southern alumni magazine spring 2009

ALUMNI MAGAZINE | Spring | 09a

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Prestige Academyfounder Jack Perry, ’96,

sets students’sights on

college

Dear SouthernAlumni,

As you know, Southern Connecticut State

University has a long and proud tradition of providing access

to higher education for students who might otherwise never

have the opportunity to earn a college degree.

One Southern graduate who exemplifies this tradition

is profiled in this month’s SouthernAlumniMagazine: Jack

Perry, ’96,who has founded PrestigeAcademy, an all-boys col-

lege preparatory school inWilmington,Del.This urban school

opened last September with 103 fifth-graders and is expected

to grow to 400 boys in grades five through eight by 2012— all

with their sights set on attending college.

This is a noble aspiration for a school that serves a

largely at-risk population.And it responds to concerns about

college entry and college graduation rates that are echoed

across the nation.Here in Connecticut, recent reports have

warned that a continuing decline in the percentage of residents

holding college degrees will erode the state’s economic vitality.

At Southern,we are committed toworking to reverse this

trend. In recent years, the university has expanded its advocacy

and support for programs that encourage academic aspirations,

and ultimately, successful transition into the state’s workforce.

These initiatives focus on utilizing the summer before

entry into college to improve college readiness skills and pro-

vide social and academic advisement for at-risk students.The

programs include SEOP (Summer Educational Opportunity

Program),ConnCas and ConnCap (both funded by the state

Department of Higher Education), and GEAR UP (a federally

funded program).

One of our most recent initiatives is the Galileo

Project, another state-funded initiative designed to provide

students from Hillhouse High School in New Haven,Hamden

High School, andMaloney High School of Meriden with better

preparation for college-level math and composition classes.

Faculty members from Southern’s mathematics, English, and

education departments have teamed up with math and

English teachers from those schools to share curriculum infor-

mation, visit each others’ classes, and develop strategies to

improve instruction.

As a result of these efforts, Southern has consistently

led its peers in the percentage of enrolled undergraduate

minorities during recent years. In 2008, almost 22 percent of

our undergraduates were members of minority groups.

Retention rates for first-time, full-time minority stu-

dents have also improved, and among its peer institutions,

Southern has the highest six-year graduation rate for minori-

ties and the highest percentage of minorities employed after

graduation.

Despite the current economic challenges,we will con-

tinue to seek innovative and effective ways to increase access

to, and promote success in, higher education. Your support

for our scholarship programs is crucial, particularly at a time

when more students than ever are seeking the benefits of a

Southern education. This spring, applications closed in

March and, for the first time in our history,we established a

waiting list, as we experienced unprecedented interest in our

affordable, high-quality educational offerings.

I thank you for your past contributions and look for-

ward to your continued involvement as we further Southern’s

mission as a university of opportunity and a university of

choice for students in Connecticut and beyond.

Dr.Cheryl J.Norton

President

LETTER

PresidentFROMTHE

For the Boys 10Education proved the ticket out of the projects

for Jack Perry, ’96.Today, as founder and

executive director of PrestigeAcademy,

Delaware’s only all-boys, tuition-free college

preparatory school,Perry is helping a new

generation succeed.

features

Spring | 09Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

From the President insidecover

Campus News 2Nostalgia 20

Supporting Southern 22Out and About 24Alumni News 26

Alumni Notes 30Southern Events 36

depa

rtm

ents

16Our spotlight on baseball includes profiles

of three alumni who are building businesses

aroundAmerica’s favorite pastime: Paula

Weaver,whomakes vintage-style athletics

uniforms and accessories, and Jared

Verrillo, ’05, and Nick Benas, ’07,who

have turned their passion forWIFFLE®

ball into a career.Closing out the

section is“Next at Bat,”a look at the

Owls’ baseball team’s 2009 season.

Write of Passage 14Building on a strong writing program,Southern

launches aMaster of FineArts in creative writing,

the first of its kind in the state.

2 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Southern joined

3,000 of the country’s top

college cheerleaders and

dancers at the 2009

College Cheer and Dance

Team National Championship

— and returned to campus

as national champions after

placing first in the All-Girls

Div. II category. The compe-

tition was held Jan. 16-18

at Walt Disney World Resort

in Florida.

Even though

Southern has consistently

ranked among the top 10

all-girl competitive cheer-

leading programs in the

country, this marks the first

time that the team has fin-

ished first in the competition.

Southern finished second

at the 2008 national com-

petition and third in 2007.

Commenting on the

victory, Head Coach Tricia

Lenda, ’97, notes that unlike

most sports, cheerleading

requires a team to be “spot

on” from the start. “You

have two and a half minutes

to do your routine,” says

Lenda. “You don’t have a

chance at a fourth-quarter

comeback. One major

mistake and you

probably are out of

the running.”

Teams from

43 states and 152

colleges and uni-

versities participat-

ed in the event,

which was pro-

duced by the

Universal

Cheerleaders

Association.

Southern

defeated 11

teams in its

category.

As the statewide

leader in producing highly

qualified special education

teachers, Southern has been

tapped by the state to

address the growing chal-

lenge of how to educate

autistic children better.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell

signed a bill that took effect

in July authorizing President

Cheryl J. Norton and the

university to take a lead role

in developing recommenda-

tions for a comprehensive

statewide plan to improve

the teaching of children with

autism and other develop-

mental disabilities. Southern

is working with several state

agencies, including the

Department of Development

Services, the Department of

Education, and the Depart-

ment of Higher Education to

craft such a plan.

NEWSCampus

� Cheerleaders ClinchNational Championship

James Granfield, interim dean of the School ofEducation, and Pamela Brucker, chairman of thespecial education and reading department

� Educating Childrenwith Autism

“It’s a huge project,”

says James Granfield, inter-

im dean of the university’s

School of Education.

“There is such a need for

this, as people are desper-

ate for information on how

to serve these students.”

Autism spectrum

disorders are developmen-

tal disabilities that cause

substantial impairments in

social interaction and com-

munication, as well as

unusual behaviors and

interests, according to the

Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC).

Many people with these

disorders learn in unusual

ways, the CDC states.

Individuals with a form of

autism vary in their learn-

ing abilities, from gifted to

severely challenged.

An estimated three

to six of every 1,000 chil-

dren in the United States

have the disorder, accord-

ing to the Mayo Clinic.

State and national statistics

show a rise in children

with autism during the last

two decades.

Faculty members at

Southern have been hard

at work gathering data to

develop new teaching

methods to improve

teacher preparation. Data

was collected from numer-

ous sources, including pub-

lic forums, online surveys

regarding teacher educa-

tion programs, and com-

munity colleges that train

special education parapro-

fessionals. The compiled

information was used to

write a report for the

General Assembly.

“There is a great

need for teachers to have

an understanding of this

disability,” says Ruth Eren,

associate professor of spe-

cial education. She notes

that parents of

children diagnosed with

autism are often at a loss

about how to address their

child’s medical, education-

al, and social needs. Early

intervention is considered

the key to helping these

children.

Southern offers a

master’s degree program

in special education with a

concentration in autism

and other developmental

disabilities.

Southern| ALUMNI MAGAZINE

| VOL 7 • NO 2

Dr.Cheryl J.Norton, President

MeganA.Rock,Vice President forInstitutional Advancement

STAFF

Patrick Dilger,Director of Public Affairs

Villia Struyk,Editor

Marsha Rabe,Associate Editor

Michael Kobylanski,Sports Editor

Marylou Conley, ’83,Art Director

Isabel Chenoweth,Photographer

Thomas Cain,Assistant Photographer

Nancy Ronne,Development Editor

Charlie Davison,Alumni Notes Editor

ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICE

Michelle R. Johnston,Director ofAlumni Relations

(203) 392-6500

EDITORIAL OFFICE

Southern Connecticut State UniversityOffice of Public Affairs/

Southern AlumniMagazine501 Crescent StreetNewHaven,CT 06515-1355

Telephone (203) 392-6591; fax (203) 392-6597E-mail address: [email protected] site: www.SouthernCT.edu

Printed by Imperial Graphics

SouthernAlumniMagazine is published by theuniversity in cooperation with the SCSUAlumniAssociation three times a year and distributed free ofcharge to alumni and friends of the university.Opinions expressed in SouthernAlumniMagazine do

not necessarily reflect those of theuniversity or of the SCSUAlumniAssociation.Although the editorshavemade every reasonable effort tobe factually accurate,noresponsibility is assumed for errors.

Postage paid at NewHaven,Conn.

Southern Connecticut State University, in compliancewith federal laws and regulations,does notdiscriminate on the basis of race, color,nationalorigin, sex, age, religion,disability, sexual orientation,or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices,or procedures.This includes, but is not limited to,admissions, employment, financial aid, andeducational services.

Spring 2009 | 3

In an

ongoing effort

to create a

safe learning

environment,

Southern is

installing a

siren/public

address system this

spring. The equipment,

which is being placed on

five buildings — Granoff

Hall, Engleman Hall, Pelz

Gymnasium, Brownell

Hall, and North Campus

Residence Complex —

allows the university to

broadcast an audible

tone, a live message, or a

digital recorded message.

To further enhance

campus security, Southern

joined the other campus-

es of the Connecticut

State University System

to launch SCSUALERT,

a new Emergency

Notification System.

Introduced

last fall,

SCSUALERT

conveys important infor-

mation to members of the

campus community in the

event of an emergency,

weather-related closing or

delay, or other potentially

hazardous situation. The

system delivers informa-

tion via text messaging,

voice mail, and/or e-mail.

“This system will

complement the variety

of communication tools

already available,” says

Southern Police Chief

Joseph Dooley, who

notes that Web

announcements and the

WeatherChek telephone

line (392-SNOW) are

among the systems also

in use. For more informa-

tion on SCSUALERT go to

www.SouthernCT.edu/

scsualert/.

Safeand

Secure

The Faculty Scholar

Award, one of the universi-

ty’s highest honors, was

presented to English

Professor Vivian Shipley

and Geography Professor

Leon Yacher. The award

committee selected Shipley

based on her book,

“Gleanings: Old Poems,

New Poems.” Yacher was

honored for his book, “The

Role of Geographer and

Natural Scientist Henri

Francois Pittier (1857-

1950) in the Evolution of

Geography as a Science in

Costa Rica.”

Shipley’s book cele-

brates aspects of rural life

in her native Kentucky. It

was nominated for the

Pulitzer Prize, garnered the

2004 Paterson Award for

Sustained Literary

Achievement, and received

enthusiastic reviews in

more than 20 national lit-

erary journals.

Yacher’s book,

which the award commit-

tee called a “meticulous

biography,” has been laud-

ed for its ground-breaking

look at Swiss-born geogra-

pher and botanist Pittier.

The committee praised

Yacher for “single-mindedly

conduct[ing] research in

archives and libraries on

three continents and in

three languages to bring

light to the career of

Pittier…who is still relative-

ly unknown in the English

speaking world but semi-

nal to the development of

geography in Costa Rica.”

� $287,000GrantFurthersStudySouthern’s

Center for Coastal and

Marine Studies will take the

lead in a research project to

bolster the economic viabil-

ity of Connecticut’s oyster

industry. The center

received a $287,000 grant

from the U.S. Department

of Agriculture that will help

pay for the continuation

and expansion of research

focusing on the environ-

mental habitat of the

Eastern oyster (Crassostrea

virginica) and the contami-

nation levels of oyster tis-

sues. The research is con-

ducted primarily in Long

Island Sound and

some of the har-

bors and rivers

connected to it.

