Campus Currents August 2007
Volume 16, Number 1
The official news publication of Fairfield University
Index for August 7, 2007
Author & activist to deliver Fall Convocation address
Fairfield welcomes an accomplished new class
SON one of four tapped for $40 million federal grant
GSEAP awarded $1 million federal grant for teachers
Campus Newsbreakers
Service Anniversaries
Fairfield loses beloved friend: Dr. John A. Barone
Celebrating the Feast of St. Ignatius
Dr. Ben Halm, devoted professor, will be missed
CN&S Tech Talk
Spirituality in Education
A piece of Wall Street history finds a home in the Dolan School
Team explores living and learning communities
Fairfield's re-accreditation process nears completion
Arrupe volunteers labor and learn at the border
Bishop addresses migration
Arrupe volunteers in Ecuador
Fairfield's campus captured in a feature film
Five students awarded Fulbright scholarships
2007 McGowan Scholar: David Guerrera
Two selected for prestigious French assistantships
New signs guide campus guests
Sport Shorts
Gifts and Grants
Fall Open VISIONS Forum draws national notables
Dr. Beth Boquet named associate dean of CAS
Beatlemania to benefit the arts
Creative publications and podcasts win awards
New minor in engineering
Author & activist to deliver Fall Convocation address
By Nina Riccio, Publications Writer
 Author Loung Ung, a survivor of Pol Pot's genocidal regime in Cambodia during the 1970s, will speak at the University's annual Fall Convocation, to be held Sept. 7 at 3:30 p.m. on Bellarmine Lawn. The Convocation is open to the University community, but is directed specifically toward the students in the incoming Class of 2011, all of whom have been given a copy of Ung's latest book, Lucky Child, to read over the summer.
In her first book, First They Killed My Father, Ung recalls her early childhood as one of seven children born to a government official and his wife. It was a happy, comfortable life, until the Khmer Rouge entered Phnom Penh in 1975 and her family was forced to disperse in order to survive. Ung was originally sent to a work camp with several of her brothers and sisters, but by eight years old, "I was an orphan so lost, hurt and full of rage that I was pulled out of the children's work camp and placed in a child-soldier's training camp," she recalls.
In Lucky Child, Ung outlines her experience as a Cambodian refugee in the United States. As she details her adjustment to life in America, she describes the devastating memories that haunt her, and her subsequent struggles with anger, guilt, fear, and sadness. She also gives voice to Chou, the beloved older sister she left behind in Cambodia whose life could so easily have been hers. Throughout, Ung struggles to reconcile her luck at coming to the United States with her guilt at having left her sister and three surviving siblings to carry on in post-war Cambodia.
"It would be fifteen years before I would be reunited with my sister again in 1995," she writes. "Fifteen years of her living in a squalid village with no electricity or running water. Fifteen years of me in the United States living the American dream. It is my obsession with those fifteen years that has taken me back to Cambodia over twenty times."
In a letter to the Class of 2011, Dean of Freshmen Dr. Debnam Chappell reminded students that one of Fairfield's goals is to foster a sense of social responsibility. "The Jesuit mission encourages a person's use of knowledge in the service of others, especially those who are less fortunate, as well as the commitment to social justice and social change when problems exist," she said.
She invited the class, as well as faculty members and resident assistants, to share their thoughts about the book on the "Your Voice Counts" freshmen blog, at http://fairfield.edu/summerreading2007.
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Fairfield welcomes an accomplished new class
By Meredith Guinness, Publications Writer
The Class of 2011 is nearly here, bringing with it one of the University's most diverse and accomplished groups of freshmen. Of the 852 expected to start classes this fall, most were ranked in the top 16 percent of their classes and a full 70 percent participated in service-related activities while in high school.
"One of the most encouraging things about the admission process this year is that, once again, more than 15 percent of the entering class will be AHANA students," said Karen Pellegrino, director of admission. "In just two years, the total number of AHANA students enrolled at Fairfield has increased by more than 100. In addition, we have identified a number of enrolling students who bring significant leadership and talent to our community, as well as a diverse range of cultural backgrounds."
Fairfield received 8,554 admission applications, up 6 percent from 2006-07, and about 70 percent of applicants applied electronically, up 20 percent from last year. The University admitted 54.7 percent, or 4,680.
The class members obviously did their homework. The middle 50 percent of admitted students scored between 1,130 and 1,310 (out of 1600) on their SATs (1740 and 1950, respectively, out of 2400 points in the new SAT) and the class includes 108 merit scholars and 10 Community Partner Scholars. Another 14 were National Merit Commended Students or National Merit Semi-Finalists.
When it came to extra-curricular activities, several in the incoming class rose to leadership positions. The class includes 90 former class/student government presidents and vice presidents, 27 yearbook editors, 34 school newspaper editors, and 15 students who were Eagle Scouts or earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. A full 613 were involved in service activities.
While many students hail from the tri-state region and Massachusetts, 28 states are represented in the class. Nine students are from Puerto Rico and six have attended an international school.
Fairfield remains a popular choice among those steeped in the Jesuit tradition. This year, 45 graduates from Jesuit high schools enrolled, with nine from Fordham Prep. And 140 students have alumni ties to Fairfield, including 68 who are children or grandchildren of alumni.
Among AHANA students in the class, 72 identify themselves as Hispanic/ Latino, joining 22 African American and 37 Asian students. AHANA students make up about 16 percent of the class.
Once on campus, this new class will have a lot of decisions to make. The top choice listed for a major in the College of Arts & Sciences was "undeclared." Other popular choices were biology, psychology, English, and communication. Undeclared was also the top choice in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, followed by finance, marketing, and management.
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SON one of four tapped for $40 million federal grant
By Nancy Habetz, Director of Media Relations
The VA Connecticut Healthcare System and Fairfield University's School of Nursing were selected by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to be part of a new five-year, $40 million pilot program called the "Nursing Academy" that addresses the nation's severe nursing shortage. Fairfield University is one of just four universities in the country to be chosen to take part in the program.
"This is very exciting for the new opportunities it presents to our School of Nursing to serve our veterans and at the same time a great honor that we are among only four schools of nursing selected throughout the country," said University President Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has reported that more than 42,000 qualified applicants in the United States were turned away from nursing schools in 2006 because of insufficient numbers of faculty, clinical sites, classroom space, and clinical mentors.
The "Nursing Academy" aims to ensure the VA has enough nurses to care for veterans.
In addition to Fairfield, the other schools selected for the first phase of the program are the University of Florida in Gainesville, San Diego State University, and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. The schools were chosen from among 42 applicants.
"The expanded role of VA in the education of nurses will ensure the Department has the nurses needed to continue our world-class healthcare for veterans," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. "Our strengthened partnerships with these four great nursing schools will enhance the faculty and clinical resources needed to educate nurses."
Additional schools will be named next year and in 2009, for a total of 12 partnerships, a VA spokesperson said. Among the goals are expanding the ranks of teaching faculty at schools, improving recruitment and retention of students, and creating new education and research opportunities. Ultimately, the program aims to increase nursing student enrollment by a grand total of about 1,000 students among the 12 nursing schools taking part.
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GSEAP awarded $1 million federal grant for teachers
By Alejandra Navarro, Editor
Even for an experienced teacher, it's not always easy to determine if a student is struggling academically due to limited language skills or because he or she has a special learning need.
A five-year grant of more than $1 million from the U.S. Department of Education will help the Program in Special Education, in the Department of Psychology, Special Education, and Educational Technology, prepare teachers with the expertise and knowledge they need to identify and address the often complicated needs of students. The department is in the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions (GSEAP).
