Southern Alumni Magazine Spring 2014

a publication for alumni and friends of Southern Connecticut State University

ALUMNI MAGAZINE | Spring | 14

FEATURED INSIDE:

2013 CHARITABLE GIVING REPORT

LET TER

FROM THE

President

Dear Southern Alumni, Higher education has recently faced intense scrutiny on the issue of costs versus benefits. Does the degree a student earns really give a return on investment when it comes to finding a first job and establishing a career? Does a college education really prepare us for real life? These are issues for colleges and universities to seriously consider as we revisit and update our curricula and our teaching methods.

Certainly, there has never been a more crucial time for public higher education to stand up and deliver on its promises. By the year 2020 — just a few short years from now — 67 percent of all jobs in Connecticut will require a career certificate or college degree. Yet just 46 percent of adults currently have an associate’s degree or higher. And while statewide access to higher education has improved dramatically, retention rates are dropping year by year. For too many students, the path through college ends with no degree — and significant debt.

At Southern, we realize that it is crucial to adapt our delivery of education to the technical realities and opportunities of our time. We must provide our students with a balance of workforce development and liberal education, ensuring that they will have the practical and intellectual tool kit needed to forge a successful career in our new, knowledgebased economy.

Just 13 years along, the economy of the 21st century is already drastically different from that of its predecessor. As the chief executive officer of Intel Corp. stated recently, 90 percent of the products his company delivers on the final day of a calendar year did not even exist when that year began. To meet this pace of development, the workforce we need to foster must be creative, innovative, entrepreneurial, and able to learn and imagine. The education we offer must develop those versatile qualities in our students.

At Southern, we are pursuing this course with new offerings in in-demand fields, more fast-track programs that

meet the practical needs of non-traditional learners, and facilities that will provide the best possible environment for learning and research. Recently, for example, we have introduced a new, accelerated MBA that will enable students to earn their degree in 18 months through a combination of Saturday and online courses. A B.S./B.A. in interdisciplinary studies offers students an alternative to a traditional major, enabling them to design their own program of study in combined areas of concentration such as criminal justice and forensic science, or environmental studies and marine studies.

And our M.S. in computer science has been restructured so that its emphasis is on two tracks — cybersecurity and software development — that represent two of the fastestgrowing fields in the country.

An array of cutting-edge science programs will be offered in our new Academic and Laboratory Science Building scheduled for completion in spring 2015. And, to provide convenience for working students and give the university a presence in New Haven’s downtown business district, we have opened “Southern on the Green,” a suite of offices and seminar rooms at 900 Chapel Street, adjacent to the headquarters of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce.

With 85 percent of our annual graduating class remaining in Connecticut to live and work, an investment in public higher education is clearly an investment in our state’s future. Or, as one of our Founding Fathers Benjamin Franklin wisely stated: “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”

Sincerely,

Mary A. Papazian, Ph.D. President

Southern

ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Spring | 14 features

20

Licensed to Thrill What’s in a name?

When it comes to the licensing industry, there’s a wealth of opportunity. Licensing guru, Sara Nemerov, ’98, shares the ins and outs of working with some of the music industry’s most celebrated names.

We are the Champions!

14

It was a spectacular season for the Owls, who won two Division II individual national championships: swimmer Raymond Cswerko took first in the 200-yard butterfly and track and field’s Nick Lebron won the heptathlon for the second time.

The men’s basketball team also prevailed, finishing the season with an East Region victory and an Elite Eight appearance.

Beautiful Música

18

With a song in their hearts, the University Choir traveled to Spain to perform in some of Europe’s most beautiful churches.

Rich Cavanaugh, the longestserving and “winningest” head football coach in Southern’s history, says goodbye to the university he called home for almost three decades.

2013 Charitable Giving Report

37

The Power of Education The Power of Education 2013 Charitable Giving

departments

10

From the President

Report

inside cover

Campus News True Blue Nostalgia

2

8

24

Alumni News

26

30 Southern Events 36

Alumni Notes

Campus

NEWS

!

n tio

a

r leb

e

C n io

t

a du

a Gr



Southern Hits the City The university is

establishing a presence in New Haven’s vibrant downtown business district at 900 Chapel Street, the headquarters of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce.

The university began using the space in early 2014 after the SCSU Foundation entered into an initial 12month lease.

“Having a presence downtown will provide us with greater visibility and enable us to maximize networking, development, and partnership opportunities with the city’s players in politics, commerce, education, and the nonprofit sector,” says President Mary A. Papazian.

The downtown location offers many potential [CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT] A new graduate revels in his achievement. President Mary A. Papazian (right) shares a warm moment at the ceremony. A group of graduating veterans meet with Giacomo (Jack) Mordente, M.S. ’77, 6th Yr. ’79, Southern’s coordinator of Veterans and Military Affairs (fifth from left), before the ceremony.

benefits to Southern and its students, including the opportunity to expand col-

T

laboration with nearby

he fall semester ended on a high note with Southern holding winter commencement ceremonies

for undergraduate and graduate students. More than 350 students who had completed their

degree requirements this fall received their diplomas at two separate exercises held at the John

Lyman Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 18. Undergraduates were honored in the afternoon, while graduate students were recognized that evening.

Then outgoing New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr. delivered the undergraduate commencement address, encouraging students to reach for the stars and to acknowledge those who helped them along the way.

Southern President Mary A. Papazian also provided encouraging words to the graduates.

“I have been highly impressed by the quality of our students and the self-sacrifice, determination, and sheer hard work that you have put in to achieve your goals,” she said. “And today, for you, our fall graduates, all that effort comes to a happy fruition.”

2 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

 Southern to Offer

New Accelerated MBA The School of Business is launching an accelerated MBA program in fall 2014, a

Southern

| ALUMNI MAGAZINE | VOL 12 • NO 1

fast-track option that will allow working professionals to complete their degree in just 18 months. Designed to combine quality, convenience, and affordability, the 51-credit hybrid program includes a combination of Saturday and online courses.

The program consists of nine sessions, each lasting eight weeks. Students will complete two courses during each of the first eight sessions. The final session will be devoted to the completion of special projects. More information is available at SouthernCT.edu/mba or call Celina Alles-Gonzalez

Dr. Mary A. Papazian, President STAFF Patrick Dilger, Director of Public Affairs Villia Struyk, Editor Mary Pat Caputo, Associate Editor Michael Kobylanski, Sports Editor Marylou Conley, ’83, Art Director Isabel Chenoweth, Photographer Nancy Ronne, Development Editor Charlie Davison, Alumni Notes Editor OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS 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 website: SouthernCT.edu Printed by The Lane Press, Inc.

at (203) 392-5633.

Gateway Community College and to enhance recruitment efforts for transfer students. The venue also provides an opportunity to offer off-campus classes in programs such as the new accelerated MBA and health and human services.

Additionally, the downtown location will be convenient for students to network for internship and job placements.



State-of-the-art equipment significantly enhances research opportunities.

SMALL WONDER:

newly designated

members from the 16

Nanotech Center a Boon to the State

ConnSCU Center for

other institutions in the

More Connecticut

Nanotechnology that will

Connecticut State Colleges

be based at Southern.

and Universities system to

The designation,

pursue collaborative

college students will have

made by the state Board of

research and partner with

the opportunity to conduct

Regents for Higher

representatives from busi-

cutting-edge scientific

Education, opens the door

ness and industry.

research thanks to the

for students and faculty

continues on page 4

Southern Alumni Magazine is published by the university in cooperation with the SCSU Alumni Association two 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 the SCSU Alumni Association. Although the editors have made every reasonable effort to be factually accurate, no responsibility is assumed for errors.

Postage paid at Burlington, Vt. Southern Connecticut State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or criminal record. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Pamela M. Lassiter, J.D., SCSU, 501 Crescent Street, BU 207, New Haven, CT 06515, (203) 392-5899, Pamela.Lassiter@SouthernCT.edu.

Spring 2014 | 3

Campus

NEWS continued from page 3 The center has been

Department and the direc-

cations are areas of interest

gram will be funded

tor of the center.

as well.

through a gift from the

operating for several years

The National

Werth Family Foundation,

Looking forward, a

as a Southern-based facility,

Science Foundation esti-

fellowship program affiliat-

which recently contributed

offering hands-on training

mates that two million

ed with the new center will

$3 million to advance

in a field that draws upon

workers will be needed to

award annual stipends to

Southern’s science pro-

several scientific disciplines,

support nanotechnology

several students who par-

grams. The center itself is

including chemistry, biolo-

industries worldwide with-

ticipate in nanotech

being funded through a

gy, physics, and engineer-

in the next 15 years. The

research. The students will

variety of sources, includ-

ing. Students work with

new center will support

also learn the business

ing grants from the U.S.

specialized equipment,

research in cutting-edge

side of science, such as

Department of Energy

including a state-of-the-art

areas. These include the

marketing products.

and the National Science

microscope that uses elec-

nano-medicine field, with

trons to image materials on

faculty collaborating on

the atomic scale.

topics such as how drugs

“It’s a very exciting

are delivered to the body,

time for us, especially as

and research and develop-

The fellowship pro-



Foundation.

Applause! Applause!

Congratulations to several members of the

Southern community who were recently recognized for outstanding achievement.

Nanotechnology is science, engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale, generally about 1 to 100 nanometers.

Just how tiny is a “nano?” The prefix “nano” is translated as one-billionth or 10(-9). Simply put, one nanometer is one-billionth of a meter . . . so small that it’s extremely difficult to imagine. To help illustrate, here are a few examples, courtesy of the National Nanotechnology Initiative, a multi-departmental program run by the U.S. government.

There are 25,400,000 A strand of human DNA has a diameter nanometers in a of 2.5 nanometers. single inch.

we await the opening of a

ment for new medical

new science building [pro-

devices and implants.

jected to be completed in 2015], which will enable

Sandra Bulmer, professor of public health

Ellen Durnin, dean of the School of Business

1

3/4

25 /3 13 2 /16 27 /3 2 7 29 /8 /3 15 2 /16 31/ 32

1/

17/3 2 2 9/ 16 19 /3 2 5 21/ /8 32 11/ 16 23 /3 2

1/4

9/3 2 5/ 16 11/3 2 3 13 /8 /3 2 7/ 16 15 /3 2

0

3/3

1/3 2 1/16

A sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick.

2 1/8 5/3 2 3/ 16 7/3 2

one inch The center will also focus on environmental

Sandra Bulmer, pro-

Ellen Durnin, dean

fessor of public health, was

of the School of Business,

elected to serve a three-

was honored as the

year term as president of

Business Advocate of the

the Society for Public

Year by the Hamden

Health Education. Founded

Chamber of Commerce.

in 1950, the nonprofit

Durnin was also appointed

organization provides glob-

to the legislative Results

us to do more things with

applications of nanotech-

al leadership for the pro-

First Policy Oversight

a state-of-the-art facility

nology, such as testing

fession and is dedicated to

Committee as a represen-

and equipment,” says

devices that can sense

the promotion of the

tative of Connecticut’s

Christine Broadbridge,

microscopic pollutant parti-

health of society.

business community.

chairwoman of the Physics

cles. Manufacturing appli-

4 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

faculty faces

Professor of Art Mia Brownell

Still Life with Lost Pollinators, 2014. Oil on canvas, 24x30 inches.

Courtesy of J. Cacciola Gallery, New York

at Southern: Teaches all levels of painting and drawing a bit of background: Born in Chicago to a sculptor and biophysicist, Brownell has had solo exhibitions in numerous major American cities, including recent concurring shows in New York City and New Jersey.

Her work has been reviewed and published in many publications, including The Boston Globe, The Village Voice, The New York Times, Hi-Fructose, and Artnet Magazine. Her work was recently selected by the U.S. Department of State to be exhibited at the U.S. Embassy in Hong Kong. The J. Cacciola Gallery represents her in New York City.

some inspirations: Molecular models, a historical view of still-life painting, images retrieved from the Protein Data Bank files, and the industrialization of agriculture and food

see her work: “Delightful, Delicious, Disgusting: Paintings

by Mia Brownell,” a 10-year survey of paintings from 2003-2013, was launched in January and will run through November 2014. The exhibit will be at the Juniata College Museum of Art (April 10 – Sept. 13, Huntingdon, Pa.), and the Housatonic Museum of Art (Sept. 25 – Nov. 17, Bridgeport, Conn.) Her work may also be viewed at miabrownell.com.

Spring 2014 | 5

Campus

NEWS 

A Patented Approach to Fighting Cancer Commonly found

throughout the eastern half of the U.S., the shade-loving Christmas fern may provide a key to combating an aggressive form of brain cancer, according to Sarah

[FROM LEFT] Sarah Crawford, professor of biology, and Southern student Paulina Mrowiec continue to test the effectiveness of an anti-cancer extract that has shown promise in pre-clinical testing.

Crawford, a professor of biology at Southern who has an extensive background in cancer research.

An extract made from the fern has demonstrated anti-cancer properties in pre-clinical testing



Fast Facts. Good News.

T

he renovation of the original section of Buley Library soon will be fully completed, with the state legislative Financial Advisory Committee endorsing the university’s request to use reserves

conducted by Crawford

and other monies to cover the $8 million cost of finishing the

and her students. In fact,

second, third, and fourth floors. The renovation is slated to be

the results were impressive

finished by January 2015. When added to the 135,000-square-

enough to spur the U.S.

foot addition completed in 2008, the entire library will total

Patent Office to award a

245,000

patent to Crawford, as well as Erin Boisvert, ’08, who,

I

t’s a global classroom. Southern’s Office of International

as a Southern student,

extract was The common Christmas fern is a key component of the cancerfighting extract.

S

outhern offers numerous faculty-led spring break and summer opportunities. New programs in Jamaica, Brazil, Armenia, and a reenvisioned offering in China have joined seven existing programs

tested as part of

in Bermuda, Guatemala, Iceland, Paris, Rome, Spain, and Tuscany.

a three-component

S

cocktail consisting of carmustine, a powerful

in, the active ingredient in the spice turmeric that has

S

87,000 94,000

outhern has more than

alumni,

who hold more than

degrees.

chemotherapy drug used to treat brain cancer; curcum-

outhern’s Celebration of Philanthropy was held on Nov. 10, recognizing leadership-level supporters of the university and the many students who benefit from their generosity. About

anti-inflammatory qualities;

220

and polystichum acrosti-

community attended the event.

choides, the scientific name for the Christmas fern.

6 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

increase in participation

expected to study abroad in 2014.

with the The

25%

Education has seen a

in study abroad programs, with even more students

worked professor.

square feet.

donors, students, and other members of the Southern

Good Deeds The SCSU Foundation is committed to helping Southern create a climate of excellence by overseeing the management of gifts from private sources. Recently, the foundation funded a number of new initiatives, all designed to help Southern’s talented students succeed.

*

Lending a helping hand in times of need, the Foundation Student Support Fund was recently established to provide students with financial assistance outside of the traditional financial aid process. The fund may be used for a variety of purposes. Examples include assisting with the cost of tuition and fees for students who otherwise would be unable to remain at the university, covering the cost of books for students in need, and paying fees and other costs of off-campus educational programs during summer and other breaks.



On the Web Pay a virtual visit to the university at SouthernCT.edu. 









*

The College Board estimates that the average college student annually spends $1,168 on textbooks and materials — a significant burden for those faced with financial hardship. Conceived in 1996

Read Southern President Mary A. Papazian’s blog, with spotlights on the latest campus news and accomplishments at president.SouthernCT.edu.

by Aaron Washington, associate dean of student affairs, the SCSU Book Loan Scholarship Program annually awards about 40 students with demonstrated financial need approximately $500

Browse through past issues of Southern Alumni Magazine and read alumni news at SouthernCT.edu/alumni.

each for course books. Students are issued a voucher to purchase textbooks at the campus bookstore and sign a written promise to return the books at the end of the semester. The returned books

Listen as the university choir performs in Spain — and view photos and videos from the trip at SCSUbarcelona.tumblr.com.

are then donated to the university’s Multicultural Center library to be loaned out to students in need. When the program recently lost

Check out a list of upcoming performances at the Lyman Center for the Performing Arts at Lyman.SouthernCT.edu.

Read “Wise Words,” a blog that offers tips and insights on topics of general interest with expertise provided by Southern’s faculty and staff. Find it at scsuwisewords.wordpress.com.

its state funding, the SCSU Foundation stepped in, providing financial support for the much-needed program to continue.

*

Supporting experiential learning at its best, the SCSU Foundation is funding a new initiative — Undergraduate Research Grants for summer 2014. The program will provide up to five grants of $3,000 each to undergraduates who are completing research in any academic discipline represented at Southern. A

Tests showed that the cocktail was effective in killing nearly half of

faculty mentor will guide each participating student. Students may

“I won’t rest until we can kill 100 percent

accept the full $3,000 as a stipend, or if needed, a portion of the

of the cancer cells, but

money may be used for expenses related to the project.

the cancer cells tested

it’s a good start” says

— far more potent

Crawford, adding that

than use of any of the

she plans to experiment

three substances alone.

by varying the levels of

The tests were conducted

each substance to see if

on glioblastoma multi-

it increases the extract’s

forme, considered to be

anti-cancer properties.

the most deadly form of

She also says she may

brain cancer with a fatali-

test other chemotherapy

ty rate of more than 90

drugs with the Christmas

percent within five years.

fern and curcumin.

