southern alumni magazine spring 2014

ALUMNI MAGAZINE | Spring | 14a pu

blication for alum

ni and

frien

ds of So

uthe

rn Con

necticut State University

2013 CHARITABLE GIVING REPORT

FEATURED INSIDE:

Dear Southern Alumni,

Higher education has recently faced intense scrutiny on

the issue of costs versus benefits. Does the degree a student

earns really give a return on investment when it comes to

finding a first job and establishing a career? Does a college

education really prepare us for real life? These are issues for

colleges and universities to seriously consider as we revisit and

update our curricula and our teaching methods.

Certainly, there has never been a more crucial time for

public higher education to stand up and deliver on its

promises. By the year 2020 — just a few short years from now

— 67 percent of all jobs in Connecticut will require a career

certificate or college degree. Yet just 46 percent of adults

currently have an associate’s degree or higher. And while

statewide access to higher education has improved

dramatically, retention rates are dropping year by year. For too

many students, the path through college ends with no degree

— and significant debt.

At Southern, we realize that it is crucial to adapt our

delivery of education to the technical realities and

opportunities of our time. We must provide our students with a

balance of workforce development and liberal education,

ensuring that they will have the practical and intellectual tool

kit needed to forge a successful career in our new, knowledge-

based economy.

Just 13 years along, the economy of the 21st century is

already drastically different from that of its predecessor. As the

chief executive officer of Intel Corp. stated recently, 90 percent

of the products his company delivers on the final day of a

calendar year did not even exist when that year began. To meet

this pace of development, the workforce we need to foster must

be creative, innovative, entrepreneurial, and able to learn and

imagine. The education we offer must develop those versatile

qualities in our students.

At Southern, we are pursuing this course with new

offerings in in-demand fields, more fast-track programs that

meet the practical needs of non-traditional learners, and

facilities that will provide the best possible environment for

learning and research. Recently, for example, we have

introduced a new, accelerated MBA that will enable students to

earn their degree in 18 months through a combination of

Saturday and online courses. A B.S./B.A. in interdisciplinary

studies offers students an alternative to a traditional major,

enabling them to design their own program of study in

combined areas of concentration such as criminal justice and

forensic science, or environmental studies and marine studies.

And our M.S. in computer science has been restructured so

that its emphasis is on two tracks — cybersecurity and

software development — that represent two of the fastest-

growing fields in the country.

An array of cutting-edge science programs will be

offered in our new Academic and Laboratory Science Building

scheduled for completion in spring 2015. And, to provide

convenience for working students and give the university a

presence in New Haven’s downtown business district, we have

opened “Southern on the Green,” a suite of offices and seminar

rooms at 900 Chapel Street, adjacent to the headquarters of the

Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce.

With 85 percent of our annual graduating class

remaining in Connecticut to live and work, an investment in

public higher education is clearly an investment in our state’s

future. Or, as one of our Founding Fathers Benjamin Franklin

wisely stated: “An investment in knowledge always pays the

best interest.”

Sincerely,

Mary A. Papazian, Ph.D.

President

LETTER PresidentFROM

THE

features

From the President inside cover

Campus News 2True Blue 8

Nostalgia 24Alumni News 26

Alumni Notes 30Southern Events 36

depa

rtm

ents

Licensed to Thrill10

What’s in a name?

When it comes to the

licensing industry,

there’s a wealth of opportunity. Licensing guru, Sara

Nemerov, ’98, shares the ins and outs of working with some

of the music industry’s most celebrated names.

We are the Champions! 14 It was a spectacular season for the

Owls, who won two Division II

individual national championships:

swimmer Raymond Cswerko took

first in the 200-yard butterfly and

track and field’s Nick Lebron won

the heptathlon for the second time.

The men’s basketball team also

prevailed, finishing the season with

an East Region victory and an Elite

Eight appearance.

Beautiful Música 18With a song in their hearts, the University Choir traveled to

Spain to perform in some of Europe’s most beautiful churches.

Rich Cavanaugh,

the longest-

serving and

“winningest”

head football

coach in

Southern’s

history, says

goodbye to the

university he

called home for

almost three

decades.

20

Spring | 14Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

The Power of Education

2013 Charitable Giving Report

2013 CharitableGiving Report 37


2 | SouthernALUMNI MAGAZINE

Southern Hitsthe CityThe university is

establishing a presence in

New Haven’s vibrant

downtown business district

at 900 Chapel Street, the

headquarters of the

Greater New Haven

Chamber of Commerce.

The university began using

the space in early 2014

after the SCSU Foundation

entered into an initial 12-

month lease.

“Having a presence

downtown will provide us

with greater visibility and

enable us to maximize

networking, development,

and partnership opportuni-

ties with the city’s players

in politics, commerce, edu-

cation, and the nonprofit

sector,” says President

Mary A. Papazian.

The downtown loca-

tion offers many potential

benefits to Southern and

its students, including the

opportunity to expand col-

laboration with nearby

Graduation Celebratio

n!

T

NEWSCampus

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

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

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

Lyman Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 18. Undergraduates were honored in the afternoon,

while graduate students were recognized that evening.

Then outgoing New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr. delivered the undergraduate

commencement address, encouraging students to reach for the stars and to acknowledge those

who helped them along the way.

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

“I have been highly impressed by the quality of our students and the self-sacrifice, determination,

and sheer hard work that you have put in to achieve your goals,” she said. “And today, for you,

our fall graduates, all that effort comes to a happy fruition.”

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

Southern| ALUMNI MAGAZINE

| VOL 12 • NO 1

Dr. Mary A. Papazian, President

STAFF

Patrick Dilger,Director of Public Affairs

Villia Struyk, Editor

Mary Pat Caputo, Associate Editor

Michael Kobylanski, Sports Editor

Marylou Conley, ’83, Art Director

Isabel Chenoweth, Photographer

Nancy Ronne, Development Editor

Charlie Davison,Alumni Notes Editor

OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

Michelle R. Johnston, Director of Alumni Relations

(203) 392-6500

EDITORIAL OFFICE

Southern Connecticut State UniversityOffice of Public Affairs/

Southern Alumni Magazine501 Crescent StreetNew Haven, CT 06515-1355

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

Printed by The Lane Press, Inc.

Southern Alumni Magazine is published by the university in cooperation with the SCSU AlumniAssociation two times a year and distributed free of charge to alumni and friends of the university.Opinions expressed in Southern Alumni Magazine do

not necessarily reflect those of theuniversity or the SCSU AlumniAssociation. Although the editorshave made every reasonable effort to be factually accurate, noresponsibility is assumed for errors.

Postage paid at Burlington, Vt.

Southern Connecticut State University does notdiscriminate on the basis of race, color, religiouscreed, age, gender, gender identity or expression,national origin, marital status, ancestry, present orpast history of mental disorder, learning disability orphysical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation,genetic information, or criminal record. Thefollowing person has been designated to handleinquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:Pamela M. Lassiter, J.D., SCSU, 501 Crescent Street,BU 207, New Haven, CT 06515, (203) 392-5899,[email protected].

Spring 2014 | 3

Gateway Community

College and to enhance

recruitment efforts for trans-

fer students. The venue also

provides an opportunity to

offer off-campus classes in

programs such as the new

accelerated MBA and

health and human services.

Additionally, the downtown

location will be convenient

for students to network

for internship and job

placements.

SMALL WONDER:NanotechCenter a Boonto the StateMore Connecticut

college students will have

the opportunity to conduct

cutting-edge scientific

research thanks to the

newly designated

ConnSCU Center for

Nanotechnology that will

be based at Southern.

The designation,

made by the state Board of

Regents for Higher

Education, opens the door

for students and faculty

members from the 16

other institutions in the

Connecticut State Colleges

and Universities system to

pursue collaborative

research and partner with

representatives from busi-

ness and industry.

continues on page 4

Southern to OfferNew Accelerated MBA

The School of Business

is launching an accelerated

MBA program in fall 2014, a

fast-track option that will

allow working professionals to

complete their degree in just

18 months. Designed to com-

bine quality, convenience, and

affordability, the 51-credit

hybrid program includes a

combination of Saturday and

online courses.

The program consists

of nine sessions, each lasting eight weeks. Students will complete two courses during each

of the first eight sessions. The final session will be devoted to the completion of special

projects. More information is available at SouthernCT.edu/mba or call Celina Alles-Gonzalez

at (203) 392-5633.

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

NEWSCampus

The center has been

operating for several years

as a Southern-based facility,

offering hands-on training

in a field that draws upon

several scientific disciplines,

including chemistry, biolo-

gy, physics, and engineer-

ing. Students work with

specialized equipment,

including a state-of-the-art

microscope that uses elec-

trons to image materials on

the atomic scale.

“It’s a very exciting

time for us, especially as

we await the opening of a

new science building [pro-

jected to be completed in

2015], which will enable

us to do more things with

a state-of-the-art facility

and equipment,” says

Christine Broadbridge,

chairwoman of the Physics

Department and the direc-

tor of the center.

The National

Science Foundation esti-

mates that two million

workers will be needed to

support nanotechnology

industries worldwide with-

in the next 15 years. The

new center will support

research in cutting-edge

areas. These include the

nano-medicine field, with

faculty collaborating on

topics such as how drugs

are delivered to the body,

and research and develop-

ment for new medical

devices and implants.

The center will also

focus on environmental

applications of nanotech-

nology, such as testing

devices that can sense

microscopic pollutant parti-

cles. Manufacturing appli-

cations are areas of interest

as well.

Looking forward, a

fellowship program affiliat-

ed with the new center will

award annual stipends to

several students who par-

ticipate in nanotech

research. The students will

also learn the business

side of science, such as

marketing products.

The fellowship pro-

gram will be funded

through a gift from the

Werth Family Foundation,

which recently contributed

$3 million to advance

Southern’s science pro-

grams. The center itself is

being funded through a

variety of sources, includ-

ing grants from the U.S.

Department of Energy

and the National Science

Foundation.

continued from page 3

4 | SouthernALUMNI MAGAZINE

Nanotechnology is science, engineering, and

technology conducted at the nanoscale, generally about

1 to 100 nanometers.

Just how tiny is a “nano?” The prefix “nano” is

translated as one-billionth or 10(-9). Simply put, one

nanometer is one-billionth of a meter . . . so small that

it’s extremely difficult to imagine. To help illustrate, here

are a few examples, courtesy of the National

Nanotechnology Initiative, a multi-departmental program

run by the U.S. government.

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

There are 25,400,000nanometers in a single inch.

A strand of humanDNA has a diameterof 2.5 nanometers.

01/3

21/1

63/32 1/8 5/32

3/16 7/32 1/4 9/325/16

11/32 3/8

13/327/16

15/32 1/217/32

9/1619/32 5/8

21/32

11/16

23/32 3/425/32

13/16 27/32 7/829/32

15/16 31/32 1

one inch

Applause! Applause!Congratulations to several members of the

Southern community who were recently recognized

for outstanding achievement.

Sandra Bulmer, professor of public health

Ellen Durnin, dean of the School of Business

Sandra Bulmer, pro-

fessor of public health, was

elected to serve a three-

year term as president of

the Society for Public

Health Education. Founded

in 1950, the nonprofit

organization provides glob-

al leadership for the pro-

fession and is dedicated to

the promotion of the

health of society.

Ellen Durnin, dean

of the School of Business,

was honored as the

Business Advocate of the

Year by the Hamden

Chamber of Commerce.

Durnin was also appointed

to the legislative Results

First Policy Oversight

Committee as a represen-

tative of Connecticut’s

business community.

Spring 2014 | 5

Professor of Art Mia Brownellfaculty faces

at Southern: Teaches all levels of painting and drawing

a bit of background: Born in Chicago to a sculptor andbiophysicist, Brownell has had solo exhibitions innumerous major American cities, including recentconcurring shows in New York City and New Jersey.Her work has been reviewed and published in manypublications, including The Boston Globe, The VillageVoice, The New York Times, Hi-Fructose, and ArtnetMagazine. Her work was recently selected by the U.S.Department of State to be exhibited at the U.S.Embassy in Hong Kong. The J. Cacciola Galleryrepresents her in New York City.

some inspirations: Molecular models, a historical view ofstill-life painting, images retrieved from the ProteinData Bank files, and the industrialization of agricultureand food

see her work: “Delightful, Delicious, Disgusting: Paintingsby Mia Brownell,” a 10-year survey of paintings from2003-2013, was launched in January and will runthrough November 2014. The exhibit will be at theJuniata College Museum of Art (April 10 – Sept. 13,Huntingdon, Pa.), and the Housatonic Museum of Art(Sept. 25 – Nov. 17, Bridgeport, Conn.) Her work mayalso be viewed at miabrownell.com.

Still Life with Lost Pollinators, 2014. Oil on canvas, 24x30 inches.Courtesy of J. Cacciola Gallery, New York

A PatentedApproach toFighting CancerCommonly found

throughout the eastern half

of the U.S., the shade-lov-

ing Christmas fern may

provide a key to combating

an aggressive form of brain

cancer, according to Sarah

Crawford, a professor of

biology at Southern who

has an extensive back-

ground in cancer research.

An extract made

from the fern has demon-

strated anti-cancer proper-

ties in pre-clinical testing

conducted by Crawford

and her students. In fact,

the results were impressive

enough to spur the U.S.

Patent Office to award a

patent to Crawford, as well

as Erin Boisvert, ’08, who,

as a Southern

student,

worked

with the

professor.

The

extract was

tested as part of

a three-component

cocktail consisting of car-

mustine, a powerful

chemotherapy drug used to

treat brain cancer; curcum-

in, the active ingredient in

the spice turmeric that has

anti-inflammatory qualities;

and polystichum acrosti-

choides, the scientific name

for the Christmas fern.

NEWSCampus

6 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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

ThecommonChristmasfern is akeycomponentof thecancer-fightingextract.

Fast Facts. Good News.

The renovation of the original section of Buley Library soon will

be fully completed, with the state legislative Financial Advisory

Committee endorsing the university’s request to use reserves

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

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

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

foot addition completed in 2008, the entire library will total

245,000 square feet.

It’s a global classroom. Southern’s Office of International

Education has seen a 25% increase in participation

in study abroad programs, with even more students

expected to study abroad in 2014.

Southern offers numerous faculty-led spring break and summer

opportunities. New programs in Jamaica, Brazil, Armenia, and a re-

envisioned offering in China have joined seven existing programs

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

Southern has more than 87,000 alumni,

who hold more than 94,000 degrees.

Southern’s Celebration of Philanthropy was held on Nov. 10,

recognizing leadership-level supporters of the university and the

many students who benefit from their generosity. About

220 donors, students, and other members of the Southern

community attended the event.

Spring 2014 | 7

Tests showed that

the cocktail was effective

in killing nearly half of

the cancer cells tested

— far more potent

than use of any of the

three substances alone.

The tests were conducted

on glioblastoma multi-

forme, considered to be

the most deadly form of

brain cancer with a fatali-

ty rate of more than 90

percent within five years.

“I won’t rest until

we can kill 100 percent

of the cancer cells, but

it’s a good start” says

Crawford, adding that

she plans to experiment

by varying the levels of

each substance to see if

it increases the extract’s

anti-cancer properties.

She also says she may

test other chemotherapy

drugs with the Christmas

fern and curcumin.

Good Deeds The SCSU Foundation is committed to helping Southern create a climate of excellence by overseeing the

management of gifts from private sources. Recently, the foundation funded a number of new initiatives,

all designed to help Southern’s talented students succeed.

On the WebPay a virtual visit to the university at SouthernCT.edu.

� Read Southern President Mary A. Papazian’sblog, with spotlights on the latest campusnews and accomplishments atpresident.SouthernCT.edu.

� Browse through past issues of SouthernAlumni Magazine and read alumni news atSouthernCT.edu/alumni.