"Our candidates will have the skills to evaluate students and differentiate between a student who has special educational needs or language needs, or a student who has both," said Project Director Dr. David Aloyzy Zera, associate professor of special education and psychology and director of the Program in Special Education. Teachers will be able to identify the most appropriate services and resources to help these students learn, he explained. "It's really quite spectacular because the grant will be able to address the needs of a huge population of students."
The grant will fund Project SETTELL (Special Education Training for Teachers of English Language Learners). Dr. Zera and Project Co-Director Dr. Dan Geller, chair of the Department of Psychology, Special Education, and Educational Technology, have initiated an accelerated application process to select approximately 25 candidates whose tuition and registration will be fully funded for the program beginning in fall 2007.
The initial award for the first year is $264,698 and the award is expected to continue for four more years to total $1,061,355, Dr. Zera said. The grant allows GSEAP to build on the previous U.S. Department of Education grant of $845,000 that had a similar purpose and concludes at the end of September. Many of those graduates are now working in priority school districts in Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Stamford.
The SETTELL project is aimed at teaching candidates who are bilingual in English and Spanish or English and Portuguese and who have a bachelor's degree. Through course work and field experiences, candidates will:
- Gain expertise to help educators develop appropriate educational programs for children with LEP (limited English proficiency) and children with special education needs;
- Understand the appropriate use of technology for children with special education needs and/or LEP; and
- Fulfill Connecticut requirements for dual certification in Special Education and/or Bilingual Education and/or Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
Those who successfully complete the program will receive a master's degree and they will be eligible for two certifications from the Connecticut State Department of Education, said Dr. Zera. "And that is a ‘win-win' situation for everyone."
The Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies Admission is hosting an open house for potentional candidates today from 1 to 3 p.m. in Alumni House. For more information, call (203) 254-4184 or e-mail gradadmis@mail.fairfield.edu.
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The Rev. Charles Allen, S.J., executive assistant to the president, was honored with the Paul Harris Award given by the Fairfield Rotary Club this past June. The Rotary Club recognized Fr. Allen for his numerous community activities, including his participation in the Thomas Merton House Breakfast Fundraiser.
Dr. Christy Ashley, assistant professor of marketing in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business (DSB), was first runner up among 55 dissertations submitted to the Academy of Marketing Science Mary Kay Dissertation Competition. She presented a paper from her dissertation, "The Role of Affective Commitment in Consumer-Brand Relationships" at the Academy of Marketing Science Conference in Coral Gables, Fla., in May. Last March, she presented, "Context Effects on the Trade-Offs Consumers are Willing to Make Between Relational Benefits" in a competitive paper session at the Association for Marketing Theory and Practice Conference in Panama City, Fla.
Dr. Bharat B. Bhalla, professor of finance in DSB, attended the second annual conference on Globalization and the Good Corporation in June. Dr. Bhalla chaired the session, "Competitive Markets and Their Impact on Companies' Social Responsibility and Sustainability Strategies."
Jack Cavanaugh, adjunct professor of English in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), spoke at the Fairfield Public Library in June about his book, Tunney: Boxing's Brainiest Champ and His Upset of the Great Jack Dempsey, for which he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Dr. Arjun Chaudhuri, Thomas R. Fitzgerald, S.J., Professor of Marketing in DSB, presented the paper "The Role of Emotions in Consumers' Response to New Products" (co-author: Dr. Khaled Aboulnasr) at the American Marketing Association Summer Educators' Conference 2007 in Washington, D.C., this month. The paper was also published in the conference proceedings.
A June 10 Hartford Courant article on the scarcity of companies that give "fun" perks quoted Dr. Edward Deak, professor of economics in CAS. "There are some companies left that are run by CEOs who have a somewhat benevolent attitude to their employees and want people to have a happy, productive workforce," said Dr. Deak. "But there are just fewer and fewer companies that do that." In a July 20 article in the same paper about the record number of jobs in the state, Dr. Deak spoke of the feeling of employee discontent despite the strong gains.
Dr. Faith-Anne Dohm, associate professor of psychology in the Graduate School of Education & Allied Professions (GSEAP), co-authored a presentation, "Ethnic Differences in Weight Control Practices among U.S. Adolescents from 1995-2005," at the International Conference on Eating Disorders in May. Among the co-authors were two Wesleyan University students. An article on which the presentation was based is currently under review for publication.
Faye Gage, director of the Connecticut Writing Project, was quoted in a July 23 Hartford Courant article about language acquisition among students. Mentioning the word "Ebonics" and acknowledging the political furor around it, she said that by understanding the rules and patterns of Ebonics, teachers would be better equipped to teach students standard English.
Dr. Donald Gibson, associate professor of management in DSB, was mentioned as the co-author of a paper, "Why Does Affect Matter in Organizations?" in an article in Hotelresource.com.
The Fairfield Minuteman ran an article on July 26 discussing the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling on racial balance in school districts and how it might affect the racial imbalance issue in Fairfield public schools. Dr. Don Greenberg, associate professor of politics in CAS, was quoted as saying, "Any attempt to redistrict McKinley (the grade school with the largest imbalance) would be clearly unconstitutional. dIt doesn't seem like there's any wiggle room for the state board."
Bob Kravet, C.P.A., assistant professor of accounting in DSB, and Dr. Roselie McDevitt, C.P.A., assistant professor emeritus of accounting, have a project, "Cost Accounting - Project Oriented - Web Enhanced - Communication Centered," appearing in the Effective Learning Strategies Forum at the American Accounting Association annual meeting this month.
Dr. Paul Lakeland, Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. Professor of Catholic Studies in CAS, was quoted in a July 2 Chicago Sun-Times article on the clergy sexual abuse scandal in Chicago which noted that key figures in the case either kept their positions or were elevated. "The clerical culture in the Catholic Church closes ranks to protect one another," he noted. In a July 11 article on the same subject that appeared in several newspapers, including The New York Times and Washington Post, he noted that the abuse scandal's fading public profile is attributed to fatigue among Catholics about the issue, not to the belief that the issue has seen solved. Dr. Lakeland was quoted in a July 17 Record (Stockton, Calif.) article on the Los Angeles Diocese $660 million settlement to victims.
Dr. Martha LoMonaco, professor of theatre in CAS, spoke on July 15 at a Westport Country Playhouse Symposium after a performance of "Relatively Speaking," a comedy by Alan Ayckbourn.
Drs. Dawn Massey and Joan Van Hise, associate professors of accounting in DSB, have a joint project, "Blazing the Trail in Accounting Ethics Instruction: Creating and Assessing a Graduate Accounting Ethics Course," to appear in the Effective Learning Strategies Forum at the American Accounting Association annual meeting this week. Dr. van Hise presented their joint paper, "Developing and assessing a capstone course in accounting ethics informed by Ignatian values" at the Colleagues in Jesuit Business Education (CJBE) conference last month.
On July 25, the Connecticut Post ran an article on Dr. Carole Ann Maxwell, director of choral and liturgical music, and the Summer Festival Chorus' Christmas in July concert. "As you know, this group works together only in summer. And I thought, what a shame that we never have the opportunity to perform holiday music together," she said. The concert was held at the Quick Center on July 28.
Dr. John McDermott, associate professor of finance in DSB, presented a paper he co-authored, "Multimarket Trading and Liquidity in Japan," at the Eastern Finance Association Annual Meeting held in New Orleans in April. The paper examines the existence of simultaneous trading in stocks on the Tokyo and Osaka Stock Exchanges despite their virtually identical market structures.