*

The SCSU Foundation is also funding the Civic Engagement/ Service Learning Initiative, a program that provides educational benefits while supporting outreach efforts. The initiative will aid faculty in the development of service learning methods, which have been earmarked by the Association of American Colleges and Universities as one of a number of “high-impact practices” — those research has shown to have an impact on student learning and progress toward graduation. The goal is to incorporate community work into the curriculum so that students gain real-world experiences that enhance their education while providing benefits to the community.

Spring 2014 | 7

 

From the pool to the playing field, a look at Southern athletics.

MLS Coach Triumphs

record. The Red Bulls stacked up an MLS-best 59 points

It was a year of notable firsts for former Owl soccer

and a 17-9-8 win-loss-tie record. By winning the Shield,

standout, Mike Petke, who was named head coach of the

the team not only captured the Eastern Conference

New York Red Bulls on Jan. 24, 2013. He continued the

regular-season title for the third time (2000, 2010, 2013),

year on a high note on Oct. 27, leading the Red Bulls to

but also earned a berth in the 2014-15 Confederation of

its first Major League Soccer (MLS) Supporters’ Shield,

North, Central American, and Caribbean Association

presented to the team with the best regular-season

Football Champions League.

Petke’s coaching triumph builds on his demonstrated success as a player. Before launching his professional career, he spent four years at Southern, earning All-American status and helping the Owls capture the NCAA Division II national title in 1995. The eighth overall pick in the MLS draft, he began his career with New York, and went on to play with D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids. The Red Bulls signed Petke again at the end of 2008, and he played 35 more matches for the team before retiring in 2010 and joining the team as an assistant coach. While playing for the Red Bulls, Petke set numerous club records, including games played (169 regular season,



Raising the Major League Soccer Supporters’ Shield above the crowd, head coach Mike Petke and fans celebrate the Red Bulls’ success.

 For the latest information on Southern athletics, follow the Owls on social media. 



The Web: Web SouthernCTOwls.com (links to YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook) YouTube: youtube.com/ user/southernctowls



Twitter: twitter.com/ SCSU_Owls



Facebook: Sign in to Facebook and “Like” Southern Connecticut State University Athletics.

(Or use the link at the top of the SouthernCTOwls.com homepage.)



Instagram: instagram.com/ southernctowls

8 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE



Swimming Champions!

196 in all competitions), games started (158 regular season), and minutes played (14,060 regular season).



Minding the Net

The men’s swimming and diving team won the 2014 Northeast-10 (NE-10) Championship in February — marking the Owls’ 10th title in 11 years. Southern’s Raymond Cswerko was named the 2014 NE-10 Championship Men’s Swimmer of the Meet. The junior set three NE-10 individual records over the four-day event — and would go on to win the

Goalkeeper Stephen Sasso stops the ball in its tracks.

It was a stellar season for Owl goalkeeper Stephen

NCAA Division II national

Sasso, who was among the top Division II soccer players in the

championship in the 200-yard

nation in several key categories. The junior, who hails from

butterfly. (More on page 14.)

Orange, Conn., had a .898 save percentage — ranking second

The women’s team excelled as well, taking second at the NE-10 Championship, the

among all Div. II players. He also ranked ninth with a .589 goals against average.

Sasso, who went 10-3-1 (win-loss-tie), had nine

team’s 11th consecutive top-two

shutouts last fall and allowed only nine goals in 15 starts.

finish at the event.

SCSU finished the season with a 10-5-1 record.



Well-Rounded Students Champions in the class-

room and on the playing field, Southern’s student-athletes earned a combined grade point average (GPA) of 3.04 for the fall 2013 semester, the best in school history. An impressive 25 percent of Southern’s student-athletes received a semester GPA of 3.5 or



higher for the fall 2013 semester— and five student-athletes scored a perfect 4.0. Congratulations to the women’s cross country team, which posted a 3.6 team GPA to lead all programs. The men’s swimming and diving team’s 3.03 was highest among the men’s squads in the fall.



Returning Champions It was Southern history in the making. In 1973, the men’s gymnastics team cata-

pulted to victory — winning the NCAA Division II championship. The win marked Southern’s first national team title as well as the first NCAA team title won in any sport by any school in the Connecticut State University System.

Southern celebrated the 40th anniversary of that record-setting season by recognizing members of the 1973 men’s gymnastics team during Homecoming 2013. Many squad members and Abraham “Abie” Grossfeld, former coach and professor emeritus of intercollegiate athletics, returned to campus to be honored at halftime during the Homecoming football game.

Celebrated NFL Coach Retires After 39 years in coaching — including the last

10 as a member of the New York Giants’ coaching staff — Kevin Gilbride, ’74, announced his retirement in January.

Brought in by the Giants as the quarterbacks coach in 2004, he was named offensive coordinator in 2006 — and went on to help the team capture Super Bowl victories in 2008 and 2012.

A 24-year coaching veteran of the National Football League, Gilbride also served as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach with the Houston Oilers (1989-94), offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars (1995-96), head coach of the San Diego Chargers (1997-98), offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers (1999-2000), and offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills (2002-03).

At Southern, Gilbride was a quarterback and tight

Hall of Fame in 1997 and graciously returned to campus

end for the Owls, and went on to serve as head coach for

several times — with the Vince Lombardi Trophy in tow —

the Owls from 1980-84. He was inducted into Southern’s

to regale fans with tales of the Giants’ Super Bowl victories.

F O R M O R E S P O R TS H I G H L I G H TS , turn to the “Owl News” newsletter, now available exclusively online.

Subscribe to the free newsletter by providing your e-mail address on the subscription form found at SouthernCTowls.com; click on the “Owl Club” heading.

Join the team behind the team!

The Owl Club recognizes donors who support Southern’s Athletics program with a gift of $50 or more.

To make a gift, go to SouthernCT.edu/giving.

Spring 2014 | 9

l l i r to Th me? a n a n i ’s t Wha

to the s e m o c t i When try, there’s s u d n i g n i licens ortunity. p p o f o h t l a wea guru, Licensing erov, ’98, Sara Nem ins and shares the rking outs of wo of with some the music industry’s most celebrated names.

10 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

, e d i s a s e r n band ge erican rock iconic Am

ns e nt and legio alifa, and th h le K ta y iz r a W r in e on, rapp , extraord all ody Simps , of course e C v b a h ro y h e has helped tt h r o T a h . e n h w o , n 8 e m e ’9 , m tw Nemerov a lot in co sing. tise of Sara Dead, have r l e p fu x e te rough licen a s r s th e G s d in s n the u a r b b e ere’s th ed the uild their and then th merov join orations, b e p N r , o 9 c 0 d 0 2 n a of fans — icensor in d of ther artists a Top 100 L sident/hea a host of o s re a d p e n e a in , ic z e v a r g re th se! ma ed senio d by Licen d was nam n 2013. a r a e y Recognize e September at sam in y th n ) a G p M m o W Sinatra ec sic Group ( ra-topped sing for th u o n d M e fe c r li e a n d r to n a e a r W ork cts and b l Dead win emerov’s w mer produ m Gratefu N u o . s fr n ld r g o o c in l w g a e n b glo r — ra ghout th n singer, of her labo sites throu b e w d e Australia n a th The fruits s h e it lv e w h p s u ire’s . Teaming nd on store g example can be fou art, and Cla in ll m — K te , ie a s b s U r e a ” B Toys “R on provid e lines with ody Simps is C d f o n ased. a lf h a rc h e e on b jor m m was rele a u m lb r a t fo rs ls fi a Trump ’s rokered de re Simpson ing for The s fo n e e b c li d l e a h Nemerov b b c Office ent of glo hich laun the Trump vice presid — all of w f s s o a ie h w r c o v n s s u ro e e la c ac Nem ecialty ding the ing WMG, jects, inclu pot, and sp e ro D p e s u m Prior to join o ro e H Macy’s, ersaw num gram with ere, she ov ro h p T e . m n o o ti H 007. a Organiz the Trump Award in 2 d n n io a s: s s n le te p x E ta ing agencie rand s with S B n e t e s n c e li li B t d c ’s n u e a d pro ading br bia e! magazin h several le son, Colum ing Licens it id iv w v e a c d e re -D k y r o le — stores any, Har merov w otor Comp r career, Ne e M h rd epsiCo, in o r F e r li r fo Ea rams for P g nsing e ro c p li g g n in li h d ational n nc f the Intern Group (ha Group (lau o lk ia r rs ta o s to L n c a r e e ir te B The ard of D The Joes v’s n. Nemero d to the Bo thers) and o o te ti c d a le n iz e a n s r, a a a rg w e Sportsw July, she g trade o g Best A), a leadin d more.) In n a IM r, (L le n s n, includin y o o r ti ti h ia C ia c r c o o le s s s s A im a Da ing, om the andisers’ ead. Follow e awards fr D stry Merch re l u d th fu r In te fo a g r d in G s inate Licen for the and cently nom of the Year g industry m a in r s g n e ro c work was re P li y e on th .

Celebrit t Southern she reflects her time a

Spring 2014 | 11

You majored in communication at Southern. What inspired this interest?

SARA NEMEROV: I started as a computer sci-

ence major, which later changed to my minor. When I started at SCSU, I think computers had just been invented (kidding). But, I do recall it was the beginning of the World Wide Web. I wanted to be a programmer of websites. I started down that path, but as I developed an interest in business — in particular, how people negotiate and communicate — I took more corporate communication classes, and it became my major.

Cody and Simpson Us Toys “R” on for ti ra o b a coll parel, toys, ap es, and ri o access cor d room é

How did you become involved in the licensing industry?

NEMEROV: While getting my graduate degree from NYU, I worked at Jones Apparel Group on

Grateful ar Dead ge er from Riv Road

the Ralph Lauren brand. I found it incredibly fascinating that products I bought every day were licensed and not necessarily made by the company whose brand is on the goods. I had always imagined that the Ralph Lauren team made eyewear and were mixing fragrance liquid, just as they would be creating the designer collections for apparel. I learned that wasn’t the case and wanted to be a part of this expanding business. I spent valuable time at The Beanstalk Group and The Joester Loria Group working with some fabulous clients and learning from some real experts in the field. I then joined The Trump Organization to help grow Mr. Trump’s already powerful brand. I then had the opportunity to come head up the consumer products and brand licensing group for Warner Music Group where I have been happily ever since.

What’s your typical day like at Warner Music Group (WMG)?

NEMEROV: I’m happy that there is no real “typical” day!

I have the pleasure of working with an incredibly diverse set of artists in the incredibly dynamic environment of the music industry. One minute I might be pitching a newly designed licensing program to one of our country stars signed to our [Warner Music Nashville] label. The next minute I could be working with one of our urban artists to plan a photo shoot for a new product we’re launching at retail in coming weeks. Then I’m likely to be on the phone with a retail partner to discuss plan-o-grams [a merchandising tool that shows where products are placed in stores] or strategizing internally with our marketing and public relations teams. The one thing that is typical is that I do forget to eat lunch. A lot!

Grateful

d Dead an Head Dogfish n America Beer ty u a e B

12 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

What’s the most exciting part of your job?

NEMEROV: I love when our team conceives of an idea for a product, and we see it launch at

retail. It makes me proud to see our ideas go from seedling to blossom — and for people to then line up to buy the blossoms!

e Convers and Wiz r footwea Khalifa r fo n io collect er Footlock

What’s most challenging?

NEMEROV: Staying ahead of the trends and foreseeing new avenues of

business can be challenging, but we spend a lot of time as a team constantly brainstorming new business ideas and reinventing what we are already doing. Thankfully, we work hand-in-hand with our retail partners to get the right products out at the right time. Our retail partners are honest, inclusive, and always ready to discuss strategy. We have demanding and sophisticated fans, so it is critical that we stay ahead of the curve.

Is a lot of travel involved?

NEMEROV: It depends what your definition of

‘a lot’ is. I enjoy traveling — seeing new places and meeting people. I travel monthly, mostly to L.A. to see artists and managers we are working with, but often for tradeshows and to meet with new potential partners, in places like Las Vegas, Chicago, Denver, or as far as London. I am sure if I worked for a company like National Geographic I would have more travel!

What are a few examples of some of the licensed products and retail partnerships that you worked on for WMG? NEMEROV: In a few years since joining the company, my team signed more than 100 new

licenses for WMG and expanded its business by more than 300 percent. We have launched major programs for more than a dozen artists, including Grateful Dead, Frank Sinatra, Cody Simpson, and Wiz Khalifa. Representative products, to name a few, include: Grateful Dead snowboards, beer, and wine; Sinatra fedoras and high-end designer pens; Cody Simpson dolls; and a Converse footwear collection Wiz Khalifa launched with Footlocker in 2013.

What’s it like to develop products for high-profile celebrities like Cody Simpson and Wiz Khalifa?

Any brief stories you can share?

NEMEROV: I don’t believe it’s any different than developing products for a brand like Coca-Cola

Mattel Sinatra Barbie

or Ford Motor Company, except your brand has a vision of its own and is human. Working with celebrities can be challenging because some may not want to be involved and share thoughts on their brand, but I have been fortunate.

continues on page 35 Spring 2014 | 13

WE ARE THE

Champions!

It was a spectacular season for the Owls, who won two individual Division II national championships: swimmer Raymond Cswerko took first in the 200-yard butterfly and track and field’s Nick Lebron won the heptathlon for the second time.

The men’s basketball team also excelled, earning an East Region victory and an Elite Eight appearance.

Following are a few highlights from the season.

14 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

R

aymond Cswerko was the only male swimmer in the Northeast-10

to qualify for the 2014 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving

Championship. The Torrington native tackled the challenge with

gusto, returning to Southern a national champion after taking first

in the 200-yard butterfly. Cswerko finished with a time of 1 minute,

46.25 seconds, leading the field by nearly a full second.

He also had a second-place finish in the 400-yard individual medley (IM) at the national championship, which features a global mix of competitors. In fact, Marko Blazevski, who edged Cswerko for the 400 IM title, is a native of Macedonia and was a member of its 2012 Olympic team. “He’s swimming against an international, world-class field. I think that makes his performance stand out a little more,” says Owls’ coach Tim Quill, who has coached SCSU swimmers to 19 NCAA titles during his tenure.

The championship win was particularly sweet for Cswerko, who swam for the University of Maryland during his freshman year — only to have the Terrapins drop the swim program along with a number of other sports due to financial reasons. Undeterred, he returned to Connecticut for the 2012-13 academic year to swim for the Owls.

Cswerko played an integral role in helping the Owls win the 2014 Northeast10 Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship, the team’s 10th win in the last 11 years. He also was named the 2014 Northeast-10 Conference Men’s Swimmer of the Year, the second year in a row he received the honor.

Looking toward 2014-15, plans are in motion to move forward on the national stage. “It starts now in the offseason. . . . I want to try to win two events next year,” says Cswerko. “Nothing is out of the realm of possibility.”

Quill concurs: “Next year will be a different year in terms of what the minimum expectation level is. . . . If he puts in a solid summer in the pool and the weight room, he could be a player in three or four races next year and bid for a couple of titles.”

Swim LIKE

A

R F L E Y T T BU Spring 2014 | 15

been a spectacular journey for the men’s basketball team, which had its finest season in Southern history. In the midst of a 19-game winning streak, Southern captured the Northeast-10 Conference title and moved on to the NCAA Division II Championships, where they reached the Elite Eight. The team was led by senior and team scoring leader Greg Langston — Northeast-10 Player of the Year — and junior guard and assists leader Tylon Smith, who excelled in the post-season. The Owls fell to the University of Central Missouri, the ultimate champions.

Coach Michael Donnelly — who earned accolades as Northeast-10 and East Region Coach of the Year — led the Owls to an overall 30-3 win-loss finish in 2013-14 — a program record for victories. Looking forward, optimism remains high for next season, with twelve members returning to play.

16 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Meet the National Champion Nick Lebron Senior, majoring in exercise science with a concentration in human performance Men’s Track and Field

A few claims to fame | A two-time NCAA Division II National Champion in the heptathlon this year and in 2012.

Also All-American in the heptathlon (2012-13) and the

How good? |

decathlon (2012-13, 2011-12).

Lebron scored

The heptathlon | Includes seven

5,765 in the

events — the 60-meter dash, the

heptathlon at the

long jump, the shot put, the high jump,

championships this year

the 60-meter hurdles, the pole vault, and the 1,000-meter run.

Good sport | Joined the high school track team as a junior, competing in the high jump. Also played high school football and basketball for four years, and baseball as a freshman.

Favorite event | “I started as a high jumper,

— an NCAA Div. II record.

He also set a new high mark among New England programs in all three divisions.

Fan of | Dallas Cowboys and basketball star LeBron James Any rest time? | The month of June. “But it’s an active recovery. I stay moving, whether

but I’ve come to love the pole vault. It

it’s running or playing basketball with

makes or breaks a multi [a competitor in

my friends.”

the heptathlon or decathlon].”

Training for the heptathlon | “We’re the first

Goals | Hopes to attend Southern as a graduate student to earn a master’s degree in exercise

ones at practice and the last ones to leave.

science with a focus on sport psychology.

We pride ourselves on being ‘that good’ in

Plans to keep training for post-collegiate

seven events.”

meets and ultimately go on to earn a Ph.D.

Spring 2014 | 17

18 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

USIC PROVED TO BE THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

for 59 members of the University Choir who traveled to Spain to perform a series of concerts during New Year’s week. The choir — which includes Southern alumni, students, and members of the community — sang for standing-room-only audiences at several stunning churches in Manresa and Barcelona, including the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, architect Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece.

