February 2002

Volume 10, Number 6
The official news publication of Fairfield University

Index for February 5, 2002

IRC to support sophomores through journey to wholeness
When it comes to network speed, it's location, location, location
Curt Naser: Enjoying the view with his commuting alternative
Campus Newsbreakers
Apple's education web page features Fairfield
Service Anniversaries
Faculty Research - Sheila Grossman
Continue King's dream, Williams urges students
Author James Carroll to discuss Jewish-Christian relations
Banner manual rewritten, thanks to this team's work
Campus Center officially re-opened for business
Library furniture finds new homes
Employee mentors: a chance to serve
news Briefs
Sports
Gifts & Grants
The Arts on Campus

IRC to support sophomores through journey to wholeness

By Barbara Kiernan, Director of University Publications

It's not every day that a religious-based university receives funding designed to reinforce the essence of its mission, but that is precisely what Fairfield University has received from the Lilly Endowment. A $2 million grant awarded through the Endowment's Theological Exploration of Vocation program will establish the Ignatian Residential College on Fairfield's campus in September.

What, you may be wondering, is an Ignatian Residential College? Says one of its co-directors, Thomas Regan, S.J., "At its core, the Ignatian Residential College is an effort to marshal and pool University resources in ways that give students thoughtful, reflective support on their journey to becoming whole persons. Because sophomore year is frequently the time in college students' careers when questions of identity, faith, and thoughts of the future become more personal and serious, the College has been designed for them."

As structured, the Ignatian Residential College will give 100 sophomores selected for the program the chance to study, live, seek, search, and explore life's deeper questions in the context of community - a community based in a residence hall and:

supported by faculty, administrators, and staff,
enriched by several courses taken in common,
ennobled by a residential experience that values difference while seeking the common good,
strengthened by opportunities for prayer and worship,
broadened through contact with personal mentors, and

made real through off-campus experiences in local parishes and agencies that have signed on as partners, eager to include college-age men and women in their endeavors.

Current freshmen have all been invited to apply for this opportunity. Its academic nature will enable participants to draw upon the resources of religious and philosophical wisdom as they think through their career choices, be those in the corporate world, education, industry, the church, health care, research, or raising children at home.

"But," cautions Fr. Regan, "this program is not about getting a job. It's about having a life. We want to help students discover what gets them excited, find their passion, and begin to do what brings them life. Considering these questions as sophomores also gives them a way to maximize their last two years of college."

From co-director James Mayzik, S.J.'s perspective, the Ignatian Residential College makes possible what he and others have been trying to do, for years, on their own - getting to know the students better as individuals and creating the space both for intellectual discussions and exploration of life's deeper issues with them. "This program will give participants direct contact not only with Jesuits but with laity who, in partnership, support our mission," says Mayzik. "In some ways, it's a journey into uncharted waters. Today's students have the same needs, desires, and longings that every generation has, but they relate differently to church structures than we did, and speak a different language when it comes to things spiritual. Our hope is that the Ignatian Residential College will help us find a common reference point within their own life experience."

In developing this venture, Fairfield University has identified three powerful questions that will drive the program and shape its goals:

Who am I? To help students develop a sense of the possibilities for vocation in the broadest sense. The Ignatian Residential College will help sophomore students understand what it means to have a life vocation and to live it out in a way that makes a difference to others. To do this, the program will seek to instill in participants a sense of their uniqueness as God-gifted individuals and a sense of responsibility to use their gifts for the common good.

Whose am I? To create an explicit Ignatian experience that merges the intellectual and the spiritual in an action-reflection model to help students develop a more integrated and faithful life. The Ignatian Residential College will highlight Fairfield's Catholic and Jesuit mission by integrating its intellectual, social, and spiritual aspects.

What am I called to be? Extend the benefits of this experience to the wider community. The Ignatian Residential College will allow its participants to experience a broader community through meeting with adult mentors whose notion of vocation is well-developed, through encountering new ideas and human perspectives featured in lectures and cultural events, and through direct engagement with local faith communities.

"Ideally speaking," says Fr. Regan, "The Ignatian Residential College is an invitation that says, 'Come, get the most out of college. Learn to become passionate about what you're doing because that's who you are.' In a sense it's about doing things right the first time, and about laying a foundation so that every year has the potential to be the best year of your life."

Photo by Jean Santopatre

When it comes to network speed, it's location, location, location

By Jill Kasiewicz Caseria, Editor

Why is it that on some days the on-campus network zips along just fine, while on others it's like you're waiting for Godot to deliver your e-mail personally? Although the computing infrastructure is not infallible, you might be surprised to find out that sometimes the primary culprit for the system bottleneck is the users themselves.

On a good day, on-campus network users can simultaneously and quickly download files, listen to their favorite radio webcast, and send hundreds of e-mails without a problem. But for some users, depending where on campus their computer is located, those days seem few and far between.

According to James Estrada, vice president for information services and University librarian, there are three explanations for system slow downs: two due to hardware, one based on user operations. How can knowing this help you make the most of your network session? (Scroll down to find out.)

Wiring
Not all on-campus computer network connections are equal. To reduce upgrade costs, improvements to the campus network infrastructure were scheduled in conjunction with the on-going construction and renovation projects, Estrada explains. Therefore, upgrades began with the network backbone and then proceeded to some academic buildings, the Apartment Village, the Dolan School of Business, the DiMenna-Nyselius library, and Barone Campus Center.

The proposed cost to upgrade all buildings was $3.5 million. So far, the "piggyback plan" has reduced that cost by 45%, because of the ability to accelerate the implementation timetable and to arrange for volume discounts on telecommunication equipment and services, says Estrada. "We began by allocating increased bandwidth to the academic buildings which were considered the biggest network priorities," he explains. All other academic buildings, as well as several student residences, should be upgraded next fiscal year.

Capability
If you're surfing the Internet on an older machine, expect a longer wait. Computers built just a few years ago have slower processors that process the images, sounds, and web text at a slower rate than new machines - even if you are tapped into a "fast" connection.

