Southern Alumni Magazine Winter 2024 by Southern Connecticut State University

a publication for alumni and friends of Southern Connecticut State University

ALUMNI MAGAZINE | Winter | 24

The New School of Business Building Soars

F E AT U R E S

12 Business in the Forefront

What’s new at Southern’s School of Business? 1) A recently completed building designed to enhance learning, 2) accreditation by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, 3) a rock ‘n’ roll dean, and 4) program enhancements including a planned STEM-aligned MBA. And that’s just the beginning.

19 Going! Going! Gone! The Office of International Education brings the world to Southern students. Among the focuses: easing students’ financial and other hurdles, and hands-on learning. (Yes, that was an Owl flying a drone over Iceland.)

Southern |

ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Winter | 24

32 Homecoming and Family Day 2023

Southern s 38 Student-Parents

DE PARTM E N TS

It was a weekend to remember for alumni, parents, and students — a time to celebrate Southern’s past while making new memories.

2 ■ From the President 3 ■ Campus News 10 ■ True Blue 18 ■ Social Southern 24 ■ Supporting Southern Leadership-level donors — individuals, companies, and nonprofits — are partnering with the School of Business to benefit students, businesses, and the community.

30 ■ Hidden Campus A sneak peek at the Art Gallery at Buley Library’s permanent collection

34 ■ Owl Update

When Stars Align: A Southern love story paves the way to two doctorates.

36 ■ Spaces & Places in New Haven More than 20 percent of college students in the U.S. are raising children while earning their degrees. Here are some of the ways Southern is helping its student-parents succeed.

The Ethnic Heritage Center of Greater New Haven

40 ■ Alumni News 44 ■ Alumni Notes 48 ■ Seen on Campus

GREETINGS, SOUTHERN ALUMNI!

levating our student

to attend college, and 54 percent were

scholars beyond their

eligible for need-based Pell Grants.

current socio-economic

Within the next decade, Southern

status lies at the heart

will be more diverse than ever, and we

of our university’s social

will have to think and learn more about

justice mission. We are

how better to serve these scholars.

continually pursuing

Their well-being is a high priority as we

new ways to help

continue to focus intentionally on

ensure that a college

supporting our scholars’ capacity to

degree is an attainable

learn and ability to persist to

goal for all.

graduation. We also know that the cost of

Southern recently received

attending college has increased, and

national recognition for its

the availability of financial assistance

transformative efforts in this regard: both in the U.S. News college rankings and through

has not kept pace. Many scholars simply cannot pay their

CollegeNet’s Social Mobility Index, which ranked the

bills. We are working hard to expand our scholarship

university 25th out of more than 3,000 institutions

offerings. Philanthropic giving to Southern has more than

nationwide. This index benchmarks four-year colleges and

tripled since 2018, with an average of $6 million raised

universities on how effectively they enroll scholars from

per year, and $5.4 million to date for the 2024 fiscal year.

low-income backgrounds and graduate them into well-

As a result, program and scholarship support from

paying jobs. I’m proud that Southern is the

the SCSU Foundation has climbed to $3.3 million, up

highest-ranked institution in Connecticut.

from $2.6 million last year. By comparison, scholarship

Further enhancing our retention and degree

support alone was less than $700,000 in 2017. These are

completion rates are among our key strategic goals for

strong figures in a difficult economic time. But the need

the next five years. To continue to provide positive and

continues to grow, with more than half of our entering

equitable outcomes for all our scholars, we must ensure

class eligible for need-based Federal Pell Grants.

that their progress to a degree is a smooth one, and that

This is why your ongoing support is so important.

they are fully prepared to achieve personal and

Your opportunity to make a life-changing difference to

professional success after graduation.

our scholars is real — and our annual Day of Caring is

As we move through our 130th anniversary year, it’s

soon approaching (April 3). I commend you for your

important to look at how Southern has changed,

generous and active interest in Southern, and I wish a

especially in recent times. The demographics of our

healthy and happy holiday season to you and your friends

population as well as the expectations of students,

and family.

parents, and employers are much different than they were even a decade ago. Our entering class for fall 2023 was

Cordially,

the most diverse in Southern’s history: 63 percent were

Dwayne Smith, Ph.D.

scholars of color, 57 percent were the first in their family

Interim President

2 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Southern

ALUMNI MAGAZINE ■ VOL 20 • NO 1

Dr. Dwayne Smith, Interim President Michael K. Kingan, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Executive Director, SCSU Foundation, Inc. STAFF

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Meet Southern’s First-Year Scholars OUTHERN WELCOMED 1,227 STUDENTS IN THE FIRST-YEAR CLASS IN FALL 2023 — a 10 percent increase compared to the previous year.

The number of transfer and readmitted students also increased 14 percent to 941. The first-year class is the most diverse in the university’s history

and includes:

Patrick Dilger, Director of Integrated Communications & Marketing Villia Struyk, Editor Mary Pat Caputo, Associate Editor Marylou Conley, ’83, Art Director Isabel Chenoweth, Photographer Jason Edwards, ’21, Malcolm Smiley, Contributing Photographers Mary Verner, ’14, MBA ’18, Alumni Notes OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

Gregory Bernard, ’04, Director of Alumni Relations (203) 392-6500

63%

STUDENTS OF COLOR

57%

FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS

54%

PELL GRANT — ELIGIBLE STUDENTS*

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.

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. Postage paid at Burlington, Vt. 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 240, New Haven, CT, 06515; (203) 392-5568; RiceP1@SouthernCT.edu.

*Federal grant awarded to students with the greatest level of financial need Winter 2024 | 3

C A M P U S NEW S ■

Breaking Grant Funding Records

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OUTHERN FACULTY AND STAFF WERE AWARDED $11.64 MILLION

in grant funding for sponsored programs in the 2023 fiscal year — a record for the university. The figure was shared in the late fall by Southern’s Sponsored Programs and Research (SPAR) office. At that time, sponsors were making funding decisions on potential additional grants totaling about $4 million, promising even greater prospects for the university. Southern has secured $51 million in sponsored grant awards since 2017. As we await SPAR’s comprehensive annual report, here are a few of the most recent notable awards: [from left] Robert Prezant, provost; Therese Bennett, professor of mathematics; Klay Kruczek, assistant chair of mathematics; and Debra Risisky, professor of public health

• National Science Foundation Grant: At the helm of the Nutmeg State Alliance, Southern received a monumental $3.19 million grant to enhance the recruitment, retention, persistence, and graduation rates of students underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. The effort involves collaboration across the four Connecticut State Universities and is led by Therese Bennett, professor of mathematics; Klay Kruczek, assistant chair of mathematics; and Robert Prezant, provost, with Debra Risisky, professor of public health, leading the evaluation process. Funding is provided through the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program. • Connecticut Office of Higher Education Grant: (from top left) Nick Pinkerton, associate dean of counseling services and well-being, and his team were awarded a $223,200 grant to support holistic student mental health and well-being. • U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs Grant: Joseph Milone, assistant professor of recreation, tourism, and sport management, and the SCSU Institute for Adapted Sports and Recreation secured a $107,700 grant to provide adapted sports programming to veterans with disabilities in Connecticut, contributing to the well-being and inclusivity of the veteran community. • National Science Foundation Grant: In collaboration with the University of Connecticut, the National Science Foundation awarded $69,000 to Patrick Heidkamp, professor of environment, geography, and marine sciences, to further strengthen the pipeline into STEM manufacturing for students across Connecticut, promoting educational and career opportunities in these fields. • New England Board of Higher Education Grant: Lisa Lancor, professor of computer science, earned a $40,000 grant to support a Tech Talent Accelerator program, emphasizing the importance of technological innovation and education. These are just a few examples of the outstanding work undertaken by Southern’s dedicated faculty and staff — efforts that advance scholarship and significantly contribute to the betterment of students and the community. MORE AT: 4 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

inside.SouthernCT.edu/spar

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Pettigrew Honored as CSU Professor

PHILOSOPHY PROFESSOR AND CHAIR DAVID PETTIGREW — who

specializes in human rights advocacy related to the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina — has been named a Connecticut State University (CSU) Professor for his excellence in the areas of research, teaching, and service. It is one of the most prestigious faculty honors bestowed by the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) System. Southern, Central, Western, and Eastern Connecticut state universities each have up to three such professors. Pettigrew fills a vacancy left by the recent retirement of Vivian Shipley, professor of English at Southern. He joins Elliott Horch, professor of physics, and Troy Paddock, professor of history, as a member of Southern’s contingent of CSU Professors. MORE AT:

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news.SouthernCT.edu/pettigrew-selected-as-csu-professor

Professors Recognized for Excellence

THREE SOUTHERN FACULTY MEMBERS were

honored as recipients of the 2022-23 Connecticut Board of Regents Faculty Awards. Campus-wide awards are presented to faculty from each of the four state universities, Charter Oak, and the 12 community colleges, which, as of July 1, became Connecticut State Community College. Systemwide awards then are selected from among the institutional awardees. Southern’s honorees include:

New Director of Library Services

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ollowing a national search, Amy Beth has been named the director of library services. She comes to Southern

from Guttman Community College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY), where she was the chief librarian and director of technologies as well as an associate professor. Beth has published extensively on digital scholarship, collaborative online teaching, sustainable urban environments, and lesbian history and experiences.

• Connecticut State Universities Systemwide Board of Regents Teaching Award Sarah Roe, associate professor of history, SCSU

She holds a doctorate in environmental psychology and master’s degrees in philosophy and environmental psychology from CUNY and a master’s degree in library science from Indiana University, Bloomington. She completed her undergraduate degree in women’s studies at Earlham College.

• Connecticut State Universities Systemwide Board of Regents Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award Renee Harlow, adjunct instructor of English, SCSU • Connecticut State Universities Campusbased Board of Regents Research Award Dana Casetti, associate professor of physics, SCSU Winter 2024 | 5

C A M P U S NEW S n

Baseball Legend Thrills Campus Community

SABATHIA — a World Series champion, six-time MLB All-Star, and New

York Yankees legend — shared his personal story of baseball, family, fame, addiction, and recovery at a crowd-thrilling question and answer session, held Sept. 22 at the John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts. Prior to the event, Sabathia met with players from the SCSU baseball team and local youth baseball programs. The event was moderated by Rob Parker, ’86, who brought almost four decades of sports journalism experience to the task, including time with ESPN and Fox Sports. Inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame in August 2023, his commitment to Southern remains strong; he established the Rob Parker Journalism Scholarship Award at the university in 2022.

CC Sabathia (left) receives a gift from Southern Interim President Dwayne Smith.

Students Chosen for Arts Workforce Initiative

National Awards for Graduate Student and Professor

T IT WAS AN INSPIRING SUMMER FOR THREE SOUTHERN STUDENTS , who were

among 14 participants selected for the Arts Workforce Initiative (AWI), a paid apprenticeship program offered through the Connecticut Office of the Arts. The competitively awarded program placed Southern’s honorees at three Connecticut cultural organizations: • Elisedd McGinley, (center) a studio art major who is minoring in arts administration and cultural advocacy (AACA) and English, worked with CAST, a children’s theatre in Manchester, Conn. • Tyler Bizier, (left) an art history major and AACA minor, was placed with the City of New Haven’s Department of Arts, Culture, and Tourism; and • Catherine Sigg, (right) a music therapy major with an Honors minor, interned at the Neighborhood Music School’s Audubon Arts theatre program. The three found the AWI program rewarding and illuminating. “I always knew I would end up working in the arts, I just never knew how exactly,” says Bizier, who served as a community outreach assistant during the apprenticeship. His responsibilities ranged from leading information sessions to crafting requests for proposals. It was a great fit for Bizier, who describes an “insatiable” urge to create and a pull toward public advocacy. “Since I was a teen, these two sides of me felt like an either-or situation,” he says. “When the field of arts administration was introduced to me — a marriage between advocacy and the arts — it felt serendipitous.”

Since the inception of the Arts Workforce Initiative in 2017, the program has placed more than 100 Connecticut individuals interested in exploring a career in the arts. MORE AT: 6 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

news.SouthernCT.edu/students-chosen-for-arts-workforce-initiative

HE AMERICAN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION (AMHCA)

recognized Brett Santo, who is enrolled in the master’s in clinical mental health counseling program, with the esteemed Student and Emerging Professionals Award. This is the second consecutive year that a Southern student received the honor. Cody Helgesen, M.S. ’21, was honored in 2022. Helgesen is completing the doctoral program in counselor education and supervision at Southern. In related news, Laurie Bonjo, associate professor of counseling and school psychology, earned the AMHCA’s Dr. Linda Seligman Counselor Educator of the Year Award. The award recognizes excellence among those who spend 51 percent of their time in academic pursuits for outstanding humanitarian service to others. The awards were presented in June at the AMHCA annual conference in New Orleans.

faculty spotlight

Anuli Njoku, associate professor of public health

RECENT HONOR : In 2023, she

was named a Fulbright Specialist of Global/Public Health by the U.S. Department of State and completed a project at Universidade Regional do Cariri in Ceará, Brazil. The project goal: to exchange knowledge and establish partnerships through a variety of educational and training activities. HER RESEARCH AND TEACHING SPECIALTIES INCLUDE : health disparities,

cultural competency in higher education, health promotion and education, health equity, environmental health, rural health, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. IN THE CLASSROOM : Njoku

has developed and taught more than 20 undergraduate and graduate public health courses. By Lydia Sekscenski

EDUCATION : Njoku did

postdoctoral training at Fox Chase Cancer Center. She earned three public health degrees: a doctorate from Drexel University, a master’s from Boston University, and a bachelor’s from Rutgers University.