“There’s a tremendous sense of artistic empowerment that comes from singing in these exquisite spaces,” says Professor of Music Terese Gemme, who directs the choir. The group performed with other choirs from the United States and Spain, and worked with American chorale conductor and composer Craig Hella Johnson.

In recent years, Southern’s University Choir also has performed in Ireland and London, but this trip was the most widely attended. The Stutzman Family Foundation, which has generously supported numerous programs and initiatives in the Music Department, contributed $173,250 for the trip. As a result, students paid $500 or less to participate, depending on how long they have been choir members.

In a trip marked by numerous life-changing moments, Gemme recalls the concert at the Church of the Cave of Saint Ignatius as being particularly poignant. The choir was to perform a selection by the late Pablo Casals, an internationally renowned cellist and composer from the Catalonia region of Spain. (Casals had gone into exile following the Spanish Civil War, vowing not to return to his homeland until Francisco Franco was defeated and democracy was restored.)

As the University Choir prepared to sing, the conductor turned to the audience and introduced the upcoming work, using the composer’s Catalan name — Pau Casals. “There was this tremendous spontaneous outbreak of applause, because we had understood that he was one of their own,” says Gemme. “I think we were all on the verge of tears throughout the performance. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

Several members of the Southern community accompanied the choir, including Steven Breese, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, and university photographer Isabel Chenoweth, who captured the experience in photos and videos. For more on the trip, go to SCSUbarcelona.tumblr.com.  Spring 2014 | 19

Rich ∏avanaugh, the longest-serving and “winningest” head football coach in Southern’s history, says goodbye to the university he called home for almost three decades.

20 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

aving led the Owls’ football team for 29 seasons, head coach Rich Cavanaugh began his retirement on New Year’s Day — a fitting time for fresh starts. His tenure at Southern ended on a high note, with the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston presenting the celebrated coach with the John Baronian Lifetime Contribution to Football Award on Jan. 9. The tribute recognizes Cavanaugh’s commitment to Southern, his players, and the game of football, which he began playing in elementary school.

Cavanaugh joined Southern in 1982 as the team’s offensive coordinator with then head coach Kevin Gilbride (who announced his retirement from the National Football League’s New York Giants in January as well).

In 1985, Cavanaugh was named head coach of the Owls and, in the ensuing decades, he guided thousands of student-athletes, setting numerous records along the way. He ended his Southern career with 170 victories (a program record), 19 winning seasons, and four consecutive NCAA Championship appearances

from 2005-08. Under his leadership, Southern also claimed its first NCAA playoff victory in the 2007 season and shares of three Northeast-10 conference titles.

Clearly, there were a lot of high points. But asked to share his fondest coaching memories, Cavanaugh pauses for a moment before politely refusing. “It’s four decades if you think about it — the ’80s, the ’90s, the ’00s, and the teens,” he says. “It would depend on who I was talking with and what era they played. . . . Someone might say, ‘Coach, remember when we did this.’ And I’d think, ‘Wow, that was awesome.’ But then you look at another era. . . . If you posed that question to everyone who played for me, each would have their own greatest memory.”

Is it like being asked to choose a favorite child, he’s asked?

“Yes, it would be kind of like that,” Cavanaugh says, his voice catching with emotion. “There have been so many great players and so many great moments.”

Following, Cavanaugh looks back on his years at Southern, his plans for the future, and his thoughts on the game.

You were a two-season starter at RICH CAVANAUGH: I started playing when I was in sixth grade with Youth Football. I American International College. wanted to play. My parents were very supportive of it, but nobody pushed me . . .

When did you begin playing football? something that I think happens to some kids today.

When did you realize that you CAVANAUGH: When I was in high school. I enjoyed the game, and how the game was wanted to coach? taught. Football is really like a chess match. How do you attack certain defenses? How do you defend certain offenses? I always thought of myself as a student of the game. I didn’t just want to know what I needed to play my position; I wanted to know how that fit into the grand scheme of things.

I admired my coaches. They were all good teachers, and I looked at their job and thought . . . this would probably be a great career to have . . . to work with and teach students how to play the game.

Spring 2014 | 21

You’ve been at Southern since 1982.

Has your approach to coaching changed?

CAVANAUGH: Technology has changed the game a lot. When I first started coaching, we would

What’s one thing you won’t miss about coaching?

CAVANAUGH: One of the things I’m not going to miss is recruiting. Recruiting is the lifeblood of

What will you miss?

CAVANAUGH: Teaching. The competition. The people. Those would probably be the three areas

just film the game. Now with the internet and everything being videoed, it’s that much easier to get information about how other teams do things. You can learn a lot more and share it with your players.

As a coach, you have to be willing to embrace change. Whatever new technology is in place . . . whatever new aspect of the game is in vogue . . . you better learn about it, and you better learn how to either defend against it or use it to your advantage.

The game is constantly evolving, but certain things are still the same.

You have to block and tackle. You have to be disciplined, work hard, and be competitive. You have to be intelligent. You have to have poise. There are a lot of things that haven’t changed, but I really think technology has influenced how we do things and how we approach things.

your program. It is also very taxing. It can wear you out and, again, the technology we have today, at times, almost muddies the water. In some ways, it can give you a much clearer picture of the type of person you are recruiting. In some ways, they can paint a picture of themselves that may be significantly better than they really are . . . You have to be very careful with that.

that I’m going to miss most . . . the day-to-day interaction with the people at Southern Connecticut. You end up dealing with so many agencies as a coach. You work with the people from Admissions . . . Financial Aid . . . the Registrar’s office. You work with the professors . . . with Food Service. You work with your entire academic supportive staff, the athletic supportive staff, and the athletic administration. . . . There are so many people who are behind the scenes at Southern, who probably never get the credit that they deserve. They make it all come together. They make it happen.

Describe your job as a coach in one sentence?

CAVANAUGH: My job as a coach is to make young men

grow up before they want to.

Can you explain?

CAVANAUGH: I think sometimes they fight you . . .

based on how they think things are. I always felt that the sooner I could get them to think about what was really important, the better off they would be.

You’ve received numerous honors throughout your career, including the Northeast-10 Conference Coach of the Year Award in 2008. In January, you received the Lifetime Contribution Award from the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston. What was it like to learn you were receiving this award?

22 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

CAVANAUGH: I was really surprised to be quite honest

with you. But it was a great honor and, again, it is really because of the people who are here.

continues on page 35

Rich ∏avanaugh A Numbers Game

Tom Godek, ’88, was named head football coach at the university, after serving as the team’s offensive coordinator for the last 13 seasons and previously tearing up the field for the Owls as a standout player and captain. He brings 20 years of coaching experience to the table, following a storied playing career that included a free agent signing with the New York Jets.

“Through his previous experiences as a student-athlete and assistant coach here at SCSU, Tom has played a pivotal role in some of the most successful campaigns and moments in our decorated history,”

Awards

says Patricia Nicol, director of athletics. “We look forward to having Tom lead our program into a new era of Owls’ football.”

Named the 2010 Division II/III Assistant Coach of the Year by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston, Godek has helped the Owls reach numerous offensive marks. During his tenure, the team set records for season highs in multiple categories, including total yards, rushing yards,

Going Pro

passing yards, touchdowns scored, and points scored, along with a new program record for total offense in one game. A total of 68 offensive players received All-Northeast-10 honors under his leadership.

As a student-athlete, Godek played for the Owls from 1984-87 and was a two-time All-New England selection. As a senior, he served as team captain and took home All-Eastern College Athletic Conference honors.

Before joining the staff of his alma mater, Godek coached for seven years at American International College (AIC), serving as offensive line coach and assistant to the head coach. Godek helped AIC win four division titles en route to four consecutive Northeast-10 Conference Championship appearances. AIC went on to win the conference title twice.

Godek holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Southern and a master’s degree in education from AIC. He succeeds Rich Cavanaugh, who retired in January.

Spring 2014 | 23

NOSTALGIA

Whoo-oo-oo Knew?

Calling all Owls. Test your knowledge of Southern’s history — both the serious and the quirky.

Southern Connecticut State University traces its roots to the Sept. 11, 1893 opening of a two-year teacher training school — New Haven State Normal School. What was NOT true about the first class?

A. There were 84 students and three faculty members, including Arthur Boothby Morrill, the school’s principal.

B. There weren’t enough desks for members of the inaugural class and plans to expand the school began almost immediately.

C. The class was made up entirely of women.

D. Students came from throughout New England to attend.

Put the following flock of Southern

Before they were known as “The Owls,” our

Owl mascots in order — from their

student-athletes were

earliest to most recent appearance.

commonly referred to as: A. The Teachers’ Pets B. The Educators C. The Nutmeggers D. The Wisemen A. D. The first permanent alumni B.

association was established in:

A. C.

C.

1890   1975 B.

D.

Built at a cost of $4 million, the original Hilton C. Buley Library celebrated its opening in 1970. Students, faculty, and staff helped by: A. Signing up by the hundreds for the school’s first library cards.

B. Helping to carry 202,000 volumes from the old library in Engleman Hall to the new building.

C. Organizing a fundraiser to expand the university’s book collections.

D. All of the above.

24 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Southern has a number of notable firsts in its history. Which of the following are among them: The groundbreaking for

A. Opening the first federally funded nursery schools in Connecticut designed specifically to care for children whose parents worked in the defense industry during World War II.

the Crescent Street campus — Southern’s current home — was held on Oct. 3, 1951. The first building to grace campus was:

B. Being the location of the first U.S. sighting of Sputnik I, the world’s first artificial satellite.

A. Pelz Gymnasium B. Jennings Hall C. Connecticut Hall

C. Borrowing jerseys from Yale University for the Owls’ first football game.

D. Engleman Hall

D. All of the above.

Which of the following celebrities and luminaries have appeared on campus?

C. Whoopi Goldberg Southern won

B. Madeline Albright D. Stevie Wonder

its first team national title in which sport?

A. Men’s soccer in 1987 B. Men’s gymnastics in 1973 C. Women’s basketball in 1970 D. Women’s gymnastics in 1970

Put the following Southern events in order, from the earliest to the most recent.

A. Southern launches its first doctoral program — leading to an Ed.D., a Doctor of Education degree.

B. The university celebrates the inauguration of Southern’s 11th president, Dr. Mary A. Papazian.

C. The university community gathers for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Academic and Laboratory Science Building.

D. Southern commemorates the 25th anniversary of its status as a university.

ANSWERS: 1) D (One student came from New York, the remainder from Connecticut); 2) B; 3) D, A, C, B; 4) B; 5) B; 6) D; 7) A; 8) E; 9) B; 10) A (2002), D (2008), B (2012), C (2013)

A. Walter Cronkite

E. All of the Above

Stevie Wonder photo by Antonio Cruz/ABr (Agência Brasil.) [CC-BY-3.0-br (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/br/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons

Spring 2014 | 25

Alumni

NEWS 

I

Mighty Mentors

t’s among the most commonly shared

corporate mantras: find yourself a men-

tor. Students would be wise to heed the

advice. According to numerous studies, the benefits of a positive mentoring relationship are dramatic and life-changing for students — ranging from a greater likelihood of earning a degree to enjoying higher paychecks and more-frequent promotions after graduation.

At Southern, more than 165 students are capitalizing on a new Alumni-Student Mentoring Program launched by the Alumni Association in conjunction with the Office of Alumni Relations. The program matches Southern graduates with students with similar majors and/or business interests.

“It’s a way for students to receive support and professional advice from some-

We’re Looking for a Few Good Grads!

one who knows the university and the area of career interest,” says Michelle R. Johnston, director of Alumni Relations. The program kicked off on March 12, with students meeting their mentors at a meet-and-greet event held at the Michael J. Adanti Student Center.

The program is flexible in design, with participants structuring their mentoring experiences to fit their mutual schedules. Students may stay in contact with their mentors by phone or e-mail, face-to-face meetings, or a combination of methods. Mentors and mentees also received a brochure with guidelines and suggestions to make the most of the experience.

The program is an offshoot of Alumni Professionals Day, a one-day event held on campus for the past four years. Last year, 93 Southern graduates participated, sharing information with students on a wide variety of careers, including law enforcement, graphic design, teaching, education administration, politics, social services, law, finance, and scientific research. “We’re fortunate to have alumni out there who really want to help,” says Johnston.

Southern alumni who would like to serve as

lumni volunteers help Southern create a climate of excellence by supporting programs on campus and beyond.

One initiative, Alumni Volunteering — A to G (Admissions to Graduation), offers numerous ways for Southern graduates to share their time and talents. Most programs are flexible, so volunteers can participate at a level that meets their needs.

Here are a few ways to get involved and pay it forward.

• Admissions volunteers help out in numerous ways.

Examples include: joining the spring postcard-writing campaign to congratulate admitted students, helping to represent Southern at college fairs, referring talented students to Southern, and hosting or attending an event in your area to welcome new students.

• Share your business experience with students in a comfortable, casual setting at Alumni Professionals Day, held on campus each fall. Or become an Alumni Mentor, providing ongoing advice to a student interested in your career field. (See related story at left.)

• Consider working with the university to develop student internship opportunities at your place of employment.

For more information or to sign on for these and

mentors, may sign up at SouthernCT.edu/alumni/

other volunteer opportunities, go to SouthernCT.edu/alumni/

mentor-program-mentor.html.

volunteers.html or call (203) 392-6500. Thank you!

26 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE



Going Places?

Don’t forget to show your Southern pride! We’re

looking for photos of Southern graduates traveling the globe while wearing a favorite Southern shirt or hat, or waving a Southern banner.

Please send a high-resolution photo of yourself, along with your graduation year and a few lines about your

SCSU Alumni Association Board of Directors

trip, to struykv1@SouthernCT.edu. Photos may be included in an upcoming Southern Alumni Magazine feature.

Submissions may be edited for space and style. Thank you!

Teresa Sirico, ’70, M.S. ’73, President Robert D. Parker, ’76, Vice President Donald Mitchell, ’57, M.S. ’61, Treasurer James H. Booth, ’97, Secretary Hugh S. Cafferty, ’69, M.S. ’70, 6th Yr. ’76, Past President Phoebe Donehoo Browning, ’04, M.B.A. ’05 Nancy Charest, ’71, M.S. ’75, 6th Yr. ’80 Kathy Glinka Coyle, ’74, M.S. ’77, 6th Yr. ’81 Susan Love D’Agostino, ’79 Nancy Dudchik, ’88 Marybeth Heyward Fede, ’79, M.S. ’87 Miriam Gonzalez-Huff, 6th Yr. ’90 Jerry Katona, ’74, M.S. ’88 Edwin A. Klinkhammer II, ’71, M.S. ’76, 6th Yr. ’92 Stephen Koestner, ’69 John Mastrianni, ’66, M.S. ’73 Judit Vasmatics Paolini, ’73, M.S. ’79, 6th Yr. ’93 Jeffrey Reilly, ’58 Nancy D. Tanguay, ’87 Deborah Sue Cedar Vincent, ’82 SCSU • Office of Alumni Relations 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515 • (203) 392-6500 Director, Michelle R. Johnston, JohnstonM2@SouthernCT.edu

Connect WITH Southern ON 

The Web at SouthernCT.edu and SouthernCTOwls.com for athletics



Twitter at twitter.com/scsutweet



Facebook at facebook.com/southernct



ITunes at SouthernCT.edu/itunesu

SCSU, Office of Alumni Relations, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1355, (203) 392-6500

Web [FROM TOP] Members of the university community show their Southern pride in Guatemala, on campus, and in Spain.

Spring 2014 | 27

Alumni

NEWS

By Joan Wells

self-awareness and a sense of community in the process.

Justin Pegnataro, ’05, finds it “challenging” to live in a

Based in Newtown and Granby, Conn., the nonprofit organiza-

house during the winter. Throughout the rest of the year, home

tion offers a wide range of programs for children, teens, adults,

is a yurt, a circular, domed tent, located in the woods. He

and families. “It’s about connecting with ancient practices,”

catches rainwater to wash dishes, relies on whatever light he

says Pegnataro of the school’s diverse offerings. On any given

can get through solar energy, and feasts in the woods on bull-

day lessons might include making survival shelters, living off

frogs, turtles, squirrels, groundhogs, deer, and wild plants.

edible plants, tracking wildlife, crafting a bow, or creating

“I wake up to the sun shining and the sound of birds . . . sometimes a coyote will call,” he says. “It’s really an amazing lifestyle.”

herbal remedies — with a healthy dose of games, storytelling, crafts, and songs thrown in.

Recently, a group of teens from the school went camp-

As the executive director of Two Coyotes Wilderness

ing in a snow cave, started a fire by rubbing two sticks togeth-

School, Pegnataro has made it his mission to share his passion

er, and cooked a turkey in an underground pit with red-hot

for the great outdoors. Founded in 2000, Two Coyotes is dedi-

rocks. The turkey was stuffed with wild edibles.

cated to helping people connect with nature — and building

“It was an epic teenage wilderness-survival experience,” Pegnataro says. “We sing songs that connect us with nature and each other. We come nose to nose with the

From buildings lauded for eco-friendly design to a reinvigorated, campuswide 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.

Please support Southern and its students by contributing to the Campus Greening Fund.

Donations may be made online at giving.

SouthernCT.edu.

