August 2003

Index for August 5, 2003

Author Barbara Ehrenreich to speak at Convocation

By Jill Kasiewicz Caseria, Editor

Best-selling author and social commentator Barbara Ehrenreich will deliver the fall Academic Convocation address on Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. on Bellarmine Lawn. All University faculty and staff are encouraged to attend.

She will speak to the Class of 2007 about her book, Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, this year's summer reading selection for incoming freshmen.

The book describes Ehrenreich's undercover attempt to survive while working various minimum-wage jobs usually held by the country's "invisible" working poor. Between 1998 and 2000, she took various entry-level positions - as a waitress, a hotel housekeeper, a maid, a nursing home aide, and a Wal-Mart clerk - in Florida, Maine, and Minnesota. She quickly discovered the impossibility of living, let alone prospering, on a $6 or $7-an-hour paycheck. "Something is wrong, very wrong," she writes, "when a single person in good health, a person who in addition possesses a working car, can barely support herself by the sweat of her brow. You don't need a degree in economics to see that wages are too low and rents too high."

A contributing writer for Time magazine, Ehrenreich's work has appeared in a wide range of publications throughout the world including The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic Monthly, and Harper's.

Her grants and awards include a Ford Foundation Award for Humanistic Perspectives on Contemporary Society, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a grant for Research and Writing from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. In 1980, she shared the National Magazine Award for Excellence in Reporting.

An international lecturer, Ehrenreich has also appeared on numerous programs including Nightline, Charlie Rose, and All Things Considered.

She earned a doctoral degree in biology from Rockefeller University and a bachelor of arts degree from Reed College.

Tennis courts open

The new tennis courts located at the Thomas J. Walsh Jr. Athletic Center are open for use. Trying them out are Town of Fairfield residents Sherry, Marsha, Ryan, and Steve Brody and Jeff Copperthite of Wallingford.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

Four students win Fulbright Scholarships for 2003-2004

By Dana Ambrosini, Assistant Director of Media Relations

Canada, Germany, and Korea will host four new Fairfield University graduates next year, all of whom have been chosen to receive Fulbright Scholarships. Since 1993, 30 Fairfield students have been awarded Fulbrights.

"Our continued success in Fulbright awards is a great tribute to our students and to the faculty and administration who mentor them," says Dr. Orin Grossman, academic vice president. "Cultivating an international and global perspective is an important part of the mission of Fairfield University, and I am proud of our students' achievement in this area."

The application process for the grants was extremely competitive. "We received thousands of excellent applications," says Mary Kirk, vice president for student exchanges at the Institute of International Education, the organization that administers the annual competition for the grants. "We are confident that all of the participants in this program have the drive, ability, and potential to succeed as future leaders in their fields."

"It is a pleasure to work with students who take their academic challenges seriously, who push themselves to try new things, and who are open to other cultures and ways of thinking," says Dr. Katherine Kidd, director of international studies. "The Fulbright applicant group does all of those things."

Brian L. Beirne, of Milford, Conn., will study NAFTA trading issues, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, at Queen's University in Canada.

Beirne was this year's recipient of the Bellarmine Medal, which goes to the student with the highest four-year academic standing. A double major in finance and information systems in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, Beirne has received numerous awards during his years at Fairfield, among them: the William G. McGowan Scholarship, which provided $21,000 toward his senior year tuition; the University Fellows Scholarship; the Gleason Award for highest academic standing; a research stipend to study private equity in the European Union; the Finance Award; the Martin Family Award in Information Systems; and the Charles F. Dolan School of Business Award.

He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the international honor society for accredited business programs; Alpha Sigma Nu, the national Jesuit honor society; and Alpha Mu Gamma, the national foreign language honor society.

David A. Gorman, of Boston, Mass., a double major in German and English, will teach English to high school students in Saxony, Germany.

His interest in learning German led him to study the language at the University of Freiburg during a semester of his junior year. "I felt like the time there was kind of short," says Gorman, who then decided to apply for a Fulbright.

Germany isn't the only international destination that Gorman has visited during his years at Fairfield. His work in Campus Ministry took him to Haiti during his senior year for a service project where he worked alongside Doug Perlitz '92 and the homeless children of Cap Haitien.

Gorman's extracurricular activities also included playing the trumpet in the University' orchestra and the band, and singing with the Glee Club.

Kimberly A. Reidy, of Branford, Conn., will teach English in Korea. Reidy always knew she wanted to teach English in a foreign country. She spent a semester of her junior year in Italy and the following summer backpacked through Europe. In applying for a Fulbright, Reidy was looking to expand her horizons beyond western culture. "I wanted something with an eastern feel," she says, "something different that I'd never experienced."

