Campus Currents May 2007

Volume 15, Number 8
The official news publication of Fairfield University

Index for May 1, 2007

Rama Sudhakar to head new marketing division
Fairfield Awards Dinner raises a record $862,000
$137 million University budget approved
Fairfield University ready to respond to emergencies
Campus Newsbreakers
Service Anniversaries
New assistant dean joins University College
Fred Wheeler's contributions benefited entire campus
Faculty Bookshelf: Mentoring in Nursing
Prayer in America
Dolan School student wins award
GSEAP students bring Fairfield history online
Peter Lynch's stock advice: Know what you own
AACSB re-accredits the Dolan School of Business
Defining the qualities of Jewish art
New Bettie and Samuel Roberts Lecture established
Open session on the campus landscape project set for May 17
Media Center projects gain Awards for Excellence
Open VISIONS Forum celebrates 10 years
Fairfield faculty research grants and sabbaticals
Exploring race and ethnicity
Sports: Joe Frager aiming to take Stags to "new heights"
NCAA approves Fairfield athletics certification
Fairfield staff dine green
Banking on Fairfield

Rama Sudhakar to head new marketing division

By Martha Milcarek, Assistant Vice President for Public Relations

Rama Sudhakar, director of communications at Trinity College, in Hartford, Conn., has been named vice president of the newly created Division of Marketing and Communications. President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., announced the appointment of Sudhakar, who has more than two decades of experience in higher education, financial, industrial, media, and non-profit marketing.

"I could not be more delighted that Rama has agreed to lead our newly established division," Fr. von Arx said. "Achieving the goals defined in our strategic plan and realizing the articulated vision for the University calls for Fairfield as an institution and community to clearly communicate to all its constituents the distinctive nature and value of the Fairfield experience. I have every confidence that Rama is a great choice to be at the helm of our institution-wide integrated marketing efforts. She has a wealth of experience and will bring new ideas and perspectives to our current marketing activities."

Sudhakar, a resident of Cheshire, Conn., has been at Trinity College since 2001, serving in several capacities within the marketing and communications area. From 2001 to 2004, she was director of marketing. She managed a comprehensive redesign of the College website and admissions publications. In 2004, she was named interim director of communications, and then director in 2006. She oversees the areas of publications, media relations, Web, creative services, and sports communication.

"With a clear and well-defined strategic plan in place, it is an exciting time to be joining Fairfield," said Sudhakar. "As a strong proponent of an integrated marketing approach, I look forward to developing the most effective strategic communications mix to tell the Fairfield story and to consistently promote the University's many accomplishments."

Prior to her work at Trinity, Sudhakar was marketing manager for The Hartford Courant from 1997 to 2001, during which time she helped launch the ctnow.com website. Previously, she owned and operated a full-service advertising agency, developing and implementing marketing strategies for international clients. In 1992, the agency was awarded the Best of Show Award and Best Corporate Image Brochure by the Association for Manufacturing Technology.

Before moving to the U.S., Sudhakar served as a program coordinator for the Goethe Institute, in Calcutta, India, and as a teacher of English and history for grades six through eight at St. Theresa's School, in Calcutta, India.

Sudhakar received her B.A. in English from the University of Bombay and a B.Ed. from the University of Calcutta. She has an M.A. in business management (marketing) from Central Michigan University.

In addition to her professional achievements, Sudhakar is a devoted volunteer. She currently serves on the boards of the Girl Scouts Connecticut Trails Council and the World Affairs Council. Previously, she was a mentor/reading buddy for Connectikids and served as a member of The Hartford Courant's Diversity Council.

Sudhakar will begin work at Fairfield on June 4. She will oversee areas that include Marketing, currently housed in Enrollment Management in the Academic Division, as well as the offices in Advancement that currently report to Public Relations, including Publications, Media Relations, Printing and Graphic Services, Web, and Sports Information.

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Fairfield Awards Dinner raises a record $862,000

By Meredith Guinness, Publications Writer

Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe mingles with guests at the Fairfield Awards Dinner.

More than 500 alumni and friends of Fairfield University gathered April 12 in New York City to celebrate and support the institution's strategic commitment to diversity. The 2007 Fairfield Awards Dinner, sponsored by the Fairfield Alumni Association, grossed a record-setting $862,000 for the Multicultural Scholarship Fund.

Hosted by dinner Committee Chairman Brian P. Hull ‘80, a member of the University Board of Trustees and senior vice-president, Global Private Client, Merrill Lynch, the evening featured a keynote speech by Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, an award-winning photographer, author, and activist who was married to the late tennis champion and humanitarian Arthur Ashe.

The annual event benefits the Alumni Multicultural Scholarship Fund, which offers crucial funding to academically qualified students, opening Fairfield's doors to a more diverse and vibrant student body. In 1988, the University refocused its commitment to campus diversity and, over the years, more than $7 million has been raised for the Fund, making it the most robust scholarship supporting AHANA students. More than 100 students have been recipients since its inception.

The tireless support of the dinner committee and those gathered make such a success story possible, said University President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. "As I look around the room," he said, "I see many such people, whose shared energies and efforts are centered upon a three-fold commitment to making the benefits of education available to all deserving students, to helping ensure that the doors of opportunity remain open for those with financial need, and to making transition possible for young men and women whose gifts and talents are just waiting to benefit the world."

Photo credit: Jean Santopatre

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$137 million University budget approved

By Martha Milcarek, Assistant Vice President for Public Relations

Fairfield University's Board of Trustees, at its meeting on March 22, approved a 2007-08 academic year University operating budget of $137.2 million. The total represents a $6.6 million increase in revenues over last year's budget and continues a strategy of moderating increases in tuition, room, and board while augmenting institutional funds for student financial assistance.

Complimenting the Budget Committee on its work, University President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., said, "The process of budget development is both painstaking and challenging and the increasing complexities of the higher education environment annually bring new challenges. That said, the overall goal remains unchanged: affordability for students and their families while

providing resources to realize our strategic vision and building upon Fairfield's reputation as a vibrant student-centered institution with a nationally recognized faculty."

The following assumptions formed the foundation for the 2007-08 budget:

• Containing increases in undergraduate tuition, room, and board
• Funding an enhanced financial aid program that will bring the institution closer to accomplishing its established goals in the area of socio-economic and ethnic diversity
• Maintaining competitive compensation (salary and benefits) levels for all University employees
• Earmarking appropriate revenues for strategic planning initiatives

Next year's budget sets undergraduate tuition at $33,340. Room and board residence hall charges will be $10,430; townhouse rental charges $8,480; and apartment rental charges $8,750. The 2007-08 undergraduate tuition, room and board costs represent an overall increase of 5.7 percent.

Fairfield's strategic vision calls for creating a thriving multicultural community. In order to realize that goal, among the initiatives that will be necessary is increased dollars to meet a higher percentage of student financial need, Father explained. Next year, the significant new funding of an additional $3 million in institutional dollars for financial assistance, coupled with increases generated from endowment growth brings us closer to achieving this goal, he said.

The important issue of competitive compensation was addressed by an increase in the compensation pool for continuing employees of 3.9 percent or $2.9 million. Of that, $2.1 million is designated for salaries and $800,000 for benefits. In addition, $1.8 million in compensation was added for new or reorganized positions. In the 2007-08 fiscal year, the total allocation for compensation represents58 percent of overall University expenditures.

In addition to the increased funding for financial assistance, there are other new allocations earmarked for strategic planning purposes. Approximately $1.3 million in expenditures will be used to support new programming and fund positions of individuals charged with continued planning and implementation.

For further information on the 2007-08 budget, please access the following link on Fairfield's intranet site: http://info.fairfield.edu/finance.

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Fairfield University ready to respond to emergencies

By Meredith Guinness, Publications Writer

Confronted with the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech, members of college communities across the country are asking the same questions: Could it happen here? How well is my university prepared for crisis?

As those who've attended the emergency management informational sessions held in March and April know, Fairfield has in place a multi-tiered, comprehensive approach for emergency planning and response. In addition, the University has the skilled professionals - from highly trained public safety officers to seasoned counselors and Campus Ministry staff - to lead the community through a crisis and its aftermath.