� Listen as the university choir performs inSpain — and view photos and videos fromthe trip at SCSUbarcelona.tumblr.com.

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

� Read “Wise Words,” a blog that offers tipsand insights on topics of general interest withexpertise provided by Southern’s faculty andstaff. Find it at scsuwisewords.wordpress.com.

* Lending a helping hand in times of need, the Foundation

Student Support Fund was recently established to provide students

with financial assistance outside of the traditional financial aid

process. The fund may be used for a variety of purposes. Examples

include assisting with the cost of tuition and fees for students who

otherwise would be unable to remain at the university, covering

the cost of books for students in need, and paying fees and other

costs of off-campus educational programs during summer and

other breaks.

* The College Board estimates that the average college student

annually spends $1,168 on textbooks and materials — a significant

burden for those faced with financial hardship. Conceived in 1996

by Aaron Washington, associate dean of student affairs, the SCSU

Book Loan Scholarship Program annually awards about 40

students with demonstrated financial need approximately $500

each for course books. Students are issued a voucher to purchase

textbooks at the campus bookstore and sign a written promise to

return the books at the end of the semester. The returned books

are then donated to the university’s Multicultural Center library to

be loaned out to students in need. When the program recently lost

its state funding, the SCSU Foundation stepped in, providing

financial support for the much-needed program to continue.

* Supporting experiential learning at its best, the SCSU

Foundation is funding a new initiative — Undergraduate Research

Grants for summer 2014. The program will provide up to five

grants of $3,000 each to undergraduates who are completing

research in any academic discipline represented at Southern. A

faculty mentor will guide each participating student. Students may

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

money may be used for expenses related to the project.

* The SCSU Foundation is also funding the Civic Engagement/

Service Learning Initiative, a program that provides educational

benefits while supporting outreach efforts. The initiative will aid

faculty in the development of service learning methods, which

have been earmarked by the Association of American Colleges and

Universities as one of a number of “high-impact practices” — those

research has shown to have an impact on student learning and

progress toward graduation. The goal is to incorporate community

work into the curriculum so that students gain real-world

experiences that enhance their education while providing benefits

to the community.

It was a stellar season for Owl goalkeeper Stephen

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

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

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

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

against average.

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

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

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


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

MLS Coach Triumphs It was a year of notable firsts for former Owl soccer

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

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

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

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

presented to the team with the best regular-season

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

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

the team not only captured the Eastern Conference

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

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

North, Central American, and Caribbean Association

Football Champions League.

Petke’s coaching triumph builds on his

demonstrated success as a player. Before launching his

professional career, he spent four years at Southern,

earning All-American status and helping the Owls capture

the NCAA Division II national title in 1995. The eighth

overall pick in the MLS draft, he began his career with New

York, and went on to play with D.C. United and the

Colorado Rapids. The Red Bulls signed Petke again at the

end of 2008, and he played 35 more matches for the team

before retiring in 2010 and joining the team as an assistant

coach. While playing for the Red Bulls, Petke set numerous

club records, including games played (169 regular season,

196 in all competitions), games started (158 regular

season), and minutes played (14,060 regular season).Raising the Major League Soccer Supporters’ Shield above the crowd,head coach Mike Petke and fans celebrate the Red Bulls’ success.

Goalkeeper Stephen Sasso stops the ball in its tracks.

For the latest information onSouthern athletics, follow theOwls on social media.

� The Web:SouthernCTOwls.com (links to YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook)

� YouTube:youtube.com/user/southernctowls

� Twitter: twitter.com/SCSU_Owls

� Facebook:Sign in to Facebookand “Like” SouthernConnecticut State UniversityAthletics. (Or use the link at the top of the SouthernCTOwls.comhomepage.)

� Instagram: instagram.com/southernctowls

Web

Minding the Net Swimming

Champions! The men’s swimming

and diving team won the 2014

Northeast-10 (NE-10)

Championship in February

— marking the Owls’ 10th title in

11 years. Southern’s Raymond

Cswerko was named the 2014

NE-10 Championship Men’s

Swimmer of the Meet. The

junior set three NE-10 individual

records over the four-day event

— and would go on to win the

NCAA Division II national

championship in the 200-yard

butterfly. (More on page 14.)

The women’s team

excelled as well, taking second

at the NE-10 Championship, the

team’s 11th consecutive top-two

finish at the event.

Celebrated NFL Coach RetiresAfter 39 years in coaching — including the last

10 as a member of the New York Giants’ coaching staff

— Kevin Gilbride, ’74, announced his retirement in January.

Brought in by the Giants as the quarterbacks coach in

2004, he was named offensive coordinator in 2006 — and

went on to help the team capture Super Bowl victories in

2008 and 2012.

A 24-year coaching veteran of the National Football

League, Gilbride also served as offensive coordinator and

assistant head coach with the Houston Oilers (1989-94),

offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars (1995-96),

head coach of the San Diego Chargers (1997-98), offensive

coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers (1999-2000), and

offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills (2002-03).

At Southern, Gilbride was a quarterback and tight

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

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

Hall of Fame in 1997 and graciously returned to campus

several times — with the Vince Lombardi Trophy in tow —

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

FOR MORE SPORTS H IGHLIGHTS ,

turn to the “Owl News” newsletter, now available exclusively online.Subscribe to the free newsletter byproviding your e-mail address on the subscription form found atSouthernCTowls.com; click on the“Owl Club” heading.

Spring 2014 | 9

The Owl Club recognizes donors

who support Southern’s Athletics

program with a gift of $50 or more.

To make a gift, go to

SouthernCT.edu/giving.

Join theteam

behindthe

team!

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

pulted to victory — winning the NCAA Division II championship. The win marked

Southern’s first national team title as well as the first NCAA team title won in any sport

by any school in the Connecticut State University System.

Southern celebrated the 40th anniversary of that record-setting season by recog-

nizing members of the 1973 men’s gymnastics team during Homecoming 2013. Many

squad members and Abraham “Abie” Grossfeld, former coach and professor emeritus of

intercollegiate athletics, returned to campus to be honored at halftime during the

Homecoming football game.

Well-RoundedStudentsChampions in the class-

room and on the playing field,

Southern’s student-athletes earned

a combined grade point average

(GPA) of 3.04 for the fall 2013

semester, the best in school histo-

ry. An impressive 25 percent of

Southern’s student-athletes

received a semester GPA of 3.5 or

higher for the fall 2013 semester—

and five student-athletes scored a

perfect 4.0. Congratulations to the

women’s cross country team,

which posted a 3.6 team GPA to

lead all programs. The men’s

swimming and diving team’s 3.03

was highest among the men’s

squads in the fall.


What’s in a name?

When it comes to the

licensing industry, ther

e’s

a wealth of opportuni

ty.

Licensing guru,

Sara Nemerov, ’98,

shares the ins and

outs of working

with some of

the music

industry’s

most

celebrated

names.

to Thrill

Spring 2014 | 11

tween heartthrob Cody

Simpson, rapper Wiz Khalifa, a

nd the iconic American rock

band

the Grateful Dead, have

a lot in common. They ha

ve, of course, extraordi

nary talent and legions

of fans —and then there’s the bu

siness expertise of Sara

Nemerov, ’98, who has helpe

d all

three, and a host of oth

er artists and corporati

ons, build their brands

through licensing.

Recognized by License

! magazine as a Top 100 Lic

ensor in 2009, Nemerov joined

the

Warner Music Group (

WMG) that same year and w

as named senior vice presiden

t/head of

global consumer products

and brand licensing fo

r the company in September 2013.

The fruits of her labor

— ranging from Grateful De

ad wine to a fedora-top

ped Sinatra

Barbie — can be found on store s

helves and websites th

roughout the world. Ne

merov’s work

on behalf of Cody Sim

pson provides a telling

example. Teaming up with the Austral

ian singer,

Nemerov brokered deals for

major merchandise lines with T

oys “R” Us, Kmart, and Cla

ire’s

accessories — all of which

launched before Simpson’s first

album was released.

Prior to joining WMG, Nemerov was vi

ce president of global l

icensing for The Trump

Organization. There, sh

e oversaw numerous proje

cts, including the launch

of the Trump Office

product line with Stap

les and the Trump Home program with Macy’s, Home Depot, an

d specialty

stores — receiving License! magazine’s Be

st Brand Extension Awa

rd in 2007.

Earlier in her career, N

emerov worked with severa

l leading brand licensin

g agencies:

The Beanstalk Group (

handling licensing for F

ord Motor Company, Harley-Davidson

, Columbia

Sportswear, and others

) and The Joester Loria

Group (launching prog

rams for PepsiCo,

DaimlerChrysler, and more.) In July

, she was elected to the

Board of Directors of t

he International

Licensing Industry Merchandiser

s’ Association (LIMA), a leadin

g trade organization. Ne

merov’s

work was recently nom

inated for three award

s from the association, includ

ing Best

Celebrity Program of the Year

for the Grateful Dead.

Following,

she reflects on the licen

sing industry and

her time at Southern.

genres aside,


You majored in communicationat Southern. What inspiredthis interest? SARA NEMEROV: I started as a computer sci-

ence major, which later changed to my

minor. When I started at SCSU, I think

computers had just been invented (kid-

ding). But, I do recall it was the begin-

ning of the World Wide Web. I wanted

to be a programmer of websites. I started down that path,

but as I developed an interest in business — in particular, how

people negotiate and communicate — I took more corporate

communication classes, and it became my major.

How did you become involved in the licensing industry? NEMEROV: While getting my graduate degree from NYU, I worked at Jones Apparel Group on

the Ralph Lauren brand. I found it incredibly fascinating that products I bought every day

were licensed and not necessarily made by the company whose brand is on the goods. I had

always imagined that the Ralph Lauren team made eyewear and were mixing fragrance liq-

uid, just as they would be creating the designer collections for apparel. I learned that wasn’t

the case and wanted to be a part of this expanding business. I spent valuable time at The

Beanstalk Group and The Joester Loria Group working with some fabulous clients and

learning from some real experts in the field. I then joined The Trump Organization to help

grow Mr. Trump’s already powerful brand. I then had the opportunity to come head up the

consumer products and brand licensing group for Warner Music Group where I have been

happily ever since.

What’s your typical day like at Warner Music Group (WMG)?NEMEROV: I’m happy that there is no real “typical” day! I have the pleasure of working

with an incredibly diverse set of artists in the incredibly dynamic environment of the

music industry. One minute I might be pitching a newly designed licensing program

to one of our country stars signed to our [Warner Music Nashville] label. The next

minute I could be working with one of our urban artists to plan a photo shoot for

a new product we’re launching at retail in coming weeks. Then I’m likely to be on

the phone with a retail partner to discuss plan-o-grams [a merchandising tool

that shows where products are placed in stores] or strategizing internally with our

marketing and public relations teams. The one thing that is typical is that I do

forget to eat lunch. A lot!

Grateful

Dead gear

from River

Road

Grateful

Dead and

Dogfish Head

American

Beauty Beer

Cody

Simpson and

Toys “R” Us

collaboration for

toys, apparel,

accessories, and

room décor

Spring 2014 | 13

continues on page 35

What’s the most exciting part of your job?NEMEROV: I love when our team conceives of an idea for a product, and we see it launch at

retail. It makes me proud to see our ideas go from seedling to blossom — and for people to

then line up to buy the blossoms!

What’s most challenging?NEMEROV: Staying ahead of the trends and foreseeing new avenues of

business can be challenging, but we spend a lot of time as a team

constantly brainstorming new business ideas and reinventing what

we are already doing. Thankfully, we work hand-in-hand with our

retail partners to get the right products out at the right time. Our

retail partners are honest, inclusive, and always ready to discuss strat-

egy. We have demanding and sophisticated fans, so it is critical that

we stay ahead of the curve.

Is a lot of travel involved? NEMEROV: It depends what your definition of ‘a lot’ is. I enjoy traveling

— seeing new places and meeting people. I travel monthly, mostly to

L.A. to see artists and managers we are working with, but often for tradeshows and to meet

with new potential partners, in places like Las Vegas, Chicago, Denver, or as far as London. I

am sure if I worked for a company like National Geographic I would have more travel!

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

licenses for WMG and expanded its business by more than 300 percent. We have launched

major programs for more than a dozen artists, including Grateful Dead, Frank Sinatra, Cody

Simpson, and Wiz Khalifa. Representative products, to name a few, include: Grateful Dead

snowboards, beer, and wine; Sinatra fedoras and high-end designer pens; Cody Simpson

dolls; and a Converse footwear collection Wiz Khalifa launched with Footlocker in 2013.

What’s it like to develop products for high-profilecelebrities like Cody Simpson and Wiz Khalifa? Any brief stories you can share?NEMEROV: I don’t believe it’s any different than developing products for a brand like Coca-Cola

or Ford Motor Company, except your brand has a vision of its own and is human. Working

with celebrities can be challenging because some may not want to be involved and share

thoughts on their brand, but I have been fortunate.

Converse

and Wiz

Khalifa footwear

collection for

Footlocker

Mattel

Sinatra

Barbie

It was a spectacular season for the Owls,

who won two individual Division II national

championships: swimmer Raymond Cswerko took

first in the 200-yard butterfly and track and field’s

Nick Lebron won the heptathlon for the second time.

The men’s basketball team also excelled, earning

an East Region victory and an Elite Eight appearance.

Following are a few highlights from the season.


WE ARE THE Champions!

Spring 2014 | 15

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

to qualify for the 2014 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving

Championship. The Torrington native tackled the challenge with

gusto, returning to Southern a national champion after taking first

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

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

He also had a second-place finish in the 400-yard individual medley (IM) at

the national championship, which features a global mix of competitors. In fact,

Marko Blazevski, who edged Cswerko for the 400 IM title, is a native of Macedonia

and was a member of its 2012 Olympic team. “He’s swimming against an interna-

tional, world-class field. I think that makes his performance stand out a little more,”

says Owls’ coach Tim Quill, who has coached SCSU swimmers to 19 NCAA titles dur-

ing his tenure.

The championship win was particularly sweet for Cswerko, who swam for

the University of Maryland during his freshman year — only to have the Terrapins

drop the swim program along with a number of other sports due to financial rea-

sons. Undeterred, he returned to Connecticut for the 2012-13 academic year to

swim for the Owls.

Cswerko played an integral role in helping the Owls win the 2014 Northeast-

10 Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship, the team’s 10th win in the last 11

years. He also was named the 2014 Northeast-10 Conference Men’s Swimmer of

the Year, the second year in a row he received the honor.

Looking toward 2014-15, plans are in motion to move forward on the

national stage. “It starts now in the offseason. . . . I want to try to win two events

next year,” says Cswerko. “Nothing is out of the realm of possibility.”

Quill concurs: “Next year will be a different year in terms of what the mini-

mum expectation level is. . . . If he puts in a solid summer in the pool and the

weight room, he could be a player in three or four races next year and bid for a

couple of titles.”

Swim LIKE A

BUTTERFLY


been a spectacular journey for the men’s basketball team, which had its

finest season in Southern history. In the midst of a 19-game winning streak,

Southern captured the Northeast-10 Conference title and moved on to the

NCAA Division II Championships, where they reached the Elite Eight. The team was led

by senior and team scoring leader Greg Langston — Northeast-10 Player of the Year —

and junior guard and assists leader Tylon Smith, who excelled in the post-season. The

Owls fell to the University of Central Missouri, the ultimate champions.

Coach Michael Donnelly — who earned accolades as Northeast-10 and East

Region Coach of the Year — led the Owls to an overall 30-3 win-loss finish in 2013-14

— a program record for victories. Looking forward, optimism remains high for next

season, with twelve members returning to play.