A member of Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Tau Delta, Reidy completed a double major in English and art history with a minor in Italian Studies this year. At Fairfield, she played field hockey and wrote for The Mirror. Following her year in Korea, Reidy is considering applying to graduate schools for a master's degree in art history.

Matthew P. Smylie, of Glencoe, Ill., a physics major, will spend next year testing and developing the next generation of infrared detectors at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Garching, Germany. The detectors have a variety of uses, says Smylie, the most exciting of which may be for high-powered telescopes that will be sent into orbit a decade from now. The infrared detectors can pick up many things that are invisible to the human eye, he explains, from "interstellar dust to the inside of galaxies to new planets."

The applications are exciting, but it's the hands-on laboratory work that really thrills Smylie, who has spent the two years working on the detectors with physics professor Dr. Nancy Haegel.

Prior to his studies at Fairfield, Smylie spent a year in Germany and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in his junior year.

School of Engineering launches new master's program

By Barbara Kiernan, Director of University Publications

In May, the Connecticut State Department of Higher Education approved the establishment of a new master of science in electrical and computer engineering degree within the School of Engineering. Scheduled to launch in September, the new program addresses a growing need for engineers able to integrate knowledge typically thought of as separate entities. These include electrical and computer engineering (also known as information technology) on the one hand, and computer science and software engineering on the other. The degree requires either 34 credits and a thesis or a non-thesis option comprising 37 credits.

"Through carefully chosen and sequenced courses in nine areas, the MSECE curriculum will address issues across this spectrum," says Dr. Evangelos Hadjimichael, dean, "and will draw upon the strength of our existing graduate programs in software engineering and the management of technology." In so doing, the MSECE program will equip students to make significant professional contributions in research and development, whether in industry, academia, research laboratories, or service organizations."

The MSECE program serves engineers, scientists, and others who are seeking to advance within their organizations and professions, as well as engineers who aspire to academic careers and will eventually seek a doctoral degree. It is designed to accommodate working professionals. In fact, the learning environment is greatly enhanced by the perspectives and experiences students bring from the workplace.

"The School of Engineering has a rich tradition of responding to the needs of local industry," says Dr. Orin Grossman, academic vice president. "This new master's program will support the high-tech industry of Fairfield County by providing educational opportunities in the important electrical and computer engineering fields."

Marx named as McGowan Scholar

By Dana Ambrosini, Assistant Director of Media Relations

Top student and volunteer Francis J. Marx V '04, from Richboro, Pa., has been honored with an esteemed business school scholarship of $21,000 to be used toward his senior year tuition.

The William G. McGowan Scholar award rewards applicants who achieve academic excellence, demonstrate leadership skills, show an intellectual curiosity, display entrepreneurial potential, and are involved in campus and community activities. The William G. McGowan Charitable Fund is named after its late founder William G. McGowan, one-time chairman of MCI Communications.

In the past three years, Marx, a finance major, has immersed himself in campus activities, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and captain of the men's crew team, and participating in the S.K.I.L.L. Leadership program and the Finance Club. A Dean's List student, he is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa. Beyond the classroom, Marx has interned at AXA Advisors and the Curley Adjustment Bureau. His volunteer activities include tutoring at Bridgeport's North End Boys and Girls Club and serving as a driver and mentor for a housing facility for the physically and mentally challenged. Thanks to a scholarship from the Institute for Study Abroad, Marx studied at England's University of Bristol last semester. During the summer, he completed an internship in the GE Capital Financial Management Program.

"Frederick Cook, the Alaskan Wilderness, and the Regeneration of Progressive Era Masculinity," an article by Dr. Peter Bayers, visiting assistant professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences, appeared in the summer 2003 issue of Western American Literature.

Dr. Betsy Bowen, associate professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences, and co-director of the Connecticut Writing Project at Fairfield, was featured in a July Connecticut Post article about the just-released National Assessment of Educational Progress. "Some of our writing scores are related to the socio and economic status of our state," she said, "but we feel it's not just money."

Dr. Bowen was also interviewed for Channel 12's Education Notebook. She spoke about the national assessment report and the Connecticut Writing Project at Fairfield University.

In addition, Dr. Bowen and Faith Ferrandino, a teacher with the Young Writer's Institute, were interviewed by WNLK radio in Norwalk.

Barbara Bryan, university librarian emerita, has been appointed to the Historic District Commission by the selectmen of the Town of Fairfield.

In May, Dr. Kim Bridgford, associate professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences, was one of three judges for the National Society of Arts and Letters' National Career Awards Competition in Poetry for poets ages l7 to 26. The last time the NSAL held the poetry competition, in 1983, Dr. Bridgford won first prize, taking home $4,000. This year's winner received $10,000.