"Our emergency management plan represents a collaborative, proactive effort," said Mark Reed, vice president for Student Affairs and chairman of the Crisis Management Team. "In creating detailed plans, training staff, and informing the community we are guided by the University's mission to create a safe, nurturing environment for all."

Hundreds of members of the Fairfield community signed messages of support on a banner that will be sent to the Virginia Tech campus. The Fairfield University EMS Rescue Team created the banner. EMS Rescue Team members (l-r) ViVi Vu '10 and Erin Shea '10 sell pins with VA Tech colors, while Allison Notter '10 signs the banner.

Fairfield's Emergency Management Plan came about through the efforts of the team, whose 23 members include representatives from every division of the University and the Incident Management Team, those responders who would address and resolve an actual crisis. The plan outlines several crisis scenarios and the critical steps to take in the event of each particular situation, said Director of Public Safety Todd Pelazza. Steps might include identifying a danger area, setting up a command station, and alerting the community.

The plan, which works in tandem to Fairfield Prep's emergency plans, comes in the wake of a federal directive to reinforce the need for command, control, and communication in the event of an emergency. The resulting documents and action plans comply with the Department of Homeland Security's National Incident Management System, Reed said. Those who attended the meetings received copies of the Faculty/Staff Emergency Guide, which outlines several steps to take in the event of an emergency. Two additional meetings are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on May 2 in the Oak Room.

"One of the goals of the information sessions was to remind everyone that we all play a role in keeping Fairfield a safe and secure environment," said Frank Ficko, associate director of Public Safety, who led the meetings. "Staff, students, and faculty can all be our eyes and ears."

The comprehensive plan takes into account the knowledge and experience of the many trained professionals on campus, Reed and Pelazza said. Public Safety officers are trained at a level beyond what is required with officers taking classes in firearms, emergency aid, and hazardous materials, Pelazza said. They also work closely with the town of Fairfield Police and Fire departments, and state and federal agencies.

University emergency responders and local police and fire officials recently took part in a "tabletop exercise," Pelazza said. Given a mock scenerio - this time a chemical spill with injuries - those involved talked their way through the incident, discussing classroom relocations, quick communication, and what they, specifically, would do. "You're constantly evaluating," he said.

Fairfield employs a host of staffers who would provide psychological, personal, and pastoral counseling in the event of an emergency, Reed said. In addition to Counseling and Psychological Services and Campus Ministry, personnel in Residence Life are trained to support and assist students and others in need. A perfect example of their commitment, he said, was the April 18 Mass held in memory of the Virginia Tech victims and their families. The counseling services team was present to let the more than 350 students there know that they were available for immediate or future help. In the wake of the tragedy, the office adjusted its normal schedule of appointments to allow for walk-ins or to hear referrals from faculty and staff, Reed said. "There is a heightened awareness on all sides," he said.

Like many other campuses, Fairfield has experienced emergency incidents, such as the hostage situation in 2002. In such cases, staff and administration are charged to both act and then step back to consider how they might change their actions in the future. Reed said the crisis teams are looking at how the Virginia Tech situation was handled, though it is a much larger and unique campus. "We have to take anything out of the Virginia Tech situation that would be applicable to Fairfield and look at it," he said. "There are lessons to be learned, potentially, for other campuses."

One crucial piece of the puzzle is communication. Fairfield currently uses the website, voice mail, e-mail, and local media to alert the community of emergencies. The University is looking into integrated emergency notification services that might include e-mail, voice mail, cell phone text messages, and public address or siren systems.

And all plans and options will be continuously reviewed, Pelazza said. "Creating an emergency response plan is an ongoing process," he said. "Something like this can't remain static."

Photo by Jean Santopatre

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On April 12, the Fairfield Minuteman profiled the Rev. Charles Allen, S.J., executive assistant to the president, as the recipient of the Fairfield University Alumni Association's Distinguished Faculty/ Administrator award, which was presented at the Fairfield Awards Dinner that night.

In an April 17 Connecticut Post article, Dr. Susan Birge, assistant vice president and director of counseling & psychological services, discussed online memorials. "When we mourn, there can be a sense of isolation and a feeling of powerlessness," said Dr. Birge. "Feeling connected to other people can be comforting. The online venues are opportunities for people to show they aren't alone in their grief."

In an April 8 issue of the New Haven Register, Dr. Kevin Cassidy, professor of politics in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), commented on an agreement between fighting factions in Northern Ireland that offers hope for peace in the region.

Dr. Edward Deak, professor of economics in CAS, was quoted in the Feb. 25 Hartford Courant discussing the slight increase in jobs in the state. Dr. Deak also commented on the strong workforce in Israel in an April 12 Connecticut Post article about a Monroe company moving its workforce there.

Gene Doris, director of athletics, was quoted in articles and reports by several media outlets from April 17 to April 20 about the University's new women's basketball coach, Joe Frager. The media included the Connecticut Post, ESPN, the Waterbury Republican, The New Haven Register, and The Hartford Courant.

Dr. Philip Eliasoph, professor of visual and performing arts, and Dr. Leo O'Connor, director and professor of American Studies, both in CAS, were quoted in a March 28 Fairfield Citizen-News article on Gore Vidal's appearance on campus as a speaker for the Open VISIONS Forum of University College.

Dr. Donald Gibson, associate professor of management in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business (DSB), published the article, "Emotional Episodes at Work: An Experiential Exercise in Feeling and Expressing Emotions," in the Journal of Management Education (Vol. 30). The March 2007 issue of Academy of Management Perspectives featured his article, "Why Does Affect Matter in Organizations?" (co-authored with Sigal Barsade, University of Pennsylvania), examining how employees' feelings affect work performance, creativity, leadership, negotiation, and other critical organizational outcomes. An article Dr. Gibson co-wrote on the impact of emotions in an organization was included in an April story in the News Journal (Delaware) and on Delaware Online.

Dr. Jennifer Goldberg, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions (GSEAP), presented "Negotiating Participation in a Bilingual Middle School Science Classroom: An Examination of One Successful Teacher's Language Practices," (co-written with Kate Muir-Welsh and Noel Enyedy), at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association in Chicago, Ill., in April.

In a March 30 Fairfield Citizen-News article on lowering the voting age, Dr. Donald Greenberg, associate professor of politics in CAS, said he does not believe the proposed change will lead to significant increased voter participation "because it's a very small percentage of the 18- to 21-year-olds who turn out at the polls." He added that the less than impressive turnout is because they "don't see any particular reason to vote at that age."

Dr. Orin Grossman, academic vice president, was quoted in a March 22 Connecticut Post article on Gore Vidal's presentation as part of the Open VISIONS Forum of University College. "Any serious student of American culture must address the themes of his books, each meticulously researched yet built with a novelist's imagination," Dr. Grossman said of Vidal.

On March 29, Dr. Timothy Heitzman, assistant professor of psychology in CAS, appeared on the radio stations Star 99.9 and WPLR 99.1 discussing his recent study on head injuries.

Dr. Nikki Lee-Wingate, visiting assistant professor in DSB, presented the paper, "A Little Something for Me and for You Too: Promotions that Relieve Guilt" (co-authored with Kim P. Corfman) in a competitive paper session focused on perceptions and responses of promotions, at the Society for Consumer Psychology 2007 Winter Conference, held Feb. 22 to 24 in Las Vegas. She also presented a research paper, "Category versus Branded: Examining the Effectiveness of the Direct-To-Consumer Advertising in the Pharmaceutical Industry," (co-authored with Ying Xie) in the working paper session at the conference.

Dr. Sharlene McEvoy, professor of business law in DSB, presented the paper, "Stand Your Ground or License to Kill? Legislation Permitting the Use of Deadly Force in Lieu of the Duty to Retreat," at the annual meeting of the North Atlantic Regional Business Law Association, held on March 31 at Salem State College in Salem, Mass.

Dr. Carole Ann Maxwell, director of choral and liturgical music, appeared in an April 14 Fairfield Citizen-News article on the Fairfield University Glee Club's 60th anniversary.

On March 29, The Hartford Courant included a story on Posada, a documentary by the Rev. Mark McGregor, assistant professor of new media, film, television and radio in CAS.

