Southern Alumni Magazine Summer 2018 by Southern Connecticut State University

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a publication for alumni and friends of Southern Connecticut State University

ALUMNI MAGAZINE | Summer | 18

THE GOOD OWLS: Changing Lives in the Elm City

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a publication for alumni and friends of Southern Connecticut State University

ALUMNI MAGAZINE | Summer | 18

THE GOOD OWLS: Changing Lives in the Elm City

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F E AT U R E S

11 Talons Out!

Southern’s athletics program is looking appropriately fierce — courtesy of a new logo.

14 City Owls

In the heart of New Haven, two Southern graduates are lifting up their community through separate organizations — both dedicated to the greater good.

20 Wise Owls

Southern’s Honors College brings the best of all worlds to academically proficient students: the challenging curriculum and small class sizes found at elite private colleges — and the countless opportunities and comparatively low cost of a major public university.

18 Soul Food

Southern’s Food Recovery Project is a win-win initiative that brings high-quality food to those in need and, through a partnership with Quantum Biopower, uses cuttingedge technology to generate clean, renewable energy. Here’s how it works.

THE GOOD OWLS: Changing Lives in the Elm City

ALUMNI MAGAZINE | Summer | 18

a publication for alumni and friends of Southern Connecticut State University

ALUMNI MAGAZINE | Summer | 18

Which cover do you have? IT’S A FIRST! THE SUMMER ISSUE OF SOUTHERN ALUMNI MAGAZINE HAS TWO COVERS: ONE FEATURING ERIK CLEMONS, ’04, (LEFT), CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT OF THE CONNECTICUT CENTER FOR ARTS AND THE GOOD OWLS: Changing Lives in the Elm City

TECHNOLOGY (CONNCAT), AND THE SECOND SPOTLIGHTING ADAM CHRISTOFERSON, ’10, FOUNDER OF MUSICAL INTERVENTION. BOTH ARE SOCIAL JUSTICE ENTREPRENEURS IN THE ELM CITY, WHOSE STORIES WE SHARE BEGINNING ON PAGE 14. AN EQUAL NUMBER OF COVERS WERE PRINTED AND RANDOMLY SENT TO OUR READERS.

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Southern

ALUMNI MAGAZINE

| Summer | 18

24 The Social Network

They’ve been “liked,” , “followed,” and “retweeted” — and many of you their work very much. Meet the students who helped tell Southern’s story while working in the Department of Integrated Communications & Marketing in the spring 2018 semester.

30 Fly Guys

D E PA R T M E N T S

The sky’s the limit for Gabriel Geist, ’17, and Jack Dowe, ’17, alumni of the School of Business and co-founders of FlyReal, a full-service drone marketing and consulting company.

34 The Leader

Want to succeed in life? “Stay curious,” says Rick Capozzi, ’83, who shares the secrets to surviving and thriving in today’s rapidly changing business world in his new book: “The Growth Mindset.”

2 n From the President 3 n Campus News

10 n Social Southern 12 n True Blue

27 n Hidden Campus

28 n Supporting Southern 33 n Spaces & Places in New Haven

New Haven’s Junzi Kitchen

36 n Owl Update

Heidi Voight, ’10: from awardwinning theatre major to NBC Connecticut news anchor

Southern is 125!

This fall, Southern kicks off the celebration — a year-plus series of events recognizing the university’s 125th anniversary.

37 n Alumni News

41 n Alumni Notes

48 n Southern Events

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DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS...

In collaboration with Gateway Community College and the his fall, we will celebrate Southern’s 125th anniversary and our Regional Water Authority, we’re launching a program in public university’s time-honored mission of building communities and utility management this fall. With an estimated empowering lives. third of the workforce at the region’s utility I have to say that I’m very excited about • companies eligible to retire within five years, the next 12 months. We’ll be marking our this program will give our business students the anniversary with a Grand Reunion during WE’VE CERTAINLY training necessary to fill projected managerial Homecoming weekend, we’ll begin construction COME A LONG WAY and technological job openings. on two signature buildings, and we’ll be FROM OUR ROOTS Our Professional Doctorate in Social Work launching some new academic programs that — the first of its kind in New England, will also are highly innovative and in-demand. BACK IN 1893. As a public institution, Southern is begin in the fall. Due to the specialization now • committed to social justice, to being a good required for advanced employment in health neighbor, and advancing the public good. I am and other related fields, it was natural that we eager to develop new pursue this new avenue. partnerships that will We expect the social position us as a work program to be a community resource and draw both locally and a change agent. Let me overseas, in countries give you some examples: such as China. In June, we broke Further afield, our joint graduate program ground for the new in coastal resilience with Barack H. Obama our partner institution in Magnet University School Liverpool, England, is on Farnham Avenue, just the first in a portfolio of down the street from our joint graduate degrees Alumni House. This is a signature academic that will make our partnership with the city collaboration unique in of New Haven and its American higher school system. And it’s a education. wonderful opportunity And in May, I flew for our education to Malaysia to join students to investigate leaders from Liverpool best practices, conduct and institutions in research, get inShanghai and Kuala classroom experience, Lumpur in forming a and promote innovation new higher education and learning in the early grades. consortium. Yes, Southern is going international! We’ve certainly come a long way from our roots back in On the other side of campus, a new home for our School 1893, when three teachers and 84 students met at the old of Health and Human Services will be built on the Fitch Street frontage adjacent to Irma Pelz Gymnasium, which was the first Skinner School in New Haven to create a two-year teacher building to be completed on the new campus of New Haven training program. State Teachers College back in 1953. The fact that this $74 I hope you’ll join us at our Grand Reunion in October, as million project is fully funded by the state is a great vote of we honor the past and look ahead with eager anticipation. confidence in our mission and the excellence of our offerings in Sincerely, this growing field. These include clinical programs in areas such Joe Bertolino as audiology, and marriage and family therapy, which serve President hundreds of members of the public each year.

2 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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Graduation Celebration

More than 1,200 students participated in Southern’s undergraduate commencement ceremony. Hill Harper — an award-winning actor, best-selling author, and philanthropist — delivered the undergraduate commencement address at the event, held May 18 at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn. “Life offers you the opportunity to live from your core; to speak your own truth in this world,” said Harper, who stars in “The Good Doctor,” on ABC and is the founder of the Manifest Your Destiny Foundation, which is dedicated to empowering underserved youth. Southern also held two on-campus graduate commencement ceremonies on May 17 for students receiving master’s degrees, sixth year professional diplomas, and doctoral degrees. Rick Capozzi, ‘83, president of the Capozzi Advisory Group, was the commencement speaker at the afternoon ceremony for the School of Business and the School of Health and Human Services. (See page 34.) Those earning advanced degrees from the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education were addressed by Dr. James P. Comer, the founder and chairman of the School Development Program and the Maurice Falk Professor of Child Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine’s Child Study Center.

go.SouthernCT.edu/scsu2018

[clockwise from top right] Undergraduate commencement speaker Hill Harper addresses the graduates. * Dr. James P. Comer spoke to guests at the graduate ceremony. * Spirits soar at both the graduate and undergraduate commencement exercises.

New VP Welcomed ICHAEL KINGAN

has been named Southern’s new vice president for institutional advancement, effective July 9, 2018. He will oversee Development, Integrated Communications & Marketing, and Alumni Relations and will also serve as executive director of the SCSU Foundation. “Michael has exhibited a passion for developing and growing advancement programs,” said President Joe Bertolino. “This has resulted in expanded educational opportunity for tens of thousands of students and several generations of tomorrow’s global citizens and leaders.” Kingan has served for more than 25 years in a number of diverse institutions, including the universities of Michigan, Washington, Iowa, and New Mexico. He was the first chief advancement officer at the Singapore American School, one of the world’s premier international schools, with an enrollment exceeding 4,000 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12. Most recently, Kingan was the vice president for development and alumni relations at the University of Texas at Arlington, a Carnegie Research-1 institution that ranks among the top five most diverse student populations of all comprehensive public universities in the nation. He has prepared and successfully launched comprehensive fundraising campaigns throughout his career and has expertise in identifying fundraising priorities; collaborating with university leadership, faculty, staff, alumni, and volunteers; and facilitating gift engagements that result in substantial growth in institutional support. “Private funding sources are essential to advance Southern’s mission of academic excellence, access, and service for the public good,” Kingan said. “I look forward to working with my new colleagues to identify new areas of support for the institution and to spread the word about the vital role that Southern plays in Connecticut’s economy.” Kingan earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Austin College in Sherman and his Master of Public Affairs degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He served as an instructor in the Overseas Service Corps of the YMCA in Keelung, Taiwan, before embarking on his career in philanthropy and advancement. He is married to Mary Laing Kingan and they have two grown children, Will and Madeleine. Summer 2018 | 3

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Elementary School Coming to Campus

outhern’s campus soon will be home to the new Barack H. Obama Magnet University School — cementing the university’s position as a leader in teacher preparation. On June 14, a ground-breaking ceremony was held for the school, which will be built on Lot 8 off of Farnham Avenue. The first school in the state named after former President Obama, it is being built through a partnership with the city of New Haven and its school system. A true win-win initiative, it will provide in-classroom teacher training for Southern education majors — and an exceptional learning environment for students in kindergarten through fourth grade. Southern consistently produces the largest numbers of well-prepared teachers, principals, and school administrators in Connecticut. These graduates have been consistently lauded for their excellence. In 2016, Jahana Hayes, ‘05, was named the National Teacher of the Year, capping off a year when Southern alumni also garnered Connecticut Teacher of the Year, Counselor of the Year, and Superintendent of the Year honors.

[above] A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the planned Barack H. Obama Magnet University School.

A young student gives thanks for the school, as Principal Susan DeNicola, ’86, M.S. ’90, 6th Yr. ’99, looks on.

An International Approach to Education TUDENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF

exchanges, and soon, the first programs

offered by the respective Schools of

THE POND ARE REAPING THE

in a portfolio of joint master’s degrees.

Business.

BENEFITS of an innovative trans-Atlantic

These include an M.S. in coastal

The addition of these programs

partnership between Southern and

resilience, under the umbrella of SCSU’s

would place SCSU and LJMU in rarified

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU)

Department of Environment, Geography,

territory as the only American/Anglo

in England. The program offers research

and Marine Sciences and its LJMU

universities offering more than one joint

internships, study abroad opportunities

counterpart, and an International

master’s program.

for students from both institutions, faculty

Master’s of Business Administration,

Students from Southern and LJMU in England benefit from study abroad opportunities through a unique trans-Atlantic alliance. Joint graduate programs are next on the agenda. 4 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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Southern Students Ace Business Competition — Again!

’S A THREE-PEAT FOR STUDENTS FROM SOUTHERN’S SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

who finished first at the

Connecticut Venture Capital Investment Competition, which challenges student teams to develop the most effective business investment strategy. The competition is open to students from all Connecticut colleges and universities, and is sponsored by the Entrepreneurship Foundation, a

Connecticut-based nonprofit organization.

Southern Wins College Tech Challenge

here’s an app for that — and it’s a winner. Computer

Science undergraduates Michael Solati and Robert Crowdis took first place at the 2017 College Tech Challenge on November 16 — standing out among some of the state’s top engineering and programming students at the event. “It was a heck of a challenge,” said Solati, during an interview with Fox61’s Erika Arias. “We were competing with stu-

dents [from] across the state and all of the different universities — and it wasn’t just undergraduates. There were graduate students as well.” The Southern students won $5,000 at the competition, which challenged teams to develop an application for senior citizens — and then make an impromptu sales presentation to a panel of judges. The event was sponsored by the Connecticut Technology Council, which works on behalf of 2,500

Southern

ALUMNI MAGAZINE n VOL 15 • NO 2

Joe Bertolino, President Michael K. Kingan, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Executive Director, SCSU Foundation, Inc. STAFF

Patrick Dilger, Director of Integrated Communications & Marketing Villia Struyk, Editor Mary Pat Caputo, Associate Editor Michael Kobylanski, Sports Marylou Conley, ’83, Art Director Isabel Chenoweth, Photographer Brokk Tollefson, Student Photographer Melanie Stengel, Contributing Photographer Charlie Davison, Alumni Notes OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

Michelle R. Johnston, Director of Alumni Relations (203) 392-6500 EDITORIAL OFFICE

Southern Connecticut State University Office of Integrated Communications & Marketing/Southern Alumni Magazine 501 Crescent Street New Haven, CT 06515-1355 Telephone (203) 392-6591; fax (203) 392-5083 Email address: StruykV1@SouthernCT.edu University website: SouthernCT.edu Printed by The Lane Press, Inc.

technology-oriented companies that employ some 200,000 residents.

n In fall 2017, the Southern team of (from left) Tyler Fedak, Paige Decker, and Mike Sullivan took home the trophy — which, with this third win, is now housed permanently in the School of Business, per competition rules. The outlook is decidedly bright for future competitors — and future entrepreneurs: Southern’s School of Business is introducing a course on venture capital in fall 2018. “This new course is part of a comprehensive approach to enhancing our economics and finance program,” says the team’s mentor B. Adam Abugri, profes-

Leading the Nation in Support of Nursing Mothers

Southern Alumni Magazine is published by the university in cooperation with the SCSU Alumni Association two times a year and distributed free of charge to alumni and friends of the university. Opinions expressed in Southern Alumni Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the university or the SCSU Alumni Association. Although the editors have made every reasonable effort to be factually accurate, no responsibility is assumed for errors.

Health and Human Services launched the pilot

Postage paid at Burlington, Vt.

outhern was recognized by the

Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition as

the first breastfeeding-friendly campus

in the state — and the nation. The School of program, which has branched out to the whole campus under the guidance of Michele Vancour, professor of public health and director of the Office of Faculty Development. The university has a multi-use lactation room in Hilton Buley Library equipped with

sor and chair of the Department of Finance

privacy curtains, a microwave for sterilizing

and Economics.

equipment, and other amenities. The initiative

Southern Connecticut State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or criminal record. Inquiries related to nondiscrimination policies and Title IX may be forwarded to Paula Rice, Title IX Coordinator and Director of Diversity and Equity Programs, 501 Crescent Street, BU 226, New Haven, CT, 06515; (203) 392-5568; RiceP1@SouthernCT.edu.

Summer 2018 | 5

CA MP U S NE WS n

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also makes alternative lactation spaces available throughout campus, along with lactation support. More than 50 members of the campus community voluntarily serve as “breastfeeding champions,” providing guidance to mothers looking for information on lactation spaces.

Nursing Program Begins Direct Admission

outhern junior Kyley Fiondella has wanted to become a nurse since early memory —

and has worked hard to make her dream a

reality. At the age of 15, she was certified as a

nursing assistant through a program offered at her high school, H.C. Wilcox Technical in Meridan, Conn. In 2016, she graduated

valedictorian of her high school — and, that same year, was among the first exceptional

high school students offered direct admission

Distinguished Guest: Former Vice President

FORMER VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN DELIVERED THE 20TH ANNUAL MARY AND LOUIS FUSCO DISTINGUISHED LECTURE ON MARCH 23

—

addressing diverse topics, including domestic and international policy, the #MeToo movement, cancer research, and the loss of his son, Beau. “We are less divided as people on issues than when I ran as a 28-year-old kid,” Biden told the audience at the sold-out event held at Southern’s John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts. “What’s broken is our political system. . . . . I look at Republicans as the opposition. They are not the enemy. They are not my enemy.” Lucy Nalpathanchil, host of WNPR’s “Where we Live” talk show, moderated the lecture. Biden was vice president under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017, and previously served six terms in the U.S. Senate. He and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, are the founders of the Biden Cancer Initiative. Proceeds from the lecture series support Southern students through the Endowed Awards of Excellence, a merit-based scholarship program. In the past two decades, the event has brought numerous luminaries to campus, including NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, former “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and actor Michael J. Fox. 6 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

into Southern’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing

(B.S.N.) program through a small pilot initiative. Building on the success of this two-year

pilot, the Department of Nursing now offers

two admission pathways into the B.S.N. degree program. Students can : 1) apply for direct admission into the program as incoming

freshmen or 2) seek admission after successfully completing required coursework — usually in their sophomore year.

