Campus Currents September 2004

Volume 13, Number 2
The official news publication of Fairfield University

Index for September 8, 2004

Four Fairfield University graduates win Fulbright Scholarships

By Dana Ambrosini, Assistant Director of Media Relations

Four Fairfield University graduates have been chosen to receive Fulbright Scholarships for the 2004-2005 academic year, while seven more have been listed as alternates who would be awarded Fulbrights should another student decline the honor. Initially, 14 Fairfield University students were recommended by the Institute of International Education National Screening Committee.

The Fulbright Grant is the most prestigious scholarship awarded by the U.S. government. The grant funds students to go abroad for one year after graduation to engage in independent research, study and work. A primary goal of the scholarship is to increase mutual understanding between peoples of the United States and other countries.

Since 1993, 33 Fairfield University students have been awarded Fulbrights. "It is a great tribute to our wonderful students that so many receive Fulbright awards. It is also a great acknowledgement to an extraordinarily devoted team of faculty and administrators who dedicate so much time and energy to mentor these students and help them navigate the complex application process," says Dr. Orin Grossman, academic vice president.

Students at Fairfield University who are interested in applying for a Fulbright undergo an intensive process of developing and refining a proposal with the help of the Fairfield University Fulbright faculty committee, explains Dr. Miriam Gogol, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Gogol administers the University's rigorous Fulbright process, which includes screenings, interviews, and several drafts of student proposals.

"It's a marvelous system that we have here; it's an arduous system," Dr. Gogol says. "The faculty are very demanding of the student applicants and we have a strong student support system through the assistance of Benedetta Maguire, program assistant in the office of the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences."

This year, Fairfield had an astonishing number of applicants go very far in the process. Ultimately, the four scholars were chosen.

Gerald Abbey traveled throughout Europe during an educational exchange in Spring 2003 and now the Blue Bell, PA, resident will immerse himself in another culture altogether. Through his Fulbright scholarship he will spend a year teaching in Taiwan. While it might seem intimidating to some, Abbey is anticipating the opportunity to visit "the other side of the world" and enter a foreign culture with a language completely unknown to him.

"This is what I want to continue doing; to travel, teach, and learn," says Abbey, an English major with minors in education, philosophy and Spanish.

Abbey will spend this year working with children ages 6 to 12. He will serve as a teacher's assistant, consulting on the curriculum to make it well rounded and culturally accurate, with the aim of providing the optimum environment for students to learn English.

James Allwein, a native of Lancaster, Pa., will spend the year in Athens, Greece, where he will work on modernizing corporate governance and financial reporting regulations through a research assistantship at Capital Link, an investor relations services provider. In the spring, Allwein will do an internship at the Athens Stock Exchange, and will take classes through the doctoral program of economics at the University of Athens.

"Greece has undergone major economic change over the last decade to become a part of the European Union," says Allwein, a finance major who says he is interested in observing how Greece is going to sustain and support economic growth since becoming an EU member. "It is a country with unique prospects for economic growth."

Allwein served as president of Fairfield University's chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society, and was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the national business school honor society. He was also a member of On the Spot, Theatre Fairfield's improvisation troupe.

Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., resident James DiGuglielmo will participate in cutting-edge physics research at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics in Golm, Germany, this year. His Fulbright will provide the opportunity to work with one of only three instruments worldwide used for the detection of gravitational waves.

"I have an interest in gravitational theory and astrophysics in general," says DiGuglielmo, a double major in physics and philosophy with a double minor in German and mathematics. "It would give me first-hand experience into what the field is all about." That experience will help him decide whether to pursue graduate studies in the field.

In addition to his research, DiGuglielmo will take classes at the University of Hanover. Throughout his years at Fairfield University, DiGuglielmo served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a volunteer at a Salvation Army soup kitchen. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Sigma Nu (the Jesuit honor society), Alpha Mu Gamma (the language honor society) and Pi Mu Epsilon (the mathematics honor society), DiGuglielmo also participated in the debate team.

For Aelee Kwon, a resident of Wilbraham, Mass., a Fulbright to teach English as a second language in South Korea will also provide her with the opportunity to explore the country in which her parents were born.

"It will give me a way to reconnect with the family and learn about my culture," says Kwon, who hopes to meet and visit with her relatives in Seoul during her stay.

The teaching assignment will also help Kwon, who majored in English and has a minor in studio art, determine whether she would like to pursue a career in education. Kwon will spend the first six weeks of the year in a training program at a university two hours outside of Seoul before getting her official assignment, to teach basic conversational English to middle or high school students in another South Korean city. Kwon also hopes to pursue interests in writing and photography throughout the year.

In addition to her Fulbright, Kwon was a winner of the Christopher B. Love Student Achievement Award, which the Center for Multicultural Relations presents to an AHANA student who has a grade point average above 3.0. A mission volunteer in Tijuana, Mexico, with Campus Ministry, Kwon has worked as a tour guide throughout her four years at Fairfield. She was also assistant editor of The Sound, the student literary magazine.

Contributed photos

Inauguration event schedule

The activities, below, have been planned for the first week of October to welcome new University President Rev. Jeffrey von Arx, S.J. Note: On Thursday, Oct. 7, all classes between 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. will be cancelled, and all non-essential offices will be closed. Students, faculty, and staff are all encouraged to attend the investiture ceremony.

Photo by James Marshall

Fairfield welcomes the Class of 2008

By Alejandra Navarro, Publications Writer/Editor

The Class of 2008 arrived at Fairfield University with computers, comforters, and some noteworthy accomplishments. The class includes 160 students who have received scholarships due to academic merit and 16 National Merit commended students or semi-finalists, a jump from last year's six National Merit contenders. Most students entering were in the top 20 percent of their graduating class.

Fairfield received 7,131 applications, the second-largest application pool in the University's history. The University admitted 63.6 percent of the applicants, and anticipates that 867 will enroll. The school also welcomes 58 students transferring from other colleges and 41 general studies students. The class is larger than the past three entering freshmen classes, and has a wide variety of academically gifted students.

"We are competing with some of the best schools in the country," says Karen Pellegrino, director of undergraduate admission. Yet "Fairfield continues to attract outstanding students from a wide variety of backgrounds," she says.

Evron Trim '08, the class salutatorian for Jonathan Law High School in Milford, graduated with a 4.1094 grade point average and was not at a loss for options this fall. But Trim was impressed with Fairfield's academic program, particularly the classes in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, and also found the University community appealing. "When I came for a visit, people were really nice," Trim says. "It felt like a home away from home."

While Trim is local, New York and Massachusetts are the states that send the most students to Fairfield, followed by Connecticut. The Class of 2008 represents 25 states and Puerto Rico.

The online application has made it easier for students from across the country to apply to Fairfield. More than 25 percent of the applicants used an electronic application, a significant increase from approximately 2 percent three years ago. "With a press of the button they can send their application to five schools," Pellegrino says. This feature attracts applicants who might not ordinarily apply to Fairfield.

Some freshmen were already familiar with Fairfield's reputation: 114 students have alumni ties to Fairfield, including 55 who are the child or grandchild of an alumnus/a.

Like every class before it, the Class of 2008 has some very active members, including 43 former class or student government presidents and vice presidents, 50 yearbook and newspaper editors, and 14 Eagle Scouts. More than 70 percent of the incoming freshman class participated in a service-related activity while in high school.

School of Business names new assistant dean and director of undergraduate programs

Heather Logan Petraglia, M.A.'01 was recently appointed to the position of assistant dean and director of undergraduate programs in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business.

Petraglia began her career at Fairfield University in 2000 as a graduate counseling intern in the office of the dean of freshmen and was later appointed to the position of assistant dean. In this role, she assessed the adjustment process of first year students, including student development, academic success, and each student's overall fulfillment. Petraglia has been an active member of the campus community and currently serves as a clinical supervisor for counselors-in-training through the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions.