Functions
By the same token, streaming radio through a computer's browser while simultaneously running two or three more applications (such as Word and Photoshop), will also reduce speed, since processors can only juggle so much data at a time. In addition, visiting several pages within a site can reduce your computer's speed versus visiting only one page at a time.

How? Each time your computer visits a page on a particular site, it processes images and text from that single page and loads them into its temporary cache file. Visit another page and it starts the process all over again.

How does a single user thus affect the speed of others around campus? Each time a user loads another page, the signal goes back to the main network. Streaming video and radio create a constant feed back and forth from the network, thereby taking up bandwidth and reducing overall speed for other users.

Compared to other colleges and universities, says Estrada, Fairfield's bandwidth fares better than most. "We are one of the few schools who have two Internet service providers (ISPs), the second of which was added in the fall. Having two allows us to maintain a robust network for academic activities while still allocating a significant amount of bandwidth for students' personal use." In fact, Fairfield has continuously increased network speed as measured in bandwidth (more accurately called "megabits per second" or Mb/s) since December 1999 when the University was at 1.5 Mb/s:

In February 2000, increased to 3 Mb/s.
In November 2000, increased to 6 Mb/s.
In November 2001, more than tripled to 21 Mb/s.

"At the end of the construction, we are going to be in excellent shape," Estrada says. "We will have reached a new infrastructure plateau and will be able to consider technology options we don't currently have, such as greater real-time audio and video."

In the meantime, he says, for most on-campus users, speed is a result of location and activity. "When used for most academic purposes, the speed of the computer should not be a problem. It's the recreational activities that impose the greatest demands on the shared network and result in slowdowns for everyone else."

Curt Naser: Enjoying the view with his commuting alternative

By Jill Kasiewicz Caseria, Editor

If you're tired of sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, filling up the gas tank, and competing for a parking space close to the door of your building, Curt Naser, Ph.D., may have just the solution.

For the past five years, Naser, associate professor of philosophy, has chosen to ride his 18-year-old red Schwinn to work rather than drive the family automobile - resulting in a commute that recently doubled in distance and altitude, since moving to Easton (near the Aspetuck Reservoir) last year. Although he is not the only Fairfield employee biking to work, he just may hold the record for the toughest climb.

How does he do it? Naser's secret to conquering the Burr Street hill and traveling 8.5 miles in about 40 minutes lies in the 12-lb attachment on the bike's axel: an electric motor he bought last summer. Powered by an 18-lb. lead acid, 24-volt battery, it clips on to the bike's frame and activates at the touch of a thumb switch mounted on the handle bar. Along with the motor, Naser's bike is equipped with a headlight, red blinking rear light, rearview mirror, and a grey plastic crate to carry his knapsack.

"I'm not a serious biker," he says, "I just bike to get to work without a car." But one look around his Donnarumma office, and it's obvious he is an experienced biker - and is prepared for all kinds of weather. His helmet rests on the windowsill, two pairs of gloves and liners dry standing up on the heater, an open pair of sunglasses rests on his desk, a sweatshirt dangles from the ceiling, tennis shoes and hiking boots are tucked under a chair, long johns and special wind-blocking fleece pants (his favorite accessory) drape a bookcase. A fresh suit hangs on the back of the door.

"I'm good until about 20 degrees Fahrenheit," he says. "Below that, it's hard to keep warm, especially the toes." Fleece is his preferred textile. "It keeps me warm and dry, even when I'm sweating - and it flicks away moisture."

Precipitation in every form, of course, becomes an issue (especially at this time of year), as does traffic, which is why he prefers to begin his commute by 6 a.m. "The earlier the better, since there are fewer cars on the road at that hour," he explains. He has dodged open car doors, drivers who refuse to stop at red lights, and black ice. Needless to say, Naser draws the line at biking in the snow (and asks his wife for a ride).

But what's a little rain when considering the money saved by those who cycle to work: no fill-ups, no speeding tickets, and no need to purchase a vehicle registration sticker. Coupled with beautiful sunsets, fresh air, and some of the best cardiovascular exercise out there, the benefits to biking almost outweigh the drawbacks.

"It's fun," he adds. "There's nothing like getting on your bike at the end of the day and riding along the Hemlock reservoir."

Photo by Jean Santopatre

In December, Rev. Charles Allen, S.J., executive assistant to the president, spoke at the annual Celebrity Breakfast that benefits Catholic Family Services. The event took place at the Shorehaven Golf Club.

Dennis Amrine, associate director of the Career Planning Center, and Marlene Lacher '02 were quoted in the Norwalk Hour in an article that asked if young people were re-examining their career choices following the tragedy of Sept. 11. Amrine said students "are looking at priorities differently. They are looking at public service opportunities." Lacher, whose boyfriend survived the collapse of a building near the World Trade Center, said that the event "put everything into perspective... After Sept. 11, I took a step back to think about life and values and family."

Judith Arel, assistant to the University registrar for records and systems, was featured in the Connecticut Post's 10th anniversary tribute to Women of Substance. Arel was selected for her work with the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

In honor of his retirement from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority Board of Directors, one of Fairfield University's own now has an official place in state history. Last fall, Governor John Rowland proclaimed September 10, 2001 as John A. Barone Day in the State of Connecticut. The naming honors the "dedication, commitment, and tireless efforts to raise the standards of excellence in the State" that John Barone, Ph.D., professor of chemistry and provost emeritus, contributed during his 14-year tenure as vice-chairman of the board.

Edward Deak, Ph.D., professor of economics, was quoted in several newspapers recently. In the Boston Herald he said that there is a risk in analyzing consumer confidence polling, because the results can "swing fairly quickly," depending on what is happening in the news. In the New York Times he cautioned that risks such as the war against terrorism, business failures, and energy prices and supplies are just some of the concerns "which may never materialize," but taken collectively, "raise concerns that breed caution at a time when cyclical recovery demands confidence." Other newspapers that quoted Deak include the Hartford Courant, Connecticut Post, (New Britain) Herald, (Manchester) Journal Inquirer, (Danbury) News-Times, (Stamford) Advocate, Fairfield County Business Journal, New Britain Herald, and Staten Island Advance.

