisphere. “So for an earthquake to hit, it was the worst thing that could happen.”

A campus committee offers a platform from which clubs and organizations can build their relief efforts. Assistance is offered with the design and organization of the fundraising events, as well as publicity. The students are responsible for running the events.

About 25 campus organizations and departments have committed to raising funds for Haiti thus far — and the number continues to grow. One of the first groups to join the effort was Zeta Delta Epsilon, an honors service society, and many others quickly followed suit. A wide variety of events — including hip hop concerts, bake sales, and awareness walks — have been held on campus to benefit the Haiti Relief Fund. And more are on the horizon.

In addition, a photographic exhibit, “Earthquake in Haiti: The First 10 Days,” is being held at Southern’s Multicultural Center located in the Michael J. Adanti Student Center. The exhibit, which

continues on page 34

espite tremendous obstacles, Haiti Marycare has made great strides.

Working with the community, the organization established a medical clinic staffed by local health care workers. Hundreds of children have been vaccinated, and through education and the distribution of safe birth kits, Haiti Marycare has greatly improved maternal-child health in the areas it serves. Efforts also have been made to improve subsistence farming and fishing, and to support programs that spur economic self-sufficiency.

“We like to see a reachable goal and there are reachable goals,” says Malone of efforts to enhance education, healthcare, production of food, and the supply of safe water. But Malone also notes that the world tends to focus on Haiti primarily during

times of disaster. “It’s only when the blood is running,” she says.

The 2010 earthquake — the worst in Haiti in the last 200 years — certainly captured the world’s focus. The U.S. Department of State estimates $11.5 billion in damages and reconstruction costs. The associated statistics are staggering: an estimated 230,000 deaths and approximately one million people displaced within the Port-au-Prince area.

Soon after the quake, Haiti Marycare sent medical supplies. Then, in early February, Malone joined volunteer medical personnel who were making the trip. Her job: to translate and provide trauma counseling.

“Everybody is either grieving or worried sick,” says Malone. “I think there’s

Based on a plan devised by the Peace Corps, Haiti Marycare provides expectant mothers who come to the clinic for prenatal care with a safe childbirth kit. It includes a clean string for tying off the umbilical cord, a new razor blade for cutting the cord, gauze pads, and other basic items that have made childbirth much safer.

nothing more satisfying than helping strong people who are in dreadful situations.”

Malone, who loves the Haitian people, says it was one of her toughest trips.“I think the reason I could get through it is because there’s such intense satisfaction in being useful,” says Malone, who has four grown children and six grandchildren.

“Haiti is a part of my life.”

It is a life she came to through education. When Malone began college after continues on page 34

Summer 2010 | 15

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16 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Southern unveils a new center designed to pave the way to enhanced mathematics and science education among K-12 students — aided by a $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for scholarships.

By Joe Musante, ’86

Summer 2010 | 17

A new center at Southern is helping to lead the Greater New Haven educational community in an exciting mission that is crucial to the nation’s future — boosting the number and quality of students pursuing careers in mathematics and science.

The Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science at Southern was launched with a goal of meeting the educational needs of the 21st century workforce. The need is pressing. Numerous reports suggest that the United States lags behind many industrialized nations in terms of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Consider one study reported by the U.S. Department of Education in which 15-year-old students from the U.S. scored lower in science literacy than peers from 18 industrialized nations, including Finland, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Hungary, and Germany. Closer to home, a recent National Science Board report revealed that nearly 30 percent of first-year college students had to take remedial science and mathematics courses because they were unprepared for college-level work.

“There is a burgeoning need in the workforce — such as in teaching, engineering, and scientific fields — for college graduates who have an expertise in the math and sciences,” says Assistant Professor of Elementary Education Lara Smetana, who was named director of the center by DonnaJean Fredeen, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. “I believe half the battle in meeting that need is in encouraging more students, particularly at the K-12 grades, to explore these disciplines. One of our goals is to attract more students by letting them explore the joys and opportunities they may find by pursuing these fields,” Smetana says.

[PAGE 16] A key player with Southern’s Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science, Associate Professor of Mathematics Joseph Fields is helping to lead a new scholarship program for outstanding high school students. Assistant Professor of Elementary Education Lara Smetana is the newly named director of the center.

[BELOW, FROM LEFT] Southern student Daniel Harold helps students Kassandra and Sebastian Martel with an experiment, while Cole Harrington looks on at a Family Engineering Night held at the Barnard School in New Haven, Conn.

PHOTO: Courtesy of New Haven

Public Schools Members of the Southern Women in Mathematics and Science (SWIMS) program enjoy networking events that build camaraderie.

Southern student Victor Moreno helps Adam Simpson, a student at the Barnard School in New Haven, Conn., with an experiment during a recent Family Engineering Night.

PHOTO: Courtesy of New Haven

Public Schools

18 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

“One of our goals is to attract more students by letting them explore

W

ith this goal in mind, the center is taking a leadership role in numerous programs and initiatives:

the joys and opportunities

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Southern a $600,000 grant for the creation of a Pathways to Academic Excellence (PAcE) program, in which 26 outstanding high school and community college students wishing to pursue the study of math, computer science, biology, chemistry, physics, or earth science will receive full four-year scholarships to Southern. The first group of students will be selected for the start of the 2011-12 academic year.

they may find by pursuing these fields.”

— Lara Smetana, assistant professor of elementary education

The NSF selected Southern as a pilot site for the Family Engineering Program, which is designed to spark interest among elementary school students in engineering, as well as science- and math-related fields. The university’s Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science is coordinating the program in the area. During the spring semester, Southern education, math, and science students traveled to schools in the Greater New Haven area to coordinate fun, hands-on activities for school-age students and their parents.

The center has created the Southern Women in Mathematics and Science (SWIMS) program to provide support for those interested in these fields. Women have traditionally been underrepresented in math and science. The program includes mentoring, guest speakers, activities, and recognition opportunities to spotlight student success stories.

Joseph Fields, associate professor of mathematics and a PAcE coordinator, is optimistic in the long-term positive impact of the center. “I believe offering full scholarships to outstanding students might be the impetus for them to opt for a degree in math and science and to decide to attend Southern,” Fields says. “One of the strengths of the program will be to offer these students any mentoring they may need.”

Smetana, who previously taught at the University of Virginia and is a former eighthgrade physical science teacher, says the center will seek to breakdown psychological, cultural, and social barriers to pursuing math and science. “For a variety of reasons, some students just don’t believe they can excel in these two subjects,” Smetana says. “In some cases, it’s because of a gender stereotype. In some cases, it’s an issue of limited access to strong role models, supportive environments, and post-graduate opportunities. In other cases, it’s just a psychological hurdle that might have been generated from a bad past experience in a math or science class. One of our aims is to help students remove these hurdles and allow them to develop their potential.” n

Summer 2010 | 19

Nostalgia G ood N eighbors

At the close of the 19th century, New Haven was the largest and fastest-growing city in Connecticut — shaped by numerous economic and cultural shifts. The General Assembly enacted a compulsory school attendance law in 1872 and a child labor law in 1886. As a result, the percentage of children attending school in Connecticut was higher than ever before, increasing the need for well-prepared teachers. In response, New Haven State Normal School — which would ultimately evolve into Southern Connecticut State University — opened in Joining the community: The Skinner School, located on the corner of State and Summer streets, was home to the New Haven State Normal School from the fall of 1893 to the spring of 1896.