Or call (203) 392-6515.

history of the forest.” The programs have a “healing effect,” and that was particularly apparent in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in December 2012, he says.

Pegnataro, who grew up in Woodbridge, Conn., and attended Amity High School, first enrolled at Southern in 1999, intending to become

28 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

a teacher. But he felt something was missing, so he dropped out for a year and moved to the forest for four months. Pegnataro took some wilderness classes and returned to Southern, taking a botany course with Noble

Justin Pegnataro, ’05, the executive director of Two Coyotes Wilderness School, offers tips on finding your inner wild child.

Proctor, ’70, M.S. ’72, professor emeritus of biology, who would become his mentor. “He changed my life,” says Pegnataro, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science

Schedule it in: “Scheduling is a way of making time for what we value. Pick a time — once a day or a couple times a week — to spend a short time in nature.”

degree in biology and anthropology. Among the most important lessons he learned from the professor? “My life, my water, my fire . . . it was all a gift from nature,” he says.

It was a revelation — or, perhaps, a reawakening.

Limit screen time: “Screen time, including TV, web browsing, and video games, accounts for quite a few hours of our day. Children ages 8-18 average 7.5 hours of screen time a day. Ask someone in their 60s and they’ll tell you that their parents would kick them out of the house and not let them home till dinner. I suggest you do the same for your kids.”

Pegnataro says he wasn’t particularly wrapped up in nature as a child. But his mom, a teacher at Beecher Road School in Woodbridge, recalls that he would lie on the ground with bird feed in his hand. Today, he’s passing on his desire to connect with nature to the next generation. “This is my life’s work,” he says. 

Find a sit spot: “If you are interested in connecting

In 2000, Two Coyotes was founded by Scott Eldridge, who remains president of the organization’s Board of Directors. He signed the directorship over to Pegnataro in 2007.

deeply with nature, the best thing I have found is to sit in one natural spot regularly over the course of the year. I sit outside for 30 minutes every day. . . . The most amazing things happen when we just sit and observe.

One time when I was at my spot, three baby chipmunks ran across my lap. Don’t think that you need to be in some remote wilderness area. Urban and suburban areas are filled with nature to watch.”

Hello, Big Apple!

Southern graduates who live or work in the Big Apple are invited to join the New York City Alumni Network by calling (203) 392-6500 or e-mailing johnstonm2@SouthernCT.edu.

Stay tuned! Other regional alumni networks will be forming soon.

Spring 2014 | 29

alumni notes Reunion News • The Class of 1964 was recognized in honor of its 50th reunion at the undergraduate commencement ceremony held on May 16, 2014 at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport.

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

’50s

’60s

’70s

JOHN CARUSONE, ’57, M.S. ’62,

ROBERT PANNOZZO, ’69, M.S.

DAN LAURIA, ’70, was the narra-

the former mayor of Hamden, and his wife, SYLVIA CARUSONE, M.S. ’71, 6th Yr. ’93, live in Hamden, Conn. His latest accomplishments include being inducted into the 2011 Wallingford Senior Slow-Pitch Hall of Fame.

’71, 6th Yr. ’77, has retired after teaching for 40 years in Connecticut, Vermont, and Virginia. He is currently the chair of the History Department at Wakefield School in Plains, Va., and lives in Brandy Station.

tor for a production of “A Christmas Story” at the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts in Hartford. A group of Southern alumni attended a performance of the production and special reception in November 2013.

Renaissance Man president and captain of the SCSU Karate Team for three years. He later obtained a master’s degree in interactive communications from Quinnipiac University.

He began his career as a social media consultant for clients such as the Terex Corporation, the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, and Sikorsky, but then moved on to help nonprofit and small businesses develop their brands.

“I quickly found it more impactful and enjoyable helping smaller businesses and organizations grow throughout the community,” says Diaz, who has worked with Southwest Community Health Center (SWCHC) for about four years. As the community relations coordinator for the company, he uses diverse marketing strategies to improve healthcare access for patients throughout Fairfield County. He currently also serves as chairman of the marketing committee at SWCHC. In addition to being a successful businessman, Diaz is an

As

internationally recognized athlete. “Karate started out as a hobby, but it has now become a lifestyle,” says Diaz, who has been a member of the United States Martial Arts Team since 2010. In 2012, he was a child obsessed with martial arts, Samuel Diaz III, ’08,

inducted into the Hall of Fame as Competitor of the Year after winning

dreamed of joining the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

his fourth championship at the World Martial Arts Games. Diaz also

Today, Diaz is a modern-day hero in his own right — a martial arts

teaches at Stratford Shotokan Karate-do, a dojo he opened with his

champion, who, at the age of 27, was the youngest honoree at the 50

father in 2009.

Most Influential Latinos in Connecticut Awards. The event was hosted by the Latinos United for Professional Advancement in January.

Diaz was recognized for his work to promote barrier-free access to health care with the Southwest Community Health Center in

Looking forward, he plans to keep utilizing his talents to positively influence his community through his work at Stratford Shotokan and SWCHC. This year promises to be particularly action-packed. Diaz will be getting married and traveling to Canada for the 2014 World

Bridgeport, Conn. The award also celebrates his efforts to promote music

Martial Arts Games to compete in seven different divisions. He also

education and culture as a percussionist and saxophone player in sever-

wants to write a children’s book about bullying. “I am the type of per-

al salsa bands, as well as his considerable martial arts achievements.

son who will try to put the world on my shoulders if I know it will

At Southern, Diaz was an active student, earning his bachelor’s degree in international business and serving as the 2008 senior class 30 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

help,” he says.

By Bailey E. Brumbach, ’14

ART KADISH, ’71, a former Southern assistant coach and faculty member, was honored by the Norwalk Old Timers Association and inducted into the Norwalk Hall of Fame. The event supported Brien McMahon High School scholarships.

ROBERT MORLOT, ’71, M.S. ’76, was named principal of Cambria Consulting in Boston.

STANLEY KONESKY JR., ’73, M.S. ’86, retired from the Branford Police Department after 29 years, having also spent 13 years as an instructor at the Connecticut Police Academy. Currently he is an adjunct professor of criminal justice at the University of New Haven.

JOSEPH GIULIETTI, ’74, has been named president of Metro-North Railroad.

Formerly he was the executive director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority.

GARY SCARPA, ’74, M.S. ’91, and wife, FRANCESCA SCARPA, ’76, recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Youth CONNection Players, a community theater group they founded for high school and college students in 1983. The theater troupe is based in Shelton, Conn.

LINDA MASSEY WILSON, ’74, M.S. ’80, who has been a physical education teacher for 37 years, was featured in The Hour newspaper in an article entitled, “Celebrating Black History Month through Norwalk (CT) Sports: Massey was the best of her era.” She was inducted into the Southern Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.

Support Southern.

Leave a Legacy.

Planned gifts — also called deferred or estate gifts — can help you meet your long-term financial goals, while providing critically needed support for Southern’s talented and deserving students.

The university’s Development Office can supply information on a variety of planned gifts that help Southern maintain a climate of excellence — from bequests that extend your generosity beyond your lifetime to charitable gift annuities and trusts, which can provide fixed-income payments and several tax benefits.

If you’ve already included the Southern Connecticut State University Foundation in your will, please let us know so that we can acknowledge your generosity by enrolling you in the Heritage Society.

If not, please consider leaving a legacy by making a planned gift to the Southern Connecticut State University Foundation.

For more information, contact the Development Office.

(203) 392-5598 SouthernCT.edu/giving Southern Connecticut State University 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1355

In Print AND On Screen NEWS ON BOOK, TELEVISION, AND FILM RELEASES FROM SOUTHERN ALUMNI

Paula E. Gelbach, M.S. ’67, has published a children’s book, “It’s OK!!

Everybody’s Different.” The book’s three stories feature animal characters that teach young readers how to appreciate the beauty in themselves and others. Gelbach resides in Topton, Pa. Roy Nirschel, ’74, has published “My Seasons in Saigon,” which chronicles his experiences starting the first American university in Vietnam. He lives in New York City.

James R. Benn, M.L.S. ’76, the author of numerous novels, including the “Billy Boyle World War II” mystery series and “Traumatized: The Story of a State Trooper,” conducted a presentation at a meeting of the Friends of the Enfield Library. He lives in Hadlyme, Conn.

Angela Carella, ’79, had her story, “The Farmer and the Storm: A Christmas tale” printed in the Stamford Advocate.

Jane C. Elkin, M.L.S. ’86, has published a chapbook, “World Class: Poems Inspired by the ESL Classroom.” The collection illustrates her experiences with students struggling to address their linguistic challenges, as well as social issues such as poverty, religious traditions, illegal immigration, education, the role of women in other cultures, and the emotional scars of war. Elkin lives in Annapolis, Md. Christine Beck Lissitzyn, M.F.A. ’13, an adjunct professor at Southern who teaches introductory poetry writing and introduction to creative writing, has published her first book of poetry, “Blinding Light.”

DOUG MACDOUGALL, ’75, has received the Theresa S. Brungardt Award for his outstanding service to the field of recreation in the state of Vermont. MacDougall also is cited in the “Guiness Book of World Records” for orchestrating the creation of the longestcontinuous banana split, which measured 2 ½ miles long. He lives in Holliston, Mass., with his wife of 35 years, Ann.

MARY BETH ALLEN ZAREMSKI, ’75, M.S. ’80, has retired from Watertown Public Schools after teaching 38 years.

She resides in Oakville, Conn.

MARCIA F. DUKANY DUKE, M.S. ’76, was inducted into the 2013 Danbury High School Hall of Fame. She has been a physical education teacher for 42 years and has spent 30 years as a coach.

MARY M. SWEENEY, ’76, is the chief executive officer of the Way of the Wild (WOW), a nonprofit organization that mentors adults and children by fostering a connection to nature and teaching primitive

wilderness skills. She lives in Boulder, Colo.

ELIZABETH RHOADES, ’77, had a solo exhibit of her pastel paintings at the Storrs Library.

She is a signature member of the Connecticut Pastel Society as well as Connecticut Women Artists. She resides in Stafford Springs and has exhibited her art nationwide.

DORIE POUCH PETROCHKO, M.S. ’78, is president of the Connecticut Natural Science Illustrators, an art program focusing on botanical, natural science drawing, and painting.

She lives in Oxford, Conn.

MARY KAY DUPONT, ’79, is a digital specialist at Mohawk, a privately owned manufacturer of fine papers, envelopes and specialty substrates for commercial and digital printing.

She is based in New England.

FRANK “SID” MAIETTO, ’79, served as co-chairperson of the 2014 International Association of Facilitators (IAF) North American conference, which was held in Orlando, Fla. He lives in Snohomish, Wash.

’80s CLAUDETTE BEAMON, ’80, M.S.W. ’87, 6th Yr. ’00, is the assistant executive director for personnel and special services at ACES (Area Cooperative Educational Services) in North Haven, Conn.

GREGG DANCHO, ’80, celebrated his 30th anniversary as director of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. He lives in Stratford, Conn.

BARBARA A. HUNGER, ’82, has been a registered nurse in the Labor and Delivery Unit at Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island for 25 years. She is also a member of the I-195 Redevelopment Commission.

She lives in Providence, R.I.

TRACY KNOFLA, ’82, M.S. ’87, was a keynote presenter at the Student Leadership Conference held at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She is a motivational speaker and conference trainer and lives in Guilford, Conn.

Spring 2014 | 31

TAWNY NELB, M.S. ’83, was reappointed to the State Historical Records Advisory Board in Midland, Mich. She is president of Nelb Archival Consulting Inc., which provides archival services and historical research and writing for museums, archives, library special collections, owners of historic homes, design firms, universities, and more.

KAREN M. THOMSON, M.L.S. ’83, has been employed at Noah Webster Public Library in Hartford for 21 years. She lives in Ansonia and enjoys judging beauty pageants.

DEBRA OLSON, ’84, M.S. ’88, was inducted into the Connecticut Scholastic and Collegiate Softball Hall of Fame. She was inducted into the Field Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005.

DARLENE LEE, ’85, is a senior

FAMILY TIES: Seven Southern degrees and counting ...

Many interests. One alma mater. Members of the Carrano family — [from left] Erica, Andrew, Donna, Dan, and Ashley — hold seven degrees in fields ranging from psychology to music.

LORI PASQUALINI, ’85, is the

AT

least some of the credit goes to an old-fashioned metal locker — one of many that graced Southern’s Engleman Hall before its renovation.

Andrew Carrano, then an undergraduate student, recalls that his had a prime location. So when a lovely young woman he’d previously noticed on campus passed by carrying a large armload of books, he thought fast. “I said ‘if you ever want to use my locker,’’’ he recalls with a laugh. The rest, as they say, is history — for Donna Spadory and Andrew Carrano, who married on July 22, 1978 — and for Southern Connecticut State University, which has awarded the couple and their children seven academic degrees to date.

Today, the family’s ties to the university are stronger than ever. Adjunct professor Andrew Carrano, who currently teaches in the Psychology Department, holds three diplomas from Southern: a B.A. in psychology (1975), a master’s in education (1977), and a sixth-year certificate in school psychology (1979). His wife Donna has a B.S. in nursing (1977), and daughter Erica has

Are you part of an extended Southern family? Send a photo and the details to SCSU, Southern Alumni Magazine, 501 Crescent St., New Haven, CT 06515-1355 or StruykV1@SouthernCT.edu.

Thank you!

a B.A. in theatre (2007) and is currently working on her master’s in English — all from Southern. Daughter Ashley holds a Southern M.S. in special education (2011) and son Dan graduated in August with a degree in music. “They’ve embraced their Southern experience,” says the proud father. “As I tell the students in my classes, Southern provides a quality, affordable education, and the graduate school is very competitive. It’s a wonderful place to earn your degree.”

32 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

mortgage lending officer with Washington Trust in Fairfield, Conn. She lives in New Canaan. chief financial and administrative officer for Ability Beyond Disability in Bethel, Conn. She resides in Norwalk with husband, BARRY PASQUALINI, ’85.

STEVEN STEINMETZ, ’85, has been named director of clubowned fleet operations for AAA (American Automobile Association) of Western and Central New York. He lives in Fabius, N.Y.

DONALD MCAULAY, ’86, has been appointed regional director of INROADS New England Region. The nonprofit organization is committed to identifying and placing talented underserved youth in business and industry, and preparing them for leadership roles.

CAROL A. KEARNS, 6th Yr. ’89, a resident of Harwinton, Conn., for 35 years, was interviewed and featured in the TribLive/Neighborhoods publication for her contributions to the community and her professional success. She produces and co-hosts a community access television program with her husband, Harry Schuh.

’90s MICHELE KELVEY-ALBERT, ’90, M.P.H. ’94, is the director of consulting services at Qualidigm, a national healthcare consulting company in Wethersfield. She is also the first in Connecticut to earn Patient-Centered Medical Home Content Expert Certification from the National Committee on Quality Assurance. She lives in Killingworth, Conn.

GEORGE ZYGMONT, ’90, has joined Washington Trust as a mortgage loan officer. He has 15 years of experience in the industry, most recently as a personal mortgage banker at Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan in Naugatuck. He resides in Cos Cob, Conn.

DONALD CASEY, M.S. ’91, was selected by Packer Report Magazine as the “Fantastic Fan of the Month” for December 2013. The publication, which spotlights the National Football League’s Green Bay Packers, recognized Casey for developing a flag-football program at Stepney Elementary School in Monroe, Conn.

CHRISTOPHER J. ADAMS, ’92, has been appointed executive assistant to the president of Suffolk County Community College. He earned his sixth year degree from Hofstra University and lives in Great Neck, N.Y.

MICHAEL MARCIANO, ’94, has been named managing editor of the New Britain Herald. He previously served 13-plus years as the editor of The Winsted Journal, a weekly publication.

BARRINGTON “BARRY” BOGLE, ’96, M.P.H. ’09, is public health director for the city of Wilton, Conn. He lives in Bridgeport.

RAYMOND ROCHE, ’96, received a proclamation from Mayor Toni Harp thanking him for his contributions to the New Haven Free Public Library. He resides in Hamden, Conn.

YOLANDA JONES-GENERETTE, M.S. ’98, 6th Yr. ’07, received the Outstanding Educator Award from the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa at the 28th annual AfricanAmerican Legacy Scholarship Luncheon. She is the principal of Lincoln Bassett Community School in the Newhallville neighborhood of New Haven.

KENNETH J. STEINER, ’98, is a technical sales manager with SeraCare Life Sciences in Sayreville, N.J.

RICK TUFTS, M.S. ’98, 6th Yr. ’99, is the co-owner and brewer for Triangle Brewing Company in Durham, N.C. The company recently opened Pint & Plate, a tavern-like facility located in the same city.

’00s KEVIN KINAHAN, ’00, is a mortgage lending officer with Washington Trust in Fairfield, Conn. He lives in Wilton.

28th annual African-American Legacy Scholarship Luncheon, hosted by the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa. In 2011 he published his first book, “Broken Gems.” He is currently a high school English teacher.

KELLY HOPE, ’03, M.S. ’10, is the assistant director of student activities/facility scheduler at Housatonic Community College. She is a recent recipient of the Gold Apple Award, given by the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa at the 28th annual African-American Legacy Scholarship Luncheon.

STACY BUTKUS, M.S. ’04, is the principal of Henry Abbott Technical High School in Danbury. She resides in Waterbury, Conn., with husband, Eric, and two daughters.