Judith Dobai, director of admission, was quoted in a Waterbury Republican-American article that examined whether high school students would want to attend college closer to home following the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. While surveys show that most students say they would not change their college plans, Dobai said a general feeling of safety is important to students. "There's an emotional factor that's not in the interview phase," she noted. "The place where they feel the most comfortable drives their decision."

Rao V. Dukkipati, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical engineering, presented the following three papers in November at the International Conference on the Interdisplainary Design in Machine Design and Systems, in Montreal, Canada: A Design of Experiments: Optimization of a Baking Process used for Minimizing Hydrocarbon Emissions in Blue Polyurethane Tubing (co-authored with D.J. Laliberte, D.A. Rivnack), Development of a Differential Pressure Sensor for Hydraulic System Filter Monitoring Applications (co-authored with W. Fulton, M. Walter), and Automotive Alternative Energy Source Identification of a Lead User for a Disruptive Technology (co-authored with D.O. Overfield, A. P. Voskov).

Jesús Escobar, Ph.D., director of art history, delivered The Shaping of Ritual Space in Habsburg Madrid at the 116th Annual Meeting of the American Historical Association in San Francisco on January 6. The paper was part of a session on ritual in the early modern Atlantic world, co-sponsored by the Council for Latin American History and the Society for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies.

Benjamin Fine, Ph.D., professor of mathematics, was asked to testify in a polling dispute in the Bridgeport election, caused by a broken voting booth. The Connecticut Post reported that Fine's testimony included statistics showing that the candidate in question had a 99.994 percent chance of getting 35 votes on the machine. She only needed 28 to be declared a winner.

Harold Forsythe, assistant professor of history, was interviewed for an hour-long program on the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for Cablevision's "Our Lives" program. The program aired for three days over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. He was also interviewed by Frank Borres for Connecticut Public Television.

"Divace: Not Your Everyday Media Player-Recorder," a review by Joel Goldfield, Ph.D., director of the CEC Language Center, appeared in the July/August 2000 issue of American Language Review.

Sheila Grossman, Ph.D., associate professor of nursing, presented Providing Self-Health Care for Well Adults Can Increase Cost-Effectiveness at the clinical sessions of the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Convention in November in Indianapolis, Ind. She also presented Leaders are Made, Not Born: Assessment and Development of BSN Students' Leadership Ability at the convention's scientific sessions and a seminar entitled "Practicing Leadership in the Bottom Line!" at the leadership sessions.

Doris Lippman, Ed.D., professor of nursing, advised counseling for people suffering from post traumatic stress disorder following Sept. 11, in an interview with the Greenwich Time. "A fear and anxiety reaction can occur days, months or even years after a person or someone close to them experiences a traumatic or life-threatening event," she said, and can be triggered by a plane's flying overhead or seeing a fire or explosion.

"The Beginning of a Tradition: the Sentences Commentary of Richard Fishacre, OP," a chapter written by philosophy professor R. James Long, Ph.D., has been published in the book Medieval Commentaries on the Sentences of Peter Lombard, Volume 1, Current Research, ed. G.R. Evans.

"Do Microsoft Acquisitions Benefit the Computer Industry?" by Anna Martin, Ph.D., associate professor of finance, has been accepted for publication by the Financial Analysts Journal.

Laura McSweeney, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics and computer science, and Joan Weiss, Ph.D., associate professor, presented Math Online: Moving Mathematics into the Lab at the fall meeting of the Northeastern Section of the Mathematical Association of America held at Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts. This paper reports the progress of the Math Online Project, a web-based quizzing system implemented in first year calculus by McSweeney, Weiss, Stephen Sawin, Ph.D., associate professor, and Christopher Bernhardt, Ph.D., professor. The project is funded by a $200,000 grant from the Davis Foundation and $45,000 grant for hardware from the Cord Foundation.

Interviewed by the Associated Press on the political corruption charges in Waterbury and Bridgeport, John Orman, Ph.D., professor of politics, commented, "Usually when people think of Connecticut they think of New England town meetings, they think of Yankee maverick independence. They think of this almost incorruptible spirit." His remarks were carried in newspapers throughout Connecticut as well as in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina, New York, Tennessee, Indiana, and Maine. In other articles carried in Connecticut newspapers he was interviewed on the redrawing of U.S. Rep. James Maloney's district and the release of the bin Laden videotape.

Marcie Patton, Ph.D., chair of the politics department, was quoted in Investor's Business Daily in Los Angeles on the role of Turkey as a Muslim NATO country in the fight against terrorism. She said Turkey's Islamic foundation makes it acceptable to all factions. Noting that Turkey sent troops to Kosovo, she said, "It was the same issue. The job needed a Muslim country to avoid the look of a Christian crusade."

Shelley Phelan, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, presented Characterization of the Thiol-Specific Antioxidant Protein Aop2 and its Role in the Cellular Stress Response and Atherosclerosis at the January meeting of the Western Connecticut section of the American Chemical Society.

In an interview with the Fairfield Minuteman, Rabbi James Prosnit, a lecturer in religious studies, said the radical Islamic fundamentalists believe the Jewish way of life should not exist in Israel. He also commented that Hanukkah can be seen as a "reconfirmation of the religious freedoms we hold dear."

"What Islamism Shared With Nazism," an op-ed article by Gavriel Rosenfeld, Ph.D., assistant professor of history, appeared in Forward, a New York City weekly. While cautioning against appeasing radical Islamic fundamentalists, he suggested that "all the world's great powers - the European Union, Russia, China and India," need to join with America in providing a Marshall Plan for the Middle East. He wrote, "Just as democratic elements within Germany needed western support in order to triumph over their extremist compatriots, so too will moderate Muslims need support to have their voices heard above those of militant extremists."