Spring 2014 | 17

Meet the National Champion

Nick LebronSenior, majoring in exercise science with a concentration in human performance

Men’s Track and Field

A few claims to fame | A two-time NCAA

Division II National Champion in the

heptathlon this year and in 2012.

Also All-American in the

heptathlon (2012-13) and the

decathlon (2012-13, 2011-12).

The heptathlon | Includes seven

events — the 60-meter dash, the

long jump, the shot put, the high jump,

the 60-meter hurdles, the pole vault, and

the 1,000-meter run.

Good sport | Joined the high school track team

as a junior, competing in the high jump. Also

played high school football and basketball

for four years, and baseball as a freshman.

Favorite event | “I started as a high jumper,

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

makes or breaks a multi [a competitor in

the heptathlon or decathlon].”

Training for the heptathlon | “We’re the first

ones at practice and the last ones to leave.

We pride ourselves on being ‘that good’ in

seven events.”

How good? |

Lebron scored

5,765 in the

heptathlon at the

championships this year

— an NCAA Div. II record.

He also set a new high mark among

New England programs in all three divisions.

Fan of | Dallas Cowboys and basketball star

LeBron James

Any rest time? | The month of June. “But it’s

an active recovery. I stay moving, whether

it’s running or playing basketball with

my friends.”

Goals | Hopes to attend Southern as a graduate

student to earn a master’s degree in exercise

science with a focus on sport psychology.

Plans to keep training for post-collegiate

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

Spring 2014 | 19

USIC PROVED TO BE THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

for 59 members of the University Choir who traveled

to Spain to perform a series of concerts during

New Year’s week. The choir — which includes

Southern alumni, students, and members of the community —

sang for standing-room-only audiences at several stunning

churches in Manresa and Barcelona, including the Basilica of the

Sagrada Familia, architect Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece.

“There’s a tremendous sense of artistic empowerment

that comes from singing in these exquisite spaces,” says Professor

of Music Terese Gemme, who directs the choir. The group per-

formed with other choirs from the United States and Spain, and

worked with American chorale conductor and composer Craig

Hella Johnson.

In recent years, Southern’s University Choir also has per-

formed in Ireland and London, but this trip was the most widely

attended. The Stutzman Family Foundation, which has generously

supported numerous programs and initiatives in the Music

Department, contributed $173,250 for the trip. As a result, stu-

dents paid $500 or less to participate, depending on how long

they have been choir members.

In a trip marked by numerous life-changing moments,

Gemme recalls the concert at the Church of the Cave of Saint

Ignatius as being particularly poignant. The choir was to perform

a selection by the late Pablo Casals, an internationally renowned

cellist and composer from the Catalonia region of Spain. (Casals

had gone into exile following the Spanish Civil War, vowing not to

return to his homeland until Francisco Franco was defeated and

democracy was restored.)

As the University Choir prepared to sing, the conductor

turned to the audience and introduced the upcoming work, using

the composer’s Catalan name — Pau Casals. “There was this

tremendous spontaneous outbreak of applause, because we had

understood that he was one of their own,” says Gemme. “I think

we were all on the verge of tears throughout the performance. It’s

a moment I’ll never forget.”

Several members of the Southern community accompa-

nied the choir, including Steven Breese, dean of the School of Arts

and Sciences, and university photographer Isabel Chenoweth, who

captured the experience in photos and videos. For more on the

trip, go to SCSUbarcelona.tumblr.com.


Rich ∏avanaugh,the longest-serving and

“winningest” head football

coach in Southern’s history,

says goodbye to the university

he called home for almost

three decades.

aving led the Owls’ footballteam for 29 seasons, head coachRich Cavanaugh began his retirement on

New Year’s Day — a fitting time for fresh

starts. His tenure at Southern ended on a

high note, with the Gridiron Club of Greater

Boston presenting the celebrated coach with the John Baronian

Lifetime Contribution to Football Award on Jan. 9. The tribute rec-

ognizes Cavanaugh’s commitment to Southern, his players, and the

game of football, which he began playing in elementary school.

Cavanaugh joined Southern in 1982 as the team’s offensive

coordinator with then head coach Kevin Gilbride (who announced

his retirement from the National Football League’s New York Giants

in January as well).

In 1985, Cavanaugh was named head coach of the Owls

and, in the ensuing decades, he guided thousands of student-ath-

letes, setting numerous records along the way. He ended his

Southern career with 170 victories (a program record), 19 winning

seasons, and four consecutive NCAA Championship appearances

from 2005-08. Under his leadership, Southern also claimed its first

NCAA playoff victory in the 2007 season and shares of three

Northeast-10 conference titles.

Clearly, there were a lot of high points. But asked to share

his fondest coaching memories, Cavanaugh pauses for a moment

before politely refusing. “It’s four decades if you think about it —

the ’80s, the ’90s, the ’00s, and the teens,” he says. “It would depend

on who I was talking with and what era they played. . . . Someone

might say, ‘Coach, remember when we did this.’ And I’d think, ‘Wow,

that was awesome.’ But then you look at another era. . . . If you posed

that question to everyone who played for me, each would have their

own greatest memory.”

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

“Yes, it would be kind of like that,” Cavanaugh says, his voice catch-

ing with emotion. “There have been so many great players and so

many great moments.”

Following, Cavanaugh looks back on his years at Southern,

his plans for the future, and his

thoughts on the game.

Spring 2014 | 21

RICH CAVANAUGH: I started playing when I was in sixth grade with Youth Football. I

wanted to play. My parents were very supportive of it, but nobody pushed me . . .

something that I think happens to some kids today.

CAVANAUGH: When I was in high school. I enjoyed the game, and how the game was

taught. Football is really like a chess match. How do you attack certain defenses? How

do you defend certain offenses? I always thought of myself as a student of the game. I

didn’t just want to know what I needed to play my position; I wanted to know how

that fit into the grand scheme of things.

I admired my coaches. They were all good teachers, and I looked at their job

and thought . . . this would probably be a great career to have . . . to work with and

teach students how to play the game.

You were a two-season starter atAmerican International College.

When did you begin playing football?

When did you realize that youwanted to coach?

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

just film the game. Now with the internet and everything being videoed, it’s that

much easier to get information about how other teams do things. You can learn

a lot more and share it with your players.

As a coach, you have to be willing to embrace change. Whatever new

technology is in place . . . whatever new aspect of the game is in vogue . . . you

better learn about it, and you better learn how to either defend against it or use

it to your advantage.

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

You have to block and tackle. You have to be disciplined, work hard, and be

competitive. You have to be intelligent. You have to have poise. There are a lot of

things that haven’t changed, but I really think technology has influenced how

we do things and how we approach things.

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

your program. It is also very taxing. It can wear you out and, again, the technology we have

today, at times, almost muddies the water. In some ways, it can give you a much clearer picture

of the type of person you are recruiting. In some ways, they can paint a picture of themselves

that may be significantly better than they really are . . . You have to be very careful with that.

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

that I’m going to miss most . . . the day-to-day interaction with the people at Southern

Connecticut. You end up dealing with so many agencies as a coach. You work with the people

from Admissions . . . Financial Aid . . . the Registrar’s office. You work with the professors . . .

with Food Service. You work with your entire academic supportive staff, the athletic sup-

portive staff, and the athletic administration. . . . There are so many people who are behind

the scenes at Southern, who probably never get the credit that they deserve. They make it all

come together. They make it happen.

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

grow up before they want to.

CAVANAUGH: I think sometimes they fight you . . .

based on how they think things are. I always felt that

the sooner I could get them to think about what was

really important, the better off they would be.

CAVANAUGH: I was really surprised to be quite honest

with you. But it was a great honor and, again, it is

really because of the people who are here.


What’s one thing you won’tmiss about coaching?

What will you miss?

Describe your job as a coach in one sentence?

Can you explain?

You’ve received numerous honors throughout yourcareer, including the Northeast-10 Conference

Coach of the Year Award in 2008. In January, youreceived the Lifetime Contribution Award from theGridiron Club of Greater Boston. What was it like to

learn you were receiving this award? continues on page 35

You’ve been at Southern since 1982. Has your approach to coaching changed?

Going Pro

Awards

Spring 2014 | 23

Tom Godek,

’88, was

named head

football coach

at the univer-

sity, after serv-

ing as the

team’s offen-

sive coordina-

tor for the last

13 seasons

and previously

tearing up the

field for the Owls as a standout player and captain. He brings 20 years

of coaching experience to the table, following a storied playing career

that included a free agent signing with the New York Jets.

“Through his previous experiences as a student-athlete and

assistant coach here at SCSU, Tom has played a pivotal role in some of

the most successful campaigns and moments in our decorated history,”

says Patricia Nicol, director of athletics. “We look forward to having Tom

lead our program into a new era of Owls’ football.”

Named the 2010 Division II/III Assistant Coach of the Year by the

Gridiron Club of Greater Boston, Godek has helped the Owls reach

numerous offensive marks. During his tenure, the team set records for

season highs in multiple categories, including total yards, rushing yards,

passing yards, touchdowns scored, and points scored, along with a new

program record for total offense in one game. A total of 68 offensive

players received All-Northeast-10 honors under his leadership.

As a student-athlete, Godek played for the Owls from 1984-87

and was a two-time All-New England selection. As a senior, he served

as team captain and took home All-Eastern College Athletic

Conference honors.

Before joining the staff of his alma mater, Godek coached for

seven years at American International College (AIC), serving as offen-

sive line coach and assistant to the head coach. Godek helped AIC win

four division titles en route to four consecutive Northeast-10

Conference Championship appearances. AIC went on to win the con-

ference title twice.

Godek holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Southern and a

master’s degree in education from AIC. He succeeds Rich Cavanaugh,

who retired in January.

Rich ∏avanaughA Numbers Game


NO

STA

LGIA Whoo-oo-oo Knew?

Southern Connecticut

State University traces its

roots to the Sept. 11, 1893

opening of a two-year

teacher training school —

New Haven State Normal

School. What was NOT true

about the first class?

A. There were 84 students and three faculty members, includingArthur Boothby Morrill, the school’sprincipal.

B. There weren’t enough desks formembers of the inaugural class andplans to expand the school beganalmost immediately.

C. The class was made up entirely ofwomen.

D. Students came from throughoutNew England to attend.

Before they were

known as “The Owls,” our

student-athletes were

commonly referred to as:

A. The Teachers’ Pets

B. The Educators

C. The Nutmeggers

D. The Wisemen

Put the following flock of Southern

Owl mascots in order — from their

earliest to most recent appearance.

Calling all Owls. Test your knowledge of Southern’s history —

both the serious and the quirky.

A.

B.C.

D.

A. Signing up by the hundreds for the school’sfirst library cards.

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

C. Organizing a fundraiser to expand theuniversity’s book collections.

D. All of the above.

Built at a cost of $4 million, the original

Hilton C. Buley Library celebrated its opening in

1970. Students, faculty, and staff helped by:

A. 1890 B. C. D. 1975

The first permanent alumni

association was established in:

Spring 2014 | 25

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

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

Which of the following

celebrities and luminaries have

appeared on campus?

A. Walter Cronkite

B. Madeline Albright

D. Stevie Wonder

C. Whoopi Goldberg

E. All of the Above

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

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

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

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

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

Southern won

its first team national

title in which sport?

A. Men’s soccer in 1987

B. Men’s gymnastics in 1973

C. Women’s basketball in 1970

D. Women’s gymnastics in 1970

A. Pelz Gymnasium

B. Jennings Hall

C. Connecticut Hall

D. Engleman Hall

Southern has a number of

notable firsts in its history. Which

of the following are among them:

A. Opening the first federally fundednursery schools in Connecticutdesigned specifically to care forchildren whose parents worked inthe defense industry during WorldWar II.

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

C. Borrowing jerseys from YaleUniversity for the Owls’ firstfootball game.

D. All of the above.

The groundbreaking for

the Crescent Street campus —

Southern’s current home — was

held on Oct. 3, 1951. The first

building to grace campus was:

Alumni NEWS


Mighty Mentors

It’s among the most commonly sharedcorporate mantras: find yourself a men-

tor. Students would be wise to heed the

advice. According to numerous studies, the

benefits of a positive mentoring relationship

are dramatic and life-changing for students —

ranging from a greater likelihood of earning

a degree to enjoying higher paychecks and

more-frequent promotions after graduation.

At Southern, more than 165 students

are capitalizing on a new Alumni-Student

Mentoring Program launched by the Alumni

Association in conjunction with the Office

of Alumni Relations. The program matches

Southern graduates with students with

similar majors and/or business interests.

“It’s a way for students to receive

support and professional advice from some-

one who knows the university and the area

of career interest,” says Michelle R. Johnston,

director of Alumni Relations. The program kicked off

on March 12, with students meeting their mentors

at a meet-and-greet event held at the Michael J. Adanti

Student Center.

The program is flexible in design, with participants

structuring their mentoring experiences to fit their mutual

schedules. Students may stay in contact with their men-

tors by phone or e-mail, face-to-face meetings, or a com-

bination of methods. Mentors and mentees also received

a brochure with guidelines and suggestions to make the

most of the experience.

The program is an offshoot of Alumni Professionals

Day, a one-day event held on campus for the past four

years. Last year, 93 Southern graduates participated, shar-

ing information with students on a wide variety of careers,

including law enforcement, graphic design, teaching, edu-

cation administration, politics, social services, law, finance,

and scientific research. “We’re fortunate to have alumni

out there who really want to help,” says Johnston.

Southern alumni who would like to serve as

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

mentor-program-mentor.html.

lumni volunteers help Southern create a climate of excel-

lence by supporting programs on campus and beyond.

One initiative, Alumni Volunteering — A to G (Admissions to

Graduation), offers numerous ways for Southern graduates to

share their time and talents. Most programs are flexible, so

volunteers can participate at a level that meets their needs.

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

• Admissions volunteers help out in numerous ways.Examples include: joining the spring postcard-writingcampaign to congratulate admitted students, helpingto represent Southern at college fairs, referring tal-ented students to Southern, and hosting or attendingan event in your area to welcome new students.

• Share your business experience with students in acomfortable, casual setting at Alumni ProfessionalsDay, held on campus each fall. Or become an AlumniMentor, providing ongoing advice to a student inter-ested in your career field. (See related story at left.)

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

For more information or to sign on for these and

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

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

We’reLooking for a Few GoodGrads!

Spring 2014 | 27

Teresa Sirico, ’70, M.S. ’73, PresidentRobert D. Parker, ’76, Vice PresidentDonald Mitchell, ’57, M.S. ’61, TreasurerJames H. Booth, ’97, SecretaryHugh S. Cafferty, ’69, M.S. ’70, 6th Yr. ’76, Past President

Phoebe Donehoo Browning, ’04, M.B.A. ’05Nancy Charest, ’71, M.S. ’75, 6th Yr. ’80Kathy Glinka Coyle, ’74, M.S. ’77, 6th Yr. ’81Susan Love D’Agostino, ’79Nancy Dudchik, ’88Marybeth Heyward Fede, ’79, M.S. ’87Miriam Gonzalez-Huff, 6th Yr. ’90Jerry Katona, ’74, M.S. ’88Edwin A. Klinkhammer II, ’71, M.S. ’76, 6th Yr. ’92Stephen Koestner, ’69John Mastrianni, ’66, M.S. ’73Judit Vasmatics Paolini, ’73, M.S. ’79, 6th Yr. ’93Jeffrey Reilly, ’58Nancy D. Tanguay, ’87Deborah Sue Cedar Vincent, ’82

SCSU • Office of Alumni Relations501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515 • (203) 392-6500Director, Michelle R. Johnston, [email protected]

SCSU Alumni Association Board of Directors

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

looking for photos of Southern graduates traveling the

globe while wearing a favorite Southern shirt or hat, or

waving a Southern banner.