Winter 2024 | 7

C A M P U S NEW S ■

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Support Spurs Success for Sport Management Major

FOR THOMAS NEWMAN, M.S. ’22, the four-year journey to earning a master’s in sport management was anything but typical. At a time when many graduate students were enduring the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic, Newman had another hurdle to clear: an emergency craniotomy for an undiagnosed brain tumor. Newman was no stranger to trial by fire, having balanced graduate work with a demanding work schedule. As the former director of the Yale Sports Performance Program, he also was the strength and conditioning coach for the Yale men’s lacrosse team as it prepared for the NCAA tournament in the spring of 2018. Adding graduate school to the mix was a lot to juggle. Newman credits Kevin McGinniss, director of Southern’s master’s in sport and entertainment management program, with assuring him he was up to the task. But a brain tumor was another level. Once again, McGinniss responded with understanding, friendship, and life coaching. “He was shocked to have something like this happen to him. I encouraged him to step away from the program. It wasn’t that important at that point. I said I would always be there for him. He was under no pressure to continue,” says McGinniss.

Newman kept going. Despite the 10-inch scar and 40 staples in his skull, he took McGinniss’ support and walked with it — in commencement exercises in May 2022, where he collected his degree and a priceless photograph alongside his mentor. Support also came from Donna Lopiano, ’68, the architect of the program and adjunct professor of sport management at Southern. A renowned industry expert, Lopiano is the former chief executive officer of the Women’s Sports Foundation and was director of Women’s Athletics at the University of Texas at Austin for 18 years. “She is a living legend,” says Newman, “one of the top five famous women in sports.” Lopiano, in turn, says Newman exemplifies the ideal student: “The sign of a good learner is somebody who always asks questions. Tom always had questions. He’s a knowledge sharer. He is the definition of curiosity and passion for his subject.” In 2022, Newman accepted a new job as lead performance specialist at Mass General Brigham’s Center for Sports Performance and Research. The non-medical facility offers a sciencebased approach to sports performance training, including innovative performance research.

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For those wondering if they have what it takes to complete the sport management program, Newman has empathetic but candid advice: “For me, a lot of thought went in to starting the program. You’re tired. Nobody cares. It’s not going to last forever. You’ve got to grind it out.”

Top Clinical Honors to Southern THE CENTER FOR COMMUNICATION DISORDERS AT SOUTHERN

received the Clinical Program Award at the annual Health Care and Life Sciences Awards ceremony organized by the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. The event was held on July 12 at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven The center, located in the new home of the College of Health and Human Services, provides individualized speech-language pathology services for children and adults. Clinical instructors and faculty — all certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association — plan and supervise services, which are provided by graduate student clinicians. Among the conditions evaluated and addressed are speech and voice disorders, developmental language disorders, voice transition, augmentative/alternative communication, executive function disorders, language to literacy development, and central auditory processing disorders. MORE AT:

8 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

SouthernCT.edu/academics/communication-disorders/center-for-communication-disorders

• The SCSU Early College Program is partnering with a record high schools and teachers. Some high school students are registered for the program, which lets them earn up to college credits. MORE AT: SouthernCT.edu/early-college

ast s. F t ■ Fac

OD GO WS. NE

600

Top 25

• Southern ranked in the on CollegeNet’s “Social Mobility Index,” which evaluates four-year colleges and universities based on how effectively they enroll students from low-income backgrounds who then graduate and find good paying jobs. • Philanthropic giving has more than tripled since 2018 to an average of $ a year. But the need remains great: of the first-year class is eligible for Federal Pell Grants for those with exceptional financial need.

6 million 54%

• Nurse.org recognized the School of Nursing Master of Science Program in Nursing Education among programs of its kind in the U.S.

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The Power of CARE

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Leading the Effort to Connect Girls and Women to STEM

COLLEEN BIELITZ BELIEVES IN THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP — a conviction

greatly forwarded through her appointment as the state leader for the Million Women Mentors (MWM) Connecticut Chapter. “At the heart of our mission is the belief that mentoring is a powerful catalyst for change,” says Bielitz, associate vice president for strategic initiatives and outreach at Southern. “By connecting women in STEM with mentors who have traveled similar paths, we not only empower individuals but also strengthen the entire STEM community. Together, we can shatter barriers and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.”

HE COMMUNITY ALLIANCE FOR RESEARCH AND ENGAGEMENT (CARE) — a

partnership between Southern’s College of Health and Human Services and Yale University’s School of Public Health — works to improve the health of

New Haven residents in underserved, low-income neighborhoods, particularly Black and Brown communities. Collaboration with residents and local nonprofits is integral to CARE’s mission, with support provided by a five-year federal grant of up to $3.68 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are some of many recent achievements highlighted in CARE’s annual report, released in July 2023. • The Supporting Wellness at Pantries Program — an evidence-based nutrition initiative designed to increase access to and distribution of healthy food choices — expanded to nine pantries, benefiting about 23,000 clients each year. • CARE and the Yale-Griffin Prevention Center launched an outreach and education program to combat COVID-19 and influenza. CARE’s outreach team participated in 643 outreach events, reaching 10,599 residents with 1,656 referred for vaccinations. • CARE worked with the New Haven Breast/Chestfeeding Task Force and local organizations to foster a more lactation-friendly environment in New Haven. Accomplishments include the creation of a lactation space inside the Union Station transit hub. • Over the years, the CARE Health Leadership Programs have trained about 150 New Haven residents to effect change in their communities. Efforts also were expanded to Hartford. • Since 2018, CARE has worked with the community and the City of New Haven Transportation, Traffic, and Parking Department to build a supportive infrastructure for walking, transit riding, and biking in the coming years. A Safe Routes for All Master Plan was unanimously approved by the city’s Board of Alders in September 2022. MORE AT:

carenhv.org

[from left] Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz; Colleen Bielitz; and outgoing state leader Carolyn Alessi, regional director of community health and well-being at Trinity Health of New England

Designed to inspire girls and women to pursue and succeed in STEM careers, MWM was launched by STEMconnector, an organization committed to increasing the number of STEM-ready workers in the global talent pool. Bielitz brings extensive experience to the position. She received MWM’s 2023 Stand Up for STEM Mentorship Award in recognition of her efforts to foster opportunities for women in STEM at the university. At Southern, she guides strategy in emerging areas such as the blue economy (economic activities associated with the oceans and seas), the metaverse, and other technology and sustainability initiatives. Winter 2024 | 9

From the pool to the playing field, a look at SOUTHERN ATHLETICS.

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Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Win NCAA Div. II East Regional and NE10 Championships

WAS A SPECTACULAR SEASON FOR SOUTHERN CROSS COUNTRY

with both the men’s and women’s teams winning the NCAA Div. II East Regional Championship on Nov. 4 in Hopkinton, N.H. The men

defended their 2022 title, while it was the first regional championship win for the women’s team. Earlier in the season, Southern’s men’s and women’s cross-country teams also won their respective Northeast-10 Championships (NE10). The event, held on Oct. 22 in Westfield, Mass., was one for the record

books: since 2000, Southern is one of only three institutions of higher learning to win the men’s and women’s NE10 titles in the same season. Southern sophomore Jeremy Rivera was crowned the NE10 Men’s Cross Country Rookie of the Year and head coach John Wallin earned NE10 Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year honors.

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Athletes and Scholars

SOUTHERN’S STUDENTATHLETES ARE CHAMPIONS IN THE CLASSROOM AS WELL AS ON THE PLAYING FIELD. An impressive 102 Owls received the 2022 Division II Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement Award. The award recognizes student-athletes who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, during two or more years of college-level work. The honor was announced on Aug. 3, 2023.

10 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Meet the Student-Athlete Kacey Deecher Senior sports management major, Volleyball Hometown: Granby, Mass. Finding her game: “I’m from a sporty

family,” says Deecher, noting her dad enrolled her in a variety of sports as a child. She first played volleyball as a middle schooler at The MacDuffie School in Massachusetts.

Why volleyball? “The intensity and positive

atmosphere. Your team is like a family,” she says.

Career goals: Deecher hopes to work for the

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Field of Dreams

NFL, following in the footsteps of her older sister.

What she did last summer: interned with Chris Barker, former director of athletics at Southern. “I gained experience in every department,” she says of rotating through athletics communications, finance, equipment management, and more.

Inspiring Course: an inclusive recreation

course taught by Michael Dodge, associate professor of recreation, tourism, and sport management. “We worked hands-on with students who had disabilities who went to school in Hamden. It’s an amazing program, and had a huge impact on me,” says Deecher.

Why Deecher chose Southern: While

volleyball was the major draw, she also lauds Southern’s location (“far enough from home, but I can still visit”), its commitment to diversity, the mid-size student body, and its “beautiful campus adjacent to New Haven’s vibrant city environment.” Says Deecher: “It checked off all my boxes.”

Three spots you’ll find her on campus:

Jess Dow Field — the home of Owls football, field hockey, soccer, and lacrosse as well as club sports and intramurals — is ready for action after undergoing a complete renovation in summer 2023. “Not only did we replace the turf with state-of-the-art materials, but we

the Michael J. Adanti Student Center, the new College of Health and Human Services Building, and Peltz Gym.

How she feels before a game: “Locked in and hungry to win,” she says.

Most proud of: balancing academics with the

demands of competing as a student-athlete.

also resurfaced the track, ‘D’ areas, and javelin, pole vault, and long jump runways,” says Eric Lessne, associate vice president for capital budgeting and facilities operations. “It’s been a pleasure working with the athletics staff, and I hope these upgrades will help Southern bring home many Northeast-10 championships in the future.” The university worked with Benesch of Glastonbury, Conn., on the facility upgrade.

WANT SPORTS? MORE AT SCSUowls.com Winter 2024 | 11

BUSINESS What’s new at Southern’s School of Business?

IN T HE

F ORE FRONT By Villia Struyk

12 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

A recently completed building designed to enhance learning, accreditation by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, a rock ‘n’ roll dean, and program enhancements including a planned STEM-aligned MBA. And that’s just the beginning.

HE SUN IS SHINING ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 15. But with an offshore storm kicking up fierce winds in New Haven, there’s a sense of anticipation among the standing-room-only crowd gathered outside for the opening of the new School of Business building. Guests are greeted by a steel-drum band. Skubie Mageza, a popular young host at ESPN, is serving as master of ceremonies. And the promised guest lecturer is Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, a legendary guitarist who played with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers — and is now an expert on national security and asymmetrical thinking. Then Jess Boronico, the dean of the business school, steps up to the podium — long rocker hair flowing — and teases the upcoming building tour with a song verse from rock supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer: “Welcome back, my friends, to the show that never ends. We’re so glad you could attend. Come inside. Come inside.” Soon after, the crowd will do just that, touring the 64,000-square-foot building located on the corners of Farnham and Wintergreen avenues. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, speaking at the event, summarizes the experience quite nicely: “Walk in that building you know it’s about opportunity. Walk in that building, you know it’s about respect.”

Winter 2024 | 13

A NE W L EA DER

graduate degrees. There, Boronico also discovered the power of mentoring, courtesy of Richard Bronson, now professor emeritus of mathematics. “He stepped up and was just wonderful to me,” sums Boronico. Professor Bronson brought his family to watch Boronico’s band play. He also convinced him to apply to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he ultimately earned a doctorate. Today, Boronico — known on campus as Dean Jess — is building on his parents’ and Bronson’s belief in the power of education. It’s a commitment echoed by the faculty and staff at the School of Business, who are determined to provide students with an exceptional education complete with: realworld, experiential learning on campus and beyond; access to industry-standard technology; academic programs aligned with workforce needs; comprehensive career services; and more. Read on for some of many developments.

A N E W HOM E F OR T HE S C HOOL OF B US I N E S S

HE NEW BUILDING IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT STUDENT LEARNING AS WELL AS LOCAL BUSINESSES

AND NONPROFITS. Organizations are invited to partner with the business school and its students and/or to rent a wide variety of specialized spaces.

SELF-DESCRIBED EDUCATOR AND ENTERTAINER, BORONICO (ABOVE) JOINED SOUTHERN AS DEAN OF

THE BUSINESS SCHOOL IN JUNE 2022.