The January 11 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education featured David Alan Sapp, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, in a roundup of "unorthodox ways some professors closed out the fall semester." Sapp takes a class photo and distributes copies to his students to "build a sense of community." While some students make comments about being sent back to kindergarten, he says, "almost all of them stop by and pick up their promised copy." Also featured in the article is a photo of his ENW 214 - Speech: Writing and Delivery class.

A poster designed by Linda Smaligo, associate director for Printing & Graphic Art Services, took third place in the first annual Grand Color Copy Contest, sponsored by Hammermill Papers. The poster was for "Vital Voices: A Global Partnership for Women" with Theresa Loar.

Brian Torff, director of jazz and popular music, performed with several other world-class jazz musicians at Le Hot Club in Islamorada, Key Largo, in January. The all-string quartet presented a tribute to jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli at the opening performance of The Upper Keys Concert Series. Torff was praised in The Independent (Key Largo) for his "flawless technique and innovation" as he "plucked, slapped, clicked, and slid" over the strings of his Banchetti bass, even using a stone crab mallet to create sounds that "challenge the imagination."

In November, Joan Weiss, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics - and an elected National Councillor - installed the New Jersey Lambda Chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon (the National Honorary Mathematics Society) at William Paterson University. As part of the installation ceremony, she presented Definite Integrals and Matrix Multiplication in a Parallel Computing Environment.

Michael White, Ph.D., associate professor of English, was among local authors who signed books at Edwards Books in Springfield, Mass., as part of the store's annual benefit for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

Apple's education web page features Fairfield
Fairfield's integration of Macintosh computers into the classroom took center stage on Apple's "Higher Education" web page last month. With the help of a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts, the University recently purchased 50 AirPort-enabled iBook computers for use in the biology curriculum, enabling students to link to the Internet without any physical connections. Jay Rozgonyi (pictured above, front), the University's Macintosh services and networking manager, says, "The wireless iBooks have allowed our students to become engaged and be a part of the larger classroom experience."

Malcolm Hill, Ph.D. (pictured above, top), agrees, saying, "This technology is revolutionizing the way we teach biology." He and Shelley Phelan, Ph.D. (above, center), both assistant professors of biology, add that the "mobile laptops" allow them to make lecture sessions more interactive, as students engage in team exercises such as virtual dissections, as well as log on to Internet sites, and download information from CD-ROMs that support the course lectures.

Rozgonyi contacted Apple last fall about the idea for an article about the iBook integration. The article, "Wireless iBooks enliven labs, lectures, and learning," which features photos by Fairfield University Photojournalist Jean Santopatre, was written by an Apple writer and took about 10 weeks to research and complete.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

February Service Anniversary

5 years
Loretta Sherwood

Births

Marc Kolb, football offense coordinator - son, Matthew Wayne, born January 4.
Kerry McManus, assistant director of Special Events - daughter, Maeve Ryan, born January 24.

Condolences

Arthist Lowell Dallavalle, the father of Nancy Dallavalle, Ph.D., associate professor of religious studies, died on December 5.
Irene Blanco, the mother of Jennie Sullivan, administrative assistant for communication services, died on December 23.
Alice Kennedy O'Neill, the mother of Edward J. O'Neill, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics and computer science, died on December 29.
James A. Leslie, the father of Rita C. Duda, associate director of human resources, died on Jan. 3.

New Employees

Victoria Clifford - Security officer, Security
Caroline Coletta - Operations assistant, Talent Search
Susan Marcin - Web development, reference librarian, Library
Merilea Macklin - Assistant director, Human Resources
Behnam Ostovarpour - Painter, Campus Operations
Antoine Smith - Mail distribution assistant, Mailroom

The School Of Nursing

Sheila Grossman: Researching for the sake of others

By Kate Garvey '02, Publications Intern

In the simulated critical care station, Sheila Grossman, Ph.D., associate professor of nursing, teaches nursing student Heather Jutkowitz how to use paddles to start a patient's heart.

Sheila Grossman, Ph.D. APRN, FNP, associate professor of nursing, is involved in a variety of clinical outcome research. She has conducted numerous studies pertaining to critically ill patients at The Hospital of St. Raphael and Hartford Hospital, as well as developing tools to measure research leadership in both nurses and nursing students.

Grossman's most recent research is the study of the effectiveness of three re-warming techniques for post-operative cardio-thoracic critically ill patients. "A patient's body temperature is decreased during surgery in order to make the procedure easier by constricting the vessels to decrease blood flow," she explains. "After surgery, it needs to be brought back to normal in order to stabilize their hemodynamics (blood pressure and blood temperature)."

Patients were randomly selected and tested with one of the three re-warming methods to see which was most effective in raising the body temperature back to normal levels: room temperature blankets, fluid filled blankets, and a device which blows warm air over the entire body and under the patients neck. The results of the study (the warm air method was best.) assisted her and intensive care unit staff (ICU) to institute a quicker, more effective and cost-saving re-warming procedure for critically ill post-surgical patients at St. Raphael's.

Another study she recently completed involved developing transitional feeding protocols for ICU patients who were receiving their nutrition intravenously or via tubes placed directly in the stomach. "The findings validated that many critically ill patients are seriously lacking necessary nutrients and vitamins," she says, noting that these study results also generated new methods to assist patients in maintaining adequate protein, carbohydrate, and protein balance. "What was found that with patients who had been fed by methods other than the mouth for five days, it was best to gradually add new types of nutrition until the regular oral route could be taken."

Her new protocols also proved to be more cost-effective than previous interventions because the patients experienced fewer complications and generally a decreased length of hospital stay.

As a family nurse practitioner, Grossman also conducts research in her practice setting. She has recently presented nationally and published a new self-care model of delivery, which allows patients to follow step-by-step procedures, guiding them in making decisions as to whether or not they need to be seen by a physician or nurse practitioner. She is currently conducting a study that monitors microorganism resistance with patients experiencing symptoms of urinary tract infection. So far, this clinical outcome study is validating that the first line of antibiotic treatment is sensitive (which is contrary to what a majority of primary care providers realize) to most bacteria causing urinary tract infections. These outcome findings will not only result in more cost-effective procedures but also will assist in decreasing problems with patients developing antibiotic resistance.