Please send a high-resolution photo of yourself,

along with your graduation year and a few lines about your

trip, to [email protected]. Photos may be included

in an upcoming Southern Alumni Magazine feature.

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

Connect SouthernWITHON

� The Web at SouthernCT.edu andSouthernCTOwls.com for athletics

� Twitter at twitter.com/scsutweet

� Facebook at facebook.com/southernct

� ITunes at SouthernCT.edu/itunesu

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

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


By Joan Wells

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

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

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

catches rainwater to wash dishes, relies on whatever light he

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

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

“I wake up to the sun shining and the sound of birds

. . . sometimes a coyote will call,” he says. “It’s really an amaz-

ing lifestyle.”

As the executive director of Two Coyotes Wilderness

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

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

cated to helping people connect with nature — and building

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

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

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

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

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

day lessons might include making survival shelters, living off

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

herbal remedies — with a healthy dose of games, storytelling,

crafts, and songs thrown in.

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

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

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

rocks. The turkey was stuffed with wild edibles.

“It was an epic teenage wilderness-survival experi-

ence,” Pegnataro says. “We sing songs

that connect us with nature and each

other. We come nose to nose with the

history of the forest.” The programs

have a “healing effect,” and that was

particularly apparent in the aftermath

of the Sandy Hook Elementary School

shootings in December 2012, he says.

Pegnataro, who grew up in

Woodbridge, Conn., and attended

Amity High School, first enrolled at

Southern in 1999, intending to become

From buildings lauded for eco-friendly design

to a reinvigorated, campuswide

recycling program, the university is

committed to keeping it green.

That’s why Southern is a proud signatory

of the American College & University

Presidents’ Climate Commitment.

Please supportSouthern and itsstudents bycontributing tothe CampusGreening Fund.Donations maybe made onlineat giving.SouthernCT.edu. Or call (203)392-6515.

Alumni NEWS

a teacher. But he felt something was missing, so he

dropped out for a year and moved to the forest for four

months. Pegnataro took some wilderness classes and

returned to Southern, taking a botany course with Noble

Proctor, ’70, M.S. ’72, professor emeritus of biology, who

would become his mentor. “He changed my life,” says

Pegnataro, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science

degree in biology and anthropology. Among the most

important lessons he learned from the professor? “My life,

my water, my fire . . . it was all a gift from nature,” he says.

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

Pegnataro says he wasn’t particularly wrapped up in

nature as a child. But his mom, a teacher at Beecher Road

School in Woodbridge, recalls that he would lie on the

ground with bird feed in his hand. Today, he’s passing on his

desire to connect with nature to the next generation. “This is

my life’s work,” he says.

In 2000, Two Coyotes was founded by Scott Eldridge, who remains presi-dent of the organization’s Board of Directors. He signed the directorshipover to Pegnataro in 2007.

Spring 2014 | 29

Schedule it in: “Scheduling is a way of making timefor what we value. Pick a time — once a dayor a couple times a week — to spend a shorttime in nature.”

Limit screen time: “Screen time, including TV, webbrowsing, and video games, accounts for quitea few hours of our day. Children ages 8-18average 7.5 hours of screen time a day. Asksomeone in their 60s and they’ll tell you thattheir parents would kick them out of thehouse and not let them home till dinner. Isuggest you do the same for your kids.”

Find a sit spot: “If you are interested in connectingdeeply with nature, the best thing I havefound is to sit in one natural spot regularlyover the course of the year. I sit outside for 30minutes every day. . . . The most amazingthings happen when we just sit and observe.One time when I was at my spot, three babychipmunks ran across my lap. Don’t think thatyou need to be in some remote wildernessarea. Urban and suburban areas are filled withnature to watch.”

Justin Pegnataro, ’05, the executive director of Two Coyotes Wilderness School, offers tips

on finding your inner wild child.

Southern graduates who live or work in the Big Apple

are invited to join the New York City Alumni Network

by calling (203) 392-6500 or

e-mailing [email protected].

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

Hello, Big Apple!

alumni notes


’50sJOHN CARUSONE, ’57, M.S. ’62,

the former mayor of Hamden,and his wife, SYLVIACARUSONE, M.S. ’71, 6th Yr.’93, live in Hamden, Conn. Hislatest accomplishments includebeing inducted into the 2011Wallingford Senior Slow-PitchHall of Fame.

’60sROBERT PANNOZZO, ’69, M.S.

’71, 6th Yr. ’77, has retired afterteaching for 40 years inConnecticut, Vermont, andVirginia. He is currently thechair of the HistoryDepartment at WakefieldSchool in Plains, Va., and livesin Brandy Station.

’70sDAN LAURIA, ’70, was the narra-

tor for a production of “AChristmas Story” at theBushnell Center for PerformingArts in Hartford. A group ofSouthern alumni attended aperformance of the productionand special reception inNovember 2013.

a child obsessed with martial arts, Samuel Diaz III, ’08,

dreamed of joining the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

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

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

Most Influential Latinos in Connecticut Awards. The event was hosted

by the Latinos United for Professional Advancement in January.

Diaz was recognized for his work to promote barrier-free

access to health care with the Southwest Community Health Center in

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

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

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

At Southern, Diaz was an active student, earning his bachelor’s

degree in international business and serving as the 2008 senior class

president and captain of the SCSU Karate Team for three years. He

later obtained a master’s degree in interactive communications from

Quinnipiac University.

He began his career as a social media consultant for clients

such as the Terex Corporation, the State of Connecticut Department

of Public Health, and Sikorsky, but then moved on to help nonprofit

and small businesses develop their brands.

“I quickly found it more impactful and enjoyable helping small-

er businesses and organizations grow throughout the community,”

says Diaz, who has worked with Southwest Community Health Center

(SWCHC) for about four years. As the community relations coordinator

for the company, he uses diverse marketing strategies to improve

healthcare access for patients throughout Fairfield County. He currently

also serves as chairman of the marketing committee at SWCHC.

In addition to being a successful businessman, Diaz is an

internationally recognized athlete. “Karate started out as a hobby, but

it has now become a lifestyle,” says Diaz, who has been a member of

the United States Martial Arts Team since 2010. In 2012, he was

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

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

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

father in 2009.

Looking forward, he plans to keep utilizing his talents to posi-

tively influence his community through his work at Stratford Shotokan

and SWCHC. This year promises to be particularly action-packed. Diaz

will be getting married and traveling to Canada for the 2014 World

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

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

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

help,” he says.

By Bailey E. Brumbach, ’14

Reunion News• The Class of 1964 was

recognized in honor of its 50th reunionat the undergraduate commencementceremony held on May 16, 2014 at theWebster Bank Arena in Bridgeport.

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

Renaissance Man

As

Spring 2014 | 31

ART KADISH, ’71, a formerSouthern assistant coach andfaculty member, was honoredby the Norwalk Old TimersAssociation and inducted intothe Norwalk Hall of Fame. Theevent supported Brien McMahonHigh School scholarships.

ROBERTMORLOT, ’71, M.S. ’76,was named principal ofCambria Consulting in Boston.

STANLEY KONESKY JR., ’73,M.S. ’86, retired from theBranford Police Departmentafter 29 years, having alsospent 13 years as an instructorat the Connecticut PoliceAcademy. Currently he is anadjunct professor of criminaljustice at the University of NewHaven.

JOSEPH GIULIETTI, ’74, hasbeen named president ofMetro-North Railroad.

Formerly he was the executivedirector of the South FloridaRegional TransportationAuthority.

GARY SCARPA, ’74, M.S. ’91, andwife, FRANCESCA SCARPA,’76, recently celebrated the30th anniversary of the YouthCONNection Players, a com-munity theater group theyfounded for high school andcollege students in 1983. Thetheater troupe is based inShelton, Conn.

LINDAMASSEYWILSON, ’74,M.S. ’80, who has been a physi-cal education teacher for 37years, was featured in The Hournewspaper in an article enti-tled, “Celebrating Black HistoryMonth through Norwalk (CT)Sports: Massey was the best ofher era.” She was inducted intothe Southern Athletic Hall ofFame in 1999.

DOUGMACDOUGALL, ’75, hasreceived the Theresa S.Brungardt Award for his out-standing service to the field ofrecreation in the state ofVermont. MacDougall also iscited in the “Guiness Book ofWorld Records” for orchestrat-ing the creation of the longest-continuous banana split, whichmeasured 2 ½ miles long. Helives in Holliston, Mass., withhis wife of 35 years, Ann.

MARY BETHALLENZAREMSKI, ’75, M.S. ’80, hasretired from Watertown PublicSchools after teaching 38 years.She resides in Oakville, Conn.

MARCIA F. DUKANY DUKE,M.S. ’76, was inducted into the2013 Danbury High SchoolHall of Fame. She has been aphysical education teacher for42 years and has spent 30 yearsas a coach.

MARYM. SWEENEY, ’76, is thechief executive officer of theWay of the Wild (WOW), anonprofit organization thatmentors adults and children byfostering a connection tonature and teaching primitive

wilderness skills. She lives inBoulder, Colo.

ELIZABETH RHOADES, ’77, hada solo exhibit of her pastelpaintings at the Storrs Library.She is a signature member ofthe Connecticut Pastel Societyas well as Connecticut WomenArtists. She resides in StaffordSprings and has exhibited herart nationwide.

DORIE POUCH PETROCHKO,M.S. ’78, is president of theConnecticut Natural ScienceIllustrators, an art programfocusing on botanical, naturalscience drawing, and painting.She lives in Oxford, Conn.

MARY KAY DUPONT, ’79, is adigital specialist at Mohawk, aprivately owned manufacturerof fine papers, envelopes andspecialty substrates for com-mercial and digital printing.She is based in New England.

FRANK“SID” MAIETTO, ’79,served as co-chairperson of the2014 International Associationof Facilitators (IAF) NorthAmerican conference, whichwas held in Orlando, Fla. Helives in Snohomish, Wash.

’80sCLAUDETTE BEAMON, ’80,

M.S.W. ’87, 6th Yr. ’00, is theassistant executive director forpersonnel and special servicesat ACES (Area CooperativeEducational Services) in NorthHaven, Conn.

GREGG DANCHO, ’80, celebratedhis 30th anniversary as direc-tor of Connecticut’s BeardsleyZoo. He lives in Stratford,Conn.

BARBARAA. HUNGER, ’82, hasbeen a registered nurse in theLabor and Delivery Unit atWomen and Infants Hospital ofRhode Island for 25 years. Sheis also a member of the I-195Redevelopment Commission.She lives in Providence, R.I.

TRACY KNOFLA, ’82, M.S. ’87,was a keynote presenter at theStudent Leadership Conferenceheld at the University ofAlabama in Huntsville. She is amotivational speaker and con-ference trainer and lives inGuilford, Conn.

In Print ANDOn Screen

NEWS ON BOOK, TELEVISION, AND FILM RELEASESFROM SOUTHERN ALUMNI

Paula E. Gelbach, M.S. ’67, has published a children’s book, “It’s OK!!Everybody’s Different.” The book’s three stories feature animal characters that teachyoung readers how to appreciate the beauty in themselves and others. Gelbach residesin Topton, Pa.

Roy Nirschel, ’74, has published “My Seasons in Saigon,” which chronicles hisexperiences starting the first American university in Vietnam. He lives in New York City.

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

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

Jane C. Elkin, M.L.S. ’86, has published a chapbook, “World Class: Poems Inspiredby the ESL Classroom.” The collection illustrates her experiences with students strugglingto address their linguistic challenges, as well as social issues such as poverty, religioustraditions, illegal immigration, education, the role of women in other cultures, and theemotional scars of war. Elkin lives in Annapolis, Md.

Christine Beck Lissitzyn, M.F.A. ’13, an adjunct professor at Southern whoteaches introductory poetry writing and introduction to creative writing, has publishedher first book of poetry, “Blinding Light.”Support Southern.

Leave a Legacy.Planned gifts — also called deferred or estate gifts

— can help you meet your long-term financial goals,

while providing critically needed support for Southern’s

talented and deserving students.

The university’s Development Office can supply

information on a variety of planned gifts that help

Southern maintain a climate of excellence — from

bequests that extend your generosity beyond your

lifetime to charitable gift annuities and trusts, which can

provide fixed-income payments and several tax benefits.

If you’ve already included the Southern

Connecticut State University Foundation in your will,

please let us know so that we can acknowledge your

generosity by enrolling you in the Heritage Society.

If not, please consider leaving a legacy by making

a planned gift to the Southern Connecticut State

University Foundation.

For more information, contact the Development Office.

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

TAWNY NELB, M.S. ’83, wasreappointed to the StateHistorical Records AdvisoryBoard in Midland, Mich. She ispresident of Nelb ArchivalConsulting Inc., which pro-vides archival services and his-torical research and writing formuseums, archives, libraryspecial collections, owners ofhistoric homes, design firms,universities, and more.

KARENM. THOMSON, M.L.S.’83, has been employed atNoah Webster Public Libraryin Hartford for 21 years. Shelives in Ansonia and enjoysjudging beauty pageants.

DEBRAOLSON, ’84, M.S. ’88, wasinducted into the ConnecticutScholastic and CollegiateSoftball Hall of Fame. She wasinducted into the Field HockeyHall of Fame in 2005.

DARLENE LEE, ’85, is a seniormortgage lending officer withWashington Trust in Fairfield,Conn. She lives in NewCanaan.

LORI PASQUALINI, ’85, is thechief financial and administra-tive officer for Ability BeyondDisability in Bethel, Conn. Sheresides in Norwalk with hus-band, BARRY PASQUALINI,’85.

STEVEN STEINMETZ, ’85, hasbeen named director of club-owned fleet operations forAAA (American AutomobileAssociation) of Western andCentral New York. He lives inFabius, N.Y.

DONALDMCAULAY, ’86, hasbeen appointed regional direc-tor of INROADS New EnglandRegion. The nonprofit organi-zation is committed to identi-fying and placing talentedunderserved youth in businessand industry, and preparingthem for leadership roles.

CAROLA. KEARNS, 6th Yr. ’89, aresident of Harwinton, Conn.,for 35 years, was interviewedand featured in theTribLive/Neighborhoods publi-cation for her contributions tothe community and her pro-fessional success. She producesand co-hosts a communityaccess television program withher husband, Harry Schuh.

AT least some of the credit goes to an old-fashioned metal locker — one

of many that graced Southern’s Engleman Hall before its renovation.

Andrew Carrano, then an undergraduate student, recalls that his had a prime

location. So when a lovely young woman he’d previously noticed on campus

passed by carrying a large armload of books, he thought fast. “I said ‘if you ever

want to use my locker,’’’ he recalls with a laugh. The rest, as they say, is history —

for Donna Spadory and Andrew Carrano, who married on July 22, 1978 — and for

Southern Connecticut State University, which has awarded the couple and their

children seven academic degrees to date.

Today, the family’s ties to the university are stronger than ever. Adjunct

professor Andrew Carrano, who currently teaches in the Psychology Department,

holds three diplomas from Southern: a B.A. in psychology (1975), a master’s in

education (1977), and a sixth-year certificate in school psychology (1979). His

wife Donna has a B.S. in nursing (1977), and daughter Erica has

a B.A. in theatre (2007) and is currently working on her master’s

in English — all from Southern. Daughter Ashley holds a

Southern M.S. in special education (2011) and son Dan graduat-

ed in August with a degree in music. “They’ve embraced their

Southern experience,” says the proud father. “As I tell the stu-

dents in my classes, Southern provides a quality, affordable

education, and the graduate school is very competitive. It’s a

wonderful place to earn your degree.”

FAMILYTIES:

SevenSouthern

degrees and

counting. . .

Are you part of an extended

Southern family? Send a photo

and the details to SCSU,

Southern Alumni Magazine,

501 Crescent St.,

New Haven, CT 06515-1355 or

[email protected].