In a June 7 article for the Eastern Publications Group on the importance of fundraising to a presidential candidate's ultimate success,
Dr. John Orman, professor of politics in CAS, commented on Hillary Clinton's capabilities. The Stamford Advocate ran an article on July 11 in which Dr. Orman, who is also the chairman of Sen. Joseph Lieberman's minor political party, called for a probe on whether or not the party was founded under false pretenses and thus broke election laws. In a July 22 Connecticut Post article, he commented on U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays (R) and how politics influences his position on Iraq.
Dr. Shelley Phelan, associate professor of biology in CAS and director of the Broadening Access to Science Education (BASE) Camp project, was interviewed along with Ariella Sanchez from Bassick High School and Raphael Parussolo from Harding High School on WICC on July 13.
Dr. Rajasree Rajamma, assistant professor of marketing in DSB, had an article (authored with two colleagues), "Some Antecedents of Sales Agents' Satisfaction with the Agent/Principal Relationship," published in the Review of the Electronics and Industrial Distribution Industries. Dr. Rajamma co-authored the paper, "Why is India Lagging Behind? A Comparison of Antecedents to Foreign Direct Investment in India and China," presented at the 2007 MBAA International conference in Chicago and appearing in the conference preceedings.
Dr. Jackie Rinaldi, adjunct professor of English in CAS, has been notified that her article, "Rhetoric and Healing: Revising Narratives about Disability," has been selected for inclusion in a new anthology to be published by Bedford/St. Martin's. The essay provides the theoretical basis for viewing rhetorical discourse as a therapeutic tool for healing.
Dr. Tracey Robert, assistant professor of counselor education in GSEAP, presented, "Integration of Spirituality, A Multicultural issue," at the National Career Development Association conference in Seattle last month.
In a July 19 (Cleveland) Plain Dealer article on contract negotiations between the United Auto Workers (UAW) and automakers, Dr. Norman Solomon, dean of DSB, discussed workers' benefits. "The question is, what can the UAW hold on to and still keep its dignity as an organization?" he said.
Dr. Debra Strauss, J.D., assistant professor of business law in DSB, presented, "Feast or Famine: The Impact of the WTO Decision Favoring the U.S. Biotechnology Industry in the EU Ban of GM Foods," at the annual meeting of the Northeast Academy of Legal Studies in Business, held on April 29 in Galloway, New Jersey. She also chaired an academic session at the conference. A favorable report of Dr. Strauss' presentation, "Judicial Clerkship Program: Diversity and the Courts," for the Judicial Division of the American Bar Association at the ABA conference in Miami in February appeared in the ABA Judicial Division Record.
Brian Torff, associate professor of music in CAS, performed with The John Jorgenson Quintet at Lincoln Center in a "Spirit of Django Reinhardt" concert on Aug. 1. He was on bass and served as musical director for the group.
On July 19, The Jesse Lee Peterson Radio Show interviewed Dr. Yohuru Williams, associate professor of history and co-director of the Black Studies Program in CAS, about his views on race relations.
On June 25, the Waterbury Republican-American quoted Dr. Michael Zabinski, professor of engineering in the School of Engineering, in an article on computer gaming and the sponsorship of professional gamers. "Games today are more sophisticated and more challenging," Dr. Zabinski said. "Whenever there is any sort of game that is competitive, challenging and requires ability, there will always be a league, competition, and an opportunity to excel." National Computer Camps, which Dr. Zabinski began in 1977, was mentioned in a July 23 Mass High Tech article.
In a July 17 Danbury News-Times article on the $1 million federal grant that GSEAP received to educate bilingual, special needs teachers, Associate Professor of Psychology and Special Education Dr. David Zera, project director, explained that the grant was designed to address the critical need for qualified special and bilingual educators in Connecticut. The grant was also noted in the Connecticut Post's "Thumbs Up" column on July 20.
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Service Anniversaries
August 2007
5 years
Kera Carter
Janet Dinihanian
Patricia Genova
Frederick Kuo
Melissa Laguzza
George Lisi
Melissa Quan
Edmund Ross
Peter Scifo
Jean Siconolfi
Sandra Stock
10 years
Julie Brzezinski
Christina McGowan
20 years
Mark Ayotte
25 years
Rita Duda
Donna Moreno
30 years
Robert Russo
Births
Dr. Tod Osier and Dr. Jennifer Klug, both associate professsor of biology in CAS - son, Gus Klug Osier, born on May 18.
Sharon DiVincenzo - grandson, John Paul Jr. (Jack) born on June 6 to DiVincenzo's daughter, Stephanie Keane '92.
Dr. Alison Kris, associate profesor of nursing - girl, Zoe Kris Bienstock, born on June 19.
Stacey O'Donnell, ticket manager in Athletics - boy, Dean Chase, born on July 7.
Dr. Emily Smith, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in GSEAP - girl, Carly Elizabeth Basmadjian, born on July 11.
Melissa Quan, assistant director in the Office of Service Learning, in the Center for Faith and Public Life - daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Quan, born on July 16.
Condolences
Edward Gleason '62, husband of Bonnie Gleason, secretary in the Office of Annual Giving, died on June 2. Mr. Gleason was past president of the Alumni Association and a member of the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association.
Mark Ryscavage, brother of the Rev. Richard Ryscavage, S.J., died on June 14.
Margaret Griffiths Mellinger, mother-in-law of Joy Mellinger, registration processor, died on June 21.
Berthe Kane, mother of Jackie Kane, head field hockey coach, died on June 23.
Joseph Bouchard, a Fairfield University employee for 17 years and father of Fire Marshall Joseph Bouchard, died on Monday, July 2.
Marie Diane Davidson, mother of Dr. Ronald Davidson, professor of religious studies, and mother-in-law of Dr. Katherine Schwab, associate professor in visual and performing arts, both in CAS, died on July 7.
Mary Moffo, mother of Susan Valentine, Student Health Center nurse, died on July 28.
New Employees
Holly Franquet - project coordinator, Talent Search
Peter George - assistant coach, men's tennis
Bethany Loffredo - assistant coach, women's lacrosse
Elizabeth Magner-Garvey - academic coordinator, Student Support Services
Meredith Marquez - assistant director, Office of Student Diversity Programs
Dennis Masi - assistant coach, Women's Basketball
Christopher McGloin - media services specialist, Annual Giving
John Miller - investment accountant, Controller Office
Nicole Nelson - program coordinator, GSEAP
Hope Ogletree - major gifts officer, Advancement
Elissa Pelland - area coordinator, Residence Life
Ophelie Rowe-Allen - area coordinator, Residence Life
Lily Smith - secretary, GSEAP
Melanie Torosyan - major gifts officer, Advancement
Kara Zappone - assistant coach, women's field hockey
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Fairfield loses beloved friend: Dr. John A. Barone
By Barbara Kiernan, Director of Publications
 Dr. John A. Barone, beloved husband of Rose Marie Pace Barone and dedicated Fairfield University faculty member and administrator, died on June 1.
In 1950, he joined Fairfield University's Chemistry Department in CAS. The early years of his 42-year career at the University saw him receiving Fairfield's first competitive research grant for his work in cancer anti-metabolites; publishing the University's first refereed article in the Journal of Organic Chemistry; and establishing a collaborative research program for chemistry faculty and students - a pioneering National Science Foundation (NSF) program at the time. A series of grants from NSF and the National Cancer Institute continued to support his research.
By 1962, Dr. Barone had risen to full professor, all the while seeking for the University the same high standards he set for himself. In 1963, he formally combined his teaching and administrative roles as Fairfield University's director of planning and research. Three years later he was promoted to vice president for planning, to help prepare for the move to coeducation. In 1970, he became the University's first provost, an appointment that made him the highest-ranking lay person in the nation's 28 Jesuit colleges and universities. As provost, he oversaw the construction or renovation of almost every building on the property, always with an eye to preserving the natural beauty of campus. Upon his retirement with emeritus status in 1992, and in recognition of his role as one of Fairfield's true visionaries and builders, the John A. Barone Campus Center was named in his honor. He also received an honorary doctorate from Fairfield University that year.