CHARLES DUMAIS, 6th Yr. ’04, is the superintendent of schools for the Amity Regional School District 5. He formerly served as principal of Newtown High School and lives in Milford, Conn.

CHRISTOPHER MANFREDONIA, M.S. ’00, 6th KENNY A. HOWELL, ’04, M.B.A. Yr. ’03, is the director of physical education, health, and athletics for Darien Schools. He previously was the athletics director at Fairfield Ward High School. He lives in Sandy Hook, Conn.

ANTHONY J. TRIMBOLI, ’01, was recognized by Amity Regional High School at the 2013 Thanksgiving football game for being a member of the school’s 1978 Class LL state championship football team.

Trimboli is a former Southern assistant basketball coach.

BRIE MIRANDA BRYANT, ’02, has been promoted to the position of vice president of development and production for original programming at Oxygen Media. A multiplatform entertainment brand that delivers to young women, Oxygen Media is available in 80 million homes. Bryant was the driving force behind some of Oxygen’s biggest hits, including the docuseries,“Preachers of L.A.”

TASONN HAYNES, ’03, received the Golden Apple Award at the

’06, is the chief of police in the town of Millbury, Mass.

JESSICA KILHAM, ’05, was appointed public services health sciences librarian at Quinnipiac University. She lives in Rocky Hill, Conn.

JACQUELYNN GAROFANO, ’06, was among those chosen by Connecticut Magazine as “40 under 40” for 2013. She is a materials scientist at United Technologies Research Center.

JEFF CRETELLA, ’07, was inducted into the 27th annual East Haven High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame.

was with WTOC in Lexington, Ky., and prior to that he worked as a beat reporter for News 8 in New Haven and as a reporter for The Middletown Press in Connecticut.

STARSHEEMAR BYRUM, M.S. ’11, is coordinator of Eastern Connecticut State University’s Women’s Center and the Sexual Assault Response Team.

She recently participated in a panel discussion hosted by the English Department.

SARAH KELLY, ’11, was promoted to the position of education manager at the Westport Arts Center. She began working at the center in 2012 as an Education Fellow and, later, as the education assistant. Her experiences include leading the center’s after-school art programs, school-group visits, workshops, summer camps, and more.

UYI OSUNDE, 6th Yr. ’12, is the assistant principal at Illing Middle School in Manchester, Conn. He previously played football with the University of Connecticut and went on to play for the Cleveland Browns and the Buffalo Bills.

CARLOS CRUZ, ’13, has followed his dreams to China, where he will be an educator in Shanghai for the 2013-2014 academic year through the Ameson Year in China program (AYC). AYC sends college graduates to teach in public and private schools across China.

DANIEL TRUST, ’13, was recognized by Connecticut Magazine in its “40 Under 40” list of exceptional people. A survivor of the Rwandan genocide, Trust is a motivational speaker and philanthropist.

COLBY WELCH CARON, ’09, is an assistant director in the Office of Academic Support and Retention at Fairfield University. She resides in Waterbury, Conn.

’10s JONATHAN BURTON, ’11, has joined the WTOC News Team in Savannah, Ga. Previously, he

LILLIAN PERMAN ROHAN, ’39, Jan. 11, 2014, Miami, Fla.

ETHEL ELIZABETH STANNARD COLLIER, ’40, Jan. 2, 2014, Arlington, Texas

PHYLLIS R. SARANEC, ’40, M.S. ’96, 6th Yr. ’76, New Haven, Conn.

MARIENNE D. FAHEY, ’42, Dec. 5, 2013, Darien, Conn.

JANICE E. SCOTT, ’43, Oct. 29, 2013, Hadley, N.H.

CATHERINE SPILLANE, ’43, North Haven, Conn.

JEAN F. HALPIN, ’47, Dec. 29, 2013, Farmington, Conn.

MARY JOY BARRETT WALSH, ’49, Jan. 21, 2014, Hamden, Conn.

LAURA ADAMS HACKETT, ’50, Dec. 7, 2013, Branford, Conn.

MADELINE Y. ESPOSITO ABATE, ’52, Nov. 22, 2013, Uncasville, Conn.

JOHN JUST ELLIS, ’53, Feb. 8, 2014, Farmington, Conn.

JAMES LORELLO, ’53, March 2, 2012, Ivoryton, Conn.

EMANUEL T. PROSTANO, ’53, professor emeritus, Jan. 23, 2014, Stuart, Fla.

ELLEN D. GALLO, ’54, M.A. ’57, Jan. 1, 2014, Hollywood, Fla.

MARIA DOERING CARLSEN, M.S. ’55, June 12, 2011, Santa Rosa, Calif.* *Friends and colleagues, please contact Alan Jonas ABJFJJ@aol.com.

MARY E. DINEEN, ’56, Jan. 4.

2014, Woodbury, Conn.

PATRICIA WHITE RUSSELL, ’56, Nov. 7, 2013, East Haven, Conn.

MARGUERITTE WINFIELD, ’57, Feb. 10, 2014, Milford, Conn.

Marriages ZACHARY LAMOTHE, M.S. ’07, and Jaclyn Raffol, Sept. 27, 2013.

IN MEMORIAM GRACE LYONS GUNNIP, ’38, Nov. 28, 2013, Wilmington, Del.

JOSEPH FARINA, ’58, 6th Yr. ’73, Dec. 20, 2013, New Haven, Conn.

ROSE ESPOSITO CRETELLA, ’61, M.S. ’66, director emeritus of academic advisement, Nov. 18, 2013, New Haven, Conn.

KENNETH CHATFIELD, ’64, Jan. 1, 2014, Asheville, N.C. Spring 2014 | 33

with Southern friends and classmates. 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.

Name ______________________________________________________ Phone (

) ________________________________________________

Street Address ________________________________________________ City ____________________________State ________Zip ____________ SCSU Degree/Year______________Major ____________________________ E-mail ______________________________________________________

News Item____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Signature____________________________________________________ Date ______________________________________________________ Spouse’s Name ______________________Spouse's SCSU Degree/Yr. ______ Children’s Names/Ages __________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

MARILYN LEVY, M.S. ’67, Feb. 9, Del Ray Beach, Fla.

LEONA ATTENBERG, ’68, Jan. 5, 2014, Fairfield, Conn.

Conn.

SYLVIA P. SIXFIN, M.S. ’71, Dec. 5, 2013, Cheshire, Conn.

ALICE HOBART JOHNSON HORNE, M.L.S. ’72, Jan. 13, 2014, Tucson, Ariz.

NORMA BARBIERI, M.S. ’68, Dec. ELIZABETH “LISA” 27, 2013, East Haven, Conn.

CHEVALIER NELSON, ’72, M.S. ’77, Salem, Conn.

ROBERT J. DONOVAN, M.S. ’68, Jan. 11, 2014, Groton, Conn.

MARTHA SCHOBER VASILEFF, M.S. ’72, 6th Yr. ’75, SUSAN NATHANSON FAIREY, ’69, M.S. ’73, Feb. 15, 2014, Woodbridge, Va.

PRISCILLA MALLY, ’69, Oct. 23, 2013, Fort Pierce, Fla.

Woodbridge, Conn.

ROBERT T. LAW, M.S. ’73, 6th Yr. ’76, Jan. 28, 2014, West Haven, Conn.

JOYCE SCALA PROSTANO, ’69,

ESTELLE RUTH BABE GIFFIN,

M.S. ’71, professor emeritus, Jan. 15, 2014, Stuart, Fla.

M.S. ’74, Nov. 28, 2013, Groton, Conn.

34 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

NANCY WASSERMAN, ’84, Oct. 27, 2013, Bolton, Conn.

HUGH “CHIP” CAPEZZONE, ’85, Jan. 23, 2014, Bristol, Conn.

DREW A. CROCKER, ’85, M.S. ’94, Jan. 20, 2014, Brookfield, Conn.

JANET CAROL HYDE DONOVAN, M.S. ’94, Durham, Conn.

JEFFREY S. KNEIPFER, M.S.W. ’95, Jan. 1, 2014, New Haven, Conn.

JEREMY M. HAYES, ’02, Sept.

15, 2013, Buffalo, N.Y.

MICHAEL “MOOKIE” RUEGGER, M.A. ’07, Feb. 10, 2014, Darien, Conn.

6th Yr. ’96, adjunct professor of SHIRLEY VARMETTE, professor

Name under which I attended college ________________________________

’71, 6th Yr. ’90, Jan. 7, 2014, Meriden, Conn.

Yr. ’83, New Haven, Conn.

MARTIN MOORE, ’85, M.S. ’89,

 Check if this is a new address.

JOANN MILLS, ’64, Oct. 16, 2013, MARGARET “PEGGY” Bristol, Conn.

BOIANO, ’70, M.S. ’75, Hobe Sound, Fla. LUKE BERTINI, ’66, Oct. 9, 2013, Wallingford, Conn.

RONALD CHERNOVETZ, ’70, Oct. 27, 2013, West Haven, ALBERT F. PEDROLINI, ’66, M.S.

ELIZABETH “BETSY” SANTELLO, ’80, M.S. ’82, 6th

PATRICIA WOODALL, ’74, Sept.

21, 2013, Uncasville, Conn.

BEVERLY BARTON HALL, M.S. ’75, Orange, Conn.

KEVIN T. WALSH, ’75, Sept. 9, 2013, Middletown, Conn.

JOAN G. GUSTAFSON, M.S. ’76, North Port, Fla.

RUTH SUGERMAN PROPP, M.S. ’76, Jan. 16, 2014, Stamford, Conn.

CLAYTON SCOTT SORVILLO, ’76, Dec. 28, 2013, East Haven, Conn.

MONA V. MAIZELL, M.S. ’77, Dec. 5, 2013, Hartford, Conn.

HELEN “PENNY” LEISENRING VAUGHN, ’77, Oct. 3, 2013, Orange, Conn.

CAROL ANN VENO, ’78, Sept. 15, 2013, N.J.

special education, Dec. 2, 2013, Meriden, Conn.

SISTER MAUREEN DEMILIA, 6th Yr. ’87, Groton, Conn.

THOMAS NIKKEL, ’89, Dec. 13, 2013, New Haven, Conn.

Homecoming 2014

tell us about it

Share your good news

emeritus of sociology, Jan. 12, 2014, New Haven, Conn.

Class notes are compiled from submissions from alumni as well as announcements made in newspapers and magazines.

OWL

TOGETHER

NOW

Game Plan continued from page 22

Licensed to Thrill continued from page 13

Cody and Wiz have both been incredible programs for us, and both treat my team and me like we are an extension of their families. Not only will Wiz or Cody jump on a Skype call in the evening when we urgently need them or [catch] a plane to do an appearance when we need them to help promote something, but they also offer ideas on the creative side and even suggestions for retail strategy.

Recently, on a trip to L.A., Wiz and I had a busy day filled with meetings — starting with a headwear line review meeting on the rooftop of a hotel in West Hollywood. Our partner, Converse, had plane delays coming to meet us for an afternoon meeting and was delayed over six hours. When they finally arrived at L.A. it was after 10 p.m. Wiz moved his day around and even offered for all of us to come to his house, since it was so late, so we could review his new Converse collection. Some celebrities might cancel the meeting or not be accommodating.

The celebrities I work with are actually real people.

Looking back at your time at Southern, was there a particular program or professor who had a significant influence?

NEMEROV: One of the best experiences was the Corp.

Communications Cohort program I did when we went to Edinburgh, Scotland. Roger Conway [associate professor emeritus of media studies] headed this program, and it was an incredible experience and well organized. I will remember it forever. It enabled me to learn how to work with people from all cultures in an environment not familiar to me. It was eye opening.

Just curious . . . What were your interests as a child? Did you ever imagine having this type of career?

e You’r d invite

NEMEROV: As a kid, I enjoyed swimming, skiing, and riding

horses. I haven’t lost my love for equestrian. In fact, more recently I adopted a racehorse (Secretariat’s great-greatgrandson) and hired a fabulous trainer to teach him to be a great riding horse for me.

You’re concluding your SCSU career with numerous accomplishments — “winningest” coach, 19-winning seasons, four consecutive NCAA championship appearances. To what do you attribute Southern’s success?

CAVANAUGH : We’ve been very fortunate in my tenure to have admin-

istrators who felt athletics were an important part of the university. They gave us the tools that we needed to be successful. It always starts with your president and the administration. We’ve been fortunate with the athletic administrators that we’ve had here. Pat Nichol is awesome. I’ve worked under three different athletic directors, and she’s right at the top.

[Southern’s leaders] understand what it takes to be a firstclass program and the different areas you need to support if you want to be successful. That allowed me to go out and put together an awesome football staff — which, in turn, allowed us to go out and recruit quality student-athletes. The coaches who I hired are good motivators and teachers.

They related well to the players, and the players responded well to them.

Years from now, when people look back at your career, what do you want them to remember most about you?

CAVANAUGH : That I was honest with them. Sometimes I had to tell

them things they maybe didn’t want to hear. But . . . . at least I think when they got older, they realized that I had their best interests at heart.

I never imagined myself in a specific career as a kid, except maybe a full-time horse caregiver. In fact, until I was in graduate school I wasn’t sure what I wanted to

r18 e b o t Oc -6500

(203)

392

actually do with my career. I always knew I wanted to be independent, and I saw my Aunt Jacki (who is president and chief operating officer of Ralph Lauren), as my mentor. Jacki is an incredible person; She works harder than anyone I know, but finds a way to successfully balance life and work. I always knew I wanted to have her success and be happy doing whatever it was I chose as my path. 

What’s next on the horizon?

CAVANAUGH : I don’t know. We’ll see what hap-

pens. We bought a house in Newport, Rhode Island, a couple of years ago. We’ll be spending some time up there, and then we’ll just take it as it comes along and see what happens.

Will we see you in the bleachers?

CAVANAUGH : Oh yeah. I’ll definitely be here. . . .

This is my team.  Spring 2014 | 35

Naugatuck Valley Business After Hours

Peter White, Rick Braun, and Euge Groove

May 30 8 p.m.

Three of today’s hottest players come together for a special evening of jazz.

Undergraduate Open House

June 26 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Oct. 19 approx. 10:30 a.m. –

Jones Family Farm Winery, 606 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Shelton, Conn.

(Times will be confirmed in the fall.)

Throughout Campus

EVENTS

Southern 2:30 p.m.

Experience all Southern has to offer through campus tours and programs on academic offerings, admissions, financial aid, student life, and much more.

Join us for a delightful wine tasting, complete with hors d’oeuvres prepared by the Jones Family Farm’s Harvest Kitchen.

Named Connecticut Magazine’s “Best Connecticut Vineyard” in 2013, the winery was also recognized by the publication for the “Best Connecticut Wine” in 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Details and online registration will be available in September at SouthernCT.edu/admissions/ undergraduate or call (203) 392-5644 or (888) 500-SCSU.

$10 per person. (203) 392-6500

$34 for general admission; $30 for Southern active alumni, faculty, staff, and student guests; and $18 for Southern students. (203) 392-6154

SCSU Day at the Polo Club

June 8 1 p.m. for tailgate;

3 p.m. for polo match

Giant Valley Polo Club, 640 Tuttle Ave., Hamden, Conn.

Bring a picnic basket, your favorite beverages, and a lawn chair for a great afternoon of entertainment. A designated tailgate area will be set up for SCSU. Feel free to wear your most stunning (or outlandish) hat!

Admission is $5 per person or $10 per car at the gate.

(203) 392-6500

Outer Island (Thimble Islands)

Aug. 16 Back by popular demand! Travel by boat to the island to enjoy lunch and a tour conducted by Vincent Breslin, professor of science education and environmental studies and co-coordinator of the Werth Center for Coastal and Marine Studies.

(203) 392-6500

Homecoming 2014

Oct. 18 Events throughout the day; Homecoming game at noon Come home to Southern for a campuswide celebration for the entire family.

Highlights include the alumni tent party, the student parade of floats, the Homecoming football game, the 5K Robert Corda Road Race, and much more.

(203) 392-6500

Graduate Studies Open House

Oct. 25 Michael J. Adanti Student Center Explore Southern’s graduate programs in over 55 areas of study in the fields of education, library science and information technology, business, health and human services, and arts and sciences.

SouthernCT.edu/grad or (203) 392-5240

*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 and are limited to purchasing one student ticket and two student guest tickets per event. For tickets and additional information and listings, visit Lyman.SouthernCT.edu.

36 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

The Power of Education 2013 Charitable Giving Report

Dear Friends, The importance of earning a college degree for future success is well documented. In a recent article favoring compulsory K-16

Southern’s talented students succeed. These include: • Establishing the Foundation Student Support Fund

education, Richard Reeves and Quentin Karpilow of the

to provide students with financial assistance outside

Brookings Institution wrote: “We need to make post-secondary

of the traditional financial aid process. Areas of

education the norm for everyone, not just the advantaged. In

support include tuition and fees for those who

today’s economy, a high school diploma is not enough; now,

otherwise would be unable to remain at the

more than ever, college is the gateway to the American Dream.”

university, covering the costs of books for students in

The life-changing power of education is represented in

need, and paying costs of off-campus educational

the stories of the donors highlighted in this year’s annual report of the Southern Connecticut State University

programs during the summer and other breaks.

• Supporting experiential learning by funding

Foundation. Joan Specter, ’56, went from living in a twofamily Quonset hut on Whitney Avenue to becoming a

undergraduate research grants for summer 2014.

