June 2003

Index for June 3, 2003

Talbott encourages grads to use Jesuit ideals as a guide for future

By Jill Kasiewicz Caseria, Editor

At Fairfield University's 53rd commencement ceremony on May 18, Strobe Talbott, former deputy Secretary of State and current president of the Brookings Institution, asked the 1,217 graduates to consider the future of the United States' foreign policy. "Is the United States going to be a leader whom others follow because they want to, or is it going to be a boss, whom others follow because they have to? Your generation is going to have to ... answer that question."

He encouraged graduates to apply the Jesuit ideals acquired at Fairfield to all aspects of their lives. "It's my impression that what all of you have learned here and how you have learned it predisposes you to probe, question, listen, and above all, think your way through the treacherous terrain of moral complexity before reaching the high ground of moral certainty," he said. "That respect for intellectual rigor, in combination with a commitment to service and a belief in the existence of a global community, equips you to be good citizens of your country, whatever your country. if you're americans, you're going to help our country be a good leader of the world."

University President Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., awarded Talbott with an honorary doctor of laws degree. Also receiving honorary degrees were Major (ret) Michael Donnelly '81 and Sister Mary Rose McGeady, D.C.

Dr. Grayce M. Sills, RN, FAAN, received an honorary doctor of science degree.

Presented with the Bellarmine Medal, the award given to the senior with the highest four-year academic average, was Brian Beirne. Karen Donoghue received the St. Ignatius Loyola Medal for outstanding University service.

Sean Hayes delivered the valedictory address in which he encouraged his peers to use the tools that Fairfield University has provided them to change the world. "As citizens of the world, we can no longer afford to pretend the world's problems are not our own. We must shape the world with our thoughts, our ideas, and our commitment to the Jesuit message. ... We have the responsibility to make that world better for everyone," he said. "Fifty years from now, if you look back on your lives and know that you have done much to help others, be compassionate, fight for social justice, then you are a success."

Among the degrees awarded were 860 bachelor's degrees, 327 master's degrees, 19 certificates of advanced study, and 11 associate's degrees.

Photos by Jean Santopatre

Dr. Gregory Koutmos named to Gerald M. Levin Chair in Finance

By Nancy Habetz, Director of Media Relations

University President Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., has announced that Dr. Gregory Koutmos will be the first to hold the newly named Gerald M. Levin Chair in Finance in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business. The chair was endowed in spring 2003 as part of the $25 million gift from Charles F. and Helen Dolan in 2000. Dr. Koutmos's appointment is for a five-year renewable term.

In making the announcement, Fr. Kelley expressed his renewed gratitude to the Dolans whose landmark gift, in addition to funding faculty chairs, has brought national business leaders to campus, supported research, and helped provide the School of Business with a beautiful facility, equipped with the latest technology. Mr. Dolan, he said, chose to name the chair as a meaningful way to express his friendship and admiration for Gerald Levin.

Levin is a recognized pioneer in the development and deployment of interactive media, rising to the level of chairman of Time Inc. in 1972 and later to chief executive officer of AOL Time Warner where he worked until his retirement in May 2002.

Dr. Norm Solomon, dean of the Dolan School of Business, noted that the Department of Finance, which Dr. Koutmos chairs, is nationally recognized for the expertise and productivity of its faculty. A 2002 publication of the Financial Management Association rates Fairfield's finance department in the top 20 percent of financial departments worldwide.

"Dr. Koutmos is a world-renowned scholar who reflects the distinction associated with being named to this prestigious chair," says Dr. Solomon.

An authority in the field of financial markets volatility, equilibrium asset pricing models, and fixed income securities and risk hedging, Dr. Koutmos has traveled globally to study U.S., European, and emerging markets. Twice annually he travels to Vaasa, Finland, to present a seminar to post-graduate students at the Swedish School of Business and Economics Administration.

His work has been presented at national and international conferences and he has published articles in several financial journals. Dr. Koutmos is an associate editor for the Financial Review and the Multinational Finance Journal, and a founding member of the Multinational Finance Society.

Dr. Koutmos earned a bachelor of science degree in economics and business from the Graduate School of Business and Economic Studies in his native Greece. He also holds a master of arts degree in economics from City College of the City University of New York and a doctoral degree in finance from the Graduate School and University Center of the City University of New York. Prior to joining Fairfield in 1993, he was an assistant professor at Catholic University of America.