"Dr. Barone literally dedicated his life to guiding and building this University," said Fairfield University President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. "In the true spirit of Jesuit education, he also used his many talents to serve beyond the boundaries of the campus."
Predeceased by eight brothers and sisters, he is survived by his wife of 54 years.
Photo by Jean Santopatre
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Celebrating the Feast of St. Ignatius
Fairfield University honored the founder of the Society of Jesus at the Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola on July 31. Celebrating Mass in the Egan Chapel are (above, l-r) the Rev. Charles Allen, S.J., University President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., and the Rev. James Bowler, S.J. Mass was followed by a picnic in the patio of the Barone Campus Center.
Photos by Jean Santopatre
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Dr. Ben Halm, devoted professor, will be missed
 Dr. Ben B. Halm, an award-winning playwright and associate professor of English in CAS, died on July 23, after a long illness. He was 49. Funeral plans were not finalized by press time, but a viewing is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 17, at the Lester Gee Funeral Home in Bridgeport. The family welcomes having Dr. Halm's University friends and colleagues present.
Born in Accra, Ghana, Dr. Halm joined Fairfield in 1993. In addition to teaching introductory English courses, he also taught "Understanding Drama" and "Inside Modern Drama."
"When I think of Ben, I see a passionate, energetic professor, working hard to get his students to be as engaged with the world as he was," said Dr. James Simon, chair of the English Department in CAS. "He showed us all how to combine academic talents as a scholar with professional experience as a playwright, director, and actor. The beneficiaries were his students and all of us who worked with him."
Dr. Halm, an expert on African literature, wrote the 1995 book, Theatre and Ideology. Several of his plays were produced in the U.S. and Canada, including a production of Ota Bergna, Elegy for the Elephant staged at Fairfield University in 1997. He also directed plays on campus and acted in productions in Ithaca, N.Y., Toronto, and St. Louis, where he taught for two years at Webster University. He was a playwright-in-residence at the Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto.
At the time of his death, he had been working on a number of scholarly projects on theatre and on African literature and culture in a time of globalization. He also was writing a trilogy of plays, War Fairs.
Dr. Halm is survived by his wife, Christina Maku Halm, and his daughter, Willow Kai Halm.
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CN&S Tech Talk:
Getting track changes to stick in Microsoft Word
 By Jeff Potocki, Software Support Specialist and Training Coordinator for Computing & Network Services
One of the questions most frequently asked at the C&NS help desk is: "How come when I use the Track Changes function in Microsoft Word, and I send the document back to someone after I made the changes, the person can still see my changes and my document looks completely unprofessional?" The easiest answer is: You didn't end the Track Changes process properly.
As the name suggests, the Track Changes method in Microsoft Word allows you to see what changes were made. If a person sends you a Microsoft Word document to review, first save the document to your computer and then open the file.
Next, turn on the Track Changes function. On a PC, choose the Tools menu from the menu bar and select Track Changes. On a Mac, choose the Tools menu as well, select Track Changes, and then select Highlight Changes. When the Highlight Changes dialog box appears, make sure the Track changes while editing option is checked and click OK.
Then begin editing the document. Different colors, underlines, strike-throughs, and other formatting will appear on the page noting the changes. On a PC, these markups may be set in your Track Changes preferences, which is located in the Tools menu bar: click Options, then click the Track Changes tab in the Options window. On a Mac, choose the Tools menu, select Track Changes, and then select Highlight Changes. When the Highlight Changes dialog box appears, click Options to see the Track Changes preferences.
Also, when the Track Changes function is on, the Reviewing toolbar will appear to help you through the reviewing process. If it is not there, on both PC and Mac, select Toolbars from the View menu, and then select Reviewing. When you are finished editing your document, turn off the function by selecting Track Changes from the Tools menu on a PC. On a Mac, choose Track Changes from the Tools menu, and then select Highlight Changes. Uncheck the Track changes while editing option and click OK. Now, save and close the document.
When the creator of the document receives the marked-up document, he or she must save it to his or her computer under a new name indicating that it is a changed version. The creator does not need to turn on the Track Changes function. If it were turned on, he or she would be making changes to the changes, which wouldn't make sense in most situations.
To accept or reject the changes in a document, use the Reviewing toolbar to scroll through the changes by using the Previous and Next buttons. Once you come upon a change, you can then click Accept or Reject.
When you have gone through all the changes, save your document under a new name indicating that this is the final revised document. Now, when you send your document to a new person, no changes will be shown in your document.
Please check "Today at Fairfield," the daily University announcements e-mail, for computer training classes and specific classes on Track Changes. For any questions, please contact Jeff Potocki in C&NS at ext. 4069 or send an e-mail to cnstraining@mail.fairfield.edu.
Good luck and safe computing!
Jeff Potocki
Photo by Jean Santopatre
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Spirituality in Education
 Dr. Craig Cashwell (left), professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Dr. J. Scott Young (right), associate professor at Mississippi State University, presented "Leading researchers in the field of counseling and spirituality" at the summer colloquium, "Spirituality in Higher Education: Issues for Research and Curriculum Development." The June 20th event for faculty, students, and practitioners was sponsored by the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions.
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A piece of Wall Street history finds a home in the Dolan School thanks to alumnus Chris Quick '79
By Alejandra Navarro, Editor
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| Dr. Norm Solomon, dean of the Dolan School (above, right), describes the features of the brass and oak trading post to DSB student Feng Chen '08. At left, a historic trading post when it was in use on the NYSE floor. |
Christopher C. Quick '79 began working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) just as the historic brass and oak trading posts were being replaced with electronic terminals. Still, he had an opportunity to experience the excitement of watching specialized brokers stand behind these posts and act as auctioneers to stock buyers and sellers, marking each transaction on paper.
When one of the antique trading posts became available, he purchased it to donate to the Charles F. Dolan School of Business - a gift valued at $200,000. The 7-foot-tall post, previously preserved at the NYSE Luncheon Club, now has a home in the lobby of the Dolan School.
"I thought it was a unique piece of history," said Quick, chairman of Bank of America Specialists, who worked at the NYSE for 30 years. "Much happened on that trading post in the 120 years it was on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. A lot of capital was raised for many of the great industries in this country."
The original 16 horseshoe trading posts, once a fixture among the marble columns of the NYSE, were removed in 1980 and donated to museums and universities, including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., Stanford University - and now, the Dolan School.
Dr. Norm Solomon, dean of the Dolan School, said the trading post will serve as a lesson on the history of trading at the world's financial epicenter.
"When this trading post was in operation, trading was conducted with paper and pencils, a stark contrast to how trading is done largely electronically today," Dr. Solomon said. "It will serve as a teaching tool, as it speaks to how these changes have made the markets more global."
As the Dolan School receives this piece of history, the NYSE is on a new wave of modernization. Last fall, it replaced its electronic trading posts with much quieter computer stations to better compete with other electronic markets, including the NASDAQ.
Today, approximately three billion transactions happen each day and that number is expected to rise. With the recently installed trading system, the average time it takes to complete a trade has been trimmed to less than three-tenths of a second, which is changing the experience of trading on the NYSE floor and the role of the people who work there. Dolan students explore electronic trading firsthand in the high-tech Business Education Simulation & Trading (BEST) Classroom, a simulated trading floor, located just down the hall from the post.
Quick has been a generous supporter of Fairfield University, from which he earned a degree in finance. He is currently a member of the Fairfield University Board of Trustees, and has served as chair of the Fairfield Awards Dinner. He is also a former member of the New York Stock Exchange Board of Directors.