He came to the university with a wealth of experience in higher education leadership, including posts at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), the University of New Haven, William Paterson University, and Monmouth University. At NYIT, which has campuses around the world, he served as a dean for 13 years, working in Canada, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and New York City. Boronico did not grow up planning to work in academia. A gifted musician, he began studying classical guitar at age 6. “I wanted to be the next Eric Clapton,” he says. He found success as a young man, performing up and down the East Coast with the band Babylon. But earning a degree was always on his radar. Boronico, like 57 percent of Southern’s first-year class, is a firstgeneration college student. His father was a tradesman and neither of his late parents completed high school. “My parents were wonderful, the most influential people in my life,” he says. “They encouraged me and inspired me to pursue college because it provided access to opportunity.” So, he enrolled at Farleigh Dickinson University, where he became a mathematician, and earned undergraduate and 14 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

In addition to nine general classrooms and lecture halls, there are case study rooms that seat 66 people — perfect for business-pitch competitions. For those studying market research, there’s a Behavioral/Marketing Lab with a built-in observation room. It’s equipped with one-way glass as well as visual- and audio-recording capabilities — and is an ideal site for focus groups and other market studies. A state-of-the-art area designated for financial markets and data analytics houses Bloomberg Terminals. Developed

• The Regional Water Authority and Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund Community Room • 100-seat, multipurpose auditorium with tiered seating • Stock market ticker viewable inside and outside the building • Two exterior plazas for student and community events • Adaptable classrooms with a variety of desk and table configurations as well as student club and meeting rooms • Lindy Lee Gold Business Leadership Suite (below right): home to the business school’s Career Springboard, where students receive guidance on everything from creating resumes to networking. The suite also is the base of the Women in Leadership Program (28 women are enrolled) and Experiential Education (internships, class projects, etc.), and more. • The Anthony F. and Beth Verlezza MBA Suite • Larry L. Bingaman Experiential Education Conference Room • Behavioral/marketing lab area with observation room • Learning labs with computer stations • Case study classrooms with stadiumstyle seating • Financial markets and data analytics area equipped with Bloomberg Terminals • A Business Success Center with private interview rooms where students can meet in-person and virtually with employers

Construction Size: 64,000 square feet | Construction Cost: $52,400,000 | Architect: Oak Park Architects | Designer: Sasaki | Construction Manager: Jacobs Engineering Group

T HE S C HOOL OF B U S I N E S S F E AT UR E S

Winter 2024 | 15

UND ERGRA DU ATE AND GRA DU AT E P R OG RA MS The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration offers concentrations in the following areas. • accounting • business information systems • finance • economics • human resource management • international business • management • marketing • public utilities management

• accounting

more than four decades ago, the terminals are the industry standard, used to provide lightning-fast access to news, data, insights, and trading. “Southern is the only one of the Connecticut State Universities to have them,” says Amy Grotzke, assistant director of external relations. “So, business students can gain an understanding of the system — or even earn Bloomberg certifications, which they are eligible to do for free. It sets them apart and provides them with a competitive edge.” (Learn more about building features on page 15.)

• business analytics

S U S TA I N A B L E S OUT HE R N

• finance

THE BUILDING ALSO IS IN A LEAGUE OF

The Master of Business Administration program offers graduate students the flexibility to complete their MBA through traditional, accelerated, and online program delivery options. It is in the process of being STEM aligned.

• General MBA • healthcare administration • human resource management • international business • management • marketing Certificate Programs (12 credits) are offered in business analytics, healthcare administration, and human resource management.

ITS OWN IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABILITY,

the first constructed by the State of Connecticut to have a net-zero-energy carbon footprint. Put simply, the facility generates as much energy as it uses: 90 percent comes from solar panels in the parking lot on lower Farnham Avenue. The remaining needs are met by a belowground geothermal field near the building. A large electronic display inside the main entrance shows electricity consumption, exemplifying the building’s uniqueness in the state.

A A C S B A C C R E D I TAT I ON IN SPRING 2023, THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ACHIEVED A MILESTONE

earned by less than five percent of 16 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

business schools worldwide: accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the oldest and largest global accrediting organization for business schools. It’s been a long-term goal, one Dean Boronico says is “a testimonial to what is attainable through collaboration and a belief in a common mission.” He lauds Ellen Durnin, the former dean who served from 2010 to January 2021, and Robert Forbus, former accreditation coordinator and professor of marketing, for their past accomplishments and leadership. More recently, he recognizes Kauther Badr, Esq., the current accreditation coordinator and associate professor of management, and Alison Wall, director of assurance learning and associate professor of management, for their guidance — in addition to significant contributions made by School of Business faculty, staff, alumni, and the communityat-large. AACSB accreditation is important on several levels, says Benjamin Abugri, MBA director and professor of finance: “When you graduate from an AACSB-accredited university, the job market looks at you differently. . . . At the most fundamental level, AACSB accreditation shows that a

business school engages in continuous improvement in every aspect of its operations: research, teaching, curriculum, resource deployment, everything.” Southern’s business school plans to establish a chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma, a prestigious international honor society that is exclusive to AACSB-accredited universities. “Now, we are pursuing accreditations from two other organizations: the European Foundation for Management Development and the Association of MBAs,” says Boronico.

The STEM-aligned MBA is a tremendous draw for international students. Those pursuing a STEM MBA in this country have an extended optional practical training (OPT) period of three years for internships, etc., due in part to workforce needs in the U.S. In comparison, a standard MBA has a one-year OPT. International students also typically seek out a university with AACSB accreditation. As a result, international student enrollment is expected to increase dramatically at Southern when the STEM-aligned MBA program is launched. Venugopal Prabhakar Gantasala, associate dean, is leading outreach efforts with universities and high-tech companies around the world in locations including India, Ghana, Nigeria, China, Germany, and the United Kingdom. “We anticipate that we will more than double our MBA enrollment,” he says. A global citizen in his own right, Gantasala was born in India and worked 12 years in England. He then joined Dean Boronico at NYIT, also working in Jordan, the

The Regional Water Authority and Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund Community Room, located on the first floor of the new building, is an ideal event site. [top right] Robert Prezant, provost, and Ellen Durnin, dean emeritus of the School of Business, at the ribbon-cutting for the new building. [far right] Legendary guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter spoke on national security and played for guests.

STEM ALIGNING TH E MB A GRADUATE EDUCATION IS A MAJOR FOCUS OF THE BUSINESS SCHOOL: plans are in place to fully STEM align the MBA program by the fall 2024 semester — embedding science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into the entire MBA curriculum. Abugri explains: “An MBA prepares students for decisionmaking roles with for-profit and nonprofit organizations. This is about learning how to embed STEM into the decision-making process to make better decisions.”

United Arab Emirates, New York City, and now, New Haven, Conn. “The dean’s mentorship during the last 15 years is a big reason why I am here. We share a firm belief in servant leadership — and I am so excited about the prospects at Southern.” Boronico concurs: “It is important to provide opportunity for students from across the world to engage with our students, and it is equally important to provide our students from the U.S. with diversified perspectives, to show them firsthand what globalization is all about.” ■ Winter 2024 | 17

Look Whooooo’s Talking

Posts, ’Grams, Tweets, and More

Storrs or New Haven, we all #BleedBlue. Southern’s women’s basketball team took on UConn at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on Nov. 4. The Owls won countless hearts, despite losing the exhibition game against the Division I Huskies.

The moment you see yourself in Southern’s 1980s #ThrowbookThursday post. Shawn Dougherty

I’m in this picture with several friends. Seems like yesterday. (Class of ’83. How can it be 40 years ago I graduated?)

Fred Meyer

Graduated ‘86 Fighting Owl ‘til the day I die.

🎃 Our inaugural Trunk or Treat

on campus was a spooktacular success! Huge thanks to @scsupd, the @cityofnewhaven, and @nhpdofficial for conjuring up this unforgettable event in our community. 👻 #LeadingTheWay

Day in the Life Social media intern Emily took to TikTok to share a day in the life of a Southern student. Rule 1: don’t forget the iced coffee.

FACEBOOK • SouthernCT • 30,000+ followers

Join the Conversation! Follow Southern on:

X (FORMERLY KNOWN AS TWITTER) • @SCSU • 9,100+ followers INSTAGRAM • @southernscsu • 11,600+ followers LINKED IN • Southern Connecticut State University • 59,000+ followers TIKTOK • @SCSU •2,700+ followers

Connect with Dr. Dwayne Smith, interim president: Facebook, X, and Instagram @DrDTopOwl 18 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

The Office of International Education brings the world to Southern students. Among the focuses: easing students’ financial and other hurdles, and hands-on learning. (Yes, that was an Owl flying a drone over Iceland.) By Villia Struyk

Students wear medieval costumes and join a festival in Italy.

Winter 2024 | 19

an SHL EY-LYNN ANT OIN E,

environmental systems and 2023 in sustainability major, spent July the r ove e dron a ting Iceland pilo goal: Skálanes Nature Reserve. Her the gathering data to map nwhile, back in the U.S., Mea t. men iron env Diglio had recently communication major Jasmine studying at the r afte , Italy n, returned from Mila re for the spring Cuo ro Sac del a tolic Cat Università vastly improved that 2023 semester, an experience d her “1,000 nge cha and s her Italian language skill learning iceserv two 3, 202 fall percent.” And in to Cusco, Peru, ents stud ing nurs 21 ght trips brou lthcare system and to learn about the country’s hea cal experience in clini for it volunteer — earning cred

the process. ional education No question about it: internat ing along with und rebo is alive and well at Southern, ID-19 COV the r afte the overall travel sector participated ents stud n ther Sou 90 e pandemic. Som rams in prog y abroad in short-term, faculty-led stud d to pare com ease 2023 — about a 25 percent incr

the previous year. promising. Prior The outlook for 2024 is more Southern students to the pandemic, about 120 ed study abroad joined the university’s faculty-l of International ce Offi programs annually. The t or exceed that mee to ects exp Education (OIE) about 14 facultynumber in 2024. OIE is planning other destinations, led programs to Europe and ala, Iceland, Peru, tem Gua including Belize, Chile, Choir will travel to ty ersi Univ the and South Africa; r performing the United Kingdom in May afte are being made s virtually for two years; and plan Summer Study ege Coll ors for the launch of an Hon ils have not been Abroad Initiative. Though deta ide financial support finalized, the program will prov ege students. for a small group of Honors Coll are coming to also ents International stud In the 2022-23 ge. wled kno of uit Southern in purs e than 55 academic year, there were mor d at Southern, late international students matricu university. An the at lled enro more than half newly students came e ang exch l iona rnat additional 19 inte g r-lon experiences. to campus for semester- or yea ease, spurred by incr This number is likely to of Business, for ool Sch academic initiatives. The n its MBA, alig M STE to ning example, is plan gy, engineering, and embedding science, technolo It’s an attractive m. mathematics in the curriculu pursuing a STEM ents stud l option for internationa an extended des inclu it e sinc MBA in the U.S. T) period of three optional practical training (OP etc. in this country. ip, years to complete an internsh a one-year OPT. has MBA dard In comparison, a stan

A PRICELESS EXPERIENCE ONE OF THE MOST WIDELY CITED BARRIERS TO STUDYING ABROAD IS FINANCIAL NEED. At Southern,

about 54 percent of first-year students are eligible for Federal Pell Grants, awarded to those with “exceptional financial need” — a statistic that’s not lost among OIE staff. “Anecdotally, I can tell you that out of 100 students who study abroad at Southern, 99 have financial need,” says Erin Heidkamp, director of the OIE. “That is our biggest hurdle to expanding inperson study abroad participation at Southern.” The Student Government Association provides an annual allotment for international education, as does senior leadership, including the deans of Arts and Sciences and Education. Heidkamp also is thankful to “a few incredibly wonderful donors” that fund scholarships for study abroad. In 2023, students received almost $40,000 in scholarship aid for international travel. But significantly more is needed to meet need and increase opportunities. Educating students helps. “In some cases, it is even less expensive to study abroad when housing and living costs are factored in. We help students explore their options,” says Ina Marshall, the programs abroad adviser at Southern. A lot is a stake for those traditionally less likely to study abroad: students with financial need, underrepresented minorities, and first-generation college students. In fact, a study conducted by CASSIE, the Consortium for the Analysis of Student Success through International Education, showed students in these groups who studied abroad had higher 4- and 6-year graduation rates as well as higher GPAs at graduation compared to peers who didn’t study abroad. In terms of career growth, Forbes, LinkedIn, and other media also continue to extol the benefits of international education. Cited studies have claimed everything from faster post-graduation employment to increased salaries. Southern’s University Access Programs (UAP) — an umbrella office for initiatives that increase access and the academic success of first-generation, lowincome, and underrepresented students in higher education — organized an inaugural study abroad trip, with students traveling to Bermuda in March 2019. After pausing during the pandemic, the program relaunched in January 2023 with a cultural immersion and enrichment experience that brought six students to Puerto Rico. Participants learned about the El Yunque rainforest, Puerto Rican diaspora and migration, and the island’s art and culture. A generous grant from a donor covered expenses. Valamae Jenkins, ’23, a social work major and first-generation college student who traveled with UAP to Puerto Rico, commented on the experience in an in-depth Q&A: “ . . . I found out that I have fears that I want to conquer and that there are businesses that I want to start.” Read on as several students and faculty members share their study abroad experiences in words and photos.

MORE AT: 20 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

inside.SouthernCT.edu/international

S EA B O U ND PRIOR TO 2023, MORGAN SQUIRES (LEFT) HAD NOT TRAVELED OUTSIDE THE U.S.