Thank you!


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

Spring 2014 | 33

’90sMICHELE KELVEY-ALBERT,

’90, M.P.H. ’94, is the directorof consulting services atQualidigm, a national health-care consulting company inWethersfield. She is also thefirst in Connecticut to earnPatient-Centered MedicalHome Content ExpertCertification from the NationalCommittee on QualityAssurance. She lives inKillingworth, Conn.

GEORGE ZYGMONT, ’90, hasjoined Washington Trust as amortgage loan officer. He has15 years of experience in theindustry, most recently as apersonal mortgage banker atNaugatuck Valley Savings andLoan in Naugatuck. He residesin Cos Cob, Conn.

DONALD CASEY, M.S. ’91, wasselected by Packer ReportMagazine as the “Fantastic Fanof the Month” for December2013. The publication, whichspotlights the NationalFootball League’s Green BayPackers, recognized Casey fordeveloping a flag-football pro-gram at Stepney ElementarySchool in Monroe, Conn.

CHRISTOPHER J. ADAMS, ’92,has been appointed executiveassistant to the president ofSuffolk County CommunityCollege. He earned his sixthyear degree from HofstraUniversity and lives in GreatNeck, N.Y.

MICHAELMARCIANO, ’94, hasbeen named managing editorof the New Britain Herald. Hepreviously served 13-plusyears as the editor of TheWinsted Journal, a weeklypublication.

BARRINGTON“BARRY”BOGLE, ’96, M.P.H. ’09, is pub-lic health director for the cityof Wilton, Conn. He lives inBridgeport.

RAYMOND ROCHE, ’96, receiveda proclamation from MayorToni Harp thanking him forhis contributions to the NewHaven Free Public Library. Heresides in Hamden, Conn.

YOLANDA JONES-GENERETTE,M.S. ’98, 6th Yr. ’07, receivedthe Outstanding EducatorAward from the NationalSorority of Phi Delta Kappa atthe 28th annual African-American Legacy ScholarshipLuncheon. She is the principalof Lincoln Bassett CommunitySchool in the Newhallvilleneighborhood of New Haven.

KENNETH J. STEINER, ’98, is atechnical sales manager withSeraCare Life Sciences inSayreville, N.J.

RICK TUFTS, M.S. ’98, 6th Yr.’99, is the co-owner and brewerfor Triangle Brewing Companyin Durham, N.C. The companyrecently opened Pint & Plate, atavern-like facility located inthe same city.

’00sKEVIN KINAHAN, ’00, is a mort-

gage lending officer withWashington Trust in Fairfield,Conn. He lives in Wilton.

CHRISTOPHERMANFREDONIA, M.S. ’00, 6thYr. ’03, is the director of physi-cal education, health, and ath-letics for Darien Schools. Hepreviously was the athleticsdirector at Fairfield Ward HighSchool. He lives in SandyHook, Conn.

ANTHONY J. TRIMBOLI, ’01,was recognized by AmityRegional High School at the2013 Thanksgiving footballgame for being a member ofthe school’s 1978 Class LL statechampionship football team.Trimboli is a former Southernassistant basketball coach.

BRIEMIRANDABRYANT, ’02,has been promoted to the posi-tion of vice president of devel-opment and production fororiginal programming atOxygen Media. A multiplatformentertainment brand that deliv-ers to young women, OxygenMedia is available in 80 millionhomes. Bryant was the drivingforce behind some of Oxygen’sbiggest hits, including the docu-series, “Preachers of L.A.”

TASONNHAYNES, ’03, receivedthe Golden Apple Award at the

28th annual African-AmericanLegacy Scholarship Luncheon,hosted by the National Sororityof Phi Delta Kappa. In 2011 hepublished his first book,“Broken Gems.” He is current-ly a high school Englishteacher.

KELLY HOPE, ’03, M.S. ’10, is theassistant director of studentactivities/facility scheduler atHousatonic CommunityCollege. She is a recent recipi-ent of the Gold Apple Award,given by the National Sororityof Phi Delta Kappa at the 28thannual African-AmericanLegacy Scholarship Luncheon.

STACY BUTKUS, M.S. ’04, is theprincipal of Henry AbbottTechnical High School inDanbury. She resides inWaterbury, Conn., with hus-band, Eric, and two daughters.

CHARLES DUMAIS, 6th Yr. ’04, isthe superintendent of schoolsfor the Amity Regional SchoolDistrict 5. He formerly servedas principal of Newtown HighSchool and lives in Milford,Conn.

KENNYA. HOWELL, ’04, M.B.A.’06, is the chief of police in thetown of Millbury, Mass.

JESSICA KILHAM, ’05, wasappointed public serviceshealth sciences librarian atQuinnipiac University. She livesin Rocky Hill, Conn.

JACQUELYNN GAROFANO, ’06,was among those chosen byConnecticut Magazine as “40under 40” for 2013. She is amaterials scientist at UnitedTechnologies Research Center.

JEFF CRETELLA, ’07, was induct-ed into the 27th annual EastHaven High School AlumniAssociation Hall of Fame.

COLBYWELCH CARON, ’09, isan assistant director in theOffice of Academic Supportand Retention at FairfieldUniversity. She resides inWaterbury, Conn.

’10sJONATHAN BURTON, ’11, has

joined the WTOC News Teamin Savannah, Ga. Previously, he

was with WTOC in Lexington,Ky., and prior to that heworked as a beat reporter forNews 8 in New Haven and as areporter for The MiddletownPress in Connecticut.

STARSHEEMAR BYRUM, M.S.’11, is coordinator of EasternConnecticut State University’sWomen’s Center and theSexual Assault Response Team.She recently participated in apanel discussion hosted by theEnglish Department.

SARAH KELLY, ’11, was promot-ed to the position of educationmanager at the Westport ArtsCenter. She began working atthe center in 2012 as anEducation Fellow and, later, asthe education assistant. Herexperiences include leadingthe center’s after-school artprograms, school-group visits,workshops, summer camps,and more.

UYI OSUNDE, 6th Yr. ’12, is theassistant principal at IllingMiddle School in Manchester,Conn. He previously playedfootball with the University ofConnecticut and went on toplay for the Cleveland Brownsand the Buffalo Bills.

CARLOS CRUZ, ’13, has followedhis dreams to China, where hewill be an educator in Shanghaifor the 2013-2014 academicyear through the Ameson Yearin China program (AYC). AYCsends college graduates toteach in public and privateschools across China.

DANIEL TRUST, ’13, was recog-nized by ConnecticutMagazine in its “40 Under 40”list of exceptional people. Asurvivor of the Rwandan geno-cide, Trust is a motivationalspeaker and philanthropist.

MarriagesZACHARY LAMOTHE, M.S. ’07,

and Jaclyn Raffol, Sept. 27, 2013.

IN MEMORIAMGRACE LYONS GUNNIP, ’38,

Nov. 28, 2013, Wilmington, Del.

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

ETHEL ELIZABETH STANNARDCOLLIER, ’40, Jan. 2, 2014,Arlington, Texas

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

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

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

CATHERINE SPILLANE, ’43,North Haven, Conn.

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

MARY JOY BARRETTWALSH,’49, Jan. 21, 2014, Hamden,Conn.

LAURAADAMS HACKETT, ’50,Dec. 7, 2013, Branford, Conn.

MADELINEY. ESPOSITOABATE, ’52, Nov. 22, 2013,Uncasville, Conn.

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

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

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

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

MARIA DOERING CARLSEN,M.S. ’55, June 12, 2011, SantaRosa, Calif.**Friends and colleagues, please contact Alan Jonas [email protected].

MARY E. DINEEN, ’56, Jan. 4.2014, Woodbury, Conn.

PATRICIAWHITE RUSSELL,’56, Nov. 7, 2013, East Haven,Conn.

MARGUERITTEWINFIELD, ’57,Feb. 10, 2014, Milford, Conn.

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

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

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


JOANNMILLS, ’64, Oct. 16, 2013,Bristol, Conn.

LUKE BERTINI, ’66, Oct. 9, 2013,Wallingford, Conn.

ALBERT F. PEDROLINI, ’66, M.S.’71, 6th Yr. ’90, Jan. 7, 2014,Meriden, Conn.

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

LEONAATTENBERG, ’68, Jan. 5,2014, Fairfield, Conn.

NORMABARBIERI, M.S. ’68, Dec.27, 2013, East Haven, Conn.

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

SUSAN NATHANSON FAIREY,’69, M.S. ’73, Feb. 15, 2014,Woodbridge, Va.

PRISCILLAMALLY, ’69, Oct. 23,2013, Fort Pierce, Fla.

JOYCE SCALA PROSTANO, ’69,M.S. ’71, professor emeritus,Jan. 15, 2014, Stuart, Fla.

MARGARET“PEGGY”BOIANO, ’70, M.S. ’75, HobeSound, Fla.

RONALD CHERNOVETZ, ’70,Oct. 27, 2013, West Haven,Conn.

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

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

ELIZABETH“LISA”CHEVALIER NELSON, ’72,M.S. ’77, Salem, Conn.

MARTHA SCHOBERVASILEFF,M.S. ’72, 6th Yr. ’75,Woodbridge, Conn.

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

ESTELLE RUTH BABE GIFFIN,M.S. ’74, Nov. 28, 2013, Groton,Conn.

PATRICIAWOODALL, ’74, Sept.21, 2013, Uncasville, Conn.

BEVERLY BARTONHALL, M.S.’75, Orange, Conn.

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

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

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

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

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

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

CAROLANNVENO, ’78, Sept. 15,2013, N.J.

ELIZABETH“BETSY”SANTELLO, ’80, M.S. ’82, 6thYr. ’83, New Haven, Conn.

NANCYWASSERMAN, ’84, Oct.27, 2013, Bolton, Conn.

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

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

MARTINMOORE, ’85, M.S. ’89,6th Yr. ’96, adjunct professor ofspecial education, Dec. 2, 2013,Meriden, Conn.

SISTERMAUREEN DEMILIA,6th Yr. ’87, Groton, Conn.

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

JANET CAROL HYDEDONOVAN, M.S. ’94, Durham,Conn.

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

JEREMYM. HAYES, ’02, Sept.15, 2013, Buffalo, N.Y.

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

SHIRLEYVARMETTE, professoremeritus of sociology, Jan. 12,2014, New Haven, Conn.

Class notes are compiled fromsubmissions from alumni as wellas announcements made innewspapers and magazines.

Share your good newswith South ern friends and classmates. Mail this completedform to Southern Alumni News, SCSU Alumni RelationsOffice, New Haven, CT 06515-1355; fax, (203) 392-5082; or e-mail, [email protected].

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tell

usab

out

it

Hom

ecom

ing

2014

OWL

TOGETHER

NOW

Game Plancontinued from page 22

Licensed to Thrillcontinued from page 13

You’re concluding your SCSU career withnumerous accomplishments — “winningest”coach, 19-winning seasons, four consecutive

NCAA championship appearances. To what doyou attribute Southern’s success?

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

istrators who felt athletics were an important part of the universi-

ty. They gave us the tools that we needed to be successful. It always

starts with your president and the administration. We’ve been for-

tunate with the athletic administrators that we’ve had here. Pat

Nichol is awesome. I’ve worked under three different athletic direc-

tors, and she’s right at the top.

[Southern’s leaders] understand what it takes to be a first-

class program and the different areas you need to support if you

want to be successful. That allowed me to go out and put together

an awesome football staff — which, in turn, allowed us to go out

and recruit quality student-athletes. The coaches who I hired are

good motiva-

tors and

teachers.

They related

well to the

players, and

the players

responded

well to them.

Years from now, when people look back at yourcareer, what do you want them to remember

most about you?CAVANAUGH : That I was honest with them. Sometimes I had to tell

them things they maybe didn’t want to hear. But . . . . at least I think

when they got older, they realized that I had

their best interests at heart.

What’s next on the horizon? CAVANAUGH : I don’t know. We’ll see what hap-

pens. We bought a house in Newport, Rhode Island, a couple of

years ago. We’ll be spending some time up there, and then we’ll just

take it as it comes along and see what happens.

Will we see you in the bleachers?CAVANAUGH : Oh yeah. I’ll definitely be here. . . .

This is my team.

Cody and Wiz have both been incredible programs for us, and both treat my team

and me like we are an extension of their families. Not only will Wiz or Cody jump

on a Skype call in the evening when we urgently need them or [catch] a plane to

do an appearance when we need them to help promote something, but they also

offer ideas on the creative side and even suggestions for retail strategy.

Recently, on a trip to L.A., Wiz and I had a busy day filled with meetings — start-

ing with a headwear line review meeting on the rooftop of a hotel in West

Hollywood. Our partner, Converse, had plane delays coming to meet us for an

afternoon meeting and was delayed over six hours. When they finally arrived at

L.A. it was after 10 p.m. Wiz moved his day around and even offered for all of us

to come to his house, since it was so late, so we could review his new Converse

collection. Some celebrities might cancel the meeting or not be accommodating.

The celebrities I work with are actually real people.

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

significant influence? NEMEROV: One of the best experiences was the Corp.

Communications Cohort program I did when we went to

Edinburgh, Scotland. Roger Conway [associate professor

emeritus of media studies] headed this program, and it

was an incredible experience and well organized. I will

remember it forever. It enabled me to learn how to work

with people from all cultures in an environment not famil-

iar to me. It was eye opening.

Just curious . . . What were your interestsas a child? Did you ever imagine havingthis type of career? NEMEROV: As a kid, I enjoyed swimming, skiing, and riding

horses. I haven’t lost my love for equestrian. In fact, more

recently I adopted a racehorse (Secretariat’s great-great-

grandson) and hired a fabulous trainer to teach him to be

a great riding horse for me.

I never imagined myself in a specific career as a kid,

except maybe a full-time horse caregiver. In fact, until I

was in graduate school I wasn’t sure what I wanted to

actually do with my career. I always knew I wanted to be

independent, and I saw my Aunt Jacki (who is president

and chief operating officer of Ralph Lauren), as my men-

tor. Jacki is an incredible person; She works harder than

anyone I know, but finds a way to successfully balance life

and work. I always knew I wanted to have her success and

be happy doing whatever it was I chose as my path.

You’re

invited

October18

(203) 392-65

00

Spring 2014 | 35


*All events held in John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts unless otherwise noted. Southern students must have valid identification to receive their ticket discounts and are limited to purchasing one student ticket and two student guest tickets per event. For tickets and additional information and listings, visit Lyman.SouthernCT.edu.

Southern EVENTS

SCSU Day at the Polo Club

June 8 1 p.m. for tailgate; 3 p.m. for polo match

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

Bring a picnic basket, your favoritebeverages, and a lawn chair for a greatafternoon of entertainment. Adesignated tailgate area will be set upfor SCSU. Feel free to wear your moststunning (or outlandish) hat!

Admission is $5 per person or $10 per car at the gate.(203) 392-6500

Naugatuck ValleyBusiness After Hours

June 26 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Jones Family FarmWinery, 606 Walnut TreeHill Road, Shelton, Conn.

Join us for a delightfulwine tasting, completewith hors d’oeuvres prepared by theJones Family Farm’s Harvest Kitchen.Named Connecticut Magazine’s “BestConnecticut Vineyard” in 2013, thewinery was also recognized by thepublication for the “Best ConnecticutWine” in 2010, 2011, and 2012.

$10 per person. (203) 392-6500

Homecoming 2014Oct. 18 Events throughout the day; Homecoming game at noon

Come home to Southern for a campus-wide celebration for the entire family.Highlights include the alumni tentparty, the student parade of floats, theHomecoming football game, the 5KRobert Corda Road Race, and much more.