Photo by Susan Warner

New task force to oversee website development

A Fairfield University Web Task Force has been created to oversee the development of the next generation of the University's official site. The task force consists of an executive committee and advisory council.

According to Martha Milcarek, assistant vice president for public relations and task force facilitator, the group will advise, direct, and supervise the project from beginning to end. The site is set to launch in spring 2004.

Fairfield University's current website is four years old. Says Milcarek, "Since the site was developed there have been many changes in the University and the marketing environment in higher education, as well as significant maturation of software applications that support Web services."

Once the new site is complete, a permanent Fairfield University Web Committee will be created and function as an oversight council to handle site enhancements, Web policies and procedures, technology issues, content management, and other Web-related issues that may arise.

While the project is underway, there will be a temporary suspension of new designs on the Fairfield site. However, updates of content are encouraged and should be forwarded to Laura Johnson, webmaster, Milcarek says.

"We have an exciting opportunity to create a new site that reflects the dynamism that is Fairfield University, expresses the University's character and new brand, incorporates best practices in technology, and enables the institution's Web presence to grow as Fairfield grows," she adds.

The task force's executive committee includes George Diffley, vice president for University advancement; James Estrada, vice president for information services and University librarian; Dr. Orin Grossman, academic vice president ; Cathy O'Donnell, director of marketing; Don Adams, director of computing and network services; Laura Johnson, webmaster; Dr. Larry Miners, associate professor of economics and member of the Educational Technology Committee; and Mark Reed, dean of students.

Advisory Council members and the areas they represent include: Janet Canepa, alumni relations; Jack Jones, sports information; Susan Marcin, Library; Jim Mayzik, Media Center; Mike Tortora, student services; Jay Rozgonyi, computing and network services; Dr. Tim Snyder, College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Norm Solomon, Charles F. Dolan School of Business; Dr. Edna Wilson, University College; Ed Wilkes, enrollment management; Pam Trickey, printing and graphic services; Tom Zingarelli, Quick Center; and faculty members Drs. Dennis Hodgson, Richard Regan, and Justin Ahn.

Designs by Printing and Graphic Services win national competition

By Jill Kasiewicz Caseria, Editor

Designers Ed Ross and Kim Szabo of Fairfield University's Department of Printing and Graphic Services recently earned recognition by Hammermill Paper, winning the poster category in the company's national design competition. Each received $500 for their designs promoting two University events.

Guidelines for the competition, "The Grand Color Copy Contest," required submissions be printed on Hammermill paper with a color laser printer. Both winning posters were created and printed in-house.

Ross's design for "Dante's Idea of Poetry," a February 2003 lecture by Dr. Giuseppe Mazzota, Charles C. and Dorthea S. Dilley Professor of Italian at Yale University, features a 1490 painting of Dante Alighieri by Andrea del Castagno against muted tones.

"My inspiration for the design was illuminated medieval manuscripts," says Ross. "I updated it by using modern but classic typefaces and rule treatments. A recent trip to Tuscany influenced my use of the earthy tones of green and dark red. Whenever possible, I try to use a focal point that impresses me - such as the painting of Dante - as my design influence."

Szabo's design for "Creating Global Environmental Citizenship: A U.S.-Brazil Commitment," a December 2002 event for an information session and lecture about a Brazilian environmental study program, features colorful images of the region's unusual wildlife against a bright green tree.

"When designing, I try to stir emotion in the person viewing the design," says Szabo. Color is one of the first things she considers. "In this instance, I used a combination of green, black, and yellow to pull the viewer in. These colors not only represent the rainforest, but also may attract a viewer with their vibrancy." Szabo's previous designs have earned her Apex and Clarion awards.

Imperial Ascent: Mountaineering, Masculinity, and Empire, the newest book by Dr. Peter Bayers, visiting assistant professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences, was published in May. Also, his article, "Evolution and the Politics of Early America in William Bartram's Travels," appeared in English Language Notes.

In April, Dr. Bharat Bhalla, professor of finance and associate dean of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, attended the 39th annual conference of the Eastern Finance Association in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. He presented his paper, "International Financial Market Integration: Evidence from Latin America," and chaired two sessions: "Finance and Economic Development" and "Sedition in Foreign Exchange Exposure and Hedging."

Dr. Phyllis Braun, professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, put the SARS scare into perspective in an article in the Connecticut Post. "Worldwide there are only about 5,000 cases of SARS," she said in the May 3 article, explaining that the chances of catching the disease are one in a billion. "More people die of the flu."