But she received a world-class education through the Semester at Sea program, which brought students to Europe, Asia, and Africa during the spring 2023 semester. The ship, which functions as a floating college, was Squires’ home base and classroom for 106 days. The itinerary: 11 countries, including India, Kenya, Jordan, Croatia, and Portugal. Semester at Sea is a third-party partner, so students pay the organization directly rather than Southern. But eligible students can receive financial aid, and the Office of International Education offers help with paperwork and more. Squires, who is majoring in environmental systems and sustainability with a minor in psychology, completed four courses during the trip including Global Studies. All twelve credits transferred to Southern where Squires is now a well-traveled senior.

SERV IC E LE AR N ING IN PERU IN PERU, SEVEN OUT OF 10 PEOPLE NATIONWIDE WHO NEEDED MEDICAL CARE DID NOT RECEIVE IT, according

to a 2022 household survey reported by the World Bank. Among the given reasons: “long waiting times,” “distrust of personnel,” “could not afford care,” and “too far away.” Inspired by such harsh realities, Maria Krol, associate professor and chairperson of the School of Nursing, led two service-learning trips to Peru in the fall. It was a life-changing experience for the 21 participating undergraduate and graduate nursing students, who learned firsthand about the country’s healthcare system. The groups, who volunteered in several areas, also brought care items such as vitamins, pain medication, and toothbrushes to distribute. The students spent three days at an under-resourced clinic in the city of Cusco. Next, they traveled to a remote area to provide health assessments and health information, accompanied by a Peruvian doctor who performed the examinations. The program also paid for a Peruvian dentist to travel with the group. “Students find this portion of the trip the most rewarding and transformative,” notes Krol. Prior to graduating in May, Chris Delda, ’23, commented on the experience from Peru: “I will definitely take back tons of memories and knowledge with me that I will carry through my future nursing career.” Looking forward, Krol plans to further support the establishment of a clinic in a remote area to serve neighboring villages. Among her goals: a fundraiser for the initiative and a service-learning trip to Chile.

L A N D OF I C E AN D F I R E ASHLEY-LYNN ANTOINE, (above right) an

environmental systems and sustainability major, transferred to Southern from Gateway Community College after realizing her passion for “nature, animals, and the connection people have to the planet,” she says. At Southern, she studied drone technology with Scott Graves, professor of environment, geography, and marine sciences. Then, she honed those skills assisting the professor with research on Chaffinch Island in Guilford, Conn. Next up: Antoine traveled to Iceland, where she also flew drones over the Skálanes Nature Reserve to map the area. Data was then compared to that gathered the previous year. ABBY LUCAS (above left) first traveled to Iceland in summer 2022, working with Emma Cross, assistant professor of environment, geography, and marine sciences. (In broad terms, Cross’ research focuses on climate change impacts on marine organisms.) Lucas first interned with the professor through Southern’s Werth Center for Coastal and Marine Studies, doing fieldwork along Connecticut’s coastline and Martha’s Vineyard. In Iceland she built on these experiences, working on a boat in an eastern fjord. “Although research in Iceland can be unpredictable, through the rain, cold, and sometimes rough seas, I remained in awe of the fieldwork I was participating in,” says Lucas. In summer 2023, Lucas was invited back to Iceland to lead the fieldwork. Today, she’s a graduate student. Among her plans: defending her master’s thesis in fall 2024 and, possibly, moving to Iceland. Winter 2024 | 21

B E Y ON D B OR D E R S ELIZABETH “LIZZY” CAPPELLI (LEFT) ONCE THOUGHT STUDYING ABROAD WAS AN IMPOSSIBILITY . She is a

decidedly can-do person — double majoring in Spanish, and human services and rehabilitation studies at Assumption University in Worchester, Mass. But for Cappelli, who is visually impaired, international education would bring unique challenges. Connecting with Southern’s offices of International Education and Accessibility Services put Cappelli at ease, as did conversations with Miaowei Weng, associate professor of Spanish, who oversaw the program. “Dr. Weng was so supportive. ‘That’s not a problem,’ she’d tell me. ‘We’ll figure it out.’” So, Cappelli found herself bound for Salamanca, Spain. The program exceeded her expectations, greatly enhancing her language skills. “I learned more in Spain, than I did my past seven years studying the language,” she says. Her confidence also increased exponentially. One experience stands out: visiting the large, bustling city of Grenada for several days toward the end of the program. Two days in, Cappelli decided to shop on her own, which meant navigating the foreign, relatively unknown city. The outing was spectacular — up there with evening visits to the Plaza Mayor de Salamanca and tours through internationally recognized museums. “I gained so much confidence from being in a new place,” she says, “That is probably what I am most happy about.”

LEARNING THE A RT O F TRAV EL HOW’S THIS FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING? Students who are

studying tourism, hospitality, and management actively plan and execute their study abroad experiences in Italy and Liverpool, England — all under the careful guidance of Lee deLisle, a professor in the Department of Recreation, Tourism, and Sport Management. It’s an allinclusive assignment, with students responsible for orchestrating a complete day

overseas — planning meal options and transportation as well as presenting detailed information about sites visited. “It’s great to see how they plan their day while still at Southern and eventually get to see the site as an ‘expert’ guide,” notes deLisle. “They sometimes get overwhelmed with emotion when we arrive at their chosen destination.”

Students also learn firsthand the lifechanging power of cultural immersion. In Roccantica, Italy, for example, they donned medieval costumes alongside the townspeople to participate in the Medioevo in Festa (photo on page 19). The festival commemorates events in 1059, when Pope Nicholas II took refuge at the fortified city after the fall of Rome. The villagers successfully defended the Pope, with 12 male residents surviving the battle. Descendants of each of the survivors still live in the city.

A P I C T UR E S QU E S E T T I N G THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND THE ARTS are the focuses of a trip to Tuscany, jointly led by Pina Palma, professor of world languages and literatures, and Jeremy Chandler, professor of photography. The trip is based in the pastoral town of Montepulciano, in the Tuscan countryside, halfway between Florence and Rome. Students also may choose to enroll in an optional course at Il Sasso Italian Language School in the city.

continues on page 47

SP E AKING TH E LANGUAG E THINKING BACK ON HER COLLEGE SEARCH, JASMINE DIGLIO (ABOVE) HAD ONE REQUIREMENT: “They had

to offer a study abroad program.” She is fluent in Italian and opted to study in Milan, Italy, at L’Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore for the spring 2023 semester. At Southern, Diglio commutes to the university. The longer program allowed her to spread her wings, navigating everything from applying for a visa to finding housing overseas. She lived with seven women, who hailed from Finland, Mexico, and four states in the U.S. The group formed fast friendships. “We are in contact almost every day, sending funny videos and updating each other on what’s going on in our lives,” says Diglio. She also excelled, earning straight A’s in coursework and securing a summer internship for when she returned to the states. The interview took place virtually: “Being overseas was a great conversation starter,” she says.

W H E R E IN

THE WORL

t a facultyents who wan ud st rn he ut So n experience nal educatio led internatio a sampling tions. Here’s have many op . as of fall 2023 nited Kingdom Liverpool, U Barbados Chile

ain Salamanca, Sp ted Poulton, Uni Chester and Kingdom l al educationa Rome (sever programs) Paris Belize

n to Spain (locatio determined)

Iceland

no, Italy Montepulcia Peru South Africa Winter 2024 | 23

SUPPORTING SOUTHERN ■

The Empowering Couple Anthony and Beth Verlezza have both made their marks in the business world. Today, they are committed to supporting the next generation of leaders. By Eric Butterman

24 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

NTHONY “TONY” VERLEZZA, ’74, says he wasn’t a star linebacker

when he played for the Owls football team. In fact, sometimes it was hard just making it to practice. “Besides studying, I had a job that took its share of hours,” he says. Verlezza isn’t complaining. His father, who grew up during the Depression and was a World War II veteran, never had the chance to attend college. But, in a meaningful twist, the family surname is now prominently displayed in Southern’s new School of Business building. The Anthony F. and Beth Verlezza MBA Suite was named in recognition of the couple’s leadership-level pledge in support of the School of Business MBA Program Endowment. “So much of this [gift] is inspired by the way Southern, a state university — a state college when I attended — gave me the opportunity to be upwardly mobile in my career and life,” Anthony says. “Southern provided me with an exceptional education — as good as I would have received anywhere. I was able to parlay that education into a very successful business career.” Anthony faced his own challenges; in fact, earning a college degree once seemed almost an impossibility. “But my father always encouraged me, stressing that I could do it. That I needed to do it,” he says. The Verlezzas are committed to sharing that opportunity with others. Their gift for the MBA program continues a long history of support. Other donations furthered initiatives near and dear to Anthony’s heart, among them, the Football Alumni Network Scholarship and other athletics funds. He also established the Anthony Verlezza Endowed Scholarship Fund in the early 1990s. The fund benefits undergraduate business majors who are members of the football team. Anthony also is an active university volunteer. He previously was vice-chairman of the SCSU Foundation Board of Directors and now serves as a member of the School of Business Advisory Council. Both Verlezzas succeeded in business, one in the food industry, the other in publishing. Anthony was vice president, supply chain, with Unilever North American Ice Cream from 2001 to 2009, overseeing 10 factories, engineering, and the logistical network. Prior to that he was the vice president and director of manufacturing operations at Dean Foods. Today, he draws on these and other experiences as the principal of Integrated Supply Chain Solutions Business Advisory Services, a strategic management consultancy. Beth served as regional sales manager for Putman Media, a business-tobusiness media firm, from 2016 to 2019. Previously, she held the same role at Penton Media and was an advertising director for TAPPI. Now retired, she enjoys the sunshine alongside her husband at the couple’s home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. At Southern, Anthony received a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences with a focus on microbiology, which, he says, provided a strong foundation for his business career. “This quality technical degree was key to working through scientific issues,” he says, noting the need to understand physics, thermal science, pasteurization, homogenization, and more. “There is a huge connection between my scientific background and my business experience,” says Anthony.

Remembering a Cherished College Friend

OOKING BACK AT HIS YEARS AT SOUTHERN , Anthony

“Tony” Verlezza, ’74, remembers coursework, hours spent in the science labs, and his time on the football field. But like many, he also vividly recalls the friendships. Among those who remain in his heart is Robert “Bob” Rynecki, ’73, M.S. ’77, a Waterbury, Conn., native, who majored in biology (microbiology concentration) and minored in chemistry at Southern. “Bob was truly a great man and a real credit to Southern Connecticut State University,” says Verlezza of his dear friend who was diagnosed with and died of pancreatic cancer in 2021. Rynecki, who earned a master’s degree in microbiology in 1977, spent 20 years in the dairy manufacturing industry, working at the former Brock-Hall Dairy in Hamden, and at Borden and Kraft Foods throughout the U.S. He later embarked on a second career, studying nursing at York College in Pennsylvania while working as an EMT. (He was named EMT of the Year in the state.) He went on to work at Chambersburg Hospital, ultimately becoming a nursing supervisor. He also taught for many years at the Penn State Mount Alto campus and was the author of The Art of the IV Start. He and his wife Terri were married for 46 years; they have two sons, Paul and David, who are both married with children.

A Heart for Giving

HE COUPLE MET ABOUT 17 YEARS AGO , and Beth recalls being inspired

by her future husband’s passion for giving back. “He did not have the opportunities that I did,” she says. “My father was an internal medicine physician. My mother was Phi Beta Kappa in chemistry. . . . I kind of lived a different life, and I was always impressed that Tony felt it was important to give back to those who did not have opportunities.” Beth hopes having her name on the business suite will encourage women in their pursuit of a business career. She was one of the few women to hold certain positions during her employment.

continues on page 46 Winter 2024 | 25

SUPPORTING SOUTHERN ■

A Well of Generosity A powerful partnership forwards a commitment to community, sustainability, and “business for good.” By Eric Butterman

THEY SAY

WATER IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE. At Southern’s School of Business it’s also a source of inspiration and commitment. Larry Bingaman, president and chief executive officer of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA), is a longtime contributor to Southern’s business school; he and his wife have made leadership-level gifts to initiatives ranging from the university’s annual Day of Caring to the establishment of the Larry L. and Martha J. Bingaman Scholarship Fund. The latter, named in their honor, benefits Connecticut residents who are majoring in business administration at Southern. Building on this history, Bingaman recently pledged $150,000 to the SCSU Foundation to support the School of Business Experiential Education Fund. The gift affirms Bingaman’s belief that students “learn by doing” and forwards initiatives such as internships, students’ participation in business competitions, student research, and more. In recognition, the executive conference room in the new home of the School of Business has been named the Larry L. Bingaman Experiential Education Conference Room. While Bingaman isn’t a Southern graduate, his support of the university’s students is ironclad. He is a longtime member of the School of Business Advisory Council and is now lending guidance to the ongoing development of the Experiential Education Platform, which also will be named in his honor through June 2027. “I believe we need to support the community where we work, and education is one of the most transformative ways to do so,” says Bingaman, who has led the establishment of new operating and productivity initiatives that have saved customers millions of dollars annually while sharpening the company’s focus on environmental sustainability. Previously, he spent almost two decades at Aquarion Water Company, his last role as senior vice president, operations (Massachusetts and New Hampshire). Bingaman is known as a thought leader and change agent in the community-at-large as well. His involvement is far-reaching and includes being a founding member of the Greater New Haven chapter of Social Venture Partners and the Connecticut chapter of Conscious Capitalism. The latter has a goal of “elevating humanity through business,” which is reflected in the university’s social justice mission. “Southern is committed to its students and the region, and it continues to move in a positive direction as a center of learning. I’m a strong believer that we have an obligation to lead and serve — to improve lives and make the community a better place,” says Bingaman, who has received numerous accolades for his commitment to service. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Southern during the 2021 commencement exercises for the School of Business. This recognition and the naming of the executive conference room have both been humbling and unexpected honors. “You just intrinsically understand the difference education can make in people’s lives,” he says. “And I’m still at it myself, pursuing a doctorate in leadership and change. It’s exciting to be immersed in education.”