(203) 392-6500

Undergraduate Open House

Oct. 19 approx. 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

(Times will be confirmed in the fall.)

Throughout Campus

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

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

Graduate Studies Open House

Oct. 25Michael J. Adanti Student Center

Explore Southern’s graduate programsin over 55 areas of study in the fields of education, library science andinformation technology, business, health and human services, and artsand sciences.

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

Three oftoday’s hottestplayers cometogether for aspecial eveningof jazz.

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

May 308 p.m.

Peter White, Rick Braun, and Euge Groove

Outer Island (Thimble Islands)

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

(203) 392-6500


2013 Charitable Giving Report

Dear Friends,The importance of earning a college degree for future success

is well documented. In a recent article favoring compulsory K-16

education, Richard Reeves and Quentin Karpilow of the

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

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

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

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

The life-changing power of education is represented in

the stories of the donors highlighted in this year’s annual

report of the Southern Connecticut State University

Foundation. Joan Specter, ’56, went from living in a two-

family Quonset hut on Whitney Avenue to becoming a

successful businesswoman. Although 83-year-old Douglas

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

demonstrates his continued belief in the value of education by

pursuing every learning opportunity available to him. The late

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

was the essence of human society and that learning to

communicate effectively would empower her students.

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

committed to generating the support which will ensure that

every Southern student is afforded the opportunity to

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

has funded a number of new initiatives designed to help

Southern’s talented students succeed. These include:

• Establishing the Foundation Student Support Fund

to provide students with financial assistance outside

of the traditional financial aid process. Areas of

support include tuition and fees for those who

otherwise would be unable to remain at the

university, covering the costs of books for students in

need, and paying costs of off-campus educational

programs during the summer and other breaks.

• Supporting experiential learning by funding

undergraduate research grants for summer 2014.

• Funding the Civic Engagement/Service Learning

Initiative, the goal of which is to incorporate

community work into the curriculum so that students

gain real-world experiences that enhance their

education while providing benefits to the community.

Looking to the future, the university has embarked on the

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

Foundation will align its fundraising efforts with the priorities

identified through this process. The support of alumni and friends

will be critical to ensuring Southern students have an educational

experience that propels them forward to successful lives. On

behalf of the SCSU Foundation Board, we offer our sincere

appreciation for your continuing commitment to Southern.

Robert L. Stamp David R. McHaleExecutive Director Chairman

SCSU Foundation SCSU Foundation

Very truly yours,

38 | Charitable Giving Report

Fundraising and Financial HighlightsU.S. stocks ended the year with broad gains, with

the Dow Jones Industrial Average having its biggest

rally in 18 years to finish 27 percent up for the year,

according to The Wall Street Journal. At the close of

the fiscal year on June 30, the fundraising results for

the Southern Connecticut State University Foundation

significantly exceeded our estimates — ending at

close to $1.9 million. The Foundation’s net assets also

increased over the prior year to just over $20 million

as a result of healthy growth in the financial markets.

The market value of the endowments increased $1.7

million from last year to $15.4 million.

Looking AheadAccording to Commonfund Securities, the latest

data further supports their longstanding view that the

U.S. economy is rebounding and inflation is well

controlled. The forecast for the U.S. economy,

corporate earnings, and the equity markets in 2014 is

optimistic, as a rise in consumer net worth, consumer

confidence, corporate cash flow, and profits continues.

Kiplinger’s Economic Outlook for 2014 anticipates

gross domestic product growth of 2.7 percent or

better, with short-term interest rates remaining low

throughout the year. Inflation is expected to tick up

slightly to 1.8 percent, and business spending is

anticipated to be up 4.5 percent to 5 percent as U.S.

growth strengthens.

The Foundation’s Investment Committee revised their

Investment Policy through a change in asset

allocations. Commencing in January, the portfolio is

investing in small allocations to Emerging Markets,

Hedge Equity, Global Bonds, and Distressed Debt.

This change in policy will help weather any potential

downturn that may present itself in the future. The

Foundation Board remains optimistic that its

investment portfolio will continue to achieve earnings

that, when combined with generous contributions

from our constituents, should provide strong support.

Our objectives remain to increase resources available

for scholarships and programmatic initiatives.

Year in Review 2013

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

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

Spring 2014 | 39

’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13

Total Net Assets as of Fiscal Year End(June 30, 2013) in Millions

Dollars Raised by Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30) in Millions$20.1

$11.7

$14.4

$17.4 $17.2 $1.77

$1.52$1.66

$2.74

$1.50

Unrestricted Support 12%

$223,858

Restricted Support57%

$1,079,585

Alumni38%

$726,150

Endowment31%

$587,908

Corporations 19%

$354,939

Foundations23%

$435,425

Friends18%

$336,143

Faculty/Staff2%

$38,694


Living theDream

Celebrated as abusinesswoman,politician, andculinary wonder,Joan Specter, ’56,establishes ascholarship thathonors friendshipand the life-changingpower of education.

By Natalie Missakian

Spring 2014 | 41

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

Specter, wife of the late U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pennsylvania), was a newlywed and had come to New

Haven so her husband could attend law school at Yale. The couplehad very little money and was living on Whitney Avenue in theQuonset huts, a tract of prefabricated two-family homes often usedby the military to house soldiers during World War II.

“They were tin-roof buildings with one floor, and the walls werepaper thin. You could hear everything your neighbor said,” Specterrecalls. “One family lived in the front of the hut, and another familylived in the rear. It was a wild experience, I can tell you that.”

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

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

So when Specter established a scholarship at Southern inDecember 2012, she decided to name it the Joan Specter andLouise (Dode) Jongewaard Endowed Scholarship in honor of theirfriendship and their pursuit of an affordable education. The moneyis earmarked for undergraduate students who are in goodacademic standing and demonstrate financial need.

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

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

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

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

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

“I said, ‘Well, what do you have in mind?’ and he said he wasinterested in pies,” she recalls. “So I said, ‘Sure. But it will take me awhile to figure out what I want to do.’”

Specter tested recipes and came up with the two signature piesthat made her — as one Philadelphia Inquirer food writer dubbedher — the queen of the local pie trade: the candied walnut appleand the double chocolate mousse. In 1977, she opened her bakeryand started selling pies to local restaurants. The business grewinto a wholesale food distribution company and by the late 1980s,her gourmet frozen pies could be found in restaurants and upscalefood markets across the country.

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

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

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

“That’s what I did in my life. What did I know about running abakery? Or being a city councilwoman? I mean, really?” she asks.“There are lots of possibilities out there. Just because you went toschool to be a teacher, doesn’t mean you have to be a teacher. Youcan be anything you want to be. You just have to really want to be it.”

J “I gave a gift to the school because

they gave me a gift. They gave

me the gift of education — an

affordable education — and it

was wonderful.”

— Joan Specter, ’56


Part TwoDouglas Relyea, M.S. ’08,capitalizes on aneducation program for seniors — and establishes ascholarship to helpothers earn their degrees.


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

The 83-year-old former chemist has spentthe last 15 years taking classes at Southern, firstas a graduate student pursuing his master’s in

biology and now — after reaching that goal in 2008 — as anundergrad majoring in French. He is a proud, if unorthodox,member of the Class of 2014, who was set to receive his bachelor’sdegree in May as this issue went to press.

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

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

Relyea figures by the time he is finished, the state will havesubsidized his education to the tune of nearly $50,000. After doingthe math, the Bethany, Conn., resident decided he should pay the debtforward, so he established the Douglas I. and Mary L. Relyea EndowedScholarship at Southern, named for Relyea and his wife. Thescholarship is open to undergraduate students majoring in Frenchor German who maintain a grade point average of 2.7 or higher.

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

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

When he retired, his desire to keep learning drew him toSouthern, where he has been taking classes since at least 1999.Steven Burian, chair of the Biology Department, who worked withRelyea on his master’s thesis, notes that it’s likely Relyea had takenall of the biology courses in Southern’s catalog.

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

Relyea says he pursued his master’s in biology because he has adeep interest in insects, entomology, and ecology — a curiositythat was piqued during his many years working on insecticides.His master’s thesis focused on the taxonomy of the mayfly.

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

those languages, but he always wanted to master them, he says. Relyea jokingly calls himself a transfer student, explaining that

Southern gave him credit for 10 liberal arts classes he took whileearning his first bachelor’s degree more than 60 years ago. He alsoreceived a waiver for the mandatory “Introduction to Wellness.”

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

“I’d done races. I had a body mass index (BMI) of 21. I have anannual physical exam. I eat three meals a day at a table. I was, atthe time, 81 or 82 and still breathing in and out. Did I really need acourse in Introduction to Wellness?” he recalls. So he wrote to thedepartment chair of Public Health and pleaded his case. He quicklygot an e-mail back from his secretary, telling him that the departmentchair was granting the waiver “and we both envy your BMI.”

Luke Eilderts, assistant professor of French, says Relyea bringsa different perspective to the classroom than a student fresh out ofhigh school.

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

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

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

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

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

Spring 2014 | 43

D “I looked around at all these

students paying for every credit

and thought I really should

give something back.”

— Douglas Relyea, M.S. ’08


TheTeachers’Teacher

Professor Nancy Marano’spassion for educationinfluenced countlessstudents as well as herfamily. A memorialscholarship establishedin her honor continuesher legacy at Southernand beyond.


Spring 2014 | 45

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

“We were encouraged to have a book with us wherever wewere, wherever we went,” says Marano, who describes a childhoodhome filled with bookshelves. “We always had family discussionsabout what we were reading.”

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

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

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

To honor that passion, he established the Nancy Laine MaranoEndowed Scholarship Fund at Southern. The scholarship is open toa junior or senior in the School of Education who maintains agrade point average of 3.5 or higher. To be considered, applicantsmust write an essay explaining why they deserve the award.

“She was quite an effective communicator,” John Marano adds.“She had a special way with people, making them feel comfortable.”

One of her first students was none other than her husband. The two met at a New Haven nightspot while John was at Yale

University and Nancy was attending Western College. She hadcome home to the New Haven area for Thanksgiving break and,serendipitously, “it was one of the few times I hadn’t gone home for aholiday,” he recalls. A friend of Nancy’s suggested he ask her to dance.“I followed the advice,” he says. Soon after, she transferred to Southern,where she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education.Theymarried in 1968 and have two daughters, Kristin and Lauren.

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

“I needed a lot of help,” jokes Marano, who held corporateexecutive positions at Mobil and Union Carbide and now owns acompany that makes medical devices. “She took me under herwing and helped me with my writing and communications, whichI really believe helped my career. As time passed, if I had animportant piece of writing for my job, she would review it and giveme pointers, and I would do the same for her. We bounced thingsoff of each other in that way.”

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

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

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

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

Marano says her mother often spoke of her students and howmuch she enjoyed watching future teachers in the classroom. “Youcould see the twinkle in her eye when she’d talk about them,” JohnMarano adds.

In her personal life, Marano believed strongly in human rights,women’s rights, and helping the poor. She also was fiercelyprotective of those she loved, her husband says. Althoughdiminutive in stature and typically reserved, she often surprisedpeople when she spoke in defense of her beliefs. “She was calm butvery determined,” John Marano says.

He remembers one family vacation in Cape Cod when a salesclerk spoke harshly to the couple’s young daughters. Maranomarched back into the store and gave the woman an earful abouttreating children with respect.

“She was reserved until you pushed her buttons,” he jokes. Knowing how thrilled she would have been to help others

obtain a college education, he says the family has enjoyed meetingsome of the scholarship recipients, describing them as “wonderful,pleasant, and very smart students.”

W “She was always a teacher —

as far back as I can remember.”

— Kristin Marano

President’s Club Patrons$10,000+Doris & James BarberCommunity Foundation forGreater New Haven

Compass Group USA Inc.Estate of Wanda DickSylvia DrexlerDrexler FoundationEstate of Robert EiseleGeraldine FrankelLynn FuscoFusco CorporationAnne Gundersen*Haskins LaboratoriesAmy Huie-LiJanice IllingworthAlbert JettRita LandinoJohn MaranoShannon & David McHaleThe National CollegiateAthletic Association

New Haven RegisterNortheast Utilities FoundationThe Oaklawn FoundationAudrey PaightJoseph PaightPaul L. Jones FundDouglas RelyeaEstate of Dorothy SchraderJoan SpecterWalter StutzmanStutzman Family FoundationMargaret & John SullivanRichard Tripodi

United Way of Central &Northeastern Connecticut

Estate of Rebecca WardWerth Family FoundationWilliam Caspar GrausteinMemorial Fund

WSHU Public Radio Group

President’s Club$5,000 - $9,999Barnes & Noble CollegeBookstores Inc.

Katherine BarrettMichael ChambrelloKerb Productions Inc.Stephen KoestnerEdward MackNewman’s Own FoundationJohn PettoChristine & John PowderlyRichard RussoSage Family TrustSCSU Alumni AssociationGladys & John SotoSouthern Gymnastics LLCSpace-Craft Manufacturing Inc.Anthony TamburriWhitney CenterWiggin & Dana LLP

Blue & White Club$1,000 - $4,999Kristen Adanti-Pedersen &Jon Pedersen

Elizabeth AilesAldo Dedominicis Foundation

Alloy Engineering CompanyInc.

American Honda Motor Co. Inc.Paula ArmbrusterJaye BaileyWilliam BallRegina BarbaresiBeacon Wealth ManagementKimberly BeanHilary BertischCorinne BlackmerJames BlakePeter BoppertPeter BreihofWilliam BurnsBVH Integrated ServicesBarbara & Peter CairneyJill & Jacques CesaireAnn ChristmannCitizens BankClear Channel BroadcastingInc. New Haven

Coca-Cola RefreshmentsMaureen CollinsComcastComerica Wealth &Institutional Management

Connecticut MagazineRose Cretella*Kimberly CroneMichael DeansJerry DunkleeEllen DurninDworken, Hillman, LaMorte &Sterczala PC

Deborah Edwards

Marjy EhmerFairfield County CommunityFoundation Inc.

FIP Construction Inc.Anna Fraulo*DonnaJean FredeenPhilip GaboriaultCarlene GaudetteMark GermainSandra HagueFrank HarrisHB Communications Inc.Kathryn HughesChris HutchinsonING Life Insurance & AnnuitySusan JenningsJewish Foundation of GreaterNew Haven

JHTNA Inc.Michelle JohnstonMichael KatzMarianne KennedyJulia KobusMary O’Connell KozikL. Holzner Electric CompanyMyrtle Leonard*Liberty Mutual Group Inc.Raymond MackowskiThomas MadiganMagilla EntertainmentMarcum LLPJames MazurMcBride Wayside Carpet &Furniture Co. Inc.

Joan McGuireLawrence McHugh

Memorial Day ClassicSharon MisasiMary Ann & Donald MitchellWilliam MorganEileen MoriartyJoseph NatarelliNational Philanthropic TrustNewtown Parent ConnectionInc.

Northeast Generator CompanyInc.

Northeast Utilities ServiceCompany

Rocco OrlandoBarbara OrtolevaSarah & Richard PaigeDonna PalmieriPauline Schwartz Trust FundGregory PavezaPeople’s United BankWilliam PrattTimothy QuillNicole RinehardtAnita & Joseph SabatinoRobin SauerteigSC Football Camp LLCSCSU AAUPSCSU Student GovernmentSimplex Grinnell LPSkanska USA Building Inc.Sidney SkolnickClifford SmithMarcia SmithStanley Black & Decker Inc.The L. Suzio Concrete Co. Inc.Sandra Thielz

Giving to SouthernHonor Roll of Donors


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

Tim Greer Insurance AgencyInc.

