Southern Alumni Magazine Summer 2025

a publication for alumni and friends of Southern Connecticut State University

ALUMNI MAGAZINE | Summer | 25

RESEARCH AT SOUTHERN Connecticut’s First and Only

F E AT U R E S

14 The Research Advantage Southern offers countless research opportunities at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This year, the university became Connecticut’s first and only Carnegie-designated Research 2 university — highlighting the uniqueness of this commitment. Plus, research spotlights on two transfer students turned astronomers; a National Security Agency–funded program to teach Chinese to high schoolers; and a business student from Germany studying the appeal of green bonds.

22 Birds of a Feather At Woodland High, Principal Kurt Ogren, M.S. ’94, 6th Yr. ’01, and two dozen Southern alumni are shaping one of Connecticut’s top public schools.

30 The Next Chapter COVER: Students conduct hands-on, team-based

research through the Werth Industry Academic Fellowship Program, which is supported by the Werth Family Foundation and based in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Center for Nanotechnology at Southern.

ISABEL CHENOWETH PHOTO

Long before awardwinning books and starred reviews, Xhenet Aliu, ’01, was a first-gen college student commuting to Southern.

Southern |

ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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32 Writers Muse

DE PARTM E N TS

Five recently published Southern writers (all Department of English alumni) share writing tips they’ve learned along the way.

2 ■ From the President 3 ■ Campus News 11 ■ Social Southern 12 ■ True Blue 20 ■ Spaces & Places in New Haven

A Southern grad turns a course assignment into ERO Café based in New Haven.

26 ■ Supporting Southern

35 Here’s to 100 Years!

Since 1925, the SCSU Alumni Association has been the heart of Owl Nation — supporting our students, strengthening the community, and leading with purpose. It’s time to celebrate!

A new scholarship at Southern honors the memory of John DeBrito, ’91, a two-time soccer All-American and national champion.

28 ■ Owl Update

Alumni couple Allison and Jeff Stoutland have built a life filled with impressive achievements, including four Southern degrees, author credentials, and two Super Bowl championships.

36 ■ Alumni News Do you know someone who’d be a great fit for Southern? Please share this issue with a prospective student. Thank you!

40 ■ Alumni Notes 44 ■ Seen on Campus

DEAR SOUTHERN ALUMNI, I hope that you are having a relaxing and

Scholar Program for the 2024-25 academic year.

enjoyable summer! It is with a profound sense of

Southern is the second-highest producer of

purpose and enthusiasm that I write to you today

Fulbright U.S. Scholars in Connecticut,

as the newly appointed interim president of

underscoring our growth in international academic

Southern Connecticut State University.

exchange.

Working at Southern for the past 26 years —

In addition, we have seen an upward

first as a faculty member and then as dean of the

trajectory in enrollment, impressive growth in

College of Health and Human Services since 2014

grants and private gifts, and the establishment of

— has been an inspiring experience. I am honored

new community partnerships that provide our

by the opportunity to step up and serve our

students with critical experience in workforce-

institution during this pivotal time. State

demand fields.

universities were my academic and career pathway,

During a time of challenge for public higher

and I firmly believe in the mission of public

education, it is critical that we are responsive,

education. As a first-generation graduate, I

forward-thinking, and decisive in our mission, so

understand firsthand the transformative impact it

that our impact — both locally and beyond — is

can have on individuals, families, and communities.

lasting and meaningful.

Southern has long been known for access,

As we approach the 100th anniversary of our

inclusion, and opportunity in higher education. In

Alumni Association, I commend you for your

recent years, we have made meaningful progress

heartfelt dedication to Southern and your enduring

in aligning our mission with the evolving needs of

support of student success. I look forward to

our students and the broader community. From

greeting many of you at the anniversary awards

deepening our workforce partnerships to

banquet on October 3 and at our Homecoming

expanding academic pathways and research

celebration the following day. Your pride in this

opportunities, our shared commitment to student

institution is evident, and I look forward to

success is stronger than ever. We are well-

partnering with you to advance Southern and its

positioned to build on this foundation with vision

time-honored mission during my tenure as interim

and determination.

president.

As you will read elsewhere in this magazine, Southern has earned Connecticut’s first and only

Sincerely,

R2 designation by the Carnegie Foundation, placing it among an elite group of research-driven universities nationwide. We have also been

Sandra Bulmer, Ph.D.

recognized as one of the top-producing

Interim President

institutions for the prestigious Fulbright U.S.

2 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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Sandra Bulmer Appointed Interim President

Southern

ALUMNI MAGAZINE ■ VOL 21 • NO 2

Sandra Bulmer, Interim President Michael K. Kingan, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Executive Director, SCSU Foundation, Inc. STAFF

Patrick Dilger, Director of Integrated Communications & Marketing Villia Struyk, Editor Christina Levere, Associate Editor Marylou Conley, ’83, Art Director Isabel Chenoweth, Photographer Jason Edwards, ’21, Ashley Donahue Contributing Photographers Mary Pat Caputo, Alumni Notes OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

Gregory Bernard, ’04, Director of Alumni Relations (203) 392-6500 EDITORIAL OFFICE

S

ANDRA MINOR BULMER HAS BEEN NAMED INTERIM PRESIDENT of Southern, bringing deep institutional knowledge and a record of success to the position. She began the role on July 1. Bulmer has extensive higher education experience, including 26 years at Southern where she served as dean of the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) since 2014 — and oversaw a period marked by transformational growth.

Under Bulmer’s leadership, the CHHS: opened a 94,000-square-foot interdisciplinary building to address workforce and academic needs; introduced an array of innovative degree programs (including a doctorate in social work); expanded partnerships with community health organizations including the Yale New Haven Health System; and secured more than $20 million in external funding to further career partnerships and health equity in Connecticut.

Bulmer also served on the university’s Presidential Leadership Council, helping Southern navigate shifting admission trends and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Dr. Bulmer is a terrific choice,” says Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, associate dean, health equity research, and the C.N.H Long Professor at the Yale School of Medicine. “I’ve known and worked with her for over 15 years. She is a trustworthy leader who is principled and fair. Her experience, her intellect, and her character make her ideal for this moment. This is really great news for our community.”

Bulmer — a first-generation college student — received a doctorate in health education from Texas Woman’s University, a master’s in physical education with a focus on exercise physiology from the University of Oregon, and a bachelor’s degree in physical education from California State University, Hayward.

Bulmer notes that Southern is uniquely well-positioned to weather the challenges facing higher education overall. Enrollment is strong and accolades are numerous. Southern is Connecticut’s first and only Carnegie-designated Research 2 university. (Yale University and the University of Connecticut are the only R1 institutions.) Southern also is the second-highest producer of Fulbright U.S. Scholars in the state and has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report. “I am incredibly proud of the work we are doing. The importance of our role as a regional comprehensive university cannot be overemphasized,” says Bulmer.

MORE AT:

Southern Connecticut State University Office of Integrated Communications & Marketing/Southern Alumni Magazine 501 Crescent Street New Haven, CT 06515-1355 Telephone (203) 392-6591; fax (203) 392-5083 Email address: StruykV1@SouthernCT.edu University website: SouthernCT.edu Printed by The Lane Press, Inc.

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. Inquiries related to nondiscrimination policies and Title IX may be forwarded to Paula Rice, Title IX Coordinator and Director of Diversity and Equity Programs, 501 Crescent Street, BU 240, New Haven, CT, 06515; (203) 392-5568; RiceP1@SouthernCT.edu.

inside.SouthernCT.edu/president Summer 2025 | 3

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Introducing the Class of 2025

On May 22, Southern honored the Class of 2025 at undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies. More than 2,000 students participated in the back-to-back celebrations held at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Conn.

Marissa Bode, 1 an actress and disability rights advocate, was the undergraduate commencement speaker.

Bode, who became disabled at age 11, made her feature film debut portraying Nessarose, in the film adaptation of Wicked. It was the first time in the Broadway musical’s 22-year history that a wheelchair user played the character, who is unable to walk during much of the production.

Education is a lifetime pursuit, said the actress, noting she learned about the disability rights 4 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

movement at age 20 from watching the documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution. “One of the main themes within Wicked is self-discovery, whether that’s through friendship, characters embracing their perceived flaws, or a character opening their eyes to the scary world around them,” said Bode, who is now a champion for access.

Held later in the day in the same venue, graduate commencement exercises recognized students who earned doctoral and master’s degrees, sixth-year professional diplomas, postmaster certificates, and

graduate certificates.

Educator Miguel Cardona 2 addressed the class, reflecting on his journey from a Meriden fourth-grade classroom to leading the U.S. Department of Education.

“Other people’s testimonies about you are more important than the

titles after your name or the letters after your name,” said Cardona in a passionate message about equity, service, and staying rooted in community. “And, as you add fancy letters after your name, remember that your impact on the people you serve will be what you’re remembered for.”

MORE COMMENCEMENT NEWS INCLUDING THE PROGRAM, ONLINE YEARBOOK, AND CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES AT

go.SouthernCT.edu/scsu2025

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Filmmaker and Fellow

Now that his undergraduate career is a wrap, Julien Sanchez-Levallois, ’25, is ready for his next act — stepping behind the camera for a yearlong artistic journey that promises to bring a fresh cinematic lens to his hometown of New Haven. A history major, musician, and visual artist, SanchezLevallois was awarded the prestigious Chauncey Fellowship by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven in December 2024. The $25,000 grant supports his independent film project, allowing him to merge his creative passions into a work deeply connected to the city he calls home.

The screenplay — co-written with his brother — is a comedic murder mystery set in New Haven, where the city itself plays a central role. SanchezLevallois is assembling a grassroots production team, collaborating with local costume designers, musicians, actors, and makeup artists to bring his vision to life.

“It’s about the collaborative process,” he says.

“I want this to be a platform that helps others move forward in their own creative journeys.”

st ■ Fa GREAT Facts. NEWS. • In 2025, Southern became Connecticut’s first and only Carnegie-designated university — placing it among an elite group of only 139 research-driven universities nationwide. (Only Yale University and the University of Connecticut received a higher R1 Carnegie ranking in the state.)

More on page 14.

Research 2

2,001

• A record donors contributed more than on Southern’s 2025 Day of Caring. Thank you!

$866,700

• Three School of Business students participated in a hands-on consulting experience offered through Southern’s — short for Collaborative Online International Learning — initiative. They collaborated with peers from the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, a highly ranked research institution, to address real-world business challenges for ALSO Deutschland GmbH, an international technology provider.

COIL

• The SCSU Alumni Association celebrates its anniversary in 2025. Celebrate at Homecoming: go.SouthernCT.edu/homecoming.

100th

Julien Sanchez-Levallois, ’25

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SCSU a Leader in Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program

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OUTHERN WAS RECOGNIZED by the U.S.

Department of State as a top-producing institution for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program for the 2024-25 academic year.

The university is the second-highest producer of Fulbright U.S. Scholars in Connecticut and one of only 46 institutions overall to receive this honor.

The Fulbright Program, one of the world’s most prestigious international exchange programs, operates in more than 160 countries and fosters cross-cultural collaboration and academic excellence across educational institutions. Southern was honored with four Fulbright placements in the 2024-25 academic year. Kelly Mabry, ’87, M.S. ’88, professor of communication disorders; Radu Bogdan Zamfir, ’00, MBA ’12, director of Southern’s Center for Educational and Assistive Technology; and Amy Smoyer, associate professor of social work, are engaged in Croatia, Romania, and Spain, respectively. Southern also hosted, for the second time, Cristina Alsina Risquez, a Fulbright Visiting Scholar from the University of Barcelona.

Additionally, Joyce Taylor, who teaches social work, and Jonathan Weinbaum, associate professor of biology, were named Fulbright specialists this year, invited to share their expertise internationally.

Summer 2025 | 5

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Ancient Rite, Modern Lens

spring, Southern faculty compete in a photo competition that spotlights their research. David Paulson, ’10, an instructor in the Department of

“They say you are born three times in Cham religious philosophy,” says Paulson. “The first is from your biological parents, the second is when you marry, and the third is when you pass into the spirit realm to join your spirit ancestors.”

In Cham tradition, the deceased are buried with

Community College.

Originally drawn to photojournalism (hence his great eye), he discovered anthropology after reading Southern’s Undergraduate Catalog cover to cover.

“There were courses on Native Americans, religion, international issues — everything I was interested

Paulson also connected with local anthropologists, including a Cham student.

A casual coffee meeting led to an invitation to visit the student’s village — and centered Paulson’s research focus.

He went on to graduate school at Temple University and was awarded

Anthropology, won this year’s “Best in Show” prize with his striking image from a recent trip to Vietnam.

“I’ve spent two years of my life there,” says Paulson, 38, who has visited the country 10 times.

Much of his research focuses on the Cham community, an ethnic minority recognized for its matriarchal social structure, Sanskrit-derived language and writing, vibrant weaving and pottery traditions, ancient structures, and unique rituals related to birth and death.

meaningful items for about two years. The skeletal remains are then exhumed, followed by a multiday cremation ceremony.

Paulson’s awardwinning photo spotlights a powerful aspect of this ritual: religious dignitaries who are fluent in the Cham language are reading palm-leaf manuscripts to cleanse the earth. “This allows members of the village to transition to the higher spiritual plane,” says Paulson.

As an undergraduate, Paulson transferred to Southern from Housatonic

in,” says Paulson, who majored in anthropology with minors in Asian studies and psychology.

His focus on Vietnam — “a pivot led by serendipity and destiny,” he says — was inspired by mentor C. Michele Thompson, professor of history. She was developing an exchange program focused on immersive language study and encouraged Paulson to join. In the summer of 2010, he spent a month in Ho Chi Minh City, learning the Vietnamese language.

Thanks to Thompson,

a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant for 2016–2017. His research explored the developmental experiences of Cham children, whose native language is endangered.

Paulson also taught Englishlanguage classes to Cham community members and the staff of the UNESCO Center in Phan Rang.

Today, he’s come full circle as a Southern instructor. “I always integrate the Cham culture into my classes, as well as the importance of field study,” he says.

T’S A VISUALLY STUNNING TRADITION: each

6 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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S

Homegrown Special Education Heroes OUTHERN’S COLLEGE OF EDUCATION has celebrated a

major milestone: the graduation of the first cohort from its

Residency Program in Special Education. Five students earned their Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degrees, marking a significant step forward in addressing the local shortage of qualified special education teachers.

The innovative program offers a pathway for aspiring educators — especially current paraeducators in New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) — to earn both a master’s degree and state certification, while continuing to work and receive income.

Launched three years ago in partnership with NHPS, the program was designed to strengthen the special education workforce from within the local community.

“The ultimate goal is not just to fill vacancies, but to cultivate a homegrown team of educators who are committed to our district, our students, and our community,” said Christopher Trombly, dean of the College of Education.