Dr. Camelia Micu, assistant professor of marketing in DSB, presented "Advertising and Product Trial: The Impact of Product Type and Attribute Information on Consumer Evaluations," (co-written by Robin A. Coulter), in the competitive paper session of the 2007 AMA Winter Marketing Educators' Conference, held from Feb. 16 to 19. The paper will also be published in the 2007 Winter Educators' Conference Proceedings, Marketing Theory and Applications. Micu's "Transforming Product Experience: The Impact of Pre-Trial Attribute Type Information and Claim Objectivity on Post-Trial Product Evaluations," was accepted to be presented at the competitive session of the European ACR 2007, to be held in Milan, Italy, from July 10 to 14. The paper will also be published in the conference proceedings, 2007 European Advances in Consumer Research.

Dr. Jeanne Novotny, dean of the School of Nursing, and Dr. Suzanne Campbell, assistant professor of nursing, discussed the School's Learning Resource Center in the education section of the April edition of the Business Times.

Todd Pelazza, director of Public Safety, discussed Fairfield University's emergency plan in an April 17 Connecticut Post article on campus security following the Virginia Tech tragedy.

Dr. Richard Regan, assistant professor of English in CAS, discussed technology and the podcasting he uses in his Shakespeare class in an April 14 Connecticut Post article on technology in education. The article also quoted Leslie Porter, Fairfield's reference and instruction librarian, who discussed the DiMenna-Nyselius library's instant messaging help service. "Students tell us that e-mail is old-fashioned," said Porter. "This is the best way to get in touch with them on their terms."

Dr. Gavriel Rosenfeld, associate professor of history in CAS, had his article "The Appeal of Alternate History" appear on Forward.com on April 20.

Rev. Richard Ryscavage, S.J., professor of sociology and director of the Center for Faith and Public Life, commented on the retirement of His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan from the position of archbishop of the New York Archdiocese in a March 26 New York Post article. "He has taken some very difficult issues and done a good job with them," Fr. Ryscavage said.

Dr. Norm Solomon, dean of DSB, was featured in an article about the partnership between the Dolan School and the Institut de Formation Internationale (IFI) in Rouen, France, in the January Business Times.

In a March 31 article in the Beaumont Enterprise (Texas), Dr. Ellen M. Umansky, the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor of Judaic Studies in CAS, discussed the tradition of seder.

The Irish Brigade of Fairfield County honored Fairfield University President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., at the annual Gold Eagle Dinner held in New Canaan. The March 9 awards dinner is hosted by prominent physicians and surgeons from throughout Fairfield County. The story was reported in the New Canaan Advertiser and the Norwalk Hour. Fr. von Arx also appeared in the March 31 edition of The Hartford Courant in a feature on the 75th anniversary of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges held at the Connecticut Convention Center, which he attended.

An article on research of early stage prostate cancer, co-authored by Dr. Meredith Wallace, Elizabeth DeCamp McInerney Professor of Health Sciences, appeared in the inaugural issue of American Journal of Men's Health published in March.

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40 years

Alfred Benney

Condolences

John Francis Tracy Jr., brother-in-law of Dr. Patricia Behre, associate professor of history in CAS, died on April 4
Margaret (Peggy Ann) Hoban, sister of Dr. Mary Frances Malone, associate academic vice president, died on April 11
Aloyzy (Alley) J. Zera, father of Dr. David Zera, associate professor in GSEAP, died on April 16
Earl (Kip) Sommerfield, brother of Dr. Doris (Dee) Lippman, in the School of Nursing, died on April 17
Madelyn Reiman Vincent, mother-in-law of Dr. John McCarthy, chair of the Psychology Department in CAS, died on April 20

New Employees

Christopher Johnson - assistant dean, University College.
Justin Walker - public safety officer, Public Safety.

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New assistant dean joins University College

By Meredith Guinness, Publications Writer

University College welcomed a new assistant dean for international programs in April, a move that will better integrate the University's many study abroad options into Fairfield's curriculum and programming and offer more formal review of academics in the international programs.

Christopher Johnson, most recently the director of international education at the University of Colorado at Denver, brings 10 years of professional experience in the field to the newly created position, said Dean Edna Farace Wilson.

"He has the right blend of experience, commitment to mission, and strong understanding of the issues involved in international education," she said. "In a lot of ways he will complement and expand on the work that's already being done by Sue Fitzgerald and Study Abroad."

Johnson began working in the field of international education in 1990, as an executive fellow/intern in the office of international programs at the University of Montana, where he earned both a B.A. in economics and politics and a master's degree in public administration. He also served as director of international student and scholar services and adjunct instructor at the University of Denver for two years.

Johnson spent five years at the University of Colorado, where he developed and led international recruitment efforts and directed off-shore campus programs in China, Russia, Mongolia, and Nepal. In that role, he oversaw advising and student support, in addition to advising for Fulbright, Rotary Ambassadorial, Gilman, Benjamin Brown, and NSEP scholarship programs.

He also managed and extended exchange programs in 10 countries and supervised more than a dozen study abroad programs. At Fairfield, Johnson plans to further cement the role of study abroad into the curriculum of the University. He will be able to draw upon extensive experience working with faculty on curricular integration efforts, teaching, and research experience garnered at previous universities.

Currently a doctoral candidate in political science through the University of Florida, Johnson is a member of NAFSA, the Association of International Educators Trainer Corps. He is widely traveled, having lived in Kuwait, Burkina Faso, Indonesia, Kenya, Egypt, Ireland, Senegal, and Tanzania, and has visited more than 60 countries.

"I'm very pleased to be a part of University College," Johnson said, "and to put my professional and personal experience to work in support of the tremendous international programs of Fairfield University."

Photo by Jean Santopatre

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Fred Wheeler's contributions benefited entire campus

By Barbara Kiernan, Director of Publications

After 26 years, Fred Wheeler, associate vice president for development, is retiring. He leaves behind many fond memories, including the one pictured above, when he and his wife, Monica, enjoyed a whirl on the dance floor at a President's Dinner.

On Friday, March 2, the e-mails began flooding Fred Wheeler's inbox - 10, 20, 30 - and would continue rising in the days following the announcement that he planned to retire on June 30, 2007. A campus mainstay for 26 years, 20 of them as associate vice president for development, Wheeler has worked closely with people in every division, at every level, in planning and raising funds for a host of institutional priorities.

For those who know Wheeler, it's no surprise that these e-mail accolades came from wide-ranging sources, who had come to value his valuing of them: trustees, faculty, secretaries, donors, deans, directors, department heads, and direct reports.

"I would be very remiss," e-mailed one former director, "if I didn't tell you that working for you during my years at Fairfield was one of the high points of my career. It was a real pleasure to come to work every day, knowing that you trusted my abilities." From a dean: "You have brought extraordinary integrity to conversations ... you are one of the smartest people I have worked with - and you work with joy." From a trustee: "Clearly you have earned and deserve a rest from the rigorous job of asking people to part with their money. You should be proud of your legacy."

That legacy includes having worked with the University presidents and George Diffley, former vice president for advancement, to shepherd the day-in, day-out aspects of two capital campaigns that raised $43 million and $150 million respectively. A particular focus for Wheeler was the importance of need-based and AHANA scholarships, which grew from fewer than 20 in 1981 to more than 175 today.

"As a newcomer to development, I was not familiar with its value to the institution or how the profession fit into the overall Jesuit mission," said this writer in nominating Wheeler for a professional award. "As I watched Fred handle his various responsibilities - Annual Giving, Planned Giving, Corporate Relations, Foundation Relations, Development Services, Major Gifts and more - I came to appreciate that the way he approached his profession reflected a set of values that inspired staff to reflect more deeply on what they were doing and why."

Not that the man couldn't have fun. Yankee Stadium on opening day always included Fred Wheeler. Spring, summer, and fall? Any golf course would do. And winter? Well, that meant the occasional ski weekend with his family: wife Monica, and their children, Brian and Kristin, both now grown. "With Fred, I could golf for the fun of it," says Vice President for Finance Bill Lucas. "Most of the time we just laughed at one another, although Fred is far better in his mastery of the complex game of golf."