Tonelli Sports LLCTri-State Brick of ConnecticutCarolyn VanacoreAnthony VerlezzaVisiting Nurse Association ofSouth Central Connecticut

Patricia & J. LeRoy WardWebster BankDiane WishnafskiYale University

Associate’s Club$250 - $999Antonio AcetoJodi AdolfAetna Foundation Inc.Heidi AllenLinda & Gary AltieriAnthony AmendolaCharles AndrioleCally & Joseph AngelettiAon Foundation Inc. Michael AshwoodAT&T Foundation HigherEducation Matching GiftProgram

Kathleen BagleyRalph BarbieriChristine BarrettChristina BaumMichael Ben-AvieDenise Bentley-Drobish &Robert Drobish

Frank BlefariDaniel BoffaAnthony BonadiesJoan BonviciniChristopher BorajkiewiczViolet BornemannChristine BroadbridgeJohn BrownSara BrownLise BruleEllen BudrisSteven BuecheleEdward BurkeTerrell BynumRobert CaciopoliJosephine & George CaffreyLisa CainAlaina CalabroConrad CalandraMary Pat CaputoRichard CarneyAndrew CarranoMark CenevivaCenterbrook Architects andPlanners

Jane CheekSherryl ChinCatherine ChristyLori CiccomascoloCIGNA FoundationBrian ClarkeKenneth Coleman

Marie CollComcast FoundationMarylou ConleyConnecticut CommunityFoundation

Connecticut PublicBroadcasting Inc.

Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame

Carole ConnellyCosmo CoriglianoShirley CostelloClaudia CraftsHolly CrawfordBrad CrerarGregg CrerarJohn CriscuoloLauralee CromartyLewis CroneKaren CummingsJosephine & Martin CurryThomas CurtinElizabeth CurtisSusan D’AgostinoArthur D’AlmeidaScott DanaJohn DaPonteDarter Specialties Inc.James DawesPamela DayRichard DeCesareJoan & Raymond DeFrancescoAmanda & Robert DeMezzoDavid DeninoPatricia & Michael D’ErricoAniruddha DeshpandeAnn DombroskiDominion FoundationKevin DonnellyMichael DonnellyMike Donnelly BasketballAcademy LLC

Ann DonneryJoseph DooleyElizabeth DriebeekDriven2InspireBetsy DuckworthDun & Bradstreet Co.Foundation

Elisabeth DursoLaura ElsenbossESI InternationalJosephine FarleyRobert FelderDeborah FlynnJared ForcierJessica ForcierRosemary ForniJoseph Friello*John FullerVincent GagliardiPeggy GallupLisa GalvinLinda GarfinkelHenry GatesCarole GaugerTerese Gemme

Stephanie GibbonsKevin GilbrideChristina GilleylenRoss GingrichKrista GrandeMatthew GrandeAlison GreenRosanne & Robert GriffinAaron GrossHaddam KillingworthSunshine Fund

Irene HallerJan HamiltonJames HanceEdward HaydonRobert HeinsLars HelgesonBarbara HigginsJoan & William HolleyCatherine IngleseNancy & Vincent IngleseSondi JacksonKurt JagielowMarilyn & Warren JaquaSara JohnsonJonthan JuddPatricia KahlbaughSteven KarjanisKarjanis & Sons Motors LLCFrank KeeneyJeffrey KeeneyShawn KellyRobin KenefickJudy KielyRoberta KieronskiThomas KingGeorgianna KleimanLewis KlunkSarah Costello KnaufPaul KobasaNancy KohlPhilanthi KoslowskiErnest KrajcikJocelyn KravecsWilliam KrummLillie KumarGerard KunkelDaniela & Frank LaDoreTimothy LandryRichard LarsonLaurel Beach Consultants LLCLissa LawMartin LawlorDonald LemieuxAnne LeoneLifetime Care at Home LLCLimpiex Cleaning Service Inc.Candace LumiaBrian LussierAlan MachugaSean MahonBarbara MallickSusan MankeMansir PrintingRobert MargoliesDoris MarinoRosalind Marottoli

Jane MarroneHolly MasiMark MasiCarmella MastrogiovanniAllison McCafferyRobert McGannonMichael McGrathLaura McLaughlinKevin McNamaraE. Marie McPaddenMerck Company FoundationP. Minou MichlinStephanie & William MillerHarriett MilnesMilone & MacBroomGiacomo MordenteEdward MorganGary MorinA. Duffy MudryTimothy MurphyCynthia & Frank NappiLetitia NastriNationwide FoundationGerard NelsonVara NeverowNew Haven Roadrace Inc.Deborah NewtonPatricia NicolEleanor & Anthero NicolauTheresa O’ConnorKevin O’ReillyPhilip PalmaChristopher PalmerPatricia PanichasJudit & George PaoliniRobert ParkerCarol ParmeleeTimothy ParrishRodney PaulBelinda PearmanFrancis PentinoArthur PerschinoAnthony PerusoPhilip PessinaKathleen PetersChristine PettoPfizer FoundationJanice PiazzaMary PiccioliConstance PinoChristopher PiscitelliJohn PotkayMarilyn PriceSean RaffileJaak RakfeldtKate RamunniJeffrey ReillyDonald ReillyStacey & Richard RiccardiSalvatore RizzaLinda RobinsonGeorge RomanoWiltraud RozeKristin RussoRonald SaderElizabeth SahlinPhyllis Salerno

Richard Salerno*Barbara SalzanoLorraine SamelaMargaret SamelaFrank SantinoElizabeth ScadutoRonald SchwartzStanley SeligaMichael SheaRobert SheeleyBarbara Kennedy ShortellPeter SieviecChristopher SilhaveyEric SimmsLori SimonMichael SjovallForrest SmithJessica SomervilleJoseph SorrentinoDawn Stanton-HolmesKenneth SteinerBrigitte StilesBeth StollerDonald StuhlmanSuburban Worldwide TravelAgency LLC

Subway RestaurantsBrendyn SullivanLinda SullivanSUOAF/AFSCMEJean SutherlandDaniel SwartzHeidi SzobotaJennie TaddiaAngela TodaroLawrence TomascakGuy TommasiDoris TownshendCynthia TuchmanUnited TechnologiesCorporation

Jeffrey UpchurchDonald VanceVerizon FoundationJoseph VerzinoRonald WalkerElizabeth WalshJan WangMark WatersRichard WatsonKatherine & Richard WellnerWepawaug-Flagg FederalCredit Union

Jay WhelanPatricia WhelanAnna WhitakerMichael WilderJohn WilliamsPatricia WilliamsMelissa & Marvin WilsonWinners Edge Strategies Inc.Eileen & Gary WolffRoger WolfsonPatricia WoodfordJane WrightDavid ZackMichael Zilinek

Spring 2014 | 47

Century Club$100 - $249Cheryl & David AbrahamKatherine AcocellaJohn AdamovichMichael AdamskiFrederick AfragolaDeborah AhernAlbrecht’s Auto Repair Inc.Judson AleyCarol AllenRichard AllisonEllen AlpertMichael AmbrosecchioJanet AmentoAmgen FoundationCarol AndersonDonna Lou AndersonLauren AndersonLouis AndreKatherine AndrioleStacey AndritsopoulosMichael AngeliniRonald ArbitelleAndrea ArellanoBarbara ArensMickel AriasAlice ArmstrongCaroline AthertonAlfred BadgerAmanda BaileyRichard BaileyMaxine BalabanJoanne BaldaufJoseph BandieraMary-Beth BanthamSharon BaraiolaLeonard BarbieriWilliam BarkerRobin BarnaEllen BauerCurtis BeanHelene BeckerPatricia BennettMarise BensonMatthew BerberichMark BergamoBetsy BergenDorothy BergerChristopher BerglundBerlin Bicycle & Repair ShopBetsy BernLois BernardiVal BernardoniFlorence BerrienRosemary BertonStephen BetzVeronica BeutherFred BialkaMarcia BiaseBarbara BilodeauJoseph BinkoskiJanis BlasiakBarbara BohnAndrea BonazzoliVirginia BonitatebusKathleen & Leonard Bonn

James BoothBooz Allen HamiltonBarry BorissLaurie BoskeApril BoweLaura Bower-PhippsSylvia BoydBonnie BredesDonna BrennanVincent BreslinBridgeport Sound TigersIsobel BroadhurstMarga Brockhagen

Meryl BrodskyClaudia BromanAlice BrooksJoseph BrownRichard BrownPhoebe BrowningKurt BuchholzMichelle BudwitzSandra BulmerJack BurriesciRae BurtonRichard ButeauJohn CaceciFay & Hugh CaffertySusan CalahanBeverly & William CalcagniWilliam CaliendoAugust CambriaDoreen Cammarata-Gilhuly &Daniel Gilhuly

Judith CampCarol CangianoFrank CaparuloAntone CapitaoMaureen CareyWayne CarlsonDonald CaseyJames CashavellyErnest CassellaRose & Joseph CastellonMichael Castellucci

Rose CeloneJennifer CharbonnierNancy CharestThe CHE Consulting Group Inc.Judith ChernoffDavid ChevanAlbert ChiappettaBeverly ChieffoChristopher ChisholmCarol ChometaLaurie ChurchillJoseph CiaburriLawrence Ciotti

William ClapesClass of 1956Constance ClearyJoseph ClearyBarbara CliffordPixie CodyMary CofrancescoWilliam CohaneDona CohenPhyllis CohenJoseph ColacinoGeorge ColafatiSuzanne ColasantoSharon ComkowyczPhyllis ComrieWilliam ConeConnecticut’s Beardsley ZooRobert ConnellyLorraine ConwayWilliam ConwayLinda CoppolaJames CorbiereSusan CorneilleFrancine & David CossBarbara CostelloCourtwood Inc.Lizanne CoxKathleen CoyleMary Beth CrandallNancy CrandallSusannah Crego Violino

Philip CronanLaura CrooksJanice CrosslandHelen CrowleyJames CrowleyJudy CuddiheeRobert CuddiheePatricia & Thomas CummingsD & D Services LLCCarolyn DaherMarcia & John D’AlexanderMary D’AmatoRaymond D’Amato

Laurene D’AmicoDonna D’AngioJimmy DavilaGail DavisRuth Ann DavisIsaac DeasAndrea DeBoerCynthia DeCarloChristopher DeckerPaul DeCosterTimothy DeffleyRosemary & Thomas DeFilippoSarah DekutowskiDaniel Del PreteJune DelanoRaymond DelehantPaul DelGobboDavid DeLiseAgnes DellaselvaRonald DeLucaRalph DeMatteoPaul DesruisseauxMichael DeVitoJane & Merritt DexterWilliam DiffleyPatrick DilgerKevin DillaneWilliam DillaneClaudette DimariaMelinda DivicinoBruce Dobratz

Veronica DoneskiAnn DonohueMildred DoodyAnna DoolittleThomas DorrKim DorseyShawn DoughertyRichard DowneyJacqueline & Gregory DowningJohn DoyleBrian DriscollMarian & Robert DrobishDiane Smith DruggeBarbara DrummondMaryAnn DudleyMara DunleavyLori DurocherJoy DuvaWilliam DysonAlan EckstrandDonna EgloffPasquale EliaEdward EllimanJessica EmbacherLucinda EmbersitsMarty ErnstoffAgatha EspositoLinda EspositoKenneth EwaskieAnna-Margaret FabisiakKirkland FainPatricia FalkWilliam FaraclasBonnie Farley-LucasLesley FarricielliJoseph FazzinoMarybeth FedeMary FeigeFidelity Charitable Gift FundDenise FiedlerWadad FinanLois FioreJune Estep FiorelliDavid FioriniDeborah & Richard*Fitzsimmons

Cynthia FixerNancy FlammiaNorbert FlammiaStephen FlanaganBrandis FlashThurza FletcherGustave FlinkLouis FlorioSarah FlynnVicki FoldenJames FoleyClare FordMeredith FordMartha FordianiVerne FosterJeffrey FournierFrame Advisors LLCThe Frame Shop and Galleryof Waterbury

Dominic FranceseDiane Frankel-Gramelis


Kelley FrassinelliMelvin FredenJoanne FrenkelDiane FulcoJanina FusaroFrancis GagliardiRosemary GagliardiRobert GaipaJohn GallagherPatrick GallagherCharlotte GallucciJudy GardnerRobert GearingHenry GemeryCarol GennetteJeannette GentileMark GentryMichael GeorgenJoan GerdsenLillian GerhardtAnn GibranNancy GillSean GilmartinAnthony GinnettiBeverly GinterDarnell GlassHoward GleichenhausBetty GobeilleAudrey GoclowskiKathleen GoddisonEllen GodomskyAdam GoldbergJerry GolebiewskiNeil GolubIsabel Gonzalez-EchevarriaGoodfellas RestaurantVirginia GoodwinWilliam GoodwinPatrick GormanKrystyn Gorniak-KocikowskaMary GouldGraebelSusan GrayRuth GreenRobert GregoryRoberta GrossmanMarcia GruceHope GruntMargaret GuelakisJanet GuilmetteRobert GulasGrace Gunnip*Deborah GwiazdowskiValerie HaberlGeorge HaddadCatherine HairJohn HajusMitchell HallockAudrey HancockJames HanleyMichael HanlonHarvey HarknessTerry & Hugo HartThe HartfordHartford InsuranceThe Hartford Steam BoilerInspection and Insurance Co.

Richard HarveyHarvey Hubbell FoundationDavid HauserJeannette HawranJocelyn HayesHeadfly Web Solutions LLCEvelyn HeffernanMarianne HeffernanKaren HellandRaymond HellerNorman HenchelBarry HermanFloresita HernandezPatricia HeslinDeane HetricKim HibbardChristine HigginsDenise HindingerCharlotte HitchcockBonnie Hittleman-LewisAdele HodgesMable Hoffler-PageEddis HoffmanJerome HojnackiLori HollingsJames HonoreHarry HowellMargaret HudaClaudia HudsonDonald HughesMaureen Welch HunterAngela Huntley

Thomas HylinskiIBM International FoundationDavid IfkovicKenneth ImperatoStephen IngulliMichael IppolitoShirley JacksonThomas JacobsMary JadachKendra JemmottGeorge Jerome

Florence JohnsBethann JohnsonJoyce JohnsonKurt JohnsonRichard JohnsonRobyn Stewart JohnsonJordan JonesDiane JulianRichard KaminskiConstance KapralEugene KarpinskiMichael KasinskasChristopher KeefeCindy KeeganMary Jane KeelerElizabeth KeenanMary & Dennis KeenanRaymond KelloggJames E. KellyJames F. KellyJaneth KellyJeffrey KellyPatricia & Timothy KennedyLinda KeshishianDonald KesslerLinda KingMartha KirschnerMiles KirschnerEdwin KlinkhammerKurt KnoernschildKenneth KochAndrew Koorejian

Dorothy KramerJason KraussMargaret KrepinevichJohn KryzanowskiLeo KuczynskiMeghan KueblerJames KusackRae LambertJohn LampronikosLisa LancorDorothy Lane

Susan LanghansPaul LapucAnthony LaudanoSusan LaValleeNicholas LaverisDawn LavoieMarylou LavoieMichelle LawlerDaniel LeavittLinda LebelGloria LeeJudith LegezaL’ElegancePatricia LenihanRoberta LeonardCora LeonardiNathan LernerPamela LernerJames LettsPaul LevatinoLevitsky & Berney PCFrederick LewisCatherine LigiMaria LoiewskiTimothy LoneySusie LongLong Wharf TheatreMary Rose LovelloLRG, LLCMaureen LucasRenee LynesKenneth Lyon

Glenn MacknoPatricia & James MadiganLisa MaglioccoMonica MaiaAlison MajeauAnn MakiRobert MalchiodiAnita MalentacchiAnthony MaltesePeter MandrasDorothy & Patrick Manley

Sharon ManleyAnne MapolskiDavid MarczelyLucille MarottoliMarianne MarpleElizabeth MarthaEleanor MartinMary & Jeffrey MartinikDorothy MartinoEdward MartinoBarbara MatthewsKathleen & Anthony MauroAnn MaxhamRaymond McGarrityDaniel McGrathGeorge McGuiganJames McIntyreHollis MckennaPaul MckenzieWilliam McKernanBonnie McNairKathleen McNeillFaye MeachamCarole & Stanley* MendygralAnna MicciMidState InformationServices

Mihaela MillerLeslie MillingtonFrank MiloneMargaret MirtoMary MonahanMargaret MonizChristine MontgomeryMary MontgomeryStephen MontgomeryCatherina MordecaiDebra MoriartyKathleen MorinJohn MoronitiJoseph MorrisChristine & David MorrowGerald MossEvelyn MoultonRaymond MugnoRobert MundyJohn MurphyWilliam MurrayR. Stephen MyrickEleanor NaceEva NaplesAnne NardiGabriel NardiMary NavinBetty NaylorChristine NelsonDavid NetinhoNetwork for GoodBarbara NeufeldMargaret NewtonRyan NobregaDonald NorcrossDorothy NoyceOak Street ReunionEleanor O’Brien*John O’DeaWilliam O’Hare

Spring 2014 | 49

Patrick OkeefeDorothy O’NeilMaureen OnofrioGeorge OstrowskiTracey OwersSadiann OzmentGatin PaganoAndrea PaightJeannette PalluzziJoseph PalmerJiongDong PangRobert PannozzoCarol PapazianDorothy PappasVermelle ParisJoseph ParisiLisa ParisiDonna ParkeGary ParkmanJill & Stephen ParkosewichSteven ParksBerdjouhi ParseghianWalda PassaroEdward PatrickRandy Paul & Associates Inc.Harvey PaulinPatricia PearsonSandra PeaseLynda PedersenJames PegolottiMarite PelvertsDarnelle PerryDavid PerutaMaria Peters*Ralph PetersFred PetrellaPaul PetrieHelen PfeiferPhiladelphia GymnasticsCenter Inc.