26 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

emerging from it and helping our industry. It’s terrific to have graduates taking courses directly tailored to our industry’s problems but also its opportunities.” Course offerings include financial accounting, public utilities management, green energy/environmental sustainability, and more. “Too many students throughout the country don’t know enough about our industry,” says Bingaman. “People need utilities, so there are tremendous opportunities to build a rewarding career by choosing this path. And what the Public Utilities Management Program teaches can be applied to many areas of business. It’s a great program to learn in.”

BOUT 430,000 CONSUMERS DEPEND ON THE SOUTH CENTRAL CONNECTICUT

REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY (RWA) to

protect and keep their water flowing — and a recent $300,000 gift for the Public Utilities Management Program at Southern’s School of Business forwards these goals. RWA’s leaders first recognized the need for such a program after determining that half of their employees would be eligible to retire in five to seven years, a trend echoed at other utilities.

The undergraduate Public Utilities Management Program was launched in response — with Southern’s School of Business and Gateway Community College working collaboratively with the region’s water, electric, gas, and wastewater utilities. The goal: to prepare Connecticut residents for well-paying, critically needed jobs in public utilities. “As far as I know, it’s the only four-year degree program of its kind in the nation,” says Bingaman of Southern’s program. “We’re excited about great leaders

NOTHER CONNECTION TO THE RWA IS LENDING SUPPORT

to the Public Utilities Management Program as well. The Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund was created by the RWA in 1999 to protect water quality by acquiring watershed land and promoting environmental education — including scholarships that provide future decision makers with the tools to preserve and protect open space and drinking water supply resources. “Since it started operation, we’ve received numerous applications to provide scholarships to undergraduates,” says Brian Stone, an attorney with the Pellegrino Law Firm who serves as president of the Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund Board of Directors. “The multi-year Public Utilities Management Program in the business school is a meaningful program to support. We were approached by the new dean for a grant for the School of Business and the management program hits on an area which is of great concern — the future of utilities.” Good utilities management, Stone says, recognizes the role industry plays in environmental protection. “We are convinced Southern is going in a very positive direction when it comes to protecting the

continues on page 46 Winter 2024 | 27

SUPPORTING SOUTHERN ■

A Heart of Gold

A landmark gift to the School of Business is part of a series of generous donations designed to break the cycle of poverty through education. By John Rosengren

28 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2021, THE AMOUR PROPRE FUND LED BY LINDY LEE GOLD DONATED HALF A

MILLION DOLLARS TO ESTABLISH the School of Business Endowment for Leadership Development. It was the latest gift of time, talent, and treasure guided by Gold since she began serving on the SCSU Foundation Board of Directors in 2015. Though Gold is not a Southern alumna, a commitment to the university comes naturally for the New Haven native who grew up on Ellsworth Avenue around the corner from campus. “If you care about New Haven and the region, you have to care about Southern,” she says. “I consider it an enlightened self-interest.” Her reasoning: investing in the students is an investment in the future of the area. Of the 8,000 alumni who have earned a degree through Southern’s business school over the past 30 years, about 85 percent have stayed in Connecticut. “Most of the students at Southern stay in the immediate region because of their strong connections here,” Gold says. “If we want our business and professional communities to thrive, we need these students.” She has promoted the greater good by targeting a demographic in need of extra support: students from lowereconomic backgrounds, who constitute the backbone of Southern’s student body. Approximately 54 percent of the university’s first-year class is eligible for Federal Pell Grants, which are provided to those in most need of financial aid. For Gold, the support of the university’s neediest students is a no-brainer, in line with her belief that education is a critical means for individuals to improve their economic situation. “Southern is one of New Haven’s answers to breaking a cycle of poverty,” she says. Gold was raised in a privileged household. Her parents were prominent attorneys, partners at the firm Gold & Gold. Her father Marvin Gold was also a successful real estate developer and her role model — a philanthropist who held numerous volunteer leadership positions. “I had a really good role model,” says Gold. “An aspect of my [Judaic] faith that I adhere to is the concept of ‘tikkun olam,’ which means repair the world. I have always been driven to serve on boards where that is a priority.” Gold saw the opportunity to further efforts to repair the world in 2015, when she was invited to serve on the SCSU Foundation Board of Directors. (She is the board secretary.) While this will be her last year as a board member, having served the maximum nine years allowed by the bylaws, she will remain on the Business Advisory Council of the School of Business. The gifts given to the school through Amour Propre, Gold’s private charitable fund, have risen from the need she’s seen in those who were not raised in the fortunate circumstances she and some of the university’s students were. “Many of the students have not had the experiences or opportunities that more privileged students had,” she

says. “I hope it will level the playing field for them by enhancing their possibilities,” she says. In addition to the $500-thousand gift to the School of Business Endowment for Leadership Development, Amour Propre previously made a $150,000 grant to support the school’s Women’s Leadership and Mentoring Program, which provides personalized mentoring from business professionals, webinars, seminars, workshops, and more. The endowment enhances and expands that program as well as IMPACT Greater New Haven, which places Southern business majors at nonprofits and pays them a stipend. Most recently, a $25,000 contribution last year established the Lindy Lee Gold Endowed Scholarship for STEM majors. The scholarship supports students who are transferring from one of Connecticut’s community colleges. In recognition of her generosity, the new business school building, which opened in the fall, established the Lindy Lee Gold Business Leadership Suite, which houses the offices for the Women in Leadership Program and Career Services, a conference room, interview rooms for use by students and organizations, and more. For the past 25 years, Gold has worked for the Department of Economic and Community Development. She’s a senior specialist responsible for business retention, recruitment, and expansion. After having run three businesses she’d sold and serving on various nonprofit boards asking for government support, she was ready for a midlife career change. “It occurred to me I could be on the right side of the checkbook and amplify the impact I make,” she says. Gold is also a proud grandmother of her son’s 15-yearold son: “He’s fabulous,” she says. And she is an arts enthusiast whose weekends are filled with trips to galleries, concerts, art fairs, and the theatre. “I’m a theatre junkie and an art fair groupie,” she says. Southern has benefitted from those interests. When Gold spotted an owl sculpture at an art fair in Mystic, Conn., she texted then-Southern President Joe Bertolino a photo and asked, “Do you like this?” “He responded with one of the longest texts I’ve ever seen explaining the rules of what the university could and couldn’t pay for with regard to art,” she says with a laugh. “I responded, ‘It was yes or no. I’m paying for it.’ He said yes.” She thought the owl statue, which is taller than she is and a gentler rendition than the university mascot, would be uplifting. She wanted it to make people smile and believes it has, pointing to the large number of selfies students have taken in front of the statue since its installation last fall. “Everything I’ve tried to do at the school has been to promote self-esteem,” she says. “I think self-esteem is the cornerstone for a successful career and a successful life. Anything that institutes pride and inspires us is in the spirit of that mission.” ■

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HI DDE N C A M PU S ■

The gallery’s permanent collection includes African art, Pre-Columbian ceramic art, works by artist Salvador Dalí, contemporary ceramics, historic engravings dating from the 1400s to the 1800s, and other specialties. More: SouthernCT.edu/art-gallery

The Last Judgement, an engraving by Martino Rota, 1569.

Southern’s Art Gallery, situated on the first floor of Buley Library, houses a diverse, permanent collection that is displayed periodically. In spring 2024, the gallery will host its inaugural exhibit of works by Dimitri Petrov (1919-1986), a celebrated American surrealist painter and printer. Born in Philadelphia, Petrov was raised in an anarchist colony in New Jersey and became a member of the Woodstock Artists Association. His work has been shown at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, and more. “We’ll be showing some of the last images he created,” says Cort Sierpinski, gallery director and professor of art. The Petrov Collection was donated by Frank David Scharf, Esq. [Left] Dimitri Petrov’s Gliding By, 1979.

OMENTS AFTER ATTENDEES ENTERED CAMPUS THE NOSTALGIA HIT. Falling leaves. Warm smiles.

A sea of blue and white sweatshirts and, occasionally, open umbrellas. (It was, after all, autumn in New England.) It was also Homecoming and Family Day 2023, an actionpacked extended celebration like none other, held throughout campus Oct. 12 – 14. Heartfelt reunions occurred spontaneously as old friends embraced and reminisced. The pre-game tailgate and “Owl Town,” brought opportunities to mingle with campus leaders and coaches, student-athletes, and alumni athletes. The Black Student Union (BSU) Alumni celebrated at an on-campus reception and afterparty while raising funds for the Barbara Matthews Scholarship Fund and BSU Emergency Fund.

32 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Amidst the rousing cheers at Jess Dow Field, the fighting Owls took on American International College at the traditional Homecoming football game. The youngest Owls joined the fun with games, crafts, visits with Otus the Owl — and even a sibling night sleepover. Guests also explored today’s campus, catching student theatrical performances of the classic hit Footloose and touring the new homes of the College of Health and Human Services and the School of Business. The former boasts a simulated hospital floor with medical mannequins that replicate complicated medical conditions; the latter has an exterior stock market ticker that offers a glimpse of global markets. It was, in sum, a weekend to remember: a time to honor Southern’s past and learn about its future while celebrating every moment. Once an Owl, always an Owl.

Winter 2024 | 33

OWL UPDATE ■

When Stars Align

Lydia Nixon, ’13, M.S. ’17

A Southern love story paves the way to two doctorates. By Beth Levine

course, it had to be famed scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson who ultimately brought Lydia and Charles Nixon together. The two had met years before as undergraduates in Southern’s Honors College, a program for academically gifted students. They shared an interest in astronomy, but had never been more than good friends. Neither anticipated that a fateful date to hear the American astrophysicist speak would lead to them marrying and both becoming Ph.D. candidates at North Dakota State University (NDSU). It all started when Lydia enrolled at Southern. Her family had a strong connection to the university and the humanities. Lydia’s mother Linda Olson, was an associate professor of world languages and literatures who taught French, and her father Alan Friedlander was a professor of history. (The two retired in 2014 with emeritus status.) Lydia, who wanted to study the sciences, found Southern was a great place to explore. “Originally, I was pre-med, but then I was so inspired by Professor Valerie Andrushko that I switched to anthropology with a biological anthropology focus,” she says. Professor Andrushko encouraged Lydia to 34 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

apply to two summer internships in Lisbon, Portugal, where she studied bones and bone fragments from Neolithic archeological sites. She also did a semester in Sweden because, well, why not? She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in anthropology with minors in geography and biology. Although they are the same age, Charles had taken a year off after high school. He joined the Honors College as a freshman when Lydia was a sophomore. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to pursue. He tried different academic subjects — including French with his future mother-in-law. In the end, his interest in astronomy led him to a Bachelor of Science in earth science (geology concentration) with minors in French and environmental science. Charles also gives a shout out to his Southern mentors for their support and nurturing: “I did my honors thesis in my minor of environmental science with Dr. Vincent Breslin, professor of environment, geography, and marine sciences. He was a big inspiration. [The late] James Tait, associate professor of science education and environmental studies; Thomas Fleming, professor of earth science; and Cynthia R. Coron, professor emeritus, in geology, were also big influences on me.” Each of the Nixons feel they got a great amount of individual attention that helped them flourish despite such

rigorous courses of study. “The small class sizes in the Honors College were really helpful with that. But even in the big classes, I still felt like there was a connection with the professors. I never felt like a number,” recalls Lydia. Lydia and Charles became fast friends hanging around the Honors College library. “A lot of us studied there because it’s just a nice place to get away,” says Lydia. Charles says some of his best memories of Southern took place at that library. “It was a hoot. There was always a funny conversation going on,” he says, adding that his favorite semester was when he took an EMT course at the same time he was in a field class. “I’d be out in Durham or Branford for field class, then have to race back for EMT class. It was a lot of work but I learned so much from exploring all these different directions. It was so stimulating!” So, back to Neil deGrasse Tyson: Lydia and Charles stayed friends throughout college. Then a few years after her 2013 graduation, Lydia — then working on her master’s in biology at Southern — saw that the astrophysicist was going to be speaking in the area. “I really wanted to go but my usual science friends were all off elsewhere for grad school. I thought, well, Charlie’s always loved astronomy. I texted him randomly; I didn’t even know if his number was still the same. But he was still in the area so he said sure!” she says.