Petraglia earned her M.A. in community counseling from Fairfield in 2001, and is a 1996 graduate of William Smith College, where she studied psychology. She has been certified as a counselor through the National Board for Certified Counselors. Petraglia maintains membership in national and local professional associations, including the American Counseling Association and the American College Counseling Association.

Photo by Douglas D'Auria

Dr. Javier Campos, associate professor of modern languages and literatures in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), received the 2004 Honorary Mention Prize (second prize) in the Premio Municipal de Literatura in Santiago, Chile, for the best short story book published in 2003, for his book, La mujer que se parecía a Sharon Stone. Dr. Campus also organized a panel and served as a presenter at the XXXV International Conference of the Iberoamerican Institute of Literature, University of Poitiers, in Poitiers, France, from June 28 to July 4. For the panel "Acercamientos desde el tercer milenio a la obra de Roberto Bolaño," he presented "El Primer Manifiesto de los infrarrealistas de 1976: su contexto y su poética en los Detectives Salvajes."

Michael Dalton, director of career planning, discussed the optimism of Fairfield graduates' job searches in a June 13 Connecticut Post article. In a separate Connecticut Post article on the same day, Dalton also talked about the importance of internships for experience.

Dr. Edward Deak, Roger M. Lynch Professor of Economics in CAS, was one of four state economists that Governor M. Jodi Rell consulted on the status of Connecticut's economic recovery. The meeting was reported on July 28 by the Hartford Courant and the Associated Press and carried in a number of publications including the Greenwich Time, the Republican American (Waterbury), the News-Times (Danbury), The Advocate (Stamford), The Herald (New Britain) and the Record-Journal (Meriden). Dr. Deak said that the scandal in the governor's office had been "a distraction to the state's economic development efforts," but that Gov. Rell was trying to define what the governor's office could do for the economy. Dr. Deak also commented in a June 22 article about the state's economy in the Fairfield County Business Journal. "Looking forward, the strength and duration of any Connecticut recovery depends upon an expanding U.S. economy," he said. On July 1, CNN Money and Black Enterprise Magazine quoted Dr. Deak on the expected rise of interest rates. The Connecticut Post quoted Dr. Deak in a June 18 article on job gains in May and again in a July 3 article about the nation's faltering job growth in June. On July 12, the two publications quoted Dr. Deak again about the optimism in the real estate market, despite the looming interest rate hikes. "When the mortgage rate gets to around 8 percent, I think you'll see a softening in housing prices. It will become a buyer's market," he said. Dr. Deak discussed the state's drop in jobs for the month of June in a July 20 article, which appeared in The Hartford Courant, CNN Money, and Black Enterprise Magazine. "Is it a catastrophe? No. Is it worrisome? Yes, and a little disappointing," Dr. Deak said of the decline in jobs. "It begs the question of what is Connecticut going to be able to do to generate its own job creation momentum?" Black Enterprise Magazine and WGY-Radio 810 AM (Albany, N.Y.) also tapped Dr. Deak for comments on unemployment numbers. The July issue of Business Times (New Haven) published an article on Dr. Deak's economic forecast for the state, reported to the New England Economic Project. In an Aug 7 article on the national economic dip in The Hartford Courant, Dr. Deak said, "Connecticut doesn't seem to have any strong engines of growth right now to run counter to the national economy."

Dr. Therese Dykeman, adjunct professor and research associate for the International Institute for Field-Being, co-edited the spring 2004 special issue of the feminist philosophy journal Hypatia, "Women in the American Philosophical Tradition 1800-1930." Dr. Dykeman co-wrote the introduction and contributed the article, "The Philosophy of 'Half-ness' and the Philosophy of Duality: Julia Ward Howe and Ednah Dow Cheney."

On Aug. 9, New York magazine published a letter to the editor by Dr. Philip Eliasoph, professor of art history in CAS, regarding a cover story on the Metropolitan Museum of Art's conflict with its neighbors.

The new position of Dr. Joel Goldfield, associate professor and chair of modern language and literature in CAS appeared in the Jewish Advocate on July 9. The announcement also appeared in Massachusetts publications the Salem News, the Jewish Journal North of Boston, and Marblehead Reporter. Dr. Goldfield received a 2003 summer research grant for French literature and literary computing involving the authors Balzac, Gobineau and Stendhal: "Translation of a tale from the Nouvelles asiatiques (1876) of Arthur de Gobineau and a critical essay with computer-aided research on nineteenth-century French literature."

A July 22 Connecticut Post article quoted Dr. Donald Greenberg, associate professor of politics in CAS, on the effects of the kidnapping of foreign civilians in Iraq. "It's becoming a more unpopular war," he said. Dr. Greenberg was also interviewed in Hartford by ABC/Channel 7 (N.Y.) on the June 21 resignation of Gov. John Rowland.

Dr. Sheila Grossman, professor of nursing, published "Monitoring Prescription Practice and Microorganism Resistance with Urinary Tract Infection" in the June issue of the Clinical Excellence for Nursing Practitioners International Journal.

Dr. Linda Henkel, associate professor of psychology in CAS, was featured in the Fairfield Citizen-News on July 9, The Newtown Bee on June 18, and Fairfield Today for her work in seeking participants for a Fairfield University Cognitive Aging Project. Dr. John McCarthy, associate professor and chairman of psychology, also made comments in the Fairfield Citizen-News article.

Dr. Wendy Kohli, associate professor and chair of the curriculum and instruction in the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions, was a panelist for a discussion on Brown vs. Board of Education on May 19 on Cablevision. She discussed the moral implications of inequitable education opportunities and what needs to be done on the national level.

In an Associated Press article on the Vatican's paper denouncing feminism, Dr. Paul Lakeland, chair of religious studies in CAS, the Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., chair in Catholic studies, said church conservatives could use the paper to condemn any form of advocacy for women, even though the document has references to the fair treatment for women who work. More than 200 media outlets across the country carried the article. On June 17, the Trumbull Times featured Dr. Lakeland and his first place 2004 Catholic Press Award in the category of theology for his book The Liberation of the Laity: In Search of an Accountable Church. The publisher, Continuum International, recently released the book in paperback.

Summer Stock! An American Theatrical Phenomenon, a new book by Dr. Martha LoMonaco, associate professor and chair of theatre in CAS, received rave reviews in the Aug. 13 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education, the Aug. 22 Connecticut Post, and the weekly publication, Show Business. Dr. LoMonaco held a book reading and signing at the Westport Barnes & Noble on Aug. 25. In July, Dr. LoMonaco presented "American Scenography" as part of a three-person panel titled "Theatrical Design, Technology, and Standards." The panel presented at the Beijing Special Engineering Design and Research Institute, the Guangdong Science-Technology Exchange Center with Foreign Countries, and the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

Dr. Anna D. Martin, associate professor of finance in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business (DSB), had her research article "Scale economies in hedging foreign exchange cash flow exposures" published in the Global Finance Journal. In June, she presented "Currency bid-ask spreads surrounding the Asian crisis" at the Financial Management Association 2004 European Meeting in Zurich.

A July 4 Connecticut Post article on the expected growth in the field of accounting, Dr. Dawn Massey, associate professor of accounting in DSB, talked about the 150 additional hours of work required to become a certified public accountant in Connecticut. Dr. Massey touted the employability of the Dolan School's five-year accounting graduates. "Twenty-one of our 22 five-year students were placed in jobs this year," she said.

Dr. John Orman, professor of politics in CAS, discussed former Gov. John Rowland's legacy, specifically his work on urban projects, in an article that appeared in The Bristol Press, The Middletown Press, and the New Haven Register on June 23. In a June 27 article that appeared in the Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Mass.), and The Register Citizen (Torrington), Dr. Orman commented on the state's need for a change in leadership after former Gov. Rowland's resignation. "I think it's a real positive moment for the state of Connecticut," Dr. Orman said. "Jodi Rell comes into office and her greatest political aspect is she's not John Rowland." The Advocate (Stamford) quoted Dr. Orman in a June 28 article about Connecticut's Democratic gubernatorial candidates. He said, "It's going to be Democrat fighting Democrat to see who is going to be the next governor." Dr. Orman also commented on the race in the 4th Congressional District in a Connecticut Post July 4 article. In a July 25 article on former athletes who use name recognition to enter politics, Dr. Orman talked about the tremendous influence of sports heroes. The article appeared in media outlets across the country, including the Orlando Sentinel (Fla.) and the San Jose Mercury News (Calif.). While in England this summer, Dr. Orman was interviewed by the BBC.