Photos by Jean Santopatre
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Team explores living and learning communities
By Alejandra Navarro, Editor
A group of faculty, staff, and administrators convened in May to discuss those books they believed should be on every well-read student's list. The books dealt with subject matter as diverse as the people presenting them, tackling issues of poverty, race, social justice, and gender, to name a few. The lively discussion that ensued drew from each participant's experience and expertise.
The conversation was part of the group's preparation for the Washington Summer Institute for Learning Communities at Evergreen State University in Olympia, Wash. There, the assembly of campus members had become, fittingly, a "living and learning community."
In the weeks leading up to the June workshop, the team met to discuss the ways in which Fairfield could build on the University's existing learning communities, such as the Ignatian Residential College, to create more opportunities for students to participate. Specifically, the team investigated how to enhance the University's diversity initiatives through living and learning communities.
"The result of our work was a plan to establish a diversity and social justice living and learning community," said Dr. Billy Weitzer, senior vice president.
"I think this will provide a model for many more such communities at Fairfield. Learning communities will enhance the educational experience and personal development of our students."
The creation of these communities dovetails nicely with the University's strategic goals.
"Fairfield's emphasis on core integration and on the integration of living and learning makes the philosophy and practices of learning communities particularly relevant to us," said Dr. Robbin Crabtree, director of the Office of Service Learning, who is interested in the ways learning communities can intersect with service experiences. "Service learning is a wonderfully integrative pedagogy, using a holistic model of learning that engages students' minds, bodies, and hearts. It is also consistent with the goal of learning communities to build truly interdisciplinary learning experiences."
At the institute, the Fairfield team received feedback and inspiration from colleagues at other campuses working on similar projects. It was a rare opportunity for eight University community members to participate in the institute. "We were able to refine our ideas," said Dr. Betsy Gardner, professor of psychology in CAS. "We had time every day to work together as a team."
Now back on campus, the team is continuing the work it began at the institute, shaping plans for the newest living and learning community centered on diversity and social justice.
A diverse team of administrators, staff, and professors attended a workshop to explore student living and learning communities. Participants included (back row, l-r) Dr. Robbin Crabtree, professor of communication and director of service learning; Jason Downer, area coordinator for Residence Life; Dr. Larri Mazon, director of Institutional Diversity Initiatives; Dr. Billy Wietzer, senior vice president; Dr. Betsy Gardner, professor of psychology in CAS; (front row, l-r) Dr. Roben Torosyan, associate director of the Center for Academic Excellence; Dr. Renee White, associate professor of anthropology and sociology and the team's leader; and Dr. Judy Primavera, professor of psychology in CAS. Dr. Deborah Cady, associate dean and director of Residence Life (not pictured), was also on the team.
Photo by Jean Santopatre
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Fairfield's re-accreditation process nears completion
By Meredith Guinness, Publications Writer
By the time you read this, the University's intensive self-study report should be in the hands of the committee charged with visiting the University and evaluating its bid for re-accreditation. Leaders in the arduous self-study process turned in the report on Aug. 2, a full six weeks early, and are now turning their attention to preparing for the committee's visit in October.
Associate Academic Vice President Mary Frances Malone, who has worked closely with the team producing the five-chapter report, said the process was "interestingly Ignatian" in nature, allowing members to reflect on the University's past and future and truly consider the strategic plan initiatives. "One of the values of doing this is it has given the University an opportunity to celebrate where we've been and to add some energy in publicizing where we are going," she said.
The report, which should be available electronically in September, addresses the 11 key standards outlined by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and emphasizes work on the three strategic plan goals - living and learning, integration of the core, and
infusing Jesuit ideals in graduate education. The document includes an overview of the University and its accomplishments, chapters from the three task forces, and a final chapter that ties everything together, highlighting the University's "institutional effectiveness," Malone said.
Academic Vice President Dr. Orin Grossman said the self-study came at a perfect time, given the University's new strategic plan. "The re-accreditation process was a most inclusive yearlong activity that involved faculty, administration, and staff in a thorough examination of who we are, and who we are called to be," said Dr. Grossman. "By focusing on three areas of emphasis that link to our strategic plan, the self-study allowed us to move our strategic vision into a strategic plan with purpose and energy. We have not hidden our problems, but the self-study shows a University committed to excellence with optimism about its future."
In compiling information and faculty and staff input, Dr. Malone said the committee was happy to see many on campus have taken the strategic goals to heart. The report includes two significant quotes from students that summarize living and learning and integration of the core perfectly, she said. "It's so clear that it's permeated through the University," she said.
The committee also received some positive comments and suggestions from faculty and staff who took the time to review self-study materials in May. The University will post public notices in local newspapers with details on how members of the community can make their thoughts known to the committee.
The visiting committee members have not been named publicly, though they will be led by the Rev. Paul Locatelli, S.J., president of Santa Clara University. The team will be here from Oct. 21 through 24, completing an intense series of meetings with groups from across campus. Their report will go to NEASC and the University will have an opportunity to make any corrections of fact needed before the commission makes its decision on re-accreditation in the spring.
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Arrupe volunteers labor and learn at the border
Photos and story by Jean Santopatre, University Photojournalist
In the Jesuit tradition of men and women for others, two groups of Fairfield's Arrupe volunteers traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, and Quito, Ecuador, in May to contribute to impoverished communities. Students in Mexico, for example, helped build an irrigation system for a playing field, met small business owners, and spoke with people detained for trying to illegally cross the border. "It made us realize how fortunate we are to live in the United States," said University Photojournalist Jean Santopatre, who co-led the Mexico group. "We realized what desperate people from poor communities will do - and risk - to find a better life." Santopatre captured the group's experience in photographs.
Under the guidance of a local resident, Ignacio Pallares '10 tries his hand at making tiles, one of the ways many women in Mexicali, Mexico, earn a living. Meghan Scheltzi '10, Bob Cammisa '10, and the Rev. James Mayzik, S.J., look on.
We were exposed to a part of the world we never would have been able to see had we not been on this trip, hosted by the San Diego-based Los Niños organization. Our first assignment was to help dig ditches for an irrigation system that would allow grass to grow on playing fields. This would help reduce the number of asthma-related illnesses children are experiencing in this region. As we began to dig ditches into the hardened, sun-scorched earth, school children grabbed shovels and worked alongside us. When the sprinkler system was turned on for the first time, students and teachers cheered.
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Fr. Mayzik, Schneider, and Pallares (l-r)
dig in to the dirt, while two children
join in to help. |
Arrupe volunteers gathered at the border between Mexico and the United States are (l-r) Santopatre, Kristin Villanueva '09, Jenn Dombrowski '10, Jessica Bromberg '08, Lauren Levy '08, the Rev. James Mayzik, S.J., professor in Visual and Performing Arts in CAS, Meghan Schelzi '10, Bob Cammisa '10, Ignacio Pallares '10, and Jerry Schneider '10.
The communities we visited were devastatingly poor. In the city of Tijuana, we worked in places where raw sewage streamed down dusty roads, graffiti colored buildings, and the air was heavy with smog. At right, a boy walks on a Tijuana dirt road.
A border fence now divides an area once known as Friendship Park. Families living on both sides of the border continue to meet there for picnics. Above, children pass through the fence, under the watchful eye of the Border Patrol, to hug grandparents and relatives.
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Donning a protective suit, Pallares (left) holds a honeycomb at a Mexicali bee farm, started by Los Niños. Area residents sell products made from the honey. |
The high point of the trip was visiting an orphanage where the Fairfield students played and ate dinner with the children. Schelzi (above) plays the international game of pattycake with a young girl. Cammisa (at right) gives his new friend a hand.