The program was co-designed by Marie Nabbout-Cheiban, associate dean of the College of Education, and Typhanie Jackson, executive director of student services for NHPS. MORE ON THIS AND OTHER RESIDENT EDUCATOR PROGRAMS AT:

SouthernCT.edu/education/educator-pathways/residency-program

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New Graduate Programs Launched

Southern’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies offers more than 100 programs, including these new offerings launched in the fall 2025 semester.

MS in User Research (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design The program’s comprehensive curriculum focuses on both the user experience and user interface design. It is the first and only stand-alone graduate program of its kind in Connecticut.

MS in Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management Students can work on excavation sites and at international field schools as well as conduct laboratory research on archaeological collections in this hands-on program — the only graduate program of its kind in Connecticut.

MS in Financial Risk Management Offered through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)-accredited School of Business, the curriculum focuses on financial risk assessment, quantitative modeling, regulatory compliance, and strategic decision making — with STEM integrated throughout.

MS in Business Analytics Students gain hands-on experience with business analytics tools for data visualization, dashboarding, prediction, forecasting, and prescriptive analysis to develop data-driven solutions to challenging business problems. Offered through the AACSB-accredited School of Business.

MS in Computer Science The program empowers students to implement the latest research and theories in the dynamic world of computing.

MS in Coastal Resilience Students study biophysical and sociocultural systems to gain an understanding of the complexities of coastal resilience in the face of climate change and the blue economy.

Celebrating graduates of the Residency Educator Program in Special Education are (from left) Russhell McDuffie-Vines, a student in the MAT program; Genith “Geri” Hemphill, MAT ’25; and Madeline Negrón, superintendent of New Haven Public Schools.

MORE AT:

grad.SouthernCT.edu Summer 2025 | 7

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Leadership Appointments

Dr. O. John Maduko

Sergio Pérez

Christopher Trombly

Michele Vancour

Dr. O. John Maduko was named interim chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, which includes six public institutions of higher education: Southern, Central, Eastern, and Western state universities; Charter Oak State College; and Connecticut State Community College (CT State). Previously, he was president of CT State, the largest community college in New England and, prior to that, he was vice president for academic and student affairs at Minnesota State Community and Technical College.

Sergio Pérez was selected vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Pérez comes to Southern from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, where he most recently headed the College Diversity Office.

Christopher Trombly was named dean of the College of Education in April after holding the position on an interim basis since August 2024. His career includes 16 years at the Pre-K – 12 level, rising to the position of principal, followed by 12 years in higher education, five at Arkansas Tech University and the past seven at Southern.

Michele Vancour has been named interim dean of the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). She began her career at Southern in 1998 as an assistant professor in the Department of Public Health and was the founding director of the SCSU Wellness Center as well as the director of faculty development.

Most recently, she has served as executive director of healthcare programs in the CHHS.

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Superstar Neuroscientist Comes to Southern INCENT

PIERIBONE , co-CEO and chief science officer of OceanX, has established a lab at Southern, bringing worldclass research and deep-sea science experience to the university’s new B.S. in behavioral neuroscience program.

Pieribone, previously affiliated with Yale University Medical School and the John B. Pierce Laboratory, is an adjunct senior research scientist at Southern with a focus on cellular and molecular physiology and neuroscience.

His groundbreaking work uses fluorescent proteins — derived from marine organisms — to observe how neurons communicate, offering a noninvasive alternative to traditional electrode methods. Practical applications may include the ability to understand brain-based diseases such as schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease. “If you think about it, the brain is just this enigma,” Pieribone says, adding that epilepsy is the only brain-based disease with a broadly effective therapeutic intervention.

His lab published major findings in Science and Nature Methods, demonstrating the ability to record activity from thousands of neurons simultaneously using engineered proteins.

His arrival at Southern is a major coup, says Interim Provost Julia Irwin: “He’s a superstar neuroscientist. . . . He deeply enriches a brandnew program we’ve launched.”

Pieribone is joined by longtime research collaborator Jelena Platisa, and together they will work with Southern’s neuroscience faculty to give students hands-on access to cutting-edge lab techniques.

Pieribone says he’s energized by Southern’s environment and especially by working with undergraduates, an opportunity he didn’t have at Yale. “I love the people. I love the campus,” he says. “Seeing the opportunity to have students around, young students who will work really hard is exciting. . . . I feel really invigorated.”

Above and left: Vincent Pieribone, the co-founder of OceanX, guest lectured at Southern in December and has established an office at the university.

8 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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Top Honors for Recent Grads

The Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award, among the university’s most prestigious honors, was presented to four members of the Class of 2025. The award recognizes academic achievement, dedication to community service, and campus involvement.

Wajiha Ali, ’25, transferred to Southern where she majored in business administration with a concentration in business information systems and graduated magna cum laude.

On campus, she served as president of the Women in Leadership Academy, vice president of the School of Business Dean’s Student Advisory Board, and a School of Business Ambassador. Following graduation, she was selected for a full-time role at Yale University’s Early Career Development Program.

Peter Borzillo, ’25, a member of the Honors College, double majored in English (creative writing concentration) and interdisciplinary studies (child, family, and community studies and social science). Borzillo, who graduated summa cum laude, also earned campus-wide recognition as a creative writer. He received the 2024 SCSU Creative Writing Award and was featured several times in Folio, the undergraduate literary and arts journal.

The 2025 Barnard Scholars are (from left) Jordan Cervantes, Wajiha Ali, Yasieli Perez, and Peter Borzillo.

Jordan Cervantes, ’25, graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology and is now pursuing graduate studies at the University of Connecticut. He received additional scholarships and awards as an undergraduate, including the New England Psychological Association’s Honorary Undergraduate Scholar Award. Working with Christopher Budnick, associate professor of psychology, Cervantes also presented firstauthored poster presentations across institutional, regional, national, and international conferences.

Yasieli Perez, ’25, a first-generation college student, graduated summa cum laude with a degree in sociology and a minor in political science. Perez was president of the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS). She also served as vice president of the Sociology and Criminology Club, as a resident adviser, and as a peer mentor, among other leadership roles.

Summer 2025 | 9

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Faculty and Staff Honors • Laurie Bonjo, associate professor of counseling and school psychology, is the recipient of the 2024-25 Board of Regents Faculty Teaching Award for the university. At Southern, Bonjo developed and implemented the first doctoral program in counselor education and supervision in New England to be accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. She served as its inaugural program coordinator.

• Sandra Bulmer, interim president, was honored as an Industry Superstar by the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce at the 23rd annual Health Care and Life Sciences Awards, presented

by Yale New Haven Health, in June.

• Britt Conroy, ’16, M.S. ’20, was named Connecticut’s 2025 Veteran of the Year in Higher Education and a finalist for the national title, which is presented by Military Friendly. Conroy is the coordinator of veteran, military, and adult learning support.

• Melissa Stoll Funaro, head coach of the women’s track and field and cross country programs, received the 2025 Strong Award from Girls, Inc., of Meriden and Central Connecticut. The award recognizes meaningful efforts to improve the lives of women and girls in the state.

The 2024-25 academic year marked Funaro’s 13th season with Southern.

• Gladys B. Labas, associate professor of educational leadership, was confirmed to the Connecticut State Board of Education.

10 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Quoted & Noted in the media Forbes on Social Media “TikTok has been a tool in our overall strategy for all of our clients, but here’s the thing — we’ve seen platforms rise and fall, so we never put all our energy into a single platform. That’s why we take an omnichannel approach for our clients. We lean into the platforms that are delivering results, but we always ensure content is shared across multiple channels. We try and control what we can, and when it comes to some of these social media platforms, things can change at the drop of a dime. Flexibility is the key.” — Max Lowy, ’11, CoFounder, Attention Trading

Connecticut Public Radio on Daylight Savings Time “A lot of the current research shows that particularly after these changes there are more hospital visits for heart attacks and strokes.

Strokes are actually up 8% following both of the time changes. Car crashes are up 6% following time changes and then we see a lot of mental health changes too.” — Brianna Garrison, assistant professor of social work

The Hechinger Report and The Boston Globe on Southern’s COMPASS Drop-in Childcare and Family Resource Center “We realized that we were always supporting parenting students, but the level of our support just was not enough.

Opening the center was a great opportunity for us to demonstrate that there was a significant need and to find ways to make this part of the fabric of who we are.” — Michele Vancour, interim dean of the College of Health and Human Services (More than 60 studentparents use the center each semester.)

Look Whooooo’s Talking

Posts, ’Grams, and More Iceland: where glaciers, geysers, and volcanic fields become the classroom. The Department of the Environment, Geography, and Marine Studies offered courses there in June under the guidance of Professor C. Patrick Heidkamp.

The Office of International Education is the gateway to endless opportunities, with upcoming study planned in Belize, Peru, South Africa, Patagonia, and Chile. #OwlsAbroad

Just in from the Land of Oz: Marissa Bode inspired at undergraduate commencement. Bode, an actress and disability rights activist, made her feature film debut in Wicked as Nessarose — the first time the character, who uses a wheelchair, has been portrayed by a wheelchair user. #WickedMovie #SCSU25 #Classof2025 23K+

Southern kicked off April Fool’s Day with a playful “helpful” tip: Reminder: If your class was in Buley Library, it’s now in Minecraft.

For those unfamiliar, Minecraft — the world’s best-selling video game — often surprises fans with playful April 1 updates and jokes.

Southern’s nod to that tradition gave alumni a digital twist on their beloved library.

1,700+

NOAH D’ADDIO, AMITY MIDDLE SCHOOL, ORANGE, CONN.

I’ll take “Reasons We Love SCSU” for $1,000, Ken.

Southern was on @jeopardy and yes, we’re bragging. #GoOwls 920+

FACEBOOK • SouthernCT • 32,630 followers

Join the Conversation!

Follow Southern on:

X • @SCSU • 9,330+ followers INSTAGRAM • @southernscsu • 16,670+ followers LINKED IN • Southern Connecticut State University • 64,860+ followers TIKTOK • @SCSU • 5,660+ followers

Connect with Sandy Bulmer, interim president: Facebook, X, and Instagram @PresSandyBulmer Summer 2025 | 11

From the pool to the playing field, a look at SOUTHERN ATHLETICS.

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Four NE10 Championships for Track and Field HOW’S THIS FOR AN ATHLETICS DYNASTY?

In 2025, the Owls men’s and women’s track and field programs each won their respective indoor and outdoor Northeast-10 (NE10) Championship titles — returning to New Haven with a total of four NE10 crowns. This is the fifth time Southern has captured all NE10 track and field titles (2025, 2024, 2011, 2008, 2007). No other NE10 university has ever swept the four championships in a single year.

The Owls most recently triumphed at the NE10 Outdoor Track and Field Championship, held May 2-3 in Southern New Hampshire. It was the ninth consecutive outdoor NE10 victory for the men’s team, which brought home 10 gold medals, eight silvers, and five bronzes. The women’s team successfully defended their 2024 title and won 24 medals: 11 golds, eight silvers, and five bronzes.

The year ended on a high note with the Owls awarded four post-season NE10 honors: Hannah Caiola (Women’s Track Athlete of the Year), Cameron Belton (Men’s Field Athlete of the Year), Lawrence Hicks (Men’s Field Rookie

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From left: Mateo Viviano, Hannah Caiola, Cameron Belton

of the Year), and John Wallin, ’00 (Men’s Head Coach of the Year).

Both teams built on previous success.

On February 23, the men’s and women’s programs won their respective NE10 Indoor Track and Field Championships. It was the eighth consecutive indoor crown for the men’s team and the second in a row for the women.

The event was held at the Track at New Balance in Boston. Post-season, Southern received numerous NE10 indoor track and field honors: Hannah Caiola (Women’s Track Athlete of the Year), Cameron Belton (Men’s Field Athlete of the Year), Mateo Viviano (Field Rookie of the Year), and John Wallin, ‘00 (Men’s Coach of the Year).

At the national level, Belton placed third at the 2025 NCAA DII Indoor Track and Field Championships to be named an All American.

His throw of 18.54 meters (60’10”) in the shot put broke Southern’s indoor record.

Two NE10 Crowns for Swimming and Diving

IT

WAS A DOMINATING DOUBLE VICTORY

for the Owls with the women’s and men’s swimming and diving teams winning their respective 2025 Northeast-10 Conference Championships.

This was the 14th time that Southern has swept the tournament since 2003. The event was held in Worcester, Mass., in February.

It was the fifth consecutive victory for the women’s program, which scored 1,081 points in 2025 to defeat second-place finisher Bentley University with 719.

The men earned 912 points over Adelphi University with 878. It was the fourth straight championship win for the men’s program.

In related news, swimming standout Justice Glasgow, ’25, moved on to the NCAA Division II Championship to have her best showing to date. Glasgow — a three-time Northeast-10 Swimmer of the Year — finished fifth in the 100-yard butterfly at the national tournament. It was her third-straight AllAmerican honor. Southern’s Tim Quill was named the NE10 Women’s Head Coach of the Year for the third time in row. It was the 15th time he received the honor.

12 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Owls Welcome Football Head Coach

There’s a new face on the Southern gridiron. Meet Joe Loth, who was named head coach of the Owls football program on May 6. Loth previously served 12 seasons in the same position at Western Connecticut State University, where he compiled an all-time win-loss record of 77-45 (.631).

Loth joined Western in 2012, inheriting a program that had finished the previous season on a 21-game losing streak.

Following Loth’s first season, the program did not have another

Joe Loth

losing year. He led the program to six postseason appearances including the 2023 NCAA Championship Tournament. In 2018, he became Western’s alltime winningest head coach.

Commenting on the appointment, Terrance Jones, director of athletics, said: “Coach Loth has a proven history of rejuvenating programs and a long history of success. I’m thrilled to welcome Joe, his wife Keri, and his sons Zachary and Tyler to Southern and look forward to many years of success for the Owls.”

WANT SPORTS? MORE AT SCSUowls.com

Meet the Student-Athletes Chad Fedeli 2025 graduate, sport management major Baseball: team captain, infield, right-hand pitcher

Ryan Fedeli sophomore, sport management major Baseball: infield/outfield Learning the game: “Our dad [Frank Fedeli] played

baseball in college at Sacred Heart and has been a high school coach for 25-plus years. We grew up with it,” says Chad.

Ryan concurs: “For as long as we can remember, we’ve been around baseball. Even when we were young, our dad brought us to the field for practice and games. It’s all we’ve ever known.”

Family for the win: Previously, the brothers’ dad was the

head baseball coach at Weston High School, which is in the same league as Masuk High (Monroe, Conn.) where Chad competed. When Chad was a high school sophomore, Weston hosted Masuk, and Coach Fedeli got the rare opportunity to see his son play. Ryan, then in middle school, remembers watching the game from his dad’s dugout. “After that year, our dad resigned so he could watch us play more,” says Ryan. “He became an assistant coach at Masuk.”