The Aug. 8 issue of Accounting Today announced the new position of Dr. Patricia Poli, associate professor of accounting in DSB, as the president-elect of the Connecticut Society of CPAs. The Newtown Bee also published her position on July 9.

In July, Munich and Memory, the first book of Dr. Gavriel Rosenfeld, associate professor of history in CAS, appeared in German translation as Architektur und Gedächtnis - München und Nationalsozialismus: Strategien des Vergessens. To mark the publication of his book in German, Dr. Rosenfeld delivered a talk at the Munich City Museum. While in Munich, he was interviewed by the Bavarian State Radio Network, and profiled by the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung.

In a May 6 Campus Currents article, Dr. Jerry Sergent, associate professor and chair of electrical engineering, was quoted on the Fairfield University team of seniors who won second place in this year's American Society for Engineering Education competition. The article was also published in The Hartford Courant on July 22, as well as The Hour (Norwalk), The Wilton Villager, and the Connecticut Post. Team members Garrick Fearon '04, Christopher Sullivan '04, and Ryan Metz '04 appeared in the article.

The membership of the Catholic Theological Society of America elected Dr. John Thiel, professor of religious studies in CAS, to the society's board of directors at its annual meeting in June.

The Connecticut Post, the Westport Minuteman, and the Fairfield Minuteman all wrote articles on the arrival of University President Rev. Jeffrey von Arx, S.J. The Connecticut Post editorial board wrote an opinion piece on a new presidential era for Fairfield University. The Connecticut Post also quoted Fr. von Arx on Fairfield's partnership with Universidad Centroamericana, a Jesuit university in Nicaragua. "I am especially pleased with the opportunity it presents us to learn more about issues of immigration and globalization," Fr. von Arx said. Rev. Jim Bowler, S.J., facilitator of Jesuit mission and Catholic identity, and Academic Vice President Orin Grossman were also quoted in the article. The Fairfield Citizen-News on July 28 and The Hartford Courant on July 21 also published articles on the Nicaraguan partnership.

Dr. Kathleen Wheeler, professor of nursing, had her article "Development of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Competencies: Opportunities for the 21st Century" published in the Journal of the American Psychiatric Nursing Association in June.

The Garden of Martyrs, the latest book by Dr. Michael White, associate professor of English in CAS, received a favorable review in the August-September issue of Irish America Magazine. Writer Tom Deignan said, "Michael White deserves credit for revisiting an episode in Irish American history which is disturbing and revealing, and one which might even seem relevant today, as issues of religion and immigration continue to dominate America's political culture."

The Fairfield Minuteman quoted Dr. Michael Zabinski, professor of engineering, about the talent drawn to the National Computer Camps held at Fairfield University and other areas in the state. Dr. Zabinski said, "There are 13-, 14-, and 15-year olds who are so knowledgeable that if they were more mature, they could go out in the workforce and earn as much as college graduates."

Service Anniversaries

September 2004

Condolences

Nancy Lilley, former media relations specialist, died July 30. Nancy, who earned a master's degree in corporate and political communication from Fairfield in 1985, was the Arts and Society editor for the Fairfield Citizen-News for 17 years before joining the University in 1999. Her love and knowledge of the arts, along with her wonderful writing talent, all contributed to first-rate coverage for Quick Center events and other programs throughout the University. She was loved and respected by all who had the good fortune to know her and to enjoy her quick wit, ready smile, and contagious laugh.

Joan Tormey, mother of Joann Ference, printing and graphic services, died July 31.

Rev. John J. MacDonnell, S.J., brother of Rev. Joseph F. MacDonnell, S.J., died July 29. Fr. John MacDonnell served on the Fairfield University Board of Trustees from 1988 to 1994.

Marquis B. Sherwood, husband of Rita Sherwood, operations assistant for the dean of students, died Aug. 7.

Martin Tristine, father-in-law of Dr. Hugh Humphrey, religious studies, died Aug. 18.

Mary Jane O'Hara, mother-in-law of Timothy Hart, campus operations, died Aug. 23.

New Employees

Thomas Cunningham - Prep, science
Megan Mary Hoover - Prep, Fine Arts
Ari Johnson - Director of athletic marketing and promotions, Athletics
Robert Levens - Prep, chaplain
Jason John Majewski - Admission counselor, Office of undergraduate admission
Arthur McAdams - Director of professional development, University College
Christian McEvoy - Prep, English
Monique Morman - Public safety officer
Koren Mumma - Prep, language
Kristen Newmark - Assistant director of admission, Office of undergraduate admission
Karen Pellegrino - Director, Office of undergraduate admission
Kathryn Post - Prep, math
Jason Ramesar - Admission counselor/coordinator of multicultural recruiting, Office of undergraduate admission
Kristen Smith - Coordinator, Office of undergraduate admission
Lynne Woods - Prep, guidance

Rev. Mark Scalese, S.J.: Lights, camera, action!

By Nina M. Riccio, Publications Writer/Editor

So often, there's a single book or film or event that makes such an impression on a person that it becomes one of the defining elements in his or her life. For Rev. Mark Scalese, S.J., the newly hired assistant professor of visual and performing arts, that book was The Best of Life.

"I used to pour over those pictures in my high school library," he remembers. "The book was a revelation, and it began my interest in documentary photography. I've since bought an old, second-hand copy."

Fr. Scalese, a native of Pennsylvania, graduated from Scranton Prep and Marywood University, where he earned his B.A. in art education. He taught elementary school art for several years before entering the Society of Jesus in 1987. In 1989, he did his "long experiment" (an extended apostolic experience when novices work in various ministries) at Gonzaga High School, then returned there for his regency two years later. "I taught art and photography, but also was given a class in video production. It was the first time I held a video camera in my hands, and I loved it," he says. His students did, too, and although they had already produced television broadcasts within the school, they took the program to a new level of professionalism under Fr. Scalese.

In 1994, Fr. Scalese left Gonzaga to head out to California, where he studied at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. He interned at a public television station and worked later for a small company that produced religious, values-oriented documentaries. Both experiences gave him broader insight into the business of TV production - everything from hiring staff to editing and research. "One of the most fun projects we did was a documentary on Cardinal Bernardin of Chicago," says Fr. Scalese. "It ran on some 300 public television stations across the country."

This past spring, after earning an M.F.A. in film and media arts from Philadelphia's Temple University, Fr. Scalese eagerly accepted the position at Fairfield. He'll be teaching two courses in the fall - one on documentaries and another on visual design and aesthetics.

"As chair of the department, I can say that all of us in the Department of Visual & Performing Arts are very excited that he is joining us this year," says Dr. Martha LoMonaco, associate professor. "We were all absolutely wowed by his wonderful documentary films as well as his kind, gentle, and very intellectual manner, which, we're sure, will prove very popular with our students."

One of the reasons Fr. Scalese was enthusiastic about coming to Fairfield was the chance to work with Rev. Mark McGregor, S.J., and Rev. Jim Mayzik, S.J., in the department. "We've talked about putting together a Jesuit production company to do work that would have a higher visibility than just the campus. It wouldn't have to be exclusively religious, but would tell fiction and non-fiction stories promoting human values that speak to everyone," Fr. Scalese explains.

Rev. Mark McGregor, S.J., is equally excited by the opportunity to work as a team. "Mark's films explore characters with depth and sensitivity," he says. "The director in him listens and looks for what's really going on. Along with his creative side, Mark will bring a great visual eye and a mind that questions how mass media operates."

Photo by Jean Santopatre

New University website gears up for launch

By Nina M. Riccio, Publications Writer/Editor

The University's new website, which has been under construction for months, will be ready for a late-fall launch, says Assistant Vice President for Public Relations Martha Milcarek.