1893 in the Skinner School, located at the corner of State and Summer streets in New Haven.

Today, 117 years later, Southern remains an integral part of the community. In addition to offering academic programs that meet the evolving needs of the workforce, Southern provides countless services to the community through initiatives such as the new Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders (see page 23) and, each year, places thousands of students, faculty, and staff members in the community as volunteers.

In recognition of these efforts, Southern has received two prestigious awards. The first, inclusion on the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, is a federal recognition awarded to col-

Students participated in a campus cleanup day in 1954.

In 1939, the American Life Club collected toys, books, and games to be sent to the Newington Hospital for Crippled Children.

20 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

leges and universities that demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement. An estimated 2,800 Southern students — nearly a quarter of the entire student body — were engaged in some form of community service during the 2008-09 academic year. About 95 percent of those students participated in at least 20 hours of community service per semester. All totaled, the students logged an estimated 38,000 service hours.

At the local level, Southern also received the Corporate Heritage Award from the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce in recognition of more than a century of meritorious service to the region and the state. Southern was praised for its role as the state’s pacesetter for teacher education, its wide range of program offerings in the health and human services fields, its innovative partnerships with area corporations and nonprofits, and its emphasis on volunteerism and community engagement.

“Southern Connecticut State University has been a huge contributor to the community-at-large, and we don’t always find that,” said Anthony Rescigno, president of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, who presented the award. “To have a university that becomes a real partner with not only the business community but the community-at-large is a real credit to the institution.”

A contingent of about 250 students, as well as 20 faculty and staff members, met on campus before the start of Southern’s second annual Day of Service. The group helped clean up the streets of New Haven by collecting trash, sweeping, and gardening. In six hours, Southern collected more than eight tons of trash.

SOURCE: “Southern Connecticut State University, A Centennial History” by Thomas J. Farnham

The happy results of a 2008 toy drive.

The campus comes together for the annual Adopt-AFamily Holiday Food Drive.

Pictured here are volunteers from 2002.

Summer 2010 | 21

A $1.2 million estate gift funds the creation of The Dorothy W. Goodwin Endowed Chair in Special Education and other initiatives that further the late-educator’s lifelong commitment to teaching.

22 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

A

ccording to the Center for Disease Control, an average of 1 in 110

A

Southern alumna who was “passionate about her love for learning”has bequeathed $1.2 million to Southern in her will — the largest gift ever received by the university.

Dorothy Weisbauer Goodwin, ’39, who earned her teaching certification from the then-New Haven State Teachers College, went on to train Southern student teachers in New Haven schools for more than 30 years. A resident of Woodbridge, Conn., she died Feb. 9, 2009, at the age of 91.

A total of $1 million of her gift will be used to fund and support an endowed chair in special education, the first such faculty position in university history. The distinguished professor to hold the position is expected to be named by the fall and will spend more than half of his or her time conducting research in autism, which will bolster Southern’s new Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Goodwin’s gift will also support enrichment programs for faculty members and scholarships for students in education.

The recently constructed administrative wing of Engleman Hall has been named in her honor.

It is highly appropriate that Goodwin’s gift will be centered in the School of Education, says her niece, Gayle Fazzalaro, ’67.

“Education was her life,” Fazzalaro says. “She felt that the younger generation was the hope for the future and that it was an honor to be able to help to mold a new generation.”

Goodwin’s “wonderful legacy” speaks not only to her commitment to lifelong learning “but also to her devotion to Southern, based upon her experiences

children in the United States has an Autism Spectrum Disorder

(ASD) — a developmental disability that significantly impairs social interaction and communication.

Confronting such statistics head-on, Southern’s Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders will launch numerous initiatives to help children and youths with an ASD. Among the programs to be offered are

THE CENTER

training for educators and professional staff, research, and

SOUTHERN

Supporting

direct services, such as evaluating children and conducting clinics.

The center builds on Southern’s demonstrated

ON

efforts to conduct research and train educators to work with those with an ASD. The Department of Special

AUTISM

Education includes a Master of Science degree program with a specialization in autism spectrum disorders and

SPECTRUM

other developmental disabilities. In 2008, Gov. M. Jodi

DISORDERS

developing a statewide plan to better educate children

Rell authorized the university to take a lead role in

with autism and other developmental disorders.

here as a student and a teacher,” said Dr. Cheryl J. Norton, who was president of Southern when the gift was made.

“It is truly gratifying that an individual who devoted her abundant talents and energy to enriching lives through education has bestowed a gift that will benefit Southern’s faculty and students for generations to come,” Norton said.

Born in New Haven in 1918, Goodwin stayed in Connecticut, living in Hamden and finally Woodbridge before and following the death of her husband, Bill, in 1980. She followed her teaching certification with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southern in the 1950s. She was accompanied on her educational journey by her older sister, Mildred McIntyre (Fazzalaro’s mother), who also graduated with both degrees during the same period.

“With that kind of example, there was never any other option for me as a career,” jokes Fazzalaro, who taught high

school students in West Haven, Conn., for 30 years. To complete the Southern connection, Fazzalaro, Goodwin’s last surviving direct relative, met her husband, Ron (Class of ’67), while they were both students at Southern. The couple now resides in Venice, Fla. “My aunt had a lot of talents,” Fazzalaro says. “She could paint, create ceramics, and reproduced gorgeous porcelain dolls, for which she designed and sold the clothes.”

The 1939 “Laurel” student yearbook also lauded the then-senior: “Efficient and thorough in all that she does, and possessing exceptional talent in all of her handicrafts, “Dottie” has an excellent background for her immediate desire — a teaching career.”

Education remained her true calling. Throughout Goodwin’s long life, her zeal for education was undiminished, her niece says: “She was passionate about her love for learning.” n

An assortment of photographs of Dorothy “Dottie” Weisbauer Goodwin through the years, including a spotlight from the 1939 “Laurel” student yearbook [LOWER RIGHT].

Summer 2010 | 23

Out and About A look at events for alumni and friends on campus and beyond.

Southern students explored a wide variety of career choices at Meet the Alumni Professionals Day. The event was held March 10 in the Michael J. Adanti Student Center.

The Scholarship Celebration, honoring Southern’s scholarship donors and the talented students who benefit from their generosity, was held on April 29 in the Michael J. Adanti Student Center. Guests included [FROM LEFT]: Provost Selase W. Williams, donor Donald Mitchell, ’57, scholarship recipient Nicolas Willet, and donor Mary Ann K. Mitchell, ’56.