The project

is a joint effort of institu-

tions across Connecticut,

including Central

Connecticut State

University, Western

Connecticut State University,

Wesleyan University, The

Sound School, and the

Maritime Aquarium at


NEWSCampus

� Faculty Scholars Honored

English Professor Vivian Shipley Geography Professor Leon Yacher

Norwalk. Southern will coor-

dinate the effort, with each

organization contributing

various resources including

faculty, students, staff,

equipment, and facilities.

Southern has been

studying sediment contam-

ination along the

Connecticut shoreline for

several years. The grant will

fund the purchase of sever-

al pieces of scientific

equipment to expand the

research.

In related news, a

$40,000 gift from the Werth

Family Foundation will fund

the purchase of a mercury

analyzer. This is in addition

to a previous $170,00 grant

from the foundation, most

of which will be used to

support student environ-

mental research.

� Star GazingScientists will have

a significantly clearer view

of the skies thanks to a

new device built by Elliott

Horch, an assistant profes-

sor of physics. The instru-

ment, called a differential

speckle survey instrument

(DSSI), is placed on tele-

scopes to improve the

crispness of images 20-

fold. Horch received a

$352,487 grant from the

National Science

Foundation to develop the

instrument three years ago,

prior to joining Southern.

The device has been sent

to Kitt Peak National

Spring 2009 | 5

full-time enrollment of undergraduates reached an all-time high this fall,

climbing to7,173, the highest number since the institution

opened its doors in 1893.

southern also set a new record for total full-time students at8,111,

fueled by an upturn in the number of full-time graduate

students enrolled this fall.

southern students are extremely hardworking:80% work more

than 30 hours per week to help finance their education.

The Southern Connecticut State University Police Department has a5-officer bike patrol unit that operates year round. Its goal: to

increase the department’s visibility and approachability.

Representatives from variousinstitutions around Connecticutjoined Southern for a meeting todiscuss a $287,000 federal grantthat will be used to research theenvironmental habitat of theEastern oyster and Connecticut’soyster industry. Vince Breslin[SITTING, FAR LEFT], Jim Tait [SITTING,FAR RIGHT], and Dwight Smith[STANDING, THIRD FROM LEFT] serve asSouthern’s co-coordinators of theCenter for Coastal and MarineStudies, the lead organization forthe grant. Sean Grace [STANDING,FAR RIGHT], assistant professor ofscience education andenvironmental studies atSouthern, also attended.

Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin,1791)PHOTO: courtesy of www.jaxshells.org.

Assistant Professor of Physics Elliott Horch has developed a powerfulastronomical instrument.

[BELOW] Crab Nebula, a six-light-year-wide expanding remnant ofa star's supernova explosion andan example of one of the largestmosaic images ever taken byNASA's Hubble Space Telescope.Japanese and Chineseastronomers recorded thisviolent event in 1054.

PHOTO: courtesy of NASA and STScI

PHOTO:MeghanMarino,’08

Observatory, a center for

optical astronomy in Tucson,

Ariz. After final testing, it is

expected to be one of the

most advanced instruments

for resolution purposes in

the world. Among its most

promising applications is

the study of binary sys-

tems, two stars that rotate

around each other.

“The disturbances

in the atmosphere can

cause images to blur

together,” Horch says,

explaining the need for

the instrument. “But using

this special instrument is

like putting eyeglasses on

a telescope. It enables you

to see the two stars in a

binary system distinctly.”

� NewLeadershipRoles forPresidentNortonPresident Cheryl J.

Norton has been appoint-

ed to two prestigious posts

in athletics. After previously

serving as the vice chair of

the Northeast-10

Conference President’s

Council for two years, she

has been elevated to the

rank of chair. Norton will

serve a two-year term,

which will conclude in

June 2010. In addition, she

has been appointed to the

NCAA Division II President’s

Council, a national body

whose role includes estab-

lishing and directing the

general policy of Div. II and

establishing a strategic plan

for Div. II athletics programs.


NEWSCampus

President Cheryl J. Norton

� Accelerated Nursing Program Presents first GradsA pinning ceremony was held to honor the first cohort of nursing students to complete

Southern’s Accelerated Career Entry (ACE) program. A total of 13 students completed the 12-

month program, which enables students to earn their degrees in approximately half the stan-

dard time, excluding prerequisites and university requirements. Participants in the program are

required to have a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college or university.

Southern is a state leader in producing highly qualified nurses. In addition to stan-

dard undergraduate and graduate programs, it offers a clinical nurse leader program and an

R.N. to B.S.N. program that is tailored for registered nurses who wish to obtain their bac-

calaureate degrees. For information on the program, visit www.SouthernCT.edu/nursing/

undergraduateprograms/ace.

In addition to beinghonored at a pinningceremony, the firstgraduates of Southern’sACE program willparticipate inundergraduatecommencement.

Spring 2009 | 7

Music ProfessorDavid Chevan • Bassist • Educator, Performer, Composer

“I’m writing music for adults who are livingtheir lives and have had some losses.”

—David Chevan

Joined Southern: 1993. Inaddition to teaching, Chevanis the founder and directorof Southern’s Creative MusicOrchestra, which focuses ona variety of modern andolder compositions with anemphasis on improvisation.Chevan also directs anumber of other smallensembles.

Recent Project: “Yizkor: Musicof Memory,” a criticallyacclaimed CD was releasedby Chevan with HazzanAlbert Mizrahi and theAfro-Semitic Experience.Yizkor is the name of theJewish memorial servicethat is observed four timesa year, on Yom Kippur andon the last day of each ofthe three major festivalholidays: Sukkot, Shavuot,and Passover.

Accolades: The CD has beenlauded by critics innumerous publicationsincluding the Wall StreetJournal, Jazz Weekly, TheJewish Daily Forward, andThe Jewish Week.

High Praise: “I’ve been inHasidic synagogues whereprayers are continually liftedby music, but never beforehave I heard this lyricallypowerful a fusion of Jewishand jazz souls on fire.”— jazzcritic Nat Hentoff, reviewingthe album in the Oct. 7 issueof the Wall Street Journal.


NEWSCampus

� Alums Face Offin Major LeagueSoccer CupTwo Southern

men’s soccer alumni were

on center field when the

Columbus Crew and the

New York Red Bulls

squared off in the 2008

Major League Soccer (MLS)

Cup on Nov. 23. JuanCarlos Osorio, is the head

coach of the Red Bulls, and

Brian Bliss, ’87, is the tech-

nical director for the Crew.

Ultimately, the Crew came

out on top with a 3-1 win

that gave the team its first-

ever MLS Cup victory.

Thanks to a

$28,000 competitive

grant from the U.S.

Election Assistance

Program, Southern

students played a

critical role in the

national elections last

fall, with 60 serving as

poll workers.

Southern was

among only 27 colleges

and universities in the

nation selected to

receive the grant, and

one of only two from

Connecticut. Middlesex

Community College

was the other recipient.

Southern students assistedlocal communities by servingas poll workers on electionday. The project was madepossible by a federal grant.

Juan Carlos Osorio

Rock the Polls!November 4, 2008

� Students Take to Polls

Several Owls were

selected to play in presti-

gious collegiate all-star

games. On Jan. 9, senior

defensive lineman Jaliem

Cuttino suited up for the

Cactus Bowl, which spot-

lights teams made up of

the “best of the best”

NCAA Division II college

seniors. Cuttino and senior

Ty Marshall also were

among the 68 student-ath-

letes who took part in the

East Coast Bowl, which

features the best Division I-

FCS, II, III, and NAIA players

in the nation. The Owls fin-

ished the season with an

8-3 win-loss record and

qualified for the NCAA

playoffs for the fourth-

straight year.

Congratulations to

the men’s swimming and

diving team, which took first

place in the Northeast-10

Conference Championships.

First place finishes went to

Miguel Nesrala in the 50-

and100-yard freestyle

events, Aaron Rocheleau

in the 500-Yard Freestyle

and the 200-yard individ-

ual medley, Benjamin

Prue in the 100- and 200-

yard butterfly, Austin

Mizzell in the 100- and

200-yard breaststroke, and

Michael Cozzi in the 200-

yard freestyle.

The women’s swim-

ming and diving team cap-

tured first place in the

Northeast-10 Conference

with a final score of 958,

marking the team’s sixth-

consecutive championship

victory. Kristen Frost won

the 100-yard freestyle

event, setting new

Northeast-10 Championship

and Southern records with

her time of 52.38. Other

first-place finishes for the

Owls included Emily

Sundel (5:12.41 in the

500-yard freestyle), Cody

Hall setting a new

Northeast-10 Conference

record in the 200-yard

individual medley

(2:08.45), Frost setting a

new Northeast-10

Conference record in the

200-yard butterfly

(2:01.91), and Amanda

Burden, who won the

one-meter diving event.

women’s swimming �

men’s swimming �

football �

sport shorts

McNeilJohnson

Senior

Captain of theTrack andField Team(Event:hurdles)

BusinessAdministration(Managementof Information Systems)

Hometown: East Hartford, Conn.

Claims to Fame: Set Southern record in indoor 55m

high hurdles. 2008 Indoor/Outdoor Track and

Field All American and 2006-07 All American in

the 4x400 meter relay. 2008 Northeast-10

Conference Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year.

2008 Northeast-10 indoor champion in 55m

hurdles and 4x400m team relay.

Inspiration: High school coach, Michael Cain; high

school teammates; Southern Head Coach Jack

Maloney; and Assistant Coach Wil Wright.

On Success: “Where I’m from, you don’t see many

people being successful academically or in sports.

If you do, they tend to mess up the opportunity. I

feel that I have a responsibility to the community

to make it happen.”

On Campus: President of Men About Business.

Involved in programming and community service.

Pre-Meet Rituals: Drink a lot of water and eat a lot of

trail mix the night before competition. On the day

of the event, drink more water, and don’t eat or

talk to anyone.

Favorite Sports Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Favorite TV Show: Nip/Tuck

By ElyseWilliams, ’09

Meet Southern’sStudent Athlete

For more sports news, visitwww.SouthernCTOwls.com.

Spring 2009 | 9


hen Jack Perry, ’96, opened the doors to Prestige

Academy—Delaware’s only tuition-free, all-boys

college preparatory school—his mother,Barbara,

sent him a card. Inside, she included a copy of a

school assignment Jack wrote when he was 14.

“It explained that he wanted to do something as a teacher

for youngmen,”Barbara says.“He had forgotten about that, but I

didn’t.This is the road he wanted to be on.”

Some 20 years later, that road has led Perry,now 34, to

Wilmington,Del.,where he is the founder and executive director of

PrestigeAcademy.The charter school opened in September 2008

with 103 fifth-graders— and plans to add one grade per year dur-

ing the next three years.By 2012, about 400 boys in grades five

through eight are expected to attend PrestigeAcademy, and if Perry

has his way, all will have their sights clearly set on attending college.

It is a noble and high aspiration for an urban school that

serves a largely at-risk population.Perry estimates that 61 percent

of PrestigeAcademy’s students qualify for free or reduced lunch, a

statistic with potentially harsh ramifications.Only 66.2 percent of

low-income high school students in Delaware from the class of

2007 graduated, in comparison to 79 percent overall, according to a

report from theAlliance for Excellent Education.

Statistics are evenmore disturbing for minority students,

who compose the majority of PrestigeAcademy’s student popula-

tion. In Delaware, there is a 28 percent gap between whites and all

minorities in college graduation rates at four-year institutions, the

largest difference in the United States, according to“Measuring Up

2008, the State Report Card on Higher Education.”

Addressing the causes behind such statistics is a personal

goal for Perry.“I tell my students,‘Getting ready for college is about

Education proved the ticket out of the projects for Jack Perry, ’96.As founder and executive

W

Spring 2009 | 11

more than what happens in the classroom,’”he says.“‘It’s about

what you do every day.’”The expectation that every student can and

will go to college is embedded deeply in the academy’s culture.A

neat, handwritten sign taped to the school’s wall summarizes the

school’s mission:“Prestige Class of 2012.High School Class of 2016.