As we departed, a quiet came over the students during the van ride. We all were reflecting on the events, the work, and the people and children we met. The outpouring of warmth from our hosts was amazing. We knew we had become a small, integral part of this community.
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Bishop addresses migration
The Most Reverend Jaime Soto, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Orange, discussed "Migrants and Spirituality" at the Reflection on Migration Conference held at Fairfield University in July. The Center for Faith and Public Life partnered with the Woodstock Theological Center and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) for the conference that was the first step in a process to develop a multi-disciplinary publication on migration.
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Arrupe volunteers in Ecuador
 Arrupe volunteers also headed to Quito, Ecuador. The group included: (standing, l-r) Catherine Federowicz '09, Jaclyn Spitzer '09, James Barry '09, Kim Buesking '09, Iris Bork-Goldfield, associate director of International Studies, and the Rev. Mark Scalese, S.J., assistant professor of visual and performing arts in CAS, and (front row, seated l-r) Rachael Seibold '09, Jacqueline Hurley '08, Eileen Haire '10, Andrew Collins '08, and Michelle Piazza '09.
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Fairfield's campus captured in a feature film
The Fairfield University campus served as one stage for the film, For One More Day, an "Oprah Winfrey Presents" adaptation of Mitch Albom's book of the same name. Filming crews from Ruminate Productions were on campus on July 23 and 24, bringing with them a host of extras for the taping. Among the actors present on campus was Emmy Award-winning actor Michael Imperioli, a star in the HBO hit series, The Sopranos. The made-for-television m ovie is scheduled to be released in December.
Photo by Jean Santopatre
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Five students awarded Fulbright scholarships
By Meg McCaffrey, Assistant Director of Media Relations
Fairfield University's extraordinary success with graduating Fulbright Scholarship winners continues this year with five graduates being selected to receive Fulbright grants for the 2007-08 academic year. This ties records set last year and in 2000 for the number of Fairfield students to receive this prestigious honor awarded by the U.S. government.
Established in 1946 by Congress, the Fulbright program aims to increase mutual understanding between people of the U.S. and citizens of other countries. Recipients go abroad for one year to engage in graduate study, research, work, or teaching.
Four of the Fairfield recipients are 2007 graduates: Aamina Awan, Evan Berard, Elizabeth Blake, and Kate Cota. James Costa '06 also won a Fulbright.
Since 1993, 44 Fairfield students have won Fulbright Scholarships. Dr. Miriam S. Gogol, associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and coordinator of the Fulbright program, said the success rate is a testament to Fairfield fostering values of lifelong learning and independent intellectual thought. Fairfield students go through a challenging process of developing study proposals, which involves close mentoring by the faculty Fulbright committee.
 Aamina Awan will travel to Bahrain, where she will research the education, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment of women in this small Arab nation. Awan's interest in the topic grew both out of her family heritage and her studies as a double major in international studies and political science. "My Fulbright is an economic development grant that looks into women's economic empowerment in Bahrain through entrepreneurship and private investment banking," she said.
She plans to conduct her research at the University of Bahrain, and hopes to do an internship at the Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence in Manama, Bahrain.
 Evan Berard, an international studies major, will study the societal structure in Venezuela, where his research will also examine multinational corporations and how they interact with state governments. "I intend to look at foreign corporations operating in Venezuela and answer the question of whether or not these companies, which are a part of the global economy, are infringing upon the sovereignty of state governments."
 Elizabeth Blake's Fulbright year will find her at the Canada-United States border, studying the implications of the beefed-up border patrol policy, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Congress mandated the WHTI as part of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 that resulted from the findings of the 9/11 Commission. The law has strengthened border security and will require American citizens to show passports at the Canadian and Mexican borders. Blake's research project is titled, "Social and Economic Effects of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative."
Blake graduated with a double major in communication (media studies concentration) and politics and a minor in classical studies, and plans to pursue a  master's degree in political science at the University of Windsor.
Kate Cota's research project deals with literature from the Republic of Georgia. Specifically, she will be researching literature in the Georgian educational system. She graduated with a double major in English and psychology and a minor in Russian and Eastern European Studies.
James Costa, who majored in history and Italian, will be a teaching assistant in Italy. While a junior at Fairfield, Costa spent two semesters studying in Italy, one in Syracuse and the other in Florence, making him the Renaissance enthusiast that he is today. "Wherever I  am placed (in Italy), I will try to investigate the archives to dig up information regarding crime and punishment in Renaissance Italy. I am interested in researching the law enforcement of the time period." Costa intends to go to graduate school after his Fulbright experience to become a history professor.
The Fulbright Faculty Committee and Advisory Board and Associate Coordinator of the Fulbright Program Benedetta Maguire assisted the student applicants. The 2006-07 committee and board members included: Dr. Edward Dew, professor of politics in CAS; Dr. Alan Katz, professor emeritus of politics in CAS; Dr. Sharlene McEvoy, professor of business law in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business; Dr. David McFadden, professor of history in CAS; Dr. Marie-Agnes Sourieau, professor of modern languages and literatures in CAS; Dr. David Crawford, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology in CAS; Dr. Gisela Gil-Egui, assistant professor of communication in CAS; Dr. Mary Ann Carolan, associate professor of modern languages and literatures in CAS; and in the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions, Dr. Wendy Kohli, chair of curriculum and instruction; Dr. Marsha Alibrandi, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction; and Sister Julianna Poole, SSND, chair of TESOL.
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2007 McGowan Scholar: David Guerrera
Being chosen as a recipient of a prestigious William G. McGowan Scholarship holds special meaning for David Guerrera '08, a student in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business. That's because he will be the first person in his family to graduate from college.
"My dad is an immigrant from Italy, and education is so important to him," Guerrera said. "I can't tell you what this scholarship means to my parents. It is a gigantic help. It's like we all are receiving it."
The McGowan scholarship of $18,000 will go toward Guerrera's senior year tuition. The award is open to students enrolled in accredited business schools in the United States. The Chicago-based William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, named after its late founder, William G. McGowan, a former chairman of MCI Communications Corp., rewards applicants who achieve not only academic excellence but who also demonstrate leadership qualities, show intellectual curiosity, display entrepreneurial potential, and are significantly involved in campus and community activities.
For Guerrera's parents, Mario and Lisa, the scholarship and the thought of David earning a degree from Fairfield bring peace of mind. "The most important thing in life is for my children to get an education because it will lead to a better life," said Mario Guerrera, a toolmaker. "In this country, it's up to you. The sky's the limit. You can do whatever you want if you have an education."
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Two selected for prestigious French assistantships
Kaitlyn Kelly and Stephanie Kraushaar, 2007 graduates, received the prestigious French Government Teaching Assistantships by the French Ministry of Education. The two students will begin the assistantships in the fall.
Kelly, a double major in French and Italian, will teach English to high school students on the Caribbean island of Martinique, which is considered an overseas department of France.
Kraushaar, who majored in French and politics, will be teaching in Nantes, on the west coast of France. She will be working at two middle schools helping children learn about American culture and the English language.
The French Ministry of Education offers teaching assistant positions in French primary and secondary schools in France, as well as overseas. Recipients have an opportunity to immerse themselves in the French culture, gain valuable teaching skills, and further their study of the French language.
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New signs guide campus guests
 In an effort to maintain a consistent and welcoming atmosphere, the University now offers campus event sign stanchions for temporary directional signage. A supply of large, reusable master signs is available to faculty and staff through Printing & Graphic Services. Each portable red and white sign has versatile directional arrows and can be customized with the name of campus events.