Grossman also conducts studies that measure learning outcomes of nurses and nursing students. She has investigated a variety of topics such as stress management, role adjustment in caring for infectious disease patients, leadership ability, clinical decision-making, and critical thinking. As a result of her work, she was awarded two Helene Fuld Health Grants for the School of Nursing, which have greatly impacted the learning outcomes for nursing students in the area of leadership and critical care nursing.

The simulated critical care station in the School of Nursing Learning Resource Center, funded by a Fuld Grant, is a setting where students learn how to develop evidence based practice protocols. "The students are using state-of-the-art critical care equipment to practice simulated critical care nursing experiences," says Grossman.

For the last several years she has been studying the concept of leadership and has co-written a book (with previous Dean Theresa Valiga), The New Leadership Challenge: Creating A Preferred Future for Nursing, and has developed a tool to measure leadership. This spring semester nursing students are involved in a mentoring experience with a healthcare leader in an area of their choice. This experience will serve as a prototype for other nursing programs to develop student leadership.

"The leaders and their staff, as well as students and faculty, are able to use the CD-ROMs, videos, and books about leadership and health care management in the leadership resource center funded by the Fuld grant," says Grossman.

She is also active in many nursing organizations, serves on two editorial boards, reviews manuscripts for three journals, and is a Sigma Theta Tau Distinguished Lecturer. She is very involved in assisting students with independent studies, developing research protocols, assisting students in publishing their projects, and mentoring them on the Sigma Theta Tau Mu Chi Research Committee which she chairs.

All of these projects along with Grossman's long list of other accolades have take years to complete. However, as she says, "It's a lot of work, and a lot of time, but it is significant. I could not have done it without the terrific patients, students, hospital unit staff, and other faculty who have assisted me in completing these outcome studies for future patients and students."

Photo by Jean Santopatre

Prior to her presentation on January 24, Williams took time to meet and speak with Fairfield University students (and one alumnus) in the Quick Center. Pictured above (l-r) are Teresa Correa '05, Lauren Cagar '05, Jess Doyle '05, Patricia Williams, Andrew Lewis '00, and Joni Saunders '03.

Continue King's dream, Williams urges students

By Jill Kasiewicz Caseria, Editor

Patricia J. Williams, J.D., professor at Columbia University School of Law, author, and columnist, spoke in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on January 24 as part of Fairfield's four-day Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. In addition, Fairfield University presented her with the John LaFarge, S.J. Award.

Blending a commentary on the events of Sept. 11 with her experience growing up during the civil rights movement, Williams discussed the complicated impact the attacks have had and will have on national politics, economies, war, and peace, and on the responsibility of Americans to stand steadfast in pursuit of King's dream.

She encouraged students to question government on policies and procedures, as well as the treatment of prisoners. "Whatever the issue or time is, I hope we press forward with constructive debate," she said, acknowledging that it won't be easy to confront issues of anti-Semitism, homophobia, racism, religious intolerance, or economic disparity, but that they are issues that must not drift to the back of our nation's consciousness.

"Martin Luther King Jr. expected nothing in return, only insisting upon equal treatment of all people," she said. "He demanded that we respect all of humanity, even if they disrespect our own."

She continued that it is up to all of us to make the world a better place, adding that now more than ever "we must be acting with determined respect for one another, responding with tenacity and resilience, and maintaining a sense of purpose."

In addition to Williams' presentation, four area residents received Fairfield University's Martin Luther King Jr. Vision Award. Recognized for their "tireless effort to instill and inspire the teachings and ideals of Martin Luther King Jr. in today's youth," the awardees were Rev. John S. Kidd of Fairfield and Rev. Phyllis J. Leopold of Stratford, for their work with the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport; Richard Fuller, Sr. of Norwalk, for his leadership with the George Washington Carver Foundation, Inc. in Norwalk; and Andre C. Willis, instructor in religious studies at Fairfield University, who is completing his doctorate at Harvard University, for his contributions as an educator.

Photo by Linda Gustavson

Author James Carroll to discuss Jewish-Christian relations

By Douglas J. Whiting, Associate Vice President for Public Relations

Jewish-Christian relations will be the focus on February 19 when acclaimed author James Carroll speaks at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at 7 p.m.

Carroll will present After Constantine's Sword: The Past, Present and Future of Jewish-Christian Relations. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Constantine's Sword, the Church and the Jews: A History.

A post-show discussion will be led by Ellen M. Umansky, Ph.D., the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor of Judaic Studies, Elizabeth A. Dreyer, Ph.D., professor of religious studies, and Bill Hulseman '98, a recent graduate of Harvard Divinity School.

Constantine's Sword has been the subject of interfaith dialogues and conversations at synagogues and churches across the United States. Carroll, who lectures widely on Jewish-Christian reconciliation and on the question of war and peace, has delivered the Lowell Lecture at Harvard University, the Lowell Lecture at Boston College, the Burke Lecture at the University of California at San Diego, and the Frost Fellowship Lecture at Amherst College.

Carroll published his first novel, Madonna Red, in 1976. Since then he has published eight additional works, including his novel, The City Below (1994), which was a New York Times Notable Book. Carroll's essays and articles have appeared in several publications including The New Yorker and the Boston Globe. His memoir, An American Requiem: God, My Father, And The War That Came Between Us, received the 1996 National Book Award in nonfiction. He is at work on a novel, and on a history of America's arms race against itself.

Carroll was born in Chicago in 1943, and raised in Washington, D.C., where his father, an Air Force general, served as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Carroll attended Georgetown University before entering the seminary to train for the Catholic priesthood. He received B.A. and M.A. degrees at St. Paul's College, the Paulist Fathers' seminary in Washington. In 1965 he studied poetry with Allan Tate at the University of Minnesota. He was a civil rights worker and community organizer in Washington and New York, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1969.

Carroll served as Catholic chaplain at Boston University from 1969 to 1974. He studied poetry with George Starbuck, and eventually published a book of poems. He was active in the anti-war movement throughout the Vietnam War.