College Class of 2020.”Teachers name their classrooms after their

almamaters, and the academy is open to any boy seeking a college-

preparatory experience.

At Prestige, that experience includes school days that end at

5 p.m., silent hallways,double class periods,data-driven instruc-

tion, a day-long commitment to reading, and earning the right to

wear an academy shirt and tie.Every student receives character

education, grounded in a strict disciplinary environment.Among

the lessons learned are the importance of a firm hand shake and

maintaining eye contact, and, above all, respect.“We tell themwhy

we shake hands and look each other in the eye, and why these

things, literally, can save their lives,”Perry says.

Likemanyof theboyswhoattendPrestigeAcademy,Perry’s own

childhoodwasmarkedbyobstacles.“Therewere lots of odds stacked

againstme,”saysPerry.“Manyof the friends Ihadgrowingupdidnot

make it out,literally.I knoweducationwas the reason Idid.”

Perry’s father died when he was 14, leaving his mother,

Barbara, to raise four children— Jack and his three sisters— in a

Brooklyn,N.Y., housing project known for its violence.“I never

struggled with this,”Barbara says.“I was strict andmy children lis-

tened.” Her voice takes on a compassionate tone as she continues,

“Today, there are lots of moms who are not able to do it on their

own.That is why what Jack is doing is great.”

Perry says he never gave college much thought before

director of Prestige Academy,Perry is helping a new generation of boys succeed.

By Linda Simoes Cocchiola

continues


receiving a recruitment call from Southern during his senior year in high

school.With his mother’s guidance,Perry became the first in his family

to attend college,playing football for the Owls for one year.He earned

a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Southern and amaster’s

degree in social work from the University of Connecticut in

2000. (Perry’s youngest sister,Kendra, also attended

Southern, graduating in 2006.)

Though Perry initially majored in education at

Southern,he found it difficult to envision himself as a

teacher.“I didn’t think I could do it,”he says,noting

there were fewmen and even fewerAfricanAmerican

men in the classroom to look to as rolemodels.

Eager to complete a degree in four years

and hold down student loans,he switched his

major to sociology.He graduated and went on to

work for the Department of Children and

Families and later as the director for a private

alternative school for troubled boys in

Bridgeport,Conn.

“After 10 years as a social worker, it

clicked,”says Perry,who became convinced that

education was the best way to improve lives.“If we

can change the mindset of the child,we can also

begin to change the mindset of the family.”

erry’s interest in high-performing schools like

NewHaven’sAmistadAcademy grew.He enrolled

in the educational leadership doctorate program at

Southern and was partway through when he was accepted for

a fellowship in school leadership with Building Excellent

Schools, a nonprofit organization based in Boston,Mass.He stud-

ied and visited successful urban schools throughout the Northeast for

a year,observing programs and developing plans for what has become

PrestigeAcademy.He set out to develop an all-boys school because he believes

the concept proved successful in the past.“This was not a new idea,but an idea

making a comeback,”Perry says of the single-gender concept.“We realized this is some-

thing that worked for a long time,and Building Excellent Schools supported it.”

Opening PrestigeAcademy was a challenging journey, spanningmore than two years, sev-

eral cities, andmultiple legal jurisdictions.Calling it a crash course in the politics of public education,Perry

says the process encountered a few eleventh-hour obstacles, including convincing the legislature to pass a law allowing

Talking about education, Perry frequently uses the word “catapult.” His goal: to put that catapult within reach of boys for whom learning and schoolpreviously have presented mostly failure and frustration. Although some of the boys at Prestige Academy struggled in traditional public schools, oth-ers were tops in their class. Expectations are high, as noted on the school’s Web site: “Students wear uniforms, participate in community service, andbenefit from a strong, no-excuses character education through which they are taught how to be Prestige Men.”

P

Spring 2009 | 13

single-gender public schools.The Delaware General Assembly passed the

necessary legislation inMarch, just five months before the academy’s

opening.Finding a home for the school in a very short time also was

problematic, but Perry eventually borrowed space in a Police

Athletic League facility inWilmington.

hile most of the media attention around

PrestigeAcademy’s opening has centered

on its status as a single-gender charter

school targeting underservedminorities,Perry prefers

to stress another characteristic above all others:

Prestige is a college preparatory school.“This is not

a school we are sending black and Latino boys to,”

Perry says.“It is a school for getting ready for col-

lege.” The teaching staff is committed to the

process.Many hail from Teach forAmerica, a

national corps of recent graduates and profes-

sionals who dedicate part of their career to

extending educational opportunities in urban

and rural schools.

Looking forward,Perry’s“to do”list for

2009 includes finding a permanent home for the

school, expanding his staff, and recruiting a second

class of fifth graders.Perry is also busy building

relationships with high-performing high schools

(public, private, and public charter) that he hopes will

be eager to accept Prestige’s first graduates— scholars

with college firmly on their minds and within their reach.

The year ahead also offers personal firsts.Perry and

his wife,Tamara,will become parents.He also plans to contact

Southern to resume work on his doctorate.

Like public schools across the U.S., Prestige is“under the

magnifying glass,”Perry says.Parents, supporters, school officials, state

government, and others will be monitoring student test results for signs of

improvement.Perry welcomes the scrutiny.He believes strongly in accountability

and school choice.He is also a proponent of educators working together and sharing

best practices to support successful schools of all kinds.

“My hope is that in a few years,we will see progress and we will be able to share what we

know to be effective,”says Perry.“Our doors will be open.”�

For more information see www.PrestigeAcademycs.org.

Prestige Academy offers a rigorous academic curriculum. Students take 120 minutes of mathematics and 120 minutes of English every day. Theschool’s Scholarship Academy also provides tutoring and academic support focused on individual needs throughout the week and two Saturdays permonth. Perry’s appeal to parents and the community is simple but profound: “To have your son thinking about college at 10- or 11-years old, howpowerful can that be?”

W


riters and poets with a drive to learnmore about their craft,

and to do it within a community of other writers,now have a home

at Southern.On Sept. 17, the state Board of Governors for Higher

Education approved a new degree program at the university: a

Master of FineArts (M.F.A.) in creative writing. It is the first full-

residencyM.F.A.program in the state.

“TheM.F.A.offers a different level of professionalism,with

different expectations,”says English Professor Tim Parrish, one of

the architects of the new program.“In the abstract,M.F.A.s prepare

people to be flexible thinkers, great written communicators, and

facilitators in groups,”he says,“but personal enrichment is really the

draw.Students get to be part of a serious community of writers.”

The English Department has long offered the M.A. and

M.S.with creative writing option; the M.F.A.will replace these

programs.The primary difference between these degrees and the

M.F.A. is that the latter is the terminal or highest degree in the field

of creative writing.A more rigorous program than that leading to

the M.A. or M.S., the M.F.A. is essentially the equivalent of the

Ph.D. in its field, preparing students to become published writers

and to seek jobs as university-level writing instructors. Southern’s

M.F.A. joins the Ed.D. program as one of the university’s two ter-

minal degree programs.

“We’ve had a wonderful writing community here,”says

English Professor Jeff Mock,who worked with Parrish on develop-

ing the proposal for theM.F.A.“But it’ll be a major difference to have

these students here for this specific purpose.”

By Betsy Currier Beacom

W

The creative writing faculty [LEFT TO RIGHT] Vivian Shipley, Tim Parrish, Robin Troy, and Jeff Mock

continues on page 35

Spring 2009 | 15

Master of Fine Arts in creative writing program launched—

the first of its kind in the state.

he’s dressed the ghost of Babe

Ruth for an HBO special and

made the perfect uniform for

a 6-foot tall minor league

baseball mascot with 72-inch

hips.Meet PaulaWeaver,who along with

her husband,Ken,owns K & PWeaver,

LLC, a manufacturer and supplier of 19th

and early 20th century athletics uniforms

and accessories.

Founded in 1992 as a maker of

CivilWar uniforms and accessories, the

company branched off into baseball uni-

forms in 1996.Today, the business is thriv-

ing, thanks to sky-high demand for vintage

and farm team baseball uniforms. In

response,Paula works in her Orange,

Conn.-based home workshop 12 to 15

hours a day, seven days a week.Ken helps,

too,by finishing seams, sewing buttons,

and packaging.

Though she always loved to sew,

Weaver had several other occupations

before founding K & PWeaver. She worked

for about 15 years at Southern New

England Telephone Co.,while earning a

college degree in the computer field.When

she left the telephone company because of

downsizing, she decided to attend

Southern to receive certification in special

education.She worked in special education

for five years.Then, in the 1990s,Ken

learned through research that he had

ancestors in the CivilWar and joined a re-

enactment group.He asked Paula to

make him a uniform,and the two delved

into research, even visiting the

Smithsonian Institution to get a closer look

at originals.

Ken’s finished uniformwas greatly

admired at reenactments, and orders began

pouring in from around the country.Before

Paula knew it, a business was born.

In 1996,Paula experienced another

professional epiphany,but this time she

stayed in the same career ballpark— liter-

ally and figuratively. She and Ken heard

about a vintage baseball team from

Connecticut, the MiddletownMansfields,


Vintage baseball uniform-maker

PaulaWeaver answers the question,

“What would the Babe wear?”

By JoanWells

continues on page18

[ABOVE] Paula Weaver in her studio.

Spring 2009 | 17

Bat. Ball.

Business Plan.

Two alumni are turning

a passion for WIFFLE® ball

into their ultimate career.

ByMarianne Lippard

That bright yellow plastic bat that provided endless hours of neigh-

borhood fun is farmore than child’s play for JaredVerrillo, ’05,

andNick Benas, ’07. In 2007, the longtime friends left behind

their nine-to-five jobs to devote themselves full-time to Big LeagueWIFFLE® ball.

Today,Verrillo and Benas run Sandlot Recreation from an office in Branford,

Conn.The business hosts WIFFLE® ball tournaments across the country, including

corporate events and fund

raisers for organizations

like The Jimmy Fund and

Dana-Farber Cancer

Institute.

The partners,

who prefer to be

called co-commis-

sioners, can trace

the roots of their

business back

to childhood.

As kids, the

duo created a“top-

notch”WIFFLE® ball field in their neighborhood.

Fittingly, the factory where WIFFLE® bats and balls are made is

located in Connecticut, as well. Its founder,DavidMullany, a local

baseball hero,mortgaged his home in 1953 to create TheWiffle

Ball, Inc.,which is located in Shelton.

More than five decades later, the game

has retainedmuch of its home-

spun roots and focus on simplicity.WIFFLE®

ball teams usually have three to five play-

ers, and the games are played on a

field that is smaller andmore

intimate than a traditional

[LEFT AND RIGHT] SandlotRecreation’s “co-commissioners”

based their business on a favoritechildhood pastime.

FIELDDreams

continues on page19

and went to see them

play against the

Great Black Swamp

Frogs of Ohio.

The game

was vintage all

the way.The guys

played like gen-

tlemen of yester-

year— no cursing,

spitting, or scratching.

The pitches were underhand-

ed, and the ball could be caught on one bounce. If the players

wanted to roll up their sleeves, the protocol was to ask“the ladies in

the audience.”

Therewas only one glitch for Paula: one teamwore t-shirts

and the otherwas in pseudo uniforms.“A bell went off inmy head,”

says Paula.The next stop for the couplewas the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Paula next sent a brochure to nearly every vintage team in

the country, showing what style uniform they would have worn

back in the day.