About 40-45 incoming students will be

accepted to the program through direct

admission based on their high school academic records. Existing college

students who excel in their course work

during their first

two years also are

encouraged to apply

to the program and

will comprise the

remaining members

of the class.

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staff spotlight

Dap Daphney a hney ap e Alston ey A assistant director dir of student involvement, clubs and organizations

GETTING TO KNOW HER :

Alston earned a graduate degree in counselor education, specializing in student development in higher education. She was a standout from the get-go — named “New Professional of the Year” in the Northeast region by the National Association for Campus Activities in 2013.

AT SOUTHERN :

Alston provides guidance to all campus clubs/organizations — and oversees Southern’s largest service programs, including the Friends of Rudolph holiday event.

THERE ’ S A CLUB FOR THAT:

Southern has 150-plus opportunities for students to get involved in clubs/organizations, including the Botany Club, the Caribbean Student Association, NOTEorious (a cappella group), Global Brigades (international service), the Larping Club (live action role-playing), and Students for Local Heroes (dedicated to “giving back to the people who serve our local communities on an everyday basis”).

INSPIRING STATISTICS :

3,584 Southern students were club members in the fall 2017 semester — and they were busy. Southern’s clubs/organizations hosted 1,508 events during that period. That’s more than 3,000 events in a typical year.

THAT ’ S GOOD NEWS BECAUSE :

“It’s been statistically proven time and time again that students who are involved in at least one club in college tend to have a higher grade point average (GPA), are better connected to campus, and are more likely to get a job right after graduating,” says Alston. In fact, Southern’s club presidents have an average GPA of 3.2.

More at SouthernCT.edu/office-studentinvolvement and owlconnect.SouthernCT.edu.

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Keeping the Promise

The Board of Regents for Higher Education — which governs the 17 Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) — has recognized 18 CSCU faculty for exceptional teaching, research, and scholarly excellence. Two Southern professors were further honored, recognized out of all the award recipients for excellence at the system level. Richard Zipoli, associate professor of communication disorders, is the recipient of the Board of Regents System-Wide Teaching Award. Noted for his expertise as an educator, Zipoli focuses his scholarship on communication disorders and reading difficulties in schoolbased settings. Fellow honoree Chelsea Harry, associate professor of philosophy, is the recipient of the Board of Regents System-Wide Research Award. Harry is the author of “Chronos in Aristotle’s Physics: On the Nature of Time” (Springer, 2015) and numerous scholarly articles. She has two other books under advanced contract. Her fields of expertise include the philosophy of nature, ancient Greek philosophy, and post-Kantian German philosophy.

outhern will provide

residential leadership

scholarships covering

housing expenses for 10

incoming New Haven Promise Scholars beginning with the fall 2018 semester. The selected students — known as Promise Community Ambassadors — will mentor Southern’s other New Haven Promise Scholars as well as high school students in New Haven. New Haven Promise provides scholarships covering up to 100 percent of the college tuition for residents and graduates of New Haven Public Schools and approved charter schools who have had exceptional academic and attendance records. To date, Southern has had more New Haven Promise Scholars (339) than any other university.

Faculty Celebrated at State Level

Southern’s Standout Faculty • Steven Judd, professor of Middle East history, received the 2017 Faculty Scholar Award for his monograph, “Religious Scholars and the Umayyads: Piety-Minded Supporters of the Marwanid Caliphate.” • The J. Philip Smith Award for Outstanding Teaching is presented to one full-time professor and one part-time faculty member for exemplary teaching. This year’s recipients are Associate Professor of English Charles Baraw and Adjunct Professor of English Michelle Stoehr-McCarthy. • Samuel Andoh, professor of economics, was named an international expert for Ghana by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. As part of the prestigious appointment, Andoh is working with universities in Ghana to compile a profile of the country’s management education structure. • Yi-Chun Tricia Lin, director of the Women’s Studies Program, was named a Fulbright Scholar and lectured at the National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan during the spring 2018 semester. • Jean Breny, professor and chair of the Department of Public Health, was elected president of the Society for Public Health Education. The organization serves nearly 4,000 health education professionals and students in the U.S. and 25 countries. • Stephen Hegedus, dean of the School of Education, was recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE) as one of 45 emerging college and university leaders in the 2018-19 class of the ACE Fellows Program.

More at SouthernCT.edu/southern-lights 8 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Fast Facts. Good News.

• For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017,

the SCSU Foundation provided more than

$840,000 — equal to 615 scholarships available to Southern students — up from $460,000 five years prior. • In the past four years,

98+% of students

in Southern’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program passed the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination) on their first try. (State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, May 2018) • In November 2017, Southern celebrated Social

Justice Month with almost

100 events,

all designed to further social justice education and awareness on campus. • Southern’s student-faculty ratio is

14:1,

Southern Gets Energized

More than 3,000 photovoltaic solar panels will be installed on campus through a renewable energy program expected to generate over a million kilowatt hours of electricity annually. The panels will be installed with no capital investment or upfront cost to Connecticut taxpayers thanks to a three-way partnership between the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system; Current, powered by General Electric; and the Connecticut Green Bank. Solar panels also will be installed at Manchester and Middlesex Community Colleges, and will be expanded to other CSCU campuses in the next two years. Once fully implemented, the initiative is estimated to save CSCU more than $10 million within the first 20 years.

Sustainable Southern

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••• More than

900,000 refills made at campus Refillable Water Stations. That’s a lot of plastic kept out of landfills.

tied for the lowest among public universities

••• Fit ch Str ee t

in the state. • Southern was

1 of only 5 colleges

and universities to receive the “Excellence in Assessment” designation in 2017. To date, only 15 have received the designation, which recognizes those who most effectively use data to enhance student performance.

Solar panels will be installed on campus at these sites.

Lewis J. DeLuca Jr. (right) is the coordinator of Student Financial Literacy and Advising. The nationally top-ranked program provides more than 100 workshops annually on topics ranging from financial aid to smart money management.

Financial Literacy Program Among Nation’s Best

Southern’s Financial Literacy and Advising Program was recognized among the best in the nation for the second year in a row. After analyzing more than a thousand colleges and universities, the website LendEDU placed Southern 29th in its annual rating of the “Top 50 Financial Literacy Programs” in the U.S. — among an elite group that includes Ohio State University, Yale University, Boston College, and Stanford College.

More at: SouthernCT.edu/financial-advising Summer 2018 | 9

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Look Whoooooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Talking

Posts, â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Grams, Tweets, and More

More than 1,690 Southern graduates are married to a fellow Owl, according to the Office of Alumni Relations â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and many of these couples met on campus. Five shared their romantic journeys in our â&#x20AC;&#x153;Love Stories at Southernâ&#x20AC;? video. Did you meet your true love at Southern? Please consider sharing in the comments section on Facebook.

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We couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop staring at this photo from undergraduate commencement. Many of you couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t either.

.eps

12,700+ views

75 shares

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13,000+ impressions

.eps

Finals week can be stressful â&#x20AC;&#x201D; even for BB-8

5,500+ shares

.eps

When itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to transition from soldier to scholar, Southern is ready to serve. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to be the #1 school for veterans in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and we touted this fact in a y recent TV commercial.

đ&#x;&#x2DC;?đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x201A;đ&#x;&#x2021;şđ&#x;&#x2021;¸ đ&#x;&#x2DC;?đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x201A;đ&#x;&#x2021;şđ&#x;&#x2021;¸ đ&#x;&#x17D;&#x201C;! đ&#x;&#x17D;&#x201C;! !

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261 shares

22,000+ views

Katie Keene As a Southern student currently interning at Disney in Star Wars Launch Bay, this is the greatest thing Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been telling all my other cast members about this video Great job guys. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll tell BB-8 he did well too! Stephanie Michelle PiĂąa my Uni is cooler than yours

FACEBOOK â&#x20AC;˘ SouthernCT â&#x20AC;˘ 23,000+ followers TWITTER â&#x20AC;˘ @SCSU â&#x20AC;˘ 6,760+ followers INSTAGRAM â&#x20AC;˘ SCSUgram â&#x20AC;˘ 2,870+ followers SNAPCHAT â&#x20AC;˘ SouthernSCSU LINKED IN â&#x20AC;˘ Southern Connecticut State University

â&#x20AC;˘ 46,660+ followers

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @SCSUTopOwl 10 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Join the Conversation! Follow Southern on:

Connect with President Joe Bertolino:

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Southern athletics program is looking fierce — courtesy of a new logo.

he line of students snaked throughout the center of campus, all on hand to see the new Owl athletics logo and nab a Southern t-shirt emblazoned with the bold design. Officially unveiled at Homecoming 2017 in October, the logo was developed in partnership with Phoenix Design Works, a branding and design agency based in Maplewood, N.J. Campus constituencies, including students, coaches, alumni, faculty, and staff, provided feedback throughout the process. Several official versions are seen here. “Our new branding initiative and marks truly represent the successful track record and fierce, competitive nature of our 19 intercollegiate programs,” says Jay Moran, director of athletics. The new logo is being phased in over time. It’s already used on Southern’s athletics website (SouthernCTowls.com) and social media platforms. New signs also have been installed at Jess Dow Field and on the Athletics Hall of Fame display in James Moore Field House. Future plans will address additional areas in the field house and the artificial turf at Jess Dow Field.

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From the pool to the playing field, a look at Southern athletics. n

Historic Run for Women’s Volleyball

HE OWLS REACHED THE NCAA TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST

THE MEN’S TRACK AND

TIME IN SOUTHERN’S HISTORY ,

FIELD TEAM brought

finishing the 2017 season with a 24-11 win-loss record. After a thrilling fourset win over New York Tech in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Southern fell in the regional semifinals.

Owls First in NE10 Tournament

home its 13th Northeast10 Indoor Track and Field Championship in program history. It was the second straight championship win for the Owls.

Swimming and Diving are NE10 Champs — Again!

THE DYNASTY CONTINUES FOR SOUTHERN’S MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND

DIVING TEAMS, which both won

their respective 2018 Northeast-10 championships. It was the 13th conference championship in program history for the men. The women’s team celebrated their second consecutive tournament victory — the 12th in program history.

Winning the Super Bowl — and Other Stories

LLISON STOUTLAND, M.S. ’88, 6TH YR. ’91, HAS A CHAMPION-

SHIP STORY FOR YOU — but she won’t be sharing the finer details. “Everyone calls it the Super Bowl. I call it the Super Blur,” says Stoutland of her stadium-seat view of the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory over the New England Patriots — Philly’s first-ever Super Bowl win. Stoutland is the author of four

children’s books and a monthly blog — inchbyinchbooks.com. She’s also married to Jeff Stoutland, ’84, M.S. ’86, the offensive line coach for the Eagles — and on Feb. 4, she and the couple’s children, Jake and Madison, were at Super Bowl LII, cheering alongside the team’s die-hard fans. It’s one of the many topics Allison writes about in her blog: the joys and challenges of being the wife of a

professional football coach. “In the last 25 years we have lived in nine places — each one we’ve called home. We’ve trained three dogs, raised two children, coached six teams, and adopted over 400 players as our sons,” she sums in a Feb. 2 blog post. The couple’s romance began in New Haven at Boppers, a dance club with an oldies-music theme. Jeff asked Allison, then a teacher at the Strong School in New Haven, to dance. Six months later, he proposed in front of her classroom of starry-eyed kindergarteners. (Call it serendipity: construction has begun on the new Strong School — to be renamed the Barack H. Obama Magnet University School, which will be located on Southern’s campus. See page 4.) [From left] The Stoutlands take the field to celebrate the Eagles’ Super Bowl win. • The family gathers after an earlier victory.

12 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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Meet the National Champion Southern remains a touchstone for the couple, who hold four Southern diplomas and degrees between them. Owls football played a role as well. As a student, Jeff was a three-year starter and captain for the Owls, and he returned to his alma mater twice to serve as an assistant coach. He was inducted into Southern’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. For Allison, Southern made it possible to earn advanced degrees while teaching in the city. “I went to school by day and taught. I went to school by night and learned,” says Allison, a self-described born educator, who, as a child, assigned homework to her younger sister — and actually got her to do it. Allison left her formal teaching career when the family moved repeatedly to follow collegiate and professional coaching opportunities. Jeff coached at the University of Alabama, the University of Miami, Michigan State University, and Syracuse University before joining the Eagles in 2013. As the family has grown, Allison, in turn, has focused on writing. Her four children’s books offer simple but profound tips for young readers to create a happier world — which leads to the couple today. On Feb. 8, the Stoutland family joined Philadelphia’s parade honoring the Eagles — riding a double-decker bus alongside the team’s offensive linemen, coaches, and their families. “That I remember completely,” says Allison. “Watching the players, the city of Philadelphia, and the millions who showed up for that parade was one of the happiest moments of my life. It was such an accomplishment, and it was so genuine. Everything about that day was genuine.”

MORE AT

SouthernCTOwls.com

Destiney Coward

2018 NCA A Div. II In door Track an d Field Champion WEIGHT THROW

• Chemistry major, senior • Track and Field, throwing events • Hometown: East Haven, Conn. Record smasher: Southern’s all-time record holder in the weight throw (21.29 in 2018)

and the hammer (62.51 in 2017) • Among the NCAA Div. II All-Time Best Performers in the indoor weight throw (7th) and the outdoor hammer (8th) • Numerous Athlete of the Year and All American honors (indoor and outdoor)

It begins: While Coward comes from a family of athletes, her career as a hammer

thrower began at Southern. Before meeting award-winning coach Bill Sutherland, ’73, she had only two seasons of experience as a discus and shot put athlete in high school.

Thanks coach: “He told me, ‘You could be good at those, but great at this,’” says

Coward of Sutherland, who also competed as a track athlete at Southern and ranks in the Owls’ top 10 in the discus throw. Sutherland also coached Olympians, including 2004 U.S. hammer performer Anna Mahon, 6th Yr. ’07.

Excelling on the field and in the classroom: “It’s always been about finding the time,” says Coward. “Sometimes one comes before the other. It’s not always perfectly balanced, but I try.”

Olympic dreams: Coward says her next step is Hayward Field in Oregon for the 2020 Olympic trials. While she hopes to later attend medical school and become a doctor, for now, she says her aspirations are on the field.

Most memorable moment: competing at an outdoor event in spring 2017, just after

the national anthem played and the players were being introduced • “I was just standing there when they announced that I was in the top 10 of [NCAA] Div. II history — something I hadn’t known about myself. It’s so crazy to think about,” says Coward. By Isabella Collier, senior, English major

Owls Fly at Gymnastics Nationals

IX MEMBERS OF THE OWLS GYMNASTICS TEAM QUALIFIED TO COMPETE AT THE 2018 USA GYMNASTICS COLLEGIATE

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS , which kicked off on April 12 at Texas Woman’s University in Denton. Congratulations to Kathleen Aberger, Alexandra Avendano, Emily Balasco, Kylyn Dawkins, Morgan Gatewood, and Alexandra Lesperance.

Summer 2018 | 13

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City Owls In the heart of New Haven, two Southern graduates are lifting up their community through separate organizations — both dedicated to the greater good. By Natalie Missakian

14 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

uring the worst days of his childhood, ADAM CHRISTOFERSON, ’10, turned to music as both his anchor and escape hatch. As a kid, he recalls living with his mom, who had schizophrenia, in a rent-subsidized apartment on Rock Street in New Haven, on the edge of one of the city’s roughest neighborhoods. His father, a Vietnam veteran, struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder. When his mother’s illness progressed, Christoferson spent time in foster care and eventually moved in with his grandmother. Music became a lifeline. Coming from a musical family — his uncle is New Haven-born singer-songwriter Michael Bolton — Christoferson learned to play drums as an 8 year old and later took up several other instruments. “It was my expression. It was the way I communicated in the world,” says Christoferson, now 34. “When there was absolute chaos all around, music kept me together and kept me healthy. It kept me, me.” ERIK CLEMONS, ’04 , grew up poor in Norwalk, Conn. By the time he was a teenager, his father had disappeared and his family moved to Stamford, where he shared a cramped, one-room apartment with his mother and three siblings. In the next few years, the family moved a lot. Clemons bounced from school to school — a different one for each year of high school — and the instability was reflected in his grades.