It became the date that never ended. Their connection continued even after Lydia moved to North Dakota to start her Ph.D. “I met my current adviser at a conference, who said she had a space in her lab where I could basically study whatever I wanted. I couldn’t say no to an opportunity like that,” she says. She is now researching the roosting behavior of big and little brown bats and is also president of the Biological Sciences Graduate Student Association. Charles had a good job at an environmental firm, so he wasn’t sure he wanted to make the move. But then the two starstruck friends married at the Peabody Museum of Natural History (of course) in New Haven in 2018. Charles followed the Ph.D. path to NDSU where he is studying earth, environmental, and geospatial sciences. He is in the process of creating computer algorithms to pick out different features from topographical maps of Earth and Mars. Both hope to achieve their degrees within a year…ish. And then? Not sure. Lydia would like to become a teaching professor; Charles is going to follow his now familiar path of seeing where the stars guide him. He says, “My philosophy is don’t sweat the choice you’re going to make after you graduate; explore a little. You never know where you can go until you get there.” ■

NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, KLAUS PONTOPPIDAN (STScI) PHOTO; ALYSSA PAGAN (STScI) IMAGE PROCESSING

Charles Nixon, ’14

Winter 2024 | 35

SPACES & PLACES IN NEW HAVEN ■

OWL TERRITORY

ANSWERS. A California man who

NEW HAVEN First held in New Haven on March 17, 1842, the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the oldest of its kind in New England — an achievement celebrated in this 150th anniversary guide from 1992, written by Neil Hogan and designed by Marylou Conley, ’83, the coordinator of graphic services at Southern Connecticut State University. CONNECTICUT IRISH-AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

HEY COME LOOKING FOR

believed his Black father, now deceased, had owned a shoe store on New Haven’s Dixwell Avenue. A contingent of social studies teachers developing lesson plans, perhaps, a children’s scavenger hunt for historical artifacts. Exchange students from Amalfi, Italy, seeking information on their “Sister City” of New Haven. For these and countless others, all roads lead to the Ethnic Heritage Center of Greater New Haven. Located at 270 Fitch Street on the edge of Southern’s campus, the center is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of five ethnic societies with focuses on African Americans, Irish-Americans, ItalianAmericans, Jews, and Ukrainian-Americans. Several of the five societies are based at other locations. But they maintain a presence at the Ethnic Heritage Center, which can be visited by appointment. Offerings include archives, artifacts, exhibits, community events (film series, speakers, and more), and the Walk New Haven: Cultural Heritage Tours.

The latter are guides of five New Haven neighborhoods complete with historical highlights — everything from the Lafayette Mendel House (Mendel was a pioneering physiologist, one of the first tenured Jewish professors at Yale) to the Amistad Memorial (commemorating the history of illegally kidnapped Africans jailed at the site in 1893 while awaiting trial). The Ethnic Heritage Center sells detailed guidebooks of each of the New Haven neighborhoods; tour pamphlets also are available for free through the center and are viewable online. The tours unite the community in countless ways. Several Southern students conducted research for the Grand Avenue neighborhood guide, and students from New Haven Public Schools are trained to lead tours. “Much of our mission centers on education as well as promoting social justice, which ties in so closely with learning about each other,” says Gloria Horbaty, president of the Ethnic Heritage Center. “You see the differences, but you also see so many commonalities. It builds understanding.”

OPEN BY APPOINTMENT. • ETHNICHERITAGECENTER.ORG • WALKNEWHAVEN.ORG (203) 392-6126 OR (203) 269-5909

Following a fire, the B. Shoninger Organ Company moved to New Haven. This organ is from the 1880s. Students from Troup Junior High School’s Class of 1940 JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF GREATER NEW HAVEN

36 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

A print of a young woman shows powerful emotions. The society has numerous artifacts from the 20th Century Club, a women’s organization that supported people who moved from the South to Connecticut. GREATER NEW HAVEN AFRICAN-AMERICAN SOCIETY

Ukrainian holiday traditions are highlighted in a display. Wheat figures prominently in Christian Christmas celebrations, placed under the table to symbolize the manger. Kutia or Kutya, is a traditional Christmas dish, usually prepared from wheat, raisons, poppy seeds, and honey. A small bit is thrown at the ceiling. If it sticks, the family is promised good luck all year. CONNECTICUT UKRAINIAN-AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

New Haven resident Joe Isicoff founded a seltzer company before moving to New Jersey. JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF GREATER NEW HAVEN

In early 1900, this trunk accompanied a family coming to the U.S. from Italy. Among the treasures it held were two nightgowns, bed sheets, and pillowcases. ITALIAN-AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT

Marzullo’s Pastry Shop, founded in 1906, used these hand-hammered, copper bowls as well as a tool to make torrone, a traditional Italian candy crafted from egg whites. ITALIAN-AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT

Southern s STUDENT-PARENTS More than 20 percent of college students in the U.S. are raising children while earning their degrees. Here are some of the ways Southern is helping its student-parents succeed.

By Villia Struyk

A FORMER U.S. NAVY

CORPSMAN ASSIGNED TO A

HOSPITAL ER, CAILONNI HAYWOOD

is adept at juggling challenging, diverse assignments. “I basically did everything that a nurse did except administer narcotics through an IV,” she says of her military posting. Still, having completed her service, Haywood found the thought of earning a college degree while simultaneously caring for her 1-year-old son Khaza daunting. “Finding childcare for him was my biggest concern,” she says. 38 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Haywood receives funding for her education through the GI Bill. But childcare is expensive — and balancing the demands of motherhood with college (class time, reading, homework, group projects) and a demanding job seemed impossible. “I knew I didn’t want to work and go to school,” says Haywood. “I didn’t even know how I was going to handle college with a baby.” Fast-forward to the fall 2023 semester, and Haywood is handling all quite nicely. Now in her first year at

Southern, she’s a sophomore (with transfer credits from military coursework and community college) and is planning to major in social work. She credits an aptly named university program — COMPASS (Childcare Opportunities Mean Parents Achieve Success at Southern) — with easing her journey to a college degree. The COMPASS program provides a range of critically needed services with a focus on those with financial need, including single parents. Initiatives include an on-campus drop-in childcare

CaiLonni and Khaza Haywood combine work and play at the family friendly study room in Buley Library. Librarians Diana Hellyar, Kari Swanson, and Lisa Bier directed the creation of the room with funding for some of the furniture provided by the grant from the U.S. Department of Education CCAMPIS Program.

and family resource center, subsidies to help pay for off-campus childcare, and educational workshops for parents. The grant even helped create a family friendly study room that opened in the fall 2023 semester in Buley Library.

The program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Program. An additional contribution comes through a Southern graduate’s bequest. There’s a profound need for such support. At the national level, more than one in five college students are raising children while attending school — and 53 percent of those have a child under age 6.* “Amid the country’s looming childcare crisis, students who are parents need affordable, accessible, stable, and high-quality childcare opportunities to succeed. I am proud to work at an institution that prioritizes all students holistically. Also, COMPASS allows us to connect student-parents with other on-campus programs, including our food pantry, family therapy clinic, lactation support, speech and language therapy, and therapeutic recreation,” says Michele Vancour, executive director of healthcare programs in Southern’s College of Health and Human Services. Historically, the university’s leadership has strived to meet the needs of students who are parents. For example, in 2018, Southern was designated a “Breastfeeding-Friendly Campus” by the Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition — becoming the first college or university to earn the recognition. The COMPASS program builds on this commitment. For Haywood, the university’s COMPASS Drop-in Childcare and Family Resource Center has been “the biggest blessing.” Located on campus, it provides reservable, short-term care (up to 3.5 hours) for children of students and employees. Those with financial need are eligible for no-fee or low-fee care for children between the ages of six weeks and 12 years. Haywood recalls being nervous about her son Khaza’s transition to the center. “He had a very strong attachment to me,” she says of initially dropping him off at the center twice a week and gradually increasing to four

times weekly. “Watching his ongoing development, seeing him become so comfortable and play with the staff and other students, it is such a breath of fresh air,” she says. “It’s made it a lot easier to go to college — mentally, emotionally, and financially.” The drop-in center launched as a pilot program in spring 2023 and, currently, can serve up to 20 children an hour. Demand is high: more than 40 children are registered to use the facility, which supports 34 student-parents as well as faculty and staff. Flexibility is a key benefit. “I met a mom in a doctoral program. Her daughter is old enough for school. But when the [elementary] school has a half day or is closed, she uses the drop-in service,” says Haywood. The COMPASS Childcare Center’s staff includes both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in academic programs in the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Education. “We find that the diversity of majors allows us to be a well-rounded center,” says Heather Jimenez, COMPASS project coordinator. Haywood concurs: “It is such a haven for your child. If I had to describe the center’s culture in one word, it would be ‘love.’” For those with more significant childcare needs, the U.S. Department of Education CCAMPIS grant and contributions from the Division of Student Affairs also enable Southern to provide childcare subsidies to eligible families of up to $5,000. The subsidies offset expenses at accredited childcare centers and organizations like the YMCA. Subsidies are available to students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant — earmarked for those with the greatest level of financial need. In the fall, the CCAMPIS Program grant also supported the creation of the Buley Library family friendly study room. Located on the first floor, the redesigned room welcomes studentparents who bring their children to library visits. The enclosed, light-filled

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NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME PHOTO

ALUMNI NEWS ■

■

Olympians, Owls, and Hall of Famers

ARY ANNE O’CONNOR, ’75, AND SUSAN ROJCEWICZ, ’75, HAVE REACHED THE HEIGHTS OF SUCCESS IN THE WORLD OF BASKETBALL — AND THEY’VE DONE IT TWICE.

In 1976, both played on Team U.S.A. at the Olympic Games in Montreal. The team won a silver medal at the competition, which introduced women’s basketball as an Olympic sport. Some forty-seven years later, the two former teammates again made history when the 1976 Olympic Team was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — the first time a women’s Olympic team was honored among the inductees. O’Connor and Rojcewicz joined some of their former teammates on stage at the enshrinement ceremony, held August 12, 2023, in Springfield, Mass. “More than 1,000 women attended the regional tryouts, paying our own way with a dream of making the team,” said co-captain Juliene Brazinksi Simpson, who accepted the honor on behalf of the Olympic squad. “There was no national training center. No Olympic development team. No funding. And definitely no air-conditioned gyms.”

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At Southern, O’Connor and Rojcewicz played for the late, legendary coach Louise O’Neal, helping the Owls to three Final Four finishes: third place in 1973 and 1974 and fourth in 1975. Both players were named to the U.S. national team and won gold at the Pan American Games in 1974. O’Connor went on to play basketball in France, leading her team to eight French Cup championships in nine season. She was named France’s Sportwoman of the Year in 1985 and was inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988. Southern welcomed her into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987. After her basketball career, O’Connor co-founded an IT and operations consulting firm in the San Francisco area. Rojcewicz, who was also a Southern standout in field hockey and softball, was inducted into the SCSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000. She served on the coaching staff at Pennsylvania State University and Stanford University and was then named head basketball coach of the University of San Francisco in 1982, serving through 1987.

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All That Glitters

EWELRY DESIGNER STEPHANIE HOWELL, ’11,

IS INSPIRED BY NATURE , her latest collections referencing the Teton Mountains and lush cedar forests of the American West. In July, her namesake company S. Howell Studios won first place in the 2023 Halstead Grant competition for new jewelry businesses. The award — which includes a $7,500 prize, $1,000 worth of jewelry supplies, a trip to Prescott, Ariz., and trophy — builds on Howell’s earlier successes; she finished among the top five in the 2019 competition, mere months after launching her business, and was a finalist in 2020. Howell first studied metalsmithing at Middlesex Community College in Connecticut, earning an associate degree before transferring to Southern. In New Haven, she majored in studio art with a concentration in jewelry and metals, guided by Terrence Lavin, professor of art and design. “His unwavering commitment to pushing creative boundaries and enhancing my skills significantly impacted my growth as an artist,” says Howell. “Terry’s blend of encouragement, rigorous challenges, and kindness was instrumental in shaping my journey.” The handcrafted, small-batch collections include bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings. Retail prices range from $25 to $1,250. In step with the designer’s nature-inspired ethos, the company is a certified member of 1% for the Planet; a minimum of one percent of all sales are donated to approved environmental partners. Howell also uses recycled metal when possible, recycles all precious metal scraps, and sources supplies from companies that share her commitment to the planet. She outlines all on her website: “If you value intention and sustainability, you’ve come to the right place.”

2023-2024 SCSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stacey Fields, ’15, President Julia [Napolitano] Nelson, ’19, Vice President Laeticia Iboki, ’16, Secretary LaShanté James, ’04, M.S. ’14, Treasurer (Emeritus) Adwoa Ansah-Rey, ’05 Madi Csejka, ’19 Binod Dahal, ’21 Rachael Davis, ’06 Shermaine Edmonds, ’04, MBA ’06 Eduardo Foster, ’02 Aba Hayford, ’10 Aaron Johnson, ’04 Leo Kivijarv, ’70 Sarah Lauture-Pullen, ’15 Joseph Linebarger, ’15 Patricia Miller ’69, M.S. ’75, 6th Yr. ’81 (Emeritus) Grace Mukupa, ’02 Morris Patton, ’97 Sarah Lauture Pullen, ’15 Daniel Shields, ’96 Anthony Tamburri, ’71 Carolyn Vanacore ’52, M.S. ’68, 6th Yr. ’73 (Emeritus) Chelsea Wearing, ’18 Brian West, ’ 80 Southern Connecticut State University Office of Alumni Relations 501 Crescent Street New Haven, CT 06515

Designer Stephanie Howell, ’11, and several of her creations: cedar statement necklace, cascade earrings, and Teton night necklace.