Acknowledging that the current site is often cumbersome to negotiate and to search, Milcarek says that one of the most exciting things about the new website is its audience-specific orientation. In addition, a content management system is being implemented to make it easier to maintain and update data. There will also be a new and more robust search engine and a new calendaring system that will make finding content and events more efficient, explains Milcarek.

James Estrada, vice president for information services and University librarian, agrees. "The underpinnings of our current website do not allow for such features as 'global search and replace,' 'multiple levels of security,' and 'database management.'" With the technologies that have emerged in the last year or two, those changes can be made more easily and less expensively than a few years ago, he says. The site is being created by BigBad of Boston, which has created website designs for a number of higher education clients.

One of the main reasons to update the site is to make the look consistent with the image, or branding, of the University in general, says Milcarek. The upgrade will also easily adapt to new technologies, and has a more "customer service" orientation. "The website is truly the front door of the University," she says, noting that the primary users are prospective students and their parents. "A site designed to meet their needs is our first goal."

Now that the look and feel of the new site has been decided, "the bulk of remaining work is to put the existing content - some 3,000 pages - and all new content into the new format," says Webmaster Laura Johnson, who leads this component of the process.

Even as the website is readied for launch, it's constantly evolving. One of the benefits, Estrada notes, is that the management and responsibility of the pages will now be decentralized, so that departments will have the ability to update their pages according to their own timetables.

"While the responsibility for the website resides in the Public Relations Department, this is truly a process that runs across the community," says Milcarek. "It's a communication with many authors, and we look forward to collaborating with everyone on a continual basis to make the site better and better."

"How-to" grant guide now on University Intranet

By Jill Kasiewicz Caseria, Assistant Director of University Publications

Need funding for a project, but aren't sure how to get it? Fairfield University's latest addition to its Intranet offers a complete how-to when it comes to seeking aid.

Accessible on-campus only, the site is an easy-to-use resource for the tools and requirements associated with the grant process.

Developed by the three grants offices at Fairfield - corporate, foundation, and government - the "CFG" website provides what's needed to expedite a project's development and ease proposal submission.

Some of what's available on the CFG site:

• Required forms
• Instructions on how to write an effective proposal
• University information and policies
• How to develop a budget
• Where to look for funding opportunities
• How funding works
• Data on funding sources and statistics
• Glossary of CFG terms
• Links to additional funding resources and training

"Securing federal, corporate, and private foundation grants has grown increasingly competitive, requiring interested grantees to capitalize on all of the potential sources of funding that may be available to support their work," says Noel Appel, director of Foundation Relations. "Understanding funding trends, having access to funding prospect research and RFP postings, and knowing how to produce a well-articulated proposal and budget are all essential components of the process. The CFG website provides users with the resources and opportunities necessary to seek the funds they need."

The website also demystifies the grants process, says Susan LaFrance, director of Government Grants. "The process can seem confusing or feel overwhelming. We're here to provide services to faculty about grant applications, as well as show them new opportunities for funding."

LaFrance, Appel, and Cathleen Borgman, director of Corporate Relations, will hold various workshops throughout the year to assist grant-seekers (see box, below) and enhance faculty's ability for grant success.

The site and the workshops also explain how the three offices operate in unison. "If a group or individual requests money, all three of us look for resources in our specific sectors," says Borgman. "Although each area is unique, we all strive to attain the same financial objective."

For more information, visit the CFG site, or contact Noel Appel at ext. 2025; Cathleen Borgman at ext. 2927; or Susan LaFrance at ext. 2154.

Politics major wins Gladys Brooks scholarship in Asian Studies

By Meredith Guinness, Publicist

Fairfield University has awarded the first Gladys Brooks Foundation Endowed Scholarship in Asian Studies to Julia Cunico '05, of Long Valley, N.J. The honor carries a $5,000 award to be used for her future study.

The Gladys Brooks Foundation awarded Fairfield University $100,000 in 2003 to establish the endowed scholarship, which represents an important component in Fairfield's expanding program in Asian studies.

Cunico is majoring in politics and carries double minors in Italian Studies and Asian Studies. She has a 4.0 average in her major, is in the Honors Program, and has consistently made the Dean's List.

In addition to academics, Cunico distinguished herself in the SKILL leadership program in 2002 and is a University Fellows Scholarship recipient. She was also a Model UN Diplomacy Award winner and attended the World Model United Nations Conference in Heidelberg, Germany, in 2003. This year, she will assume the role of president of Model UN on campus and treasurer of Alpha Sigma Nu, the national Jesuit honor society.

Cunico's volunteer experience includes Bridgeport's Orcutt Boys' and Girls' Club, the South End and Ralphola Taylor community centers. She has also served as a program director, resident advisor, and school-within-a-school director for the Junior Statesmen Foundation Summer School at Stanford University.

In her application, Cunico wrote that several factors have led to her interest in international and Asian studies. Her father, an Italian immigrant, expanded her horizons through his own stories of migration, and the opportunity Fairfield affords students to work closely with professors sparked her intellectual curiosity.

She has taken many courses on Asian history and current events and is studying Mandarin. She hopes to apply to graduate programs that allow her to continue to pursue her burgeoning interest in the region.

The Gladys Brooks Foundation Endowed Scholarship in Asian Studies is the second significant gift the Foundation has given Fairfield in support of Asian Studies. In 1989, the Foundation awarded $100,000 to establish an endowment to underwrite acquisitions for the Asian library collection. Since the first funds became available in 1990, the University has added more than 1,500 books and hundreds of films to the collection. In addition, the endowment supports subscriptions to 14 Asian Studies journals.

"We have seen a significant increase in the number of students interested in studying about Asia and the Gladys Brooks Foundation has played a key role in making that possible," says Dr. Alan Katz, professor of politics and director of the Program in Asian Studies.

Contributed photo

University College offers programs in interior design, language

Interior design

This fall, University College is offering two interior design certificate programs to meet the needs of interior designers interested in honing their skills, career changers, and those who simply want to learn more about a fascinating field.

The certificate programs are open to beginners and professionals. Introductory level courses in both programs give students a good overview of the field and will help them decide whether or not they want to pursue one of the rigorous certificate programs, says Robert Hardy, ASID, interior design curriculum coordinator for University College.

The 45-credit Interior Design Professional Certificate provides a hands-on design experience, plus training that enables students to translate abstract concepts into three-dimensional reality. Students develop the type of portfolio and presentation style that is the mark of a professional.

The Professional Certificate, when taken for credit, satisfies the minimum educational eligibility requirements for National Council for Interior Design Qualification certification.

The NCIDQ certification, which also requires four years of full-time work experience and a series of exams, is a prerequisite for professional membership in the American Society of Interior Designers, the nation's largest professional organization of interior designers.

The 30-credit Interior Design Residential Certificate provides the same foundation for hands-on design experience and training as the professional certificate, but is for students who wish to specialize in residential design only and are not interested in NCIDQ certification. Students enrolled in the 30-credit program can choose to switch to the Professional Certificate at any time; but, only courses taken for credit can be applied to NCIDQ requirements.

University College also offers three non-credit courses in interior design. The Business of Interior Design, a six-session series, offers students the viewpoints of six practicing interior designers. Portfolio Techniques is a one-session seminar focusing entirely on improving the quality of presentation boards. A guided tour of the D&D Building in New York City helps students become acquainted with the vast array of materials available to interior designers.

Classes begin on Sept. 13. For more information, call University College at ext. 4307.

Weekend Immersion programs in French, Italian and Spanish

Advanced beginners and intermediate level speakers in French, Italian, and Spanish are invited to hone their language skills through an intensive weekend of study and practice designed to reinforce and improve speaking ability in a short period of time.

University College has teamed up with The Rassias Foundation at Dartmouth College to offer a Weekend Immersion Program (WIP) at Fairfield University during the weekend of Oct. 1 through 3.