Dr. Arjun Chaudhuri, professor of marketing in the Dolan School of Business, presented a lecture series to 70 graduate students and faculty at the Durham Business School in Durham, United Kingdom, in May. Dr. Chaudhuri spoke on the topics of customer value, customer satisfaction, brand loyalty, and relationship marketing.

Dr. Orin Grossman, academic vice president, was interviewed by WICC and WSTC/WNLK radio about Fairfield University's commencement.

Dr. Katherine Kidd, director of international studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, was a guest on The Daytime Edition of News 12 Connecticut where she discussed Fairfield University's Model U.N. Program.

"Fighting Back: The Growth of Alternative Trade," an article by Dr. Mark LeClair, associate professor of economics in the Dolan School of Business, was in the March issue of Development, the official journal of the Society for International Development. The article examines the structure, goals, and benefits to subsistence producers of Fair Trade. It is the companion piece to Dr. LeClair's 2002 publication about Fair Trade in World Development.

Dr. R. James Long, professor of philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences, presented "On the Margins of Soul and Body: Preachers' Cues in the De proprietatibus rerum" at the 38th International Congress on Medieval Studies at Western Michigan University in May. The paper was part of a session he organized called "The Encyclopedia of Bartholomaeus Anglicus: New Edition, New Insights."

Dr. Sharlene A. McEvoy, professor of business law in the Dolan School of Business, became president of the North East Academy of Legal Studies in Business for 2003-04. She was also elected as editor-in-chief of North East Journal of Legal Studies, a peer-reviewed, blind-refereed law journal. In addition, she presented two papers at the annual meeting of the North East Academy of Legal Studies in Business held in April in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.: "SAG and AFTRA: The Case for Merger of the Entertainment Unions" analyzed the failure of the 1998-99 merger vote and the prospects for a successful affiliation vote scheduled in June under the National Labor Relations Act; and "Winnie the Pooh and a Lawsuit, Too," analyzed an ongoing battle between Walt Disney Corp., and the owners of the licensing rights to the A.A. Milne character over trademark and copyright violations.
   Dr. McEvoy recently published "Timekeeping Systems Inc.: Protecting Employee Expression by E-Mail Under Sections 7 and 8 of the National Labor Relations Act" in Vol. 10 of the Journal of Individual Employment Rights. The article explores the use of the NLRA as a weapon to protect employees against unauthorized e-mail communications in the workplace.

Dr. Jeanne Novotny, dean of the School of Nursing, was interviewed for an article in Hospital News Connecticut about changes in nursing education over the last 50 years.

Lisa M. Roberts, development writer, has been invited by the Science, Technology, and Business Division of The Library of Congress to give a lunchtime lecture on her book, The Entrepreneurial Parent. The book describes how to earn a living from home while still enjoying family life. Published in 2002 by Tarcher/Putnam in New York, Roberts co-authored the book with Paul and Sarah Edwards, self-employment experts.

Dr. M. Sallyanne Ryan, assistant professor of communication in the College of Arts and Sciences, was quoted in a Charles Walsh column in the Connecticut Post that discussed the increased use of cursing in everyday conversation.

Dr. Norm Solomon, dean of the Dolan School of Business, and Dr. Winston Tellis, assistant professor of information systems and operations management, were interviewed by Gabriela Montell of the Chronicle of Higher Education on the subject of doctoral degrees that are earned in non-traditional programs.

In March, Brian Torff, director of the music program in the College of Arts and Sciences, played at the Hawkeye Community Artists Series in Iowa as part of the "Tribute to Stephane Grapelli."
   Torff recently performed as part of the Django Reinhardt Group for the Burghausen Jazz Festival in Germany as bassist and musical director. Also in May, Torff performed with Florence Melnotte and Thierry Arpino at the Silvermine Tavern in Norwalk.

The Women's Auxiliary of the Jewish Home for the Elderly of Fairfield County honored Dr. Ellen Umansky, director of the Judaic Studies Program and the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor of Judaic Studies, as its first Woman of Distinction. This award initiates a new tradition for the Women's Auxiliary, paying tribute to women whose contributions to the community transcend cultures, inspire future leaders, and impact lives.