Gregory Bernard, ’04, Director BernardG2@SouthernCT.edu Doreen Cammarata-Gilhuly, ’89, Associate Director GilhulyD1@SouthernCT.edu

Winter 2024 | 41

ALUMNI NEWS ■

■

Owls Honored As Top Educators

TAKES A VILLAGE TO

Hayes,’05, who is now serving as

PROVIDE AN EXCEPTIONAL

a U.S. Representative for the

EDUCATION: teachers,

Fifth Congressional District of

administrators, school counselors, and others bringing their best to

Connecticut. In recent years, Southern

the classroom. Founded in 1893

graduates also accepted three

as a teachers’ college, Southern

Milken Educator Awards (with its

has a long history of educating

$25,000 prize), several

the educators — and the results

Presidential Awards for

are impressive. Graduates of

Excellence in Mathematics and

Southern’s College of Education

Science Teaching, the

have received countless city,

Connecticut History Teacher of

state, and national honors.

the Year Award, and more. The

Among them, is the 2016

legacy continues in 2023 with the

National Teacher of the Year

following honorees recognized

Award presented to Jahana

for their service to students.

(Photos left from top)

(Photos right from top)

2023 Milken Educator Award Alyssa Basso, ‘08, M.S. ’13 STEM teacher, John S. Martinez Sea and Sky STEM Magnet School, New Haven

Connecticut PTA Outstanding Elementary School Teacher Kristine Torreso, ’15, M.S. ’17 Live Oaks Elementary School, Milford

National Teachers Fall of Fame, one of only five inductees in the Class of 2023 Kristen Record, 6th Yr. ’06 Physics teacher, Frank Scott Bunnell High School, Stratford, Conn.

Connecticut PTA Outstanding Special Education Teacher Alisse DeAngelis, M.S. ’19 Orchard Hill Elementary School, Milford

Connecticut Association of Schools High School Principal of the Year Kristen St. Germain, 6th Yr. ’00 Wheeler Middle School and High School, North Stonington Connecticut PTA Outstanding Middle School Principal Darron Vigliotti, M.S. ’06, 6th Yr. ’13 Eli Terry Jr. Middle School, Plymouth

Connecticut PTA Outstanding Social Worker Claire Bogart, MSW ’15, DSW ’22 Meadowside Elementary School, Milford Connecticut nominee for the 2023 Patricia Behring National History Day Teacher of the Year Award Ian Webster, ’97 (co-nominated at the high school level alongside Matt Cieslowski) Social Studies Teacher, Manchester High School

Are you a Southern graduate who was recently recognized for your contributions as an educator? We’d love to share the good news. Send information and a high-resolution photo to StruykV1@SouthernCT.edu or SouthernCT.edu/update-alumni-information. Thank you!

42 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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Doctoral Grant Awarded to Alumnus

EPRESENTING MORE THAN 50,000 MEMBERS FROM 90 COUNTRIES , the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is well-positioned to recognize excellence — and they see it in Grant Laskin, ’18, M.S. ’20. The Southern alumnus is one of two recipients of a 2023-24 ACSM Doctoral Student Research Grant, each totaling $5,000. Laskin earned two degrees at Southern, both in exercise science with a concentration in human performance. (He notes that the physiology courses were particularly impactful.) Today, he’s a doctoral student at Florida State University in Tallahassee with a focus on skeletal muscle biology. (Skeletal muscles connect to bones, making it possible to voluntarily perform a wide range of movements and functions.) The ACSM grant was awarded for Laskin’s research on Aerobic Exercise-Mediated Prevention against Glucocorticoid Myopathy in Aged Skeletal Muscle, which he explains in layperson’s terms: “Glucocorticoids are stress hormones, which can also be prescribed to individuals to treat autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. However, prolonged exposure to the natural hormone and/or medication can cause severe muscle loss and weakness, specifically in older individuals.” The condition, called glucocorticoid myopathy, is one of the most-common, non-inflammatory muscle diseases; about 60 percent of those exposed to high levels of glucocorticoids are affected, notes Laskin. “My research aims to investigate where performing aerobic exercise can combat the negative effects of glucocorticoids on aged skeletal health,” he says.

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Southern Welcomes New Board Members

THE BALLOTS HAVE BEEN COUNTED ,

and nine Southern graduates have joined the SCSU Alumni Association Board of Directors. The board is elected by members of the association. Thank you to the candidates and the many who voted. (Photos left to right)

MORE AT:

SouthernCT.edu/alumni/ alumni-association

Joseph Linebarger, ’15, MBA ’18, is an associate recruiter with CMW based in Wilmington, N.C. As an undergraduate, he majored in recreation and leisure, with a focus on community recreation and youth development. Morris Patton, ’97, is a senior group benefits underwriter with AFLAC and an active community volunteer. He majored in communication at Southern. Aba Hayford, ’10, a returning board member, graduated from Southern with a degree in public health. She is a longtime chair of the university’s New York City Alumni Network. Binod Dahal, ’19, MBA ’21, is a global medical/legal/regulatory coordinator for a company that specializes in the field of blood and cell technologies. As an undergraduate, he majored in business administration.

Rachael Davis, ’06, is the assistant director of undergraduate advising at Central Connecticut State University. She majored in business administration at Southern and was one of the first members of Southern’s Steppin’ Up dance group. Daniel Shields, ’96, M.A. ’99, holds an undergraduate and master’s degrees in English from Southern. He went on to earn several other advanced degrees, including a doctorate. He has held numerous positions in higher education, in addition to teaching at the college level and in adult education programs. Sarah Lauture Pullen, ’15, is an experienced educator and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is the founding school counselor at KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Antioch College Prep

Middle School, a public charter school located in South Nashville. She majored in communication at the university. Leo Kivijarv, ’74, majored in speech at Southern and went on to earn a Ph.D. in interpersonal and public communications from Bowling Green State University. He comes to the board with extensive corporate and academic experience, and has taught more than 30 courses at both public and private institutions of higher learning. He currently teaches at Mercy College. Julia [Napolitano] Nelson, ’19, is the legal operations and compliance manager at The Flood Law Firm. After majoring in political science at Southern, she graduated from Western New England University School of Law in December 2022.

Winter 2024 | 43

A L U M NI NO T ES ■

1960s

LORRAINE BARKER, ’66, was a fea-

tured artist at the Whittemore Library in Naugatuck, Conn., during the month of May.

1970s

ANNMARIE BARNHART, ’76, M.S.N.

’89, was named to the Polk State College District Board of Trustees by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Barnhart is the vice president of strategy for AdventHealth. She also serves as treasurer of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

1980s

KATHERINE LIONTAS-WARREN, ’82, is

a professional artist and a professor emeritus of art at Cameron University. She has exhibited her works in more than 400 national solo, invitational, and juried competitions, including the Marblehead Arts Association’s “Variations 2023” exhibition in Massachusetts. THOMAS GEOFFINO, M.L.S. ’84, is

retiring from the position of director of the New Rochelle Public Library after 18 years of service. HAMLET HERNANDEZ, ’84, M.S. ’99,

6th Yr. ’00, has been named the director of the Educational Leadership Program and assistant teaching professor in the School of Education at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. MAUREEN H. CUMMINGHAM, ’86, is

the sales and marketing director for The Residence at Ferry Park in Connecticut, an assisted living and memory care community. KATHLEEN DESCHENES, ’86, is the

chief executive officer of Connecticut Renaissance, which was recognized among “Connecticut’s Top Workplaces” in 2023 by Hearst Media. The award is based on feedback provided by employees through a detailed survey. Connecticut Renaissance provides comprehensive behavioral health services for adolescents and adults living with addiction and/or mental health disorders. The organization also provides case management, housing, and life-skills training for individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community. LORI CHMURA, ’87, has been

appointed the chief executive officer and board director for Nyra Medical, a medical device company that is developing next-generation transcatheter mitral valve repair technology. Chmura brings more than 30 44 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Reunion News FOR INVITATIONS TO ALUMNI EVENTS AND RELATED NEWS , please update your

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Year” in West Hartford. He is a thirdgrade teacher. Feeney is also the president of Friends of Feeney, a nonprofit founded in 2019 to help children and families after heartbreak and tragedy. ANNE MCKERNAN, ’02, has been

appointed assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction, and assessment for West Hartford Public Schools. ANGELA MADIGAN, ’04, has been

named principal of St. Thomas School in Sanford, Maine. years of leadership experience to the company, including positions with Medtronic, Covidien, and Johnson and Johnson.

1990s

JEFFREY BIANCO, ’98, is an assistant

principal at Strawberry Hill School in Stamford, Conn. AMY BIEN, ’98, has joined Masuk High

School in Monroe, Conn., as the culinary teacher. SINTHIA SONEMOYANO, ’98,

DONALD M. CASEY, M.S. ’91, was

recently presented with a “Red Nose Award” from the International Shrine Clown Association. The award recognizes Casey for raising funds for the association’s “Sneaker Fund,” which provides financial support aimed at finding improved treatments for children with burn injuries at the Shriners Children’s hospitals. Casey is with the Pyramid Shrine Temple in Stratford, Conn. MICHELLE HAMILTON, ’92, was named

the executive director of the Wavery Community House by its board of trustees. Founded in 1919 and fondly known as “The Comm,” the organization is committed to enhancing the lives of individuals and families in the northeastern region by fostering educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities. RICHARD RUBINO, ’92, was sworn in

as a judge of the Connecticut Superior Court by Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on July 11. Rubino obtained his law degree from Ohio Northern University College of Law. He was a supervisory assistant state’s attorney in the Hartford Judicial District and served as a prosecutor with that office since 2000. RITA STEARNS, ’93, was named princi-

pal of South End Elementary in Southington, Conn. JODI EDDY, ’96, was named to the

Board of Directors of Adient, an automotive seating company with 70,000plus employees in 30 countries. Eddy is the senior vice president and chief information and digital officer at Boston Scientific Corporation, a global medical technology company. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Southern in recognition of her lifetime achievements and contributions to the computer science field.

has been appointed deputy commissioner for educational supports and wellness for the Connecticut State Department of Education. She oversees the Office of Student Support Services, the Bureau of Special Education, and the Talent Office. Previously, she was assistant superintendent of human capital and talent development at Manchester Public Schools. Sone-Moyano is a native of Hartford County whose parents immigrated from the Dominican Republic for better opportunities in the 1970s.

2000s

MATTHEW LOMAN, ’00, was ordained

into the priesthood at St. Theresa Parish in Trumbull, Conn. The Rev. Loman is assigned to St. Gregory the Great Parish in Danbury. Prior to pursuing his call to the priesthood, Loman worked as a camp counselor, teacher, and attorney, after earning a law degree at Quinnipiac University. ERIN HUNTER, ’01, has joined the

Gymnastics Center staff at Riverbrook Regional/Wilton YMCA. At Southern, Hunter majored in exercise science and earned AllAmerican honors on the balance beam. She has more than 20 years of competitive coaching experience. AMY FEDIGAN, M.S. ’02, 6th Yr. ’05,

Ed.D. ’18, was named the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for Darien Public Schools in Connecticut. ERIC FEENEY, ’02, was honored as one

of three finalists for “Teacher of the

CAMILA MOLINARUBINO,

’04, has joined Wheeler Health as senior director of nursing. Rubino oversees all nursing and medical assistant operations at Wheeler’s five federally qualified health centers, congregate care settings, and Northwest Village School. KAREN PASCALE, ’04, was appointed

director of the Connecticut Head Start State Collaboration Office by Governor Ned Lamont. The office, housed in the state’s Office of Early Childhood, is commited to improving practices that impact low-income children from birth to school entry as well as their families and communities. Pascale has a long career in the field of early childhood. She most recently was the senior director of early childhood with the United Way of Greater New Haven. JODIE GIL, ’06, authored a research

paper, “Journalists’ Reflections on Using Home Addresses in Reporting,” which was selected for presentation at the National Freedom of Information Coalition virtual summit. The paper also was recognized with a third-place award based on importance, relevance to practitioners, and strength of methodology. Gil is an associate professor of journalism at Southern. ABBY WARREN, ’06, was recognized by

the Hartford Business Journal as a “40 Under 40” honoree in 2023. She is a partner in the labor and employment group at Robinson & Cole, a law firm founded in Hartford in 1845. MICHAEL CONNER, 6th Yr. ’07, the

chief executive officer and founder of the Agile Evolutionary Group, was featured in The American Reporter in an article entitled “The Future of Education: How Technology is Transforming Learning.” Conner, an education technology expert, also was a speaker at the Smart Teaching and Experiential Learning Summit held in September in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

FALLON DANIELS, ’07, M.S. ’09, 6th Yr.