The WIP uses the Rassias Method for language teaching and the Dartmouth Intensive Language Model, which were adapted to the needs of Fairfield University by Dr. Joel Goldfield, associate professor of modern languages and literatures, in 1998. Conceived by Prof. John Rassias, the "Rassias Method" is a way to develop proficiency in another language through the use of physical demonstrations and frequent guided speaking. It eliminates the need to translate a new word into its equivalent word in the students' native tongue. The goal of the Rassias Method is to make the student feel comfortable and natural with the language in as short a time as possible.

The registration deadline for WIP is Sept. 23. A phone interview is required. For tuition information, call University College at ext. 4307.

Public Relations Department announces awards

The Publications Department is proud to announce the recent receipt of three awards from Communications Concepts, a Virginia-based organization for communication professionals.

There were 329 entries in the Campaigns, Programs and Plans category, but Assistant Director of University Publications Jill Kasiewicz Caseria won the Grand Award for the undergraduate admission package. The package includes an introductory brochure, a brochure that encourages campus visits, a "campus scorecard" for high school juniors, and the Fairfield University viewbook and application. Kelsh/Wilson Design in Philadelphia designed the package with photos by Nick Kelsh.

Director of University Publications Barbara Kiernan was honored with two Awards of Excellence. The first, in the Annual Reports category, was for The President's Report 2002-2003 and was chosen from a field of 798 entries. Nancy Dobos '92 of DobosDesign in Wellesley, Mass., designed the report, which included photography primarily by James Marshall. The second award, in the category of Marketing Brochures, Manuals & Reports, was for a series of graduate program brochures, one for each of the University's graduate schools and programs. The field for this category was 607 entries. Kelsh/Wilson Design also designed this package with photos primarily by Kelsh.

 

Since 1998, the publications department has consistently won similar national awards. Congratulations to both Jill and Barbara!

Photos by Jean Santopatre

 

Staff Association elects new officers

The new officers for the Fairfield University Staff Association are planning an exciting year. This year's officers are Sylvia Hurlburt (library), secretary; Sharon Jones (library), treasurer; Linda White (College of Arts and Sciences), president; and T.J. Murphy (Quick Center), vice president. The membership drive is in full swing - don't forget to renew! The Staff Association's first luncheon is Weds., Sept. 29, at noon in the Dolan School of Business Dining Room.

An information session for the Staff Association's October 2005 trip to Italy will be held Sun., Sept. 26, at 2 p.m. in CNS 15. The trip is open to all University employees. For more information, call Linda White at ext. 2412.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

Safety in numbers: Identification now computer-generated

By Alejandra Navarro, Publications Writer/Editor

Citibank's clever television ad on identity theft shows middle-aged Jack B., sitting in his den watching bowling. But when he opens his mouth, a shrill, high-pitched female voice describes how she emptied the checking account and used it to buy a $1,500 leather outfit at the mall. "I didn't care," the voice says. "It's not like I'm actually paying for it." Clearly, Jack has been the victim of identity theft.

The ad reminds viewers how easy it is to fall prey to identity thieves. So it's not surprising that Fairfield University is doing all it can to protect the University community. Starting this summer, the University stopped using social security numbers and started using computer-generated numbers to identify students and employees. The University is in the process of reissuing StagCards with the new identification numbers.

James Estrada, vice president for information services, initiated the project in November 2003. A committee of about 20 members representing 11 departments and chaired by University Registrar Bob Russo worked on the conversion plans. The project complies with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, which protects the security and confidentiality of its constituents' nonpublic personal information.

In the early part of the fall semester, the University community will be required to log into StagWeb without having to use a social security number, as students do today. Members of the University community will receive multiple communications explaining the new StagWeb logon process.

Universities across the country are switching from social security numbers to random numbers, or have already done so. For some campuses, the change didn't come soon enough. Last year, for example, a hacker stole about 55,000 social security numbers from the University of Texas. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), young people ages 20 to 29 account for 28 percent of all identify theft victims nationally.

Kevin Clancy, account executive in the University's administrative computing, says identity theft is a growing concern - and not just for universities. Between 2002 and 2003, identity theft complaints received by the FTC increased by 42 percent. "Identity theft is a concern for any organization that handles confidential information such as social security numbers," Clancy says.

Information on preventing identity theft is available at:

• Federal Trade Commission:
  www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
• U.S. Department of Education:
  www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/misused/index.html
• U.S. Department of Justice:
  www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html

University names campus roads

Hurrah! The University's many roads have received their names. No more telling visitors to follow the road that goes north behind Donnarumma, and then winds east, south, and east again to the traffic circle where they can "exit at 2 p.m.".

The new names include:

Bellarmine Road
St. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621), a Jesuit and Cardinal of the Church, was considered the greatest theologian of his age, and is the patron saint of Fairfield University.

Coughlin Road
The Rev. James H. Coughlin, S.J., wore many administrative hats - sometimes simultaneously - during his 30-year tenure. He came to Fairfield in 1955 as Dean of Graduate Education, and subsequently served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1962-1978), vice president for academics (1966-1978), and acting president between the terms of Fr. William McInnes and Fr. Thomas Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald Way
Fitzgerald Way honors three University presidents, each of whom sported the same last name: the Rev. Joseph D. FitzGerald, S.J. (1951-1958); the Rev. James E. Fitzgerald, S.J. (1958-1964); and the Rev. Thomas R. Fitzgerald, S.J. (1973-1979).

Langguth Road (East and West)
The Rev. Laurence C. Langguth, S.J., came to Fairfield in 1944 to teach math and physics at Prep, and became the University's first academic dean when it opened in 1947. Known for his organizational skills, photographic memory, and personal rapport with students, he was also considered the unofficial dean of admission, dean of discipline, and provost.

Leeber Road
A member of the original faculty, Rev. Victor Leeber, S.J., came to Fairfield in 1942 and taught Spanish, French, and Italian until his retirement 50 years later. Founder of the University's first varsity sport, cross country, he is considered the "Father of Fairfield Athletics."

Loyola Drive
With a small nucleus of companions, St. Ignatius Loyola founded the Society of Jesus in 1540. His response to the needs of the times began the Jesuits on establishing a system of education that would become known worldwide for its excellence.

Lynch Road
The Rev. Donald Lynch, S.J., joined the English Department in 1961 and made extraordinary contributions to Fairfield's academic reputation. Among these were a series of victories by students he coached for the nationally televised GE College Bowl in 1963 and his development of computer software to teach Shakespeare in the early 1980s. He retired in 1997.

Mahan Road
An administrator for more than 25 years, the Rev. George Mahan, S.J., served as assistant dean of freshman and director of admission from 1953 to 1961, and as executive assistant to three presidents.

McCormick Road
A beloved figure on campus, the Rev. Joseph McCormick, S.J., served as dean of men/resident students from 1957 to 1965, after which he was named superior and rector of the Fairfield Jesuit Community.

McInnes Road
Fairfield's University's fifth president, the Rev. William C. McInnes, S.J., forged significant ties with business and political leaders, making Fairfield an active presence in the community. During his tenure, 1964 to 1973, the University weathered the political unrest of the time and experienced a significant expansion of faculty.

Mooney Road
The Rev. Christopher Mooney, S.J., a theologian by discipline, served as Fairfield's academic vice president from 1980 until 1989. Known for his expertise on Teilhard de Chardin and for his research on the relationship of law and science to religion, he subsequently taught in the Department of Religious Studies until 1993.

Murphy Road
Murphy Road honors two Jesuits. The road that runs along what will be Fairfield Prep's main entrance is named for the Rev. Thomas A. Murphy, S.J. He joined Prep in 1943 and became its legendary "Little Caesar," serving as a teacher of Latin, English, music, and theology, and as assistant principal. His record album, Father Tom at the Piano, raised substantial funds for the school.
     The portion of the road that runs between Berchmans Hall and the RecPlex, terminating at Loyola Boulevard, is named for the Rev. Henry Murphy, S.J., who joined the University in 1959. He served primarily in administration, as dean of admission and then dean of freshmen. Upon his retirement in 1997, the title emeritus was conferred on him.