In April, Dr. Kathleen Wheeler, professor in the School of Nursing, presented "Holistic Nursing: Integrating Behavioral Strategies and Energetic Healing" at the 5th Annual Connecticut Holistic Health Association Conference sponsored by the Connecticut Hospital Association in Wallingford.

Clarification
Dr. Robert Fedorchek, professor of modern languages and literatures, was also honored at the College of Arts and Sciences' April 23 reception for its published faculty. His most recent books (translations from the Spanish) are DoÒa Luz and Stories of Enchantment from Nineteenth Century Spain.

Fr. Kelley hosts members of The President's Circle

University President Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., hosted a reception on May 15 for the 52 University employees who are members of The President's Circle, Fairfield University's gift society for its high-level benefactors. Pictured above (l-r) are Bonnie Gleason, secretary in the development office; Carole Boccuzzi, administrative assistant in the School of Nursing; and Dr. Jeanne Novotny, dean of the School of Nursing.

Photo by B.K. Angeletti

Service Anniversaries

June & July 2003

Condolences

Rev. Albert F. Reddy, S.J., professor emeritus of English literature, died May 14.
Fr. Reddy taught at Fairfield University from 1961 until 1995, during which time he also served as resident Jesuit in Jogues Hall.
   After his retirement, he continued teaching English part-time to undergraduate students. In 1995, he was inducted as an honorary member into Fairfield's chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, the National Jesuit honor society.
   Long after their graduation, alumni kept in touch with Fr. Reddy, a classroom favorite. In 2000, part of a generous gift to the University by William P. Egan '67 and his wife, Jacalyn, established a scholarship in Fr. Reddy's name.
   Prior to his teaching position at Fairfield University, Fr. Reddy served on the faculty at Fairfield Preparatory School from 1952 to 1955.
   Fr. Reddy entered the Society of Jesus at Shadowbrook in Lenox, Mass., in 1945, where he spent four years completing his novitiate and studying the classics. He was ordained in 1958.
   Fr. Reddy earned his A.B. and M.A. degrees from Boston College, an M.A. in English from Middlebury College, a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a licentiate in sacred theology from Weston College.

Raymond E. Keenan, brother of Dr. James J. Keenan, professor of communications in the College of Arts and Sciences, died in May.

George Boughton, father of Michael G. Boughton, S.J., President of Fairfield Preparatory School, died May 28.

New Employees

Rosa LeClerc - Project coordinator, Project EXCEL, student support services
Jason Sweatman - Infrastructure Technician II, telecommunication services

By Jack Jones, Director of Sports Information

Class of 2003 student-athletes honored by All-Region

Just a few weeks before graduation, several Fairfield student-athletes earned All-Region honors in their respective sports. On the softball diamond, outfielder Ellen Sarosy '03 and pitcher Mellissa Santos '03 earned All-Northeast designation by vote of the region's coaches. The duo also won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player and Pitcher of the Year awards, respectively.

Senior lacrosse players Matt Buecker, C.J. Kemp, and Kris Klein each picked up All-Scholastic accolades from the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. Freshman Beth Loffredo garnered the MAAC Rookie of the Year for the women's lacrosse team.

Along with their field performance honors, 33 student-athletes received All-Academic honors during the spring semester.

Crew caps season at Dad Vails

The women's crew team competed in the prestigious Dad Vails in May. The two-day event features the nation's best rowing teams. The women's novice 4+ placed second in the finals with a time of 7:45, after coasting through its qualifying and semi-final heats. The shell included five freshmen: coxswain Sandy Wrinn, Jennifer White, Bethany Hemingway, Maureen Sullivan, and Ellen Dunleavy.

Awards banquet honors top athletes

Ellen Sarosy '03 of the softball team (pictured above with Athletic Director Eugene Doris and University President Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J.) was awarded Co-Female Athlete of the Year at the annual athletic awards banquet on May 4. Other awardees included Erin Heslin '03 of the cross country team (Co-Female Athlete of the Year); men's basketball Deng Gai '05 (Male Athlete of the Year); football's Matt Giugliano '03 and lacrosse's Kris Klein '03 (2003 Alumni Co-Male Student Athlete of the Year); field hockey's Liz Croney (2003 Alumni Female Student Athlete of the Year); lacrosse's Beth Loffredo '06 (Female Freshman of the Year); and soccer's Ed Meyer '06 (Male Freshman of the Year). Dani Brown '03 of the field hockey team received the William Wallin '61 Memorial Award, and seniors Michael Pignataro and Alyssa Haddad of the tennis teams each received an Arthur Ashe Award. The athletic department also honored Gregg Grovensburg, S.J., with the Eastern College Athletic Conference Certificate of Appreciation.

news Briefs

Guest lecturer to discuss the economic impact of the war with Iraq
David Gergen, a former White House advisor to four presidents, will discuss world events and their potential impact on the country's financial future on June 5 at 7 p.m. at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. His lecture is sponsored by Merrill Lynch, in partnership with Fairfield University.