“I wanted my life to contribute to something greater than a job.” — Erik Clemons, ’04, CEO and president of ConnCAT

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Once labeled a “difficult” high school student, Adam Christoferson, ’10, now uses his talent to help others through Musical Intervention, the New Haven-based nonprofit organization he founded. 16 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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spite of those experiences, both men persevered. Today they are each successful social justice entrepreneurs in the Elm City, running organizations that help people, including many facing extremely difficult life challenges. Clemons, 52, helms the Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology (ConnCAT), a nonprofit that provides after-school arts programming for at-risk youth and job training for unemployed and underemployed adults in the health and culinary fields. Christoferson, meanwhile, shares the therapeutic power of music with New Haven’s homeless and recovery population through Musical Intervention, a drugand alcohol-free space in a downtown storefront on Temple Street, where people can write, record, and perform their own music. He is now working to expand the concept nationally. Both men say Southern played a big role in their success, citing mentors who recognized their potential and steered them toward life-changing internships. “What happened to me at Southern is that I found out I had some ability. I had some competence,” says Clemons. “There were just some incredible people who left an indelible mark on me.”

Following the call

Clemons says his upbringing left him ill-prepared for college, so after high school, he worked various jobs to support himself before landing a position as a mail sorter at the U.S. Postal Service in Stamford. Married and raising four girls, he’d stay there for 16 years, but always had bigger dreams. “I wanted my life to contribute to something greater than a job,” says Clemons. After 12 years at the post office, he decided to follow his calling. He enrolled at Southern as a full-time sociology major, driving to New Haven for classes after work and returning home at night so he could be back at the post office for his 6 a.m. shift. Knowing his desire to work with young people of color, Shirley Jackson, a former Southern sociology professor who was also Clemons’ adviser, recommended him for an internship at the youth-development organization LEAP (Leadership, Education, and Athletics in Partnership) — where he would eventually rise to become a board member and then Connecticut executive director. In 2009, his work at LEAP caught the attention of Carlton Highsmith, a retired New Haven businessman who was trying to replicate an acclaimed New Hampshire job training program in the Elm City. Highsmith asked Clemons if he would help him build and run the program. Clemons said yes, and in 2011, he became ConnCAT’s founding chief executive officer. The nonprofit began with the after-school program and adult courses in phlebotomy and medical billing and coding, and has since added a culinary program, a student-run restaurant, and a high school entrepreneurship camp. Southern hosted the camp in July. In January, ConnCAT scored a $1 million grant from KeyBank to further grow the program. Asked about his favorite success story, Clemons points to two of his adult students, one in phlebotomy and another in medical billing and coding, who now are teachers in the program. “It’s not just about job training. It’s about how can we get people to see that there are possibilities beyond the conditions they see. That’s kind of the story of my life as well,” he says. “I never thought about being a CEO or founding CEO of anything,” adds Clemons. “I was able to do some really amazing things because people noticed me. That’s it.”

‘He gave me a shot’

On paper, Christoferson says he didn’t appear to be “college material” either. Branded a “difficult student” and channeled into special education, he knew his GPA and test scores wouldn’t get him into Southern.

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n, ve a H w h e security is muc ge, In N vera food in tional a

Here’s how it works. 18 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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t’s a deeply disturbing paradox. At a time when 13 percent of people in the U.S. don’t have enough to eat, Americans are wasting up to 40 percent of food produced in this country, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. This waste adversely impacts the environment while families in need go without. Since 2016, the university’s Ofﬁce of Sustainability has addressed the issue of food waste head-on, partnering with Chartwells Schools Dining Services and the Food Recovery Network. The resulting Food Recovery Project is a win-win initiative. It diverts food from the waste stream while providing extensive real-world experience to the Southern student interns who run the program with Heather Stearns, recycling coordinator, and Suzanne Huminski, sustainability coordinator. The initiative also bring s nutritious, high-quality, unserved food to those in need at local soup kitchens. And through a partnership with Quantum Biopower in Southington, Conn., uses cutting-edge technology to convert food scraps into landscape products and clean, renewable energy.

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Wise Owls

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brings the e g e l l o C Honors emically d a c outhern’s a o t s d th worl allenging h c best of bo e h t : s t studen ss sizes a proficient l c l l a m s and curriculum private colleges — lite found at e less opportunities unt and the co ively low cost arat and comp blic university. r pu of a majo Struyk By Villia

e rs of th membe eir re o m o th d soph d to present year an ference re All first- ollege gathe s student con rence u C p fe n rs m o o a c Hon an on-c mester. The t a y.” it h n rc resea 018 se s of Commu n pring 2 in the s s ”Conceptio wa theme Summer 2018 | 21

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Beginning with the Class of 2020, all firstyear students accepted into the Honors College receive a merit-based scholarship covering one-half to full in-state tuition and fees.

ulia Rotella, ’17, excelled in honors-level courses at Masuk High School in Monroe, Conn., and had her pick of potential colleges. Drawing on her long-held interest in business — Rotella sold items on eBay as a child — she looked into Bentley University, a regionally topranked private college specializing in business where annual tuition/fees totaled more than $41,000 at the time (2013-14). At Jonathan Law High School in Milford, Conn., Cody Edson, ’16, M.S. ’17, also earned top grades but planned to postpone college. The oldest of five siblings, he knew tuition costs would be challenging for himself and his parents, both police officers. So he thought he’d enlist in the U.S. Navy and attend college later. In contrast, Kara Jones, ’18, the oldest of four, says postponing coll ege was never an option. A talented student at Stonington High School, Jones intended to become an educator — and a well-respected teacher recommended Southern, citing its historically excellent education program. “But to be honest, it was at the bottom of my list,” says Jones. “I had my eye on a number of other places. I didn’t even know about the Honors College.” Ah, the twists and turns of the college search process — the oft-demanding quest for the perfect mix of access, affordability, comfort, and aspirational goals. Months later, when Jones happily enrolled at Southern, she was one of about 40 first-year students in Southern’s Honors College — a program for students who excelled in high school and show a strong desire to continue their outstanding academic success. Her experience was echoed by Rotella and Edson. All received Presidential Merit Scholarships covering full in-state tuition and fees — and, in hindsight, all say their decision to join Southern’s Honors College was the right one.

22 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Their academic success is certainly telling — reflecting the program’s historical student-retention rate of well-over 90 percent. In 2017, Rotella graduated summa cum laude — after being named the runner-up in the American Marketing Association’s national “Student Member of the Year” competition. As for Jones and Edson? Both moved on to graduate school at nationally top-ranked universities. This fall, Jones will pursue a master’s degree in the reading specialist program at Teachers College, Columbia University — aided by a scholarship covering full tuition and fees. Meanwhile, Edson — who earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in chemistry in five years through an accelerated program at Southern — is pursuing a doctorate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, N.Y. “Applying to a Ph.D. program is very competitive,” says Edson. “But because of the research I did at Southern and all of the extracurricular activities, RPI said, ‘We want you.’ It was a very humbling experience to be wanted by such a prestigious university.” Southern’s Honor College has a history of such success stories, says Terese Gemme, who’s led the program since 2002. A commitment to excellence is a hallmark of the Honors College, which offers small, seminar-style classes (under 20 students) and a focus on interdisciplinary study, faculty-student collaboration, research, and writing. “Those who apply are looking for a challenge. They want to be part of a community of scholars — and they believe that education should provide room for indepth exploration and creative learning,” says Gemme. At some universities, honors programs have come under fire for being isolationist, in effect creating a multi-tiered approach to education. In contrast, Southern’s Honors College is highly inclusive. Students

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Student retention rates in Southern’s Honors College historically have been well-above 90 percent — in step with many of the most-selective private institutions of higher learning.

may choose any major — and also take many regular courses. In 2016-17, honors theses were completed by 35 students representing 15 different majors, including art, communication, economics and finance, nursing, and physics. The program was recently restructured to offer two levels of study. Most students continue to participate in the program over four years, completing honors courses in place of most university liberal arts requirements. In addition, a new Honors College minor also has been introduced, requiring a minimum of 18 honors course credits, including a capstone experience. This capstone experience — required of all traditional Honors College participants as well as those electing the minor — has become more flexible as well. As in the past, students may complete a departmental honors thesis or creative project. But they may also conduct community-engaged research or study abroad. The depth and diversity of their work are impressive — particularly for students at the undergraduate level. For his honors thesis, Joshua Cohn, ’17, an art major in the Honors College, held a solo exhibit of stunning sculptures he created from “repurposed earthly materials”— granite, ceramic, and metal. In contrast, Edson worked with James Kearns, assistant professor of chemistry, to develop a field test to determine arsenic levels in soil. And Rotella developed a business plan that incorporated social responsibility. This added flexibility is a boon to students who are dedicated to making the most of their education. “If you ask most students in the Honors College what they like to do, they can’t keep quiet. There are just too many things they’re interested in,” says J. Philip Smith, professor emeritus of mathematics and former interim president of Southern. Smith was the founding director of the Honors College and continues to teach Honors

College courses, including “Ambiguity and Uncertainty in the Arts and Sciences,” an interdisciplinary course he leads alongside Michael Shea, professor of English. Jones, who double majored in education and psychology, says the course was one of her favorites. She comments: “I love English but wasn’t able to pursue it as a major in college, so I liked having that time to explore literature — or even to talk about math because it’s not a subject I would normally approach. “From an educational standpoint, that is something I value. I don’t think you should be going to college just for a degree. I think you should go to learn . . . to become well-rounded and a critical thinker.” There are significant financial incentives as well — particularly relevant since college students from all fouryear institutions of higher learning in Connecticut graduated with an average debt level of more than $35,490 in 2016. Beginning with the Class of 2020, all first-year students admitted to Southern’s Honors College receive a merit-based scholarship. Currently, the top 20 percent are awarded a Presidential Merit Scholarship covering full in-state tuition costs and fees. For the remainder, the scholarship covers a minimum of onehalf of these costs. All are renewable for four years. Francisco Salinas, an Honors College student who graduated in May with a degree in computer science and a minor in mathematics, says that the financial support allows students to focus more fully on their studies — as well as meaningful internships, research opportunities, and community outreach. A native of Quito, Ecuador, he immigrated to the U.S. with his family in 2001 — and went on to graduate seventh in his class at Platt Technical High School. He applied to the Honors College at his father’s urging —

[From left] Honors College success stories: • James Kearns, assistant professor of chemistry, works with Cody Edson, ’16, M.S. ’17. • Julia Rotella, ’17, poses at commencement. • Joshua Cohn, ’17, shares several sculptures from his solo art exhibit.

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d They’ve been “liked,” “followed,” an “retweeted” — and many of you their work very much. Meet the eight undergraduates who were interns and student workers with Southern’s tions Department of Integrated Communica 2018 & Marketing (IC&M) in the spring ated semester — including two who gradu on May 18. Working directly with university staff, they’ve helped tell Southern’s story in countless ways, ots, assisting wit h photography, video sho cess, social media, and writing. In the pro they’ve enhanced their resumes and honed their career goals. Continue reading to learn more about their recent on-the-job education.

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Brokk M. Tollefson

Evan Kmec

SENIOR • SOCIOLOGY MAJOR, PHOTOGRAPHY MINOR

SENIOR • COMMUNICATION MAJOR, CONCENTRATION

“I first got into photography during my deployment [with the United States Marine Corps] in Afghanistan, taking tons of photos with little digital point-and-shoot cameras. I came back to the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day, and asked [my wife] Mia for a DSL camera for Christmas. Now I carry a camera with me everywhere on campus — in case there is something I can photograph for the department. “This job has lots of rewards. I’ve learned so much about different campus organizations — and I often end up wanting to join them. That’s what happened with Global Brigades. [The nonprofit organization mobilizes campus volunteers to work with communities in Central America and West Africa.] In 2016, I photographed the return of [Southern’s chapter of] Global Brigades from Nicaragua. As I was photographing the volunteers, I was also asking them questions: What are you guys all about? What do you do? A year later, I was part of the group, going with them to Nicaragua.”

IN FILM, TELEVISION, AND VIDEO PRODUCTION

CHECK OUT:

SCSUGRAM

“I film and take B roll [supplemental footage] for different projects for the university — like the ‘Jumping Jack’ video. [Student-athlete] Jack Brown won the Northeast-10 title in pole vaulting. We interviewed him on camera and took B roll of him practicing. The final project came out well. Helping with a social justice video was my favorite project so far. We worked on one shot in the middle of the library. César [Martinez, university videographer] stood on a rolling dolly holding the camera, while I pulled him back . . . and I remember thinking, ‘I don’t know how this shot is going to turn out.’ [laughs] Then we got back to the office and played it. We’d executed it really well. Everything clicked.” CHECK OUT:

SouthernCT.edu/ig-pole

Aaron Tejada, ’18 COMMUNICATION MAJOR, CONCENTRATION IN ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION

Benson Rodrigues FIRST-YEAR STUDENT • PHYSICS MAJOR

“My favorite part of the job is what we call the ‘Power Hour.’ That’s when all the student workers meet with Allison [O’Leary, social media administrator] and César [Martinez, the university videographer]. We come up with ideas — everything from video scripts to ways to get more views on social media. The best part about it? There’s no ‘wrong’ thing to say. You share what’s on your mind. Videos you’ve seen. What might work at Southern. That’s where I’ve thrown out most of my ideas. It’s like a dart board. The more darts you throw, the more likely you’ll hit the target. “This is what I would say to a new hire: What’s written on the [student worker] job description isn’t the only thing you are going to do. Be ready to carry equipment, learn how to use it, even act in a video. Be open. There are advantages and opportunities — and there’s always food.” CHECK OUT:

FINALS WEEK VIDEO AT

SouthernCT.edu/fb-bb8

Meagan McAdams SENIOR • JOURNALISM MAJOR

“I was hired last semester as a social media assistant. Twitter and Instagram posts, Facebook — helping with all of that. This semester, I moved into video production as well — helping come up with ideas and setting up shoots. My favorite project so far was the student interviews I did for Southern’s viewbook. It was a full professional shoot with sound and lighting. It was interesting to see everything that went into it. “Last summer, I did an internship with a daily newspaper. It wasn’t a good fit — and I remembering thinking, ‘Oh no, this is what I’ve made of my life.’ But that’s changed since working here. Now I’m thinking less about writing for a newspaper and more about public relations and marketing.” CHECK OUT:

SouthernCT.edu/viewbook

“I helped shoot commercials for Southern that aired on television — something I never thought I’d do as a university student. One was about Michael Kuszpa, who served in [the U.S. Army in] Afghanistan. He came to Southern to become a teacher. We went to his home to get a short clip to incorporate in a commercial, which aired during March Madness. Working on the project was pretty epic. “I’m a senior, so I was excited to work on a project for graduation — a two- to three-minute video on graduating seniors. We asked them to think back about who they were when they first came to Southern. So much has changed. It’s weird to think about. I was interested in nursing at first. Now I’m in communication — a completely different universe.” .eps

CHECK OUT:

.eps

SouthernCT.edu/fb-veteran

Kyle Ellis, ’18 MEDIA STUDIES MAJOR, CONCENTRATION IN SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT

“I help man the social media channels, especially Twitter. I also do Snapchat and Instagram stories — and I work with the team on videos, although that’s not my expertise. It’s more difficult than I thought to get students to interact. But I’ve tried to develop a persona for how I ‘speak’ on Twitter — one that connects with people. The results have started to show. We gained 800 Twitter followers in a few months — and it’s great to know that I helped make that happen.” CHECK OUT:

@SCSU

Madison Jones SENIOR • COMMUNICATION MAJOR, CONCENTRATION IN ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS

“I have a blog on Southern’s news site — Students Talk — which I work on with Allison [O’Leary, social media administrator]. The first story I did was on Lushka Vazquez, a graduate intern in Southern’s fitness center, where I also

continues on page 47 26 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

THE UNIVERSITY CHOIR

Follow the choir’s adventures in Portugal in a photo blog created by university photographer Isabel Chenoweth at scsuportugal.tumblr.com.

traveled to Portugal for nine days over spring break, performing with local vocalists at some of the country’s most stunning venues, including the Basilica Da Estrela. The choir — directed by Terese Gemme, who also directs the university’s Honors College — travels internationally every other year, and in the last decade has performed in Ireland, England, Spain, and Greece. Major support for these trips was generously provided by the Stutzman Family Foundation, which funded much of the travel and participation costs for choir members. At Southern, the foundation also supported the creation of a state-of-the-art electronic music laboratory, in addition to: 1) the Southern Applied Music Program, which provides free weekly voice or instrument lessons for all music majors and minors , 2) the Stutzman Family Foundation Music Scholarship, and 3) fees related to the Drum Line.