RAY SNYDER IV, ’17, has been named

’11, has been named the assistant superintendent of Stratford Public Schools in Connecticut.

head coach of the girls swimming and diving team at Woodland High School in Beacon Falls, Conn. As a college student, he swam competitively for Southern.

JESSICA WRUBEL, ’07, M.S. ’15, shares

her expertise as an educator and writer on a variety of topics including food, health and wellness, travel, lifestyle, education, and home improvement. In addition to working in public education, she has an accomplished background as a writer, fact checker, and copy editor, working for various publications, newspapers, and public libraries assisting with reference, research, and special projects.

2010s

ELIZABETH ULREICH-MORAN, M.S.

’10, is the speech-language pathologist at Jockey Hollow Middle School in Monroe, Conn. AMBER WYZIK, MLS ’10, has accepted

a position as director of library services in Granby, Conn. SALVATORE MARINO, ’13, was recog-

nized in 2023 by the Hartford Business Journal as a “40 Under Forty” honoree. Marino, who majored in business administration at Southern, is the director of finance and operations at Charles IT, a managed information technology services and security provider. JENNIFER LENO, ’14, designed the

Deans’ Legal-Tech Fellow at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. The interdisciplinary initiative was established in 2022 to develop artificial intelligence applications that will advance the legal profession. The program awards a $7,500 annual stipend to three law students and three computer science students.

offensive coordinator of Southern’s football team, working with head football coach Thomas Godek, ’88. AMY BETHGE, M.P.H. ’16, is the new

director of health for the Housatonic Valley Health District.

authors of The Resilient Warrior, a self-help guide to living a healthy, resilient, fulfilled, and better life — the warrior way. Benas is a former United States Marine Sergeant and Iraqi combat veteran with a background in martial arts. He has been featured by more than 50 major media outlets, including Entrepreneur magazine, Men’s Health, ABC, FOX, ESPN, and CNBC.

WANDA VODOLA, ’48, May 4, 2023 MARYANN STOCHMAL, ’53, May 6,

2023

SUSAN DUFFY, ’69, Sept. 11, 2023

JOHN WEISS, ’15, has been named the

NICHOLAS BENAS, ’06, M.S. ’14, and Buzz Bryan are co-

IN MEMORIAM

LINDSAY MEYER, ’14, is an

works as a freelance writer. Since January, her work has been published by CNN, Insider, HuffPost, Next Avenue, and Inside Higher Ed, among others.

The author’s previous books include True Ghost Stories of Connecticut, in which paranormal investigators, psychics, and ghost hunters join everyday people in sharing their most memorable and scariest confrontations with the supernatural in Connecticut. His first offering — Monsters, Celebrities, Actors, Athletes, and Rock Stars: The Book of Top 10 Horror Lists — highlights one hundred celebrities’ favorite monster movies, actors, and other themes.

RAVEN CODY, M.S.W. ’23, has been

lighting for the fall 2023 production of Mi Abuela, Queen of Nightmares at The Tank theatre in Midtown Manhattan. After graduating from Southern, she went on to earn an MFA in lighting design

NATALIE SCHRIEFER, ’14, MFA ’19,

Connecticut as producer of Beatles conventions and festivals for more than five decades or as a professional DJ/MC/entertainer. But he’s also the author of three books. In his most recent release, The Book of Top 10 Beatles Lists, pop-culture celebrities, friends, relatives, and even two former Beatles share their favorite songs, albums, memories of the Fab Four, and more.

JALEN COLEMAN, ’22, was named a

named the youth and family coordinator for the Parks, Recreation, Youth, and Community Services Department in Bristol, Conn. In addition to offering youth development programs, Cody provides counseling, guidance, outreach, and crisis intervention to young people and their families.

In Print and On Screen

CHARLES F. ROSENAY!!!, ’81, is probably best known in

2020s

ETHEL THERESA MCMANUS, ’60,

American SpeechLanguageHearing-certified speech-language pathologist and the founder of More Than Just Words. The company is based in Ellington, Conn., with a focus on enhancing communication, voice, and swallowing abilities across the life span, including verbal and nonverbal communication.

■

M.S. ’66, April 28, 2023 EDWARD COFFEY, ’61, May 8, 2023 EDNA O’REILLY CULL, M.S. ’69, 6th Yr.

’74, Dec. 14, 2022 WENDY THORNLEY, ’70, M.S. ’79,

Aug. 21, 2023 MARGARET MOTZER, M.S. ’71, Aug. 1,

2023 CAROL CIARLEGLIO, M.S. ’72, Sept. 14,

2023

CAROL WEBB DELVECCHIO, M.S. ’79,

July 22, 2023 JOSEPHINE THOMAS, M.S. ’79,

Sept. 25, 2023 MARILYN K. FARROW, M.S. ’80,

May 31, 2023 MARTIN OUIMET, M.A. ’81, June 28,

2023 MARY RITA GRAY REIMER, M.S. ’82,

Jan. 9, 2023

SCOTT SATHRE, M.S. ’98, April 21, 2023 AMANDA PUGLIESE, ’11, M.S.’ 16,

April 19, 2023 JESSE SILVERMAN, ’18, March 2, 2023 ROBERT FREW, professor emeritus of

computer science, Sept. 22, 2023 JOSEPH SOLODOW, professor

emeritus of world languages and literatures, Oct. 4, 2024 MICHAEL VENA, professor emeritus of

THOMAS F. EVANS, ’74, April 15, 2023

JOHN FONICELLO, ’83, July 18, 2023

foreign languages, Aug. 25, 2023

ALAN CONCILIO, 6th Yr. ’75, Sept. 30,

ANTONINO “TONY” MARCIANO,

Alumni Notes are compiled from submissions as well as announcements in the news media.

2023 BETH MULLER, M.S. ’75, 6th Yr.’79,

March 14, 2023 JUDITH KLEIN, ’76, June 2, 2023 JOANNE SMITH BORGESANO, ’78,

M.S. ’97, Oct. 1, 2023 MARY DEVIVO, 6th Yr. ’78, Sept. 20,

2023 MARIAN GIROUX, M.S. ’78, M.A. ’92,

EPCERT ’93, July 30, 2023 SHIRLEY SHOVE SISSON, ’78,

March 30, 2023 DANIEL J. ALFIERI, M.S. ’79, May 6,

2023

’83, April 30, 2023 JAMES MCCANN, ’85, May 4, 2023 LORRAINE EMANUEL, M.S. ’87,

Sept. 6, 2023 ALYCE TEDESCO, M.S. ’87, Aug. 9, 2023 MATTHEW BALGA, ’91, March 5, 2023 MARTHA P. HAYES, ’92, M.A. ’95,

Oct. 3, 2023 LISA CAPORRINO LEE, ’93, Sept. 28,

2023 SHIRLEY LEWIS, ’93, July 4, 2023 FRANCES ELLESIO, ’95, Aug. 14, 2023 LAURINE MURRAY, ’98, Sept. 14, 2023 Winter 2024 | 45

A Well of Generosity continued from page 27

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environment, both the school in general and the business school in particular,” says Stone. His confidence is well placed. Southern is a charter signatory of the national Climate Leadership Commitment for colleges and universities, with a long-term goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions in operations. Working toward that goal, the new home of the School of Business is the first net-zero-energy building constructed by the State of Connecticut in terms of its carbon footprint. During a year, the amount of renewable energy created onsite will be equal to the total amount of energy used for the building. The fund’s $200,000 gift made to the SCSU Foundation in support of the business school will be paid over five years, with the first contribution made in May 2023. In recognition of this commitment, a room on the first floor of the new building has been named The Regional Water Authority and Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund Community Room. “It’s an honor for the fund to be associated with the university,” says Stone, who, along with RWA President and CEO Larry Bingaman, Authority Board Chair David Borowy, and members of the RWA leadership team, was proudly on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new School of Business building. “Southern continues to look to the future.” ■

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The Empowering Couple continued from page 25 She, in turn, was inspired by her mother’s persistence in higher education. “I was encouraged by my mother, who had been discouraged from pursuing her studies in chemistry because she was a woman,” says Beth, adding that her mother was undeterred. “Strides have been made when it comes to women in the workforce but there is still a long way to go,” she says. Anthony points to another woman business leader for further inspiring the couple’s support. “Former School of Business Dean Ellen Durnin did so much to build the business school programs,” he says. “I was not a business major, but we became very close to the university through the business school. Today, the School of Business continues to move forward with Dean Jess Boronico. Beth and I value our connection.” On Sept. 15, the Verlezzas celebrated that connection at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new business school building -— and the official unveiling of the Anthony F. and Beth Verlezza MBA Suite. Family and friends traveled to campus to hear Anthony address the crowd. Members of the Owls football team also were on hand, one tossing a football to Anthony as he headed to the podium. Looking out at the crowd, he explained his commitment to his alma mater. “There is no way to simply acknowledge my appreciation to the state and to the university for a world-class education. . . . And when I say world-class, I mean it, as I was able to parlay my Southern education into an executive position with a multi-national corporation headquartered in London, Rotterdam, Brazil, and New York.” He mentions his youth in nearby West Haven, noting that he’s not sure where life would have taken him without Southern. Education opened countless doors, and he traveled the country and the world, providing senior-level guidance to factory and management teams in Europe, India, and Africa. “You see in so many ways how education can make all the difference,” he says. “Dreams are important, and they can come true.”

■

Going, Going, Gone continued from page 23

CI TY OF LIGHTS MANY STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE MONTH-LONG TRIP TO PARIS SPEAK FRENCH.

But the program led by Luke Eilderts, associate professor of French, does not have a language requirement. Instead, all students enroll in at least one culture-based course with optional French courses offered as well. Paris is a beautiful classroom, with students immersing themselves in the city’s art, architecture, cuisine, and history. Students also visit additional historic or heritage sites outside of Paris. Past destinations have included the Palace of Versailles and the medieval village of Provins.

W O RL D MU S IC FIFTY STUDENTS WILL TRAVEL WITH THE UNIVERSITY CHOIR (LOWER RIGHT) TO THE UNITED KINGDOM IN MAY 2024 to perform

in London, York, and Edinburgh. It will be the choir’s first time traveling since a concert tour of Italy in January 2020, weeks before the World Health Organization declared a Global Health Emergency due to COVID-19. “We sang virtually for two years,” says Terese Gemme, professor of music and choir director. “Last year, we began rehearsing in person again with a much smaller group. But enrollment has doubled within the year, and we are ready to begin touring again.” The Stutzman Family Foundation is generously underwriting the cost of the trip. ■

Southern s Student-Parents continued from page 39 space houses child-size furniture, books, and toys as well as standard furnishing. “We also will provide totes filled with resources and items to occupy the children that visit the space with their parents,” says Vancour. In a similar vein, COMPASS is teaming up with departments across campus to provide parent- and child-focused educational programs. Haywood and her son have attended several. “Obviously, time management is tough,” she says. “But then here comes the COMPASS staff saying, ‘Hey, come to this luncheon we’re holding, and we’ll talk about time management and how we can help.’ It’s so important because a lot of people do not have support at home.” Haywood is grateful to have people she can rely on. Her mother lives in the South; Khaza’s father and Haywood’s siblings and grandmother are nearby and supportive. COMPASS continues to help as well — and amid her first semester, Haywood, a woman who initially questioned attending college at all, is daring to dream big. “I am so thankful. Originally, I thought I was just going to get my bachelor’s degree. . . . But now, I’m going to go as far as I can in my schooling,” she says. ■

*2021 Institute of Women’s Policy Research Winter 2024 | 47

CAPTURED BY DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY, THE GEOLOGICAL ROCK GARDEN IS NEXT TO THE ACADEMIC SCIENCE AND LABORATORY BUILDING. |

S E E N O N C A M PU S ■

If you could change lives every month, would you? “Every little bit adds up. I have seen the power of pennies — both in my efforts to help others and in accepting help for myself. Whether you are a student or a donor, you can change someone’s life — through words, actions, and scholarship support. Thank you for changing mine.” — Regina, Class of 2023

Southern’s recurring gift program maximizes your gift throughout the year. With an automatic gift of just $10 a month, you can have a profound impact on current Southern students in a budget-friendly, meaningful way. • Important: Your recurring gift provides a necessary, reliable source of support.

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WHAT’S NEW AT SOUTHERN’S SCHOOL OF BUSINESS? 1) A BUILDING DESIGNED TO ENHANCE LEARNING, 2) ACCREDITATION BY THE PRESTIGIOUS ASSOCIATION TO ADVANCE COLLEGIATE SCHOOLS OF BUSINESS, 3) A ROCK ‘N’ ROLL DEAN, AND 4) PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS INCLUDING A PLANNED STEM-ALIGNED MBA. AND THAT’S JUST THE BEGINNING. LEARN MORE ON PAGE 12.

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Southern Alumni Magazine Winter 2024

Articles inside

Hidden Campus

Going... Going... Gone!

Southern Loves Student-Parents

Spaces & Places in New Haven

When Stars Align

A Heart of Gold

A Well of Generosity

The Empowering Couple

BUSINESS IN THE FOREFRONT

faculty spotlight