Gergen will consider the effect of the war on the U.S. economy, the cost of reconstruction, and the impact on oil and gas pricing. He will also discuss the situation in Korea, the potential for an interest rate hike, and the President's tax cut.

Gergen has served as editor of U.S. News & World Report and is also known for his political commentary on the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour. He is currently editor-at-large at U.S. News, moderator of World@Large, a 10-part PBS discussion series now in its second season, and a professor of public service and director of the Center for Public Leadership at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. His book, Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership, Nixon to Clinton, was published in 2000.

For tickets, call the Box Office at ext. 4010.

Construction update: June

• Prep construction will continue through September.
• Alumni Field's new synthetic surface will be completed in June.
• The new tennis courts at Walsh Athletic Center will be completed in June.
• The Bellarmine exterior restoration project will begin in July and continue throughout the summer.
• Renovations at Bannow will continue throughout the summer.
• Construction of the new Dolan Campus parking lot on the north campus has begun and will be completed by July.

Summer renovations scheduled to begin soon and be completed in August include:

• Alumni Hall: weight room improvements
• Canisius Hall: Room 302 - workstations
• DiMenna Nyselius Library: vending locations
• Dolan - east: adding card swipes and a door to a stairwell to prevent unauthorized entry into the residence hall
• Dolan - west: creating a student kitchen similar to those in other residence halls and creating an area for back-up servers for Computing and Network Services
• Dolan buildings - east and west (north campus): hand dryers in restrooms
• Dolan Commons - lower levels 1 and 2: improvements
• John A. Barone Campus Center: magnetic lock at southwest stairwell
• Loyola Hall: data room heating, ventilating, and air conditioning
• Loyola Hall: studio art classroom renovations
• Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts: lobby carpet
• Walsh Athletic Center: locker room and office renovations

Phi Delta Kappa initiates 14 new members
The Fairfield University chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, an international professional association for men and women in the field of education, held its annual installation ceremony of new members on March 18 in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business.

Following the induction, Robert Novotny, who serves on the executive board of the Fairfield University Chapter, addressed the 14 new members. Novotny, who has been a member of Phi Delta Kappa for 35 years, previously served as a past chapter president and district coordinator in Ohio.

Phi Delta Kappa, founded in 1906, is composed of recognized education leaders and graduate students in education whose leadership potential has been identified. Membership is by invitation.

Fairfield University's faculty advisors to the chapter are Dr. Margaret Deignan, dean of the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions, and Sister Julianna Poole, SSND, chair of TESOL, foreign language, and bilingual/multicultural education, and assistant professor of secondary education in the GSEAP.

Student wins federal David L. Boren scholarship to study in Chile

By Dana Ambrosini, Assistant Director of Media Relations

Gregory DiCamillo '05 of Tomball, Texas, has been chosen by the National Security Education Program to receive a prestigious David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarship to study in Chile for the 2003-04 academic year.

Created by the National Security Education Act of 1991, the Boren scholarships are intended in part to increase Americans' understanding of less commonly taught languages and cultures. In the past five years, eight Fairfield University students have earned the Boren scholarships.

A double major in international studies and Spanish, with minors in psychology and Latin American and Caribbean studies, and a student in the Ignatian Residential College this past academic year, DiCamillo will study at both the University of Santiago and the University of Chile. He will take courses in U.S./Latin American relations, contemporary international politics, and Chilean public administration.

Prior to his trip, DiCamillo will spend a month teaching English at a school in Tela, Honduras. He is raising some funds to help start a breakfast program for undernourished children at the school. In addition to preparing for his year abroad, DiCamillo is seeking donations for the school in Tela.

"Greg DiCamillo's mission and goals represent an honorable outcome of the merger of his intellect and passion with the many opportunities available to Fairfield students," says Dr. Timothy Law Snyder, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Fairfield. "Each of our programs in international studies, Spanish, Latin American and Caribbean studies, and psychology, along with our core curriculum, Campus Ministry, the Ignatian Residential College, and the work of Fairfield's dedicated faculty and staff, have had a significant part in making the opportunities furthered by this scholarship a success."