One Owl: Chad was recruited as a high school junior. “I loved

the campus and committed to Southern the same day I visited. The coaches gave me a good idea what to expect, and I thought it was the best fit,” he says.

Two Owls: “Knowing my brother was at Southern and that it

was a very competitive team, I knew that I wanted to go to Southern. The fall of my senior year, they offered me the opportunity, and I committed on the spot,” says Ryan.

Teammates: The brothers first played together for Southern

SOPHIA CLOSE PHOTO

in 2024, competing against St. Michael’s College. Chad started as pitcher; Ryan was in left field.

“He has my back, giving me advice before I’m at bat or going out in the field. . . .

■ Lauding Lacrosse He’s been a role model my entire life,” says Ryan.

Congratulations to the Chad on competing with Ryan: “Of women’s lacrosse team on its firstcourse, it’s fun to compete with my ever Northeast-10 tournament brother. But more than anything, I feel appearance. The program also set comfortable because I know what he is a high mark for regular-season wins capable of on the field. I have seen him at (10). Further acknowledgement his best.” goes to business administration major Macy Vail for setting a Mets fans: “We are pretty diehard, the university record for the most live and die by every pitch type of fans,” points by a player in a single game: says Ryan. Interning with the team would (11 on April 23). be a dream come true, he notes.

Other interests: Both brothers referee

■

Softball Standout

The future is decidedly bright for Izzy Ingersoll, who was named the Northeast-10 Rookie of the Year for softball. Ingersoll, who is majoring in sport management, is only the second player in program history to earn the recognition. The award previously went to Megan Caporossi, ’10.

youth and high school football. The two also help at their high school alma mater, volunteering with the baseball team alongside their dad.

Chad on graduating: He previously interned with NES Sports Performance and interned with Fairfield Parks and Recreation this summer.

“It’s a weird time, ‘the last of’ a lot of things. . . . But I am excited for the next stage. I am very content with what I’ve done with my playing career.”

Summer 2025 | 13

First and Only

IN C

by Villia Struyk

AS

AN EARLY-CAREER SOCIAL WORKER ,

Catherine CortoMergins, DSW ’25, helped people who had lost someone to homicide.

“Looking back, it was one of the most profound experiences, and I found myself wondering if anything had changed in terms of available support,” says Corto-Mergins, now the director of training for The Village. With a staff of 600, The Village provides support services in the Greater Hartford region.

Decades later, as a doctoral student at Southern, Corto-Mergins finally had the opportunity to find out.

Her research revealed that not much had changed unfortunately — and highlighted the need for homicidespecific, trauma-informed care. “For example, homicide-related trauma often has a specific focus on anger,” she says.

On May 5, she was one of about 175 students who presented their findings at Southern’s Graduate Student Research and Creative Activity Conference — one of many universitywide events that showcase student-led research. Two days earlier, undergraduates had taken the stage for their own research conference.

14 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Southern offers countless research opportunities at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This year, the university became Connecticut’s first and only Carnegie-designated Research 2 university — highlighting the uniqueness of this commitment.

And it doesn’t stop there: Southern has an entire Division of Research and Innovation, with a mission of “facilitating and celebrating innovative research, scholarship, and creative activities.”

There are research programs for firstyear students as well as frequent opportunities to present at department events and state, regional, and national conferences.

“Research is not just an activity — it is a mindset,” says Julia Irwin, interim provost and professor of psychology.

“Students at Southern gain hands-on experiential learning in diverse fields, guided by faculty deeply committed to research and teaching. Direct collaboration with experts on studentdriven projects enhances learning, making it one of the most effective teaching tools and among our greatest assets here at Southern.”

As Kate Vitasek, senior contributor for Forbes, notes in an article published June 13: “Mastering academic research, learning to ask the right questions, analyzing information, and generating actionable insights are becoming increasingly crucial.”

Southern’s commitment to facultystudent collaborative research sets it apart and that distinction was formally recognized in 2025 when the institution became Connecticut’s first and only Carnegie-designated Research 2 university. The Carnegie Classification framework is the nation’s leading system for categorizing research activity in higher education. Only 139 institutions nationwide hold the R2 designation, placing Southern in elite company. (Only Yale and the University of Connecticut are ranked higher in the state, as R1 institutions.)

ONNECTICUT

AS

A REGIONAL, PUBLIC UNIVERSITY Southern

also can provide undergraduate students with opportunities to pursue graduate-level research. “We offer the kinds of research experiences here that you could get at UConn or Yale, but we do that in a small department environment with personalized attention,” says Elliott Horch, chairman of the Department of Physics. (There’s more on the worldclass research being conducted by his students on page 16.)

To qualify as R2 — meaning high research spending and doctorate production — a university must award at least 20 research doctorates yearly and spend $5 million annually on research. In fiscal year 2023, Southern exceeded both benchmarks, awarding 29 doctorates and totaling $8,007,000 in research expenditures.

A significant portion of Southern’s research and development expenses come from institutional investments, but research is also supported by federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the departments of Defense, Agriculture, Energy, and Education.

As these varied collaborations would suggest, research at Southern spans disciplines — benefiting campus and the community-at-large. The university is home to numerous Centers of Excellence that promote scholarship and real-world applications. These include: • Center of Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders • Center for Educational and Assistive Technology • CSCU Center for Nanotechnology (CNT) • Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena (CRISP) • The Werth Center for Coastal and Marine Studies • Center for Excellence in Mathematics and the Sciences • Research Center on Values in Emerging Science and Technology • SCSU Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning For many students, these centers are a gateway to research experience.

For example, the Werth Endowed

Industry Academic Fellowship (IAF) program, funded by the Werth Family Foundation and housed in the CNT, provides team-based research in nano and quantum technologies. It’s just one of numerous programs offering student stipends, in this case, up to $5,000 for the summer.

From physics and education to business and social work, students are asking critical questions — and learning to find the answers. Among those featured in the pages ahead: two transfer students turned astronomers, a team teaching Chinese to high schoolers through a National Security Agency–funded program, and a business student from Germany studying the appeal of green bonds.

Together, they reflect what sets Southern apart: a commitment to hands-on, student-driven research that prepares learners to tackle real-world challenges — here in Connecticut and beyond.

Catherine Corto-Mergins, DSW ’25, presenting her doctoral research; collaborating on research with Save the Sound; Professor Peter Latchman (center) oversees research on central blood pressure reading; the Communication Disorders Lab is a source of services, training, and research; students check a camera to study wildlife on campus; and research cuts across all disciplines, including STEM.

Summer 2025 25 | 15

Reaching for the Stars

By Beth Levine

Two transfer students find hands-on discovery, mentorship, and a clear path to the stars in Southern’s astronomy laboratory.

Sebastian Lucero, ’25

16 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

P

HYSICS MAJOR SEBASTIAN LUCERO, ’25 , spent his first two

years of college at the University of Connecticut but he transferred to Southern as a junior seeking more hands-on experience.

“The UConn department is much bigger, so it feels a lot more impersonal,” he says. “That didn’t align well with the way I learn. At Southern, the department is much smaller. It’s a lot easier to develop personal relationships

with professors, and there are also so many opportunities here. Southern has that sense of community, which is so important to me.”

Lucero, who graduated in May with a degree in physics and a minor in mathematics, focused his capstone project on astronomy. Southern has a unique multi-telescope instrument that measures the physical sizes of bright stars. Lucero, 22, focused on improving observation efficiency and streamlining data reduction.

Ana Baculima, ’25, also transferred to Southern — from Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC). “My physics professor at NVCC recommended Southern because it was small and rigorous. I got a chance to know all the professors, so it was a good fit for me. I do love it here,” she says.

A physics major with minors in astronomy and computer science, Baculima, 22, also graduated in May, focusing her capstone project on the telescope system’s camera setup.

Both capstone projects supported the astronomy lab’s primary work: a prototype telescope system capable of producing ultra-high-resolution images of stars through stellar interferometry — a cutting-edge technique in observational astronomy.

Southern’s growing research capabilities are drawing students from across the state and beyond. Its recent designation as a Carnegie R-2 research institution — the only university in Connecticut with this status — is helping fuel that momentum.

“We can give students the kind of research experiences you’d find at UConn or Yale, but we do it in a smaller department with personalized attention,” says Elliott Horch, chairperson of the Department of Physics. “Southern gives students amazing research experiences.”

Ana Baculima, ’25, works with Elliott Horch, Connecticut State University Professor of Physics.

I N DE P E NDE NT TH I NKE R S The various projects are funded through the Connecticut Space Grant Consortium (supported by NASA) and the National Science Foundation.

“These grants enable us to get students doing important research, which then fully prepares them to do these amazing senior projects,” says Horch.

At the beginning of their education, students are assigned tasks to build their skills, he explains.

“When they get to their senior level — where Sebastian and Ana were — we want them to function like mini principal investigators: they design the project and carry it out. I step back and act more as a mentor. It’s a semesterlong commitment to take a research project from start to finish,” he says.

“It’s so rewarding to see them develop not only as scientists but also as people and to see the camaraderie in my research group.”

DRAWN TO THE UN I VE R SE Lucero became intrigued by astronomy during his first semester at Southern while exploring extracurricular activities. Horch, recognizing his curiosity, quickly invited him to join the research group. “I could see right away that Sebastian is very hands-on, confident, and fearless about trying new things,” he says.

“Dr. Horch explained that our data collection method was unique,” Lucero says. “I was eager to join.”

PURSUING A CH I LD HOOD D REA M Astronomy has been Baculima’s passion since she was a child. “When I am working with the telescope at night, I am amazed by the vastness of space and how tiny we are. . . . It makes me

curious to know what more we can find out there,” she says.

Horch quickly saw Baculima’s potential. “As soon as she took a class or two, we knew she would be near the top of her senior class. You tell her something once, and she’s got it. She has a mind like a steel trap. I think she can do amazing things in her career.”

Baculima, who moved from Ecuador to the United States when she was 15, says Southern opened doors she hadn’t imagined. “I had the chance to visit Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico. I was really impressed to see that they use the same camera and astronomy software that we use here in our labs,” she says.

REA DY FO R W HAT T HE F U TU RE B R I N G S Both Baculima and Lucero plan to pursue graduate studies. Baculima has

applied for internships and then expects to enroll in a master’s level program, likely in astronomy or particle physics.

Lucero is still exploring which field of physics he’ll focus on at the graduate level. “I really enjoy astronomy,” he says, “but I may want to broaden my horizons a bit.”

Wherever the stars lead them, both students feel Southern has prepared them fully for the future. Lucero says, “I’ve gotten great advice from my physics professors about applying for master’s and doctoral programs, and about opportunities at various companies. I feel like I’ve learned a lot of skills that will help me in either route.”

Baculima agrees: “The physics department is so supportive. The professors want to get students involved in real research, so we can grow as scientists.”

Summer 2025 | 17

M

andarin

EETS THE METAVERSE

Backed by a prestigious federal grant, a Southern program uses virtual reality and artificial intelligence to teach high school students Mandarin.

By Villia Struyk

IT

’S A SUNNY DAY in July,

and 30 high school students from the New Haven area are gathered on Southern’s campus to study Chinese (Mandarin).

This is a course with a difference — one that uses multiple approaches to meet students’ needs and spark their interests.

The tools in the toolbox include experienced language instructors and cultural activities such as field trips, art lessons, and guest speakers. In addition, virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) place the high schoolers in the center of the action.

During the 2024-25 academic year, Southern’s Department of World Languages and Literatures introduced Students majoring in computer science and (center) Miaowei Weng, chairperson of the Department of World Languages and Literatures, incorporated advanced technology in the Chinese immersion program.

MORE AT: 18 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

VR and AI into college-level French and Spanish classrooms. The move was made in partnership with META, which loaned the university state-of-the-art headsets, and Immerse, a leading VR language-learning company. The summer program builds on this approach with the addition of educational programs in Chinese (Mandarin) from another provider, ImmerseMe. Southern’s two-week summer program — called Empowering Future Cities: Advancing Inclusivity and Sustainability — is funded by a leadership-level federal grant from the National Security Agency’s STARTALK program. The grant supports the study of critically needed languages, like Chinese and Russian, that have been identified as vital to global engagement.

STARTALK’s goals are multifold: to increase the number of students studying critically needed languages,

to develop highly effective teachers, and to increase proven course materials.

Southern’s use of AI and VR in modern languages classrooms could be a model for other educators.

“The theory is that AI helps students learn in a variety of ways,” says Miaowei Weng, chairperson of the Department of World Languages and Literatures at Southern and the Chinese immersion program’s principal investigator. “One thought is that AI lowers students’ affective filter. Perhaps a student who is studying a new language will be more relaxed talking to AI rather than a real person — and more likely to practice speaking. That is the theory,” says Weng.

Several Southern computer science majors have been involved with the program from the outset, providing technical insight and guidance — while

continues on page 43

news.SouthernCT.edu/startalk-grant-brings-local-students-to-campus-for-chinese-immersion-program

Green Bonds, Global Vision An international student looks at finance with a sustainable focus.

By Villia Struyk

T

RISTAN JANNING , an

economics major at Heidelberg University in Germany, embraces a challenge. As an international student studying at Southern for the 2024-25 academic year, he researched green bonds — fixedincome investments used to fund

projects with a positive environmental impact. His faculty mentor, Samuel Kojo Andoh, professor of economics, encouraged him to present his findings at Southern’s Undergraduate Research and Creativity Conference. Janning’s goal: to make the topic accessible to an audience that included those without an economics background — and to do so in English, his nonnative language.

“It was a challenge to condense my research down to 15 minutes and to avoid being distracted by an internal line of thought, especially since English is not my first language,” says Janning, who is professionally proficient in English and has basic skills in Swedish.

His research touched on a variety of topics, including bond costs, investor preferences, and

continues on page 43

International student Tristan Janning researched green bonds under the mentorship of Samual Andoh, professor of economics.

Summer 2025 | 19

SPACES & PLACES IN NEW HAVEN ■

OWL TERRITORY

NEW HAVEN

WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME — AND YOUR ORDER A SOUTHERN GRAD TURNS A COURSE ASSIGNMENT INTO ERO CAFÉ, NEW HAVEN’S COZY, MATCHA- AND CAFFEINE-FUELED COMMUNITY HUB.

By Beth Levine hen Emerald Olmos, 29, was asked to develop a business idea for a stress management course at Southern, she knew exactly what to do: a tea and coffee shop where customers could relax and find community.

“I grew up in West Haven without a lot of connections. My parents divorced when I

was young, and I was terribly shy, so I spent a lot of time alone. I dreamed of a place where people felt welcome and immediately at home,” says Olmos, a native of Branford, Conn., who is now the coowner with her husband of ERO Café in New Haven.

Olmos initially earned an associate degree from Gateway Community College, hoping to become a child psychologist. She transferred to Southern, still thinking psychology was in her future. But doubts crept in.