• Funding the Civic Engagement/Service Learning

successful businesswoman. Although 83-year-old Douglas

Initiative, the goal of which is to incorporate

Relyea, M.S. ’08, has achieved a great deal in life, he

community work into the curriculum so that students

demonstrates his continued belief in the value of education by

gain real-world experiences that enhance their

pursuing every learning opportunity available to him. The late

education while providing benefits to the community.

Nancy Marano, ’68, professor of education, believed writing

Looking to the future, the university has embarked on the

was the essence of human society and that learning to

development of a new 10-year strategic plan, and the SCSU

communicate effectively would empower her students.

Foundation will align its fundraising efforts with the priorities

As the leaders of Southern’s fundraising efforts, we are

identified through this process. The support of alumni and friends

committed to generating the support which will ensure that

will be critical to ensuring Southern students have an educational

every Southern student is afforded the opportunity to

experience that propels them forward to successful lives. On

experience the power of education. To that end, the Foundation

behalf of the SCSU Foundation Board, we offer our sincere

has funded a number of new initiatives designed to help

appreciation for your continuing commitment to Southern.

Very truly yours,

38 | Charitable Giving Report

Robert L. Stamp

David R. McHale

Executive Director SCSU Foundation

Chairman SCSU Foundation

Fundraising and Financial Highlights

Year in Review 2013 $2.74

Total Net Assets as of Fiscal Year End

Dollars Raised

by Fiscal Year

(June 30, 2013) in Millions

(July 1 - June 30) in Millions

$20.1

$17.4

$17.2

$1.77

$1.66

$14.4

$1.50

$1.52

’11

’12

$11.7

’09

’10

’11

Sources of Support for New Gifts and Commitments Fiscal Year 2013 $1,891,351

’12

’13

’09

’10

’13

Faculty/Staff 2% $38,694 Friends 18% $336,143

Corporations 19% $354,939

Foundations 23% $435,425

Alumni 38% $726,150

Endowment 31% $587,908

Restricted Support 57% $1,079,585

Looking Ahead According to Commonfund Securities, the latest data further supports their longstanding view that the U.S. economy is rebounding and inflation is well controlled. The forecast for the U.S. economy, corporate earnings, and the equity markets in 2014 is optimistic, as a rise in consumer net worth, consumer confidence, corporate cash flow, and profits continues.

Kiplinger’s Economic Outlook for 2014 anticipates gross domestic product growth of 2.7 percent or better, with short-term interest rates remaining low throughout the year. Inflation is expected to tick up slightly to 1.8 percent, and business spending is anticipated to be up 4.5 percent to 5 percent as U.S. growth strengthens.

Unrestricted Support 12% $223,858

Distribution of New Gifts and Commitments Fiscal Year 2013 $1,891,351

U.S. stocks ended the year with broad gains, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average having its biggest rally in 18 years to finish 27 percent up for the year, according to The Wall Street Journal. At the close of the fiscal year on June 30, the fundraising results for the Southern Connecticut State University Foundation significantly exceeded our estimates — ending at close to $1.9 million. The Foundation’s net assets also increased over the prior year to just over $20 million as a result of healthy growth in the financial markets.

The market value of the endowments increased $1.7 million from last year to $15.4 million.

The Foundation’s Investment Committee revised their Investment Policy through a change in asset allocations. Commencing in January, the portfolio is investing in small allocations to Emerging Markets, Hedge Equity, Global Bonds, and Distressed Debt.

This change in policy will help weather any potential downturn that may present itself in the future. The Foundation Board remains optimistic that its investment portfolio will continue to achieve earnings that, when combined with generous contributions from our constituents, should provide strong support.

Our objectives remain to increase resources available for scholarships and programmatic initiatives.

Spring 2014 | 39

Living the Dream Celebrated as a businesswoman, politician, and culinary wonder, Joan Specter, ’56, establishes a scholarship that honors friendship and the life-changing power of education.

By Natalie Missakian

40 | Charitable Giving Report

J

oan Specter, ’56, can’t recall exactly how much tuition cost when she attended Southern, but she remembers it being “ridiculously low” — maybe $20 or $30 a semester — and to her that seemed like a lot.

Specter, wife of the late U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pennsylvania), was a newlywed and had come to New Haven so her husband could attend law school at Yale. The couple had very little money and was living on Whitney Avenue in the Quonset huts, a tract of prefabricated two-family homes often used by the military to house soldiers during World War II. “They were tin-roof buildings with one floor, and the walls were paper thin. You could hear everything your neighbor said,” Specter recalls. “One family lived in the front of the hut, and another family lived in the rear. It was a wild experience, I can tell you that.”

It was there that Specter met Louise Jongewaard — everyone called her “Dode” — who lived next door and was also attending Southern while her husband studied at Yale Divinity School. Bonded by similar circumstances, the two women quickly became friends.

“We were very poor. We had no money. But we had a house — a good ol’ half of a Quonset hut — and we packed up every morning and went to school,” Specter remembers. “And we felt like we were the luckiest people in the world that we could get a college degree for so little money.”

So when Specter established a scholarship at Southern in December 2012, she decided to name it the Joan Specter and Louise (Dode) Jongewaard Endowed Scholarship in honor of their friendship and their pursuit of an affordable education. The money is earmarked for undergraduate students who are in good academic standing and demonstrate financial need.

“I gave a gift to the school because they gave me a gift. They gave me the gift of education — an affordable education — and it was wonderful,” she says.

Specter started at Southern in 1953 (she already had one year at Temple University under her belt), when the school was known as New Haven State Teachers College and was still located on Howe Street. Hers was the first class to graduate from the new campus, which bore little resemblance to the Southern of today. “They had just one building and no auditorium, and we graduated in this big open field, sitting on folding chairs,” Specter remembers.

After graduating with a liberal studies degree, she returned to Philadelphia and earned a master’s in food and design from Drexel University. Her husband would go on to serve 30 years in the U.S. Senate, the longest of any Pennsylvania senator. Specter, meanwhile, made a name for herself as a dessert maven and successful businesswoman and later launched her own political career as a four-term Philadelphia city councilwoman.

While in graduate school, she met her cooking partner and together they opened a culinary school. As her reputation in the culinary world grew (she also wrote a food column in the local paper and had a food-related radio show), she was approached by

“I gave a gift to the school because they gave me a gift. They gave me the gift of education — an affordable education — and it was wonderful.”

— Joan Specter, ’56

a local entrepreneur who wanted to start a dessert business and asked Specter to develop the product.

“I said, ‘Well, what do you have in mind?’ and he said he was interested in pies,” she recalls. “So I said, ‘Sure. But it will take me a while to figure out what I want to do.’ ” Specter tested recipes and came up with the two signature pies that made her — as one Philadelphia Inquirer food writer dubbed her — the queen of the local pie trade: the candied walnut apple and the double chocolate mousse. In 1977, she opened her bakery and started selling pies to local restaurants. The business grew into a wholesale food distribution company and by the late 1980s, her gourmet frozen pies could be found in restaurants and upscale food markets across the country.

A few years into her business venture, she was approached to run for the Philadelphia City Council. She won the 1979 election and was re-elected three more times.

Upon leaving politics, she worked for more than a decade as a fundraiser for the National Constitution Center, a museum located across from Independence Hall and dedicated to educating the public about the Constitution. Now retired, she lives in Philadelphia and has two sons, Shanin, who is an attorney, and Steve, an MD who has a doctorate in nutrition, as well as four grandchildren, one of whom attends Yale. She still keeps in touch with her friend Dode, who lives in California. “We talk on the phone all the time,” she says.

Specter’s words of wisdom to Southern students and graduates are simple: Keep your mind open and say yes.

“That’s what I did in my life. What did I know about running a bakery? Or being a city councilwoman? I mean, really?” she asks.

“There are lots of possibilities out there. Just because you went to school to be a teacher, doesn’t mean you have to be a teacher. You can be anything you want to be. You just have to really want to be it.”

Spring 2014 | 41

Part Two Douglas Relyea, M.S. ’08, capitalizes on an education program for seniors — and establishes a scholarship to help others earn their degrees.

By Natalie Missakian

42 | Charitable Giving Report

D

ouglas Relyea, M.S. ’08, takes the catchphrase “lifelong learner” to a whole new level.

The 83-year-old former chemist has spent the last 15 years taking classes at Southern, first as a graduate student pursuing his master’s in biology and now — after reaching that goal in 2008 — as an undergrad majoring in French. He is a proud, if unorthodox, member of the Class of 2014, who was set to receive his bachelor’s degree in May as this issue went to press.

“I give new meaning to the word “senior,” quips the octogenarian, who is minoring in German and has grandchildren the same age as many of his classmates.

Relyea is taking advantage of a program that lets Connecticut residents 62 and older enroll in courses at state public universities and colleges tuition free. Under the program, applicants can take unlimited courses where space is available after paying a registration and other basic fees. In addition to being offered at Southern, the program is available at Eastern, Central, and Western Connecticut State universities and the University of Connecticut, as well as the state’s community colleges.

Relyea figures by the time he is finished, the state will have subsidized his education to the tune of nearly $50,000. After doing the math, the Bethany, Conn., resident decided he should pay the debt forward, so he established the Douglas I. and Mary L. Relyea Endowed Scholarship at Southern, named for Relyea and his wife. The scholarship is open to undergraduate students majoring in French or German who maintain a grade point average of 2.7 or higher.

“I looked around at all these students paying for every credit and thought I really should give something back,” he says.

Relyea has a long-held commitment to education. He already holds a bachelor’s from Clarkson University, a master’s from Cornell, and a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. He also completed one year of post-doctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin and worked for 40 years as a chemist with Uniroyal. He has received 19 patents for his research, developing insecticides and fungicides for crop protection and has authored 25 scientific papers.

When he retired, his desire to keep learning drew him to Southern, where he has been taking classes since at least 1999.

Steven Burian, chair of the Biology Department, who worked with Relyea on his master’s thesis, notes that it’s likely Relyea had taken all of the biology courses in Southern’s catalog.

“He took a huge number of courses, probably double the number of courses that you need for a master’s degree,” Burian recalls.

Relyea says he pursued his master’s in biology because he has a deep interest in insects, entomology, and ecology — a curiosity that was piqued during his many years working on insecticides.

His master’s thesis focused on the taxonomy of the mayfly.

His interest in world languages also goes back to his days as a chemist. He was expected to have rudimentary knowledge of French and German because scientific terminology was rooted in

“I looked around at all these students paying for every credit and thought I really should give something back.”

— Douglas Relyea, M.S. ’08

those languages, but he always wanted to master them, he says.

Relyea jokingly calls himself a transfer student, explaining that Southern gave him credit for 10 liberal arts classes he took while earning his first bachelor’s degree more than 60 years ago. He also received a waiver for the mandatory “Introduction to Wellness.”

Relyea has run a total of 180 road races and 120 biathlons and continued to run until a knee injury eight years ago forced him to give up the sport. He estimates he has logged around 35,000 miles.

“I’d done races. I had a body mass index (BMI) of 21. I have an annual physical exam. I eat three meals a day at a table. I was, at the time, 81 or 82 and still breathing in and out. Did I really need a course in Introduction to Wellness?” he recalls. So he wrote to the department chair of Public Health and pleaded his case. He quickly got an e-mail back from his secretary, telling him that the department chair was granting the waiver “and we both envy your BMI.” Luke Eilderts, assistant professor of French, says Relyea brings a different perspective to the classroom than a student fresh out of high school.

“He’s beloved by his fellow students. He’s very intelligent,” says Eilderts, who coordinates the French program.

Burian adds that Relyea was a role model for the fledgling scientists in his classes, who were learning how to ask the right questions and apply scientific principles.

“Doug was great at that because he already had all that background. It was second nature because that’s how he lived his life,” Burian says.

When the class discussed research papers, for example, Relyea often questioned their conclusions. Sometimes he even re-did the analyses. “He would never accept anything at face value — which is how science should be,” Burian says.

Relyea says he is getting an “excellent” education at Southern and notes that a key to finding happiness in the golden years is to come up with a five- to 10-year plan before retiring. “Don’t just leave the job and go home and put your feet up and watch TV,” he says.

Spring 2014 | 43

The Teachers’ Teacher Professor Nancy Marano’s passion for education influenced countless students as well as her family. A memorial scholarship established in her honor continues her legacy at Southern and beyond.

By Natalie Missakian

44 | Charitable Giving Report

W

hen Kristin Marano leaves the house — even if it’s just for a quick run to the grocery store — she always brings a book with her “just in case.” It’s a habit she learned from her mother, who was never without a book even when she became too ill to read them herself.

“We were encouraged to have a book with us wherever we were, wherever we went,” says Marano, who describes a childhood home filled with bookshelves. “We always had family discussions about what we were reading.”

Kristin’s mother, Nancy Marano, ’68, believed reading was the foundation for good writing, and she was passionate about passing on that skill to her own family and students.

At Southern, she was a longtime professor of education and an architect of the university’s Writing Across the Curriculum program, which promotes writing in every academic discipline and offers workshops and tutoring for faculty and students. In a fitting tribute, the university dedicated a student writing competition in the professor’s honor after her death in 2011. The Nancy Marano Writing Across the Curriculum Award annually recognizes the best student work completed in writing-intensive courses.

“In her mind, writing really was the essence of human society,” says her husband, John Marano, (pictured at left) of Madison, Conn. “She loved good writing, she loved her students, and she wanted her students to be able to communicate effectively.”

To honor that passion, he established the Nancy Laine Marano Endowed Scholarship Fund at Southern. The scholarship is open to a junior or senior in the School of Education who maintains a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. To be considered, applicants must write an essay explaining why they deserve the award.

“She was quite an effective communicator,” John Marano adds.

“She had a special way with people, making them feel comfortable.”

One of her first students was none other than her husband.

The two met at a New Haven nightspot while John was at Yale University and Nancy was attending Western College. She had come home to the New Haven area for Thanksgiving break and, serendipitously, “it was one of the few times I hadn’t gone home for a holiday,” he recalls. A friend of Nancy’s suggested he ask her to dance.

“I followed the advice,” he says. Soon after, she transferred to Southern, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. They married in 1968 and have two daughters, Kristin and Lauren.

Although John worked in engineering, his job required more and more writing as he climbed the corporate ladder into management.

“I needed a lot of help,” jokes Marano, who held corporate executive positions at Mobil and Union Carbide and now owns a company that makes medical devices. “She took me under her wing and helped me with my writing and communications, which I really believe helped my career. As time passed, if I had an important piece of writing for my job, she would review it and give me pointers, and I would do the same for her. We bounced things off of each other in that way.”

“She was always a teacher — as far back as I can remember.”

— Kristin Marano Nancy Marano began her career as a special education teacher in Charleston, W. Va., specializing in children with learning disabilities, and later held teaching and tutoring positions in Princeton, N.J., and New Canaan, Conn. She earned a master’s in special education from West Virginia Graduate College in 1977 and a doctorate in educational studies from the University of Michigan in 2000.

In 2001, she joined the faculty at Southern, where she was actively involved in academic life. In addition to serving on the Writing Across the Curriculum Committee, she was a member of the Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board and was faculty advisor to the Future Teachers of America.

Professor of Mathematics Maria Diamantis, who worked closely with Marano, describes her colleague as enthusiastic, patient, and caring. “One of her students gave her a plaque that read ‘You Inspire Me,’” says Diamantis. “She kept it in her office, where she could easily see it and always be reminded of her mission. She was completely devoted to her students.”

“I only ever knew my mom as dedicated to the discipline of education,” says Kristin Marano, who now lives in Winston-Salem, N.C. “To say that she was passionate about it sounds limited and trite. It was more just who she was, foundational to her being, part of her core. She was always a teacher — as far back as I can remember.”

Marano says her mother often spoke of her students and how much she enjoyed watching future teachers in the classroom. “You could see the twinkle in her eye when she’d talk about them,” John Marano adds.

In her personal life, Marano believed strongly in human rights, women’s rights, and helping the poor. She also was fiercely protective of those she loved, her husband says. Although diminutive in stature and typically reserved, she often surprised people when she spoke in defense of her beliefs. “She was calm but very determined,” John Marano says.

He remembers one family vacation in Cape Cod when a sales clerk spoke harshly to the couple’s young daughters. Marano marched back into the store and gave the woman an earful about treating children with respect.

“She was reserved until you pushed her buttons,” he jokes.

Knowing how thrilled she would have been to help others obtain a college education, he says the family has enjoyed meeting some of the scholarship recipients, describing them as “wonderful, pleasant, and very smart students.”

Spring 2014 | 45

Giving to Southern

Honor Roll of Donors

Our Honor Rolls recognize gifts made between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information; however, errors and omissions may have occurred. Please accept our apologies for any inaccuracies. If you find an error, please contact Susan Quagliaroli at (203) 392-7083.