For Wheeler, what's been the most fun is the one-on-one contact when calling upon alumni and other donors. "Over 25 years, I've done a lot of listening," he says, noting that he's made upwards of 2,000 such calls during his tenure. "I always tell my staff that if they're doing most of the talking, it's not a good visit." Sometimes such visits could become an airing of bad feelings - whether an unfair incident during the person's Fairfield years; disagreement with an institutional decision about, say, athletics; or concerns about Jesuit identity. "What I've always appreciated about those meetings is people's honesty, and their openness to having me clarify any misperceptions," says Wheeler. "But overwhelmingly, I have found that alumni are proud of Fairfield's evolution and recognize that while there may be fewer Jesuits here than in years past, in many ways Fairfield is more Ignatian than ever through the buy-in and commitment of the people who work here."

Clearly, Wheeler has been among them, whether serving on the Mission and Identity Advisory Board or participating in Jesuit days of reflection or chaperoning a group of students on Campus Ministry-sponsored mission trips to Appalachia and Mexico.

Recognizing the breadth of his contributions to Jesuit higher education, Wheeler's colleagues in the Jesuit Advancement Administrators organization recently voted to present him with a Magis Award at its national conference in June.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

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Faculty Bookshelf: Mentoring in Nursing

By Nina Riccio, Publications Writer

"Nursing is evolving from being skill-oriented and task-focused to a more holistic, patient-centered profession," says Dr. Sheila Grossman, professor of nursing. "Having good nursing skills is not enough today. Nurses have to have good leadership skills, be able to mentor others, and know how to advocate for the patient." By developing nurses' leadership potential, practice environments will be more empowering, encouraging, and powerful, she says.

Dr. Grossman's new book, Mentoring in Nursing: A Dynamic and Collaborative Process (Springer Publishing), was written for current baccalaureate and graduate students as well as for nurses working in the field. With it, Dr. Grossman hopes to establish a framework to teach nurses how to gain the skills they need - both to succeed professionally and to move forward into a doctoral program. It was born out of a series of articles that Dr. Grossman has published in journals over the years. "The clinical nurse leader track is one of the new philosophies that the profession is using to develop nurses to assume leadership positions in acute care and community health care systems," explains Dr. Grossman.

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Prayer in America

By Meredith Guinness

When the founding fathers first came together in Philadelphia, they prayed for guidance in forming what would later become a world superpower. When a phoned death threat woke Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from sleep, he bowed his head, experiencing the "kitchen epiphany" that created a fearless Civil Rights leader. Even hotel tycoon Conrad Hilton publicly admitted to praying for sound judgment each time he bought a new property.

"One wonders what the history of our country would be like if not for the prayers of these individuals?" James P. Moore Jr. asked during an April 18 Open VISIONS Forum lecture, a program of University College, held in the Quick Center. "If it had not been for prayer the cultural, political, religious, military, and economic history of the United States would be far different than it is today."

Though he's best known as the founder and CEO of the global trade and investment banking firm ATI (formerly Ameritrade), Moore has become intrigued by prayer over the last several years. So intrigued that he's scoured an estimated 30,000 sources to get to the meaning of an act that's both public and private, simple and profound.

At the University College Ignatian Lecture, Dr. Philip Eliasoph, professor of visual and performing arts and Dr. Elizabeth Dreyer, professor of religious studies, and author and former CEO James P. Moore Jr. discuss to central role prayer in American lives.

Struck by the prayer lives of primary sources as disparate as film star Mary Pickford, baseball legend Babe Ruth, and teenage soldiers on a North African battlefield, he created One Nation Under God: The History of Prayer in America, a book that continues to spawn an array of related materials. The recorded version features readings by Sen. John McCain, actor Ben Vereen, and a former French ambassador. A companion CD series of music inspired by prayer offers Duke Ellington, Loretta Lynn, and Tupac Shakur. A PBS special is due out this fall and Moore will follow up with a treasury of American prayers soon.

Asked about the future of prayer in a diverse society, Moore pointed to polls that show close to 90 percent of Americans believe in prayer and about 70 to 75 percent pray regularly. In his research, he said, he spoke to several people under 30, including a Hindu Rhodes scholar, a Hassidic boxer, a Roman Catholic nun, and a Muslim woman so upset by Sept. 11 that she set up interfaith community groups. All said prayer was central to their lives.

"I still continue to find," Moore said, "that I'm inspired that they still want to search for the truth."

Moore's lecture was the inaugural University College Ignatian Lecture, aimed at integrating the principles and ideals of Jesuit education with the knowledge and insights imparted by the speaker. The Rev. Walter Conlan, S.J., rector of Fairfield's Jesuit community, introduced Moore's speech, noting prayer's importance to the society. "What is prayer?" he asked. "It's a means to an end, which is drawing closer to God - or letting God draw nearer to us."

Photo by Peter Sarawit

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Dolan School student wins award

By Sarah Masterson, Public Relations Intern

In April, Kaitlin Walsh ‘08, a Charles F. Dolan School of Business student who is currently studying abroad at the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway, was honored by The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation (CILT) with an "Idea of the Year Award." To be considered for an award, ideas must submitted in the areas of logistics, air, safety and environment, sea, rail, and road. The annual award was presented at a ceremony on March 29 in Dublin.

Six NUI Galway students, including Walsh, were honored for their work in the six categories of the competition, which is open to both students and professionals. In order to win, the judges must deem the idea the most creative, and the idea should have the potential to make a significant contribution to some aspect of transportation in Ireland.

Walsh, a marketing major in the Dolan School, took home the prize in the rail category with her idea to employ a reusable card for public transportation throughout Ireland. According to her plan, the card would have the characteristics of a credit card, and use radio frequency identification technology to allow easy boarding and convenient travel around Ireland.

Photo by James Nguyen '07

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GSEAP students bring Fairfield history online

By Alejandra Navarro, Editor

GSEAP students review one of the Fairfield Historical Society's maps, which they will use to create digital lesson plans and activities for its young visitors. Pictured above (l-r) are John Hatfield, Jo-Ann Smith, Ann Chase-Karel, Dr. Elizabeth Langran, Adrienne St-Pierre of the Fairfield Historical Society, Jennifer Morrison, Dr. Marsha Alibrandi, and Jim Brasile.

At the Fairfield Historical Society, students from the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions (GSEAP) gathered around an aging map - 12 feet of yellowing paper that illustrated with hand-drawn detail the town of Fairfield in the 1930s. The group brainstormed and began thinking of ways to share the Fairfield Historical Society's collection, which includes many items that are so delicate and rare, few people get to see them or use the information they possess.

As a result, the GSEAP students taking "Integrating Technology in Content Areas: Language Arts & Social Studies" are now developing digitally-based lesson plans and activities based on the museum's resources and aimed at second- and fourth-grade Fairfield students who visit the museum each year.

"You wouldn't want to have second graders handling these archival documents, but once they are digitized, the students can have the benefit of those archives without having actual contact. And, the resource itself is preserved," said Dr. Marsha Alibrandi, assistant professor of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Alibrandi and Dr. Elizabeth Langran, assistant professor and director of the Educational Technology program, team teach the course. Both have experience developing curriculum using digital archives.

The Historical Society approached the School about collaborating and the professors jumped at the chance to build a partnership that could reap numerous benefits. Not only will the museum get new, modern ways to share its resources, particularly with elementary school students, but the town's schools can potentially use the lessons and activities before and after visits. In addition, the GSEAP students will have an opportunity to have their work put to use in the schools.

The course blends the professor's two disciplines and gives students a chance to develop curriculum while using new technologies including podcasts, virtual tours, WebQuests (a Web-based lesson with directed activities), GIS (geographic information systems), and digital storytelling.

Dr. Alibrandi is an expert on incorporating GIS into curricula. GIS uses information from maps to understand specific subject areas, such as history, culture, science, and literature. Dr. Langran is an expert on digital storytelling, and recently worked with young people from around the globe to tell their stories electronically for the Tapestry Project: Digital Stories at the United Nations Global Youth Leadership Summit.