Porter Road
Dr. Phyllis Porter served as dean of the School of Nursing from 1975 until her retirement in 1989. She led the School through a critical stage of development, including the construction of the facility that houses its classrooms, offices, and instructional labs.

Riel Way
A member of the original faculty, Professor Arthur Riel taught English until his retirement in 1988. A legend among undergraduates, he specialized in writing, always advocating clear and simple text.

Ross Road
Dr. Donald Ross joined the biology department in 1950, and helped shape a pre-medical program that sent an impressive number of graduates to medical and dental schools around the country. He continued as pre-med advisor until his retirement as professor emeritus in 1998.

Stonkas Road
Karen Stonkas '74 graduated with Fairfield University's first co-educational class. An alumna of the School of Nursing, she subsequently became the first woman to serve on the University's Board of Trustees.

Stuart Way
Chester A. Stuart, an original member of Fairfield's faculty, taught modern and classical languages in the College of Arts and Sciences as well as educational philosophy in the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions. He retired in 1986 with emeritus status.

Walters Way
Dr. Joan Walters joined the Economics Department in 1963, and was the first (by three months) full-time female faculty member at the University. She retired in 1996 and was named professor emerita.

Click on image for larger map

Michael Kreuzer's journey of discovery

By Alejandra Navarro, Publications Writer/Editor

On June 20, Michael Kreuzer, director of planned giving, began a bicycle ride that will ultimately take him through more than 2,900 miles of U.S. territory, mostly along the Missouri River, from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean - a journey first routed 200 years ago by Lewis and Clark in 1804.

Like the early explorers, Kreuzer hopes his journey will lead to a discovery. While Lewis and Clark sought the Northwest Passage, Kreuzer's goal is to help in the search for a cure or new treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, which took hold of his son's life two years ago.

Kreuzer is raising money for ALS research with a ride that will take two summers to complete. On July 10, he ended the first leg of the journey, which started in St. Louis, Mo., and finished in Bismarck, S.D., a trip of nearly 1,300 miles. Next June, Kreuzer will resume his journey to arrive in Astoria, Ore.

His son, Michael Kreuzer Jr., had just earned his doctorate from Idaho State University and was teaching biology and ecology, when he began to have muscle twitches. Those were early signs of ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. According to the ALS Association of Connecticut, about 30,000 Americans are afflicted by the disease, for which there is no cure.

Michael Sr. and his wife, Mary, were devastated when they learned about their son's condition. "We cried and just felt helpless," he says. "What do you do when you're told that there's nothing you can do? Your son is going to die and there's nothing you can do to stop it."

One thing Kreuzer knew he could do was raise money for ALS research. He's under no illusion that a cure will come quickly, but perhaps something will be found to prolong the life of his son, he says. So far, he's raised $11,300 from approximately 150 people. "I was pleasantly surprised with the outpouring of support," he says. Although it's more than double his original goal of $5,000, he concedes that it's not a great amount of money in the world of research.

"Every little bit of outside funding is a big help," says Michael Jr. More important than the money his father raises is the information about ALS he has shared with friends, neighbors, and the many people he has met on his ride, he adds. The senior Kreuzer says the high points of the journey were the uplifting conversations he had with people he met on the road, many of whom gave small but thoughtful donations for his cause.

Kreuzer has been an avid bicyclist for years, having already biked across the country in 1988. On this recent trip, friends met him at different points on the ride, and his wife Mary accompanied him in a car for the first few days. Still, the ride was no easy feat. Kreuzer faced scorching summer days, hills, and gusts of wind that shaved miles off of his average of 60 a day. "With a 25 mile-per-hour wind on your face, it's tough riding," Kreuzer says, adding that it's not much of a sacrifice when he thinks about his son's courage and optimism.

The younger Kreuzer spends most of his time with his two children, Benjamin, 3, and Emma Louise, 1. His left side is weak, but he remains active, getting around on a motorized tricycle. He has plans to drive alongside his father for a portion of the final leg of the journey, next summer, with his family in tow. Of his father's efforts he says, "It's humbling to know he cares that much to make such a great effort."

For more information about ALS, visit www.alsact.org. To make a donation, contact Mike at ext. 2511 or mkreuzer@mail.fairfield.edu.

Contributed photo

Staff member inspires alumna to compete for charity

As a house manager for the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts when she was a student, Lynn Stasiowski '03 came to know Mary Lyons, who was in charge of adult volunteers. "I learned a lot from Mary, and thought she was a real quality person," says Stasiowski. So when she found out a few months ago that Lyons had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, she wanted to do something to help her.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the blood's plasma cells. There is no cure, but there are treatments available and promising research is on the horizon. Stasiowski decided to join Team in Training, an endurance program run by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that raises money for blood-related cancer research. The team will be participating in the Rye Olympic Triathlon on Sept. 26 in Rye, N.Y. The course involves a 1.5K swim, 40K bike ride, and a 10K run. All participants are expected to raise a minimum of $1,500 for blood cancer research - a goal that Stasiowski believes she's met thus far.

Training for this event is a serious commitment. Each day, Stasiowski is up about 5 a.m. for a one-hour swim, run, or ride, and then gets in another hour-and-a-half session after work. On weekends she participates in group training sessions with a seven to eight mile run or a 40-mile ride. She hopes to complete the triathlon in less than four hours, but cautions "it's my first one, so you never know."

"One of the nicest things for me is getting the support from all of Mary's friends and family," says Stasiowski. "Many have donated money, and a lot have called to say they'll be in Rye to cheer me on. I'm hoping that this event will give Mary the motivation she needs to keep fighting this disease."

Anyone interested in supporting Stasiowski's efforts can send a check,payable to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, to Lynn Stasiowski, 257 Seaside Ave., Stamford, CT 06902. For more information on Team in Training, visit www.teamintraining.org.

"An Evening for the Arts" to benefit several local scholarships and awards

Performances by The Melissa Mulligan Band, comedian Mike Morris, and the Lee Lund Studio Teen Company are among the highlights of the second annual benefit for The Jamie A. Hulley Fund for the Arts to be held on Sept. 18 at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. A silent auction and reception begin at 6:30 p.m. and the program will follow at 7:30 p.m. in the Kelley Auditorium.

All proceeds from the evening will benefit several art scholarships, awards, and programs, as well as celebrate the life of Jamie Alaine Hulley, daughter of Fairfield University Psychology Professor Dr. Judy Primavera and Fred Hulley Jr. Jamie Hulley was an Orange resident and arts enthusiast whose dream of a career in the arts was cut short when she died of cancer in 2002 at the age of 20. The fund offers scholarships and awards at Racebrook Elementary School and Amity junior and senior high schools, in Orange and Woodbridge; Wesleyan University; Fairfield University; Action for Bridgeport Community Development; and the Lee Lund Studio in Milford.

"Jamie had the ability to see the best in people and encourage them to stretch their dreams and find their special talent," says Dr. Primavera. "I believe that Jamie's arts fund continues to do just that."

The benefit features a concert by The Melissa Mulligan Band, a seven-member pop/rock group. All of the musicians are donating their time for the benefit, and Mulligan will sing a song Hulley wrote while in Italy.

"As a musician I feel very connected to the scholarships and opportunities Jamie's fund provides students of the arts," Mulligan says. "I love it when students are encouraged both to dream big and work hard to achieve their artistic goals. And I am so moved at what Jamie's parents have been able to create in such a short amount of time. Their love for their daughter appears to have been matched only by their admiration for her work and her creativity."

Mike Morris, who performed at the first benefit in 2003, will offer a comedy set, and dancers from the Lee Lund Studio Team Company will also perform.

The silent auction features tickets to New York Rangers, UConn Huskies, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox games, a one-week Cape Cod vacation, fine jewelry, and a Foxwoods Casino weekend. Artwork created by Jamie Hulley will also be on sale.

Refreshments will be served during the evening.