Once again, the orders came in like a fast pitch. Since 1996,

the number of vintage teams in the country has grown from 30 to

about 125, and if they have uniforms, there’s a good chance Paula

made them.K & P’s uniforms also grace dis-

plays in numerous historical landmarks and

museums, among them The National

Baseball Hall of Fame and the

Smithsonian Institution.

The couple also holds a

license to replicate the uniforms

of theAll-American Girls

Professional Baseball League of 1943-

1954.Hollywood has come calling, as well.

HBO asked Paula to create a uniform for the

ghost of Babe Ruth for a special,“Curse of the

Bambino.”She also was hired by HBO to

make a tank-top jersey for a special on

Adolf Hitler’s attempts to keep Jews from

playing in the 1936 Olympics.And Fox

Television ordered an 1880s-style men’s jersey with a sexy flare to

be worn by a woman on the show“NewAmsterdam.”

What’s next for the homerun couple? Paula answers

with a smile:“We’re researching football.” �

The team is building on a strong legacy. The Owls have reached the

NCAA Tournament three times in the past four years and four times

since 2001. Last season, the club concluded the year with a 36-19

win-loss mark overall, which tied for the second-most season wins in

school history. Pitcher Jim Fuller and infielder Mike Diaz were selected in

the Major League Baseball Draft following the campaign, and both left

Southern early to pursue professional careers.

Nevertheless, the Owls are focused on maintaining their high

level of success this season, even with the addition of 11 newcomers to

the roster. If the fall season provides any indication, Southern should fare

well. The Owls defeated two Division I programs — Yale and Quinnipiac

— to capture the prestigious City Series Championship in October.

Leading the way for the Owls is senior All-American Karl Derbacher.

As a junior, Derbacher collected All-America and Northeast Region Player

of the Year honors from three organizations, the National Collegiate

Nextat BatByMichael Kobylanski,associate director of

athletics/communications

Some of the faces may be

different, but the goal

remains the same for

head coach Tim Shea, ’87,

and the Owls’ baseball

team as it embarks on the

2009 season—qualify for

the NCAA Tournament.


continued from page 16

Spring 2009 | 19

Baseball Writers Association, the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings, and Daktronics.

Derbacher also was named the 2008 Northeast-10 Conference Player of the Year after batting .408

with 53 runs batted in, a .550 slugging percentage, and 28 stolen bases. He ranked among the top

50 players nationally in hits, doubles, triples, stolen bases per game, and stolen bases.

Joining Derbacher as team captains this year are fellow seniors Kevin Bowerman and Mike

Connors. Bowerman is coming off a season in which he batted .329 with 29 stolen bases and 29 RBI.

Pitcher Mike Connors has been one of the top relievers in the Northeast-10 Conference during the past few seasons

and is one of the top options out of the bullpen. He didn’t allow an earned run in 17 appearances last season, while

posting a 2-0 mark and five saves.

The starting rotation is anchored by a pair of returners. Senior Justin Cox has earned All-Conference hon-

ors twice in the last three seasons. He registered a 6-4 record in 2008 with a 3.09 earned run average (ERA). Junior

southpaw Ed Bethke was 5-2 with a 3.39 ERA and ranked second on the team in innings pitched.

The incoming group, which Shea deemed the best recruiting class in program history prior to their arrival in

the fall, figures to play an important role in the program’s

development, this year and beyond. �

softball field.The sport is also inclusive:most tournaments

draw participants from their teens to their sixties.

Verrillo and Benas were among them.Beginning in high

school, the partners playedWIFFLE® ball competitively, and

ultimately used their earnings to help fund the business.Top

prizes can vary,but are usually about $1,000.

For both partners, sharing their love of the game

comes naturally.Benas, a Marine Corps veteran sta-

tioned in Iraq in 2004-2005, taught Iraqi police offi-

cers how to play during downtime.The police offi-

cers, avid soccer fans,were intrigued when they

saw the plastic ball and bat, and became

instant fans of the game,he says.

Benas was drawn to Southern after

meeting JackMordente, associate

director of student supportive

services and head of the

office of Veterans

Affairs,who Benas

says is known

as an

advocate for veterans on the local,

state, and national levels.Benas

also found amentor in Patricia

Olney, associate professor of polit-

ical science.“Shemotivatedme to

followmy dreams,”he says.

Thus far, the result of those

dreams has been promising.Benas says

the economic downturn hasn’t hurt business. In

fact, the partners see renewed interest inWIFFLE® ball,which

became popular in the 1950s and remains a staple in homes across

the country,despite the draw of high-tech video games.Both say

that they see the sport taking off internationally,with televised

tournaments in the future.

Recently, the pair was featured on Fox’s“ThisWeek in

Baseball”and CNBC’s“The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch.”And

more big ideas are on the horizon.Verrillo is working on developing

new products that can be used inWIFFLE® ball.

Verrillo and Benas also organized a tournament set to take

place at Southern onMay 2-3.The goal: to set a Guinness

World Record for mass participation in aWIFFLE® Ball

tournament.A reality show pilot is slated to be filmed

during the event,which potentially could bring the

sport a wider audience.�

continued from page 17

After leading the nation in strikeouts in the 2008 season (145),Jim Fuller signed a professional contract with the New York Mets.

For more information on Southern athletics, visit www.SouthernCTowls.com.


Anyone who has celebrated a milestone 25th birthday or

wedding anniversary understands the significance of a quarter

of a century. So it was with appropriate fanfare that the

university community gathered on November 13, 2008, to

mark the 25th anniversary of Southern’s shift from college

to university status and, with its colleague campuses —

Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut

State University, and Western Connecticut State

University — the creation of the Connecticut State

University System. The photographs on these pages,

which offer a glimpse into Southern’s last 25 years, are

part of a 1983-2008 slideshow created by University

Photographer Isabel Chenoweth to commemorate the

event. For a longer walk down memory lane, go to

www.SouthernCT.edu/aboutscsu/25thanniversary/ to

view the entire slideshow.

Looking for more nostalgia? The site also includes a link to a list

of items found in a time capsule created by faculty and students

25 years ago. Among the treasures is a tape-recorded version

of the Alma Mater, composed by Joan Haines, a professor of

education in 1983. Click on the computer links to download

a printable version or to hear a 25-year-old performance

by members of the Southern community.

•

CONNECTICUT

STATE

UNIVERSITY

SYSTEM

25TH

ANNIVERSARY

•

25 yearsas a

University•

Nostalgia1983-2008

’83

’84

’85

’89

’95

’90

’94

’99

’00’01

’05

’06

’07

Spring 2009 | 21

THE EVOLUTION

1893: NewHaven StateNormal School isfounded with 84 studentsand three teachers

1937: New Haven StateTeachers College

1959: Southern ConnecticutState College

1983: Southern ConnecticutState University

’86

’91

’92

’93

’96’97

’98

’02 ’04

’03

’08

’87’88

• The median family income was$24,580.

• Motorola made historywhen the FCCapproved the world’sfirst commercialportable cell phone.

• “Terms of Endearment”brought home the Oscar forBest Picture. Other popularfilms included “Flashdance,”“WarGames,” and “Tootsie.”

• Fashion trends includ-ed leg warmers,slouchy sweatshirts,“big” hair, fluorescentshirts, “Dynasty”-style

glitz, and the “lone glove” lookinspired by Michael Jackson.

• Grammy Awards were presentedfor Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”

(Album of the Year), Sting’s“Every Breath You Take”(Song of the Year), andCulture Club’s “Do YouReally Want to Hurt Me?”(Best New Artist).

1983 at a Glance


his spring, the University Choir will

travel to Ireland to take part in a once-

in-a-lifetimemusical experience: a

presentation of George Frideric

Handel’s masterpiece,“Messiah.”The

oratorio, performed in commemo-

ration of the 250th anniver-

sary of the composer’s

death,will unite choirs from

throughout the United States

— all of which will gather in

Dublin, the site of the first

performance of “Messiah”

onApril 16, 1742.

The opportunity to

be among them is a rare gift

for a vocalist, one forwarded

by a generous $52,800 dona-

tion from the Stutzman

Family Foundation.The gift will underwrite a portion of the

travel and participation costs for members of the Southern choir

who are taking part in the June 2009 performance.

“There are 24 Southern students and recent graduates

who are going,”says Professor of Music Terese Gemme,who

directs the choir.“I don’t think any of themwould have been able

to participate had it not been for this exceptionally generous gift.

“They will be performing in a choir of several hundred

people, somethingmost would not otherwise have the opportu-

nity to do,”Gemme continues,noting the historical significance

of the location and timing of the event.“This is also a tremen-

dous opportunity to experience the culture of Ireland. It will be an

experience they will never forget.”

This gift builds on a previous transforming contribution

from the foundation,one that promises to enrich Southern’s musi-

cal and cultural programs for decades to come. In 2008, the

Stutzman Family Foundation, represented byWalter J.Stutzman, ’09,

made a gift in memory of Mr.Stutzman’s parents,Geraldine and

Jacob Stutzman, to establish and support the SouthernApplied

Music Program.

The program provides free weekly private voice or instru-

ment lessons to all declaredmusic majors whomaintain a C- or

better average in music courses.Previously, students were required

to pay for lessons.The Foundation has agreed to fund the program

with initial grants of $80,000 a year for the first four years and addi-

tional necessary funding in the years following.

Stutzman,who retired in 2005 from a career in software

consulting, graduated from Southern in January 2009 and plans to

teach music at the secondary-school level.He points to the encour-

agement and openness of the music faculty as having sparked the

idea of making such a gift.While he did not take lessons under the

new program, Stutzman’s wish is that other students will fulfill

their dreams.

The gift has three intentions,he says:“to honor my parents,

who supportedme; theMusic Department faculty,who have helped

me; andmy fellow students,who have inspiredme.”

According to Stutzman,one of the unique strengths of the

Southernmusic program is its ability to include and develop a wide

variety of musical backgrounds.“It is the Stutzman Family

Foundation’s intent to continue this spirit of inclusive development

of musical talent and to provide a chance for aspiring musicians, as

well as more advanced students, to explore the joys— and the

rigors— of becoming proficient performers,”he says.

Addressing Stutzman,President Cheryl J.Norton acknowl-

edged the importance of the gift at the university’s fall convocation.

“[The gift] shows that you want to be a part of our future and not

just a graduate of our past,”she said.

Stutzman’s familiarity with Southern’smusic program evolved

from his own distinct experience.During his undergraduate days as

a mathematics major at Pomona College, Stutzman spent most of

his timemakingmusic and exploring computers.After earning a

master’s degree in linguistics atYale University,he worked on theYale

Artificial Intelligence Project and later for the Digital Equipment

The Gift of MusicTwo generous gifts from the Stutzman

T

Spring 2009 | 23

Supporting SOUTHERN

Corporation (DEC) for 16 years. In 1996,he joined a small consult-

ing firm, Information Design, Inc.,where he was responsible for

resolving critical problems with clients’ computer systems.

Throughout his career, Stutzmanmaintained his involve-

ment with music, sitting in on keyboard and flute with three jazz

bands. Since 1985,he has been the accompanist for the cantor

and choir at Temple Beth Tikvah inMadison,Conn.,where he and

his family have lived for 23 years.

As he approached the timewhenmost people begin their

retirement plans,Stutzman realized thatmusic wasmore important

to him than fixing the next“mission-critical”computer problem.

Consequently,he retired in July 2005with the intent of becoming a

secondary school music teacher.“I realize that my teaching career

will necessarily be shorter thanmy first career,”says Stutzman,“but

I will have succeeded if I can help some students hear‘with new

ears’and discover the joy of ensemblemusicmaking.”