In celebration of the life of the late Professor Emeritus of English Daniel Ort, the university community joined with his family, friends, and former students to create an endowed scholarship in his name and to dedicate Southern’s Honor College Library in his honor. Dr. Ort’s 31year career at the university was marked by numerous accomplishments, including the creation of the university’s Honors College. Among those who attended the dedication, held on campus on March 19, were members of Dr. Ort’s family, including his wife, Sharon Ort, ’72, [THIRD FROM LEFT] and his children [FROM LEFT] Linda Nevins, Laura Dolyak, and Blaire Ort Gagnon.

24 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

On May 6, the nation’s capital played host to a well-attended reception at the law offices of Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner. Attorney William Pratt, ’76, a partner with the law firm and a member of the SCSU Foundation Board of Directors, hosted the event. Enjoying the gathering are: [FROM LEFT] Major Michael Englis, ’00, Matthew Berberich, M.S. ’05, and Daniel Gallant, ’89.

Some 35 alumni enjoyed true Southern charm at a reception in Atlanta, Ga. The event was held May 4 at the historic Georgian Terrace Hotel — site of the premiere gala for “Gone with the Wind” in 1939.

The SCSU Annual Owl Golf Classic sold out for the fourth-consecutive year, with more alumni from outside of Connecticut participating than ever before. The event was held on May 24 at the exclusive private South Course at the Lake of Isles at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Over $40,000 was raised for scholarships for student athletes and programmatic support. Congratulations to Dr. Aaron Grossman of Hamden, Conn., and his foursome for placing first in the tournament. Pictured at the event are: [FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT] Peter Casolino, John Powderly, ’89, and Andy Powderly.

[BACK ROW, FROM LEFT] Tom DeSimpliciis, ’89, Michael Deans, ’88, Steve Parks, ’87, Mike Migliaccio, and Anthony Corvino, ’87.

Summer 2010 | 25

Alumni

NEWS n

Congratulations to the newly elected members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors: Kathleen Bonvicini, ’83; James H. Booth, ’97; Nancy Dudchik, ’88; Virginia Buley Gore, ’78; Donald Mitchell, ’57; Daniel Myers, ’01; Robert D. Parker, ’76; and Teresa Sirico, ’70, M.S. ’73.

Biographies of the new board members will be included in the next issue.

n A Day for Educators On April 10, Southern hosted a Celebration of the School of Education, a fun-filled reunion for alumni of the school and their families.

The day-long event, which was held throughout campus, featured a wide variety of activities. Highlights

n

Presidential Honors for Alumni Teachers President Obama recognized

Meet the Southern Authors showcase, walking tours of campus, and children’s activities and a snack/movie party.

Teaching. The Southern graduates were two of only

is presented annually to the best pre-college science and mathematics teachers from across the county.

They were the only Connecticut educators selected for the honor.

“These awards represent a heartfelt salute of appreciation to a remarkable group of individuals who have devoted their lives and careers to helping others and in doing so have helped us all,” said President Obama.

Both honorees boast extremely impressive credentials. Broden, a second-grade teacher at Regional District 15 Pomperaug Elementary School, is a mathematics instructional leader for the school district and a mathematics instructional coach for a program run by the Connecticut State Department of Education.

Fellow award recipient Jane Callery is a science teacher at Two Rivers Magnet Middle School in East Hartford, Conn. She is also the Science Curriculum and Instruction Specialist for the 12 magnet schools that are part of the Capital Region Educational Council in Connecticut.

26 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

the President’s Reception,

Jane Callery, 6th yr. ’01, as winners of the Presidential

87 educators to receive the prestigious award, which

Jane Callery, 6th yr. ’01

Alumni College Seminars,

Southern alumni, Stacie Broden, M.S. ’03, and

Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science

Stacie Broden, M.S. ’03

included informative

Opposite page and above: Alumni and their families enjoyed a wide range of events at the Celebration of the School of Education.

Summer 2010 | 27

Alumni

NEWS n

Lifetime Achiever James Barber, ’64, M.S. ’79, Southern’s director of

Barber also sits on the board of directors for the

student supportive services was honored as the recipient

New Haven Scholarship Fund, which annually funds more

of the lifetime achievement award from the Greater New

than 125 college scholarships for Elm City public school

Haven African American Historical Society.

A committed community activist, Barber founded and served for 25 years as the coach-coordinator of a youth track program in New Haven that has benefited thousands of area youths.

At Southern, he coached the women’s track and field team for nearly a quarter of a century and was active for many years with U.S.A. Track on the national and international levels. In 1997, he guided the U.S. women to the team title in the World Indoor Championship in Paris.

From buildings lauded for eco-friendly design to a reinvigorated, campus-wide recycling program, the university is committed to keeping it green.

That’s why Southern is a proud signatory of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.

students. Since it was founded in 1959, the fund has donated more than $6 million to more than 6,000 recipients. They include Barber himself and scores of students he has mentored through programs such as ConnCAP, a partnership with New Haven Public Schools and the state Department of Higher Education that prepares secondary students for success in college.

His philosophy about working with young people is

Please support Southern and its students by contributing to the Campus Greening Fund. Donations may be made online at www.giving.southernct.edu. Or call (203) 392-6515.

28 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

about prevention and support. “It is easier,” he says, “to save a child than to help an adult.”

Homecoming 2010 Be part of the Tradition.

Come Home to Southern.

October 16

• Homecoming Football Game: the Owls take on Bentley College at 1 p.m.

Student parade of floats • Robert Corda Annual 5K Road Race Alumni Tent Party with refreshments • Children’s activities • And much more!

| A Long Island Sunday

Bye Bye Birdie Opening Night | Reception

Sept. 12 Verdi’s of Whitestone, Flushing, N.Y.

Oct. 8 John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts Hosted by the Alumni Association

Distinguished and Outstanding Alumni | Awards Oct. 15 Michael J. Adanti Student Center Grand Ballroom

Novemberfest | After Hours Nov. 5 New England Brewing, Woodbridge, Conn.

Hosted by Brew Master Rob Leonard, ’91

U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty performance | and Alumni Reception Dec. 11 Hosted by the Alumni Association.

For more information on these and other alumni events, go to SouthernCt.edu/alumni/upcomingevents/ or call (203) 392-6500.

Tickets required for some events.

n

Stay in Touch!

Connect with all things Southern — from news on the latest campus developments to information on upcoming alumni events. The university offers numerous ways to stay up-to-date.

+

We’re on the Web at www.SouthernCT.edu. For athletics information go to www.SouthernCTOwls.com.

+

Become a fan of Southern on Facebook at www.facebook.com. A wide variety of pages are available, including those specifically devoted to alumni, the university, the John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts, and career services.

+

Follow Southern on Twitter at http://twitter.com/scsutweet. The free service provides a way to communicate through the exchange of brief, frequent messages.

+

Join LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com for professional networking opportunities. Go to the “Official Southern Connecticut State University” site.

+

The Alumni Relations Office can also be reached at (203) 392-6500; www.SouthernCT.edu/alumni/; or SCSU, Attn: Alumni Relations, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515.