In 1974, Carroll left the priesthood to become a writer and was Playwright-in-Residence at the Berkshire Theater Festival in Stockbridge, Mass.

Carroll is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, where he serves on the Committee on International Security Studies. He is a member of the board of PEN-New England, which he served for four years as chair. He has been a Shorenstein Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he is currently a research associate, and a fellow at the Center for the Study of Values in Public Life at the Harvard Divinity School, where he remains a research associate. He is a trustee of the Boston Public Library.

The program is sponsored by the Fairfield Alumni Association, the Departments of History and Religious Studies, and the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies. Admission is free with a Fairfield University I.D. For tickets, call the box office at ext. 4010.

Banner manual rewritten, thanks to this team's work

By Jill Kasiewicz Caseria, Editor

Phyllis Fitzpatrick (pictured above, left), director of management information, and Julianna Coyle (above, right), director of development services, were the primary editors of the newly revised Banner Data Standards document.

What's black and white and now read all over? The new Banner Data Standards document - and without the ambition and dedication of these go-getters, the former manual would still be sitting untouched in desk drawers.

Just over twelve months ago, six members of the Data Standards committee - Phyllis Fitzpatrick, Julianna Coyle, Judy Arel, Eileen Bossone, Aileen Murray, and Bernie Voytek - took on the "gigunda" task of reworking the original outdated document, red pens in hand.

Fairfield adopted the Banner database system in 1996 to organize University information into five sectors: student, alumni/development, finance, financial aid, and human resources. As the institution's primary database, its impeccability is crucial.

Prior to the year-long rewrite completed in January, a Data Standards document did exist, but no one used it. Why? "The manual was created back in 1996 when we were just beginning to understand how we would use the Banner system at Fairfield," says Coyle. "We didn't have enough experience at that point to recognize the issues or questions that frequently come up among Banner users. The format also made it difficult for people to find quick answers to data entry problems they would have in Banner. Our goal was to create a clear, clean, user-friendly manual that would be easy for newcomers and seasoned users of the system to understand." Since data is shared campus-wide, they felt it crucial that all users operate under a consistent set of business standards when it comes to entering information.

And user-friendly it is. The new Data Standards document has tabbed sections, screen printouts and images of the exact forms seen in Banner, and examples on nearly every page. By storing it in a three-ring loose leaf binder, the document has room to grow.

Far from it being solely the input of two individuals, the new document is the result of a year's worth of in-depth reviews by committees and sub-committees and suggestions by system users campus-wide. To test the final product's usability, a prototype was distributed to key areas across campus. End users were given a month to work with the manual and provide feedback to ensure that all relevant areas were covered. In addition, Coyle conducted nearly a dozen small group training sessions.

So far, so good. With uniform instructions and procedures in hand, the Data Standards committee has made Fairfield a "Banner" success!

Photo by Jean Santopatre

At the John A. Barone Campus Center's reopening ceremony on January 25, University President Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., and John A. Barone, Ph.D., unveiled a plaque inscribed with Barone's accomplishments at Fairfield University. It will be permanently installed on the upper level of the building.

Campus Center officially re-opened for business

By Jill Kasiewicz Caseria, Editor

After months of dust, noise, and inconveniences, the dream of "someday" having a redesigned campus center became a reality on the afternoon of January 25, as the University celebrated the renovated John A. Barone Campus Center with a reopening ceremony.

University President Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. echoed the sentiment many felt throughout the construction period and expressed the benefit such a facility brings. "Although the wait was long and sometimes difficult, it is today a magnificent structure," he said. "What wonderful things it is going to do for Fairfield."

FUSA president Joe Piagentini '02 noted, "The Barone Campus Center is the heart and soul of the student body, with areas to facilitate group activities and independent study." He encouraged students to use the updated Center and "all of the benefits it has to offer."

James Fitzpatrick, assistant vice president for student services, outlined the role the new center will occupy in campus life - a beacon for student activities, as well as a place where students can relax and develop as well-rounded individuals.

Professor of chemistry and provost emeritus John A. Barone, Ph.D., for whom the building was named for his commitment to academic and student life, was honored at the ceremony and presented with an artist's rendering of the renovated Campus Center.

Erika Parisi and Matt Battista, sixth graders at St. Thomas School in Fairfield, use donated computer desks that once furnished the Nyselius library.

Library furniture finds new homes

What's old is new again as students at St. Thomas School in Fairfield use furniture that formerly occupied the Nyselius library. Last fall, DiMenna-Nyselius Library donated chairs for many of the elementary school's classrooms, as well as desks for teachers, file cabinets, the media circulation desk, tables, carrels, a coat rack, dictionary stands, and miscellaneous other items. "The carrel partitions were removed and the tables at St. Thomas now hold two computers each to make classroom computer centers. A storage room was emptied and turned into a small computer lab and a new library. Our donations are used in virtually every classroom and the school is thrilled with the 'new' furnishings," noted Charles Allen, S.J., executive assistant to the University President, after a visit to the school in December.

But that's not all. Here are a few other ways the library furnishings have been recycled:

Sunday School students at Fairfield's First Church Congregational now learn while sitting in and at more than 100 donated chairs and tables from the library.

Thirteen families in Judy Primavera, Ph.D.'s Family Literacy Project now have DEC 486 computers, giving inner-city children Internet access and word processing resources at home.

The Fairfield Public Library has created a new home for the CD cabinets (formerly the LP bins).

Computing and Network Services, SCT, the Family Literacy Project office, and the make-up room in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts all have former library furnishings mixed in with their current decor.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

Employee mentors: a chance to serve

Students enjoy interacting with members of the University community," says Tom Regan, S.J., "and we're hoping that a number of faculty, staff, and administrators will step forward as volunteers. Basically, we're looking for mentors who are happy with themselves and what they do, who are able to share their life's journey at many levels - work, faith, community, family, etc. We're not talking about a job fair. We're talking about people who are passionate about life, who can speak about things like the nature of commitment, where they derive strength, and what role their spiritual life plays in all that."