President’s Club Patrons $10,000+ Doris & James Barber Community Foundation for Greater New Haven Compass Group USA Inc. Estate of Wanda Dick Sylvia Drexler Drexler Foundation Estate of Robert Eisele Geraldine Frankel Lynn Fusco Fusco Corporation Anne Gundersen* Haskins Laboratories Amy Huie-Li Janice Illingworth Albert Jett Rita Landino John Marano Shannon & David McHale The National Collegiate Athletic Association New Haven Register Northeast Utilities Foundation The Oaklawn Foundation Audrey Paight Joseph Paight Paul L. Jones Fund Douglas Relyea Estate of Dorothy Schrader Joan Specter Walter Stutzman Stutzman Family Foundation Margaret & John Sullivan Richard Tripodi 46 | Charitable Giving Report

United Way of Central & Northeastern Connecticut Estate of Rebecca Ward Werth Family Foundation William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund WSHU Public Radio Group President’s Club $5,000 - $9,999 Barnes & Noble College Bookstores Inc. Katherine Barrett Michael Chambrello Kerb Productions Inc. Stephen Koestner Edward Mack Newman’s Own Foundation John Petto Christine & John Powderly Richard Russo Sage Family Trust SCSU Alumni Association Gladys & John Soto Southern Gymnastics LLC Space-Craft Manufacturing Inc. Anthony Tamburri Whitney Center Wiggin & Dana LLP Blue & White Club $1,000 - $4,999 Kristen Adanti-Pedersen & Jon Pedersen Elizabeth Ailes Aldo Dedominicis Foundation

Alloy Engineering Company Inc. American Honda Motor Co. Inc. Paula Armbruster Jaye Bailey William Ball Regina Barbaresi Beacon Wealth Management Kimberly Bean Hilary Bertisch Corinne Blackmer James Blake Peter Boppert Peter Breihof William Burns BVH Integrated Services Barbara & Peter Cairney Jill & Jacques Cesaire Ann Christmann Citizens Bank Clear Channel Broadcasting Inc. New Haven Coca-Cola Refreshments Maureen Collins Comcast Comerica Wealth & Institutional Management Connecticut Magazine Rose Cretella* Kimberly Crone Michael Deans Jerry Dunklee Ellen Durnin Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte & Sterczala PC Deborah Edwards

Marjy Ehmer Fairfield County Community Foundation Inc. FIP Construction Inc. Anna Fraulo* DonnaJean Fredeen Philip Gaboriault Carlene Gaudette Mark Germain Sandra Hague Frank Harris HB Communications Inc. Kathryn Hughes Chris Hutchinson ING Life Insurance & Annuity Susan Jennings Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven JHTNA Inc. Michelle Johnston Michael Katz Marianne Kennedy Julia Kobus Mary O’Connell Kozik L. Holzner Electric Company Myrtle Leonard* Liberty Mutual Group Inc. Raymond Mackowski Thomas Madigan Magilla Entertainment Marcum LLP James Mazur McBride Wayside Carpet & Furniture Co. Inc. Joan McGuire Lawrence McHugh

Memorial Day Classic Sharon Misasi Mary Ann & Donald Mitchell William Morgan Eileen Moriarty Joseph Natarelli National Philanthropic Trust Newtown Parent Connection Inc. Northeast Generator Company Inc. Northeast Utilities Service Company Rocco Orlando Barbara Ortoleva Sarah & Richard Paige Donna Palmieri Pauline Schwartz Trust Fund Gregory Paveza People’s United Bank William Pratt Timothy Quill Nicole Rinehardt Anita & Joseph Sabatino Robin Sauerteig SC Football Camp LLC SCSU AAUP SCSU Student Government Simplex Grinnell LP Skanska USA Building Inc. Sidney Skolnick Clifford Smith Marcia Smith Stanley Black & Decker Inc. The L. Suzio Concrete Co. Inc. Sandra Thielz

Tim Greer Insurance Agency Inc. Tonelli Sports LLC Tri-State Brick of Connecticut Carolyn Vanacore Anthony Verlezza Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut Patricia & J. LeRoy Ward Webster Bank Diane Wishnafski Yale University Associate’s Club $250 - $999 Antonio Aceto Jodi Adolf Aetna Foundation Inc. Heidi Allen Linda & Gary Altieri Anthony Amendola Charles Andriole Cally & Joseph Angeletti Aon Foundation Inc. Michael Ashwood AT&T Foundation Higher Education Matching Gift Program Kathleen Bagley Ralph Barbieri Christine Barrett Christina Baum Michael Ben-Avie Denise Bentley-Drobish & Robert Drobish Frank Blefari Daniel Boffa Anthony Bonadies Joan Bonvicini Christopher Borajkiewicz Violet Bornemann Christine Broadbridge John Brown Sara Brown Lise Brule Ellen Budris Steven Buechele Edward Burke Terrell Bynum Robert Caciopoli Josephine & George Caffrey Lisa Cain Alaina Calabro Conrad Calandra Mary Pat Caputo Richard Carney Andrew Carrano Mark Ceneviva Centerbrook Architects and Planners Jane Cheek Sherryl Chin Catherine Christy Lori Ciccomascolo CIGNA Foundation Brian Clarke Kenneth Coleman

Marie Coll Comcast Foundation Marylou Conley Connecticut Community Foundation Connecticut Public Broadcasting Inc. Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame Carole Connelly Cosmo Corigliano Shirley Costello Claudia Crafts Holly Crawford Brad Crerar Gregg Crerar John Criscuolo Lauralee Cromarty Lewis Crone Karen Cummings Josephine & Martin Curry Thomas Curtin Elizabeth Curtis Susan D’Agostino Arthur D’Almeida Scott Dana John DaPonte Darter Specialties Inc. James Dawes Pamela Day Richard DeCesare Joan & Raymond DeFrancesco Amanda & Robert DeMezzo David Denino Patricia & Michael D’Errico Aniruddha Deshpande Ann Dombroski Dominion Foundation Kevin Donnelly Michael Donnelly Mike Donnelly Basketball Academy LLC Ann Donnery Joseph Dooley Elizabeth Driebeek Driven2Inspire Betsy Duckworth Dun & Bradstreet Co. Foundation Elisabeth Durso Laura Elsenboss ESI International Josephine Farley Robert Felder Deborah Flynn Jared Forcier Jessica Forcier Rosemary Forni Joseph Friello* John Fuller Vincent Gagliardi Peggy Gallup Lisa Galvin Linda Garfinkel Henry Gates Carole Gauger Terese Gemme

Stephanie Gibbons Kevin Gilbride Christina Gilleylen Ross Gingrich Krista Grande Matthew Grande Alison Green Rosanne & Robert Griffin Aaron Gross Haddam Killingworth Sunshine Fund Irene Haller Jan Hamilton James Hance Edward Haydon Robert Heins Lars Helgeson Barbara Higgins Joan & William Holley Catherine Inglese Nancy & Vincent Inglese Sondi Jackson Kurt Jagielow Marilyn & Warren Jaqua Sara Johnson Jonthan Judd Patricia Kahlbaugh Steven Karjanis Karjanis & Sons Motors LLC Frank Keeney Jeffrey Keeney Shawn Kelly Robin Kenefick Judy Kiely Roberta Kieronski Thomas King Georgianna Kleiman Lewis Klunk Sarah Costello Knauf Paul Kobasa Nancy Kohl Philanthi Koslowski Ernest Krajcik Jocelyn Kravecs William Krumm Lillie Kumar Gerard Kunkel Daniela & Frank LaDore Timothy Landry Richard Larson Laurel Beach Consultants LLC Lissa Law Martin Lawlor Donald Lemieux Anne Leone Lifetime Care at Home LLC Limpiex Cleaning Service Inc. Candace Lumia Brian Lussier Alan Machuga Sean Mahon Barbara Mallick Susan Manke Mansir Printing Robert Margolies Doris Marino Rosalind Marottoli

Jane Marrone Holly Masi Mark Masi Carmella Mastrogiovanni Allison McCaffery Robert McGannon Michael McGrath Laura McLaughlin Kevin McNamara E. Marie McPadden Merck Company Foundation P. Minou Michlin Stephanie & William Miller Harriett Milnes Milone & MacBroom Giacomo Mordente Edward Morgan Gary Morin A. Duffy Mudry Timothy Murphy Cynthia & Frank Nappi Letitia Nastri Nationwide Foundation Gerard Nelson Vara Neverow New Haven Roadrace Inc. Deborah Newton Patricia Nicol Eleanor & Anthero Nicolau Theresa O’Connor Kevin O’Reilly Philip Palma Christopher Palmer Patricia Panichas Judit & George Paolini Robert Parker Carol Parmelee Timothy Parrish Rodney Paul Belinda Pearman Francis Pentino Arthur Perschino Anthony Peruso Philip Pessina Kathleen Peters Christine Petto Pfizer Foundation Janice Piazza Mary Piccioli Constance Pino Christopher Piscitelli John Potkay Marilyn Price Sean Raffile Jaak Rakfeldt Kate Ramunni Jeffrey Reilly Donald Reilly Stacey & Richard Riccardi Salvatore Rizza Linda Robinson George Romano Wiltraud Roze Kristin Russo Ronald Sader Elizabeth Sahlin Phyllis Salerno

Richard Salerno* Barbara Salzano Lorraine Samela Margaret Samela Frank Santino Elizabeth Scaduto Ronald Schwartz Stanley Seliga Michael Shea Robert Sheeley Barbara Kennedy Shortell Peter Sieviec Christopher Silhavey Eric Simms Lori Simon Michael Sjovall Forrest Smith Jessica Somerville Joseph Sorrentino Dawn Stanton-Holmes Kenneth Steiner Brigitte Stiles Beth Stoller Donald Stuhlman Suburban Worldwide Travel Agency LLC Subway Restaurants Brendyn Sullivan Linda Sullivan SUOAF/AFSCME Jean Sutherland Daniel Swartz Heidi Szobota Jennie Taddia Angela Todaro Lawrence Tomascak Guy Tommasi Doris Townshend Cynthia Tuchman United Technologies Corporation Jeffrey Upchurch Donald Vance Verizon Foundation Joseph Verzino Ronald Walker Elizabeth Walsh Jan Wang Mark Waters Richard Watson Katherine & Richard Wellner Wepawaug-Flagg Federal Credit Union Jay Whelan Patricia Whelan Anna Whitaker Michael Wilder John Williams Patricia Williams Melissa & Marvin Wilson Winners Edge Strategies Inc. Eileen & Gary Wolff Roger Wolfson Patricia Woodford Jane Wright David Zack Michael Zilinek Spring 2014 | 47

Century Club $100 - $249 Cheryl & David Abraham Katherine Acocella John Adamovich Michael Adamski Frederick Afragola Deborah Ahern Albrecht’s Auto Repair Inc. Judson Aley Carol Allen Richard Allison Ellen Alpert Michael Ambrosecchio Janet Amento Amgen Foundation Carol Anderson Donna Lou Anderson Lauren Anderson Louis Andre Katherine Andriole Stacey Andritsopoulos Michael Angelini Ronald Arbitelle Andrea Arellano Barbara Arens Mickel Arias Alice Armstrong Caroline Atherton Alfred Badger Amanda Bailey Richard Bailey Maxine Balaban Joanne Baldauf Joseph Bandiera Mary-Beth Bantham Sharon Baraiola Leonard Barbieri William Barker Robin Barna Ellen Bauer Curtis Bean Helene Becker Patricia Bennett Marise Benson Matthew Berberich Mark Bergamo Betsy Bergen Dorothy Berger Christopher Berglund Berlin Bicycle & Repair Shop Betsy Bern Lois Bernardi Val Bernardoni Florence Berrien Rosemary Berton Stephen Betz Veronica Beuther Fred Bialka Marcia Biase Barbara Bilodeau Joseph Binkoski Janis Blasiak Barbara Bohn Andrea Bonazzoli Virginia Bonitatebus Kathleen & Leonard Bonn 48 | Charitable Giving Report

James Booth Booz Allen Hamilton Barry Boriss Laurie Boske April Bowe Laura Bower-Phipps Sylvia Boyd Bonnie Bredes Donna Brennan Vincent Breslin Bridgeport Sound Tigers Isobel Broadhurst Marga Brockhagen

Rose Celone Jennifer Charbonnier Nancy Charest The CHE Consulting Group Inc. Judith Chernoff David Chevan Albert Chiappetta Beverly Chieffo Christopher Chisholm Carol Chometa Laurie Churchill Joseph Ciaburri Lawrence Ciotti

Philip Cronan Laura Crooks Janice Crossland Helen Crowley James Crowley Judy Cuddihee Robert Cuddihee Patricia & Thomas Cummings D & D Services LLC Carolyn Daher Marcia & John D’Alexander Mary D’Amato Raymond D’Amato

Meryl Brodsky Claudia Broman Alice Brooks Joseph Brown Richard Brown Phoebe Browning Kurt Buchholz Michelle Budwitz Sandra Bulmer Jack Burriesci Rae Burton Richard Buteau John Caceci Fay & Hugh Cafferty Susan Calahan Beverly & William Calcagni William Caliendo August Cambria Doreen Cammarata-Gilhuly & Daniel Gilhuly Judith Camp Carol Cangiano Frank Caparulo Antone Capitao Maureen Carey Wayne Carlson Donald Casey James Cashavelly Ernest Cassella Rose & Joseph Castellon Michael Castellucci

William Clapes Class of 1956 Constance Cleary Joseph Cleary Barbara Clifford Pixie Cody Mary Cofrancesco William Cohane Dona Cohen Phyllis Cohen Joseph Colacino George Colafati Suzanne Colasanto Sharon Comkowycz Phyllis Comrie William Cone Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Robert Connelly Lorraine Conway William Conway Linda Coppola James Corbiere Susan Corneille Francine & David Coss Barbara Costello Courtwood Inc. Lizanne Cox Kathleen Coyle Mary Beth Crandall Nancy Crandall Susannah Crego Violino

Laurene D’Amico Donna D’Angio Jimmy Davila Gail Davis Ruth Ann Davis Isaac Deas Andrea DeBoer Cynthia DeCarlo Christopher Decker Paul DeCoster Timothy Deffley Rosemary & Thomas DeFilippo Sarah Dekutowski Daniel Del Prete June Delano Raymond Delehant Paul DelGobbo David DeLise Agnes Dellaselva Ronald DeLuca Ralph DeMatteo Paul Desruisseaux Michael DeVito Jane & Merritt Dexter William Diffley Patrick Dilger Kevin Dillane William Dillane Claudette Dimaria Melinda Divicino Bruce Dobratz

Veronica Doneski Ann Donohue Mildred Doody Anna Doolittle Thomas Dorr Kim Dorsey Shawn Dougherty Richard Downey Jacqueline & Gregory Downing John Doyle Brian Driscoll Marian & Robert Drobish Diane Smith Drugge Barbara Drummond MaryAnn Dudley Mara Dunleavy Lori Durocher Joy Duva William Dyson Alan Eckstrand Donna Egloff Pasquale Elia Edward Elliman Jessica Embacher Lucinda Embersits Marty Ernstoff Agatha Esposito Linda Esposito Kenneth Ewaskie Anna-Margaret Fabisiak Kirkland Fain Patricia Falk William Faraclas Bonnie Farley-Lucas Lesley Farricielli Joseph Fazzino Marybeth Fede Mary Feige Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Denise Fiedler Wadad Finan Lois Fiore June Estep Fiorelli David Fiorini Deborah & Richard* Fitzsimmons Cynthia Fixer Nancy Flammia Norbert Flammia Stephen Flanagan Brandis Flash Thurza Fletcher Gustave Flink Louis Florio Sarah Flynn Vicki Folden James Foley Clare Ford Meredith Ford Martha Fordiani Verne Foster Jeffrey Fournier Frame Advisors LLC The Frame Shop and Gallery of Waterbury Dominic Francese Diane Frankel-Gramelis

Kelley Frassinelli Melvin Freden Joanne Frenkel Diane Fulco Janina Fusaro Francis Gagliardi Rosemary Gagliardi Robert Gaipa John Gallagher Patrick Gallagher Charlotte Gallucci Judy Gardner Robert Gearing Henry Gemery Carol Gennette Jeannette Gentile Mark Gentry Michael Georgen Joan Gerdsen Lillian Gerhardt Ann Gibran Nancy Gill Sean Gilmartin Anthony Ginnetti Beverly Ginter Darnell Glass Howard Gleichenhaus Betty Gobeille Audrey Goclowski Kathleen Goddison Ellen Godomsky Adam Goldberg Jerry Golebiewski Neil Golub Isabel Gonzalez-Echevarria Goodfellas Restaurant Virginia Goodwin William Goodwin Patrick Gorman Krystyn Gorniak-Kocikowska Mary Gould Graebel Susan Gray Ruth Green Robert Gregory Roberta Grossman Marcia Gruce Hope Grunt Margaret Guelakis Janet Guilmette Robert Gulas Grace Gunnip* Deborah Gwiazdowski Valerie Haberl George Haddad Catherine Hair John Hajus Mitchell Hallock Audrey Hancock James Hanley Michael Hanlon Harvey Harkness Terry & Hugo Hart The Hartford Hartford Insurance The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Co.