For tickets, call (203) 891-8869 or e-mail judyprimavera@yahoo.com. Donations may be made to: Jamie A. Hulley Fund for the Arts, P.O. Box 1208, Orange, CT 06477-7208. For more information, visit www.jamiehulleyartsfund.org.

Contributed photo

Fairfield University Orchestra under new conductor

The Fairfield University Orchestra will reconvene for the 2004-05 season under a new conductor, Charles Z. Bornstein, a scholar of Leonard Bernstein and an educator with the New York Philharmonic. Participation in the Orchestra is open to any and all community members and students interested in playing.

Bornstein has been involved in music and conducting for more than three decades. He has served as the musical director/principal conductor for six musical organizations including the Rubin Academy of Music Jerusalem; the Rockford Symphony Orchestra; the London, Canada Mozart Festival; and the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.

As a member of the education department of the New York Philharmonic, Bornstein has unusual access to the complete archives of Leonard Bernstein, and plans to use them to enhance the experience of the Fairfield University orchestra.

"We will be using the very materials that Mr. Bernstein used in his own concerts and recordings," Bornstein says.

Bornstein has been a guest or assistant conductor for various orchestras and symphonies in more than a dozen countries including the United States, Austria, Germany, England, Yugoslavia, Portugal, and France. He debuted as a guest conductor in 1985 with the Royal Conservatory of Toronto. Since then he has worked with dozens of different professional orchestras and symphonies including the BBC Philharmonic and Chorus in Huddersfield, England; the Krakow Philharmonic and Chorus; the Hochschule, Vienna Musikverein; and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.

In 1974 he received his B.M. from the Julliard School and then earned a diploma from the Mozarteum. He went on to study at the University of Vienna where he received his M.M. in 1975. He graduated in 1975 as a part of the Vienna Master-class. He has been a guest lecturer internationally and has written several articles and publications. Bornstein is currently writing a book on the works of Gustav Mahler, the Austrian conductor and composer from the late romantic epoch.

The Fairfield University Orchestra has been in place for nearly 15 years and has always included community members and students. The Orchestra begins rehearsals this year on Sept. 13. Community members interested in joining the Orchestra are welcome to attend the rehearsal, which will take place in the Gonzaga Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

"Charles' expertise is in translating Bernstein's interpretive genius, making it accessible to both players and the audience," says Dr. Laura Nash, assistant professor in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts. "Given his expertise and extraordinary access to Leonard Bernstein's materials, the Fairfield University Orchestra will be performing at least one Leonard Bernstein interpretation of a piece in each concert."

The Orchestra will perform its semi-annual concerts in December and May at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University. This year the Orchestra will be playing Schubert's "Symphony 5" from Bernstein's materials, Elgar's "Sea Pictures" an evocative song cycle, as well as Sviridov's "The Snowstorm," a piece based on a Pushkin short story.

"I'm actually trying to duplicate as an art form, or as an experience, the Bernstein interpretive essence," Bornstein says. "Participants will get a unique experience in the town in which Bernstein lived, to understand first-hand one of the world's greatest interpreters of music."

Members of the Orchestra and of the faculty and staff are also welcome to attend Bornstein's events at the New York Philharmonic, free of charge.

For information on the Fairfield University Orchestra, call Dr. Nash at ext. 2638.

Contributed photo

Sports

Jen Smith's fast-pitch summer

By Jack Jones, Director of Sports Information

Most people who travel during the summer take trips to Orlando, Honolulu, Las Vegas, or beach towns along the Eastern seaboard. Jen Smith's travels this summer were not nearly so exotic, entailing short stops in places like Andover, Mass., and Akron, Ohio. Still, the Fairfield University assistant softball coach wouldn't have traded her itinerary for any other.

Smith spent the summer playing professional softball for the New York/New Jersey Juggernaut in the National Pro Fastpitch softball league. The 2004 season was the first for the new league, which is an official development partner of Major League Baseball. The Juggernaut finished the regular season tied for second place, and was in the middle of post-season play at press time.

"I really enjoy playing in the league," Smith said. "I didn't know what to expect. But, everything about the league has been professional. I am glad to have had this opportunity."

Smith has good reason to be pleased with her performance. At the end of the regular season, she placed fourth on the team with a .244 batting average. She also spent time in the pitching circle, a craft she honed as a hurler for Hofstra University.

"The level of competition is really very good," Smith said. "The talent level is high. There are only six teams, so the rosters are very deep, which makes the games more competitive."

Smith certainly knows good pitching when she sees it, since she earned many honors at Hofstra. After earning All-Conference and All-Region honors for the Pride, Smith continued her career with the Stratford Brakettes. With her on the team, the Brakettes captured the Amateur Softball Association national championship in 2003.

Still, Smith's previous softball career was nothing like her experience this season. "We started the year with a brief spring training period before the season started," Smith says. "It was difficult because we basically condensed three months of work into two weeks. It's not a lot of time to get to know your teammates and build chemistry."

Once the spring ended, the teams went right into the regular season, which included a three-game series across the country, similar to the Major League Baseball schedule.

"Road trips usually follow the same routine - go to practice, have a team meal, play, and go to bed," Smith says. "The next day is the same thing. We play just about every day with our 60-game schedule. We fly everywhere we play - California, Arizona, Texas, and Ohio - with the exception of New England, which is a bus trip."

Smith has had her share of bus trips during her three years as the pitching coach for the Stags softball team. Under her tutelage, Fairfield pitchers have set school records year after year. Smith worked with pitcher Mellissa Santos '03, and helped the right-hander become one of the most successful throwers in NCAA history. Santos finished her career with more than 1,000 strikeouts, the 16th player to accomplish the task in NCAA Division I history.

But the destination isn't really that important to Smith. It doesn't have to exotic. It just has to be on the diamond, where she has enjoyed success for so many years.

Sports Shorts

By Jack Jones, Director of Sports Information

Pictured above (l-r) are Bridgeport Mayor John Fabrizi, Fairfield University President Rev. Jeffrey von Arx, S.J., Lyn Carlotto, executive director of the Arena at HarborYard, and Rich Ensor, MAAC commissioner.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

Arena at Harbor Yard to host 2007 MAAC tournament

On August 25, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference announced that the 2007 men's and women's basketball tournament will be held at the Arena at Harbor Yard. University President Jeffrey von Arx, S.J., MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor, and Bridgeport Mayor John Fabrizi were on the dais for the event.

"Three years ago, Fairfield University joined the city of Bridgeport and the Arena at Harbor Yard, creating a successful team to bring the best in college basketball to southwestern Connecticut," Fr. von Arx said. "Today, we add a new teammate to this successful squad - Commissioner Rich Ensor and the MAAC."

The 2005 MAAC tournament will be played at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, N.Y, followed by the Pepsi Arena in Albany, N.Y., in 2006.

Volleyball, soccer teams score high in MAAC poll

The women's volleyball team earned the top spot in the MAAC's pre-season coaches' poll. The Stags, under head coach Jeff Werneke, earned 87 total points in the ranking.

The men's soccer team, coached by Carl Rees, garnered second place in its respective coaches' poll with 92 points. Five Fairfield players were on the 11-player All-MAAC pre-season team: goalkeeper Andrew Frankel '06, sophomore defender Alex Cunliffe '07, midfielder Bill Androutsos '06, midfielder Danny Attwell '05, and forward Mike Troy '07.

The women's soccer squad, guided by Maria Piechocki, was also voted second by the conference coaches with 86 markers. Forward Meghan King '05 was Fairfield's representative on the pre-season All-MAAC team.

Wyshner to coach cross country teams

New coach Jen Wyshner will lead the men's and women's cross country teams this fall. Wyshner comes to Fairfield University after serving as an assistant track and field coach at Sacred Heart University. Her resume also includes stints at Manhattan College and Wagner College. While at Manhattan, she coached nine individual MAAC champions in cross country as well as track and field. She resides in Trumbull with her husband Jeff, who coaches the men's and women's tennis teams at Fairfield University.