Summer 2010 | 29

alumni notes

’50s BARRY HERMAN, ’56, hosts the weekly PBS television program, “The Jewish Forum.” Herman is also the president of The Ethnic Heritage Center located on Southern’s campus.

JOHN MONGILLO, ’58, a science teacher at Mercymount Country Day School in Cumberland, R.I., led a class project: converting a 1998 gas-powered car into a plugin electric car. Mongillo lives in Saunderstown, R.I.

ARTHUR GUAGLIUMI, ’59, M.S. ’66, showcased his artwork in an exhibit held at Southern called “The Collage of language: The language of Collage.” Guagliumi won a top award at the Connecticut Artists Annual Show in Norwich and also was accepted into the Ridgefield Art Association Annual Show and the Connecticut Academy at the Mystic Art Association.

Reunion News • The Class of 1955 is celebrating its 55th reunion on Oct. 9, 2010 at Park Central Tavern in Hamden, Conn., from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

• The Class of 1960 is planning a 50th reunion celebration to be held this fall. In addition, members of the class will be honored at undergraduate commencement on May 27, 2011.

• The Class of 2000 is celebrating its 10th reunion this fall.

For more information or if you would like to organize a reunion for your class, please contact Alumni Relations at (203) 392-6500. participated in 60 competitions from Canada to Florida.

dent teachers at Central Connecticut State University.

HENRY (HANK) STOCKMAL,

JOHN DODIG, ’66, 6th Yr. ’78,

’64, who retired after 44 years in the public school system, is currently an educational consultant and supervisor of stu-

principal of Staples High School, hosted a Westport Sunrise Rotary’s breakfast meeting. Dodig spoke about

teaching at Al-Hikma University in Baghdad, Iraq, and traveling through Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Singapore, and Japan.

CHARLES R. MORRISSEY, M.S. ’68, 6th Yr. ’73, was fea-

tured in the North Haven Courier in recognition of his commitment to the U.S. Army through his service as a reservist since 1967.

Morrissey was an educator for 46 years in New Haven, Conn.

’70s DAN LAURIA, ’70, a celebrated actor known widely for his role as the father in the television show, “The Wonder Years,” is starring in a new Broadway play, “Lombardi,” about the legendary football coach. The play will begin previews on September 23 and open on October 21 in the Circle in the Square.

FRANK CASARELLA, ’71, M.S. ’76, has retired from the position of ESPN’s vice president, technology planning and administration. Casarella started at ESPN as a tape librarian.

Touchdown!

He’s worked with quarterback greats Mark Brunell, Tony Romo, Doug Flutie, and Eli Manning — and as the

’60s

New York Giants’ quarterbacks’ coach he helped guide the team to victory in Super Bowl XLII.

THOMAS F. BUTTERFIELD, ’62,

of the United Football League’s (UFL) Hartford Colonials, which will kick off its first season in September — a date

was a featured senior athlete in Hartford Magazine in an article entitled, “Forget about aging gracefully.” At 74, the Windsor resident still makes the news for his 37-year long distance running practice.

Butterfield coaches cross country at Hall High School in West Hartford, Conn.

BRUCE RUDOLPH, ’63, M.S. ’72, 6th Yr. ’84, who taught in the Wallingford school system for 35 years, contributed a $250,000 memorial gift to the Hospital of Central Connecticut in memory of his wife, Katherine, who succumbed to ovarian cancer.

VALERIE RYAN, ’64, M.S. ’68, was the featured Person of the Week in the Source newspaper in Madison, Conn. Ryan’s love of ballroom dancing is evident by the 483 first-place awards she has received.

Ryan, who took her first dance lesson at age 66, has 30 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

What’s currently on the agenda for Chris Palmer, ’72, M.S. ‘75? Serving as head coach and general manager

eagerly awaited by football fans throughout the Nutmeg State. The UFL premiered in 2009 with a goal of providing top-class football to an expanded marketplace. Five teams, including the Hartford Colonials, are slated to play during the 2010 season.

Palmer describes the appointment as a sort of homecoming. “Connecticut has provided me with several firsts in my football career — my first opportunity to play at high school and in college, my first coaching position, and first head coaching job,” says Palmer, who was inducted into Southern’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.

Palmer played quarterback for the Owls from 1968 to 1971, while earning a degree in physical education. He has coached football for 38 years at the collegiate and professional levels, including 20-consecutive years in the National Football League. In addition to serving on the Giants’ coaching staff, he was head coach of the Cleveland Browns and held various coaching positions with the Houston Oilers, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans.

At the company’s 30th anniversary, Casarella was one of 42 people honored with a walk of fame-style star on ESPN’s sidewalk for being with the company since its first year.

RUTH WHINNEM, M.L.S. ’72, has retired after 24 years as the children’s librarian at Plainville Public Library in Connecticut.

ENRICO BUCCILLI, ’73, M.S. ’78, principal of Dag Hammarskjold Middle School in Wallingford, Conn., was acknowledged in the RecordJournal. The school was recognized by the New England League of Middle Schools and the Connecticut Association of Schools for exemplary instructional practices.

MARYELLEN CONSIDINEWOOLLEY, ’74, M.S. ’81, 6th Yr. ’84, an art instructor for 30 years, recently exhibited her paintings at the Good News Café and Gallery in Woodbury, Conn.

SALLY KEATING, ’74, M.S. ’79, former assistant superintendent in Groton, Conn., has been named superintendent of schools in Lisbon, Conn.

AUDREY BLONDIN, ’75, formerly served 10 ten years on the Board of Selectmen in Litchfield, Conn., and plans to run for a fifth term on the Democratic State Central Committee. Blondin is an attorney in Litchfield, Conn.

MARY ELLEN VACCARI, ’76, M.S. ’80, was inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Volleyball Hall of Fame.

Vaccari teaches health and physical education at Gilbert School in Winsted, Conn.

FILOMENA C. VAGUEIRO, ’76, M.P.H. ’97, has joined the staff at Bristol Hospital and is practicing at Central Connecticut Ob-Gyn Women’s Health Group. Vagueiro is a member of the American College of Nurse Midwives, the American Public Health Association, the National Association of Childbearing Center, and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health.

DAVID B. ERWIN, M.S. ’78, has been named superintendent of Avon Schools in Connecticut. He has served as a school superintendent for 15 years, including 10 years in Montville, Conn. Erwin and his wife, Linda, ’79, live in Middlebury, Conn.

LUIGI NUZZOLILLO, ’78, is a recent recipient of the Gold Ring Award from the New Haven Boys & Girls Club Alumni Association.

Nuzzolillo previously received the Community Service Award from the New Haven

Marchitto works at Washington School in West Haven, Conn.

TIMOTHY R. NEEDHAM, ’79, is the general manager of the Aqua Turf Club, a banquet facility in Plantsville, Conn.

placement English literature instructor at High School in the Community.

JOHN B. (JACK) ZIBLUK, ’83, M.S. ’84, has been promoted to full professor of journalism at Arkansas State University. He was also elected president of the faculty senate and the faculty association at the university.