HIDDEN CAMPUS ■

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SUPPORTING SOUTHERN ■

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A SPACE

for Healing Rita Landino,’64, devoted her career to supporting the Southern community. She continues the tradition with a gift made in memory of four alumnae heroines of Sandy Hook Elementary School. By Natalie Missakian

THE 1980S, long before the #MeToo movement

sparked a national conversation on sexual harassment and assault, Rita Landino, ’64, started a program at Southern to assist survivors. For much of her 35-year career — first as an English professor and later as a counselor — she championed women’s causes on campus, helping launch both the university Women’s Center and a union advocacy group for female faculty members. “We sought to provide places for women students and faculty to feel safe, and also where they could be celebrated for their contributions to campus life,” says the emeritus of counseling services, who retired in 2001. So when Landino learned about plans for the SCSU Sandy Hook Alumnae Remembrance Garden in memory of four educators killed in the Dec. 14, 2012, elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn., she knew she could get behind it, feeling a special bond with her fallen “sister educators.” “My heart went out to the parents of the children who were murdered, but I also often thought about the adults involved. There

28 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

hasn’t been a lot of focus on them,” says Landino, who contributed $50,000 to support the project. Of the six educators killed in the tragedy, four attended Southern — among them Mary Sherlach, M.S. ’90, 6th Yr. ’92, a fellow school psychologist who began her career in North Haven, Conn., where Landino lives. The others include: Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, M.S. ’97, 6th Yr. ’98, who was the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary; special education teacher Anne Marie Murphy, M.S. ’08; and first-grade teacher Victoria Soto, M.S. ’13. Soto, who was working on her master’s in special education, was awarded an honorary degree posthumously. The four educators died trying to protect their students from the gunman. In recognition of their heroism, Southern posthumously presented the Distinguished Alumnae Award to them in 2013. Landino has long supported her alma mater. She previously established a scholarship in her family’s name for students studying to become English teachers. More recently, she approached Southern about a gift to memorialize her son Michael, who died tragically in a 2011 car crash at age 21.

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methods boat makers employ to preserve and treat wooden sea crafts. Facing the the remembrance garden project sculpture is a semicircular bench, and its purpose, the more condesigned pro bono by Bloom Design vinced she became that it was and built primarily by students from Eli the perfect channel for her philanthropy, Whitney Technical High School. The she says. “For me, this memorial takes seating area is partly surrounded by the pain of my personal grief, and my hedges, creating a place for peaceful more general grief over the deaths of my contemplation and protection. sister educators, and transforms it into a The sentiments align well with monument of beauty and memory,” she Landino’s work as a counselor who created says of the project, which was dedicated in a — Rita Landino, ’64 safe spaces for students. In addition to ceremony on May 4. launching programs for survivors of sexual abuse, Situated on a hill overlooking the pond behind Morrill Hall, the garden’s location holds special she was one of the first to establish supportive places meaning for Landino. Her 1964 commencement ceremony on campus for students identifying as LGBTQ. “She really took place there, and years later, her office overlooked the same connected very, very well with students,” recalls Faraclas, who spot. “I used to look out my window every spring and fall to watch worked with Landino and considers her a friend. “She had a the Canada geese stop to eat and drink before continuing on their very frank and honest way — and a gentle and caring way — of journey,” she recalls. working with them.” Her gift went primarily toward the garden’s centerpiece: a Landino, 76, began her career teaching junior high in Hamden, Conn. She joined Southern’s faculty in 1966, teaching circular, softly illuminated wooden sculpture that stands as a tribute and memorial to the four women. The sculpture’s design English composition to first-year students, a job she landed stems from the vision of Southern alumna Carlene Barnes, ’13, while pursuing her master’s in English at Wesleyan University. the winner of a 2013 design competition. Plans for the memorial She would later switch to a counseling role, and go on to earn picked up steam when President Joe Bertolino arrived on her 6th year degree in counseling psychology from Fairfield campus three years later, says William Faraclas, professor of University and a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Connecticut in 1985. public health and one of the leaders of the project. “Rita’s Landino says Southern equipped her with the tools she contribution made it possible for us to fulfill our dream,” says Faraclas. “Unquestionably it made the difference between us needed for success in life, recalling a letter of recommendation going forward or having to defer until a future time.” she received from a Wesleyan professor while applying for that Landino says she was particularly impressed with first faculty job at Southern. “He was impressed by the fact that Bertolino’s vision of the garden as a symbol of compassion, one I, as a graduate from a public institution in Connecticut, was well of his five core values of social justice. (The others include able to compete with Ivy League grads from all over the country,” she says. “That impressed me, and it impressed Hilton dignity, respect, civility, and kindness.) The garden was designed by the Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio, an award-winning Buley.” [Buley was president of Southern at the time.] firm with a portfolio that includes the acclaimed Toronto Music “I owe Southern quite a bit,” Landino adds. “This is my Garden, inspired by Bach. Maine-based yacht builder Brooklin way of giving it back, or as the expression goes now, paying Boat Yard was enlisted to create the sculpture, using the same it forward.” ■ H E M O R E S H E L E A R N E D about

“For me, this memorial takes the pain of my personal grief, and my more general grief over the deaths of my sister educators, and transforms it into a monument of beauty and memory.”

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The sky’s the limit for Gabriel Geist, ’17, and Jack Dowe, ’17, co-founders of FlyReal, a full-service drone marketing and consulting company. By Villia Struyk

The FlyReal team includes [from left] two alumni of Southern’s School of Business — Gabriel Geist,’17, and Jack Dowe, ’17 — and fellow partners Justin Kegley and José Alvarez de Lugo [missing from photo]. Summer 2018 | 31

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OU KNOW YOUR COLLEGE BUSINESS COURSE IS A STANDOUT WHEN IT INSPIRES YOU TO LAUNCH AN ACTUAL BUSINESS. So it was for Jack Dowe, ’17,

and Gabriel Geist, ’17, who on April 12, 2017, exited Management 450 — Business Policy and Strategy — and headed to a study room in Buley Library to incorporate their new company. “How’s that for a founders’ story?” asks Dowe of the resulting enterprise — FlyReal, a marketing and consulting company that specializes in drone video and photography. Based in New Haven, the company works primarily with the real estate industry, but has expanded into general marketing. Soon after taking to the skies, the FlyReal team has completed projects in 12 states for clients that include the KeyBank Foundation and commercial real estate leaders Marcus and Millichap, Cushman and Wakefield, Northside Development, and the NNN Pro Group. “The biggest kick for me is that we are helping to define an entire industry,” says Dowe.

A PA RT N E R S H I P F O R M S The FlyReal story began in a classroom — a Saturday session of the aforementioned Management 450, taught by Linda Ferraro, assistant professor of management. All business majors are required to complete the capstone course, which challenges teams of students to “run” a simulated business — a sensor company with about $100 million in initial hypothetical sales. Working online and in the classroom, each team draws on everything learned in previous business courses: accounting, economics, management, marketing, and more to operate their “sensor company” as successfully as possible. The business-strategy simulation — called Capstone™ — is fittingly challenging. It was originally developed by Capsim for corporate management training, used by companies like Microsoft, General Electric, PwC, and Samsung. “It’s used in quite a few MBA programs,” says Ferraro. “It definitely requires students to up their game.” Dowe and Geist were placed on the same Management 450 team. The senior business majors hadn’t previously met but had a lot in common — specifically a commitment to their studies. Dowe transferred to Southern from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he received a scholarship after graduating summa cum laude from Hamden Hall Country Day School. It had seemed a dream scenario. But the fit wasn’t right, and he made the difficult decision to leave for New Haven. At Southern, everything fell into place. Dowe was named one of eight School of Business Ambassadors — a leadershipdevelopment program — and was invited to Tokyo, Japan, to explore international business through a program led by alumnus Austin Auger, ’78. Dowe ultimately graduated summa cum laude. Gabriel Geist was a transfer student as well, enrolling at Southern after taking classes at Middlesex Community College. He also studied abroad, spending a semester at the highly regarded EDHEC Business School in Lille, France. As a Southern 32 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

student, he tutored classmates at the Academic Success Center, completed two tax internships, and served as treasurer of SUMA Marketing (Southern’s chapter of the American Marketing Association) as well as the Accounting Society. He also worked part-time as a ballroom dance instructor — managing his busy schedule and graduating cum laude. The two dedicated students took Management 450 in their final semester — and they gave it 110 percent. They each worked near the New Haven green, and would sometimes meet for lunch to discuss the project. One day, Geist shared an idea he’d had while studying abroad in France: a drone marketing company. Dowe was intrigued and the student teammates soon became real-life business partners. They found an initial investor, purchased the required equipment, and within months FlyReal was open for business. “The most important thing I learned in Management 450 was to view my learning outside of the context of the classroom,” notes Geist. “I give credit to Linda Ferraro and her discussion-based learning style for our success in developing our business idea.” Their former professor is thrilled but not surprised to learn about FlyReal. Dowe and Geist did well in the class, ending the business simulation with more than $400 million in hypothetical sales over eight simulated years — a 300 percent increase. “Both are extremely intelligent and exceedingly professional,” she says. “Jack [Dowe] has the ability to unite people around a common purpose. He has great energy and enthusiasm — and a level of curiosity that inspires him to ask questions without fear,” says Ferraro. Her opinion of Geist is equally telling. “Gabe is extremely thoughtful and analytical. He integrates information so well and is also curious, but in a less extroverted way.” They are, she notes, a good team. Which leads us to today. Challenges remain — including balancing the demands of holding traditional corporate positions while running their own business. Dowe is a multi-family analyst at M&T Realty Capital Corporation and Geist is an international tax associate with RSM US, where he previously interned. They are also entrepreneurs. As managing partners at FlyReal, they work alongside partners José Alvarez de Lugo, director of business development, and Justin Kegley, creative director, who pilots the drones. Dowe and Geist say the opportunity for future success is their ultimate inspiration. They hope to expand FlyReal’s focus and work with hotels, resorts, golf courses, and more. They also would like to segue into industrial applications such as mapping, zoning, and surveying. “Right now, drones are largely for hobbyists,” says Dowe. “But in 10 years, every industry is going to have an application for a drone.” He pauses, then asks a hypothetical question: “When that time comes, who is going to have a platform of FAA- [Federal Aviation Administration] certified, experienced drone operators — one that is large enough to meet that huge need? There will be very few. And if you can be one of the top 10, you’re all set.” ■

OWL TERRITORY

NEW HAVEN

dr ew

Chu 3 , ’10, MBA ’1

SPACES & PLACES IN NEW HAVEN ■

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Junzi Kitchen is a vibrant downtown New Haven favorite, popularized among the college crowd for its late-night ramen specials available on Fridays and Saturdays until 1:30 a.m. The restaurant features many unique flavors, with the menu tracing its roots to the eclectic culinary traditions of northern China. Lucas Sin, the chef and culinary director of Junzi, has made it his mission to introduce the colorful food of his homeland to New Haven and beyond — and has won raves from the press in the process, including spotlights in Food and Wine, the New Haven Independent, Huffington Post, and CTbites. Customers choose

continues on page 45

“My experience [on the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees] definitely taught me to hold my own . . . to be able to walk into a room of senior business leaders and understand what they were talking about.” — Andrew Chu, ’10, MBA ’13, director of operations, Junzi

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34 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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a high

nationally ranked power lifter and served

founded Capozzi Advisory Group in

school

as a residence hall adviser. The latter, he

December 2014. “After 30 years on Wall

football

says, provided a crash course in leader-

Street, I wanted to be a bit more entre-

star from

ship and responsibility.

preneurial,” he says. Today, he’s a

northern

The skills honed on campus fueled

sought-after consultant and speaker,

New Jersey, Rick Capozzi, ’83, was being

Capozzi’s post-graduation success. He

who’s made more than 1,200 keynote

actively recruited by several NCAA

held senior management posit ions at TD

presentations throughout North

Division I universities when he broke his

Private Bank, Merrill Lynch, UBS, Wells

America, Europe, the Middle East, and

back playing in an all-star game at Giants

Fargo, and other industry leaders. His

Asia. He’s also a successful author, whose

Stadium. He recovered from the injury,

tenure at Morgan Stanley helps illustrate

most recent book, “The Growth Mindset:

but was no longer a top Div. I prospect.

the breadth of his experience. As

Leadersh ip Makes a Difference in Wealth

Southern, however, was interested and

national sales manager at the organiza-

Management,” outlines strategies for

Capozzi soon was playing in New Haven.

tion, he was responsible for the firm’s

success. In November, Capozzi, who

network of 8,000 financial advisers in

serves on the Business Advisory Council

Capozzi, of his shift in plans. “But I came

nearly 500 offices across the U.S. — and

for Southern’s School of Business,

to love Southern.” Majoring in business

as Morgan Stanley’s regional director, he

returned to campus to meet with stu-

administration, he played football for the

oversaw more than $35 billion in assets.

“The first year was tough,” says

Owls for three years. He also was a

Bu ilding on such experience, he

■ Tell us about the book’s title: “The Growth Mindset.”

Because of technology and innovation, we are facing arguably the greatest period of change in the business world in our lives. If you don’t have a growth mindset — meaning if you are not constantly thinking about ways to grow both professionally and personally — you will fall behind in this rapidly changing economy and world market.

CAPOZZI:

■ Describe someone with a growth mindset.

Two words come to mind: responsibility and curiosity. Someone with a growth mindset wants to know more about the world around them and they take full responsibility for their lives. They always believe they can improve.

■ What are some of the changes shaping business?

In my world [economics and finance], the disruption comes from technology — algorithms and robo-advisers. You call in, basically talk to a computer, and based on your responses, it will, in essence, try to manage your money. In other industries, some of the best examples of disrupters are Uber, Airbnb, Amazon, and Tesla, the electric-auto manufacturer. Think about how much disruption Uber has caused — and they are able to do so because of technology. Uber is basically a technology company. We have no idea where artificial intelligence will lead to in the future. But we know that technological innovation is not going away. It’s going to accelerate.

dents. Following he shares a few of his thoughts on thriving in business today.

■ What’s the effect on the personal level?

Everyone in the business world needs to ask: Can a robot or technology do my job? If the answer is, ‘Yes’ or ‘At some point soon,’ you are probably going to become less relevant unless you take steps.

■ You stress the importance of the human component as a way

of maintaining a competitive edge. Communication skills are paramount in this economy — and I stress this whether I am talking about leadership with college students or management directors. Seventy percent of our economy is service-based. If you don’t have the right interpersonal and soft skills, it will be hard for you to compete. People generally do business with people they like. It’s best to form those relationships face to face. . . . If I look you in the eyes when negotiating, I can learn more in three seconds than through 25 email exchanges.

■ Any quick tips?

I am a big proponent of mentors. Based on the research I did for my book, you are never too old for mentors. I know CEOs who have run organizations with 50,000 employees — leaders who are 70 years old — who still have mentors. Being a mentor is also important. I consider myself a student teacher.

continues on page 47 Summer 2018 | 35

OWL UPDATE ■

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[clockwise from top left] • Posing with the news team’s “Snow Monster” weather vehicle. • Voight was named Miss Connecticut 2016 while attending Southern. • The NBC Connecticut morning co-anchors: Heidi Voight, ‘10, and Ted Koppy • “My second family,” says Voight,’10, of the NBC Connecticut morning team. Pictured at her wedding are [from left]: meteorologist Bob Maxon (he officiated), Voight, Ted Koppy, co-anchor, and Hanna Mordoh, traffic reporter.