Gifts and Grants

The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation funds American-Russian program

The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation has awarded $6,000 to Fairfield University's Russian and East European Studies program. The funds will increase the Russian participation in "American Studies through Russian and American Eyes," a project that includes American-Russian summer seminars and a faculty exchange program with four universities in northwest Russia: Herzen State Pedagogical University (in St. Petersburg), Pomor State Pedagogical University (in Arkangel'sk), Cherepovets State University, and Kaliningrad State University. Dr. David McFadden, director of the Russian/East European Studies program and chair of the history department, and Dr. Katherine Kidd, director of International Studies, are the project directors. This gift enhances the NIS College and University Partnerships Program funding the program received in 2002.

The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation provided the seed money in 1999 to help launch the first "American Studies through Russian and American Eyes" seminar in St. Petersburg. A grant of $14,000 was awarded in 1999 followed by another in 2002 of $5,000. These early gifts helped establish a strong foundation upon which the NISCUPP grant was developed and awarded major funding for the expansion of the seminar to universities throughout northwest Russia. The project is part of a three-year initiative funded by a $294,000 grant from the U.S. State Department.

Grant to support biology research and teaching

Dr. Jen Klug, assistant professor of biology, has received a $17,000 grant from the Maximillian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation for her research and teaching in biology. This gift complements an earlier gift of $3,000 from the Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation.

The funds will purchase equipment to enhance water quality research and education on Long Island Sound. The equipment will be used as part of the classroom curriculum as well as in student-faculty research projects.

One group of students enrolled in Dr. Klug's ecology courses during the 2003-04 academic year will use the equipment to monitor overall water quality in several local systems. Another group will work with Dr. Klug in a study aimed at how changes in the environment affect ecological communities. Specifically, the equipment will monitor nutrient concentration and algal populations in the estuary at the mouth of the Housatonic River that provides crucial coastal habitat for species in Long Island Sound.

Fairfield receives funds for senior health initiative

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has chosen Fairfield University to be one of its partners in a project called "Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults Age 50 and Older." Fairfield University will receive $24,996 of a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant to The University of Illinois for "Step Up to Health," a one-year collaborative effort among Fairfield's School of Nursing's Health Promotion Center, a Bridgeport-based outreach program; Housing Ministries of New England, a not-for-profit housing management corporation that provides safe and quality housing for low- and moderate-income elderly and their families; and Augustine Housing, a housing ministry of the Archdiocese of Bridgeport. The HPC will hold focus groups in local sites to ascertain the activities older adults are willing to participate in.

"Service learning is an important component of a nursing student's education," says Dr. Philip Greiner, associate professor of nursing and director of the "Step Up to Health" project. "This initiative provides a framework within the curriculum to expand opportunities for students to work with older adults as volunteers and as part of course requirements."

Fairfield was one of 20 schools awarded a grant through this competition.

Schnurmacher Foundations continue support of Fairfield University

The Adolph & Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation and the Charles & Mildred Schnurmacher Foundation have awarded $50,000 to the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies for the center's 2004 program year. The grant will provide ongoing operational support for the center's activities and brings to $285,000 the amount of funding provided by the Schnurmacher Foundations to the center since 1997.

"We strongly support Fairfield University's leadership role in providing education and promoting understanding among Jews, Catholics, and people of other religious and ethnic backgrounds," says Fred Plotkin, a director and corporate secretary of the Schnurmacher Foundations.

"The high quality of the programs offered by the Bennett Center, as well as the Center's ongoing vitality and growth is due in no small measure to the invaluable support that we continue to receive from the Schnurmacher Foundations," says Dr. Ellen Umansky, director of the Judaic Studies Program and the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor of Judaic Studies.

The funding provided by the Schnurmacher Foundations and a host of other supporters have helped to make a variety of Judaic Studies programs available to Fairfield University students and the community such as the Annual Holocaust Remembrance Service, several lecturers, special programs, books and videos to enhance Fairfield University's holdings in Judaic Studies and related areas, and classroom guest speakers.