Olmos had been juggling full-time work and school since she was 16. “I made it work,” she says, crediting flexible bosses, teachers, and professors. That often meant spending the entire day working at appliance stores Hallock’s in New Haven or Aitoro in Norwalk, then rushing to a 5 p.m. psychology class at Southern. She paid her own way through school.

“I was used to being on my feet and active, so I started to wonder if a job where I just sat and listened was really the right choice for me,” she recalls. But with the idea

best teas and coffees to provide a rich sensory experience. When she showed a draft of the plan to her husband, Elien, he told her it was more than a class project; it was a viable business.

Olmos graduated from Southern in December 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, with concentrations in psychology and public health (wellness).

She kept working at Aitoro, stopping only after she gave birth to the couple’s son Elion in spring 2024. The family also includes Elien’s son, Ethan, 13. Through it all, the

of the café, everything clicked: she could meld her interests.

“My psych classes taught me how to connect with different personalities and make people feel comfortable,” she says.

“Certain colors can sooth; wood floors make a place feel homey. If you go someplace that feels cold, even if you go every day, you won’t feel comfortable. I incorporated all that into my original plan,” she says.

Olmos also envisioned sourcing the

couple worked diligently to bring her vision to life.

An avid traveler, Olmos had a goal of visiting 30 countries before turning 30. Prebaby, the couple did just that, looking at different shops around the world to see what did and didn’t work. That’s when they decided to focus on premium matcha. A finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves, matcha is known for its vibrant green color and slightly sweet, vegetal taste. It is considered a nutrient-rich beverage with potential health benefits, in large part due to its high concentration of antioxidants.

After Elion was born, they traveled to Japan to learn more. “We met some farmers, went to where the green tea fields are located. That’s where we get our matcha.

We’re the only ones in Connecticut who import directly,” says Olmos.

ERO also features Turkish teas and a

Vietnamese coffee called Morning Rounds, inspired by a doctor in the building who shared his mother’s recipe. Whenever possible, they also source local product, such as GIV Coffee in Canton, Conn.

Between Olmos’ savings and Elien’s work in real estate, the couple had little difficulty raising capital. (Elien is also in the military.) Olmos signed the lease for the café in July 2024, and with help from Elien’s real estate contacts, fixed up the space quickly.

ERO opened in December 2024 on Olive Street, near Wooster Square. (The name ERO highlights the initials of Elien, Elion, and Ethan.)

Community response has been overwhelmingly positive. In fact, ERO was voted the “Best Coffee Shop” in the New Haven Register’s “Best of New Haven” competition, announced in June. Customers appreciate the attention to detail and personal touches. Olmos knows most of her customers by name and remembers their usual orders. As one reviewer on Yelp wrote, “The staff and owners are so kind in helping us order and making sure we enjoyed our drinks. My friend and I both ordered the chai, and like the menu says, ‘Real chai, not the fake stuff you’re used to.’” Another added, “A great addition to our neighborhood.”

New Haven artist Cassie Crippes even offered to create an original art piece for the café. “She felt the café was somewhere that everybody is welcomed and felt cozy. What she drew reflected that,” says Olmos. In that spirit, she plans to host live-music performances eventually.

The Southern connection continues.

After some Southern students visited and fell in love with the place, they encouraged a friend to apply for work. Fjolla Aliu (‘25) landed the job. “She is shy, like I was once,” says Olmos. “But I said, let’s work on that.

In the same way that I want customers to feel comfortable here, I want that for my team as well.” Now, Aliu hangs out and does coursework at the café even when off the clock.

“We are very spiritual, and we give our thanks to God for all of this,” says Olmos. “It is that kind of inner peace that I am hoping to provide.” ■

From left: Kailyn Drullard; Fjolla Aliu, ’25; Jerelyn Avila; Luz Maria Morales; co-owners Emerald and Elien Olmos; and Ethan Olmos Summer 2025 | 21

Birdsfeather OF A

Paul Geary

pher Christo a c ra u is M

Krystle ky] [Levins Kelly

Loren t] [Wrigh Luddy

pher Christo r Decke

Eileen nce Portela

Jennifer Przytulski

At Woodland High, Principal Kurt Ogren, M.S. ’94, 6th Yr. ’01, and two dozen Southern alumni are shaping one

By Villia Struyk of Connecticut’s top public schools.

22 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Jill [Ferris] Blasi Alyssa y] [Sharke Kabusk

Janice e Puglies

Sean Wolf

s Thoma Feige

Jeremy Fisette

Kenan Collins

Christo pher Tomlin Peter Morce y

Kaitlin o Acabb

James Amato

Madalena Warren

Christina MacSweeney

Felisha [Nunes] Allegrini

Jessica DeGennaro

Nancy [Danyluk] Manning

Principal Kurt Ogren

Assista nt Princip al Dana Mulliga n

WLS MAKE OUTSTANDING HAWKS. Just ask Kurt Ogren, M.S. ’94, 6th Yr. ’01, the award-winning principal of the (also awardwinning) Woodland Regional High School.

The school has had quite a run. In 2025, Woodland High — home to 575 students (aka Hawks) who hail from Beacon Falls and Prospect, Conn. — was named the inaugural High School of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Public Schools (CAS).

Principal Ogren also has earned numerous honors.

He’s the 2024 CAS High School Principal of the Year and a 2024-25 Connecticut Federation of School Administrators’ top honoree — recognition included in Southern Alumni Magazine’s Winter 2025 edition.

So, when numerous Woodland High parents said they’d seen his photo in the alumni magazine, Ogren was curious: “Considering our proximity to Southern and the university’s great reputation for its education programs, I said: ‘I bet many of our teachers graduated from Southern, too.’”

He sent a quick email to the school’s teachers and staff — and learned that at least 25 of Woodland Hawks are, indeed, also Southern Owls, and many have more than one SCSU degree. “People responded right away. They are proud of the Southern connection,” he says.

It’s a diverse group. Their graduation years span seven decades (1962 to 2021), and they have even more specializations. “There are teachers of fine arts, English, world languages, history, science, math, communications, and special education,” Ogren says of the list of Southern alumni. The group also includes department chairs, a security guard, a media center specialist, a paraeducator, a guidance counselor, and a building substitute.

Peter Morcey, ’62, is the latter. “If you look at the history, he was a very good pitcher for Southern back in the day,” say Ogren. He shares a snapshot of Morcey’s bio: he’s a decades-long, successful restaurant owner who later taught physical education and found he loved working with high schoolers. “He will be 85 years old this fall, and he is coming back to us,” says Ogren. “He is such a good guy with a great sense of humor. The kids like him a lot.”

Ogren attended Springfield College for his undergrad degree. He was planning a career as a college strength and conditioning coach, when an undergraduate internship at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., revealed another possibility. In addition to working with students on the football and 24 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

track teams, Ogren did a bit of teaching. He enjoyed it — and felt similarly when he later coached high school track at Hamden and Guilford. “I really like working with that age group,” he says.

Ogren was living in Hamden and working in corporate business in Norwalk and Stamford, when he decided to take the plunge. He enrolled in graduate school at Southern, taking night courses. “My experience at the Naval Academy told me that education would be a good career choice, so I decided to go in that direction,” he says There’s a family connection as well: wife Alicia Ogren, ’89, majored in education; Kurt’s mother, Julie Ryan Ogren, ’66, taught in New Haven for several years before leaving to raise four children; and his father-inlaw Ralph Battista, ’63, M.S. ’69, was a school counselor, a veteran who attended Southern on the GI Bill.

At Southern, Jerry (Gerald) Ainsworth, a professor of health who died in 2019, was a welcoming presence and taught many of Ogren’s courses. “He was an excellent professor. I enjoyed being in classes and part of the program. There were people in their 20s, 30s, 40s . . . It was a great mix of experience,” says Ogren, who had returned to the classroom two years after earning his bachelor’s degree.

Despite the shift in his career trajectory, Ogren remains a committed athlete. He estimates that he’s run 27 marathons. He also joined the Run 169 Towns Society; members strive to run a race in each of Connecticut’s 169 cities. “It took eight years to finish, so it was a nice long-term goal. Connecticut is a beautiful state,” says Ogren.

He is justifiably proud of the Woodland High team. Woodland opened in Beacon Falls in 2001.

Ogren is the second principal to lead the school, and he credits the first — the late Arnold Frank, who retired in 2013 — with developing the “Woodland Way” philosophy. The emphasis is on respect, support, kindness, and community.

The staff’s commitment to excellence is seen throughout countless programs and initiatives. There are an expanded Peer Buddies program that pairs regular education students with those in special education; the Hawk Wings Kindness Club; expanded advanced placement and early college offerings (some with Southern); and an athletics program that engages more than 60 percent of students.

The school’s unique daily Advisory Program is another telling example. The program pairs each teacher and administrator with a cohort of about 10 students. They meet 20 minutes daily from the first day of freshman year through graduation when the advisers hand diplomas to the students in their group.

“You become almost like a family,” says Ogren. ■

T OP O F T H E C LAS S

Laura Dixon

FOUNDED AS A TEACHERS COLLEGE IN 1893,

Damon Lewis

Southern has a proud legacy of preparing top-tier educators — and the results speak for themselves. Our alumni have earned Milken Educator Awards, Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, and other prestigious honors.

Among them is Jahana Hayes, ’05, who was named National Teacher of the Year in 2016 — and later elected to the U.S. Congress, representing Connecticut. This tradition of excellence continues today.

Congratulations to our recently recognized alumni honorees.

LaShante James

Lauren Dooley

Shannon Allison

NATIONA L A S S O C IAT IO N O F S E C ON D ARY S C HOOL P R I N C I PA L S 2025-2026 Middle Level National Principal of the Year • Damon Lewis, M.S. ’04, of Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy, Norwalk, Conn.

C ONNE C TIC U T A S S O C IAT IO N OF S C HOOL S 2025 Elementary School Assistant Principal of the Year • Laura Dixon, M.S. ’13 • John Barry Elementary School, Meriden 2025 Middle School Principal of the Year • Damon Lewis, M.S. ’04 • Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy, Norwalk 2025 High School Assistant Principal of the Year • LaShante James, ’04, M.S. ’14 • Brien McMahon High School, Norwalk

E XTR AORDINA RY EDU C AT O RS : C LASS O F 2025 FRO M C U RRIC U L UM AS S OC I AT E S

ARE YOU A RECENT AWARD-WINNING EDUCATOR?

Southern would love to share your good news.

Send us information on the honoree and their high-resolution photograph to StruykV1@SouthernCT.edu.

Honoring 29 educators throughout the United States including two from Connecticut, both Southern graduates.

• Shannon Allison, M.S. ’13 • Grade 1 teacher, Mead School, Stamford, Conn.

• Lauren Dooley, ’22 • Grade 5 mathematics and science teacher, Davis Academy for Arts and Design Innovation Magnet School, New Haven Summer 2025 | 25

SUPPORTING SOUTHERN ■

Beautiful Game A new scholarship at Southern honors the memory of John DeBrito, ’91, a two-time soccer All-American and national champion.

By John Rosengren

OHN DEBRITO, ’91, MADE A LASTING IMPRESSION on Southern’s soccer program

Clockwise from top left: John DeBrito, ’91, at the SCSU Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2019; DeBrito was a Southern student-athlete before turning pro; John’s sister Vera DeBritoEsdaile and Jake Novoshelski, recipient of the scholarship created in DeBrito’s honor; and honoring DeBrito’s legacy are (from left) former men’s head soccer coach Armand ‘Bob’ Dikranian; John’s sisters Valeriana DeBrito and Angela DeBrito-Job; former Owls men’s soccer coach Tom Lang; John’s son, Jovan DeBrito; Chris Barker, former athletics director; former Owls men’s soccer coach Raymond Reid, ’84, M.S. ’86, M.S. ’90; and DeBrito-Esdaile.

26 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

as a two-time All-American who led the Owls to two national titles. After his unexpected death in 2020 at the age of 51, his family built on his legacy with a generous gift to establish the John DeBrito Memorial Endowed Scholarship.

“This scholarship recognizes the impact others can have on an individual life, celebrating character, discipline, family, and teamwork,” the family explained in a statement in December 2022.

The scholarship fittingly acknowledges excellence both on and off the field. The soccer coaches select one recipient each season who displays the values that DeBrito embodied as “a team player, a communityoriented individual with an excellent work ethic.”

Born in Cape Verde in 1968, DeBrito moved with his family as a toddler to Lisbon, Portugal, where they spent six years. The DeBritos eventually settled in Waterbury, Conn., in 1975.

A gifted athlete, DeBrito played basketball and soccer at W.F. Kaynor Technical High School. He excelled at both sports, setting school scoring records on the court and becoming one of the highest-scoring soccer players in Connecticut history.

John DeBrito wasn’t the only soccer star in the family. His older brother Pedro won a national championship with UConn, played professionally, and was

inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. John idolized Pedro, who was nine years older. Pedro, in turn, offered loving guidance, steering his brother to Southern.

It was a perfect fit. During four years as a defender and midfielder on the Southern soccer team, DeBrito won NCAA Division II championships in 1987 and 1990 — his first and final seasons with the Owls.

DeBrito’s prowess was undeniable from the onset. As a freshman in the 1987 national championship game, he scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Cal State Northridge — Southern’s first-ever NCAA tournament win. Four years later, as a senior, DeBrito was instrumental in the team’s second national championship victory.

The interim years brought further proof of John DeBrito’s gifts. A natural goal-scorer and creative playmaker, he was the first Southern men’s soccer player to record 30 assists in his career, finishing with 32. He scored 20 goals in his college career, including a high of eight his junior season.

After graduation, DeBrito went on to play a handful of games with the U.S. national team and enjoyed 10 seasons of professional soccer. He was inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame in 2006 and into the SCSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.

“He was a great player. He was an even better person,” says Ray Reid, who, as an assistant coach, had recruited the young DeBrito. Reid was named head coach of Owls soccer in 1989, winning three national

titles, and later led the UConn Huskies soccer program for 24 years, claiming a national championship and multiple Big East titles. Now a member of Southern’s Institutional Advancement team, he has guided countless exceptionally talented players during his career. Still, John DeBrito holds a special place in his heart: “Everyone loved him.”

Those who knew him — coaches, teammates, family, and friends — describe DeBrito as soft-spoken, modest, funny, kind, and generous. He shone on the field in big moments and, away from the spotlight, mentored teammates who weren’t as gifted. He was a guy who loved spending time with his family (he had two children) and on the dance floor. After retiring from soccer in 2001, DeBrito dedicated his life to helping others as a firefighter in Miami and coaching youth soccer teams.

This year’s recipient of the John DeBrito Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Jake Novoshelski, a premed student and forward on the soccer team, says the stories he has heard about DeBrito inspire him. “No matter who I talk to, their eyes light up when they talk about the kind of person he was off the field,” says Novoshelski. “When I see his No. 14 on my jersey hanging in my locker, it gives me extra motivation. I want to honor him as a player and a person.”