Stutzman capitalized on his time at Southern, excelling in

his studies and earning a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average

and departmental honors inmusic.Hewas one of four outstanding

seniors to receive the Henry Barnard Foundation Distinguished

StudentAward,which recognizes high academic achievement and

commitment to the campus and the greater community.

Stutzman’s mother encouraged him to pursue a second

career as a secondary music teacher, and although she did not

live to see her son begin his studies at Southern, his father was

able to follow his first two years in the music program.“He was

very appreciative of the guidance and encouragement I received

from the music faculty, and agreed with my suggestion that a

major gift to support Southern’s music program would be an

appropriate project for our family’s Foundation,”says Stutzman.

He and his wife,Esther, have passed along

a passion for education to their children.Their

son,Michael, has taught high school English and

is currently pursuing anM.F.A. in writing at

Sarah Lawrence College, and their daughter,

Anne, is enrolled in Southern’s master’s degree

program in special education.�

Family Foundation will benefit theMusic Department. By Betsy Currier Beacom

[FROM LEFT] Messiah on the Street, 2008, Dublin Photo courtesy of Temple Bar Cultural Trust; The Stutzman Family Foundation, represented by Walter J.Stutzman, ’09, [PICTURED] made a gift to support Southern’s music program; [REMAINING PHOTOS] Southern has numerous music ensembles — includingthe University Choir, the Chamber Singers, the University Symphonic Band, and the Jubilee Singers gospel choir — all of which performed in theMusic Department Gala in December.

“The Music Department is a very special place.One simply needs to be serious about some

aspect of music, and there is alwaysa faculty member ready to help you grow

through learning.I cannot imagine anywhere else that a 55-year-old

amateur musician could have found such anenthusiastic reception for his dream.” —Walter J. Stutzman, ’09

A look at events for alumni

and friends on campus

and beyond.

Out andAbout


President Cheryl J. Norton [STANDING CENTER]joined the Class of 1950 this fall to dedicatethe “Alumni Corner.” The class donated fundsto purchase and maintain decorative plantingsand a new bench, which have been placednear Founders Gate outside John Lyman Centerfor the Performing Arts.

Spring 2009 | 25

The Class of 1958celebrated its 50threunion on October 3at Woodwinds inBranford, Conn. Theattending membersof the class, whograduated from NewHaven State TeachersCollege, as theinstitution was thenknown, werepresented withdiplomas fromSouthern ConnecticutState University.

Seventy-five alumni and friends enjoyed an outing at the Bronx Zoo in New York City on October 4. Highlightsincluded visits to the African Congo Exhibit, the Butterfly House, and the Bug Carousel.


Alumni

NEWS

Among the highlights of the

event was the induction of three

Southern graduates into the Alumni

Athletics Hall of Fame. Former

Southern football great Joseph D.

Andruzzi, who helped the New

England Patriots win Super Bowl

Championships in 2002, 2004, and

2005, was among those honored. A 10-year veteran of the

National Football League, Andruzzi also was a member of

the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Browns.

Andruzzi, who played at Southern from 1993-96,

was a two-time All-American and was twice selected to the

All-ECAC squad. Today, Andruzzi, who is a cancer survivor,

serves as the chief executive officer of the Joe Andruzzi

Foundation, which is dedicated to fighting the disease.

Fellow inductee Loretta Di

Pietro, ’79, M.S. ’82, was a four-year

starter for the Southern field hockey

team, serving as captain in her senior

year. Following graduation, she

remained active in field hockey and

lacrosse, working as a member of the

coaching staffs at Southern, Yale

University, Hamden High School, and Hopkins School.

Currently the chair of the Department of Exercise

Science at George Washington University, Di Pietro previ-

ously was with Yale University School of Medicine, where

she was an associate professor of epidemiology and public

health and a fellow of the John B. Pierce Laboratory.

Also honored was former Major

League Soccer (MLS) goalkeeper

Adegboyega “Bo” Oshoniyi, ’95, who

is an assistant coach for the Wake

Forest University men’s soccer team.

At Southern, Oshoniyi helped the

Owls to two NCAA Div. II National

Championships. A two-time All

American, he also received the Golden Boot Award, given

to the nation’s top collegiate goalkeeper.

Oshoniyi played professional soccer in the United

States for 12 years, including time with the Columbus Crew

(1996) and Kansas City Wizards (2000-06), which won the

MLS championship in his first year with the team.

The Alumni Citation Award,

which honors alumni for exemplary

achievements, was presented to Patty

Pursell, ’95, M.S. ’99, 6th Yr. ’02. An

elementary physical education teacher

for the Wallingford Public Schools,

Pursell is the author and administrator

of a federal physical education grant

for $314,212. The past president of the Connecticut

Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and

Dance, Pursell also is the secretary for the Governor’s

Committee for Physical Fitness.

Pursell has received numerous other honors, includ-

ing being named the Wallingford Teacher of the Year, the

Connecticut Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year,

and a finalist for the Connecticut State Teacher of the Year.

The Alumni Service Award was

presented to Carolyn Dorsey

Vanacore, ’52, M.S. ’68, 6th Yr. ’73.

Vanacore began her teaching career at

North Haven High School, and during

the next 13 years served as a teacher,

coach, and intramural activity director

at numerous area schools. In 1965

she joined Southern as an assistant professor, and was

named director of the university’s Division of Health,

Physical Education, Recreation, and Safety (now Exercise

Science) in 1982, a position she held until her retirement

in 1989.

In addition to serving on the Alumni Association

Board, Vanacore has been active with numerous organiza-

tions and causes on campus, notably those supporting

female student-athletes.

The Alumni Appreciation Award was presented to

George M. DeMaio, Jr., ’70, M.S. ’77, a sportscaster on

960 WELI and ESPN Radio 1300. DeMaio, who helped

found the university radio station, went on to become a

pioneer in the promotion of local sports.

� And the Winner Is…Southern honored six of its best andbrightest at the annual Alumni AwardsCelebration, which was held on March 13at the Michael J. Adanti Student Center.

Affectionately known by his

fans as “The Coach,” he has received

numerous honors in recognition of his

coverage of high school sports, includ-

ing induction into the Connecticut

Scholastic and Collegiate Softball Hall

of Fame and the Connecticut

Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. In

2008, he was honored by the Connecticut Association of

Athletic Directors with the Distinguished Service Award —

Outside the Field of Athletic Administration. DeMaio recent-

ly retired from a teaching career spanning more than two

decades.

� Ms. Santiago-Martinez Goes toWashingtonWitnessing history in the making, Raquel Santiago-

Martinez, ’79, and her daughter, Ariel, pictured below,

cheered on then-President-Elect Barack Obama at

Delaware’s Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, a stop on

Obama’s train ride to the White House. January 17 was a

lucky day for the

Connecticut

natives, who had

traveled to

Delaware to join

the thousands

hoping to catch a

glimpse of the

incoming presi-

dential team and their families. After

arriving at the train station at 6:45

a.m. to wait in below-freezing weath-

er, the mother and daughter were

randomly selected to sit behind the

speaker’s platform to watch the

event. The duo enjoyed a stellar view

of the speeches, after which Raquel

received a handshake from Obama.

Then it was on to Washington,

D.C., where Raquel and Ariel visited

the office of Connecticut Senator

Christopher Dodd to pick up tickets

to the Inauguration ceremony — and

became the first to sign a gift book that would be present-

ed to President Obama.

Although Raquel describes the lead up to the cere-

mony as challengingly crowded, she says the event itself

was overwhelmingly joyous. “When Barack and Michelle

stood for the oath, you could hear a pin drop,” says Raquel.

“You could see tears of pure joy on so many faces. The roar

of approval and sound of applause was indescribable. It

was, indeed, an experience of a lifetime.”

Spring 2009 | 27

SCSU Alumni AssociationBoard of Directors 2008-2009

Michael Roshka, Jr., ’73, M.S. ’79, PresidentChristopher Piscitelli, ’93, Vice PresidentDenise Bentley-Drobish, ’90, M.S. ’92, SecretaryWilliam “Doc” Holley, ’55, Treasurer

James Barber, ’64, M.S. ’79Anthony Bonadies, ’58Hugh S. Cafferty, ’69, M.S. ’70, 6th Yr. ’76Kathy Glinka Coyle, ’74, M.S. ‘78, 6th Yr. ‘81James Elmo, ’71Patricia R. Giulietti, ’76, M.S. ’87Jerry Katona, ’74, M.S. ’88Anne Hollingworth Leone, ’51, M.S. ’61John Mastrianni, ’66, M.S. ’73Albert Mieczakowski, ’71Mark A. Nivet, ’92Judit Vasmatics Paolini, ’73, M.S. ’79, 6th Yr. ’93Bessie Scott, ’70, M.S. ’78, 6th Yr. ’81Teresa Sirico, ’70, M.S. ’73Bridget Stepeck-Holt, ’95Marvin G. Wilson, ’01, M.S. ’06

• Ex-OfficioDr. Cheryl J. Norton, PresidentMegan A. Rock, Vice President for Institutional AdvancementMichelle R. Johnston, Director of Alumni RelationsPatrick Dilger, Director of Public AffairsRobin Sauerteig, Chair, SCSU Foundation, Inc.


Alumni

NEWS

Homecoming

2008!Even though Owl blue-and-white

reigned supreme, Homecoming 2008 was

decidedly “green” in spirit last fall, with a focus on

environmentalism and sustainability. Alumni and

friends traveled from near and far to attend the Nov. 1

celebration, designed for the entire family. With an eye

toward recycling, renewing, and reconnecting, alumni

enjoyed a host of activities, including the Bob Corda

5K Road Race, alumni tent party, children’s tent,

Homecoming football game, and the students’

parade of floats, which put the spotlight

on the “green” theme.

Spring 2009 | 29

Mark your calendars forHomecoming 2009on October 17.

alumni notes


’50sJOSEPH CIABURRI, ’56, recentlyretired as chairman and chiefexecutive officer of the Bankof Southern Connecticut.Ciaburri’s 60 years in bankingincludes founding the Bank ofSouthern Connecticut and theBank of New Haven.

JOHN L.CARUSONE, ’57,M.S.’62, received the Gold BatAward fromWest HavenTwilight League Baseball.Carusone also was honoredto have the former St.Ann’sField renamed in his honor.

’60sCHARLES HAYDEN, ’60,wasposthumously honored by theBoys and GirlsVillage inMilford,Conn.,when the schoolwas rededicated in his name inrecognition of themany yearshe contributed to the well beingand success of students.

JUDITH FREEDMAN, ’61,M.S.’72, represents the 26th dis-trict in the Connecticut StateSenate, which includes thetowns of Bethel, New Canaan,Redding, Ridgefield,Weston,Westport, andWilton, Conn.Freedman will retire frompublic office after 22 years.

JEANNE TERRELL BLUDÉ, ’65,and husband, Zivko (Jeff),live in Stratford, Conn., andare sharing their home withtheir daughter and grandchil-dren while their son-in-law ison duty in the Persian Gulf.

VALERIE (SPENCER)AHRENS,’68,M.S. ’74, lives inAnnapolis,Md., after manyyears of “snowbirding”between Maine and Florida.

’70sERIC STEINMETZ, ’70, is a SCORE(Senior Corps of RetiredExecutives) volunteer andcounselor. SCORE counselorsarementors,who share theirtime and career experience.

PATRICKVINGO, ’72, has beenappointed by Governor M. JodiRell to serve as a member of

the Council on DevelopmentalServices. Vingo resides inSouth Norwalk, Conn.

KENNETH GABELMAN, ’73,retired from teaching andcoaching at Hauppauge HighSchool in Long Island, N.Y.and serves as the assistantmen’s basketball coach atNorthwood University inWest Palm Beach, Fla.