’80s JEFFREY BLODGETT, M.S. ’80, is retiring from the position of vice president of research for the Connecticut Economic Resource Center after 13 years.

VANNA DEST, ’84, received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the North Haven Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge 2805. Dest is an oncology nurse practitioner for

KIMBERLY GALLO, ’80, M.S. ’87, is the new principal of

Avon Public Free Library in Connecticut.

’90s STEPHEN CAPPIELLO,’90, a project manager at Travelers in Hartford, Conn., has acquired project management professional certification, as well as a master’s degree in health care administration. Cappiello and wife,

CAROLYN (STELLATTO) CAPPIELLO, ’91, live in Middletown, Conn. with their 2-year-old son, Tyler.

Owl Selected to Patriots’ Dream Team Former Owls’ football standout and SCSU Hall of Famer, Joe Andruzzi, has been named to the New England Patriots’ 2000s AllDecade Team. Andruzzi, a three-time Super Bowl-champion, was one of two guards included on the 27-member dream team by the Patriots’ Hall of Fame Nomination Committee, which includes reporters, alumni, and staff.

A 10-year veteran of the National Football League, Andruzzi helped the New England Patriots to Super Bowl victories in 2002, 2004, and 2005. He also played with the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Browns.

A powerhouse in his college days as well, Andruzzi played on Southern’s offensive line from 1993-96. He was named an AllAmerican as a junior and senior by the American Football Coaches Association. Today he is the chief executive officer of the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, which is dedicated to fighting cancer.

Domestic Violence Services Organization and the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Award, and was named the Rotarian of the Year by the North Haven Rotary Club.

SHELLEY SHAVER, M.S. ’78, who teaches English at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, Calif., has launched a website, http://dustbowlpoetry.wordpress.com. Fact-based and updated daily, the site depicts the story of a young farm family struggling during the Dust Bowl.

SUSAN MARCHITTO, ’79, has been named School Nurse of the Year by the Association of School Nurses of Connecticut.

Shepaug Valley High School in Washington, Conn. Gallo had served as assistant principal at Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury, Conn., since 2004.

CAROL J. STIFF, ’83, M.S. ’89, has been promoted to vice president of programming acquisition and scheduling for ESPN’s Programming Department in Bristol, Conn.

Stiff has been with ESPN since 1990. She is a member of Southern’s Foundation Board of Directors

CAMEO THORNE, ’83, has received the New Haven Teacher of the Year Award.

Thorne is a language arts instructor and advanced

Radiation Oncology Specialists of Southern Connecticut and the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven, Conn.

PASQUALE “PAT” PISCITELLI, ’84, has earned molecular biology certification from the American Society of Clinical Pathology and hopes to pursue a second career in the field of forensic science.

JOHN WHITFORD, ’84, a member of the Connecticut National Guard, received the silver eagle insignia of a full colonel, as reported in the Norwich Bulletin.

KAREN MCNULTY, M.L.S. ’87, has retired after 21 years as the children’s librarian at the

ANTONIETTA GIORDANO HALLET, ’91, recently graduated with a master’s degree in communication from Fairfield University.

PATRICIA LOTT, ’91, has opened a community clinic for acupuncture services in Towson, Md.

TRACY DAMONE VAN OSS, ’92, M.P.H. ’00, a clinical assistant professor of occupational therapy in the School of Health Sciences at Quinnipiac University, earned specialty certification in environmental modification from the American Occupational Therapy Association. She was the first person in the state of Summer 2010 | 31

Connecticut and the sixth in the country to have earned this distinction, according to the North Haven Courier.

HOLLY O’BRIEN, ’93, runnerup for the New Haven Teacher of the Year Award, is a lead developer of the pre-kindergarten program at the Davis Street School. She also received the Exemplary Programs in Connecticut’s Elementary Schools Award in 2002 and the New Alliance Teacher Excellence Award in 2004.

JOHN J. ROGERS, ’93, is a realtor in Madison, Conn. His wife, Deborah, is a fifth grade teacher at Calf Pen Meadow Elementary School in Milford, Conn. They have two daughters.

MARK ALDRICH, M.S. ’94, is the librarian at the Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown, Conn. Among the initiatives offered through the library is the College Assistance Program, which provides English grammar classes for inmates interested in earning college credits.

TANYA SUTTON, ’94, was honored by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) during National Social Work Month. Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell spoke at a celebratory gathering and expressed appreciation and gratitude to the staff for their work.

FRANCISCO CHAVARRIA, ’99, was a runner-up for the New Haven Teacher of the Year Award. Chavarria is a bilingual mathematics and science teacher at the Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy and was a bilingual science teacher at Wilbur Cross High School from 2000-2005.

’00s DEMETRIUS PUREFOY, ’01, a fifth-degree tang soo do master, has opened Pure Martial Arts Fitness Academy in Derby, Conn.

MICHAEL WOOD, ’01, M.A. ’09, an author and sixth grade teacher at the West Shore Middle School in Milford, Conn., was featured at the Plumb Memorial Library, where he read and signed his novel, “Alchemy.”

TRICIA HYACINTH, M.S. ’03, joined the community engagement team at Hands on Hartford, a Hartfordbased volunteer action center and social services agency.

RICK KOCZAK, ’05, a resident of Milford and coach of girls’ soccer at Laurelton Hall, has been inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. Koczak was the Connecticut Post’s Coach of the Year in 2009.

JUSTIN DION, ’96, M.A. ’97, has RACHEL RICE, M.L.S. ’05, is the been awarded the 2009 Adams Pro Bono Publico Award for his efforts to assist the poor in western Massachusetts. Dion lives in Longmeadow, Mass., with his wife, COLLEEN DION, ’96.

SUZANNE FERRARA SHAW, ’96, has been promoted to the position of assistant director of conference and event services at Yale University.

MEGAN COLLINS, M.S. ’98, who specializes in mixedmedia painting, was a featured artist at ArtPlace, an artist-run gallery in Fairfield, Conn.

RAMONA HARTEN, M.L.S. ’98, is the director of the Cheshire Public Library.

32 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

new librarian at the East Haven High School, as reported by the East Haven Courier.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS KNOWLES, M.A. ’08, an English professor at Three Rivers Community College, read from his poetry collection, “Black Rose City,” at the Donald L. Oat Theater in Norwich.

SUZANNE LANG, ’08, a Newtown, Conn., artist, led a workshop on basic drawing techniques for students at the C. H. Booth Library. Lang gives art lessons at her home studio.

PREND QETTA, M.S. ’08, of Connecticut, was recently honored as Waterbury’s Kosovo Mayor of the Day.

The Passing of Southern’s Oldest Alumna Ida Hough Jamison, ’26, perhaps Southern’s oldest alumna, passed away in Milwaukee, Wis., on April 30, 2010, just four days shy of her 105th birthday. In 2006, Mrs. Jamison, then 101 years old, traveled to Southern to celebrate the true spirit of Homecoming with her family. At that time, then Southern President Cheryl J. Norton honored Mrs. Jamison by presenting her with a ceremonial Bachelor of Arts degree at the Distinguished and Outstanding Alumni Awards Luncheon.