After DeBrito’s passing, Reid suggested to his

family that they establish a scholarship at Southern. They had already set up a foundation in memory of Pedro DeBrito, John’s older brother who died in a car accident in 2014. Since 2015, the family foundation has granted annual scholarships to eight college-bound Connecticut high school players. John had organized soccer tournaments in Waterbury and Miami to fund the foundation. His family liked Reid’s idea. “It felt like something we could do as a family in his honor,” John’s older sister, Vera DeBrito-Esdaile says.

In 2022, the family organized a banquet to celebrate John’s life and raise money for the endowment. Help was provided by Reid; Kevin Anderson, ’94, the Owls current men’s soccer coach who had played with DeBrito at Southern; and DeBrito’s other former Southern soccer teammates. The wellattended event raised almost $100,000.

The family foundation funded the scholarship with an endowment of $95,000 (interest funds the annual scholarship) and an additional gift of $3,000 to pay for the first scholarship granted in the 2023 season.

Another one of John’s older sisters, Valeriana (Val) DeBrito, thinks her brother would have approved. “He’d do anything to help his school,” Val says. “Those were some of the happiest years of his life. He didn’t like drawing a lot of attention to himself, but he’d think this was something pretty special.” ■

} Make a gift to the John DeBrito Memorial Endowed Scholarship at SouthernCT.edu/giving/ ways-to-give.

Please designate your contribution to “DeBrito” in the check memo section or online to support this fund.

Summer 2025 | 27

OWL UPDATE ■

Origin Stories

By Allison Stoutland, M.S. ’88, 6th Yr. ’91

A

FEW MONTHS AGO, my

husband was asked to speak at Southern Connecticut State University, and since we are both graduates, I was more than happy to tag along. He spent eight years of his life there as a student, football player, teacher, and football coach. I spent six years in night and summer classes earning a master’s degree in reading and a sixth year in administration to bolster my professional goals. In addition, I called the neighboring town of Hamden my home for more than 20 years, so this trip was bound to be filled with nostalgia.

As we eagerly merged onto the racetrack known as the Merritt Left: Jeff and Allison Stoutland take the field while visiting Southern in spring 2025. Right: In February, the Stoutland family celebrates at the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LIX Parade.

28 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Parkway, our memories came fast and furiously too. Thirty-three years have passed, and things have certainly changed — or was it just our perspective? The former West Rock Tunnel seemed shorter. The dreaded steep hill on my paper route seemed surprisingly unimpressive, as was our favorite pizza. I was shocked to realize my daily walk to high school was legitimately two miles from my childhood home, and yes, I sometimes walked in snow past my knees! I was saddened I hadn’t noticed how beautiful my high school was until now. But even she pales in comparison to what was around the corner.

I could see my childhood home, but my focus was on my front yard. And there she was, always there: our magnolia tree. She’d grown so much taller since my last visit, but still exuded her peaceful, calming presence.

I remember climbing her lowest branch and lying on my back, looking into her complicated, intertwined limbs. If she could be so magnificent amongst that confusion surely I could, too.

So, I shared my life dreams with her: to become a teacher, write a book, and one day open a school.

I would marry a great guy and have children. I would live, teach, and be near my family and friends for the rest of my life. We would all go out together on weekends, and our children would be best friends. I wonder, did she know what was in store for me but still let me dream?

Those initial 20 years set me up with lifelong friends, a safe place to grow up, and a solid public education. I earned a college degree in education and landed a kindergarten teaching job in the New Haven Public School District. I poured my heart and soul into those students. They were my everything

Alumni couple Allison and Jeff Stoutland have built a life filled with impressive achievements, including four Southern degrees, writing credentials, and two Super Bowl championships (2018, 2025).

On April 14, they returned to campus, where Jeff, the offensive line coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and former captain of the Owls football squad, was invited to speak to Southern’s studentathletes. Allison, a celebrated author and former educator, shares more on their journey.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

— until I met my husband.

He was personable, nice on the eyes, and easy to talk to. But when he said he was a football coach, I wondered: What kind of person chooses that? He does, that’s who.

Turns out it’s not only a very real but also a very demanding career — one he seems to excel at.

Within six months of meeting, he proposed in front of my kindergarten students. We married one year later. Six months into married life, he was offered a great job, and he moved within a few weeks’ time. I stayed behind to “close up shop” and finish what was to be my last year as a teacher, ever.

And that was the way life went for us. Thirty-three years filled with 11 homes, three family dogs, two children, one daughter-in-law, six states, and seven football teams. In order of life: Southern Connecticut State University, Cornell University, Syracuse University, Michigan State

University, University of Miami, University of Alabama, and Philadelphia Eagles. Phew!

I know it appears super exciting, especially if you factor in winning two National Championships and two Super Bowls. However, those high-highs were mixed in with low-lows, as life does. Moving from state to state is emotionally challenging. Saying goodbye to neighborhoods, friends, classmates, and each house we made our home is heartbreaking.

Watching our then-young children start at new schools was overwhelming and riddled with anxiety. Placing my career on hold — one I was born to do — was soul crushing.

Life’s journey is a mystery. And, as I child, I had no idea what lay ahead for me as I balanced my body and dreams on that magnolia branch. But I’ve managed to check off so many boxes: teacher, wife,

A LITTLE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW:

I am now a four-time published children’s author currently working on an adult novel.

Here is my website in case you are curious: www.inchbyinchbooks.com

mother, best friend, and yes, even author.

Hindsight allows me to be grateful for all those moves now.

Not only were my precious childhood friendships maintained, but I also collected new, wonderful friends with each move. And though my heart broke when I stopped teaching, it offered me time to focus on my writing which, in turn, gets me back into schools for author visits.

So, as Jeff and I drove onto campus, we smiled to see Southern had matured too, just like us. It had grown up by leaps and bounds. It thrived in the face of adversity.

There were new buildings everywhere, wings added, and the campus was stunning. Even the first scoreboard I used to look to for reassurance back in my younger days was hardly recognizable. I imagine it was thinking the very same thing about us. ■ Summer 2025 | 29

The Next Chapter Long before award-winning books and starred reviews, Xhenet Aliu, ’01, was a first-gen student commuting to Southern.

By Villia Struyk

IT’S

April 3, some two weeks after the release of Xhenet Aliu’s second novel, Everybody Says It’s Everything (Random House), and the awardwinning author has come home.

“Southern is my origin story as a writer,” said Aliu, who was on campus for a reading with celebrated poet Jason Labbe, ’01.

Labbe, now an instructor in Southern’s creative writing program with a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Virginia, has been Aliu’s friend since high school. The two attended Southern together as well, and at the reading he introduced her to the crowd of about 200 with a memory of their early days as undergrads, sitting on campus and sharing their work: “She handed me a three-page assignment done for [Professor of English] Tim Parrish’s class.

It began with ‘I used to be beautiful.

Everyone said so,’ and it devastated me. . . . Xhenet has one of the strongest voices of any author out there.”

That voice has been honed by years of dedication to the craft. She had earned two advanced degrees — an MFA in creative writing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington

30 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

and a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Alabama — when her first book, Domesticated Wild Things and Other Stories (University of Nebraska Press), won the prestigious Prairie Schooner Book Prize in Fiction in 2012. “That award was lifechanging for me, and it gave me the confidence to continue working on the novel which ultimately became Brass,” she says.

Brass would go on to earn both the Townsend Prize and the Georgia Author of the Year First Novel Prize. Set in Waterbury, Conn., it uses dual timelines

to tell the story of a working-class mother and daughter. The novel, which was lauded as a top book of the year by Real Simple, Elle magazine, and more, explores concepts of identity, family, immigration, and the American Dream.

These themes remain central in Everybody Says It’s Everything, which follows Drita and Petrit (Peter), twins born in Albania who are adopted and raised in Connecticut. Set in the 1990s during the war in Kosovo, the story again unfolds through parallel narratives, capturing the emotional distance between the two siblings: one

chasing the American Dream, the other exploring his cultural roots and activism.

(Petrit connects with a group of Albanians in the Bronx organizing for the Kosovo Liberation Army).

The novel received starred reviews from Bookpage and Kirkus, the latter noting: “Writing with warmth and sensitivity, compassion, and a clear-eyed command of the narrative, [Aliu] brings empathy and generosity . . . Family is about more than blood in this tenderhearted and touching novel — a

riveting read.”

Aliu is a trained researcher (recall the library degree), who also writes what she knows. “I am a born-and-raised Connecticutian,” she says, smiling from a computer screen during a March interview. Like many of the characters in her books, Aliu is Albanian and Lithuanian. She spent her early years in Waterbury (known as the “Brass City” for its manufacturing roots), before moving to the nearby town of Wolcott in high school.

Aliu is part of large, blended family of six siblings, raised in a small home

with one TV. “I didn’t want to fight for it, so I started reading instead,” she says.

Her early book picks included The Baby-Sitters Club and Sweet Valley High. Discovering The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, with its exploration of class conflict, violence, and poverty, was a revelation. “It was grittier than anything I had read before. I remember realizing, wow, you can do this in fiction. It opened a door,” says Aliu.

But pursing writing as a career seemed impossible. “I thought it was something you were born into, kind of like royalty,” she says.

College held its own mystique. Like 49 percent of Southern undergraduates today, Aliu was a first-generation college student. She transferred to Southern with credits from Post University and Connecticut Community College in Waterbury, planning to major in nursing. But there was a wait list for courses in the popular major, so she opted to tackle a few core requirements — including, fatefully, “Intro to Fiction” with Tim Parrish. “This was my first day on Southern’s campus, my very first course, and I knew: this is what I wanted to do,” she says.

Aliu commuted to campus while working full-time at a computer sales and repair shop in Naugatuck, juggling courses after work and between shifts.

Parrish became her undergraduate mentor, a kindred spirit from a workingclass background who helped demystify the writing life.

“He didn’t treat it like some fantastical, mystical, exotic calling. It was something you could set out to do by practicing, engaging, and being part of a writers’ community,” says Aliu, who graduated magna cum laude with an undergraduate degree in English.

In the following years, she continued writing while earning her graduate degrees and holding down various day jobs. Aliu has worked as a private investigator specializing in financial markets and as a librarian at a university.

The publication of Brass opened a new door: a full-time faculty position

teaching creative writing at The University of North Carolina Greensboro. Like Southern, UNC Greensboro has a high percentage of first-gen college students, an important consideration to Aliu.

“I give so much credit to Tim Parrish, especially now that I’m a college professor,” she says of her mentor’s ability to build a robust writing community that embraces all — including students who work full time, commute to campus, and are sometimes older than the traditional undergraduate.

In fact, Aliu shares that Elsie, a main character in Brass, was inspired, in part, by her Southern classmates — “women who had children, maybe gotten divorced, were managing a lot, and decided to go back to school. . . . .

They were starting all over again in their 30s, 40s. and even 50s. They were gritty, determined, smart, and cool. I loved having them as classmates,” she says.

In a full-circle moment, Aliu’s book tour will take her to Albania this summer. She’s planning to visit her father’s home village, located in present-day North Macedonia, where an aunt and uncle still live.

A planned shift in writing focus brings further excitement. To date, Aliu has focused on literary realism: stories about families, immigrants, and working-class people. Now, she is changing tack. “I am currently working on something that has elements of the supernatural, leaning toward horror,” she says. Aliu was a fan before turning to “serious writing” in college. “So, I rejected that side of my curiosity. Now, I’m giving myself permission to go back,” she says. She sees the prospect as challenging, creative, and fun. Dare we say, gritty, in the best sense of the word. ■

LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUTHERN’S UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN CREATIVE WRITING AT

SouthernCT.edu/academics/English Summer 2025 | 31

Writers use

Five recently published Southern writers (all Department of English alumni) share writing tips they’ve learned along the way.

W

E M I LY C OS TA, M . F. A . ’ 1 3 Costa is the author of the short story collection Girl on Girl (Rejection Letters, December 2024). She is working on a novel about her father’s video store.

What led you to Southern?

D AVID CA PPS , M.F.A . ’16 A poet and professor of philosophy, Capps is the author of six chapbooks, most recently, Fever in Bodrum (Bottlecap Press, 2024) and Wheatfield with Reaper (Akinoga Press, 2024).

Advice for someone who dreams of becoming a published writer Be humble; read the classics; read widely, both in terms of era and genre; only write if you enjoy it; travel; get used to rejection (I was rejected 15 times over the course of six years before finally being accepted by a particular journal).

What’s the most unusual or unexpected way you’ve gotten a writing idea?

One of my books began with thinking about how counterarguments are constructed. Usually, one grasps an argument, identifies some weak points, and proceeds from there. But in writing, I tend to experiment. In reading Seneca’s On the Shortness of Life and taking note of how measured his prose was, it occurred to me to see what might happen if I composed a text by contradicting Seneca’s work, sentence-by-sentence. Over a few weeks, each night by candlelight and writing longhand, I worked on the resulting manuscript: On the Great Duration of Life (Schism Neuronics, 2023).

32 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

I’d graduated from UConn with an English and film degree but wasn’t sure what to do next. Then I randomly got a Southern M.F.A. postcard in the mail. Some kind of fate! I promptly quit the middle-school certification program I’d half-heartedly started, and I applied to Southern, which I can see now was a super-risky thing to do.

Southern has the only full-residency M.F.A. program in the state of Connecticut. I wanted to stay here, and I knew that if I was going to make the leap and pursue this dream, I wanted to be fully immersed in the writing world.

At a low-res program you’re working from afar most of the time, meeting up occasionally and doing retreats.

At Southern’s full-residency M.F.A. program, you are right on campus with your peers and mentors. You are in the classroom, in community all the time. You’re in New Haven at coffee shops, restaurants, and bars talking about writing.

Not only did that help me learn in such a wideranging, full way, but I’ve also made lifelong friends. It was a commitment and decision I will never regret.

Advice for someone who dreams of becoming a published writer Listen to what other writers, peers, and mentors say about your work, but never change

it just to please others. Don’t ignore your gut feelings about your art and vision. That’s been the trickiest part for me: becoming confident in my voice and work. But my main advice is simple: keep writing. Even when life is throwing garbage at you, even when the rejections pile up, keep at it. Make space for writing, no matter what. If you can do 15 minutes a day, do it. A few years after I graduated from SCSU, I had a child, and I thought, Man, I should’ve been writing every day before this! Now I have no time! But that wasn’t true; I just had to make time. If you want it badly enough, you will do it, even if it’s just writing in your head. Don’t let it get away from you. Persistence is key.