PASQUALE GUIDO, ’73,M.S.’76, 6th Yr. ’80, was appointedprincipal of St.Vincent dePaul School in East Haven,Conn. Guido taught in NewHaven Public Schools for35 years.

PAULCALALUCE, ’74, is retiringafter 35 years in education.Calaluce began his career as aspecial education teacher inRocky Hill and was hired byCheshire in 1992 as the direc-tor of pupil personnel services.

PATRICIA COSTA,M.S. ’74,retired in 2002 after teachingspecial education for 25 yearsfor Newburgh,N.Y., schools.Costa’s second career as a ReikiMaster is based in her homeoffice inMontgomery,N.Y.

JOANNMCMASTER, ’75, is theDemocratic Registrar of Votersand ElectionAdministrator inFairfield, Conn.

RUTHNEWQUIST,M.S. ’75,an artteacher at New Fairfield HighSchool for 25 years,had herpaintings exhibited at the BoothLibrary in Newtown,Conn.

BRUCEWUEBBER, ’76, has beenpromoted to environmentalspecialist for the U.S. PostalService for the HudsonValleyregion.Wuebber also serves aschairman of the Board of FireCommissioners for the townof North Castle,N.Y.

KAREN FECKO, M.S. ’77, wasnamed the 2008-2009

Glastonbury Teacher of theYear. Fecko is the librarymedia specialist atGlastonbury High School inConn.

DIANE GONCLAVES, ’77,M.S.’84, 6th Yr. ’86, is the assistantsuperintendent for theRegional School District #1,which serves Canaan,Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent,Salisbury, and Sharon, Conn.

VICKIE ORSINI NARDELLO,M.S. ’77, won reelection inthe 89th House District.Nardello has served seventerms in the state ofConnecticut House ofRepresentatives.

MAUREEN FOX, ’78, has joinedthe Greenwich, Conn., salesteam of Coldwell BankerResidential Brokerage.

FRANK E. (SID) MAIETTO,’79, was promoted to employ-

ee involvement coach/facilita-tor manager for the BoeingCompany commercial air-planes, manufacturing serv-ices core operations inEverett,Wash.

’80sJUDITHMUSCO, M.S. ’81, is thenewest member of theMathematics Department atSacred Heart Academy andwas most recently the princi-pal of Sacred Heart School inBronx, N.Y.

SUSAN SPEAR, M.S. ’81,wasposthumously memorializedby the Mary T.MurphyElementary School inBranford,Conn.,when theSusan H.Spear RainbowMemorial Library MediaCenter was named in herhonor. Spear was a third andfourth grade educator, a repre-

sentative to the BranfordBoard of Education, and elect-ed to the Branford EducationalHall of Fame in 2005.

RICHARDWATSON, ’81, joinedthe Mobilization Team atGlobal Hope NetworkInternational, a nonprofithumanitarian aid and com-munity development organi-zation based in Geneva,Switzerland. Watson lives inStamford, Conn.

THOMAS P.GAFFEY, ’82,Connecticut State Senator,won reelection and is servinghis eighth term.

JUDITH SCHAEFER JOSLIN,’82, coach for Enfield HighSchool, has been namedOutstanding Coach of theYear for the 2007-2008 seasonfor boys volleyball by theConnecticut High SchoolCoaches Association.

RICHARD GRANDE, ’83, wasthe mayor of the City ofDerby, Conn., from 1985 to1991 and never lost an elec-tion.

SANDRA L.MENDYK, ’83,M.S.’91, retired from a 22-yearteaching career at St.Mary-St.Michael School in Derby,Conn. Mendyk is currentlyworking as the editor-in-chiefof the Valley Times.

Reunion News

• The Class of 1959 will be honored at undergraduatecommencement on May 29, 2009, in recognition of their50th reunion.

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

Support Southern. Leave a Legacy.Planned gifts — also called deferred or estate gifts — can help you meet your

long-term financial goals, while providing critically needed support to Southern’s tal-

ented and deserving students.

The university’s Development Office can supply information on numerous types

of planned gifts that help Southern maintain a climate of excellence — from bequests

that extend your generosity beyond your lifetime to charitable gift annuities and trusts,

which can provide fixed-income payments and several tax benefits.

If you’ve already included the Southern Connecticut State University Foundation

in your will, please let us know so that we can acknowledge your generosity by

enrolling you in the Heritage Society.

If not, please consider leaving a legacy by making a planned gift to the

Southern Connecticut State University Foundation. For more information, contact the

Development Office.

(203) 392-5598 • www.SouthernCT.edu/supportsouthernSouthern Connecticut State University501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1355

Spring 2009 | 31

It was spring 1965

when freshman Lorraine

Phillips and sophomore

Timothy O’Grady enrolled in a

botany class taught by Dr.

Chester Bosworth.

Fortunately for the future

couple, Dr. Bosworth was a

proponent of alphabetized

assigned seating. As surely as the letter “P” follows “O,” the two classmates were

seated next to each other and quickly became friends. Because both were still

involved with high school sweethearts for the moment, friendship would have to do.

Then, in the summer of 1966, Lorraine won a scholarship to travel to Turkey

through the School for International Training in Vermont. It was a life-changing peri-

od for both young people, whose high school relationships came to an end. When

Lorraine returned to Southern in the fall, she and Tim became a couple. On a week-

end in December 1967, Tim asked Lorraine to marry him.

Some time later, Lorraine told Dr. Bosworth that she hadn’t received the “A”

she thought she deserved in botany. “Ah, what did you get in that class anyway…?”

asked Dr. Bosworth. Lorraine proudly extended her left hand to show her engage-

ment ring, explaining that she had gotten Tim O’Grady.

The O’Gradys, who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in December,

have four sons and three grandchildren.

Lorraine taught art in Connecticut for many years, including art education at

Southern from 1997 to 1999. The couple now lives in California where Lorraine is a

background actress in movies and television. Tim is an executive at Western Asset

Management and has completed several acting gigs, as well.

Tiffany (Moffo) Simpson, ’00,John Simpson, ’02Score one for romance! Tiffany (Moffo) Simpson,

’00, and John F. Simpson, ’02, met on the first day of

their freshman year, thanks to an experimental program

called Southern’s Core (SCore). Both were enrolled in the

program, which gave students the opportunity to com-

plete their core course requirements

during their first four semesters.

Entering Buley Library on

Sept. 4, 1996, Tiffany asked John if

the seat next to him was taken. The

rest, as they say, is history. John, who

was known for punctuality, began waiting for Tiffany in

the parking lot so that they could walk to class together.

The two became habitually late for class, but romance

blossomed right on schedule. “We started as friends,

studying together and hanging out,” writes Tiffany, who

was the president of the Class of 2000. “Now, 12 years

later, we recently celebrated our four-year wedding

anniversary.” Today, John works as a software support

specialist at Bright Horizons Family Solutions,

Watertown, Mass. Tiffany is employed by Central

Connecticut State University.

Southern Style

&

Lorraine Phillips O’Grady,’68, M.S. ’73,

Timothy O’Grady, ’67&

Tiffany (Moffo)Simpson, ’00, andJohn Simpson, ’02,visited Scotland tocommemoratetheir anniversary.

If you and your spouse are both Southern alumni,we want to hear from you. Briefly (in 250 wordsor fewer) tell us how youmet or share another memory from your days as a Southern couple, andwemay feature your Southern love story in an upcoming issue of Southern Alumni Magazine.Mailor e-mail your story and accompanying photo to SCSU, Public Affairs/Southern Alumni Magazine,501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515; e-mail, [email protected], fax: (203) 392-6597.Due to space constraints, we may not be able to publish all stories. Submissions may be edited.

A heartfelt congratulation goesout to William “Doc” Holley, ’55,and Joan Marie Noga Holley,’56, who celebrated their goldenwedding anniversary onDecember 20. The couple sharesa devotion to their alma mater,New Haven State TeachersCollege, as Southern was calledwhen they graduated. Doc, apast recipient of the AlumniService Award, has served onthe Alumni Association Board ofDirectors since 1985 and cur-

rently serves as its treasurer. Healso represents The AlumniAssociation on the SCSU Foundation Board of Directors.

He retired in 1997 after 38 years in public education, havingheld numerous positions, including principal. Joan taught for 35 yearsin public education and was employed by the state’s Department ofChildren and Families.


MICHAEL SHERRIL, ’83, hasjoined Southern’s Center forCareer Services to helpimplement and support thenew JOBSs online job search-ing tool for students andalumni.

JOHN B.ZIBLUK, ’83,M.S. ’84,received the ArkansasScholastic Press Association’stop educator honor, theWalter J. Lemke Award. Thisaward is given annually to aneducator in recognition ofexemplary service to scholas-tic journalism in the state ofArkansas.

TODD GOODHUE, ’85, is a golfpro at Shennecossett GolfCourse in Groton, Conn., andhosted the 26th ConnecticutSenior Open.

CARL GROSS, 6th Yr. ’86, is thenew director of special edu-cation at the Hebron,Andoverand Marlborough RegionalSchool District #8, as report-

ed in the Rivereast NewsBulletin in New Britain,Conn.

RODGER FOLEY, ’87, andGERALDINE (CASHMAN)FOLEY, ’88,M.S. ’96, cele-brated their 20th weddinganniversary in September2008. The Foleys met atSouthern in 1986. They havetwo children,Megan (11) andAnn (8).

KAREN FONTNEAU, ’87,M.S.’04, was featured in aHuntington Herald articleabout mothers returning tocollege to further their educa-tion after their children havegrown. Fontneau is a specialeducation teacher for thirdand fourth graders inMonroe, Conn.

AMYMANGOLD, ’87, is thedirector of the Parks andRecreation Department inNewtown, Conn.Mangold isalso a life skill coach for theState Department of MentalRetardation, a gymnasticinstructor, and a show coor-dinator for Dance, Etc.

JILL TALLBERG, ’87, a 16-yearveteran of the teaching pro-fession, has been selectedManchester Public School’s

Teacher of the Year. Tallbergis a math and scienceinstructor at ManchesterRegional Academy in Conn.

DEBORAH BEST, ’88, havingcompleted her student teach-ing at the Sound School inNew Haven, Conn., is nowteaching science at AmityHigh School.

THOMAS GAISFORD, 6th Yr.’88, former Region I assistantsuperintendent, is retiringand moving to Arizona, asreported in the LakevilleJournal in Falls Village, Conn.

JAMES L.FORBES, ’89, waspresented with an award

from the South FloridaCommunity Blood Bank inappreciation for communityservice and for making atleast 80 donations of bloodand platelets. Forbes lives inFt. Lauderdale, Fla.

’90sJENNIFER NORCROSS, ’90, trav-eled to China as part of a del-egation from the town ofStonington, Conn., and visit-ed the cities of Changchun,Xi’an, and Beijing. Norcrossattended the annual FulbrightConference there.

DONALD CASEY, JR., M.S. ’91,is a professional educator andhead coach of the StepneyElementary School WildcatsRead Across America Team inMonroe, Conn.

SHARIVALENCIC-URSEL, ’91,has earned her Ed.D. in edu-cational leadership fromArgosy University inSarasota, Fla. Valencic-Urselis a teacher, private profes-sional development consult-ant, and teacher-trainer.

BETH SMITH, M.S. ’92, 6th Yr.’95, is the headmaster ofShelton High School. Smithpreviously was the houseprincipal at Newington HighSchool.

SUSAN BETH GHERLONECOLLINS, M.S. ’93, an activemember of the North HavenCongregational Church, wasthe featured soloist at their “ACandlelight CoffeehouseContemporary ChristianMusic” event.

BRUCE SIEVERS, 6th Yr. ’93,principal of Howell CheneyTechnical High School, wasnamed principal of the yearby the Connecticut TechnicalHigh School System.