Digital storytelling is a great way to get students interested and involved with the material, said Jim Brasile, a student in the Curriculum and Instruction program and a high school English teacher. His team is using digital storytelling - and Windows Moviemaker - to illustrate the typical life of a Native American boy and a girl in colonial times.

"I think the museum has such amazing resources, and it's nice that we're making them come alive in a way that makes sense to the students," said Ann Chase-Karel, a fellow team member who is in the Educational Technology program.

Elementary students today are technologically savvy and are eager to learn with multiple mediums, Dr. Langran said.

Jennifer Morrison, a student in the Educational Technology program who runs a computer lab at an elementary school, is creating a digital movie showing the changes in the town's borders over the years. She plans to continue developing her project after the class ends. The GSEAP groups intend to present the final projects to the Historical Society at the end of the semester.

The projects have been challenging. Creating an electronic lesson is more complex than typical lessons, given the sophisticated applications being used and the need to incorporate curriculum requirements, the professors explained. "Having these technology skills is definitely an edge for teaching candidates," Dr. Langran said.

The collaboration between the School and the Fairfield Historical Society comes at a very opportune time, as the Fairfield Historical Society is in the process of moving to a new, larger $6 million center. The move has given students an opportunity to unearth some documents that had been put away, including the recently unfurled Fairfield map.

The Fairfield Historical Society could host these projects on its website for the greater community to use as well. The professors hope to continue developing projects on the Historical Society's collection with future classes.

"When you have a community partner," Dr. Alibrandi said, "there are different needs that each partner can fulfill. This kind of outreach and partnership is a tremendous asset for our students - for curriculum design and development, for Web publishing, and for our collective service to the community."

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Peter Lynch's stock advice: Know what you own

By Alejandra Navarro, Editor

Peter S. Lynch's approach to stock investment is simple: know what you own.

"If you can't explain it to a 12-year-old in three minutes or less - if you don't understand it - you've got a problem," explained Lynch, vice chairman of Fidelity Management & Research Company and advisory board member of Fidelity Funds, who delivered the Charles F. Dolan Lecture on April 17.

With wit and wisdom, he shared "Fundamentals of Investing" and a few tips on how to navigate the world of stocks with a capacity audience in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.

A pivotal figure in the financial world, Mr. Lynch made his mark in business as the portfolio manager of the Fidelity Magellan Fund. Under his leadership, the Magellan Fund was the best performing fund in the world. When he took it over in 1977, it had $20 million in assets; by the time he retired in 1990, it had more than $14 billion in assets and one million shareholders.

This means that one in every 100 Americans had an investment in the Magellan Fund - and if a person had placed $1,000 in it in 1977, it was worth $28,000 by 1990. He has also authored three books sharing his expertise.

At the lecture, he advised investors to review the financial health of a company by reading balance sheets, and determine if the company is well managed and has a successful plan that can be replicated. "I'd rather have a company any fool can run, because eventually one will," said Lynch, sparking laughter.

While high-tech stocks sound appealing, he noted that he made money most often by investing in companies that made products and offered services he understood and could see were doing well, such as Stop and Shop groceries, Hanes, and Taco Bell. He advised people to notice when a product is doing well, particularly in their professional field. "Whatever industry you're in, use what you've got in front of you," he advised. "Taco Bell went up 50 fold; people in the restaurant industry should have known that."

He also cautioned people from buying or selling just because of an increase or decrease in a stock's price.

"You can't predict the economy, you can't predict interest rates, and you can't predict the stock market," he said. "I tried to call the psychic hotline, but I've gotten no response."

Instead, he recommended that investors know the stories behind what makes a company successful. "When those stories end," he explained, "then it's time to sell."

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AACSB re-accredits the Dolan School of Business

By Meg McCaffrey, Assistant Director of Media Relations

The Charles F. Dolan School of Business has successfully completed its maintenance of accreditation by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Founded in 1916, AACSB is the longest serving and largest global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees in business and accounting.

The extended accreditation of both the undergraduate and master's degree programs in business means the Dolan School is part of an elite group that makes up less than 10 percent of the world's business schools.

The extended accreditation was concurred by the AACSB Maintenance of Accreditation Committee and ratified by the Board of Directors. The Dolan School, awarded initial accreditation in 1997, underwent intense review to maintain accreditation, which stands for six years. As required by AACSB standards, all accredited schools must go through a peer review every five years in order to maintain their accreditation.

"This is an affirmation of all our hard work," said Dr. Norm Solomon, dean. "My belief is that re-accreditation is a true testament to the commitment to excellence of our faculty and the tremendous quality of our students."

Dr. Orin L. Grossman, academic vice president, said that the AACSB Peer Review Team was clearly very impressed by the academic excellence of the Dolan School. "It was very clear that the school had excelled. Not only were there no areas of concern, there were quite substantial areas of ‘best practices,' including an innovative approach to assessment and a strong connection to the mission of the University."

This can be seen especially in the faculty's commitment to cura personalis, or education of the person. The team found this exemplified in the incorporation of social responsibility into teaching and practical, experience-based education.

The Review Team also applauded the annual Sophomore Symposium, which features a keynote speaker who addresses the benefits of studying business in a Jesuit and Catholic institution. According to the review, Dolan students were highly complimentary of staff and faculty in regard to academic and career advising.

Also noted as a best practice was Eidos, an online program developed by Fairfield faculty, including Dr. Curtis R. Naser, associate professor of philosophy in the College of Arts & Sciences; Dr. Roselie M. McDevitt, assistant professor of accounting; Dr. Michael T. Tucker, professor of finance; and Dr. Solomon. It is at the heart of the Dolan School program assessment process and it allows for review of student work to determine how learning goals are being addressed.

John Fernandes, president and chief executive officer of AACSB International, said, "AACSB commends the faculty, deans, directors, and administrative staff for their exemplary work in helping their schools earn the highest achievement in business school accreditation."

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Defining the qualities of Jewish art

By Nina M. Riccio, Publications Writer

Offering varied definitions of what can be considered Jewish art, Dr. Ori Z. Soltes, the Goldman Professorial Lecturer in the Theology and Fine Arts Department at Georgetown University, delivered "Fixing the World: Jewish Artists in America" on April 11.

"Western art has largely been Christian art. For most of the last millennium, art was not only created by Christian artists but was explicitly Christian in content," he said before posing the question that Jewish artists ask themselves, ‘How do I, as a Jewish artist, fit into a Western Christian world?'"

Dr. Soltes's lecture was the inaugural Bettie and Samuel Roberts Lecture on Jewish Art and Artists, presented by the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies (see article at right).

Dr. Soltes referred to the Hebrew expression, tikkum olam, which means ‘the repair of the world'. He referenced American Jewish artists of the late 1940s and 1950s such as Mark Rothko, Adolph Gottlieb, and Barnett Newman, who were faced with a unique challenge. "They were coming from the notion that after World War II, the Holocaust, our capacity to destroy one another ... how could an artist not respond to that?" Displaying a work of abstract art by Mark Rothko, he argued that the piece was not all about aesthetics as some might say, but that the artist was using light in an attempt to reorder the universe.

The former director and curator of the B'nai B'rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., Dr. Soltes has recently published a book, Fixing the World: Jewish American Painters in the Twentieth Century, which covers more than 80 artists, underscores both their aesthetic and social views of art, and speaks to a Jewish desire to improve the world by speaking out against racism and violence, a common theme among the paintings of this era. Dr. Soltes explores how Jewish art relates to Jewish identity. His examination of artists, including Joyce Ellen Weinstein and Ben Shahn, is also a survey of how culture, society, and history has inspired Jewish painters. "It is magisterial in its scope," Dr. Ellen Umansky, director of the Center for Judaic Studies, who introduced Dr. Soltes, said of the book.

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New Bettie and Samuel Roberts Lecture established

By Nina M. Riccio, Publications Writer

The bi-annual Bettie and Samuel Roberts Lecture on Jewish Art and Artists has been made possible through a generous endowment established in memory of Bettie and Samuel by their children, Larry Roberts and Suzanne Novik. This gift honors in perpetuity Sam and Bettie's longtime support of Judaic Studies at Fairfield while highlighting their devotion to the arts.