As a student at Southern, then New Haven State Normal School, she belonged to numerous clubs, including the Art Club, the Community Dramatic Club, and the Thrift Club. Known among friends as “Idaho,” she was the author of the 1926 class poem, an excerpt of which hints at her long-held devotion to her alma mater: “As utter strangers we first met Within this school of ours, But ’twas not long ’fore friendship buds Turned to lasting flowers.”

After graduation, Jamison taught in Connecticut briefly before moving to Pennsylvania where she married and raised a family. With her children grown, she returned to the classroom as a substitute teacher. Married 67 years to the late Frank Jamison, who died in 1999, Mrs. Jamison moved to Wisconsin after his death to be closer to her family.

Ida Jamison, ’26, visited Founders Gate in 2006 when she returned to campus to celebrate Homecoming and her 80th reunion.

TIM TREDWELL, M.S. ’08, who has served as a coach for seven years, is beginning his first season as the varsity basketball coach at Daniel Hand High School in Madison, Conn.

LAURA BINDER, ’09, of Norwich, Conn., a 10th grade global studies and citizenship

teacher, has been named Norwich Free Academy Teacher of the Year.

SHARON FOSTER, M.L.S. ’09, is the technology librarian for Rye Public Library in Rye, N.H.

STEPHANIE HEIN, M.F.T. ’09, is a marriage and family therapist with offices in Monroe and Prospect, Conn.

SONIA HILL, ’09, is pursuing graduate studies at Bay Path College in Longmeadow, Mass.

MICHAEL PROHASKA, M.L.S. ’09, is the new owner of Pro Body Shop in Brookfield, Conn. Prohaska is certified in personal training through the American College of Sports Medicine and com-

pleted his first Iron Man Triathlon last year.

BART T. RUSSO, ’09, has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, S.C.

Marriages GERRY MARIE ANNINO, ’02, M.S.W. ’05, and Steven Baird, Aug. 22, 2009.

NORMAN BUZAID, ’06, and Crystal Barna, May 23, 2009.

STEPHANIE JOYCE, ’06, and

KATHLEEN MIKOS, ’07, and RENALDO MONACO, ’07, February 2010.

VANESSA PINHEIRO, ’07, and Christopher Lynch, Sept. 20, 2009.

ERIN ROSE COVIELLO, ’09, and Michael Butkovic, Aug. 15, 2009.

KATHERINE DURBIN, ’09, and William Sheridan, July 28, 2009.

’09, and Jeremy Gray, Oct. 10, 2009.

Births/ Adoptions STEPHANIE REISS NEWELL, ’04, M.S. ’07, and husband, Benjamin, announced the birth of their daughter, Sophia Rose, in April 2010.

BRIANNE LYNCH, M.S. ’09, and

Jeremy Han, Oct. 23, 2009.

Michael Forcucci, July 3, 2009.

HEATHER KOZLOWSKI, ’07,

ALEXANDRA MALEBRANCHE,

and Seamus Oatis, Sept. 12, 2009.

JESSICA EVELYN PEDRAZA,

’09, and Auguste Desrouilleres, Dec. 26, 2009.

DORIS A. GROVES, ’43, New

NANCY GIARD O’CONNOR,

Haven, Conn., Jan. 22, 2010.

’58, Falmouth, Mass., March 6, 2010.

JOYCE LAKE HOFFMAN, ’45, Chestnut Hill, Mass.

RUTH WOODRUFF, ’38, July 19, 2009.

April 17, 2010.

SYLVIA (JACOBS) KRAVITZ, ’48, Rockville, Conn., Jan. 11, 2010.

DAVID W. SHEA, ’61, Branford, Conn., 2009.

JOSEPH J. ARNOLD, ’50, M.S. ’61, JOSEPH R. HALLORAN, ’62, Guilford, Conn., March 18, 2010.

Middlebury, Conn., Nov. 11, 2009.

THOMAS “MITCH” KYTE, ’50, Surprise, Ariz., Sept. 5, 2009.

GLORIA B. PANZA, ’50, West

IN MEMORIAM

RAYMOND F. DORAN, ’59,

ESTHER M. DUNPHY O’BRIEN, M.S. ’66, Hamden, Conn., Jan. 18, 2010.

Haven, Conn., Feb. 20, 2010.

AGNES MARY CARROLL LAURIA, ’51, Trumbull, Conn., Feb. 1, 2010.

PASQUALE AMENDOLA, ’55,

JANE JACOBI HOWER, M.S. ’68, Jan. 9, 2010.

JOAN ELIZABETH ERRGONGWEIDER, M.L.S. ’69, Norwalk, Conn., Nov. 16, 2009.

tell us about it

Nov. 21, 2009.

Share your good news with Southern friends and classmates by sending it to Southern Alumni News. Mail this completed form to Southern Alumni News, SCSU Alumni Relations Office, New Haven, CT 06515-1355; fax, (203) 392-5082; or e-mail, alumniinfo@SouthernCT.edu.

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) ______________________________________________

GEORGE S. GLOVER, ’55, Thomaston, Conn., Nov. 28, 2008.

LAURNA F. ROBINSON, M.S. ’69, Jan. 2, 2010.

RUDOLFO RINALDO VERRILLI,

JOAN BARRETT DUBE, ’56,

M.S. ’70, 6th Yr. ’77, East Granby, Conn., Jan. 13, 2010.

Cheshire, Conn., March 3, 2010.

RAYMOND A. KASPAREK, ’58,

FREDERICK E. CONWAY, ’72, East

Bethel, Conn., Feb. 24, 2010.

Chatham, N.Y., June 30, 2009.

Support Southern.

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Planned gifts — also called deferred or estate gifts — can help you meet your long-term financial goals,

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while providing critically needed support for Southern’s

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(203) 392-5598 www.SouthernCT.edu/supportsouthern Southern Connecticut State University 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1355 Summer 2010 | 33

Bringing Comfort continued from page 14 More than 860 patients were admitted during the seven weeks that the ship was based off Haiti. Zoeller notes

SHERLIN A. WONG, M.S. ’73,

NANCY TAVERNIER, M.S. ’89, Groton, Conn., March 29, 2010.

Salem, Conn., Jan. 11, 2010.

WILLIAM J. GRIZE, ’74, Jan. 5, 2010.

HELEN M. HAWKS CONNOR, ’75, North Haven, Conn., Dec. 3, 2009.

PHOEBE GRETCHEN HAMMERSTEIN CUFFE, M.L.S. ’75, Rockland, Maine, Feb. 8, 2010.

SHIRLEY G. GUMPPER, M.S.

ERIN E. LOUGHREY WHITMEYER, ’89, Trumbull, Conn., Feb. 28, 2010.

JOYCE GURIAN ZARKIN, M.L.S. ’90, Burke, Va.

THOMAS J. BAILLARGEON, 6th Yr. ’92, Bristol, Conn., Oct. 30, 2009.

RUTH ELIZABETH CHURCHMAN TURNER, ’93, Wallingford, Conn., Nov. 20, 2009.