In Print ANDOn Screen

Eleanor Russo Benefico, ’65, M.S. ’86; Florence Kuzemka Zielinski,’54; and Sally Williams Chapin, ’58, M.L.S. ’84, and four childhood friends—Jeanette W. Acton, Helen B. Fisher, Shirley W. Hufcut, and Marylee K. Mitchelson, are theauthors and editors of “Sand in Our Shoes,” a 545-page history of the WalnutBeach/Myrtle Beach section of Milford, Conn. The authors received the CommunityService Award from the DAR on the local and state levels, and the book has been used asa high school textbook.

Diana Ross McCain, M.L.S. ’79, has released a new book, “It Happened inConnecticut,” (Globe Pequot Press).

Katie (Krauss) Murphy, M.S. ’80, is the author of “Woodmont on the Sound,” apostcard history of Woodmont that includes 200 postcards and photographs, some neverbefore published. Murphy works as a writer and editor in the public relations office atYale-New Haven Hospital.

Mario L. Vazquez, ’02, M.S. ’03, has written his first young adult book, “The Colorof My Paint,” which is a compilation of short stories about life-changing experiences dur-ing his childhood. Vazquez is a teacher in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools VisualArts High School.

THE LATEST BOOK AND FILM RELEASESFROM SOUTHERN ALUMNI

J. LeRoy Ward, ’73, M.S. ’75, the executive vice president

of ESI International, has delivered project management

programs to clients in North and Central America, Europe, Asia,

and Australia. His recent travels included a trip to Dubai, the

most populous city of the United Arab Emirates. Ward took the

background photo, which depicts a view of the major business

area of the city.

Where in the World are SCSU Alumni?

Spring 2009 | 33

CRAIG POWERS, M.S. ’94, 6thYr. ’97, is the assistant super-intendent of schools inWaterford, Conn.

SALVATORE URSO, M.S. ’94, hasbeen appointed principal ofEmmaWillard ElementarySchool in Berlin, Conn.

GINOANG, ’95,was featured inNew Haven Magazine for hisefforts to bring surgical sup-plies and professionals to thePhilippines to aid those need-ing cleft lip/palate and othersurgeries. The article was enti-tled, “To Silay City,with Love.”

BONNIE HAUPT, ’95, is a facultymember at the VA NursingAcademy, a new initiative andpartnership between FairfieldUniversity’s School of Nursingand the U.S. Department ofVeterans Affairs.

THERESA CONROY, ’96, waselected as state representativein the 105th District in Conn.

JUSTIN DION, ’96,M.A. ’97,hasbeen recognized as a“risingstar”in the November 2008issue of BostonMagazine.Dion is an attorney who spe-cializes in business and finan-cial matters with the BaconWilson,P.C. law offices inSpringfield,Mass.Dion alsoteaches law classes at Bay PathCollege andWestern NewEngland College School of Law.

ALICE KROLL,M.S. ’96, a familyand consumer science teacher,has retired from SeymourHigh School. Kroll is now the

owner of Clinic forWomen, acounseling service for women.

JANET BALDI, M.L.S. ’97, exhib-ited her paintings at theGertrudeWhite Gallery inGreenwich, Conn.

MICHAEL BARILE, ’98,M.S. ’00,6th Yr. ’04, is the new princi-pal of Chester ElementarySchool in Connecticut.

JODI HOSS, ’98, is an attorney atthe law firm of SonnenscheinNath and Rosenthal inKansas City,Mo.

JAMIE LINDWALL-BELILE, ’98,is the co-founder of theDennis Lindwall Foundation,which raises money for pedi-atric cancer-related causes.Lindwall-Belile is amember oftheGreater Fairfield Board ofRealtors and is employed byColdwell Banker.

THOMAS R. SCARICE, M.S. ’98,has been named assistantsuperintendent of curriculumand instruction inWeston,Conn. Scarice spent the lastthree years as principal ofTwo Rivers Magnet MiddleSchool in East Hartford,Conn., which was nominatedin 2007 as a finalist for theConnecticut Association ofSchools’ School of the Year.

JULIE-ANN (PESCATELLO)MAHEU, ’99,M.S. ’01, is anathletics trainer at TheWilliams School in NewLondon, Conn.

KRISTIN REICHELT-BERNIER,M.S. ’99, 6th Yr. ’02, a Region

16 Teacher of the Year, hasbeen named assistant princi-pal at Long River MiddleSchool in Prospect, Conn.

KARI LYNCH SWANSON,M.L.S. ’99, has been appoint-ed the director of ScienceLibraries and InformationServices at the Kline ScienceLibrary at Yale University.

’00sJENNIFERMCBRIDE, ’01, hasbeen appointed as an internto the Child Guidance Centerof Southern Connecticut’sSocialWork InternshipProgram.

KENNETH CRAW, 6th Yr. ’02, isthe new principal of WestonMiddle School in Conn.

THOMASM.KODZ, ’02, hasjoined Quinnipiac Universityas an assistant professor andeducational coordinator inthe physician assistant pro-gram.

SHANI PUGLIESE, ’03, hasjoined the staff of ReddingElementary School inConnecticut as its first full-time autism special educa-tion teacher. Previously,Pugliese spent four years inWilton as a middle schoolspecial education assistant.

JULIE BRANDER, M.B.A. ’04,runs the This Close forCancer Research Institute atthe NewYork Medical College

in Valhalla, N.Y. She receivedthe 2007 Rising Star Awardfrom Business New Haven forher work with SCORE(Service Corps of RetiredExecutives).

STEVEN FOWLER, M.L.S. ’04, isthe new children’s librarian inPortland, Conn. Fowler wasformerly the children’s librar-ian at theWest Haven PublicLibrary.

MATTLAPRINO, ’04,has beennamed aquatic director at theWoodruff FamilyYMCA,asreported by theMilfordMirror.

KRISTINALAWSON, ’04,wasappointed the pre-kindergartenthrough fifth grade programcoordinator for ESL (English asa Second Language) and FLEX(Foreign Language in Elemen-tary Schools). Lawson is theassistant principal at Silver-mine Elementary School inNorwalk,Conn.

GEORGEMOORE, ’04, is nowcovering the Meriden CityHall beat after two years ofcoveringWallingford news, asreported by the Record-Journal newsroom.

ROBYNBRANCATO, ’05, receivedher degree in midwifery fromColumbia University.

CRYSTAL HEFT, M.S. ’05, ofPlainville, Conn., was namedcoordinator for the EarlyChildhood Collaborative ofSouthington, Conn.

KEVIN KIRK, ’05, was featuredin a story in the NewYorkCity Daily News about hisquest to become a UnitedStates Navy SEAL. Kirk willparticipate in the GreatIllinois Triathlon to raisemoney for the Naval SpecialWarfare Foundation that sup-ports families of Navy SEALskilled in action. Since thatarticle was published, Kirkhas become a Navy SEAL.

KAREN HEILIGMAN, 6th Yr.’06, is the fulfillment manag-er of Barker SpecialtyCompany in Cheshire, Conn.The company is a manufac-turer and distributor of pro-motional products.

COLLEENMROWKA, M.S. ’06,is the sole proprietor of

Mrowka Physical Therapy inCheshire, Conn., which sheopened in 1993.

LEO DISORBO, ’07, taught hisfirst clay sculpture class dur-ing the summer. Disorboalso teaches high school artclasses at Westover School inMiddlebury, Conn.

JESSICA HOVAN, ’08, a four-year veteran of the NaugatuckValley Community Collegenurse aide certification pro-gram, currently works as anR.N. at Yale-New HavenHospital.

RYAN NEWTON, M.A. ’08, wasaccepted as a volunteer in thecompetitiveWorldTeach pro-gram. Having completed aone-month training programin Changsha, China, Newtonis teaching English at a sec-ondary school in China’sHunan Province.

MARK PIRES, ’08, has joinedthe Shelton accounting firmof Dwoken, Hillman, LaMorteand Sterczala as a member ofits accounting and auditingdepartment.

EMILY K. SOPCHAK, ’08, grad-uated from the Milford PoliceAcademy. Sopchak had herbadge pinned on by herfather, a retired Milford policeofficer, at a ceremony inDecember.

KATE STEPHENSON, M.A. ’08,is theWaterford CountrySchool’s new director ofdevelopment and communitysupport.

MATTHEWSWANSON,M.S. ’08,winner of the 2005 FairfieldUniversity College of Arts andSciences Award for Distin-guishedWork in the Humani-ties, is an educator at CheshireHigh School, as reported in theCheshire Herald.

MarriagesBONNIE STISKAL, 6th Yr. ’92,and DonaldWolk,Oct. 5, 2008.

LAURENANN ROYLE, ’94, andErik Bryan Methe,Aug. 30,2008.

MARY FRANCES BONVINI,’95, and Todd Michael Work,May 8, 2008.

Alumna Nominated to State Post

Gov. M. Jodi Rell has nominated Amalia Vazquez Bzdyra, ’80, to serve as a

commissioner of the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC). The DPUC regulates

the rates and services of Connecticut’s investor-owned electric, natural gas, water, and

telecommunication companies and is the franchising authority for the state’s cable

television companies. Since February 2007, Bzdyra has served as deputy commission-

er of the Department of Social Services.

Bzdyra’s tenure includes numerous other key posts, among them serving as

chair of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities from 2000 to 2005 and

as vice president of government relations for the Connecticut Hospital Association

from 2000 to 2004.


ELIZABETHANN TRACEY, ’96,and JOSEPH DECICCO, ’93,April 14, 2008.

JULIE-ANN PESCATELLO, ’99,M.S. ’01, and Michael J.Maheu, Oct. 12, 2008.

DANIEL HARAYDA, ’01,M.S.’04, and Ellen Rice, June 21,2008.

ANGELA SILVERSTRI, ’03, andBrentWeaver, July 29, 2007.

CAROLINE ECKERSDORFF,M.S. ’04, and Elo Comfort,June 28, 2008.

HEATHER KILEY, ’04, andDaniel Taylor,May 24, 2008.

DANIELLA ZALLO, ’06, andMichael Schiano, December2007.

JENNIFER SUSAN GUARINO,’07, and Frederick NelsonMulholland, July 26, 2008.

JOHNIELLE EASTWOOD, ’08,and Kristopher Dwyer, June21, 2008.

TRICIA R.WINTON, ’08, andRyan Edgar, June 14, 2008.

Births/Adoptions

NANCY(GOUTHRO)SCHREIBER,’91,M.S. ’00,6thYr. ’03, a son,WilliamPatrick,on Jan.19,2008.

ANTHONY (TJ) TRIMBOLI, ’02,and wife Kelley, a son,AnthonyJohn,on June 9, 2007.

IN MEMORIAMMARY E.AHERN, ’30, ’48,M.A.’52, Plymouth,Mass., Jan. 22,2008.

JUNE KATZE NEWTH, ’50,Tacoma,Wash., Feb. 24, 2008.

FRANCESWOODWARD, ’50,M.S. ’57, New Haven, Conn.,Nov. 14, 2008.

LOUIS J. CARDILLO, ’52,Wallingford, Conn., Sept. 2,2008.

MARYA.PAPARELLA, ’52,M.S. ’55, July 18, 2008.

GEORGER.JOHNSON, ’54,Glastonbury, Conn., June 2008.

DONALDW.MALONEY, ’58,Southbury, Conn., Dec. 14,2008.

JAMES F.BRENNAN, JR., ’59,Plantation, Fla., Dec. 18, 2008.

IRVING GOLDBERG, ’63,Bridgeport, Conn., Oct. 25,2008.

GEORGE J.BARANIECKI, ’68,Terryville,Conn.,Sept.21,2008.