Celebrating the first Bettie and Samuel Roberts Lecture are (l-r) Dr. Ellen Umansky, director of Judaic Studies, Larry Roberts and Suzanne Novik, who created the lecture series in honor of their parents, and Dr. Ori Soltes, lecturer.

Bettie Roberts was a portrait painter and a member of the Connecticut Classic Arts for 25 years. The winner of several awards, she exhibited in five solo and several juried shows throughout Fairfield County, including the Barnum Arts Festival, the Bridgeport Art League, and the Stamford Art Association. Sam Roberts, a native of Poland, was a local real estate developer and nature photographer. Sam's works of flowers and plants and several of Bettie's classical portraits and still lifes were featured in a show, "Contemporary Realism," that was on view at the Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery in 2001.

The endowment not only funds the lecture series but provides for a course to be taught on Jewish art and artists. This semester, this course is being taught by Dr. Philip Eliasoph, professor of art history in CAS.

"Having this opportunity to share with our students the issues related to Jewish artists and ideas is one of the greatest personal privileges of my teaching career," he said. He quoted from one student's reflective essay, in which she wrote, "We discover myriad materials, modalities, designs, and thoughts demonstrating that Jews are not narrowly focused artists."

Dr. Ellen M. Umansky, the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor of Judaic Studies, noted that the gift is tremendously important to the Judaic Studies program in general, and that it highlights the way the program intends to reach out to the community. "For the first lecture, we set out to invite someone to give a broad overview of Jewish art. Dr. Soltes was a perfect choice in that respect," she said.

Photos by Jean Santopatre

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Open session on the campus landscape project set for May 17

Members of the University community are invited to attend an open session with Ayers Saint Gross Architects & Planner on May 17 in the Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. Center. The Baltimore-based landscape planning firm currently gathering information about the University's landscape, buildings, and traffic, and will provide options on how to develop and design the physical campus to meet the needs of the University community. For more information, including the time, please watch for announcements or contact office of the senior vice president at ext. 3468.

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Media Center projects gain Awards for Excellence

Two Media Center film projects received Awards of Excellence, the highest honor given by The Videographer Awards 2007.

An Award of Excellence went to Messenger, a short video written, directed, and edited by the Rev. Mark Scalese, S.J., assistant professor of new media, film, television, and radio, and produced by the Media Center.

"It's always gratifying to have one's work recognized by industry professionals," said Fr. Scalese. "Only 14 percent of 2,000 entries received Awards of Excellence, so I'm especially honored. And of course, much credit goes to the great staff of the Media Center who made up the film crew for Messenger."

Messenger is about Jason, whose life is as organized - and constrained - as his office cubicle. His predictable routine leaves very little to chance until one day, a series of events makes him wonder if he's being visited by angels.

An Award of Excellence was also given to Voices of Others, a series of studio-based interviews produced by the Media Center in conjunction with a collection of on-campus lectures presented by the Center for Catholic Studies.

The series was directed and edited by Casey Timmeny, external projects producer; and, hosted by Dr. Paul Lakeland, Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., Professor of Catholic Studies. Interviewees included: Dr. Ronald Modras, "The Humanism of Ignatian Spirituality"; the Rev. Greg Boyle, S.J., "Tattoos on the Heart: Putting a Human Face on Gang Members"; the Rev. Dean Brackley, S.J., "The Call to Discernment in Troubled Times"; Dr. Jeanette Rodriguez, "Latina Feminist Theology"; and the Rev. James Keenan, S.J., "Listening to The Voices of HIV/AIDS."

Dr. Lakeland summarized the series by saying it "...takes up the challenge to the Jesuit university to confront the question, ‘what can we learn about ourselves and our world from listening to different voices?'"

Through the generosity of the President's Office and the Academic Vice President's Office, copies of the series were forwarded to all of the academic vice presidents and directors of Catholic studies of Jesuit colleges and universities across the country.

The Award of Excellence is awarded to those projects written, produced, shot, and edited in an exceptional manner and that exceed industry standards.

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Open VISIONS Forum celebrates 10 year

Philippe de Montebello, director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (right), was on hand to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Open VISIONS Forum of University College on April 22 in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. De Montebello, who was the very first Open VISIONS Forum speaker in 1997, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree before his address, "Museums: Why Should We Care?" Pictured above is Paul J. Huston, '82, chairman of the Board of Trustees at Fairfield University, at left, conferring the honorary degree upon de Montebello.

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Fairfield faculty research grants and sabbaticals

Sabbatical, 2007-08

• Dr. Robbin Crabtree, professor of communication in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), for "International Service Learning, Solidarity Tourism, & Community Development: Theoretical Foundations & Comprehensive Assessment for Ethical Practice."

• Dr. Joel Goldfield, associate professor of modern languages and literature in CAS, for "Bilingual Critical Reader of Selected Tales from the Nouvelles asiatiques of Gobineau with Critical Essays on Stylometry."

• Dr. Linda Henkel, associate professor of psychology in CAS, for "Failure to Use Information About the Source of One's Memories & Factual Knowledge."

• Dr. Gavriel Rosenfeld, associate professor of history in CAS, for The World Hitler Never Made: Alternate History of the Memory of Nazism.

• Dr. David Sapp, associate professor of English in CAS, for "Retrospective Anthology on Feminist Pedagogy."

Sabbatical, Fall 2007

• Dr. Bharat Bhalla, professor of finance in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business (DSB), for "Capital Market Integration in the Americas."

• Dr. Robert Epstein, associate professor of English in CAS, for "Money, Exchange & Value in The Canterbury Tales."

• Dr. Elizabeth Gardner, professor of psychology in CAS, for "Documenting the Creation of Diversity-Based Learning Communities at Fairfield University."

• Dr. Wendy Kohli, associate professor of curriculum and instruction in the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions (GSEAP), for "Embodied learning & spiritual knowing: reconceptualizing emancipatory education & critical pedagogy."

• Dr. Paula Gill Lopez, associate professor of psychology and special education in GSEAP, for "Improving the Supervision of School Psychologists in Connecticut."

• Dr. Douglas Lyon, associate professor in the School of Engineering, "On the use of Java3D for the Visualization of Image Processing Computations & Data Structures."

• Dr. Dawn Massey, associate professor of accounting in DSB, for "The Impact of selection-socialization on the CPA profession."

• Dr. Joan Van Hise, associate professor of accounting in DSB, for "A study of the distinctiveness of Jesuit business education and of the impact of Jesuit education on businessmen and women."

• Dr. David Zera, associate professor of psychology and special education in GSEAP, "Bilingual Special Education: Program Evaluation, Current Needs of Local Education Agencies (LEAs) & Future Trends."

Sabbatical, Spring 2008

• Dr. Patricia Behre Miskimin, associate professor of history in CAS, for "Citizens of the World: Sephardic Jews in Early Louisiana."

• Dr. Christopher Bernhardt, professor of mathematics and computer science in CAS, for "Dynamics on graphs and applications to number theory."

• Dr. Edward Dew, professor of politics in CAS, to study the process of land reform in Brazil, and the role of agricultural extension for the recipients of land redistribution.

• Dr. Dina Franceschi, associate professor of economics in CAS, for "Do ad hoc land reform institutions aid in environmental conservation?"

• Dr. Daniel Geller, professor of psychology and special education in GSEAP, for "Psychological Interviewing as an Effective Positive Change Agent to the Self-Determination of Individuals with Disabilities."

• Dr. Donald Gibson, associate professor of management in DSB, for "Emotions in the Workplace."

• Dr. Christopher Huntley, associate professor of information systems in DSB, for "Stochastic Models of Organizational Learning: Theory & Empirical Data."

• Dr. Nick Laopodis, associate professor of finance in DSB, for "Fiscal Policy & Stock Market Efficiency: Evidence from the U.S."

• Dr. Mark Ligas, associate professor of marketing in DSB, for "An Exploration of the Antecedents of Consumer Collecting Behavior."

• Dr. Bogusia Molina, associate professor of counselor education in GSEAP, for "Multicultural perceptions & expressions of wellness-implications for multicultural group work & its role in community building."