’75, Bridgewater, Conn., Feb. 26, 2010.

SHARRYN ANN ACAMPORA,

ANDREW “DREW” ADAM, IV, ’94, Rocky Hill, Conn., Jan. 6, 2010.

’76, Cheshire, Conn., Oct. 9, 2009.

DOROTHY KELSEY GRISH, ’76, M.S. ’87, Prospect, Conn., Nov. 19, 2009.

NICHOLAS W. ROMANIELLA, ’76, 2008.

SHARON K. EVENSEN, ’77, M.S. ’80, 6th Yr. ’95, Woodbury, Conn., March 7, 2010.

CAROLYN WEHRLE MUELLER, ’77, Thomaston,

LORRAINE CAMPOS TRAGAKES, M.S. ’95, Valhalla,

FRANK W. PERAZZELLA SR.,

’81, Danbury, Conn., Jan. 28, 2010.

LESLEY MACKLIN SANTORA, ’81, New Haven, Conn., Oct. 25, 2009.

Conn., Jan. 30, 2010.

DEBORAH HARRIS TURNBULL, M.S. ’01, Mystic, Conn., March 23, 2010.

many, many children,” says Zoeller.

She remembers one boy who came to the ship with septic pneumonia.

He had been sick before the quake, but inhaling the dust from the rubble worsened his condition. He entered the ship extremely malnourished and “very close to death,” Zoeller says. With regular meals and the right medication, he

of her patients. “The food was one of the best medicines they could have received.”

In contrast to the devastation in Haiti, Zoeller describes conditions on

top rack of a three-tiered bunk, which

Dean of the School of Education, July 28, 2010.

she shared with a colleague in 12-hour

IRA M. LEONARD, Southern

shifts, changing sheets in between. The

Professor Emeritus, Hamden, Conn., March 19, 2010.

CARLOS RAMIREZ, Assistant Professor of Biology, Jan. 18, 2010.

SUSAN JENNINGS, wife of the late Southern President Emeritus Manson Van B. Jennings, July 29, 2010.

ICU had all the latest technologies.

Zoeller, who was born and raised in New Haven, Conn., credits her Southern nursing degree with opening doors for her throughout her adult life. “I think it just goes to show that a nursing degree is so versatile,” she says, referring

Class notes are compiled from

STACY SCHMIDT REGOLO, ’87, submissions from alumni, as Los Angeles, Calif., Feb. 7, 2010.

bones, quite a few head injuries, and

board as comfortable. She slept on the

JAMES GRANFIELD, Interim

ELLEN WOODMAN KENNEDY, M.S. ’82, Londonderry, N.H., June 2007.

orthopedic injuries, a lot of fractured

“Nutrition was so key,” she says

PHINA NGOZI (EGBUNA) KWENTOH, ’99, North Haven,

’79, Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 26, 2008.

DOLORES OESTREICHER, M.S.

was often nearly full. “There were a lot of

in the United States.

Conn., Feb. 20, 2010.

M.S. ’78, Waterbury, Conn., Feb. 23, 2010.

LINDA GANTER HOLZ, M.S.

Unit (ICU), which had an 80-bed capacity,

improved enough to be flown to family

N.Y., Feb. 3, 2010.

LEVON MACETTE JONES WHITE, ’98, New Haven,

Conn., Feb. 9, 2010.

that during her stay the Intensive Care

well as announcements made in newspapers and magazines.

to the opportunity to volunteer in Haiti.

“I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

— By Natalie Missakian

Campus Aid • continued from page 15 will run until Sept. 15, shows images of

to extend the initiative. In the meantime, their

devastation and famine, as well as the relief

efforts continue.

efforts in the wake of the earthquake.

Washington says he hopes the exhibit will keep the issue in the forefront of students’ minds.

Next January, a year after the quake, the Southern community will re-evaluate the need 34 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

“I had no idea if it would take off or not,” Washington says. “That was the success; that everyone got involved. The point of the effort is that they’re doing something.”

— By Sarah Houseknecht, ’10

Helping Haiti continued from page 15

having children, she envisioned earning a degree in Irish literature. But her interest in social work was piqued when she worked as a juvenile probation officer. She was intrigued by a psychiatric clinic inside the juvenile court where she saw “good work was appreciated.”

That’s when she applied to Southern. Malone said the program gave her a wonderful foundation. “I found the social work program brought together a grassroots focus on the poor, repressed, and those suffering from injustice — together with a psychoanalytic focus on child development,” she says.

She gained invaluable experience during a second-year internship at a juvenile justice clinic where she had the opportunity to help children from traumatic family backgrounds where guns, violence, drugs, and HIV and AIDS came into play.

She saw resilience at the clinic — a trait shared by the Haitian people.

Malone describes the Haitians as a strong people, their spirit “passionately alive.”

There’s a saying, she says, that Haitians are born singing, live and work singing, and die singing.

After the earthquake, Haiti Marycare was able to fund the rebuilding of a school, and repair another school they had built that was damaged by the quake.

The organization also repaired a handoperated well they had installed that provided 1,000 buckets of water a day for some 250 kids and their parents when there was no electricity.

In addition, Malone and the team brought information on coping with trauma, guides for parents and teachers, and children’s activities.

“It’s only by helping others that you help yourself,” she says. n For more information on Haiti Marycare, visit haitimarycare.org.

Opened Doors to Learning continued from page 5 When he gained his first university presidency at Coppin State University in Baltimore, Battle inherited the most poorly funded institution in the state. During his four-year tenure, he increased operating support by more than 50 percent and boosted capital support from the state by $300 million. But even more notably, he also took steps to provide an educational lifeline for children and youth in the neighborhoods surrounding the university.

Battle worked with the neighboring community and the state legis-

President Battle speaks to middle school students at a recent Dream Camp in Hartford, Conn.

The program aims to transform the lives of low-income, urban youth.

ative ways to get middle- and lower-

“The arts are a beautiful bridge

income children excited about college

to build on when you are developing

at a young age,” Kober says.

a campus,” Battle says.

At Coppin, Battle also made

The sciences are another. As

lature to develop an urban education-

good use of the love of music that he

chancellor of North Carolina

al corridor that included revitalizing

developed going to church on Sundays

Agricultural and Technical State

previously failing elementary and mid-

with his parents and siblings in

University, in Greensboro, N.C., Battle

dle schools and creating a high school

Springfield. Battle is a lyric baritone in

secured a prestigious Engineering

for 125 students on the university

the upper range who studied in

Research Center (ERC) grant from the

campus — the Coppin Academy. In

Amherst, Mass., with two faculty mem-

National Science Foundation. The

May 2009, the academy graduated its

bers from Julliard. He later performed

award of $18 million for the initial five

first class of 73 students, almost all of

as a featured soloist with the accom-

years, with a potential duration of a

whom moved on to college.

plished baritone-bass singer William

decade, was a first for an Historically

Warfield and also as a member of the

Black College or University (HBCU).

high-energy man who’s committed to

internationally known Heritage

The center conducts research in the

Battle is a compassionate, supporting children and young people

Chorale. A devotee of classical music —

areas of biomedical engineering and

who haven’t had access to education-

especially the inspiring Beethoven’s

nano-bio applications in partnership

al opportunities — and then holding

9th Symphony — he sang in partner-

with the Universities of Cincinnati and

them accountable for their continued

ship with his twin brother Stewart, the

Pittsburgh and also has global techni-

progress, said Frank Kober, a now-

Coppin State Gospel Choir, and The

cal partners in Germany and India.