JESSE E FR ON, M .A . ’12 (ENGL ISH ), M . F. A. ’ 1 4 Efron is the author of the short story collection, Iqa, which received the 2024 Ronald Sukenick Prize from Fiction Collective Two (FC2). Founded in 1974, FC2 is an imprint of the University of Alabama and one of the most preeminent publishers of experimental fiction in the U.S. FC2 will publish his work in fall 2025. [Editor’s note: In true experimental style, Efron answers these questions as he writes — unconventionally, thought provokingly, and with a bit of mischief.]

What’s the most unusual or unexpected way you’ve gotten a writing idea?

Briefly explain experimental fiction. What draws you to the genre?

Qui transtulit sustinet (transplanted ones sustain), SCSU’s motto.

I live in rural Japan — forests, rice fields, mountains, people over 100, and industrious water muskrats I often see in the river that flows into the sea. They build homes on the riverbanks that look like the Anasazi’s Mesa Verde. They, like me, are from North America. Qui transtulit sustinet. They arrived before WWII, via Tokyo, and crossed 350 miles of mountains to the river near my house. They know nothing of the collapse of their American forebears’ populations, and in that way, watching them provides perspective. They do what I do — drive to work and back, find food, shelter, companionship. They get in their little cars and drive along the river to an office and wonder why the weather is always best and brightest when they are indoors. Lotus roots taste better in the sunshine, with chosen company. Yet qui transtulit sustinet.

They motor their way home, missing sunsets. The nest is cold, the mud is cold, and they don’t feel like eating in the dark. Qui transtulit sustinet.

Experimental fiction is expected to break convention in some way. It often manifests in form: a pueblo, the fox, who isn’t bigger but led by instincts, still might attack out of necessity. Or, for example, by telling a story via an interview. “It’s only Monday morning, but (fill in the blank).” They are dealing with hungry foxes because of the recent riverbank reinforcement. That riverbank doesn’t need reinforcing; it needs burrowing. That’s where the nest is.

And yes, it often goes underappreciated. A home is a place from which we travel to and fro, to escape from time to time, to reinvent in different locations, both spatial and temporal, and with different people. Threat of concrete, that particular muskrat appreciates its doma, no longer minds cold mud, looks slowly at the walls, paw marks, rushes and grass packed, knows it must say goodbye. Yet qui transtulit sustinet. There are rooms in which we spend thousands of hours, impressions indelible. We keep recreating them: memory, sand castles, vine-covered apartments, and mudpacked burrows. Qui transtulit sustinet.

SH E L L E Y S T OE HR , M . F. A. ’ 1 9 Stoehr is the author of four award-winning young adult novels and many short works of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Among these is her poetry chapbook Glitterotica, which was published by Dancing Girl Press. She has received awards from The de Groot Foundation, The North American Review, New Millenium Writings, Writer’s Digest, WOW: Women on Writing, the New York Public Library, and the American Library Association.

Share a skill or lesson gained from your time at Southern that you continue to use in your career today.

One of the most important skills I learned while at Southern was flexibility, a trait that didn’t come naturally to me. Before coming to Summer 2025 | 33

Southern, I was very rigid in both my ideas and my ways of doing things. Today, I am more fluid. I am now an adjunct faculty member, and colleagues have praised me for my flexibility when plans go awry. My students love that I am so easygoing, despite the rigor I demand in the classroom. Flexibility has also affected my creative writing. Whereas I used to plan out every part of a piece of writing, now I am more willing to allow the characters to motivate what happens in a story.

What are you working on next, and what can readers expect?

I am presently working on a final revision of my first memoir, Girls, Girls, Girls, which will be published by Legacy Books Press in summer 2026. Girls, Girls, Girls is a literary memoir that explores my experiences as a sex worker in the 1990s. It grapples with themes of survival, shame, artistic expression, and the societal marginalization of sex workers.

JACLY N WATTERSO N, ’08 (ENG L I S H) After majoring in English at Southern as an undergraduate, Watterson earned an M.F.A. from Oregon State University and a doctorate from the University of Utah. Her first book, a collection of fiction and horror entitled Ventriloquisms (Willow Spring Books), won the 2016 Spokane Prize for Short Fiction. Her work of experimental horror — here & here & here is where it hurts — was published in 2022 by Orbis Tertius Press.

What led you to Southern?

Like many, I came to Southern because it was affordable. I began my undergraduate studies planning to become a teacher.

Then I signed up for a creative writing course. Then another.

Then another. I thought of my writing as a guilty pleasure, a distraction from the serious business of earning a living to support myself. But Tony Rosso (now retired), Robin Troy (now departed from Southern), and especially Tim Parrish, [professor of English] encouraged and challenged me. I found that I could not and would not stop writing. It became an addiction.

From Tim I learned that M.F.A. programs exist, and that I might be able to earn a teaching fellowship to pay for one. I crossed my fingers and applied, and as luck would have it, I got into a program that offered me a fellowship with a full tuition waiver in exchange for my teaching. After completing my M.F.A., I went on to a Ph.D. program, again fully funded, and although I am still figuring out exactly how to earn a living almost 20 years later, I still cannot and will not give up writing.

I’ve been fortunate enough to publish two books with small presses.

Advice for someone who dreams of becoming a published writer A wise teacher once told me, “Publishing does not make you a writer. Writing makes you a writer,” and I have held this close to my heart. Publishing is nice and necessary for professionalization, but in the end, I’ve found it’s always a disappointment. It’s the writing, the high I get when I’m in the middle of a project and fully immersed in the world of it, that makes me keep going.

I think many young writers believe so much in their own talent and vision that they expect everyone else will, too. I know I did. But if you’re going to live the writing life and publish your work, there’s going to be lots and lots of rejection. It’s best to develop a thick skin as early as you can, and don’t write for publication or any notion of fame or glory. Do it because you can’t not do it, because you’re addicted to the feeling of who you are when you’re writing. ■

LEARN MORE ABOUT UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE WRITING PROGRAMS AT

SouthernCT.edu/academics/English 34 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

HERE’ S TO

100 years!

HALK IT UP TO THE JAZZ AGE.

Since 1925, the SCSU Alumni Association has been the heart of Owl Nation — supporting students, strengthening the community, and leading with purpose.

It was 1925, and students and recent graduates of the New Haven State Normal School (NHSNS) — which would ultimately become Southern Connecticut State University — were in the mood to celebrate. J.L. Meader, then president of NHSNS and a graduate of Bates College in Maine, was a fan of his alma mater’s alumni association. So, he gave his approval and on June 13, 1925, about 300 NHSNS graduates met at the New Haven Lawn Club to reminisce and consider how to help future students.

That first gathering was an overwhelming success. Following dinner, the group adopted a constitution and selected officers. Claude C. Russell, a member of the Class of 1896, was elected president and Southern’s first Alumni Association was officially formed.

None who attended the normal school — an institution dedicated to training teachers — could have imagined the heights their alma mater would reach. In 1925, Southern was a two-year normal school — one that did not yet award formal LEARN MORE AT

grades or charge tuition to those who agreed to teach in a Connecticut public school. Today, Southern offers more than 225 academic programs, including bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates and non-degree options.

The Alumni Association has grown alongside the university. Southern has more than 93,500 alumni, many of whom are active in the SCSU Alumni Association. Working in partnership with the Office of Alumni Relations, the group provides an ongoing connection between Southern and its graduates, as well as the leadership needed to ensure the university’s ongoing success. The association is governed by an elected board of directors; members currently hail from graduate classes spanning seven decades.

Hundreds of Southern graduates volunteer through the association to help organize a wide variety of events such as class reunions, Homecoming, awards banquets, and more. Additional benefits include an Alumni Insurance Program, access to Buley Library, and an Alumni Career Network that offers professional advice for those who’ve graduated in the past three years.

SouthernCT.edu/alumni/alumni-association

SAVE T HE DATES

J OIN SOU T H ER N F O R A

once-in-a-century gathering!

THE SCSU

HOMECOMING

ALUMNI AWARDS

celebration

& FAMILY WEEKEND

Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

2025

DANCE THE N IGH T AWAY Alumni100.SouthernCT.edu Summer 2025 | 35

ALUMNI NEWS ■

■

The Family That Creates Together

C

REATIVITY IS A FAMILY TRADITION for Ciara and

Wilson Valois, ’23, a brother-and-sister team with

expertise, respectively, in fashion design and photography/videography. On March 25, the duo jointly launched Valois Studios in New Haven, a space for fellow creatives to host everything from events to photo shoots.

“Creators can take advantage of our professional lighting equipment and backdrops, perfect for headshots and other photography projects,” says Wilson, who graduated from Southern with a bachelor’s degree in communication (concentration in film, television, and digital production). Since then, he’s expanded his photography and videography business while pursuing graduate studies.

Valois Studios provides an opportunity to build on these creative pursuits. “In addition to hosting private paint-and-sip sessions, networking events, and children’s classes, we offer seminars and more,” Wilson says, adding: “My sister teaches aspiring designers the fundamentals of fashion design, empowering them to bring their creative visions to life.” Words spoken like a justifiably proud brother.

■

Breaking News: Owl Joins WTNH

KIARA SMITH, ’21, JOINED WTNH NEWS 8 as a reporter in

Springfield, Mass., where she was a weekend anchor and

February 2025, covering everything from crime and

weekday reporter.

sports to education and community news. She came to New Haven from WWLP 22News, a sister station in

At Southern, Smith majored in journalism and minored in communication. She was active with SCSU TV and The Southern News and was inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. She later earned a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Boston University.

Now back in the Elm City, Smith remains connected to Southern. Last spring, she returned to campus to speak to students in a broadcast journalism course taught by veteran WTNH reporter Kenton Pierce — a full-circle moment that reflects her dedication to both her profession and the next generation of storytellers.

36 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

■

Graphic by Nature

AS

THE COORDINATOR OF GRAPHICS

at Southern for more than 25 years, Marylou Conley, ’83, has created countless communications and marketing materials. Her work includes billboards, marketing campaigns, campus bus and police car wraps, logos, and more — including every issue of Southern Alumni Magazine — all dedicated to showcasing the university.

Nature and family also are lifelong sources of inspiration. Conley spent summers at her grandfather’s shore-side cottage in Milford, Conn., walking the beach with her sister Kathleen and their many cousins. The shifting tides revealed treasures: shells, seaweed, snails, smalls crabs, and sea glass.

She was equally drawn to the nearby woods. “We spent a lot of time mushrooming with my dad,” Conley says. “He taught us to identify different types — to see the differences between those that are edible and those that are deadly. Focusing on the details obviously is incredibly important. I have a

Violet-tailed sylph hummingbird (Aglaiocercus coelestis).

Colored pencil on Dura-Lar® film

strong memory of looking at my dad’s beautiful books on mushrooming and being awed by the illustrations.”

Today, Conley channels that same detailed focus into her art, highlighting the intricacies of the natural world. She took her first course in natural science illustration at the Creative Arts Workshop in New Haven in the early 1990s (on scholarship) and has been honing her skills ever since. Working in graphite, colored pencil, pen and ink, and watercolors, she’s studied with artist Graziella Patrucco de Solodow and through the Yale Peabody Natural Science Illustration Program.

Her piece — “Violet-tailed sylph hummingbird (Aglaiocercus coelestis)” — was published in the Journal of Natural Science Illustration (November 2024), produced by the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators. In a fitting twist, Conley also designed an exhibit sign for the Yale Peabody Museum, which reopened in 2024 following a complete renovation of the historic 159-year-old building.

At Southern, Conley majored in studio art with a concentration in graphic design, supplementing her studies with art history and computer science courses. The dual focus on science and art is a family trait. Her father, the late William Ready, was a purchasing agent and research scientist at Olin Manufacturing for 34 years before retiring in 1986. He also ran a letterpress business — Ready Press — from the basement of their home.

“There were racks and racks of wooden type cases — so many sizes and styles of type, which was fun when I was a kid,” Conley says.

She vividly remembers the printing process: her dad placing the type, loading the paper, and pushing levers. He would sometimes use thermography to create raised type; heat fuses a powdered resin to the ink. The steps, she recalls, were “almost like a dance,” a perfect, tactile blend of science and art.

2025-26 SCSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stacy Fields, ’15, President Secrett Hampton, ’03, Vice President Morris Patton, ’97, Treasurer Joseph (Joey) Linebarger, ’15, Secretary Antoinette Badillo, ’15 Sarah Belden, ’14, M.S. ’16 Binod Dahal, ’19, MBA ’21 Bruce DeBree, ’78 Charles Flynn, M.S. ’99, 6th Yr. ’03 Eduardo Foster, ’02 Aba Hayford, ’10 Leo Kivijarv, ’74 Patricia Miller, ’69, M.S. ’75, 6th Yr. ’81 Regina Misercola, ’23 Sarah Pullen, ’15 Kristy Sampieri, ’04, MBA ’06 Leah Secondo, ’84 Daniel Shields, ’96, M.A. ’99 Barry Woods, ’00 Malaysia Young, ’17 Southern Connecticut State University Office of Alumni Relations 501 Crescent Street New Haven, CT 06515 Gregory Bernard, ’04, Director BernardG2@SouthernCT.edu Doreen Cammarata-Gilhuly, ’89, Associate Director GilhulyD1@SouthernCT.edu

Summer 2025 | 37

ALUMNI NEWS ■

■

A Long-Awaited Victory Lap

ON MARCH 25, SOUTHERN PROUDLY HONORED THE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2020 , a celebration

delayed but not diminished. The event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Congratulations to these exceptional Owls whose contributions continue to shape Southern’s legacy of athletics excellence.

✩ The 1992 Men’s Soccer National Championship Team

✩ Tara Antalosky, ’07

Women’s Swimming and Diving

✩ Jacques Cesaire, ’11 Football

✩ Joseph Ciaburri, ’56

Contributor (honored posthumously)

✩ Marjorie Dolan, ’74, M.S. ’76, 6th Yr. ’89

Women’s Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Softball, Contributor

✩ Kelley Kimball Frassinelli, ’93, M.S. ’20

■

Sky High Owl Pride

ON FEB. 22, NEW BANNERS WERE UNVEILED in James Moore

Field House to celebrate significant achievements of the women’s basketball program. The first banner honors Southern’s success in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) National Tournament. The AIAW was a U.S. college athletics organization that governed women’s sports from 1971 to 1982, before being replaced by the NCAA. This banner recognizes the Owls achievements in the AIAW from 1971 to 1979, during which Southern made eight appearances in the national tournament — more than any other program in the U.S. Southern also honored two former star players by retiring the jerseys of Mary Anne O’Connor (No. 20) and Susan Rojcewicz (No. 32). Both are members of the Class of 1975 and have received national recognition. At Southern, O’Connor and Rojcewicz played for legendary head coach Louise O’Neal and reached the AIAW Final Four in 1973, 1974, and 1975. The teammates successfully tried out for Team USA, competing with the storied squad that won gold at the 1974 Pan American Games and silver at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. In recognition, in 2023, O’Connor and Rojcewicz were honored as members of the first women’s basketball team to be inducted in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. Both are also inductees of Southern’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Field Hockey and Women’s Track & Field

✩ Jerritt Lewis, ’98

Men’s Basketball

✩ Michael Lewis, ’89

Men’s Track and Field

✩ Beba Stratakis, ’02 Women’s Soccer

Left to right: Kelley Kimball Frassinelli, ’93, M.S. ’20; Beba Stratakis, ’02; Marjorie Dolan, ’74, M.S. ’76, 6th Yr. ’89; Jacques Cesaire, ’11; Tara Antalosky, ’07; Jerritt Lewis, ’98; and Michael Lewis, ’89. Joseph Ciaburri, ’56, was inducted posthumously.