• Dr. Kurt Schlichting, professor of sociology in CAS, for research for his book, The Advent of the Automobile Age in NYC: The Role of Technological Innovation & the Visible Hand of the Engineer.

• Dr. L. Kraig Steffan, associate professor of chemistry in CAS, for "Tethered Tri-Phenyl Amine Electrocatalysts."

• Brian Torff, associate professor of visual and performing arts in CAS, for A Jazz Memoir: American Music 1972-2006.

• Dr. Ellen Umansky, professor of religious studies in CAS, for a book-length theology, Reclaiming the Covenant: A Jewish Feminist Theology under contract with NYU Press.

• Dr. Meredith Wallace, associate professor in the School of Nursing (SON), for "Geriatric Nurse Certification Review Book."

• Dr. Margaret Wills, assistant professor of communication in CAS, for "An Ethnographic Analysis of a Support & Action Group for Lyme Disease: Coping through Communication."

Pre-Tenure Sabbaticals, Fall 2007

• Dr. Kevin Dawson, assistant professor of history in CAS, for "Enslaved Watermen in the Atlantic World, 1444-1888."

• Dr. Timothy Heitzman, assistant professor of psychology in CAS, for "Typical and disrupted development of attention, behavioral regulation, and executive functions."

• Dr. Terry-Ann Jones, assistant professor of sociology in CAS, for "Livelihood Strategy or Modern Slavery? Migrant Sugar Cane Workers in Brazil and Florida."

• Dr. John McDermott, associate professor of finance in DSB, for "Earnings Management and Liquidity."

• Dr. Camelia Micu, assistant professor of marketing in DSB, for "Higher Expectations for Higher Evaluations: The Effect of Pre-Trial Claim Exaggeration on Post-Trial Product Evaluation."

• Dr. Laura Nash, assistant professor of visual and performing arts in CAS, for articles on grant-supported projects.

• Dr. Yasin Ozcelik, assistant professor of information systems in DSB, for "Open Source Software Development Networks: An Empirical Analysis of Social Structure and Success Factors."

• Dr. Joyce Shea, assistant professor in SON, for "Assessing the Needs of Geriatric Clients with Schizophrenia."

• Dr. Min Xu, assistant professor of physics in CAS, for "Backscattering of partially coherent polarized light from a turbid medium."

Pre-Tenure Sabbaticals, Spring 2008

• Dr. Angela Biselli, assistant professor of physics in CAS, for "Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering Experiment at Jefferson Lab."

• Dr. Vera Cherepinsky, assistant professor of mathematics in CAS, for "HLA Typing as an Optimization Problem on the Graph of Potential Probes."

• Dr. Catherine Giapponi, assistant professor of management in DSB, for "Corporate Governance Systems in China: A Study of Governance."

• Dr. Marice Rose, assistant professor of visual and performing arts in CAS, for "Images of Elite and Non-Elite Women in Late Antiquity."

• Dr. Mark Scalese, S.J., assistant professor of visual and performing arts in CAS, for new course preparation.

• Dr. Debra Strauss, assistant professor of management in DSB, for "Patentability of Life: Reconsidering the Grant of Intellectual Property Rights for Genetically Modified Organisms" and "The Application of TRIPS to GMOs: International Intellectual Property Rights & Biotechnology."

Summer Research Stipend:

• Dr. William Abbott, associate professor of history in CAS, for "A Biographical Study of Dr. Edward Berdoe."

• Dr. Steven Bachelor, assistant professor of history in CAS, for "Miracle to Maquila: Mexico in the American Century."

• Dr. Kim Bridgford, professor of English in CAS, for "Hitchcock's Coffin: Sonnets About Classic Films."

• Dr. Elizabeth Dreyer, professor of religious studies in CAS, for "Partners in Holiness: Spirituality and Theology."

• Dr. Angela Harkins, assistant professor of religious studies in CAS, for "The Thanksgiving Hymns from Qumran in Critical Perspective."

• Dr. Matthew Kubasik, associate professor of chemistry in CAS, for "Two Studies of Short Helical Peptide Structure: Internal Hydrogen Bonding & Helix Macro-Dipole."

• Dr. Janie Leatherman, professor of politics in CAS, for "Challenges to Authority in Global Politics."

• Dr. Jon Leiseth, assistant professor of visual and performing arts in CAS, for "2007 Summer Original Production."

• Dr. Martha LoMonaco, professor of visual and performing arts in CAS, for "Mormon Pageantry as American Historical Performance."

• Dr. Brian Walker, assistant professor of biology in CAS, for "Assessment of Breeding Activity & Physiology in Cavity Nesting Passerine Birds on the Fairfield University Campus."

• Dr. Gary Weddle, associate professor of chemistry in CAS, for "Construction of a Temperature Controlled Ion Trap."

Senior Summer Fellowship:

• Dr. Gita Rajan, associate professor of English in CAS, for "Ripple Effect: Globalization, South Asian Public Intellectuals, and Feminist Ethics."

Research Grants 2007

• Dr. James Biardi, assistant professor of biology in CAS, for "Resistance of mammalian prey to rattlesnake venom toxins."

• Dr. Dorothea Braginsky, professor of psychology in CAS, for "Unemployment Then and Now-Transcription and Coding of Interviews."

• Dr. Ronald Davidson, professor of religious studies in CAS, for "Sanskrit Manuscript Microfilm Research."

• Dr. Linda Henkel, associate professor of psychology in CAS, for "How Older Adults Think About Where Their Knowledge Came From."

• Dr. Terry-Ann Jones, assistant professor of sociology in CAS, for "Livelihood Strategy or Modern Slavery? Migrant Sugar Cane Workers in Brazil."

• Dr. Elizabeth Langran, assistant professor of psychology and special education in GSEAP, for "Integrating Technology in the University of Central America-Nicaragua-Fairfield University Partnership."

• Dr. David McFadden, professor of history in CAS, for "Religious Study Trips to the USSR, 1924-1933."

• Dr. Shelley Phelan, associate professor of biology in CAS, for "Analyzing expression of the Prdx6 antioxidant in human leukemia cells."

• Dr. Katherine Schwab, associate professor of visual and performing arts in CAS, for "Drawings of the Parthenon Metopes for the New Acropolis Museum."

• Dr. Christine Siegel, assistant professor of psychology and special education in GSEAP, for "Stress and Coping Among Parents of AD/HD Adolescents."

• Dr. Yohuru Williams, associate professor of history in CAS, for "Six Degrees of Segregation: Lynching and Capital Punishment in America 1865-1930."

• Dr. Kathryn Jo Yarrington, professor of visual and performing arts in CAS, for "The Site Project ‘Beating Time'" to be exhibited in the Clock and Bell Tower at Hallgrimskirke in Reykjavik, Iceland, summer 2007.

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Exploring race and ethnicity

Students from the "Psychology of Race and Ethnicity" seminar presented their research findings at a poster session on April 11 in the Bannow MacDonnell Atrium. Topics ranged from multiracial identity and adolescent self-stereotyping to discrimination and the health of African-American women and homophobia in Euro- and African-American cultures. The course is taught by Dr. Betsy Gardner, professor of psychology in the College of Arts & Sciences, and Larri Mazon, director of Institutional Diversity Initiatives.

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Sports

Joe Frager aiming to take Stags to "new heights"

By Chris O'Connor, Associate Director of Sports Information

Celebrating the announcement of Joe Frager as the new head coach of the women's basketball program with the Stag mascot are (l-r) University President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., Frager, and Mark Reed, vice president for Student Affairs.

Joe Frager, the veteran coach who led Southern Connecticut State University to a 2007 national title, has been named the head coach of Fairfield's women's basketball program. The announcement was made at a press conference on April 18 at the John A. Barone Campus Center.

"I am very excited to welcome Joe to the Fairfield University family as our women's basketball coach," said Gene Doris, director of athletics. "His love of the game, his commitment, and his experience make him a perfect fit for our basketball program. He has been successful at each stop of his career, winning national titles and state championships. His dedication to the complete student-athlete, those who will be successful in the classroom and on the basketball court, mirrors the philosophies of Fairfield University."