Reflecting on similar innovative

retired education professor at Coppin

Heritage Signature Chorale of

State. Kober worked with Battle on

Washington, D.C., as part of a

partnerships that have been estab-

obtaining grants to fund Coppin’s

Presidential Concert Series, raising

lished at Southern — for example, the

educational corridor, including

funds for scholarships. Later, Battle

NSF-funded Materials Research

$600,000 from the Bill and Melinda

joined cast members of Disney’s tour-

Science and Engineering Center, a

Gates Foundation.

ing cast of “The Lion King” during two

partnership between Southern, Yale,

special gospel productions that raised

and the Brookhaven National

expect a CEO to do,” Kober says. For

more than $20,000 for scholarship

Laboratory — Battle says he sees rich

example: Battle organized a “Reading

support and other causes, including

potential to establish new educational

Explosion” weekend sleepover at

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, an

collaborations with schools and

Coppin for more than 100 elementary

organization formed by Actor’s Equity

organizations in Greater New Haven.

school children, obtaining donations

Association, the stage actors’ union.

“He did stuff that you wouldn’t

of books and sleeping bags, and stay-

In all, “The Singing President,”

“This is an institution that realizes the importance of academic

ing to work at the event for 36 hours

as he became known at Coppin,

excellence and one that fully under-

straight while honors students tutored

helped raise more than $50,000 for

stands the tremendous power of edu-

the children. “He works to find cre-

the school’s scholarship programs.

cation to transform lives,” he says. n Summer 2010 | 35

Norman Brown’s Summer Storm

Incognito featuring Maysa

Featuring Norman Brown, Brenda Russell, Jessy J, and Gail Jhonson

Oct. 22

Sept. 25 8 p.m.

Gifted solo artists come together for a brilliant evening of jazz. $28 for active alumni and Southern faculty/staff; $27 for series*; $32 for general admission; $15 for Southern students. *Special series prices available for four jazz shows. (203) 392-6154

Bye Bye Birdie

Oct. 8-9, 14-15 8 p.m.; Oct. 10, 17 3 p.m.; Oct. 16 2 p.m. *The SCSU Alumni Association will host an opening night reception on Oct. 8.

Southern students star in this classic musical about a rock-and-roll singer who is drafted into the Army. Directed and choreographed by Larry Nye. $10 for general admission; $5 for senior citizens and Southern faculty, staff, and students. (203) 392-6154

Distinguished and Outstanding Alumni Awards

Oct. 15 12 p.m.-2 p.m.

Michael J. Adanti Student Center Grand Ballroom Celebrate Southern’s most accomplished alumni.

8 p.m.

Driving rhythms, high-impact horns, and expressive vocals come together for a phenomenal night of jazz. $28 for active alumni and Southern faculty/staff; $27 for series*; $32 for general admission; $15 for Southern students. *Special series prices available for four jazz shows. (203) 392-6154

The Nobodies of Comedy

Oct. 26 8 p.m.

A hilarious show from the best comedians you’ve never heard of — tomorrow’s stars of comedy.

Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood Improvisation at its best. Audience members direct the hilarity from the stars of Whose Line Is It Anyway! $25 for active alumni and Southern faculty/staff; $35 for general admission; $15 for Southern students.

(203) 392-6154

Oct. 29 8 p.m.

America’s ghost hunter tells stories of encounters with the supernatural. $8 for active alumni and Southern faculty, staff, and students; $10 for general admission. (203) 392-6154

Novemberfest After Hours

Nov. 5 5:30 p.m.

Alumni will enjoy great food while tasting the microbrews crafted by Rob Leonard, ’91, during a fun-filled evening held at the Southern graduate’s brewery.

For more information, call (203) 392-6500

$15 for active alumni and Southern faculty, staff, and students; $20 for general admission; $10 for Southern students. (203) 392-6154

Lorraine Warren

Homecoming 2010

A fun-filled event for the entire family, featuring the Bob Corda 5K Road Race, Alumni Tent party with refreshments, the Homecoming football game against Bentley College at 1 p.m., and much more.

Creator of the PostSecret Project, a collaborative art project where people anonymously mail in their secrets on the side of artistically designed postcards.

$10 for general admission; Free to Southern students, faculty, and staff. (203) 392-6154

New England Brewing Woodbridge, Conn.

On Campus

Nov. 5 7 p.m.

Nov. 6 8 p.m.

For more information, call (203) 392-6500

Oct. 16

Post Secret Live! with Frank Warren

EVENTS

Southern

$10 per person. (203) 392-6500

• Jazz Series • See all four great shows for only $108 — a $20 savings.

at Lyman Center

Norman Brown’s Summer Storm (Sept. 25), Incognito (Oct. 22), Jonathan Bulter (Nov. 20), and A Peter White Christmas (Dec. 3).

(203) 392-6154

All events held in John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts, unless otherwise noted. Southern students must have valid identification to receive their ticket discounts.

Discounted tickets are limited to two per person, subject to verification. For tickets and additional information and listings, visit Southern’s Web site at www.lyman.SouthernCT.edu 36 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

The potential, the hopes, and the dreams of this generation of students are as real, as significant, as those that came before.

But their needs are greater. We face a difficult but not impossible challenge in filling these needs.

They can be met with the continued and increased generosity of each member of our alumni community and friends.

Please make a gift to our students today by returning the envelope provided or by visiting us online at www.giving.SouthernCT.edu

The Life of Reilly

P

roudly sporting her blue and white Southern uniform, cheerleader Brianna Reilly graced the

cover of the April issue of American Cheerleader magazine, which highlighted her achievements to more than 1 million readers. The publication also placed the spotlight on Southern, noting the Owls first-place win at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) 2009 Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship. Southern competes in the Division II all-girl category.

Reilly, who was named Cheerleader of the Month by the magazine, was selected on the basis of her cheering and scholastic achievements, community service, and extracurricular activities. “She immediately caught our eye, standing out above the rest of the competitors we saw,” says Brittany Geragotelis, the magazine’s senior editor, who first met Reilly at the championship.

Reilly, a senior communication major, serves as the Owls’ “flyer,” the team member who is lifted or thrown into the air during stunts. “She has a presence in the air,” says head cheerleading coach Trish Lenda, ’97. “You naturally tend to look at her. Her smile, her visual presence brings you directly to her.”

Since 2001, Southern has placed in the top four at the UCA championship — and was previously lauded by American Cheerleading magazine as having one of the top 10 all-girl programs in the country.

— By Joe Musante, ’86