MORE AT

The 1992 men’s soccer national championship team

38 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

SCSUOwls.com/honors/hall-of-fame

Southern basketball players (past and present) celebrate the unveiling of new honorary banners.

JOIN US FOR THE

Southern

HOOPS TIP-OFF TALK

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025 | 5:30 p.m.

Aria Banquet Facility | Prospect, Conn.

Featuring a Who’s Who of NBA, WNBA, and Connecticut basketball greats: • KATE LYNCH — Southern head women’s basketball coach and member of Southern’s 2007 national championship team • SCOTT BURRELL — Southern head men’s basketball coach and former NBA champion • DONNY MARSHALL — Former NBA player and Fox Sports game and studio analyst • GENO AURIEMMA — UConn head women’s basketball coach and 11-time national champion • BILL RAFTERY — Iconic broadcaster • PLUS, A SOON-TO-BE-ANNOUNCED WNBA STAR

Legendary broadcaster George Grande will serve as the master of ceremonies.

FOR INFORMATION AND TICKETS,

contact Ray Reid at 860-922-1110 or ReidR12@SouthernCT.edu

ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT SOUTHERN ATHLETICS Summer 2025 | 39

A L U M NI NO T ES ■

Stay Connected

JEFF STOUTLAND, ’84, M.S. ’86, the

FOR INVITATIONS TO ALUMNI EVENTS AND RELATED NEWS , update your contact information

at SouthernCT.edu/alumni/update-alumniinformation. Please use the same form to submit Alumni Notes to Southern Alumni Magazine.

Thank you!

1960s

MICHAEL L. ELLIS, ’67, 6th Yr. ’84, was

recognized when the gymnasium at Robert E. Fitch High School was named in his honor. The Mike Ellis Gymnasium celebrates his more than 30-year career as an educator and mentor to generations of athletes.

EDWARD ASTON, M.S. ’69, M.S. ’74, a

celebrated former swim coach at Cheshire High School, guided the girls team for 27 years and the boys team for 28 years. Under his leadership, Cheshire won numerous state titles in both programs. Aston was twice named High School Coach of the Year by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference. He also was selected the Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance Coach of the Year and one of the Hartford Courant’s “100 Top Coaches of the Century.” At Southern, he was a three-year letter winner, an NCAA qualifier in the 200-yard butterfly, and the co-captain and MVP of the men’s swim team.

ELEANOR MARSOLI, M.S. ’69, was

inducted into The Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an organization that promotes the professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. She retired in 2005 as a reading and language arts educator at North Haven Middle School.

1970s

CATHY MEBANE, ’73, M.S. ’76, was the

first Black resident hall director hired at Wilkinson Hall on campus. She shares a connection to Southern with her sister, JAMESETTA WILLIAMS, ’76, who earned a degree in special education at the university.

SUSAN TOMKO, M.S. ’75, was inducted

into the Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025. At Southern, Tomko played under legendary head coach Louise O’Neal, helping the university achieve three Final Four appearances in the national championship tournament of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. In recognition of 40 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

her talent, Tomko was invited to participate in the U.S. Olympic Trials. She also played volleyball, field hockey, and softball, the later with the Raybestos Brakettes (1970-74) and professionally with the Connecticut Falcons (1976-77).

FRANK HAENI, M.S. ’76, and his wife,

Kathleen, are being honored by the University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point through the naming of the Haeni Chemistry Biology Building in their honor. The newly named building recongizes the couple’s significant contributions to the university.

Kathleen was a seventh and eighth grade science teacher for 24 years and Frank taught science education for 33 years. They are now retired.

RONALD G. WALKER, ’77, was named

the 2025 honorary mayor of Pacific Beach in San Diego, in recognition of his work in the community.

DIANE GODDARD, ’78, was elected to

the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Board of Directors in Estes Park, Colo.

Goddard, who joined the board as a member and treasurer, has more than 36 years of leadership experience at the University of Kansas, including serving as the chief financial officer.

IDA D. MCGHEE, ’78, has authored an

essay published in The Handbook of Black Librarianship. McGhee was honored with the Black Caucus of the American Library Association’s Library Advocacy Award (2021) and the Rhode Island Library Association’s Library Champion Award (2020). She is a co-founder of Cornucopia of Rhode Island: A Library Community of Color.

1980s

MARGARET SCHLUNTZ, ’81, shares

that she is married with two children and four grandchildren. After working as a special education paraprofessional for Weston Public Schools for 21 years, she now is with New Fairfield Public Schools. She has worked with children for 57 years, including holding postitions with Westport YMCA and Camp PIP (Planned Intercommunity Program) in Wilton.

She works with Connecticut Against Gun Violence and has lobbied at the Connecticut State Capital in Hartford.

Philadelphia Eagles run game coordinator and offensive line coach, helped lead the team to victory at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Described on the Eagles’ website as the team’s “longesttenured coach” and “one of the most respected offensive line coaches in the country,” Stoutland was a three-year starter at inside linebacker at Southern, where he earned AllAmerican honors as a senior and was a team captain. Stoutland earned a master’s degree in exercise physiology while working as Southern’s inside linebacker coach. He then returned to Southern from 1988 to 1992 as offensive coordinator.

JOCELYNNE RAINEY, ’89, was named

to the 2025 Black Power Players list by PoliticsNY and amNY Metro during Black History Month. The list recognizes individuals who are driving positive change and making a lasting impact across New York City and the state of New York. Rainey is president and CEO of Brooklyn Org, a nonprofit that champions the Brooklyn community.

1990s

BARBARA RZASA, ’91, and her hus-

band, Peter, did a virtual presentation on “Spring Native Wildflowers of Connecticut” for the Naugatuck Garden Club.

JOHN BARILE, ’93, M.S. ’96, 6th Yr. ’97,

has been named dean of education at Central Connecticut State University.

He has many years of experience in Connecticut’s public schools, having served as a teacher, dean of students, principal, and superintendent in several districts, including Milford, Fairfield, Bethany, and Brookfield.

Most recently, he was the superintendent of Brookfield Public Schools. He has a doctorate in organizational leadership from Northeastern University.

TRACIE BROWN, ’93, was nominated to

the Connecticut Superior Court by Gov. Ned Lamont, as reported in the Hartford Courant. She is the chief operating officer for the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles and former assistant legal director of the Department of Correction.

MICHAEL SUSI, ’93, M.S. ’99, was

appointed head administrator at the Gilbert School in Winstead. Susi was previously the associate head of school for finance and operations at Woodstock Academy, which, like the Gilbert School, is one of three endowed academies in Connecticut.

His prior experience includes serving 10 years as principal of East Lyme High School, which the U.S. Department of Education recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School.

JO-ANN IDONE, M.S. ’94, was inducted

into the Zeta Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) Society International. The organization forwards the professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. Idone’s career centered on business education. She also was a 1994 North Haven Teacher of the Year and the 1995 Connecticut State Technology and Learning Teacher of the Year.

JOHN H. PALMER, ’96, has been named

editor of the Westport Journal.

Previously, Palmer held journalism positions with the Norwalk Hour, the Stamford Advocate, and Connecticut Post as well as several Fairfield County-based weeklies. He also led the newsrooms of weekly newspapers in Massachusetts.

SEILA MOSQUERA-BRUNO, M.S. ’97,

the first Latina commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Housing, was featured during NBC Connecticut’s celebration of female trailblazers during Women’s History Month in March. Mosquera-Bruno was appointed commissioner by Gov. Ned Lamont in 2019 and reappointed for a second term in 2023.

RICHARD M. HASKELL, ’98, was named

director of trade compliance at Hubbell Incorporated.

JASON BLUESTEIN, 6th Yr. ’99, has

been appointed principal of Weston Middle School. Bluestein, who previously served as assistant principal at Weston Intermediate School, began his new role on July 1, 2025.

EVA WASHBURNREPOLLO, M.S. ’99, a

professor of communication at Chaminade University of Honolulu, will be recognized in August for exemplary contributions to her field. The Outstanding Sillimanian Award will be presented to WashburnRepollo and seven other alumni of Silliman University. WashburnRepollo received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Silliman, along with a master’s of science in reading from Southern and a doctoral degree in curriculum and pedagogy from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

BRIAN WEIR, ’99, a Trumbull police lieu-

tenant, graduated from the FBI National Academy, an exclusive training program for police executives in Virginia. He was one of 244 law enforcement officers to graduate from the 293rd session on March 13.

2000s

PAUL LUCKE, 6th Yr. ’01, has been

appointed principal at Seymour High School. Lucke’s accomplishments

include being named the 2024 Connecticut High School Assistant Principal of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Schools.

He was previously the assistant principal for Seymour High School and began his teaching career in 1998 at Ansonia High School before joining Seymour in 2004.

SHANNAN CARLSON, 6th Yr. ’02, has

been appointed assistant superintendent of schools for the Amity Regional School District. Carlson brings over 25 years of experience as an educator and instructional leader, with expertise spanning Pre-K through high school.

Previously, she served as principal of East Shore Middle School since 2017.

ALEX PALLUZZI JR., M.S. ’02, has

retired from the Branford Parks and Recreation Department, having served 32 years as director. He devoted more than 50 years of service to the city.

MEGHAN PHELAN ZELLER, M.S. ’01,

who holds a certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who. Her professional achievements include being cited among: “Top Doctors in Phoenix” by Top Docs and “Best Speech Pathologists in Phoenix,” by Expertise.com, and as a “Top Speech Pathologist” and “Top Occupational Therapy” by Best Pros in Town.

ERIK CLEMONS, ’04, received the

William Lanson Community Leadership Award from the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce.

This lifetime achievement award celebrates the highest commitment to community, family, and career, and honors an individual who has made outstanding contributions to Greater New Haven.

JENNIFER CUTRALI,

’04, M.B.A. ’10, was promoted to executive vice president of credit administration for Fairfield County Bank.

Cutrali joined Fairfield County Bank in 2020.

DENISE L. FEIRER, ’04, M.S. ’06, who

holds a certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology, was appointed the executive director of the Tomorrow River Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit organization created in 1993 to support Amherst High School graduates and community members interested in pursuing their education. In May 2024, the organization provided 106 scholarships (undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels) totaling $122,000.

KERRY VOLMAR HOULIHAN, 6th Yr.

’04, was named chief school improvement officer of Questar III Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), an educational service agency providing instructional and support services to 22 central New York public school districts in Rensselaer, Columbia, and Greene counties.

JEFFREY NAPLES, ’04, was appointed

deputy chief of administration for the North Haven Fire Department, after retiring from his role as fire chief for the Hamden Fire Department.

AMY LEHANEY, M.P.H. ’07, has been

appointed health director of the city of New Canaan. Lehaney is a registered sanitarian, food service inspector, and lead-risk assessor/inspector, and is also subsurface-sewage-system certified.

ANNA MAHON, 6th Yr. ’07, was named

assistant superintendent for teaching and learning for the Westport School District. She was previously the assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction, and human resources with the Brookfield school district.

NEIL WEATHERS, 6th Yr. ’07, has been

named interim superintendent of Windham Public Schools.

REGINALD ALSTON JR., ’08, and his

wife, Catherine Latoya Grant-Alston, have announced the launch of “Strengthening Black Love: Two Transformative Experiences for Building Marriages, Money, and Legacy,” designed to strengthen relationships, encourage honest conversations, and build generational legacies.

Alston is co-founder of ART Financial Solutions, with a focus on financial coaching, strategic vision planning, and treasury solutions for individuals and businesses. With more than 14 years of experience in informationtechnology management and strategic consulting, he has a record of managing multi-million-dollar portfolios.

NICHOLAS F. BEAMS, M.L.S. ’08, is a

law librarian with the Connecticut State Library, providing law and legislative reference services to state agencies, the legislature, and public stakeholders.

MICHELLE MARTINIK-SHOOP, ’08,

M.S. ’11, 6th Yr. ’13, was inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025. At Southern, she started on the 2007 NCAA Div. II National Championship team. That team also won its third straight Northeast-10 Conference regular-season title and second consecutive league tournament title. Shoop graduated as the Owls all-time leader in games played (129).

■

In Print and On Screen

THOMAS J. GRIFFITHS, ’71, the president and founder of

Aquatic Safety Research Group, has published his sixth water safety text, Dr. Tom’s Lifeguard Chronicles. He also is the creator of a free drowning-prevention app for parents, caregivers, and lifeguards: Dr. Tom’s Lifeguard Vision.

GARY SCARPA, ’74, M.S. ’91, released his third novel, Still Life,

which is loosely based on his personal story of growing up in “the Valley” in Connecticut. The self-published work of fiction features local landmarks such as Shelton High School, Duchess Restaurant, and Southern.

HELEN SHEEHY, M.S. ’75, has published her debut novel, Just

Willa, after a successful career as a nonfiction author, including three biographies focused on women in the theatre. She began her writing journey while teaching theatre at Hamden Hall Country Day School, where she developed her first book, a textbook titled All About Theatre. Sheehy also served as an adjunct professor of theatre at Southern for more than two decades. More recently, she has brought her passion for the performing arts to a unique setting, teaching acting and improvisation to inmates in the T.R.U.E. Unit of a maximum-security prison in Connecticut.

LISA FRANCO, ’78, has published My Dearest Darling: Letters

of Love in Wartime, a collection of World War II correspondence between U.S. naval officer Donald Storey and his beloved, Margery.

Separated by war, the couple relied on their heartfelt letters as a vital connection, offering solace amid the chaos. Franco discovered the lost letters during a chance visit to an antique shop and was inspired to share their story. More than just a romantic exchange, the letters reveal the emotional toll of war and provide a personal window into the historical events that shaped both the battlefield and the home front.

SHAWNIEL CHAMANLAL, ’08, a mental health therapist,

empowerment speaker, and business coach, announced the release of her book, Unapologetic Success: How to Dream Beyond Your Limit and Unlock Fulfillment in All Areas of Your Life. The book challenges people to align their professional pursuits with their personal values, creating a balanced life that honors their aspirations while fostering joy and fulfillment. She is the chief executive officer and founder of Healing Springs Wellness Center, a holistic counseling and wellness practice in Cheshire, Conn.