36 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

was a trial by fire for upand-coming journalist Heidi Voight, ’10. “My very first live shot on air was as breaking as it gets — just minutes after a deadly EF3 tornado tore through Springfield, Mass.,” says Voight, who was working as a photographer, shooting video in the south end of the city when the twister struck on June 1, 2011. With trees downed, buildings crumbled, and roads blocked, the regular anchor couldn’t make it to the scene. “Suddenly, the live truck operator grabbed my camera from my hands, switched it out for a microphone, and told me, `Stand by. You’re going to be live on the air in 10 seconds,’” she recalls. Voight’s report — and her oneyear update on the storm — won Emmy Awards. She soon signed an on-air contract and, today, is the morning anchor for NBC Connecticut with a loyal following.

“I was the first in my immediate family to attend and finish college,” says Voight, who worked full time while majoring in theatre at Southern. In 2006, while at the university, she represented the state as Miss Connecticut. She also was the recipient of the prestigious National Critics Institute Scholarship through the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. “I worked with some of the nation’s most respected journalists at the Kennedy Center and the Eugene O’Neill American Theatre Conference as a Critic Fellow in 2004, which cemented my career path,” she says. “That door only opened for me because one professor, Sheila Garvey, [Department of Theatre], took notice of my interest in writing and encouraged me to enter a competition I otherwise would never have known about.”

Voight, who is celebrating her fourth anniversary with NBC Connecticut, says she’s grateful for personal blessings as well. She’s recently married, is a new home owner, and gave birth to twin girls in May. “There are no words to describe this love,” she noted on social media. “These are all the things I only dreamed of when I was waiting tables full time and riding my bike or the city bus to class at SCSU so many years ago,” says Voight, reflecting on her personal and professional achievements. “Now there are billboards for our morning team on those same city buses.”

Read the interview with Heidi Voight at news.SouthernCT.edu/voight

Meet the Board

THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE SCSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN PROFILED FOR THEIR SERVICE.

Thomas Dolan, ’58, was a member of the Crescent Players and the track and football teams at New Haven State Teachers College as Southern was then known. The dedicated educator went on to teach in New Haven Public Schools and at Daniel Hand High School in Madison. Paolo Anthony Giordano, ’71, is the recently retired Neil R. Euliano Endowed Professor of Italian and Italian American Studies at the University of Central Florida. He received Southern’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2004 and also was honored by the Italian government with the title of "Cavaliere, Stella della Solidarietà Italiana” (Knight, Star of Italian Solidarity). He recently established an

In Search of Owl Authors

RITTEN ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?

When it comes to Southern alumni, the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” Almost 200 graduates have submitted signed copies of their books to the alumni library, which is located in Southern’s Alumni House. Stay tuned for more details on an alumni authors event to be held this fall.

endowed scholarship at Southern. principal with Norwalk Public Schools. Previously, she taught high school English for 11 years at Riverside Education Academy, where she was named Teacher of the Year eight times. She is president of the Bridgeport/Fairfield County Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The first in her family to graduate from college, Sandy Hittleman Myerson, ’69, is one of the pioneers of the university’s women’s swimming and diving program. Her achievements include placing third in two NCAA national events and fourth and sixth in two others. Myerson is an expert in the field of elder care assistance and a published author on the topic. A graduate of Southern’s Class of 1981, Dara Onofrio, esq., is the principal of Onofrio Law, a boutique firm Onofrio majored in chemistry at Southern, graduating cum laude, and went on to earn a law degree from Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University in New York. Fellow board member Renee Barnett Terry, ’75, held numerous higher education leadership roles, including dean of student affairs at the University of California at San Diego. After graduating from Southern, she earned a master’s degree from the University of Southern California and a Ph.D. at the University of New Mexico. She has received numerous awards and honors for leadership and service to her profession, including Southern’s 2009 Alumni Citation Award.

SCSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Robert Felder, ’08, President Teresa Sirico, ’70, M.S. ’73, Vice President Angela Hudson-Davis, ’88, M.P.H. ’97, Treasurer LaShanté Kelley-James, ’04, M.S. ’14, Secretary Teresa Cherry-Cruz, M.S. ’85, 6th Yr. ’06 Kathy Coyle, ’74, M.S. ’78, 6th Yr. ’81 Thomas Dolan, ’58 Paolo Giordano, ’71 Aba Hayford, ’12 Jerry Katona, ’74, M.S. ’88 Benjamin Komola, ’11 Robert Lockery, ’95 Dorothy J. Martino, ’54, M.S. ’69 (Emerita) Patricia Miller, ’69, M.S. ’75, 6th Yr. ’81 (Emerita) Don Mitchell, ’57, M.S. ’61 Sandy Hittleman Myerson, ’69 Dara Onofrio, ’81 Judit Vasmatics Paolini, ’73, M.S. ’79, 6th Yr. ’93 Robert Parker, ’76 Renee Barnett Terry, ’75 Guy Tommasi, ’79 Carolyn Vanacore, ’52, M.S. ’68, 6th Yr. ’73 (Emerita)

LaShanté Kelley-James, ’04, M.S. ’14, is an assistant

founded in 2000 that specializes in intellectual property law.

ALUMNI NEWS n

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If you have written a book and not yet shared the news with the Office of Alumni Relations, please contact Charlie Davison at DavisonL1@SouthernCT.edu or (203) 392-6500. Alumni authors also are invited to submit a signed copy of their book(s) to the alumni library at:

Southern Connecticut State University Office of Alumni Relations Alumni House 501 Crescent Street New Haven, CT 06515-1355 (203) 392-6500 Michelle R. Johnston, Director JohnstonM2@SouthernCT.edu

SCSU Attn: Alumni House, 501 Crescent Street New Haven, CT 06515

Summer 2018 | 37

ALUMNI NEWS ■

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n’TsH r e h t Sou

125

rsary e v i n An FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19

Reunion Welcome and Check-in 4 – 7 p.m. • Adanti Student Center

The celebration begins! Pick up informational packets and check schedule updates.

125th Anniversary Grand Reunion Celebration 7 – 10 p.m. • Adanti Student Center Grand Ballroom

Join friends and classmates from all classes for a Grand Reunion celebration as we launch Reunion Weekend. Carolyn Dorsey Vanacore, ’52, M.S. ’68, 6th Yr. ’73, will receive the Distinguished Alumna Award. The 50th reunion Class of 1968 will be honored by President Joe Bertolino. Reservations required

38 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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to ! h s c u u Join here’s so m brate! T Cele SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20

Continental Breakfast

All-Campus Tailgate Party

Food Truck Festival

8:30 – 11 a.m. • Alumni House

11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. • Lot 9 on

2 p.m. • Next to the scoreboard side

Farnham Ave.

of Jess Dow Field

Light breakfast pastries, coffee, tea, and juice

Park your car and let the festivities

It’s Southern’s second-annual food

Free • Reservations required

begin! Bring food, drinks, and a gas

truck festival!

grill (no charcoal). Students will join the

Pay as you go with no fee to enter.

celebration on the other side of the

Bookstore Hours 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. • Adanti Student Center

parking lot.

Use coupon code REUNION20 at

Beer and wine tickets are $5. All purchasers are subject to ID check and must wear wristband to buy ticket.

checkout for 20 percent off one item.

Homecoming Football Game Classes and Affinity Gatherings

3 p.m. • Jess Dow Field

Held throughout the morning

Cheer on our Owls! • Entrance is free.

at the Alumni House

Reminisce and reconnect with

Comedy Night! Piff the Magic Dragon

your classmates.

8 p.m. • John Lyman Center

If your class would like a meeting place,

for Performing Arts

please contact Charlie Davison,

A night of magic, comedy, and a

secretary of the Department of

dragon suit. With sold-out shows

Alumni Relations, at

across the U.S. and Canada, and a

DavisonL1@SouthernCT.edu or

residency at the Flamingo Hotel

(203) 392-6500.

and Casino in Las Vegas, Piff the

Alumni Athletics Events

Homecoming Parade

Held throughout the morning

11 a.m. • Behind Granoff Health Center

at various venues on campus

Alumni registration required

Campus Tours 10 a.m. • Meet outside Adanti Student Center 2 p.m. • Meet outside Wintergreen Building

See how much campus has changed — and find those special places that have stayed the same. Led by students and alumni.

Golf cart float decorating party

12:30 p.m. • Behind Granoff Health Center

Parade participants line up — including alumni from all decades. 1 p.m. • Parade begins at Granoff Health

Magic Dragon will leave you laughing and amazed. $25 for general admission; $15 for Southern active alumni, faculty, and staff (limit 2); and $10 for Southern students (limit 1). (203) 392-6154

Center and follows Farnham Ave. into Lot 9

ALUMNI NEWS ■

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■

Supporting Southern and its Students

April 22, Southern recognized the lifechanging influence of its leadership-level

donors at the Celebration of Philanthropy. The event, fittingly held on campus, provides donors with the opportunity to meet Southern students who have benefited first-hand from their generosity.

Attending the Celebration of Philanthropy are [from left] Anthony Tarini; scholarship recipient Kanita Mote, ’18, who spoke at the event; Mark Tarini; and Jeri Tarini. While attending Southern, Mote received three scholarships: the Douglas I. and Mary L. Relyea Endowed Scholarship; the Marguerite Fortier Smirnoff Memorial Scholarship; and the Antoinette Carbone Tarini, ’87, M.S. ’93, Endowed Memorial Scholarship. She graduated with a double major in political science and French, and was a recipient of the Henry Barnard Scholars Award for exceptional achievement.

40SU

SC i Alumn

■

Business and Pleasure

HERE’S A FUN FACT:

40 percent of the businesses represented by the Hamden

Regional Chamber of Commerce are owned by Southern alumni. On April 25, many returned to campus for a business after-hours gathering at the Alumni House.

■

Fore Southern!

early 200 alumni, faculty, staff, and

friends came out in support of Southern athletics at the 29th annual Owl Golf Classic. Proceeds from the event, held at the awardwinning Lake of Isles at Foxwoods Resorts and Casino, benefit Southern’s studentathletes and programs.

40 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

1960s

JANET S. SOLA, M.S. ’62, was pre-

sented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who. She is director of the Wepawaug Federal Credit Union. RAY CIARLEGLIO SR., ’63, M.S. ’72, was

inducted into the Southern Connecticut Diamond Club Hall of Fame, which recognizes contributions to the game of baseball. He lives in North Haven, Conn. TIMOTHY LONEY, ’64, is a distin-

guished adjunct professor at Golden Gate University and associate director of the online Master of Public Administration program at the University of San Francisco. He resides in San Francisco, Calif. JOE OSLANDER, M.S. ’68, 6th Yr. ’72,

was honored by the Madison Historical Society for his contributions toward the betterment of the town. He has chaired the city’s Rockland Preserve Committee since 2001.

1970s

JAMES MCKEE, ’70, M.S. ’83, 6th Yr.

’87, has retired after coaching Naugatuck High School’s boys swimming team since 1976. He continues to coach the girls swimming team. LINDA WOOSTER, ’70, received the

Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Basketball Special Service Award. He lives in Bethany, Conn. DAVID MARTENS, ’72, M.A. ’74, 6th Yr.

’80, was inducted into the town of Branford’s Education Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have had a significant impact on education. Martens is a professor emeritus of exercise science at Southern. TONY FUSCO, ’73, M.S. ’04, co-presi-

dent of the Connecticut Poetry Society, participated in an ItalianAmerican poetry reading hosted by the Noah Webster House and the West Hartford Historical Society. MILDRED FRUMENTO, ’74, M.S. ’78,

6th Yr. ’00, a special education teacher at Walsh Intermediate School, was inducted into the 2018 Branford Education Hall of Fame. JUDE KELLY, ’74, M.S. ’77, a teacher and

football coach at St. Paul Catholic High School in Bristol, Conn., was featured in the December 2017 Catholic Transcript magazine as “a guiding force on and off the [football] field.” He lives in Wethersfield, Conn. RAY LAPINSKI, ’75, M.S. ’88, is the

assistant coach of the men’s and women’s track and field, and cross country teams at Central Connecticut State University.

Reunion News

will be held on Oct. 19, 2018, 7-10 p.m. in the Adanti Student Center Grand Ballroom, in conjunction with Southern’s 125th anniversary celebration. The event — which will take place during Homecoming weekend — also will recognize Carolyn Vanacore, ’52, M.S. ’68, 6th Year ’73, recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Alumna Award. (See page 38 or visit 125.SouthernCT.edu.) THE CLASS OF 1969 will be recognized on its 50th anniversary at the 2019 undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 24, 2019 at Webster Bank Arena, Bridgeport, Conn. A GRAND REUNION FOR ALL CLASSES

ALUMNI NOTES ■

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For more information or if you would like to help organize a reunion for your class, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 392-6500 or go to SouthernCT.edu/alumni/upcoming-events. REGINA MOONEY, ’75, was named

president of St. Joseph’s Academy in St. Louis, Mo. CHRISTOPHER WOOD, ’76, M.S. ’80,

spoke at the Western Connecticut Bird Club in Southbury, Conn. He is a member of the Connecticut Ornithological Association and the Pomperaug River Watershed Association Board of Directors. PATRICIA DICKINSON, ’77, M.S. ’83,

teaches special education at Mary T. Murphy Elementary School and was inducted into the Branford Education Hall of Fame in 2018. GREGORY J. WISMAR, M.S. ’77, was

included in Marquis Who’s Who. He is noted as a minister, writer, columnist, and preacher. He has been an emeritus pastor for Christ the King Lutheran Church in Newtown, Conn., since 2011. KEVIN STERLING, ’78, is the assistant

superintendent of schools for Jones County Schools in Gray, Ga. He lives in Milledgeville, Ga., with his wife, JANICE DRAB STERLING, ’78. PHYLLIS DACORTE, M.L.S. ’79, retired

as children’s librarian at Acton Public Library in 2015. Her career also included positions with libraries in Southbury, Branford, and Old Saybrook. She is now volunteering with children. She lives in East Haven, Conn. SID MAIETTO, ’79, retired from the

Boeing Company, having spent 36 years in its Aerospace Business Education, and Communication Division. He lives in Snohomish, Wash. CURLENA MCDONALD, ’79, received

the Sojourner Truth Award at the annual meeting of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club of New Haven, Conn. She retired from the Connecticut Department of Corrections as a transition counselor, working with youth and adult male offenders.