If you're interesting in applying to become a mentor, please contact the Ignatian Residential College at irc@mail.fairfield.edu.

news Briefs

First Ryba Scholarship awardee
Geraldine Ryba (left) recently met with Carlos Uria '05, the first Fairfield University student to be awarded a scholarship in her husband's memory. The scholarship honors the late Walter G. Ryba, Jr., Ph.D., who served as dean of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, and benefits a multicultural student who has shown significant leadership in academics, student activities, and athletics in high school. Uria majors in international studies and was named to the MAAC All-Rookie Soccer Team.

Sigma Theta Tau inducts 17 new members

Fairfield University's Mu Chi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society for students in the School of Nursing, inducted 17 members in November. Sigma Theta Tau recognizes nursing students for their superior achievement, leadership, high professional standards, creative work, and commitment to the high ideals of the nursing profession.

Congratulations to the following inductees: (Class of '01) Ersa Anso, Lisa Guliano, Marlain Kalapos, Daniel Walsh; (Class of '02) Kate Coleman, Audrey Hincman, Alison Lucibello, Ellen Miller, Mary Murphy, Morgan Peddicord, Melissa Rafael, Christina Reid, Edite Weddle; (MSN) Karen Corsilia, Melissa Fedell, Nanci Kaczegowicz, and Christine Martin.

Conference to address issues of development in Haiti

Fairfield University will present an afternoon conference, "The Realities and Challenges of Haiti," on Sunday, February 10, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Oak Room of the Barone Campus Center. The conference is open to the public and admission is free.

Alex Dupuy, Ph.D., professor of sociology at Wesleyan University, will speak on U.S.-Haitian relations in The Social Origins of the Political Crisis in Haiti. Also presenting is Rose-Marie Chierici, Ph.D., associate professor of anthropology at SUNY-Geneseo, who will discuss Grassroot Approaches to Community Development. Alix Cantave, founder of the Haitian Studies Association and organizer of SEED, a micro-lending organization in Haiti, will address grassroots economic development in Social Investment as a Community Development Tool.

Rounding out the program will be Fairfield's own Douglas Perlitz '92, who will talk about his work in Cap Haitian where he is the founder and director of the Pierre Toussaint Village community for homeless boys. Perlitz first visited Haiti while a Fairfield University student and returned there in 1996 to begin his work of providing housing and education for street kids.

The program is sponsored by a consortium of international and area studies programs at Fairfield University, together with Campus Ministry, the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, and the departments of politics, economics, and modern languages. For further information, contact Edward Dew, Ph.D., professor of politics, at ext. 2863 or Marie-Agnes Sourieau, Ph.D., assistant professor of modern languages and literatures, at ext. 2412.

Thomas Edison exhibit opens in McAuliffe
January 28 marked the formal dedication of the School of Engineering's permanent Thomas Edison Exhibit, housed in the foyer of McAuliffe Hall. Made possible through grants from the Charles Edison Fund and Dibner Fund, the exhibit includes items from the Edison Laboratories and samples of current technologies that have their roots in Edison's inventions, such as the lightbulb and the phonograph (pictured above), thus illustrating the continuity of scientific development in the decades since this technological genius first made his contributions to the world.

Photos by Jean Santopatre

Sports Shorts By Jack Jones, Director of Sports Information

Stags are the apple of American Airlines' "Eye"

CBS Sports Broadcaster Jim Nantz and the CBS Sports production crew came to campus on January 15 to profile the men's basketball team as part of a March Madness preview for the network's Eye on American program. Each month, CBS packages news clips and sitcoms for intercontinental and international flights on American Airlines, which are shown as part of the airline's in-flight entertainment line-up.

Nantz hosted the March edition from Alumni Hall, using the basketball court to tie in with March Madness. The NCAA tournament is hosted by CBS Sports each year. Nantz introduced segments from news programs "60 Minutes," and "CBS Sunday Morning," as well as sitcoms "Everyone Loves Raymond," and "The King of Queens," with the men's basketball team and cheerleaders conducting practice in the background.

The final segment was Nantz doing a one-on-one interview with head coach Tim O'Toole. Nantz asked O'Toole about his experience with the NCAA tournament, both as a coach at Syracuse and Duke and a student-athlete (Fairfield went to the NCAA tournament in 1986 and 1987).

The Eye on American program will air from late February through mid-March for an estimated four to five million travelers.

Freshman Gai scores high in basketball blocks

Deng Gai '05, a forward on the men's basketball team, ranks among the nation's leaders for blocked shots all season long, reaching as high as second place in that category, averaging 4.5 per game. Gai had 66 blocks through 15 games, the most by a freshman in Division I. He blocked eight shots in four different games, including a personal-best 10 rejections against St. Francis on December 11.

Fairfield's own reaches 1,000 career points

Megan Light '02 became the 17th woman to score 1,000 career points in basketball, reaching the mark with her seventh point on January 23 against Iona College. The senior guard is the second consecutive Stag to reach the coveted plateau, Holli Tapley having accomplished the task last year. Light has been among the team leaders in several categories, including scoring (14.7 ppg), assists (3.5 apg), and three-point shooting (18 made in 13 games).

Stags to play the Arena ice this season

The men's ice hockey team will play two games at the Arena at Harbor Yard this season, the first coming on February 22 against Quinnipiac College, followed by the College of the Holy Cross on March 2. The Red and White have received a boost from Lyon Porter '05, who has ranked among the team leaders in scoring throughout the year. Porter, who has won two MAAC Rookie of the Week awards, tallied two game-winning goals to date - against Quinnipiac and Findlay (Ohio).

Swimming and diving at the helm

The Fairfield swimming and diving team has performed admirably through the first half of the season. The men's team set a school record for the 400 freestyle relay, behind the efforts of sophomores Pat Morrow, Tom Hansbury, and Frank Vitulli, and senior Kevin Young. The foursome finished the race with a time of 3:45.53. Both swimming and diving teams have performed well in MAAC action, each defeating Iona and St. Peter's.