CHRISTOPHER E. SINGLETON SR., ’09, is the author of Chris &

Frankie: Intro to Our Ebony & Ivory Keys, a children’s book designed to make learning the keyboard more accessible, including tips to find each note. Looking forward, he hopes to have the book added to the collections of 50 or more libraries and to release a related album to make the piano, music theory, and the ukelele more accessible.

SPENCER E. CARLSON, ’12, has published a book entitled A

Bunch of Garbage, a “collection of poetry and visual art that finds beauty, meaning, and humor in the discarded, the overlooked, and the messy parts of life.”

Summer 2025 | 41

NICOLE QUERZÉ, M.S. ’08, has been

appointed the secondary assistant director for special services for Wilton Public Schools, supporting students in sixth grade to age 22. She was previously the dean of students for Middlebrook School.

ALYSSA PORTO, ’09, is the owner of

Alyssa’s Cakery. In addition to creating artistic, custom-baked goods, she offers a variety of events, including children’s birthday parties, book club/cake decorating nights, and weekly classes.

2010s

LAUREN CHICOSKI, ’10, M.A. ’15, Ed.D.

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’19, is the recipient of the New Haven Public Schools’ annual TAPS Award (Teachers, Administrators, Parents, Staff), which is presented annually to those who “routinely go above and beyond.” Chicoski is on the staff of Metropolitan Business Academy, an interdistrict magnet high school.

GREGORY K. THARP, M.L.S. ’10, co-

wrote an article titled “The Provision of Patron Services in Chinese Academic libraries responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic” with Yan Quan Liu, professor of information and library science at Southern. Tharp also has been published in Technical Services Quarterly.

HARRY M. VOULGARAKIS, ’11, was

named a Distinguished Fellow of the New York State Psychological Association (NYSPA) and is the recipient of the Sidney A. Orgel Memorial Award, presented to an early-career psychologist for exemplary leadership and service. Voulgarakis also was selected for the National Academy of Neuropsychology Leadership Ambassador Development Program and serves as the 2025 president of the Forensic Division of the NYSPA. He earned a doctorate from Fielding Graduate University.

DR. JENNIFER WOODEN, ’11, has

joined MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital’s Department of Pediatrics. She earned a Doctor of Medicine in August 2017 from the Caribbean Medical University School of Medicine in Willemstad, Curacao.

CHRISTINE MICHAUD, M.L.S. ’12, was

name the executive director of the Southington Public Library and The Barnes Museum in Southington.

ERIC ROTHBART, ’14, M.S. ’21, has been

named the girls soccer head coach at Cheshire High School. Rothbart has served as the assistant girls coach for the past six seasons and has been coaching club soccer in the community for the past 11 years.

PATRICIA WOOTEN, ’14, was named the

director of human resources for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech. In her new role,

Wooten oversees a team of human resource professionals and provides strategic leadership to both the academic and extension divisions.

KYLA DERISI, ’16, was named the chil-

dren’s services coordinator at the Scoville Memorial Library in Salisbury.

DeRisi lives in Woodbridge with her husband, Kevin Redline.

SUSAN LESSARD, 6th Yr. ’16, has been

appointed superintendent of the Norwich School System after serving as interim superintendent since 2023.

Lessard, who has spent more than 25 years in education, started working in Norwich in 2017, as the principal of John B. Stanton Elementary School.

SIMONE P. HARRIS, ’17, has joined the

State of Connecticut Judicial Branch as the reentry and vocational services coordinator. She is working for the Division of Court Support Services in the Juvenile Residential Services Department.

PRINCESS MCCANN, ’18, M.F.A. ’20,

M.L.I.S. ’23, recently completed a postgraduate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility (DEIA) internship at Yale University’s Kenya S. Flash Librarian Residency Program and has collaborated on the launch of Yale’s DEIA Resource Library. The collection includes books about accessibility, underrepresented librarian experiences, assessment and strategic planning, communication, building trust, and other subjects.

KEVIN A. DOYLE, ’19, started a new

position as an investor relations analyst at Pomerantz in New York, N.Y.

2020s

DR. STEVEN J. FLEISCHMAN, M.B.A.

’21, of Milford, has been elected the 76th president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Fleischman is in private practice with Sound Obstetrics and Gynecology, where he acts as the managing partner. He also serves as the associate chief of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale New Haven Hospital and is an associate clinical professor at the Yale University School of Medicine. Fleischman is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

TRENT R. KAISEN, ’21, has joined

Halloran Sage as an attorney in the firm’s Hartford office where he was a summer associate and law clerk prior to earning his Juris Doctor from the Univeristy of Connecticut School of Law. His practice focuses on municipal and state government, and environmental and land-use matters. As an undergraduate, Kaisen was a founding

and managing editor of the journal: Society, Justice, and the Law. He also was a regional director for the National Collegiate Club Golf Association and president of Southern’s Golf Club.

MELANIE BURGOS,

JOHN O’CONNOR, ’66, M.S. ’73,

6th Yr. ’75, May 23, 2025 CONSTANCE AIELLO, ’68, M.S. ’75,

Nov. 21, 2024 NANNETTE GIOVINE, M.S. ’68, Dec. 24,

2024

’23, serves as the program coordinator for the Environmental Leadership and Training Initiative (ELTI) at Yale University, where she helps lead efforts to train and support individuals from diverse sectors and backgrounds in the restoration and conservation of tropical forest landscapes. ELTI’s work emphasizes strategies that promote both biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods. While pursuing her degree at Southern, Burgos — supported by the BioPath program — founded the Latinx in STEM club, creating a space for representation and community among underrepresented students in the sciences. She also interned at the John B. Pierce Laboratory, where she conducted research on women’s health.

Her findings have been published by the National Institutes of Health and featured in the American Journal of Physiology.

JOAN MOECKEL REED, ’68, Jan. 20,

NAIMA T. CLARK, ’24, has been hired as

PATRICIA LEKAS HINCHLIFF, ’72,

a special education teacher through ESS, a firm specializing in the education staffing and management space.

Clark was placed in the same school where she had been working as a substitute teacher and then as a paraprofessional.

Births and Adoptions SARAH PULLEN, ’15, and her husband

welcomed their third son, Elias Shai Pullen, on Valentine’s Day. They are officially a family of five, with Elias joining his brothers, Dwight Pullen IV and Rapha Aman Pullen.

IN MEMORIAM LILLIAN READY BRYCE, ’51, April 22,

2025 BERNICE BERNSTEIN LEVIN, ’51,

Dec. 13, 2024 ELLEN ALPERT, ’56, M.S. ’61, Jan. 14,

2025 PATRICIA DOWNING MINITER, ’57,

M.L.S. ’86, Dec. 27, 2024 JOHN GANNON, ’59, Feb. 12, 2025 MILDRED DEFEO, ’61, Feb. 23, 2025 EDWARD IFKOVIC, ’65, Jan. 5, 2025 CHARLES BOYNTON, ’66, Jan. 30, 2025 JANE MEISTER MCGOWAN, ’66,

Jan. 1, 2025

2025 MARY ELLEN BREITENBERGER SLYWKA, ’68, Dec. 1, 2024 SHIRLEY STOWE SARKIS, M.S. ’69,

Jan. 13, 2025 CHESTER BLOMQUIST, ’70, Nov. 27, 2024 ROSE MARIE CHRISTOFOROMITCHELL, ’70, M.S. ’73, 6th Yr. ’79,

Feb. 6, 2025 ARLENE OSLANDER DUBIAGO,

M.S. ’70, Feb. 5, 2025 JAMES MCKEE, ’70, M.S. ’83, 6th Yr. ’87,

Nov. 18, 2024 DAVID CONTE, M.S. ’71, Dec. 11, 2024 THERESA HENNING, ’71, M.S. ’76,

Jan. 13, 2025 LINDA CHAPMAN SERFILLIPPI, ’71,

Feb. 17, 2025 STEPHEN COMKOWYCZ, ’72, M.S. ’81,

Nov. 19, 2024 VANNA DEMAIO, ’72, Dec. 24, 2024

M.S. ’76, Jan. 1, 2025 MICHAEL IANNUZZI, ’72, Feb. 9, 2025 PAUL WINSOR, ’72, Jan. 1, 2025

Mandarin Meets the Metaverse continued from page 18 experiencing the intricacies of running a federally sponsored program.

Community interest is sky high. “The application process was very competitive this year,” says Weng. After a post-assessment and successful completion of the program, the high school students are eligible for 1.5 credits through the SCSU Early College Program.

The participants also learn about investing in their own communities through the Chinese immersion program, which focuses on sustainability and inclusivity. “It encourages a deep understanding of cultural differences, fostering empathy and intercultural awareness, which is essential in today’s globalized society,” says program collaborator Luisa Piemontese, professor of world languages and literatures. ■

Green Bonds, Global Vision continued from page 19 the importance of liquidity (how easily bonds can be sold). Janning used Bloomberg Terminals, a premium financial software platform offering realtime market data, analytical tools, and trading capabilities. At Southern, Bloomberg Terminals are housed in the new School of Business building, giving students hands-on access to industry-standard technology.

Janning used the terminals to ensure his research focused solely on certified green bonds — those that had undergone a third-party verification process.

“I’ve always been interested in the general topic of green finance,” says Janning, who came to Southern through an exchange program between Germany and the State of Connecticut. He selected Southern from among other options because of its prime location between New York City and Boston as well as its strong economics program.

“Europe is a leader in issuing green bonds. While they’re still a small segment of the market in the U.S., they are behaving much like traditional bonds — and investors are interested,” he says. ■

DANIEL RUBERTONE, ’73, May 16, 2025 GERTRUDE GOLDMAN, M.S. ’74,

Nov. 9, 2024 CYNTHIA HOPKINS, ’75, M.S. ’79,

Nov. 29, 2024 JAMES WILLIAMS, M.A. ’75, M.S. ’77,

6th Yr. ’82, Dec. 14, 2024 LINDA NYKAZA ALBANESE, ’76,

Jan. 20, 2025

PAUL YONTEF, M.S. ’80, 6th Yr. ’85,

Jan. 15, 2025 MARY DAUGHERTY ABRAMS, ’81,

M.S. ’87, Jan. 2, 2025 KARL PAECHT, M.S. ’83, Feb. 16, 2025 DENISE DOWLING, ’85, Dec. 2, 2024 JOAN OAT, M.S. ’85, Dec. 4, 2024

PATRICIA DUNN, ’76

JOSEPH PAPEIKA, ’85, Nov. 13, 2024

KAREN KARCHESKI, 6th Yr. ’76,

ROBERT BUTLER, M.S. ’86, Dec. 1, 2024

Dec. 21, 2024 ANTHONY SOLECKI, 6th Yr. ’76,

April 10, 2025 GARY MIHALEK, ’77, Jan. 9, 2025 SANDRA WALKER, M.S. ’77, Jan. 28,

2025 JAMES WARD, ’77, Jan. 6, 2025 CARMEN MOEHRKE AHEARN,

M.S. ’79, Feb. 2, 2025 KRISTINE SIMMONS GAWTHORPE,

M.S. ’79, Nov. 26, 2024 SEAN MEEHAN, 6th Yr. ’79, Jan. 9, 2025 BERNARD ROSEN, 6th Yr. ’79, Dec. 4,

2024 MICHAEL URELL, 6th Yr. ’79, Feb. 24,

2025

JEFFREY COE, ’86, Dec. 6, 2024 ELISABETH LOCKWOOD, 6th Yr. ’87,

Dec. 7, 2024 CHRISTOPHER MCGUINNESS, ’87,

Jan. 13, 2025 KATHLEEN RIORDAN, ’90, M.S. ’03,

6th Yr. ’14, Oct. 13, 2024

JOHN KOZIN, ’07, Nov. 20, 2024 ALYSSA IWANSKI, ’15, Jan. 12, 2025 KIMBERLY THEADORE, M.S. ’16, Dec. 6,

2024 LARRY L. BINGAMAN, honorary

doctorate of humane letters, ’21, Nov. 15, 2024 EDWARD HARRIS, dean emeritus and

professor emeritus of political science, Jan. 15, 2025 MADELINE CUSANO-POPOLIZIO,

former staff member, Feb. 3, 2025 HOWARD OEDEL, professor emeritus

of history, Feb. 5, 2025 Alumni Notes are compiled from submissions as well as announcements in the news media.

LOUISE HORTON, ’91, Dec. 16, 2024 ELIZABETH FOSTER, M.S. ’94, Nov. 27,

2024 CATHY JENNINGS PARENT, ’96,

Nov. 14, 2024 HELEN WALLACE, ’97, Nov. 28, 2024 MARGARET CONNOLLY, M.S. ’03,

March 31, 2025 JEDIDIAH MOHRING, ’04, Jan. 7, 2025 Summer 2025 | 43

S E E N O N C A M PU S ■

SOUTHERN’S NEW MASTER’S PROGRAM IN USER RESEARCH AND USER INTERFACE DESIGN PREPARES STUDENTS TO CREATE SEAMLESS EXPERIENCES ACROSS PLATFORMS AND DEVICES. FACULTY MEMBERS ALEXANDER GIRARD AND MELANIE URIBE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ART AND DESIGN PROVIDE EXPERT GUIDANCE AND MENTORSHIP.

A Century of Connection Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the SCSU Alumni Association

S

ince 1925, the SCSU Alumni Association has been the heart of Owl Nation — supporting our students, strengthening the community, and leading with purpose. As we celebrate 100 years of alumni impact, we thank you for the many ways you continue to show up, give back, and stay connected.

S AV E T H E D AT E S

JOIN SOUTHERN FOR

THE SCSU

ALUMNI AWARDS

celebration!

Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

We hope you’ll join us for Homecoming Weekend this fall, including a special SCSU Alumni Awards Celebration honoring standout members of our alumni family. It’s a perfect time to reflect on where we’ve been, celebrate where we’re going, and reconnect with the people who make Southern so special.

HOMECOMING

& FAMILY WEEKEND

2025

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

DANCE THE N IGH T AWAY Alumni100.SouthernCT.edu

Thank you for supporting Southern and its students.

If you haven’t contributed yet, please consider making a gift during this important anniversary year.

SouthernCT.edu/giving

Office of Annual Giving (203) 392-6514 AnnualGiving@SouthernCT.edu

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Alumni Association 501 Crescent Street New Haven, CT 06515-1355 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

PRINTED ON RESPONSIBLY SOURCED PAPER

commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Alumni Association at the

JOIN US SCSU ALUMNI AWARDS OCTOBER 3, 2025

celebration DANCE THE N IGH T AWAY

FOR MORE INFO, VISIT Alumni100.SouthernCT.edu

INSIDE: Student Research Spotlight Writers on Writing Award-Winning Educators

ELLIOTT HORCH, CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF PHYSICS, (RIGHT) AND STUDENTS STUDY THE SKY IN ALL SEASONS.