1980s

MIKE ARIAS, ’81, is the founding and

managing partner at the law practice of Arias Sanguinetti Wang and Torrijos in Los Angeles, Calif. PAT DIEMAND, M.S. ’81, presented her

artwork — oil paintings, mixedmedia drawings, and floor cloths — at the Society of Bluffton Artists event in South Carolina. ROBERT FABER, ’83, is a senior infra-

structure architect project manager with Advanced IT Concepts in Winter Springs, Fla. GARY PFLOMM, M.S. ’83, was named

2017-18 Watertown Teacher of the Year. He is a fifth-grade math teacher at Polk Elementary School and lives in Watertown, Conn. MIKE MATURO, ’84, is the chief admin-

istrative officer for the Village of Fruitvale in British Columbia, Canada. VAL-JEAN BELTON, ’85, M.S. ’97, 6th

Yr. ’11, received the Professional Award at the annual meeting of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club of New Haven, Conn. She is the principal at Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School. VINCENT LANDISIO, ’85, is the new

chief of the West Haven Fire Department-Allingtown. Previously, he was the New Haven battalion chief and former North Haven fire chief. LEAH SECONDO, ’85, received the

President’s Award from the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance for her accomplishments as an athlete and pioneer in the field of sports media. MIKE CAVANAUGH, ’86, is the offen-

sive line football coach for the University of Syracuse. SAMUEL GALLOWAY, ’86, M.S. ’94,

received the 2018 Outstanding School Administrator Award from the

University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education Alumni Board. CHARLES “CHAZ” GUEST, ’86, exhib-

ited a new series of paintings titled, “Buffalo Warrior,” at the Patrick Painter Gallery in Santa Monica, Calif. TOM SCHIFF, M.S. ’86, founder and

executive director of Phallacies, received an Innovative Initiative Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. Phallacies is a nonprofit organization that provides leadership development, health education, and violenceprevention initiatives for men. BERYL BAILEY, M.S. ’87, director of liter-

acy at Bloomfield Public Schools, has initiated a program titled, “The Punctuation Posse Patrol,” aimed at improving children’s basic punctuation skills. She lives in Massachusetts. JANET BROWN-CLAYTON, M.S. ’87,

6th Yr. ’96, was appointed the assistant superintendent for instructional leadership for K-12 by the Bridgeport Board of Education. RITA P. COLUCCI, ’87, has been named

general counsel for Salem State University in Massachusetts. ROBIN BRETT GOELER, 6th Yr. ’87,

principal at Walsh Intermediate and Mary T. Murphy Elementary schools, was inducted into the Branford Education Hall of Fame. KIMBERLY A. KEANE, ’87, has been a

physician assistant at the Center for Orthopedics since 2001. She lives in Derby, Conn. MARIANNE MCCULLOUGH, M.S. ’87,

has retired as the Riverside School assistant principal. She lives in Stamford, Conn. DAVID WARD, M.L.S. ’88, presented a

program, “Mr. Lincoln Goes to Gettysburg: The Crossroads of History and Hollywood,” at the Lancaster Civil War Round Table in Lititz, Pa. BRIAN “SPIKE” BUCKOWSKI, ’89, is

the co-founder of the Terrapin Beer Company in Athens, Ga., which Summer 2018 | 41

ALUMNI NOTES n

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opened the Terrapin ATL Brew Lab at the Atlanta Braves’ new stadium, SunTrust Park. RAY EZELL, 6th Yr. ’89, was inducted

into the Madison Athletic Hall of Fame. He runs softball and basketball clinics for the Madison Recreation Department and coaches high school and summer softball in the Panama City Beach, Fla., area before heading back to Connecticut to run the Shoreline Sting fall league.

1990s

CHRIS BARSA, ’90, has retired from the

Connecticut Twilight League after 20 years of playing baseball. Barsa was a walk-on for the Southern baseball team. J. B. CLARKE, ’90, was inducted into the

U.S. Lacrosse Connecticut Chapter Hall of Fame. He is the lacrosse program coach at Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C. DONALD CASEY, M.S. ’91, was selected

as the “Shriner of the Year” by the Pyramid Shrine Temple in Stratford, Conn. JOHN SOPCHAK, ’91, M.S. ’93, former

police officer turned college professor, teaches psychology at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, Conn. PATTI WHITE, ’91, M.S. ’98, 6th Yr. ’01, is

a science coordinator and classroom coach for North Haven Public Schools. She is also a member of the Teaching Channel’s Tch Next Gen Science Squad, a group of teachers throughout the nation dedicated to supporting the implementation of Next Generation Science Standards. JACQUELINE F. BUSTER, ’93, a New

Haven native and owner of WOW! Creative Design Group, was chosen as Business Woman of the Year 2018 by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club of New Haven. MICHAEL FERNANDES, ’93, is the

associate superintendent for intervention and student support services in Stamford, Conn. JOSEPH HERTER, ’93, joined The

Bulfinch Group, a financial services and wealth management firm in Needham, Mass., as announced in the Marlborough, Mass., “Wicked Local” online report. DAKIBU MULEY, ’93, M.S. ’96, M.S.W.

’08, was unanimously approved by the Board of Alders Aldermanic Affairs Committee for the position of community services administrator, which oversees all human services departments in the New Haven city government as well as youth and elderly services. 42 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

DARREN BEURER, ’94, is a member of

the Bluerock Capital Markets sales team, having previously served as senior regional vice president at Griffin Capital Securities. He lives in Marblehead, Mass. JOE FRAGER, M.S. ’94, is in his 11 year

as the women’s basketball coach at Fairfield University. TIMOTHY W. GERKEN, M.S. ’94, asso-

ciate professor of humanities at SUNY Morrisville, is the first recipient of the SUNY Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award for Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice. In 2015 he received the Chancellor’s Award for Service Excellence. ANDREA LOBO, M.S. ’94, received the

Appreciation Award at the annual National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club of New Haven, Conn. She is employed with Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center as the chief of human resources, patient advocacy, and marketing/community relations. SUE MULLANEY, M.S. ’94, is an

instructor at the Guilford Art Center after 21 years teaching visual arts in public schools. She lives in Rockfall, Conn. RICHARD NANKEE, ’94, is the chief

financial officer at MedOptions, a leading provider of behavioral health services to skilled-nursing and assisted-living facilities. He lives in Chester, Conn. JOSEPH STOCHMAL, ’94, was inducted

into the Sports Hall of Fame for Seymour High School, where he graduated in the Class of 1988. He is the head football coach at Oxford High School. MICHAEL P. ALFANO, ’95, has been

appointed dean of the Isabelle Farrington College of Education at Sacred Heart University. DOUGLAS C. LORD, M.L.S. ’95, is the

library director at C. H. Booth Library in Newtown, Conn. PAMELA AVALLONE, M.S. ’96, a regis-

tered patent attorney and medical doctor, is also on the Board of Directors of Document Security Systems in Rochester, N.Y. DAN BUSSINELLI, ’96, is vice president

of sales at gr8 People, which provides recruitment software and services. During his time at Southern, he was captain of the varsity baseball team. MARK KORNACKI, ’96, has been a head

coach in North Haven’s Little League baseball program since 2014. He also serves as a member of the North Haven Little League board. DEB KRAWIEC, M.S. ’96, a nationally

certified career counselor, hosted a workshop on effective job hunting at

the Westport Library. She lives in Newington, Conn. KATHERINE MALENSEK, ’96, is a clini-

cal faculty member at the Yale Child Study Center and a photographer. She participated in Artspace’s City-Wide Open Studios event in New Haven. MICHAEL RICCIO, ’96, is the founder

and owner at Mike Riccio Sports, and a partner at the Barra Italian Street Kitchen in Shelton, Conn. LINDSAY TIMCKE, M.S. ’96, is a manag-

ing director for David Landau and Associates in Boston. CHERYL SCHWARTZ, M.S.W. ’97, is a

career counselor and psychotherapist in Newtown, Conn. JAMIE ELIZABETH COADY, ’98, M.S.

’01, 6th Yr. ’09, was recognized for her compassion, commitment to community, and contributions to the Sacred Heart Academy at the Hearts of the Community Mass of

Celebration. She is a resident of East Haven, Conn. MICHAEL R. TRACY, ’99, was honored

at the 30th Annual Branford Sports Hall of Fame dinner. He is the head football coach at Branford High School in Connecticut.

2000s

STACEY GREENBERG, M.S. ’00, is an

instructor for Weston High School’s Science Research Program and is Weston’s recipient of the Teacher of the Year award for 2017-2018. VALENICA EDNER, M.S. ’01, was the

guest speaker at the Dunbar Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony and is an ordained elder with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Lufkin, Texas. WENDY HALLABECK GARLAND, ’01,

was named “Super Librarian,” by the

In Print and On Screen

R. E. Tremblay, ’70, M.S. ’76, 6th Yr. ’88, chair of the Department of Science and Mathematics at Gateway Community College, has co-authored the textbook, “Physics with Health Science Applications.” He lives in Woodbridge, Conn., with his wife, Cathy, on their alpaca farm. Frank Connolly, M.S. ’73, has published a work of fiction titled “Hidden Agendas: Inside Town Hall,” which is loosely based on his three-decade career as an administrator in three Connecticut municipalities. He lives in Portland, Conn. Nancy Manning, ’85, published a novel, “Undertow of Silence,” in 2014. She lives in Oxford, Conn. Norbert Markiewicz, ’85, has published his first novel, “Blind Engagement.” He lives in Titusville, Fla. Karen Bluth, ’90, is author of “The Self-Compassion Workbook for Teens.” She lives in Carrboro, N.C. Silvia Juarez-Marazzo, M.S.W. ’99, is the author of “Mommy, tell me, why did you come here?” a children’s book about a migrant mother’s journey. She lives in Monroe, Conn. Xhenet Aliu, ’01, is the author of “Brass,” a debut novel published by Random House in January 2018. The novel — which explores mothers and daughters, haves and have-nots, and the stark realities behind the American dream — has been lauded by the New York Times, Real Simple, Elle magazine, Huffington Post, and more. Her debut fiction collection, “Domesticated Wild Things,” won the Prairie Schooner Book Prize in Fiction. Joy Mlozanowski, M.S. ’08, M.F.A. ’13, is the author of “Night Flying,” published by Port Yonder Press. She lives in Higganum, Conn.

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Massachusetts School Library Association. She is an elementary school librarian in Dedham, Mass. CHRISTOPHER HEW, ’01, is a senior

director with Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, a Washington, D.C.-based leading provider of commercial real estate and capital markets services. JOSEPH DIBACCO, M.S. ’02, 6th Yr. ’04,

is the assistant superintendent of the Ansonia School District. RENELLE RICHARDSON ROBERTS, ’02,

is a professional voice-over actress and narrator, working out of her home recording studio in Chesapeake, Va. TERIKO ROBERTS, ’02, is coach of the

Bulldogs softball team in Berlin, Conn. MARCO VITIELLO, ’02, has joined

Hoffman Landscapes in Wilton, Conn. A landscape specialist with close to 20 years of experience, he holds numerous certifications in his field and is a member of the Northeast Organic Farming Assoc. LAUREN DAVIS, M.L.S. ’03, a North

Branford native, is the library director for North Branford libraries. JASON JERRELL, ’04, owns a Rytech

Franchise in Durham, Conn., which specializes in water-damage mitigation. LAKISHA JORDAN, ’04, M.B.A. ’06, is a

corporate responsibility officer at KeyBank for the Connecticut and western Massachusetts market. JOSEPH KOBZA, 6th Yr. ’04, is the

assistant superintendent of schools in Monroe, Conn. He was formerly principal of Masuk High School. STEVEN YERGEAU, M.S. ’04, was the

keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey. He is a county agent in Ocean and Atlantic counties for the Agriculture and National Resources Department in the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. NAA OPOKU-GYAMFI, ’06, M.S. ’11,

was the keynote speaker at a recent awards ceremony hosted by the New Hampshire Black Women Health Project and YWCA. She is owner of Hope Heals, a private practice that works with individuals who are struggling with mental health issues.

NICOLE OSAGIE, ’07, is lead global

teacher at Academica Virtual Education in Hollywood, Fla. She teaches students in Spain who are a part of the Dual-Diploma Program. The students complete their international studies while also working toward an American high school diploma. LINH DUONG, ’08, is the owner of

Gloss Spa, a nail salon in Torrington, Conn. JENNIFER FIELDING, M.L.S. ’08, was

recognized for her work performance at the Lawrence Campus of Northern Essex Community College, as published by the North Andover “Wicked Local” news source. She lives in Methuen, Mass. TIMOTHY G. MURRAY, ’08, M.S. ’13, is

teaching physical education and health at Weston High School and Intermediate School. CHRISTINA GALLO, ’09, is newly

appointed as a physical education and health teacher with Weston Public Schools. KATHLEEN O’BRIEN, ’09, M.S. ’12, 6th

Yr. ’15, joined Weston Public Schools where she is teaching special education.

2010s

JOSHUA MEDEIROS, ’10, M.S. ’12, is

the recreation director for the city of Cheshire, Conn. CORI MODISETTE, M.L.S. ’10, is the

seventh-12 grade English/language arts teacher at Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School and High School in Deer Isle, Maine. HEIDI VOIGHT, ’10, NBC Connecticut

news anchor, was the grand marshal of the 2017 Park Road Parade in West Hartford, Conn. VINCENT DELVECCHIO, ’11, is a fire-

fighter at the Westport Fire Department in Connecticut. He completed the winter academy in 2016. LEONA FRANK, M.S. ’11, is a painter

and teaches art in her Westport, Conn., studio. Her work can be seen at www.leonafrank.com. BETH GRIMES, M.L.S. ’11, is a reference

Share your good news

WITH SOUTH ERN FRIENDS AND CLASSMATES.

Mail this completed form to Southern Alumni News, SCSU Alumni Relations Office, Alumni House, 501 Crescent St., New Haven, CT 06515-1355; fax, (203) 392-8726; or email, AlumniINFO@SouthernCT.edu. Name ____________________________________________________________ Street Address ____________________________________________________ City __________________________________State ______________Zip______ Check if this is a new address. Phone (

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branch. She lives in Bethany, Conn. JACK PETION, ’12, coaches the

Stratford High School Red Devils in Connecticut. JACK ZAMARY, 6th Yr. ’12, Ed.D. ’12, is

the superintendent of schools in Monroe, Conn. He was formerly an assistant football coach at Southern. PETER IZZO, ’13, is a mortgage consult-

superintendent of schools for the Middletown Board of Education. He lives in Milford, Conn.

librarian at the Stratford Library and is also the head of teen services. She received the Connecticut Library Association’s 2017 Excellence in Public Library Service award.

CLAIRE CROWLEY, ’07, has launched a

BENJAMIN KOMOLA, ’11, was quoted

coach at Central High School, having formerly coached at Bassick High School. Both schools are in Bridgeport, Conn.

MICHAEL T. CONNER, 6th Yr. ’07, is

law practice “for women, by women” named, Her Law Boston, in Massachusetts. KRISTEN PAVLIK MCCALLIE, M.A. ’07,

is the executive director of the Emmy Haney House, a children’s advocacy center, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

in a New Haven Register article about his employer, City Bench, which uses reclaimed fallen heritage trees to create sculptures and furniture. AMANDA SCOTT, ’11, was awarded Ion

Bank’s quarterly customer service commendation at the Wallingford

ant at Savings Institute Bank and Trust in Willimantic, Conn. DERRICK LEWIS, ’13, is the football

, exhibited his photography from a recent trip to India at Artspace’s City-Wide Open Studios in New Haven, Conn.

ELIEZER SANTIAGO, ’13

ELIZABETH TUCKER, M.L.S. ’14, is the

adult programming librarian at the Henry Carter Hull Library in Clinton, Conn. She is a fourth-generation library employee. MARCELLA MONK FLAKE, 6th Yr. ’15,

received the Community Service Award from the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club of New Haven, Conn. She is the co-owner and executive director of the Monk Center for Academic Enrichment and Performing Arts at Edgewood School. ALEJANDRA RODRIGUEZ ANGULO,

’16, was featured in the Yale Daily News, which shared her path from New Haven Promise student to an internship that resulted in a full-time post with Yale Information Technology Services. Summer 2018 | 43

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DENISE BELL, M.P.H. ’16, was

appointed to the American Health Council’s Board of Nurses for her outstanding contributions to the field. JOSE CRUZ JR., ’16, has signed with

the Worcester 78’s, a professional basketball team in Worcester, Mass. SHAWN GILHULY, ’17, currently in the

Master of Education program at Suffolk University in Boston, was published in the Journal of Student Psychological Research for his undergraduate thesis titled, “The Effect of Educational Media on College Students’ Perception of Male Bisexuality.” TAYLOR MCLAUGHLIN, ’17, signed a

contract to play professional basketball with the Virum Vipers in Denmark. She finished her career at Southern ranked eighth all-time in points (1,389) and fifth in rebounds (706). ALEJANDRO PABON-REY, ’17, was

featured in an article in the New Haven Independent newspaper. As the Hill South community liaison, Pabon-Rey is charged with canvassing his neighborhood and identifying potential candidates for the LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) program.

ROSA S. JENNINGS, ’51, May 12, 2017,

Simsbury, Conn. CLAUDE J. DIXON, ’53, Jan. 7, 2018,

Stamford, Conn. JEANETTE L. HOTCHKISS, ’53, Sept.

26, 2017, Albuquerque, N.M. LUCILLE GINTER SHUBECK, ’53, Dec.