Walter PiechotaEdward PierceFrank PintoMichael PisaniJohn PloskiFrancesca PooleJoseph PoulsenDennis PowersThomas PowersAnn PratsonSusan PrentisMarie PreteGeraldine PrincePrudential FoundationKerstin PughLori PujdaMarc RabinoffSteven RacineMonica RaffoneSabdhya RameshDiane RaschJeffrey RaupKaren RedmanLillian ReederMartin ReganTricia ReganAnn Renstrom

Resource VideoTheresa RiccioCynthia RiccitelliPaula RiceElizabeth RichardsonBernadette RiggsMarguerite RinaldiAnna Rivera-AlfaroArlene RobbinsJohn RochetteMichael Rogers

Richard RogersonNancy RonneHarriet RosenJoseph RossiAndrea RoweHeather RoweDonald RozanskiPaul RubinoJennifer RuggieroRussell Sage FoundationDorothea RussoPaul RustJoseph SabolConcetta SaccoSahin Holding LLCMichele SalamoneMichael SalvinAlain SamsonFrank SamuelsonSan Damiano Daily GivingCina SantosMarilyn SantucciWarren SarasinJames SavidgeEdward SavinoCarol SbaboDonald SbaboSalvatore ScafarielloGay SchenckWalter SchenckEmmanuelle SchindlerIrene SchraggerJanice Schuck

Wayne SchwartzMarjorie ScoreyDorothy ScrobkoSCSU Women’s AssociationLinda & Martin ScullyJoseph SeemanDeborah SeibertRobert SemenzaPaul SerenbetzHelen ShecoraJoan & John Sheehy

Erika ShoreShubert New HavenJohn SidoliKathy SieglerKiran SinghPhilip SirignanoSix Flags New EnglandAndrew SklepowiczDavid SmithEllen SmithRandall SmithM. Roberta SpannSean StearleySteelcase FoundationNancy StellaccioSterling Forms & ComputerSupplies

Russell StevensPatricia StichHeidi StobbartMartin StokesCynthia StretchCarolyn StroutMing SuenBarbara SullivanConstance SullivanEaston SullivanLauren SullivanMartha SullivanThomas SullivanWilliam Sullivan*Sandra SummersMing Sun

Cynthia SwainbankEdmund SwartzSweet BoutiqueElaine SwirskyJohn SwitchenkoCarl SwordLisa TaggartChristina TashjianFrank TavaresClelia TenerowiczAmy Terlaga

Judith TerrillKim TesterKevin ThompsonThe Tiara ClubLois TollesRobert ToothakerBarbara TorcelliniCynthia ToscanoJeffrey TottenhamJohn TracyLaurie TracyRudolph TrankovichCarol TrippWilliam TurnierAmy TurskyEdward TyburskiUBS Matching Gift ProgramMichele VancourWilliam VarnumMary VaughnJean & Clifford VerronNancy ViaJoseph ViolettaMary VisnicRobert VittiMichael VolleroMariacristina Von FeldtEdward VossAnn WagnerAnn WaldmanRosemary WaldronCorneli WallinPatricia Walsh

Eleanor & Norman WarrenderJudith Watkins-ShapiroSuzanne WeberThomas WellingtonWendy WellsWells Fargo FoundationAnn WengloskiDal WentzelMary & Edward WeselcouchTodd WheelerMary Ellen WhiteAlice WilcoxDorothy WillisWilliam WilsonSteven WinterTimothy WiseFrank WolakPatricia WolfRoshelley WoodsonJon WormleyMichelle WormleyRoger WoznickRenay WrightKathy YalofMary & James YanosyArthur YostJohn YoungRalph YuloRoselyn ZackinCharles ZaremskasWilliam ZenkoPatricia ZiblukJoyce & Brian ZukauskasJanet ZukowskiRobert Zuraw

GrantsFavor Inc.Leakey FoundationSociologists for Women inSociety

Faculty and StaffHonor RollAntonio AcetoCarolyn AllingShirley AndersonJaye BaileyJames BarberLeonard BarbieriChristine BarrettNicholas BauerChristina BaumBetsy BeacomJudith BehlerMichael Ben-AvieTherese BennettDenise Bentley-DrobishJohn BergevinCorinne BlackmerJames BlakeLeonard BonnPeter BoppertVivian BordeauxLaura Bower-PhippsSharon BradfordVincent Breslin


Christine BroadbridgeDian Brown-AlbertLise BruleAnthony BrunettiSandra BulmerMerle BuncoRondell ButlerTerrell BynumGeorge CaffreySusan CalahanConrad CalandraDoreen Cammarata-GilhulyAmy CappelloMary Pat CaputoBraxton CarriganSuzanne CarrollDarci CarsonVincenzo CassellaShirley CavanaghThomas CelentanoOliver ChambersJian ChenXiao ChengIsabel ChenowethDavid ChevanSherryl ChinKaren Christian-PorteousCatherine ChristyNancy ChuctaShawna ClearyRichard CogswellWilliam CohaneMarylou ConleyNicholas ConstantinopleRosalie CotaBrad CrerarGregg CrerarJohn CritzerKimberly CroneKaren CummingsThomas CummingsJohn DaPonteMargaret DasLinda DavisonPamela DayRichard DeCesareSandra DeLeo’nRobert DeMezzoEmmett DennisDeborah DeSistoTanya DiazWilliam DiffleyMarie DiFrancescoPatrick DilgerGaetano DimiccoAnn DombroskiMichael DonnellyGiovanni D’OnofrioJoseph DooleyThomas DorrRobert DrobishSuzanne DukeJerry DunkleeEllen DurninRobert EldridgeScott EllisRuth Eren

Marian EvansWilliam FaraclasBonnie Farley-LucasAnn FarrierMarybeth FedeDavid FeinmarkChaka FelderVincent FerrieJanelle FinchLawrence FitzgeraldNicole FluhrDeborah FlynnEllen FrankKelley FrassinelliDonnaJean FredeenPhilip GaboriaultBetsy GalianPeggy GallupLisa GalvinMarie Garcia-AbrinesTerese GemmeRoss GingrichBarbara GlynnAda GoldbergFloyd GollnickKrystyna Gorniak-Kocikowska

Robert Gregory

Wendeline HardenbergFrank HarrisMartin HartogWilliam HochmanMargaret HudaSandra HuebnerPercy Huggins Jr.Shirley JacksonSondi JacksonKurt JagielowBethann JohnsonSara JohnsonMichelle JohnstonJordan JonesBarbara KaganPatricia KahlbaughElizabeth KeenanRaymond KelloggRobin KenefickMarianne Kennedy

Paula KennedyHak Joon KimJanet KlicsuRenee KnightMichael KobylanskiPhilanthi KoslowskiTimothy KraussKlay KruczekJames KusackFrank LaDoreDavid LakeLisa LancorCassandra LangSusan LarsonMichelle LawlerSusan LawrenceGloria LeeHeidi LockwoodWilliam LunnChristopher LynnBarbara MallickAnthony MalteseMichelle MannDoris MarinoJane MarroneJames MazurRobert McEachernHollis Mckenna

Paul MckenzieKevin McNamaraJoel MeiselDiane MichaelsenNorman MiddendorfSharon MisasiJoyce MooreGiacomo MordenteWinnifred MorganDiane MorgenthalerGary MorinMehdi MostaghimiRaymond MugnoBennie MurphyJoseph MusanteJames MuttsGerard NelsonVara NeverowDeborah NewtonPatricia Nicol

Ryan NobregaVitrice OliverLinda OlsonWanda OutingTracey OwersJiongDong PangPatricia PanichasTimothy ParrishCynthia PattersonJacqueline PattonGregory PavezaBelinda PearmanSandra PeaseDarnelle PerryLucille PerryPhilip PessinaPaul PetrieLaura PettieCarolynn PettitChristine PettoChristopher PiscitelliFrancesca PooleGeraldine PrinceDeborah PugliaSusan QuagliaroliTimothy QuillMonica RaffoneJaak Rakfeldt

Lisa RebeschiTricia ReganRichard RiccardiPaula RiceLystra RichardsonAnna Rivera-AlfaroSalvatore RizzaLinda RobinsonMary RobinsonJohn RochetteMichael RogersNancy RonneHeather RoweJennifer RuggieroMichele SalamoneTheresa SandiferMarlene Santiago-CorderoCindy SchofieldMarcia SchultzJessica Scibek

Stanley SeligaJoseph SelvaggioMichael SheaCynthia Shea-LuzikRobert SheeleyPamela SheppardWinnie ShyamEric SimmsJudith Sizensky-SearlesAndrew SmythMaureen SpellmanDawn Stanton-HolmesBridget Stepeck-HoltBrigitte StilesCynthia StretchVillia StruykWalter StutzmanTheresa SutherlandDaniel SwartzFrank TavaresAngela TodaroLawrence TomascakJaime TothDavid VanceMichele VancourMerryalis VazquezMary VernerCarol Wallace

Jan WangAaron WashingtonMark WatersMegane WatkinsCarlton WatsonDeborah WeissColby WhelanPatricia WhelanMarvin WilsonTimothy WiseRobert WorkmanJianxiong WuKommaly XayasoneKathy YalofPhyllis YoungPatricia Zibluk

*Deceased

Spring 2014 | 51


Southern Connecticut State University Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors

OFFICERS

David R. McHale • Chairman Executive Vice President and Chief AdministrativeOfficerNortheast Utilities System

Richard F. Tripodi • Vice ChairmanPresidentRFTS Inc.

Michael R. Chambrello • Treasurer

Mary O’Connell Kozik • SecretarySenior ChemistAECOM Corporation

Robert L. Stamp • Executive DirectorVice President, Institutional AdvancementSouthern Connecticut State University

BOARD MEMBERS

Paula ArmbrusterAssociate Clinical Professor (Retired)Yale University

Dr. Robert S. FrewProfessor Emeritus of Computer ScienceSouthern Connecticut State University

Thomas J. MadiganVice President, InvestmentsUBS Financial Services Inc.

John J. MezzanottePartner-in-ChargeMarcum LLP

Marc A. Nivet, Ed.D.Chief Diversity OfficerAssociation of American Medical Colleges

William H. Pratt, Esq. PartnerFinnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & DunnerLLP

Anthony F. VerlezzaAssociate PartnerEquus Group LLC

Pieter van Vredenburch

EMERITI DIRECTORS

Lucille W. Alderman

Frederick R. AfragolaChairmanFrame Advisors

Frank D. Antin Senior Vice President (Retired)The Bank of New York Mellon

Mackey BarronPresidentHB Communications Inc.

Lynn FuscoPresidentFusco Corporation

Robin Sauerteig

John SotoPresidentSpace-Craft Manufacturing Inc.

Diane L. WishnafskiExecutive Vice President (Retired)NewAlliance Bank

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

James E. BlakeExecutive Vice President for Finance andAdministrationSouthern Connecticut State University

Charles Baraw, Ph.D.Assistant Professor of EnglishSouthern Connecticut State University

Erin McGuckinStudent RepresentativeSouthern Connecticut State University

Mary A. Papazian, Ph.D.PresidentSouthern Connecticut State University

Robert D. ParkerAlumni Association RepresentativeDirector of Communications (Retired)ACES

Teresa SiricoAlumni Association RepresentativeTeresa Sirico Realtor LLC

CONTACT US

For additional information, please contact:

Southern Connecticut State University Foundation, Inc.

Telephone: (203) 392-6900

Gifts may be made online at:

SouthernCT.edu/giving

or you may contact the Development Office.

Telephone: (203) 392-5598

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

Becausesometimes

THE LITTLE THINGS

are all you need to make the

biggest dreams come true.

Any gift over $35 automatically

makes you a full member in the

SCSU Alumni Association, which

keeps you connected to Southern

and provides a world of special

benefits reserved for members.

A challengehas been issued between

Alumni, Administration, and

Academics (AAA) to raise money

for our students. We are asking our

alumni to meet this challenge

by raising $5,000 toward the

AAA Student Relief Fund.

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS.

Like money for course books.

Supplies for research projects.

Or bus fare to campus.

THE AAA (Academics,

Administration, and Alumni)

Student Relief Fund

provides emergency

assistance to students

who have an immediate,

short-term need

for financial support.

YOUR GIFT TO THE FUND —

combined with contributions

from other alumni, friends, faculty,

and staff — makes it possible for

Southern students to stay in school

and earn their college degrees.

Please designate your gift

to the AAA Fund today.

Address Service Requested

Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDBurlington, VTPermit No. 19

Alumni Association501 Crescent StreetNew Haven, CT 06515-1355SouthernCT.edu

Spring | 14Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

SOUTHERN HAS ADOPTED A

new graduation tradition — one that

recognizes veterans’ commitment to

their studies and their country. In addition to

donning the traditional cap and gown at commencement,

graduating veterans are now invited to wear a patriotic blue

stole that includes a panel of white stars surrounded by the

words, “Valor and Respect” and “United States Veteran.”

The tradition, which began with the May 2013 com-

mencement exercises, has been well received. “We asked

our graduating veterans to stop by the SCSU Veterans Office,

explaining that there was something we wanted to give

them,” says Giacomo (Jack) Mordente, M.S. ’77, 6th Yr. ’79,

Southern’s coordinator of Veterans and Military Affairs. “It

was great to see their reactions.”

Southern currently has about 375 military-connected

students, including active-duty military, veterans, reservists,

members of the National Guard, and dependents. “It does-

n’t make any difference what branch of the military they’re

with,” says Mordente. “They all have such respect for each

other. The camaraderie is tremendous . . . and it’s

wonderful to have one more way to show that.”

Honoring Graduating Veterans

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

southern alumni magazine spring 2014

Documents

ourdelivery of education

liberal education

students toearn

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college degree

dear southern alumni

associates degree

computer science