University policy now requires the use of these sign stanchions for all events. Maintenance and Public Safety personnel are instructed to remove any non-conforming signs. Those hosting events should contact Laura Strang, operations assistant in Printing & Graphic Services, at ext. 2432, to reserve the appropriate number of sign stanchions. An online registration form is also available at http://info.fairfield.edu/signs.
Event coordinators should allow 10 business days to have any custom inserts created. There is a nominal production cost for custom signs, which can be retained by the event coordinator for future use. Event planners should also make arrangements to pick up and return the stanchions to Printing & Graphic Services, located in Dolan Commons. It is the responsibility of the event coordinators to place, remove, and return the stanchions.
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Sport Shorts
By Kelly McCarthy, Assistant Director of Sports Information
Men's rowing becomes 20th varsity sport
Fairfield Athletics continues to grow as men's rowing will become the 20th varsity sport at the start of the 2007-08 academic year. "I believe the ability to compete as a varsity program will enhance the experience of our student-athletes, and improve their ability to consistently compete for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship," said Director of Athletics Eugene P. Doris.
The men's and women's rowing programs began as club teams in the early 1990s and competed in many regional regattas and races over the years. The women's rowing program became a varsity sport for the 1997-98 campaign, competing in the MAAC. The Stags won the 2000 MAAC Championship, the team's third year of varsity competition, and placed third during the 2007 campaign.
The men's rowing team has remained at the club level since its inception. The program competed in the MAAC Championship and various other championship events such as Dad Vails, New York Metropolitans, and the New England championships over the last 15 years.
Both teams will move into a new boathouse on the Pequonnock River this fall.
Currently underway is a search for a director of rowing who will oversee both varsity programs.
John Sagnelli tapped as cross country coach
There will be a new face on the cross country course as John Sagnelli takes the helm of the men's and women's cross country teams. Sagnelli spent the last 12 years as head coach of the cross country and track and field program at the University of New Haven. Sagnelli was the men's head coach for 11 seasons and spent the last four as the women's head coach. During his time at New Haven, Sagnelli helped produce 14 Division II All-Americans, a national cross country qualifier, numerous All-New England and NCAA All-Region performers, 11 conference champions, 10 New England champions, and more than 80 All-Conference selections. He also coached Melissa Tempesta, the 2006 ECC Women's Runner of the Year and Rookie of the Year, who was also the individual conference champion. Prior to his stint at New Haven, Sagnelli served as the women's cross country and track and field coach at Iona College.
Women's soccer coaches successful on youth
The women's soccer coaching staff had a successful showing at the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) State Cup in June, with Head Coach Jim O'Brien and Assistant Coach Laura Duncan leading their squads to their respective titles. O'Brien, in his first year at the helm of the U17 Connecticut United F.C., helped that squad to its first crown in five tries. In her second season, Duncan, with co-coach Rudy Meredith (Yale), coached the U16 Yankee United to the crown. The CJSA State Cup is a single-elimination tournament that is open to all premier-level teams. There are usually three or four rounds of games leading up to the champion being crowned.
Basketball season tickets on sale
Men's and women's basketball season ticket packages are currently on sale, and faculty and staff can take advantage of great season ticket prices. Faculty and staff receive 50 percent off their first tickets, which start as low as $55 for men's basketball packages. Faculty and staff also have the opportunity to sign up their children for the Stags Kids Club and receive $10 off youth season tickets. For more information on season tickets, please contact Stacey O'Donnell at ext. 4136 or via e-mail at sodonnell@mail.fairfield.edu.
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Gifts and Grants
U.S. Department of Education awards $155,000 grant for curriculum on Asia and Russia
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Fairfield University a two-year $155,393 grant to strengthen its teaching of Chinese and Russian languages, as well as to develop new courses in Asian Studies, Russian Studies, and Central Asian topics - in the context of a revised International Studies curriculum.
Dr. David McFadden, professor of history in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), will direct the project, which will include language workshops and Eurasia faculty seminars. These efforts are expected to stimulate greater exchange of students and faculty between Fairfield and its partner universities in China and Russia. This grant is being matched at $220,370 by Fairfield University to hire a fulltime Chinese professor, and underwrite faculty, staff, and administrative time.
Grant supports Dr. Min Xu's physics research
Fairfield University has received a $39,218 grant from the Research Corporation, A Foundation for the Advancement of Science, to support the work of Dr. Min Xu, assistant professor of physics in CAS. Dr. Xu will be the principal investigator for research into the backscattering of partially coherent polarized light from a turbid medium. The research is expected to yield valuable methods for controlling the depth of light when used to probe subsurface and/or layered structures. The outcome of the research is expected to facilitate depth-resolved imaging for noninvasive human skin and cervical cancer screening by using light. Undergraduate science students will assist Dr. Xu in his research by performing both computing and experimental work.
Grant helps SOE establish Center for Simulation, Modeling, and Analysis in Automation
A $40,000 grant from the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) will be used by the School of Engineering to create a Center for Simulation, Modeling, and Analysis in Automation. The East Hartford-based CCAT works in partnership with industry, academia, and government to strengthen technology-led competitiveness and to ensure that university-level students receive training in emerging industries. In recent years, Connecticut has experienced job growth in manufacturing, but many companies are seeking qualified workers to fill positions. The grant will cover the cost of Delmia V Automation software, a 3-D simulation code that will become an invaluable tool for students studying manufacturing engineering, with uses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
SOE dean receives grant to lead state effort developing minor in nanotechnology
Dr. Evangelos Hadjimichael, dean of the School of Engineering, has received a $50,000 grant from the Connecticut Department of Higher Education (DHE) to lead a consortium of university educators in creating a curriculum for a minor in nanotechnology. This collaborative effort will allow any student attending colleges and universities in the state to pursue an academic minor in this burgeoning field. By building such a curriculum, the DHE is attempting to ensure appropriate workforce development and support scientific and technical fields.
Almost all fields of science - most notably mechanical and electrical engineering, chemistry, biology, and physics - are contributing to the scientific revolution being made possible in this growing field. Nanotechnology is basically the science of controlling matter so that essential characteristics of materials can be altered to create new ones. For example, thanks to nanotechnology, drugs are being developed that act like Trojan horses depositing cancer-fighting agents to attack tumors; sunscreen can now better deflect UV rays; cars are lighter and more fuel efficient; and tennis balls have better bounce.
The minor, which will consist of a standard four to five courses, will be awarded to students by DHE rather than by the participating institutions. "I have assembled a team of colleagues from Connecticut institutions to organize the curriculum that will be available for adoption by any, or all, of the 48 Connecticut colleges and universities," said Dr. Hadjimichael. "This fall, we will hold a state-wide workshop to share what will become the intellectual platform for nanotechnology education in Connecticut."
Developing competence for humanitarian crisis
Today, major humanitarian crises such as the Asian tsunami, hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the emergency in Darfur, Sudan, create highly complex challenges that require analysis and action. To address that need in a tangible way, an ambitious project - the Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network (JUHAN) - is being developed jointly by the Center for Faith and Public Life at Fairfield, the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs at Fordham, and the Institute of the Study of Migration at Georgetown. Together, they envision helping Jesuit liberal arts colleges in the United States develop a "signature" reputation for preparing students intellectually, morally, spiritually, and experientially to respond to communities in need.
In support of that goal, The Teagle Foundation has awarded Fairfield University's Center for Faith and Public Life (CFPL) a $24,858 grant. Funds will help develop a mechanism by which to assess the impact of participation on students' spiritual, social, and intellectual development. The Rev. Richard Ryscavage, S.J., director of the CFPL, will oversee the project.