26, 2017, Savannah, Ga. BARBARA NOBLE SURINA, ’53, Dec.

25, 2017, Trumbull, Conn. JOAN WEISSKOPF, ’53, Jan. 11, 2018,

Kapolei, Hawaii WILLIAM L. DUNN, ’54, Feb. 16, 2018,

Clinton, Conn. NANCY WASSERMAN NEWMAN, ’54,

Dec. 9, 2017, Fairfield, Conn. PHYLLIS SANTANGELO ESPOSITO,

’55, M.S. ’60, 6th Yr. ’76, March 21, 2018, Lakeland, Fla. JANE FRANKFORTER, ’55, Sept. 19,

2017, North Haven, Conn. WILLIAM “DOC” HOLLEY, ’55, Jan. 30,

2018, Higganum, Conn. PATRICIA O’REILLY LARKIN, ’55, Aug.

15, 2012, Dos Palos, Calif. ANITA MALENTACCHI, ’55, Dec. 3,

2017, Wallingford, Conn. SONDRA SWARBRICK, ’55, Jan. 19,

2018 DORIS LEVINE GERL, ’56, Aug. 19,

Marriages KIMBERLY LORENZ, ’08, and David

Stambone, Sept. 23, 2017, Avalon, N.J. ALEXEI BACHURETZ, ’09, and

Kimberly J. Ryan, July 7, 2017, Waterbury, Conn.

2017, Bethlehem, Conn. MARY ANN WOZNIAK MITCHELL,

’56, M.S. ’62, North Haven, Conn. HOWARD FISTERE, ’57, Aug. 14, 2017,

Wayzata, Minn. MARGARET TOBIN KENEFICK, ’57,

March 3, 2018, Guilford, Conn. CAROL NETT CARNEY, ’58, M.S. ’67,

IN MEMORIAM FRANCES S. HARVEY, ’36, Feb. 14,

2018, Bozeman, Mont. MARCIA UNGER KRAVITT, ’41, Dec. 6,

2017, New Haven, Conn. ROBERTA NAUMANN BISHOP, ’42,

Jan. 13, 2018, Branford, Conn. CELESTINE MAINOSKY BLOXSOM,

’45, Nov. 9, 2017, Milford, Conn. JANET GRUNBECK MUNSON, ’45,

Sept. 10, 2017, Tucson, Ariz. SHIRLEY BECKWITH WILLCOX, ’48,

Aug. 4, 2017, Wallingford, Conn. RALPH PERSCHINO, ’50, M.A. ’53, Jan.

4, 2018, Wilton, Conn. EILEEN BRENNER WILLIG, M.S. ’50,

Feb. 3, 2018, Adams, Mass. JOHN J. CIARLEGLIO, ’51, Nov. 27,

2017, West Haven, Conn. VIRGINIA DEBORAH QUIRKE FITZGERALD, ’51, Jan. 24, 2018, Long

Beach, Fla. 44 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Sept. 22, 2017, Milford, Conn. MARGARET CREAMER DORNFRIED,

’58, Jan. 9, 2018, Kensington, Conn. JOAN DUNN, ’58, March 1, 2018,

Milford, Conn. EDWARD J. FERRUCCI, ’58, Oct. 18,

2017, North Haven, Conn. CHARLES T. HAUSER, ’58, Oct. 28,

2017, Branford, Conn. ALVIN “BUD” RUSSELL, ’58, March 1,

2018, Stratford, Conn. ANTHONY B. STEFANSKI, ’58, Nov. 5,

2017, Preston, Conn. DIANA “RITA” DENEGRE, ’59, March

8, 2018, Woodbridge, Conn. JEAN A. HENNESSY, ’59, M.S. ’66, Nov.

6, 2017, Ansonia, Conn. GEORGE L. STOFFAN, ’59, Jan. 8, 2018,

Stratford, Conn. MARGARET PERRY CHRISTENSEN,

’60, March 30, 2018, Clinton, Conn. KATHRYN ROSS HOWE, ’60, M.S. ’70,

Feb. 11, 2018, Wallingford, Conn.

JEAN FEINSON BRAMLEY, ’61, M.A.

’66, Sept. 9, 2017, Canaan, Conn. FRANK CAPARULO, ’61, M.S. ’69, Nov.

28, 2017, Orange, Conn. LOIS GADUE HASELTINE, ’61, M.S. ’71,

Jan. 7, 2018, Barre, Vt. DARLEEN LAPHAM-BAHNER, ’61,

M.S. ’69, Sept. 10, 2017, St. Albans, Vt. SALVATORE SAVO JR., ’61, M.S. ’68,

Sept. 4, 2017, Orange, Conn. ELIZABETH FOY FINN, ’62, Dec. 11,

2017, Plainville, Conn. ROBERT H. OLSON, ’63, March 16,

2018, Chester, Conn. ANNA MAZZA GIANNETTI, ’64, April

2, 2018, Middletown, Conn. RALPH A. BUCCINI JR., ’65, April 10,

2017, Guilford, Conn. RONALD H. HAINES, ’65, Dec. 30, 2017,

Meriden, Conn. SHEILA A. SHEA, ’65, Oct. 30, 2017,

Ansonia, Conn. THOMAS CARLETON, ’68, Aug. 15,

2017, Branford, Conn. EDITH LUBAN DIERSON, ’68, Aug. 12,

2017, Hamden, Conn. WALTER REINHARD, M.S. ’68, Oct. 4,

2017, Lawrence, Mass. ROSWITHA ROCHETTE, ’68, Sept. 1,

2017, Oconomowoc, Wis. R. CRAIG SELF, ’68, M.S. ’69, Sept. 9,

2017, Wallingford, Conn. JOSEPH W. SWEET SR., ’68, Feb. 12,

2015, Newington, Conn. IRENE SZCZEPANSKI, ’68, Jan. 31,

2018, Wallingford, Conn. ELAINE MARCUS GROSSMAN, M.S.

’69, March 22, 2018, Orange, Conn. PHYLLIS VECCHIARELLI HACKETT,

’69, M.S. ’78, Jan. 16, 2018, Beacon Falls, Conn. BETTY MCLELLAN LAPOINTE, ’69,

M.S. ’73, Jan. 15, 2018, West Haven, Conn. KATHLEEN A. LEAVITT, ’69, July 11,

2012, East Lyme, Conn. MILLICENT S. NEUSNER, M.S. ’69, Dec.

24, 2017, West Hartford, Conn. GEORGEANNA H. LANE, M.L.S. ’70,

Dec. 10, 2017, Meriden, Conn. BETTIE MACK MINK, ’70, Feb. 6, 2018,

Hartford, Conn. NICHOLAS M. RASCATI, ’70, M.S. ’80,

Nov. 9, 2017, New Haven, Conn. ELEANOR SEAMAN, M.S. ’70, Oct. 11,

2017, Williamsburg, Va. CHARLES H. BREWER JR., M.S. ’71,

Jan. 25, 2018, New Haven, Conn. KATHLEEN RODICAN DENEGRE, ’71,

M.A. ’73, Sept. 27, 2017, Cheshire, Conn.

THOMAS H. HALL, ’71, Sept. 20, 2017,

New Britain, Conn. PATRICIA KAMERCIA, ’71, M.S. ’75,

Nov. 3, 2017, Clinton, Conn. ANASTASIA SPENCER, ’71, Nov. 17,

2017, Middletown, Conn. HARRY C. GRAHAM, M.S. ’72, 6th Yr.

’78, Sept. 27, 2017, West Haven, Conn. MICHAEL C. HAMILL, ’72, May 13,

2015, Milford, Conn. JODY KATZ, ’72, Dec. 16, 2017,

Norwich, Conn. JEANNE KEEFE, ’72, Oct. 23, 2017,

Seymour, Conn. DOLORES GUZZIO MATRISCIANO,

M.S. ’72, Dec. 31, 2017, Charlotte, N.C. DORIS JAKAD LUNDBERG, ’73, Jan.

27, 2018, Punta Gorda, Fla. GAIL BARRETT MCGOLDRICK, ’73,

Dec. 21, 2017, Meriden, Conn. RAYMOND NEWBY, ’73, Oct. 21, 2017,

Antioch, Calif. RONALD RUTOWSKY, M.S. ’73, 6th Yr.

’78, July 11, 2017, Waterbury, Conn. JOYCE D. SKERRITT, M.S. ’73, 6th Yr.

’92, May 15, 2017, Portland, Maine VERA A. CAFARO, ’74, Dec. 12, 2017,

Groton, Conn. JOAN (JODY) CAPEN, ’74, Jan. 18,

2018, Groton Long Point, Conn. AUDREY J. EISENLOHR, M.S. ’74, Oct.

26, 2017, Guilford, Conn. GERTA WOLFF PRINCE, M.S. ’74, Dec.

12, 2017, New Haven, Conn. HELENE GOLDA SHAFMAN, M.S. ’74,

Sept. 4, 2017, Ledyard, Conn. RICHARD WALRATH, M.S. ’74, Feb. 13,

2018, Westerly, R.I. SHIRLEY HALLIGAN-AMORE, M.L.S.

’75, March 1, 2018, Denver JUDITH LENZI-MAGOVENY, ’75, Jan. 9,

2018, Hamden, Conn. MARY H. VALENTINE, ’75, Feb. 19,

2018, Old Greenwich, Conn. MARCIA DEKANY DUKE, M.S. ’76,

Dec. 11, 2017, Danbury, Conn. ELAINE GEARITY, ’76, April 1, 2018,

Stratford, Conn. GERALD A. ROY, ’76, July 30, 2017,

Holliston, Mass. JUNE SHALAGAN, M.S. ’76, 6th Yr. ’87,

Dec. 5, 2017, Cheshire, Conn. PETER CONSIDINE, M.S. ’77, Jan. 10,

2018, Hamden, Conn. PETER KOTT, ’77, Feb. 23, 2018, Conn. HARRIETT BLACKWELL HOOK, M.L.S.

’77, Sept. 28, 2017, Milford, Conn. MARGARET T. CLIFFORD, ’78, Aug. 28,

2017, Mansfield Township, N.J. JOAN LUNDBERG ABBOTT, M.L.S.

’79, Dec. 21, 2017, Hatfield, Conn.

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MARTHA MCGAW HIRSCH, M.S. ’79,

Feb. 15, 2018, Hamden, Conn. EDWARD J. KILMCZAK, ’79, Nov. 20,

2017, Ormond Beach, Fla. JOAN MYRICK, M.S. ’79, Oct. 8, 2017,

Franklin, Va. ANN DOMBROSKAS, M.S. ’80, 6th Yr.

’85, Sept. 21, 2017, New Britain, Conn. RAFAEL GARCIA, M.S. ’80, 6th Yr. ’86,

Dec. 29, 2017, Madison, Conn. MARY CANNING CANTY, M.S. ’81, 6th

Yr. ’86, Jan. 31, 2018, Wallingford, Conn. ALAN C. DAVIS, M.S. ’81, 6th Yr. ’84,

Oct. 25, 2017, North Haven, Conn. STEPHEN E. RANDALL, ’81, Nov. 5,

2017, Biddeford, Mass. DAVID C. “TANK” TANKOOS, M.S. ’81,

Nov. 22, 2017, New Haven, Conn. JOHN W. LIPPOLD, ’82, M.S. ’92, Sept.

28, 2017, Meriden, Conn. HELEN A. MADZAK, ’83, Jan. 26, 2018,

Guilford, Conn. ERIN ECKHART, ’84, Aug. 8, 2017,

Westerly, R.I. RICHARD J. MACSUGA JR., ’84, Oct.

25, 2017, South Windsor, Conn. JEANNE E. PARKER, 6th Yr. ’84, Aug.

20, 2017, East Haven, Conn. STEPHEN WALL, ’85, M.S. ’90, Sept. 14,

2017, Middletown, Conn. SARAH WINGO WHITE, ’85, Dec. 14,

2017, North Branford, Conn. LOUIS M. PIRRO, ’86, July 25, 2017,

Oregon DAVID J. RAYNOR, ’87, March 7, 2018,

Crownsville, Md. CELINE T. ROY, ’87, Sept. 1, 2017,

Canton, Conn. RALPH FIDALEO JR., ’88, Dec. 21,

2017, Fairfield, Conn. DEBRA A. GRANT, ’88, April 21, 2017,

Milford, Conn. DIANA CLAIRE NOLAN, M.L.S. ’89,

Sept. 3, 2017, La Grange, Tenn. LAURA E. TROTTA, ’91, M.S. ’88, Sept.

23, 2017, Middletown, Conn. MARY E. RYAN, M.S. ’92, March 30,

2018, Hamden, Conn. ANDREA HOGAN GENDRON, ’93,

Nov. 7, 2017, Palo Alto, Calif. TIMOTHY GRUBE, ’94, April 3, 2018,

Bushkill Township, Pa. TODD E. STOLZE, ’94, Nov. 12, 2017,

PATRICK T. AMBROSE, ’99, Sept. 17,

2017, Shelton, Conn. JAMES “TED” GENTHE, ’99, Sept. 7,

2017, Prospect, Conn. WILLIAM GARY LOPEZ, M.F.T. ’00, Feb.

21, 2018, Wethersfield, Conn. KYLE JACKSON, ’01, Oct. 2, 2017,

Shelton, Conn. DANIELLE BUDA WHITE, M.S.W. ’01,

Dec. 22, 2017, Stratford, Conn. DAVID A. BURDETT, ’02, March 11,

2018, Branford, Conn. JOSEPH FORMICA, ’07, Jan. 20, 2018,

East Haddam, Conn. MARYANN M. PETRONE, M.S. ’08, Oct.

27, 2017, Fairfield, Conn. JOSEPH M. GASPARRO, M.L.S. ’10,

July 31, 2015, Franklin Lakes, N.J. ELIZABETH A. JOHNSON, ’11, M.S.

’16, Jan. 9, 2018, Windsor, Conn. BRITTANY SCHULD, ’12, Sept. 24, 2017,

Naugatuck, Conn. ALAN M. ADAM, ’13, July 4, 2017,

Gainesville, Fla.

Owl Territory continued from page 33 between noodles or bings, flat breads commonly served in China as street food. The personally customized dishes are filled with fresh and seasonal ingredients like pickled peppers, matchstick potatoes, Buddah’s palm (a citrus fruit known for its intense fragrance), and daikon (a mild, winter radish) — so there’s a perfect combination for everyone. Beyond the Elm City, Junzi has two New York City locations, with another set to open soon. All are a labor of love for the co-founders — Yale University alumni Yong Zhao, Wanting Zhang, and Ming Bai. Southern’s Andrew Chu, ’10, M.B.A. ’13, Junzi’s director of operations, was among the first to join this talented group, and has been with Junzi for three years. Chu was raised in the hospitality industry — his family operated several Debbie Wong Restaurants in Connecticut and Massachusetts. “I found myself re-interested in the industry,” says Chu, noting that time at Southern — including a graduate internship with Student Affairs and serving on the board of trustees for what is now the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system — helped prepare him for the challenging, fast-pace of a business startup. “To be able to come in at the ground level has been incredible,” says Chu, who recalls early mornings spent helping test recipes at the cofounders’ apartment. “I want to invest as much time and effort to seeing Junzi grow. Nothing would be more satisfying to me than to one day say, ‘We have 100 units throughout the U.S. — if not internationally.’” ■

THERESA M. FAY, ’13, March 9, 2018,

Hamden, Conn. RORY O’SULLIVAN, ’13, March 12,

2018, Waterbury, Conn. JORDAN SOARES, ’13, Nov. 5, 2017,

Bridgeport, Conn. DAVID A. BAVIELLO, ’14, April 2, 2018,

East Haven, Conn. HEATHER LINDSAY MOSHER, M.S.

’14, 6th Yr. ’16, Dec. 30, 2017, Southington, Conn. CHRISTOPHER D. COSSETTE, ’15, Feb.