Richard Harvey Harvey Hubbell Foundation David Hauser Jeannette Hawran Jocelyn Hayes Headfly Web Solutions LLC Evelyn Heffernan Marianne Heffernan Karen Helland Raymond Heller Norman Henchel Barry Herman Floresita Hernandez Patricia Heslin Deane Hetric Kim Hibbard Christine Higgins Denise Hindinger Charlotte Hitchcock Bonnie Hittleman-Lewis Adele Hodges Mable Hoffler-Page Eddis Hoffman Jerome Hojnacki Lori Hollings James Honore Harry Howell Margaret Huda Claudia Hudson Donald Hughes Maureen Welch Hunter Angela Huntley

Florence Johns Bethann Johnson Joyce Johnson Kurt Johnson Richard Johnson Robyn Stewart Johnson Jordan Jones Diane Julian Richard Kaminski Constance Kapral Eugene Karpinski Michael Kasinskas Christopher Keefe Cindy Keegan Mary Jane Keeler Elizabeth Keenan Mary & Dennis Keenan Raymond Kellogg James E. Kelly James F. Kelly Janeth Kelly Jeffrey Kelly Patricia & Timothy Kennedy Linda Keshishian Donald Kessler Linda King Martha Kirschner Miles Kirschner Edwin Klinkhammer Kurt Knoernschild Kenneth Koch Andrew Koorejian

Susan Langhans Paul Lapuc Anthony Laudano Susan LaVallee Nicholas Laveris Dawn Lavoie Marylou Lavoie Michelle Lawler Daniel Leavitt Linda Lebel Gloria Lee Judith Legeza L’Elegance Patricia Lenihan Roberta Leonard Cora Leonardi Nathan Lerner Pamela Lerner James Letts Paul Levatino Levitsky & Berney PC Frederick Lewis Catherine Ligi Maria Loiewski Timothy Loney Susie Long Long Wharf Theatre Mary Rose Lovello LRG, LLC Maureen Lucas Renee Lynes Kenneth Lyon

Thomas Hylinski IBM International Foundation David Ifkovic Kenneth Imperato Stephen Ingulli Michael Ippolito Shirley Jackson Thomas Jacobs Mary Jadach Kendra Jemmott George Jerome

Dorothy Kramer Jason Krauss Margaret Krepinevich John Kryzanowski Leo Kuczynski Meghan Kuebler James Kusack Rae Lambert John Lampronikos Lisa Lancor Dorothy Lane

Glenn Mackno Patricia & James Madigan Lisa Magliocco Monica Maia Alison Majeau Ann Maki Robert Malchiodi Anita Malentacchi Anthony Maltese Peter Mandras Dorothy & Patrick Manley

Sharon Manley Anne Mapolski David Marczely Lucille Marottoli Marianne Marple Elizabeth Martha Eleanor Martin Mary & Jeffrey Martinik Dorothy Martino Edward Martino Barbara Matthews Kathleen & Anthony Mauro Ann Maxham Raymond McGarrity Daniel McGrath George McGuigan James McIntyre Hollis Mckenna Paul Mckenzie William McKernan Bonnie McNair Kathleen McNeill Faye Meacham Carole & Stanley* Mendygral Anna Micci MidState Information Services Mihaela Miller Leslie Millington Frank Milone Margaret Mirto Mary Monahan Margaret Moniz Christine Montgomery Mary Montgomery Stephen Montgomery Catherina Mordecai Debra Moriarty Kathleen Morin John Moroniti Joseph Morris Christine & David Morrow Gerald Moss Evelyn Moulton Raymond Mugno Robert Mundy John Murphy William Murray R. Stephen Myrick Eleanor Nace Eva Naples Anne Nardi Gabriel Nardi Mary Navin Betty Naylor Christine Nelson David Netinho Network for Good Barbara Neufeld Margaret Newton Ryan Nobrega Donald Norcross Dorothy Noyce Oak Street Reunion Eleanor O’Brien* John O’Dea William O’Hare Spring 2014 | 49

Patrick Okeefe Dorothy O’Neil Maureen Onofrio George Ostrowski Tracey Owers Sadiann Ozment Gatin Pagano Andrea Paight Jeannette Palluzzi Joseph Palmer JiongDong Pang Robert Pannozzo Carol Papazian Dorothy Pappas Vermelle Paris Joseph Parisi Lisa Parisi Donna Parke Gary Parkman Jill & Stephen Parkosewich Steven Parks Berdjouhi Parseghian Walda Passaro Edward Patrick Randy Paul & Associates Inc. Harvey Paulin Patricia Pearson Sandra Pease Lynda Pedersen James Pegolotti Marite Pelverts Darnelle Perry David Peruta Maria Peters* Ralph Peters Fred Petrella Paul Petrie Helen Pfeifer Philadelphia Gymnastics Center Inc. Walter Piechota Edward Pierce Frank Pinto Michael Pisani John Ploski Francesca Poole Joseph Poulsen Dennis Powers Thomas Powers Ann Pratson Susan Prentis Marie Prete Geraldine Prince Prudential Foundation Kerstin Pugh Lori Pujda Marc Rabinoff Steven Racine Monica Raffone Sabdhya Ramesh Diane Rasch Jeffrey Raup Karen Redman Lillian Reeder Martin Regan Tricia Regan Ann Renstrom 50 | Charitable Giving Report

Resource Video Theresa Riccio Cynthia Riccitelli Paula Rice Elizabeth Richardson Bernadette Riggs Marguerite Rinaldi Anna Rivera-Alfaro Arlene Robbins John Rochette Michael Rogers

Wayne Schwartz Marjorie Scorey Dorothy Scrobko SCSU Women’s Association Linda & Martin Scully Joseph Seeman Deborah Seibert Robert Semenza Paul Serenbetz Helen Shecora Joan & John Sheehy

Cynthia Swainbank Edmund Swartz Sweet Boutique Elaine Swirsky John Switchenko Carl Sword Lisa Taggart Christina Tashjian Frank Tavares Clelia Tenerowicz Amy Terlaga

Richard Rogerson Nancy Ronne Harriet Rosen Joseph Rossi Andrea Rowe Heather Rowe Donald Rozanski Paul Rubino Jennifer Ruggiero Russell Sage Foundation Dorothea Russo Paul Rust Joseph Sabol Concetta Sacco Sahin Holding LLC Michele Salamone Michael Salvin Alain Samson Frank Samuelson San Damiano Daily Giving Cina Santos Marilyn Santucci Warren Sarasin James Savidge Edward Savino Carol Sbabo Donald Sbabo Salvatore Scafariello Gay Schenck Walter Schenck Emmanuelle Schindler Irene Schragger Janice Schuck

Erika Shore Shubert New Haven John Sidoli Kathy Siegler Kiran Singh Philip Sirignano Six Flags New England Andrew Sklepowicz David Smith Ellen Smith Randall Smith M. Roberta Spann Sean Stearley Steelcase Foundation Nancy Stellaccio Sterling Forms & Computer Supplies Russell Stevens Patricia Stich Heidi Stobbart Martin Stokes Cynthia Stretch Carolyn Strout Ming Suen Barbara Sullivan Constance Sullivan Easton Sullivan Lauren Sullivan Martha Sullivan Thomas Sullivan William Sullivan* Sandra Summers Ming Sun

Judith Terrill Kim Tester Kevin Thompson The Tiara Club Lois Tolles Robert Toothaker Barbara Torcellini Cynthia Toscano Jeffrey Tottenham John Tracy Laurie Tracy Rudolph Trankovich Carol Tripp William Turnier Amy Tursky Edward Tyburski UBS Matching Gift Program Michele Vancour William Varnum Mary Vaughn Jean & Clifford Verron Nancy Via Joseph Violetta Mary Visnic Robert Vitti Michael Vollero Mariacristina Von Feldt Edward Voss Ann Wagner Ann Waldman Rosemary Waldron Corneli Wallin Patricia Walsh

Eleanor & Norman Warrender Judith Watkins-Shapiro Suzanne Weber Thomas Wellington Wendy Wells Wells Fargo Foundation Ann Wengloski Dal Wentzel Mary & Edward Weselcouch Todd Wheeler Mary Ellen White Alice Wilcox Dorothy Willis William Wilson Steven Winter Timothy Wise Frank Wolak Patricia Wolf Roshelley Woodson Jon Wormley Michelle Wormley Roger Woznick Renay Wright Kathy Yalof Mary & James Yanosy Arthur Yost John Young Ralph Yulo Roselyn Zackin Charles Zaremskas William Zenko Patricia Zibluk Joyce & Brian Zukauskas Janet Zukowski Robert Zuraw Grants Favor Inc. Leakey Foundation Sociologists for Women in Society Faculty and Staff Honor Roll Antonio Aceto Carolyn Alling Shirley Anderson Jaye Bailey James Barber Leonard Barbieri Christine Barrett Nicholas Bauer Christina Baum Betsy Beacom Judith Behler Michael Ben-Avie Therese Bennett Denise Bentley-Drobish John Bergevin Corinne Blackmer James Blake Leonard Bonn Peter Boppert Vivian Bordeaux Laura Bower-Phipps Sharon Bradford Vincent Breslin

Christine Broadbridge Dian Brown-Albert Lise Brule Anthony Brunetti Sandra Bulmer Merle Bunco Rondell Butler Terrell Bynum George Caffrey Susan Calahan Conrad Calandra Doreen Cammarata-Gilhuly Amy Cappello Mary Pat Caputo Braxton Carrigan Suzanne Carroll Darci Carson Vincenzo Cassella Shirley Cavanagh Thomas Celentano Oliver Chambers Jian Chen Xiao Cheng Isabel Chenoweth David Chevan Sherryl Chin Karen Christian-Porteous Catherine Christy Nancy Chucta Shawna Cleary Richard Cogswell William Cohane Marylou Conley Nicholas Constantinople Rosalie Cota Brad Crerar Gregg Crerar John Critzer Kimberly Crone Karen Cummings Thomas Cummings John DaPonte Margaret Das Linda Davison Pamela Day Richard DeCesare Sandra DeLeo’n Robert DeMezzo Emmett Dennis Deborah DeSisto Tanya Diaz William Diffley Marie DiFrancesco Patrick Dilger Gaetano Dimicco Ann Dombroski Michael Donnelly Giovanni D’Onofrio Joseph Dooley Thomas Dorr Robert Drobish Suzanne Duke Jerry Dunklee Ellen Durnin Robert Eldridge Scott Ellis Ruth Eren

Marian Evans William Faraclas Bonnie Farley-Lucas Ann Farrier Marybeth Fede David Feinmark Chaka Felder Vincent Ferrie Janelle Finch Lawrence Fitzgerald Nicole Fluhr Deborah Flynn Ellen Frank Kelley Frassinelli DonnaJean Fredeen Philip Gaboriault Betsy Galian Peggy Gallup Lisa Galvin Marie Garcia-Abrines Terese Gemme Ross Gingrich Barbara Glynn Ada Goldberg Floyd Gollnick Krystyna GorniakKocikowska Robert Gregory

Paula Kennedy Hak Joon Kim Janet Klicsu Renee Knight Michael Kobylanski Philanthi Koslowski Timothy Krauss Klay Kruczek James Kusack Frank LaDore David Lake Lisa Lancor Cassandra Lang Susan Larson Michelle Lawler Susan Lawrence Gloria Lee Heidi Lockwood William Lunn Christopher Lynn Barbara Mallick Anthony Maltese Michelle Mann Doris Marino Jane Marrone James Mazur Robert McEachern Hollis Mckenna

Ryan Nobrega Vitrice Oliver Linda Olson Wanda Outing Tracey Owers JiongDong Pang Patricia Panichas Timothy Parrish Cynthia Patterson Jacqueline Patton Gregory Paveza Belinda Pearman Sandra Pease Darnelle Perry Lucille Perry Philip Pessina Paul Petrie Laura Pettie Carolynn Pettit Christine Petto Christopher Piscitelli Francesca Poole Geraldine Prince Deborah Puglia Susan Quagliaroli Timothy Quill Monica Raffone Jaak Rakfeldt

Stanley Seliga Joseph Selvaggio Michael Shea Cynthia Shea-Luzik Robert Sheeley Pamela Sheppard Winnie Shyam Eric Simms Judith Sizensky-Searles Andrew Smyth Maureen Spellman Dawn Stanton-Holmes Bridget Stepeck-Holt Brigitte Stiles Cynthia Stretch Villia Struyk Walter Stutzman Theresa Sutherland Daniel Swartz Frank Tavares Angela Todaro Lawrence Tomascak Jaime Toth David Vance Michele Vancour Merryalis Vazquez Mary Verner Carol Wallace

Wendeline Hardenberg Frank Harris Martin Hartog William Hochman Margaret Huda Sandra Huebner Percy Huggins Jr. Shirley Jackson Sondi Jackson Kurt Jagielow Bethann Johnson Sara Johnson Michelle Johnston Jordan Jones Barbara Kagan Patricia Kahlbaugh Elizabeth Keenan Raymond Kellogg Robin Kenefick Marianne Kennedy

Paul Mckenzie Kevin McNamara Joel Meisel Diane Michaelsen Norman Middendorf Sharon Misasi Joyce Moore Giacomo Mordente Winnifred Morgan Diane Morgenthaler Gary Morin Mehdi Mostaghimi Raymond Mugno Bennie Murphy Joseph Musante James Mutts Gerard Nelson Vara Neverow Deborah Newton Patricia Nicol

Lisa Rebeschi Tricia Regan Richard Riccardi Paula Rice Lystra Richardson Anna Rivera-Alfaro Salvatore Rizza Linda Robinson Mary Robinson John Rochette Michael Rogers Nancy Ronne Heather Rowe Jennifer Ruggiero Michele Salamone Theresa Sandifer Marlene Santiago-Cordero Cindy Schofield Marcia Schultz Jessica Scibek

Jan Wang Aaron Washington Mark Waters Megane Watkins Carlton Watson Deborah Weiss Colby Whelan Patricia Whelan Marvin Wilson Timothy Wise Robert Workman Jianxiong Wu Kommaly Xayasone Kathy Yalof Phyllis Young Patricia Zibluk *Deceased

Spring 2014 | 51

Southern Connecticut State University Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors OFFICERS

EMERITI DIRECTORS

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

David R. McHale • Chairman Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Northeast Utilities System

Lucille W. Alderman

James E. Blake Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Southern Connecticut State University

Richard F. Tripodi • Vice Chairman President RFTS Inc. Michael R. Chambrello • Treasurer Mary O’Connell Kozik • Secretary Senior Chemist AECOM Corporation Robert L. Stamp • Executive Director Vice President, Institutional Advancement Southern Connecticut State University

BOARD MEMBERS Paula Armbruster Associate Clinical Professor (Retired) Yale University Dr. Robert S. Frew Professor Emeritus of Computer Science Southern Connecticut State University

Frederick R. Afragola Chairman Frame Advisors Frank D. Antin Senior Vice President (Retired) The Bank of New York Mellon Mackey Barron President HB Communications Inc. Lynn Fusco President Fusco Corporation Robin Sauerteig John Soto President Space-Craft Manufacturing Inc. Diane L. Wishnafski Executive Vice President (Retired) NewAlliance Bank

Charles Baraw, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of English Southern Connecticut State University Erin McGuckin Student Representative Southern Connecticut State University Mary A. Papazian, Ph.D. President Southern Connecticut State University Robert D. Parker Alumni Association Representative Director of Communications (Retired) ACES Teresa Sirico Alumni Association Representative Teresa Sirico Realtor LLC

Thomas J. Madigan Vice President, Investments UBS Financial Services Inc. John J. Mezzanotte Partner-in-Charge Marcum LLP Marc A. Nivet, Ed.D. Chief Diversity Officer Association of American Medical Colleges William H. Pratt, Esq. Partner Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP Anthony F. Verlezza Associate Partner Equus Group LLC Pieter van Vredenburch

52 | Charitable Giving Report

CONTACT US For additional information, please contact: Southern Connecticut State University Foundation, Inc. Telephone: (203) 392-6900 Gifts may be made online at: SouthernCT.edu/giving or you may contact the Development Office.

Telephone: (203) 392-5598

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS. Like money for course books.

Supplies for research projects.

Or bus fare to campus.

THE AAA (Academics, Administration, and Alumni) Student Relief Fund provides emergency assistance to students who have an immediate, short-term need for financial support.

YOUR GIFT TO THE FUND — combined with contributions from other alumni, friends, faculty, and staff — makes it possible for Southern students to stay in school and earn their college degrees.

Please designate your gift to the AAA Fund today.

Because sometimes THE LITTLE THINGS

Any gift over $35 automatically makes you a full member in the SCSU Alumni Association, which keeps you connected to Southern and provides a world of special benefits reserved for members.

are all you need to make the

biggest dreams come true.

A

challenge

has been issued between Alumni, Administration, and Academics (AAA) to raise money for our students. We are asking our to meet this challenge by raising $5,000 toward the AAA Student Relief Fund.

alumni

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

Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Burlington, VT Permit No. 19

Spring | 14 Alumni Association 501 Crescent Street New Haven, CT 06515-1355 SouthernCT.edu Address Service Requested

SOUTHERN HAS ADOPTED A

onoring H Graduating

new graduation tradition — one that recognizes veterans’ commitment to

Veterans

their studies and their country. In addition to donning the traditional cap and gown at commencement, graduating veterans are now invited to wear a patriotic blue stole that includes a panel of white stars surrounded by the words, “Valor and Respect” and “United States Veteran.”

The tradition, which began with the May 2013 commencement exercises, has been well received. “We asked our graduating veterans to stop by the SCSU Veterans Office, explaining that there was something we wanted to give them,” says Giacomo (Jack) Mordente, M.S. ’77, 6th Yr. ’79, Southern’s coordinator of Veterans and Military Affairs. “It was great to see their reactions.”

Southern currently has about 375 military-connected students, including active-duty military, veterans, reservists, members of the National Guard, and dependents. “It doesn’t make any difference what branch of the military they’re with,” says Mordente. “They all have such respect for each other. The camaraderie is tremendous . . . and it’s wonderful to have one more way to show that.”

Diploma in hand, Toranio “Tito” Melbourne, ’13, celebrates his achievement.