Commencement 2003

Congratulations to the following employees who graduated in the Class of 2003:

• Andre Albert, head crew coach - M.A.
• Michael Anderson, director of internships - MBA
• Ramona Islam, multimedia librarian - M.A.
• Michelle Marino-Fleisher, alumni house assistant - M.A.
• Mary Novia, Prep science teacher - M.A.
• Mark Reed, dean of students - MBA
• Sara Sharp, box office manager - B.S.
• Mark Taraszkiewicz, media sound engineer - M.A.
• Johanna Yokokawa, temporary administrator - M.A.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

Included in this year's graduating class are the following sons and daughters of employees:

• Bachelor of Arts: Peter Albert (Andre Albert), Cheryl Covino (Patricia Covino), Christopher Kiernan (Barbara Kiernan), John Kropitis (Helen Kropitis), and Patrick Mullan (James Mullan)
• Bachelor of Science: Tara Donnelly (Kim Donnelly) and Nicholas Martinelli (Joseph Martinelli)
• Master of Arts: Elizabeth Humphrey (Hugh Humphrey)
• Master of Science: David Fine (Benjamin Fine)

Photo by B.K. Angeletti

Dr. Georgia Day opens new bookstore in Bridgeport

By Jill Kasiewicz Caseria, Editor

At the end of the workday, while most of us head home to our families or squeeze in a few errands before dinner, Dr. Georgia Day, assistant academic vice president, drives to her second job - a new bookstore she opened in downtown Bridgeport.

Located at 940 Broad Street, "Rainy Faye, an eclectic bookstore and gallery," as the sign above the door reads, is Dr. Day's dream-come-true. Opened this spring, her shop sits directly across the street from the Bridgeport Public Library, between a florist and a café.

An enclave of serenity in a fast-paced world, Rainy Faye welcomes visitors with its sunny ambience and wide array of books - including best-selling fiction and non-fiction, as well as hard-to-find titles in art, poetry, self-help, religion, photography, and social issues. A children's section is tucked around the back corner. Surrounding the shelves in the main area are sculptures and paintings from Dr. Day's own collection and by local artists. The heart of the shop is a seating area - perfect for spending a few moments to take a deep breath and read.

How does she manage to balance two careers? "It's certainly a juggling act," says Dr. Day. Using some of her University vacation time at the semester's end provided her with a few days to oversee the store, order books, and hire a few part-time employees and a manager.

While she admits her business background could be stronger, she says that her experience in writing grants for the TRIO programs gave her skills needed to realize her dream of owning a shop, since before the grant can be written, an idea for the outcome must be conceptualized.

But skills in all areas - organizational and personal - are necessary. Along with writing a business and marketing plan, renting a space, and ordering inventory, Dr. Day says belief in yourself has much to do with your success.

"You have to trust your intuition and have a love and a passion for whatever you do. This is a leap of faith," she adds. "You also have to have a vision of what you want it to be - that vision is what drives you. Of course there are things I don't know, but there are always people I can ask."

And among those people, she adds, are owners of the surrounding businesses. "They have been very supportive, as have the media," Dr. Day says. She also earned a favorable review from the New York Times, which ran a story on Rainy Faye in April. The Bridgeport Public Library has already requested book signings in her location.

According to Dr. Day, Bridgeport is in the midst of a revitalization plan, of which Rainy Faye is now a part. But in addition, she hopes to add something to the area herself. "There is a need for cultural enrichment in this area," she says. "And I am trying to make a contribution to the community in this way and get them interested in reading."

So far, it's working. Readers of all types are already buying their favorite authors. Best-sellers are popular and books about New England always sell fast, she says. Other recent sales include a girl who recently bought several Nancy Drew mysteries, a man who purchased a Mother's Day gift for his wife, and several students who, after reading an assigned book from the library, ordered copies for themselves at Dr. Day's shop. Included among her visitors are current Upward Bound students and Fairfield University alumni. "It's been so nice to see some familiar faces," she says. "They find me."

In addition to books, Rainy Faye opens its doors to patrons and visitors for poetry readings on Thursday nights, live jazz on Sunday evenings, and will soon offer a book club and author signings.

And assuming all goes well, Rainy Faye will soon be the pot of gold at the end of Dr. Day's rainbow, rain or shine.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

Campus Currents is the official news publication of the Fairfield University community. It is published on the first Tuesday of the month. The editorial office is located in Bellarmine Hall, Room 203. Phone: 254-4000, ext. 2556. Fax: 254-4167. E-mail: campuscurr@mail.fairfield.edu.