21, 2018, Northford, Conn. JOHN DOMBROWSKI, ’16, Nov. 9,

2017, Norwalk, Conn. ROLAND J. COUTURE, assistant pro-

fessor emeritus of computer science, Oct. 5, 2017 CYNTHIA GUBITOSE, associate profes-

sor of mathematics, Dec. 15, 2017 BODH RAJ GULATI, professor emeritus

of mathematics, Sept. 6, 2017

Class notes are compiled from alumni submissions, as well as announcements made in newspapers and magazines. By Isabella Collier, senior English major, specialization in professional writing, and Villia Struyk PHOTOGRAPHY: JUNZI

Trumbull, Conn. WILLIAM E. CLIFFORD II, ’97, March

31, 2018, Farmington, Conn. ALVIN C. ROLDAN, ’97, March 10,

Andrew Chu shares more on Junzi and his time at Southern at news.SouthernCT.edu/chu.

2018, Stratford, Conn. DANIEL J. FORTE, ’98, Oct. 19, 2017,

Fairfield, Conn. Summer 2018 | 45

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City Owls continued from page 17 So he pleaded his case to Richard Farricielli, then the interim vice president for student and university affairs. Christoferson told him about a teen center he was trying to launch in East Haven and how he wanted to one day do something that would “change the world.” “He gave me a shot,” recalls Christoferson, who was granted conditional admission. Once on campus Christoferson immersed himself in student life, becoming a resident adviser, joining student government, and starting an Ultimate Frisbee team. But a few years in, he lost his way. He took time off to live in Hawaii. He fell into depression. “I was reading Deepak Chopra and trying to get my life together. I really didn’t know what my path was,” he says. Eventually he returned to Southern, still unsure about his future, until he accidentally stumbled on a link for information on recreation and leisure studies while registering for classes. (Today, it’s the Department of Recreation, Tourism, and Sport Management.) “I just clicked on it and it opened up all these key courses that were, basically, what I’m all about,” he says. He decided to pursue recreation therapy and began to excel academically. His adviser, James MacGregor, now chair of the departm ent, set him up with an internship at Yale New Haven Children’s Psychiatric Inpatient Service unit, where he was later hired as a recreation therapist, a job that sowed the seeds for Musical Intervention. His first week there, Christoferson noticed a girl drawing a picture of someone singing. “I asked her if she wanted to make music with me,” he recalls. His supervisor gave him permission to bring some recording equipment onto the unit. “And it was a hit,” Christoferson says. “This girl completely transformed, being able to make music and record it.” His work was later featured in the World Congress of the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Christoferson would be invited to speak at international symposiums. In 2015, he won a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to work with the homeless population. The following year he opened Musical Intervention, where he continues to see miraculous transformations through music. “There are people who have been homeless for such a long time, they haven’t had a guitar to play. That’s what we provide. There are people who are in crisis with drugs or mental illness and they let [music] go years ago and missed it,” Christoferson says. “While they’re in treatment, they’re able to come to us and regain all of that passion and creativity that was lost.” ■

46 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Wise Owls continued from page 23 and says he was somewhat overwhelmed to receive the acceptance letter and learn he’d received a full Presidential Merit Scholarship. “We were immediately celebrating. That was one of the best days of my life,” he says.

F I N D I N G T H E P E R F E C T M AT C H There are 180 students in the Honors College, including those who applied to the program after their first-year or as transfer students. (The latter groups do not receive scholarships.) Honors College students are a talented group: the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores of last year’s entering class averaged 1250. (The 2018 application suggested a minimum combined SAT score of approximately 1080, or the ACT equivalent.) That said, admissions is based on far more than test scores, including letters of recommendation; a review of past leadership and community service; and several essays. “I can tell you that 100 percent of our students are involved in leadership or community service in high school,” says Gemme. Finalists are invited to an Honors College Essay Day to learn more about the program, complete a writing prompt, and join an Honors College-style class. The review process is rigorous and time-consuming, particularly in comparison to some colleges that rely solely on standardized test scores. “We only have 40 spots per year — and not only do we want the 40 best students, but we want the 40 students who we think will be most successful and thrive in the program,” says Gemme. Interest in the Honors College has grown significantly, fueled, in part, by rising tuition costs at private colleges and the comparatively low cost of attending Southern. In recent years, the New York Times, U.S. News, USA Today, the Washington Post, and countless others have lauded the benefits of honors programs offered at state universities. At Southern, there were more than 200 applicants for the Honors College’s 40 spots for first-year students in 2017 — an increase of more than 122 percent from four years prior. “The Honors College now attracts students from across the country – which it didn’t do initially,” says Smith. Regardless of where students hail from, once at Southern, the Honors College is home. Building that sense of community, in recent years, about 74 percent of students opted to live with peers in the on-campus Honors College Living and Learning Community, located in West Residence Campus Hall. Kara Jones chose that option her first and sophomore years — and continued to live with three Honors College students when she moved as an upper-classman. “We built lifelong friendships. . . . We worked on group assignments and helped each other edit papers. Some of the Honors College classes are very challenging, so it was good for morale to live together,” says Jones. Students also often gather at the Honors College Library, which in March 2010 was dedicated in memory of Daniel Ort, professor emeritus of English and the Honors College co-founder. (The program began in 1982 and was initially the brainchild of Ort; Martin Anisman, then dean of the School of Arts and Sciences; and Kenneth Gatzke, professor of philosophy, according to Smith, who became the program’s first director.) Looking forward, the program’s recent changes — including the aforementioned adoption of the new minor, enhanced capstone options, an increased focus on community outreach, and scholarship dollars for all — offer expanded opportunities for future scholars. Yet, challenges remain. Gemme notes that based on interest, the Honors College could easily double in size while still keeping its small community feel. But additional funding is needed to provide more merit scholarships. “There are so many students who we think would be great in the program that we just don’t have the scholarships to support,” says Gemme. In the meantime, she is committed to making the experience as rich as possible for today’s Honors College students. She concedes that at least initially some of these “star students” do not see themselves as Southern candidates. “Not all of them choose to go here,” she says. “But many, once they see what we are and what we do, realize Southern is exactly what they want. . . . They find it’s like being in a liberal arts college with peers who are as excited about learning as they are. And they also have all the resources of a large university — the football team, the campus-wide service learning opportunities, the theater, student government, clubs, and student life. It’s the best of both worlds.” ■

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Success Surpassed! •••

Southern’s student-faculty ratio is 14:1, tied for the lowest among public universities in the state. ••• Southern’s 150 student clubs/organizations host more than 3,000 events a year. • 3,584 students were club members in the fall 2017 semester. ••• Southern’s theater-in-residence is the highly acclaimed Elm Shakespeare Company — among the best in New England. ••• The Academic Success Center provides free tutoring and workshops to students, covering everything from time management to study skills. ••• Southern’s Financial Literacy and Advising Program was recognized among the 50 best in the nation for the second year in a row. — LendEDU ••• Students participate in 2,200-plus experiential learning and workforce-prep opportunities each year, working with more

The Leader continued from page 35

■ Did you have a mentor at Southern?

I had several. One was my philosophy professor Dr. Mohan [professor emeritus of philosophy]. He opened doors to a world that didn’t exist to me before. I’m from the Class of 1983 — but philosophy is still at the core of what I do today.

■ To what do you attribute your success?

It all started with a belief system. I was absolutely certain that if I wanted something badly enough, no one — no matter who they were — was going to tell me I wasn’t going to achieve it. That belief came from my parents and my siblings. They stressed a strong work ethic and the ability to persevere no matter what. Also, if I didn’t know something, I was not afraid to ask. I wasn’t afraid of surrounding myself with people who were in some way smarter than me. In fact, my goal was to hire people who had a skill set or knowledge that I didn’t. Finally, I never stopped learning — and I’m not just talking about the business world. It’s all about curiosity.

■ What’s something you’ve learned about recently?

My daughter wanted to go shark diving with great whites, so I went. Why? Because I was curious to see what great whites look like from a foot away.

■ Any final thoughts?

You never master it all. The best professionals, when they are in their 80s and 90s, will tell me, ‘Rick, I am excited about today, because I’m probably going to learn something new.’ ■

than 700 Connecticut business es and government agencies. ••• Southern is ranked among the top 10 percent of nursing schools in the U.S. — NursingSchoolsAlmanac.com ••• Southern students won the Connecticut Venture Capital Investment Competition for the third year in a row. ••• Alumna Jahana Hayes, ’05, was the 2016 National Teacher of the Year. Alumni swept the state’s top teaching awards for 2016, earning honors as Connecticut’s “Best of the Year” in the superintendent, teacher, and school counselor categories. •••

The Social Network continued from page 26 work. The story was posted on the fitness center’s Facebook page as well. One day I went to my job at the fitness center — and learned that my story had been viewed 95 percent more than anything else ever posted by the center, which was amazing. “My second interview was with Isaiah McLeod, a guard on the basketball team. I interviewed him about his aspirations and why he came to Southern. We talked about his strengths as well as the team. I’ve never done a blog before. It’s been great finding my voice — gaining confidence in my work. Knowing it’s out there, ready to be seen.” CHECK OUT:

STUDENTS TALK BLOG AT:

news.SouthernCT.edu/blogs/students

See more Southern achievements at news.SouthernCT.edu/owlpride.

Do you know someone who would thrive at Southern? Please share your Owl pride and this magazine with them. Thank you!

SouthernCT.edu

Isabella Collier SENIOR • ENGLISH MAJOR, CONCENTRATION IN PROFESSIONAL WRITING

“Most adults ask: ‘What are you going to do with an English degree?’ It’s the million dollar question. That’s what I like most about my internship — seeing where my writing skills can take me. How I can apply them to a lot of different careers, even within public relations, social media, and journalism. I’ve done projects for Alumni Relations — advertising their events and working on their social media. I also did some journalism work for the alumni magazine and web writing. But my favorite so far? Sending the Tweet that school was canceled was really satisfying. . . . It was my own little power trip.” CHECK OUT: PAGES 13 AND 33 OF THIS ISSUE

■

Summer 2018 | 47

SOUTHERN EVENTS ■

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Michael Franks Sept. 22 |

8 p.m.

Michael Franks — the “statesman of song craft” — kicks off the jazz series, blending jazz, soul, pop, and music from around the globe. He’s a celebrated songwriter, whose 16 albums have an international following.

$35 for general admission; $30 for Jazz series and Southern active alumni, faculty, and staff; and $20 for Southern students. (203) 392-6154

Graduate Open House Oct. 4 |

125th Anniversary Grand Reunion Celebration

3 - 7 p.m.

Adanti Student Center Meet faculty from more than 40 fields of study, learn about graduate degree programs and requirements, and get information on career services, graduate assistantships, and financing your education.

(203) 392-5240

The Addams Family Oct. 5-6, 11-13 | 8 p.m. Oct. 6 | Midnight Oct. 7 | 3 p.m. • Oct. 13 |

Oct. 19 |

2 p.m.

• Carolyn Dorsey Vanacore, ’52, M.S. ’68, 6th Yr. ’73, will receive the Distinguished Alumna Award. • Members of the Class of 1968 will be honored by President Joe Bertolino. Registration required • (203) 392-6500 125.SouthernCT.edu

Grand Reunion Homecoming and Family Day Come celebrate Southern’s 125th anniversary with a Grand Reunion Homecoming for all classes. You’ll enjoy campus tours, the tailgate party, the football game, the food truck festival, and so much more. See page 39. (203) 392-6500 • 125.SouthernCT.edu

Piff the Magic Dragon Oct. 20 |

10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

$25 for general admission; $15 for Southern active alumni, faculty, and staff; and $10 for Southern students. (203) 392-6154

Throughout campus Meet faculty and students from all academic departments, explore student clubs and organizations, and meet staff from Admissions, Financial Aid, the First-Year Experience program, and much more.

(203) 392-5644

Center at Lyman One ticket to Four Great Shows for $120

Michael Franks • Brian Culbertson • Eric Darius and Eric Roberson • Peter White Christmas SERIES TICKETS ON SALE ONLINE ON AUG. 18 AT 11 A.M.

8 p.m.

As seen on “America’s Got Talent,” comedian and magician Piff the Magic Dragon has sold out shows across the U.S. and Canada — and is wowing audiences in Las Vegas at his residency at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino.

Undergraduate Open House

JS EaRzI EzS

7 - 10 p.m.

Join friends and classmates from all classes for a Grand Reunion celebration that launches Reunion Weekend. We’ll kick off Southern’s 125th anniversary — celebrating all that is good about the university and its mission of building communities and empowering lives.

$15 for general admission; $10 for senior citizens and Southern active alumni, faculty, and staff; and $5 (box office only) for Southern students. (203) 392-6154

Oct. 7 |

“Night of the Haunted” hosted by Tony Spera

Adanti Student Center Grand Ballroom

Oct. 20

The Crescent Players and Department of Theatre bring one of America’s favorite darkly comic families to life in this musical about love, honesty, and growing up. Directed and choreographed by Larry Nye, associate professor of theatre. Musical direction by Jill Brunelle. A musical by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman, and Rick Elice.

The Warren Files

Brian Culbertson Colors of Love Tour

Oct. 27 |

8 p.m.

With his lyrical acoustic piano melodies, sensual rhythm, and blues groove, Culbertson always brings his best.

$40 for general admission; $35 for Jazz series and Southern active alumni, faculty, and staff; and $20 for Southern students. (203) 392-6154

Nov. 2 |

8 p.m.

Experience the original ghostly images, recordings, and haunting stories that inspired the horror films, “The Conjuring,” “The Conjuring 2” and “Annabelle.” $15 for general admission; $10 for Southern active alumni, faculty, and staff; and $5 for Southern students. (203) 392-6154

Eric Darius and Eric Roberson Nov. 17 | 8 p.m.

Darius — an elite saxophonist and songwriter — teams up with the Grammy awardnominated singer, songwriter, and producer for an amazing night of jazz, rhythm, and blues. $32 for general admission; $25 for Jazz series and Southern active alumni, faculty, and staff; and $20 for Southern students. (203) 392-6154

How I Learned to Drive Nov. 27 - Dec. 1 | Dec. 2 | 2 p.m.

8 p.m.

Kendall Drama Lab

The Crescent Players and Department of Theatre explore concepts of control and manipulation by following main character, Li’l Bit, during her early adolescence, college years, and beyond in this Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Paula Vogel. Directed by Kaia Monroe Rarick, associate professor of theatre. $15 for general admission; $10 for Southern active alumni, faculty, staff, and senior citizens; and $5 (box office only) for Southern students. (203) 392-6154

All events held in John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts unless otherwise noted. Southern students must have valid identification to receive their ticket discounts. A limit of two discounted tickets may be purchased by Southern active alumni, faculty, staff, and students for most performances. Students are limited to one discounted ticket for several shows. For tickets and additional information and listings, visit LymanCenter.org. 48 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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“Southern has given me a platform to excel both inside and outside of the classroom. In all that I do, I have the continuous support of my professors and university mentors, who have spent countless hours helping me reach my fullest potential and aiming me toward success.” — Ashley Raymond, ’19 biolon major

very Southern student has a story, and every student deserves an opportunity to receive an exceptional education. A gift of any size to the Southern Fund can have a profound impact on Southern and its students. The Southern community is stronger together, and your gift can make the difference!

Have a positive impact on Southern’s future. VISIT: go.SouthernCT.edu/giving or contact the Office of Annual Giving at (203) 392-6514 or AnnualGiving@SouthernCT.edu.

Office of Annual Giving (203) 392-6514 AnnualGiving@SouthernCT.edu go.SouthernCT.edu/giving

SMagCovDesign1_Sum18.qxp_MagazineCover 7/10/18 3:20 PM Page 4

Alumni Association 501 Crescent Street New Haven, CT 06515-1355 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Burlington, VT Permit No. 19

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Alumni Association 501 Crescent Street New Haven, CT 06515-1355 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Burlington, VT Permit No. 19

Southern Alumni Magazine Summer 2018

Articles inside

Winning the Super Bowl -- and Other Stories

City Owls

Talons Out

The Good Owls: Changing Lives in the Elm City

National Champion

The Leader

Soul Food

Fly Guys

A Space for Healing

Wise Owls