Frager comes to Fairfield after leading Southern Connecticut to the 2007 Division II national title. The national title caps off a successful run of four NCAA Tournament appearances in five years. In those appearances he has posted a 10-3 record, with at least one win in each of his tournament appearances.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to coach at such a celebrated institution such as Fairfield University," said Frager. "I am looking forward to returning the women's basketball program to its rightful spot as a perennial contender and then taking it to new heights."

During his nine-year tenure, Frager earned numerous personal coaching accolades. This past season he was named the Molton/Women's D-II Bulletin National Coach of the Year, as well as earning his third consecutive Northeast 10 Conference Coach of the Year. In addition, Frager garnered the 2005 and 2006 WBCA Region I Coach of the Year awards.

A 1984 graduate of the University of Connecticut with a bachelor's degree in political science, Frager became a head coach for the first time in 1987 at Seymour (Conn.) High School. He won three state titles and 208 games during his 11-year tenure, while earning a master's degree in social sciences from Southern Connecticut.

Fairfield University is an NCAA Division I member of the 10-school Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Frager is the fifth head coach in the program's 33-year varsity history.

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NCAA approves Fairfield athletics certification

By Jack Jones, Director of Sports Information

The NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification has completed its process and has approved Fairfield University for certification. This designation marks the second time the University received certified status from the NCAA.

With this classification, the NCAA considers Fairfield University to be operating its athletics program in substantial conformity with the operating principles adopted by the Association's Division I membership. The Committee on Athletics Certification accepted both the peer-review team report and the institution's self-study report.

"We are pleased with the committee's decision," Fairfield University President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., said. "The certification confirms that our athletic program provides our student-athletes the opportunity to excel by meeting NCAA academic and athletic standards. The University's mission is to serve students by supporting their intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs, and athletics plays a significant role in meeting those needs."

The certification program's genesis came about at the 1993 NCAA Convention during which the Division I membership overwhelmingly voted to institute the certification process with the primary purpose of helping to ensure integrity in the institution's athletics operations. It opens up athletics to the rest of the university community and to the public with the focus on educating individuals across the campus about the goals and purpose of intercollegiate athletics programs, as well as revealing the aspects of the athletics program that are worthy of praise.

"Fairfield University will continue its commitment to providing our student-athletes with the best opportunities to excel both in and out of the classroom," Vice President for Student Affairs Mark Reed said. "The NCAA certification indicates that the University's athletic vision provides our student-athletes with the proper foundation to achieve success both now and in the future."

The committee responsible for the study included Fr. von Arx and members of the faculty and staff, as well as athletics department personnel. Dr. Jeanne Novotny, dean of the School of Nursing, chaired the steering committee. Thomas Pellegrino, dean of students, served as the chief report writer.

The NCAA is a membership organization of colleges and universities that participate in intercollegiate athletics. The primary purpose of the Association is to maintain intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the educational program and the athlete as an integral part of the student body. Activities of the NCAA membership include formulating rules of play for NCAA sports, conducting national championships, and adopting and enforcing standards of eligibility.

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Sports Briefs

Fairfield to host 2007 MAAC Softball Championship

Fairfield will host the 2007 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Softball Championship, which runs from May 10 to 12. The event will be held at DeLuca Field, an 1,800-seat, state-of-the-art facility, in Stratford, Conn. The tournament field is yet to be determined but will consist of the top four teams in the conference standings at the conclusion of the regular season.

Men's & women's tennis compete at MAAC

On March 10, Fairfield University hosted an international mathematics conference, "Aspects of Infinite Groups." Organized by Dr. Benjamin Fine, professor of mathematics in CAS, the conference was designed to bring together workers in Infinite Group Theory and to honor Dr. Anthony Gaglione of the United States Naval Academy on his 60th birthday.

Group Theory is a branch of mathematics that is officially part of algebra but which touches on most other areas within the mathematical sciences including cryptography. Dr. Gaglione is a well know researcher in the area who proved one of the crucial leading steps to the final proof of the celebrated Tarski problem. More than 30 people attended the conference, which included six speakers at the top of their discipline: Dr. Gilbert Baumslag, a distinguished professor at City University of New York; Dr. Michael Anshel of the Computer Science Department of City University; Dr. Alexei Myasnikov, a chaired research professor at McGill University in Montreal; Dr. Gerhard Rosenberger of the University of Dortmund in Germany; Dr. Dennis Spellman of Temple University; and Dr. Fine. The University hosted a dinner at the Dolan School of Business for conference participants.

Women's rowing places fourth at MAAC Championship

The women's rowing team finished fourth at the 2007 MAAC Championship held on April 22 on Mercer Lake in West Windsor, N.J. The Stags' varsity eight boat finished with a time of 7:36.65, while the novice varsity eight clocked a time of 8:12.18 to place second overall. The men's club team also competed at the MAAC Championships and placed third overall.

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Fairfield staff dine green

The University celebrated the 38th annual Earth Day with a week of activities - from screenings of An Inconvenient Truth to a "green" luncheon. A highlight of the ambitious lineup was the Student Environmental Association's annual Fairfield Beach clean up followed by an Earth Day picnic dinner and green fair in the Oak Room on Earth Day itself, April 22. On April 18, the University welcomed Dr. Veronica Vaida, of the University of Colorado, who spoke on atmospheric chemistry and climate. The following day, students held a poster session in Bannow's MacDonnell Atrium. Above (l-r) grounds crew Chris Trouw, Jon Wright, Mike Walsh, Con O'Halloran, and Rich McCarthy enjoy free-range chicken, organic microgreens, and fair trade coffee during the "green" lunch on April 20.

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Banking on Fairfield

By Alejandra Navaro, Editor

Christmas seems so far down the road, but it's amazing how quickly December will arrive. And with the holiday season comes all of those extra expenses. For those who have a Christmas account with the Fairfield University Employees Federal Credit Union, the little bit of money taken out of each paycheck saves up a nice little bundle for the holidays.

For as little as $5 a week, Fairfield University employees and those affiliated with the University can join the Credit Union and open an account. The money is automatically deposited into an account from paychecks. A member can have multiple accounts. Some members put money aside for vacation plans or saving accounts for grandchildren.

"It's amazing to see how a small amount of money can add up over the years," said Linda Mineo, manager of the Credit Union.

The Credit union is a $2 million cooperative financial institution, owned and controlled by its members and federally insured by the Credit Union National Administration. Board members include Credit Union President Rita O'Shea, administrative assistant to the vice president of finance and administration; Treasurer Dr. Phil Lane, chair of the Economics Department in the College of Arts & Sciences; and Vice President Joseph Bouchard, fire marshal. Its 781 members come from across campus - staff, faculty, and administrators - and include Sodexho employees. Faculty and staff founded the Credit Union in 1976, and the Jesuit Community was one of its first loyal supporters, making an initial significant deposit to help get the Credit Union started.

The Credit Union is only as strong as its membership, so it always looking for new members, said Mineo. "I don't think a lot of people are aware of the benefits of the Credit Union," she said.

Unlike most banks, credit unions do not charge a member withdrawal, deposit, or loan fees. Although credit unions do not have cash on hand, members can cash a Credit Union check at any People's Bank. Many new members learn about the Credit Union when they find out about a loan special, Mineo says. Currently, loans for new cars are at 6.75 percent and used cars are at 7.5 percent for five years. From now until June 1, the Fairfield University Credit Union is offering a special: a loan of $10,000 at 9 percent for 48 months.

The Credit Union's philosophy is "people helping people" and that's what it strives to do, Mineo said. "We're not in the business of taking advantage of our members," she said. "We're here for our members."

Photo by Jean Santopatre

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Campus Currents is the official news publication of the Fairfield University community. It is published monthly. The editorial office is located in Bellarmine Hall, Room 202. Telephone: 254-4000, ext. 3392. Fax: 254-4167. E-mail: anavarro@mail.fairfield.edu.

Editor
Alejandra Navarro
Publications Writer and Editor

Editorial Board
Martha Milcarek
Assistant Vice President for Public Relations
Barbara Kiernan
Director of University Publications
Jean Santopatre
University Photojournalist

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