ELISE (PLACE) (ELLIOTT)CASEY, M.S. ’70, Paoli, Penn.,July 11, 2008.

GRACEMARGUERITE (TAGG)ROCHE, ’70,M.S. ’76,Madison,Conn., Sept. 26, 2008.

JOAN(LIFTMAN)KATZ, ’71,Bridgeport,Conn.,Oct.23,2008.

JANIS (RYDINGSWARD)MOORE-WILLIAMS, ’71,Plainville,Conn.,Dec. 12, 2008.

GRACE S.BRENNER,M.L.S. ’72,Houston,Texas, Sept. 8, 2008.

HUBERT TOMKINSONEDMONDSON,M.L.S. ’72,Coventry, Conn.,Oct. 21, 2008.

ROBERTE.POLUHOWICH, ’72,Bridgeport,Conn.,Dec.10,2008.

THOMASRAEKE, ’72,Marlborough,Mass.,Oct.5,2007.

MARGARET LAPOLT,M.L.S. ’73,Branford,Conn., July 19, 2008.

JAMESV.TUCKER,M.S. ’73,NewHaven,Conn., Sept. 4, 2008.

DORIS S.WILLIAMS,M.S. ’73,Woonsocket,R.I., Oct. 13,2008.

RONALD L.WALLISA, ’74,M.S.’85,Monroe, Conn., July 23,2008.

PATRICIA ELLEN CARUSONE,’75,Arlington,Mass., July 4,2008.

KEVIN J.KUCINSKAS, ’75,M.S.’93, 6th Yr. ’99,Woodbridge,Conn., July 9, 2008.

PATZY LAVENDER, 6th Yr. ’75,Stamford, Conn., June 30,2008.

DORIS (CROCKER) BUSHAW,6th Yr. ’76, Danbury, Conn.,Sept. 5, 2008.

GILBERT R.ROGERS, JR., ’76,Hartford, Conn.,Aug. 18,2008.

NICHOLASW.ROMANIELLO,III, ’76, Stamford, Conn., July9, 2008.

KATHLEENMARY(PRAMUKA) STASH, ’76,Milford, Conn., Sept. 10, 2008.

JOHNMCCARTYLAFONTANA, 6th Yr. ’78,Hartford, Conn., July 11,2008.

OREST (MICHAEL)MAKSYMIUK, M.S. ’79,Bridgeport, Conn., July 10,2008.

THOMAS LEHMAN, M.S. ’80,6th Yr. ’80,West Haven,Conn.,May 25, 2008.

JOSEPH JAMES ROMANELLO,’84, Greenwich, Conn., Nov.11, 2008.

ALGIRDAS STANKUS-SAULAITIS, M.L.S. ’87,Oakville, Conn., July 11, 2008.

CHRISTINE CODY, ’90, TarponSprings, Fla., June 28, 2008.

JUDITH E.MORGAN, M.S.W.’93, Sebastian, Fla., Sept. 1,2008.

JASON DANIEL GIGLIOTTI, ’97,Derby, Conn., June 23, 2008.

WENDY (KARLSBERG)MELTZER, M.S. ’05,Middletown, Conn., July 18,2008.

MICHAEL F.TOBIN, Ph. D.,Professor Emeritus atSouthern,Vernon, Conn.,Oct. 21, 2008.

Share your good news with Southern friends andclassmates by sending it to Southern AlumniNews. Mail this completed form to SouthernAlumni News, SCSU Alumni Relations Office,New Haven, CT 06515-1355; fax, (203) 392-5082;or e-mail, [email protected].

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tell

usab

outit

Class notes are compiled from submissions from alumni, as well asannouncements made in newspapers andmagazines.

Write of Passagecontinued from page 14

Spring 2009 | 35

Join us on May 16 for Alumni Day 2009A Celebration of the Schools of Business andHealth and Human Services

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

� Continental breakfast

� Faculty and student exhibits and posters

� Alumni College seminars on numerous topics,among them cross-generational communication, fraudprotection, self-marketing in a down economy, and more.

� Fun-filled children’s activities, including the NursingSimulation Lab, Business: Create Your Own Product, andThe Amazing Race scavenger hunt.

� Cocktail party for the adults and movie/snack party for thechildren.

For tickets and more information, call AlumniRelations at (203) 392-6500or visit www.SouthernCT.edu/alumni.

Calling All Business andHealth and Human Services Alumni!

The creative writing faculty,which

includes CSU ProfessorVivian Shipley and

Assistant Professor of English Robin Troy,

along with Parrish andMock, says that

there has long been a need in Connecticut

for a full-timeM.F.A.program in creative

writing.Other available options in the state

are low-residency only.

“With an online degree program,

onemisses the presence of a human com-

munity and the opportunities for personal

interaction,”Shipley says. Southern’s is an

on-site program that, the faculty says,will

give students a sense of common purpose

and enable them to develop close friend-

ships and working partnerships.And, as

Troy points out,“People from Connecticut

will have the opportunity to complete this

degree without leaving the state.”

The new program is an exciting

development within an already vibrant

department.With flourishing undergradu-

ate and graduate literary publications,

award-winning faculty members, and a

visiting writers series, the department is

well prepared to offer the high level of liter-

ary activity expected in anM.F.A.program.

Michael Shea,English department

chairman, says,“The creative writing pro-

gram has a long history of great teachers

and courses, and theM.F.A.program is a

culmination of this tradition of excellence.”

“TheM.F.A.’s approval is the most

exciting thing to happen in this depart-

ment since I got here,”says Shipley,who has

been amember of the faculty since 1969.

The creative writing program has evolved

steadily.The offering of theM.F.A. is a nat-

ural next step— the culmination of a pro-

grammarked by success.Parrish points to

the accomplishments of Southern’s creative

writing students—publications,prizes,

fellowships, and acceptances to demanding

M.F.A.programs around the country— as

evidence that the university attracts serious

writing students and supports them in

their craft.

The curriculum for the 48-credit

programwill be based in literary studies,

consisting of fiction and poetry workshops,

literature and theory courses, and the the-

sis. Currently, the M.A.andM.S. curricula

allow up to 18 credits of fiction or poetry

workshops and six credits of creative-thesis

work.TheM.F.A.will retain these opportu-

nities while increasing course requirements

in literature studies, the study of rhetoric

and theory, and the teaching of high school

and college writing.The core of the pro-

gramwill be the workshop, a class in which

students submit their original manu-

scripts-in-progress for critical examination

by their classmates and the instructor.

Admission to theM.F.A.program is

competitive,with roughly six poets and six

fiction writers admitted each year.The cre-

ative writing faculty expects that theM.F.A.

will attract prospective students from out-

of-state as well as from Connecticut, due to

the increasing national competition to gain

admission to residential programs.�

For more information about the M.F.A. increative writing, visit the English Department’sWeb site at www.SouthernCT.edu/english/mfainfictionpoetry.


All events held in John Lyman Center for the PerformingArts, unless otherwise noted.Southern students must have valid identification to receive their ticket discounts.Discounted tickets are limited to two per person, subject to verification.For additional information and listings, visit Southern’sWeb site atwww.lyman.SouthernCT.edu.

Southern EVENTS

ThroughJune 1Multicultural Center Gallery located inthe Michael J.Adanti Student Center(Room 234)

A stunning exhibit on loan from theextensive Robert J. andYvonne S.Klancko collection.Among the highlightsare ornately decorated eggs by celebratedartist Yvonne Klancko, ’70,M.S. ’74, 6thYr. ’94. (203) 392-5888

Les BlancsMay 5-9 8 p.m.

May 10 2 p.m.

Southern students’ performance ofplaywright and activist LorraineHansberry’s last work,which exploresEuropean exploitation of the land andpeople of Africa.Directed byWilliam R.Elwood.

$5 for Southern students, faculty, staff, and seniorcitizens; $10 for general admission. (203) 392-6154

A Celebration of TheSchools of Business andHealth and HumanServices

May 16On campus all day

Return to Southern to enjoy reunioncelebrations of these two schools,featuring exciting educationalprograms, tours, entertainment, andplenty of opportunities to reconnect foralumni and their families.

$10 per person. (203) 392-6500

GraduateCommencement

May 28(800) 448-0661; (203) 392-5240

UndergraduateCommencement

May 29Connecticut Tennis CenterNew Haven, Conn.

(203) 392-6586

Southern ConnecticutState UniversityAnnual Golf Outing

June 8

Lake of Isles South Course, FoxwoodsCasino,North Stonington, Conn.

Support Southern’s athletics programswhile playing one of the highest-ratedcourses in the country.

For reservations, call (203) 392-5518.For moreinformation, visit www.SouthernCTowls.com ore-mail [email protected].

“The Color Purple”June 10 6 p.m. reception;

7:30 p.m.performance

The Bushnell, Hartford, Conn.

OprahWinfrey presents this legendarymusical based on the classic PulitzerPrize-winning novel by AliceWalker.AnAlumni Association-sponsored receptionin the Seaverns Room begins at 6 p.m.

Tickets range from $23 to $63.50. (203) 392-6500

Alex Bugnonwith Special GuestPaul Taylor

May 88:00 p.m.

Two solo artistsunite for asoul-stirringeveningof jazz.

$25 for active alumni,faculty, and staff; $28 forgeneral admission; and$15 for Southern students.

Throughout New Haven

The Alumni Association will offer twopackages to a variety of events duringthe three-week festival, which runs fromJune 13-27.

(203) 392-6500

International Festival of Arts and Ideas

PHOTO:ApparatusTheatreGroup

Make your gift today by returning the envelope providedor visit us online at www.giving.SouthernCT.edu

ANNUAL GIFTS WHAT THEY PROVIDE

1 gift of $35 Science lab fee for a course

2 gifts of $50 Book for a course

1 gift of $100 Six hours of tutorial assistancefor a student with disabilities

8 gifts of $250 Student meal planfor a semester

15 gifts of $500 A year’s education for adeserving student

25 gifts of $1,000 International study abroadexperience for five students

AnnualGIVING

YESYOUCAN

helpa studentsucceed

In these difficult economic times, here are someexamples of what your gift CAN do

for a Southern student:

Address Service Requested

Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDPermit No. 533New Haven, CT

501 Crescent StreetNew Haven, CT 06515-1355www.SouthernCT.edu

Spring | 09Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

xercise science graduates William Lunn, M.S. ’08, [LEFT] and Kurt Sollanek,

’08, each have been awarded competitive scholarships from the New

England Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (NEACSM).

Southern students received two of the organization’s four annual awards, which

recognize exceptional students.

Lunn, who won the Mark Connelly Memorial Masters Scholarship

for graduate work, competes as a runner, cyclist, and triathlete. “I just

naturally became very inquisitive and fascinated with human

performance,” says Lunn, who wrote his thesis on the effects of

various training techniques on competitive cyclists. The response

has been highly enthusiastic. His work was presented at the

ACSM national convention, and the manuscript from his

thesis, co-authored by Southern professors Robert Axtell

and Joan Finn, was accepted for publication in the

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

Fellow honoree Sollanek, who received the

Undergraduate Scholarship, became interested in

exercise science as a high school athlete. He excelled at

Southern, graduating summa cum laude while participating

in the university’s academically challenging Honors College.

His thesis, which has implications for providing physical

therapy for people with multiple sclerosis, also was

presented at the ACSM national convention. And as a senior,

Sollanek helped Southern capture first place in the 2007

College Bowl sponsored by the NEACSM. The event tests

competitors’ knowledge of sports medicine.

Both scholars are continuing their studies. Sollanek

is attending graduate school at Southern, while Lunn is

a doctoral student at the University of Connecticut.

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southern alumni magazine spring 2009

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