 

School of Engineering receives grant for Phase II of photovoltaic project
A $40,000 grant from The Educational Foundation of America will help fund Phase II of the School of Engineering's photovoltaic project, a multi-year effort to improve the performance of systems that convert solar energy into usable electricity. Townhouse 10, the project site, is equipped with nearly 800 solar shingles that collect the energy and, through one of three possible conversion systems, provide a portion of the townhouse residents' electricity. Teams of senior engineering students are involved in comparing the different systems and improving their efficiency.

By the end of Phase II, the full complement of electronics for the project's three sub-systems, as well as the hardware and software for data accumulation and management, will be in operation. On that basis, advanced studies for improved design of electronic controls will be possible.

This project's overarching goal is to help make PV-produced electricity a credible option for mainstream energy use in urban residential and commercial settings, thereby contributing to a cleaner environment.

Fairfield University dedicates Andersen Interactive Computing Classroom
Thanks to the generous donations of alumni working at Andersen, Fairfield University students now have a state-of-the-art classroom that will enable them to take advantage of cutting-edge developments in information technology. At the dedication ceremony held on December 6, 2001, Andersen managing partner and CEO Joe Berardino '72 (pictured above with Erika Forde '03) got a first-hand look at the facility. The classroom features 36 flat-angle display work stations, an LCD projector, a sound system, and a fully equipped instructors' work station.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

Children of Uganda to dance at Fairfield University

Children of Uganda, an award-winning dance troupe comprising 20 Ugandan children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, will perform at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on February 14 at 7:30 p.m. and February 15 at 8 p.m. The children play a variety of handmade drums, harps, and xylophones, and perform dances from a number of countries.

The group's "Tour of Light 2002" program, which stops in 17 U.S. cities, will take the dancers to schools and theaters across the country, including The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Proceeds from this tour - which is projected to raise $1 million - will provide education, food, and shelter for hundreds of Ugandan orphans, raise awareness of AIDS and its devastating impact on children, and help sustain a U.S. scholarship program.

Selected as "Best Performers" at the International Children's Festival at Wolf Trap in Washington, D.C., and hailed as "first-rate and inspiring" by The New York Times, Children of Uganda tours the U.S. biennially. In 2000, the group visited 11 cities, performing at The Kennedy Center, The White House, and "The Late Show with David Letterman," among others, while raising $670,000 to support their fellow orphans.

For tickets, call the box office at ext. 4010.

Spring festival to celebrate France's contributions to arts and letters

Ooh la, la! The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts will present "French Showcase: Evolving Arts" this spring to celebrate the many contributions the French have made to the world in the areas of arts and letters. Events planned include stage performances, concerts, films, lectures, wine tastings, food demonstrations, and a day trip.

For tickets and more information about these events, call the box office at ext. 4010 or visit the Quick Center web site at www.quickcenter.com.

Events through February 25:

Opening Day
Opening the festival on Sunday, February 10 at 2:30 p.m. is "The Pleasures of Paris," a lecture presented by Diana Mille, Ph.D., director of the Thomas A. Walsh Art Gallery. Mille will explore the sights and sounds of the "City of Lights" - the cafés, theaters, boulevards, circuses, and racetracks - during the "belle époque," and discuss the paintings and graphics of artists from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth centuries.

Immediately following the lecture will be a crepe demonstration with David G. Smith from Lighthouse Personal Chef Service, who will prepare savory crepes, sweet crepes, and classic Suzette.

In addition there will be a "Wine Tasting," "Vin d'Honneur" by the oldest distributor in Connecticut, Hartley & Parker, Ltd., in conjunction with the Wine Seller Spirits of Fairfield, who will offer tastes of five outstanding French wines exploring an array of regions.

The afternoon will also include French music, crafts, a travelogue, and language labs.

Theatre

February 16, 3 and 8 p.m. - Radio Drama: "Sensual French Tales of Temptation and Suspense" features delightful tales of love, war, and madness by the 19th-century master of the French short story, Guy De Maupassant, translated and adapted especially for this production by Bob Adrian. A post-show "Art to Heart" discussion with the company follows the production.

Theatrical Readings
Three classic French readings (the first is scheduled for February 21). Workshop are planned in conjunction with the festival.

February 21, 7:30 p.m. - Moliere's "The Learned Ladies," directed by Katie C. Sparer.

Film series
The Quick Center's cutting-edge Monday night French film package for February features the following:

February 11, 7 p.m. - "Les Miserables" (1995), directed by Claude Lelouch.

February 25, 7 p.m. - "La Haine" ("The Hate") (1995), directed by Mathieu Kassovitz.

French Bistro fare, including salads, soups, and fromage, will be available for sale prior to each screening.

Thomas Krens opens SCE art series

A new enrichment series through the School of Continuing Education, "Insider's Insights to the Art World," presents the expertise and opinions of five respected leaders in the visual arts and one on-site gallery tour. Thomas Krens, director of Guggenheim Museums, worldwide, opened the series in the Thomas A. Walsh Gallery on January 27, prior to his Open VISIONS Forum presentation. Upcoming speakers include Knight Landesman, executive publisher of ARTFORUM Magazine on February 11, Christopher Eykyn, senior vice president of Christie's Auction House, on March 18, and Elisabeth Rosenberg Clark, who will speak on confiscated artworks during World War II, on April 8.

To join the series, or for more information, call the School of Continuing Education at ext. 4220.

Photo by Robin Fellows

Campus Currents is the official news publication of the Fairfield University community. It is published on the first Tuesday of every month. The editorial office is located in the Public Relations Dept., Bellarmine Hall 220. Telephone 254-4000, ext. 2556; fax: 254-4167. E-mail: campuscurr@mail.fairfield.edu.

Editor
Jill Kasiewicz Caseria

Editorial Board
Douglas J. Whiting
Associate V.P. for Public Relations

Barbara Kiernan
Director of University Publications

Jean Santopatre
University Photojournalist

Linda Gustavson
Publications Assistant