The JUHAN founding members have chosen four common elements to pilot at the three institutions: 1) to develop a leadership team consisting of 10 students, two faculty, and two student affairs administrative staff; 2) to sponsor events and speakers during the 2007-08 academic year; 3) to provide course offerings related to humanitarian issues and action in spring 2008; and 4) to host a three-day National Humanitarian Action
Conference for undergraduates at all 28 Jesuit schools in June 2008.
Foundations support girls' technology camp
Designed to bolster the computer and leadership skills of 50 girls entering seventh grade, the summer Technology Camp for Girls at Fairfield University received funding from the Fairfield County Community Foundation Fund for Women and Girls ($7,752), the American Association of University Women Fund ($2,200), and the Harvey Hubbell Foundation ($2,000), in addition to Fairfield University ($1,250).
The program, founded and directed by Dr. Michael Zabinski, professor in the School of Engineering, serves students from Bridgeport, Milford, West Haven, Ansonia, and Stratford. The camp addresses the large gender gap in technology, and in particular, computer science.
"The anticipated long-term effect of the project is to help shape tomorrow's female leaders in the field of technology," Dr. Zabinski said. Liaison teachers were selected to assist the campers in each district and female counselors made up the majority of the staff serving as role models and fostering intergenerational, gender-affirming bonds.
Following the camp experience, the liaison teachers will organize and mentor computer clubs at their schools with the campers serving as leaders.
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Fairfield University's Jodie Fitzpatrick helps out with questions as students Prathusha Betala of Milford (left) and Theresa Crespo of Bridgeport (right) learn about computers at the Technology Camp for Girls. |
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Fall Open VISIONS Forum draws national notables
By Joan Grant, Publicist
Open VISIONS Forum (OVF), the distinguished lecture series presented by University College, has assembled an invigorating season peopled with a variety of opinionated speakers from David McCullough to William Bennett. All nine programs will take place in Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.
"In shaping each season's series, we are challenged to identify timely, front-page topics and fill a need for information from thought-provoking speakers with decidedly differing points of view," Dr. Philip Eliasoph, director of Open VISIONS Forum, said recently. "With this in mind, we have shaped the 2007-2008 season with nine passionate speakers intent on piquing our innate curiosity."
Thursday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m.
 David McCullough, who has had a long career as an editor, essayist, teacher, and lecturer, will deliver the season's first OVF lecture. A familiar presence on PBS, he is also author of the monumental biography Truman. This lecture is co-sponsored by the Fairfield Museum and History Center.
Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m.
The New York Times' two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, Nicholas Kristof, will deliver the annual Jacoby Lunin Humanitarian Lecture, co-sponsored by the Carl & Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies. He is multi-lingual, has lived on four continents, and reported on six.
Monday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.
OVF presents William Bennett, former Secretary of Education and co-director of Empower America. The New York Times has called him the "leading spokesman of the Traditional Values wing of the Republican Party." He is also the host of the nationally broadcast morning radio show, Bill Bennett's Morning in America.
Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 8:30 p.m.
Lou Dobbs, anchor and managing editor of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight, will speak at OVF. Called a "populist" by many, Dobbs has metamorphosed from his business-oriented CNN show Moneyline in recent years. He has described himself as one who is "never neutral on any issue that affects the common good."
Sunday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m.
The prize-winning NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams will take the stage at the Quick Center. Williams joined NBC in 1993 and has become one of the nation's foremost television journalists. He received the industry's highest honor, the George Foster Peabody Award, for his on-the-spot-coverage of Hurricane Katrina, and for his continued coverage on the storm's aftermath.
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Dr. Beth Boquet named associate dean of CAS
 Dr. Beth Boquet, professor of English and director of the Writing Center, stepped into the post of associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) in July, taking the place of Dr. Ray Poincelot who became interim dean of CAS. Dr. Boquet joined Fairfield in 1994. She was promoted to professor of English in 2005. She is currently the co-editor of The Writing Center Journals, the affiliate journal of the International Writing Centers Association, an organization that has recognized Dr. Boquet for outstanding scholarly contributions to the field. At Fairfield, she has served on several committees including the Salary Committee, the Research Committee, and the Academic Council. Dr. Boquet received a bachelor's degree from Nicholls State University, a master's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a doctorate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
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Beatlemania to benefit the arts
By Joan Grant, Publicist
The fifth annual "Evening for the Arts" benefit for the Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation comes to Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts with the musical revue, "Beatlemania - The Tribute" on Saturday, Sept. 8, at 7:30 p.m.
A complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres reception begins at 6 p.m. in the lobby and offers a preview of the many silent auction items available for bidding. Proceeds from the benefit will fund 16 different annual scholarships, grants, and educational programs for burgeoning artists throughout greater New Haven and Fairfield counties.
The musical part of the evening focuses on several stages of the Fab Four's music, from the early "Cavern" days in Liverpool through "Sgt. Pepper," "Abbey Road," and beyond.
The silent auction comprises a variety of high-quality choices: a seven-day holiday in St. Maarten, original works of art, tickets to major performance venues in Connecticut, and memorabilia.
Created in memory of Jamie Alaine Hulley, the Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the educational enrichment and professional development of young artists. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Send a check or money order to the Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation, P.O. Box 1208, Orange, CT 06477. For information, call (203) 891-8869 or send an e-mail to jamieart@snet.net.
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Creative publications and podcasts win awards
Several of Fairfield University's creative staff members were honored with professional awards for their stellar work. Fairfield Now, the President's Annual Report, and two University brochures were recognized at the 19th Annual Awards for Publication Excellence Competition (APEX), sponsored by Communications Concepts, a Virginia-based organization for professional communicators.
Fairfield Now and the President's Annual Report (2005-06), edited by Barbara Kiernan, Director of Publications, have earned Awards of Distinction from APEX, and the President's Annual Report also received an APEX Award of Excellence.
 The "Windows of Opportunity Major Gifts" brochure, edited by Web Communications Editor Lisa Roberts, and the "From Red to Green" brochure, edited by Publications Writer Meredith Guinness, each received the Apex Award of Excellence under the category of "Special Purpose Brochures, Manuals & Reports." Both award-winning brochures were designed by Graphic Designer Kim Szabo.
Ramona Islam, senior reference librarian and instruction coordinator, and Leslie Porter, reference and instruction librarian, both in the DiMenna-Nyselius Library, received the gold 2007 Connecticut Quality Improvement Award's Innovation Prize for their audio-introductions to nursing and literary databases. The databases come alive for students through storytelling in the form of short podcasts that employ personification, humor, and narrative to demystify searching. These databases and the accompanying podcasts were used in Dr. Richard Regan's and Dr. Suzanne Campbell's courses and hosted on iTunesU. To listen to the winning podcats, visit www.fairfield.edu/lib_podcasts.html.
Congratulations to all of these creative professionals!
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New minor in engineering
The School of Engineering has won approval by the Dean's council for a new minor in engineering for students who hope to complement their major field of study with the technical creativity and disciplined thinking inherent in the study of engineering. Interested students must have completed two courses in calculus and two in physics with an average of C or better to be considered for the minor. Students can select from a range of software, electrical, mechanical, and computer courses according to their area of interest. While students in any field of study can minor in engineering, he adds, areas that are particularly suited include math, physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science.
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Campus Currents is the official news publication of the Fairfield University community. It is published monthly. The editorial office is located in Bellarmine Hall, Room 202. Telephone: 254-4000, ext. 3392. Fax: 254-4167. E-mail: anavarro@mail.fairfield.edu.
Editor
Alejandra Navarro
Publications Writer and Editor
Editorial Board
Martha Milcarek
Assistant Vice President for Public Relations
Barbara Kiernan
Director of University Publications
Jean Santopatre
University Photojournalist
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