Deng Gai '05 returns to the basketball court this season

Deng Gai '05 a forward on the men's basketball team, participated in the NBA pre-draft camp during the summer. He withdrew his name from consideration for the NBA draft, and will return to the men's basketball team for the 2004-05 season.

"This was a great opportunity for me," Gai says. "I wanted to see how I could perform against the best, and to see how I would do in that situation. But, I felt it was in my best interest to return for my senior year."

Gai declared himself eligible for the NBA draft in May, and received an invitation to the pre-draft camp at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. The forward performed admirably during his stay, and caught the attention of the general managers and scouts who attended.

At the camp, Gai played three games with his assigned team that included Seton Hall's Andre Barrett, South Carolina's Rolando Howell, Morehead State's Ricky Minard, Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Dylan Page, Michigan's Bernard Robinson, Notre Dame's Tom Timmermans, St. Joseph's Delonte West, and Western Michigan's Mike Williams. He averaged 3.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, and was among the camp's leading blockers with 1.3 per contest.

news Briefs

Office name change

The Office of University Activities is now called the Office of Student Life and University Activities.

"Our former name was confusing to visitors and new employees," says Matthew Dinnan, associate dean of students. "This change better defines and reflects the services the office provides to the University community."

The Office of Student Life and University Activities, located in the John A. Barone Campus Center, Room 212, includes the offices of New Student Programs, Student Activities, Student Leadership, University Glee Club, and Event Reservations and Management.

Celebrating the Jewish calendar and holidays

Fairfield University will host a weekend course, "Celebrating the Jewish Calendar and Holidays," Sept. 10 through 12. The course will explore the origins and historic development of the solemn and festive holidays at the heart of Jewish ritual observance. Shabbat, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukka, Tu B'Shevat, Purim, Pesakh, Shavuot, and the four traditional fast days will be discussed, along with the story of the "two" Jewish calendars. Participants will receive an evolutionary perspective on the development of Jewish holidays from the patriarchal period to modern times.

The course is an offering of the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism and is sponsored by the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Fairfield County, in cooperation with the Fairfield University Judaic Studies Program. It will be held Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. and Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Canisius 15; and on Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon at Bedford Middle School in Westport.

Members of the Fairfield University community, including students, faculty, and staff may attend any session without charge, but are asked to register in advance. The general public is welcome as well. Friday's session is free; other sessions cost $40 each or $100 for all three.

To learn more about the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism and its programs, visit www.humanisticjews.org. To register, call Dr. Lucy Katz, professor of management, at ext. 2840 or Dr. Alan Katz, professor of politics, at ext. 2861 before Sept. 8.

Open VISIONS Forum: Fall 2004

Salman Rushdie
Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 8 p.m.
Acclaimed author Salman Rushdie's controversial book, The Satanic Verses, winner of the 1988 Whitbread Award, sent him into hiding after the Ayatollah Khomeini called for his death. Born Muslim in Bombay, India, Rushdie released his first book, Grimus, in 1975, followed by the Booker Prize-winning Midnight's Children in 1981. Often considering murky religious and political situations through satire, fantasy, and mythology, his books have enlightened and enraged. But despite harsh criticism and even death threats, he continues to add to his intriguing legacy.

Jamie-Lynn DiScala
Thursday, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m.
Jamie-Lynn DiScala is best known as the brainy, acerbic mafia daughter, Meadow Soprano, on HBO's acclaimed series, The Sopranos. DiScala recently played the title role in the USA Network's Going Down: The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss. She unveiled her clear soprano voice in her Broadway debut as Belle in Beauty and the Beast in 2002 and in the national tour of Cinderella in 2001. A survivor of anorexia, which she detailed in her book, Wise Girl, she is a spokesperson for the National Eating Disorders Association. Her appearance is co-presented by the Fairfield University Student Association.

Howard Fineman
Monday, Oct. 18, at 8 p.m.
Howard Fineman is Newsweek's chief political correspondent and deputy Washington bureau chief. A nationally respected writer and commentator on politics, Fineman is also an NBC News analyst and was named one of the country's foremost political reporters by Washingtonian magazine. He has covered the rise of the religious right, the power of talk radio, race and politics, the Clinton administration and scandals, the impact of digital technology, and the candidacies of Gary Hart, Pat Buchanan, Jesse Jackson, Ross Perot, Steve Forbes, and Bob Dole. The Forbes Media Guide lauded him as a "standout in the press corps."

Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia
Jacoby-Lunin Humanitarian Lecture
Monday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m.
Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia left her homeland as a child nearly 50 years ago, but her heart has always been with the people of that war-torn region. Praised by the Associated Press for being among the first to launch an international effort for humanitarian aid through the United Nations and her Princess Elizabeth Foundation, this outspoken advocate has worked with world leaders from Mother Teresa and Mikhail Gorbachev to the Dalai Lama to promote peace. Her efforts have provided much-needed food, clothing, supplies, and schooling for thousands.

The Jacoby-Lunin lecture was created in 1951 to promote humanity and brotherhood. This lecture is presented in affiliation with the University's Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies.

Open VISIONS Forum is an outreach program of Fairfield University's University College, featuring distinguished and diverse speakers from the worlds of art, culture, and public affairs. All lectures take place in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. For tickets, call the Box Office at ext. 4010.

First North American exhibition of stunning Acropolis photos on heels of Athens Olympics

By Meredith Guinness, Publicist

Nearly 100 intriguing photographs will be unveiled in their first-ever North American exhibition this fall at the Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery. "Photographs of the Athenian Acropolis: The Restoration Project," which is free and open to the public, will be on display from Sept. 15 through Dec. 5, in the gallery, located in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.

The exhibition is organized by The Acropolis Restoration Service of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Fairfield University.

"The Walsh Art Gallery is most fortunate to be the first North American venue for this stunning series of photographs," says gallery Director Dr. Diana Mille.

"The exhibition in Fairfield is timely since the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics will have just ended; thus, attention and interest in Athens, its antiquities and its cultural traditions will be very much in the news," adds Dr. Katherine Schwab, associate professor of art history.

The collection of nearly 100 black-and-white photographs includes an image of a section of the Parthenon's marble floor, details of architecture and sculpture, and the Acropolis taken in late afternoon from the nearby hill of the Pnyx. Shot over a quarter of a century, the collection documents the ongoing work of the Acropolis Restoration Service, ARS, an organization formed in 1975 to painstakingly work on conservation and preservation of the ancient monuments of the Acropolis, one of the most recognized and revered examples of High Classical architecture in the world.

Formed by the Greek Ministry of Culture, the ARS is removing corroded 19th-century iron dowels and clamps as well as incorporating newly identified fragments of the structures. Each building has its own team of engineers, architects, conservators, stone-workers and other specialists who hope to stabilize and preserve the buildings for future generations.

The photographs that form the exhibit are the work of Socratis Mavrommatis, the chief photographer of the ARS.

The link to Fairfield University stems from a professional friendship between Mavrommatis and Dr. Schwab, who makes frequent trips to Athens to conduct research on the Parthenon metopes. This month, Mavrommatis will travel to Fairfield for a 10-day visit, during which he will collaborate with Dr. Mille and student interns for the installation in the gallery and lecture on photography and archaeology. At the exhibition's opening reception, he will introduce a 40-minute documentary film that he produced about the photos and the restoration. This will be screened regularly throughout the exhibition.

In addition to the reception, Mavrommatis will be available to meet with gallery visitors on Thursday, Sept. 16, and Friday, Sept. 17, before returning to Athens.

Hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, call ext. 2969.

Correction
Whoops! The caption under the picture of Micah Smith in last month's Campus Currents misidentified his father. He is Ken Smith.

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 203. Phone: 254-4000, ext. 2556. Fax: 254-4167.

Interim Editor
Nina M. Riccio
Publications Writer/Editor

Editorial Board
Martha Milcarek
Assistant Vice President for Public Relations
Barbara Kiernan
Director of University Publications
Alejandra Navarro
Publications Writer/Editor
Jean Santopatre
University Photojournalist

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