Dr. Suzanne Campbell, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, has published or presented her work on numerous occasions over the past year. In July, she presented "Recurrent Plugged Ducts: The Effect of Traditional Therapy Versus Ultrasound Therapy" at the La Leche League International Annual Conference in San Francisco.

In May, she was a fellow at the biennial Summer Nursing Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. She also published "Limits to growth: A Case Study of a Family Health Practice," in International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The article was co-authored by Dr. Christopher Huntley, assistant professor of information systems and operations management in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business.

In fall 2002, Dr. Campbell completed the following papers or presentations: "Okay, Now What? Exploring Parenting Options from Birth Through Toddlerhood," at the Birth and Beyond Seminar in Southbury, Conn.; "Strengthening Geriatrics in an Undergraduate Curriculum," at the Gerontological Society of America's annual conference in Boston; and "Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy: The Effects of a Breastfeeding Promotion Nursing Intervention," at "Advancing Nursing Practice Excellence: State of the Science," a Sigma Theta Tau International conference held in Washington, D.C.

University Security Officer David Currier's assistance was recently noted by the parents of a perspective undergraduate applicant. Guy Battaglia of North Brunswick, N.J., sent an e-mail to the Office of Undergraduate Admission expressing his sincere gratitude for Currier's help in personalizing his family's drive through campus. Upon entering, Battaglia asked Currier for directions and information about Fairfield. "What I received was a personalized tour of your beautiful University ... David went far beyond the call of duty in helping make our visit special. If this is the way your University employees treat everyone, I might as well stop looking and send my daughter to Fairfield ... Thank you for your hospitality and I look forward to seeing Fairfield again during my daughter's official visit."

In a June interview with the Hartford Courant on Connecticut's jobless rate, Dr. Edward Deak, professor of economics in the Dolan School of Business, said he didn't see a lot of strength in the Connecticut economy.

The Economics of e-Commerce and The Internet (Southwestern Thomson Learning 2003), a new book by Dr. Deak, tackles many misconceptions of the economics of the Internet. The book is designed as a classroom text for educators who want to teach e-commerce, but the material is accessible to the average reader, Dr. Deak says, adding that the text contains few economic equations and fully explains those that it uses.

In his forecast of Connecticut's economic outlook for the New England Economic Project, Dr. Deak writes that a national tax cut favoring investment will boost Connecticut's sluggish economy, but the state's recovery should lag at least two quarters behind the nation's. He also states that Connecticut's higher income and property taxes, budget cuts, and local and state job reductions will dampen the state's rebound.

In its June 25 coverage of the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action, Stamford's Advocate interviewed Dr. Donald Greenberg, associate professor of politics in the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Greenberg stated, "My guess is what it means is that virtually everybody will be able to keep whatever programs they have in place with only minor tinkering." Ed Wilkes, associate academic vice president for enrollment management, also asked for his reaction, said that Fairfield values diversity and that he was pleased with the Court's decision.

Dr. Greenberg was also interviewed recently by News 12 Connecticut for a story on the political fallout for President Bush from reports that his administration exaggerated intelligence on Iraq.

Dr. Paul Lakeland, professor of religious studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, was interviewed for a front-page story in The New York Times on the resignation of former Gov. Frank Keating from the 13-member lay board monitoring the Church's efforts to resolve the crisis.

On June 19, Dr. Lakeland was quoted in the Chicago Tribune and Newsday on the semi-annual meeting of the U.S. bishops in St. Louis. In questioning the wisdom of closed sessions, he said, "What conclusion can you draw except that the published agenda is not the whole story, and then isn't that getting back to being secretive, which is what this whole controversy has been about?"

Dr. Lakeland's book, The Liberation of the Laity: In Search of an Accountable Church, received a favorable review in America. R. Scott Appleby, from Notre Dame University, called it "a most important book" and said: "Aided by a burst of courage implanted in the right hearts by the indwelling Spirit, it could become a landmark."

Dr. George Lang, professor of mathematics and computer science in the College of Arts and Sciences, played the role of Lord Lafeu, an elder statesman, in the summer production of Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well, at The Little Theatre in Newtown.

In April, Dr. Nick Laopodis, associate professor of finance in the Dolan School of Business, presented "Monetary Policy Implications of Interdependencies Among Real Short- and Long-Term Interest Rates" at the Eastern Finance Association conference in Florida.

In July, Dr. R. James Long, professor of philosophy, presented "Spare Ribs: Natural Philosophy and the Formation of the First Woman in the Grosseteste School" at the Robert Grosseteste and his Intellectual Milieu, International Grosseteste Conference, held at Bishop Grosseteste College in Lincoln, United Kingdom.

"Exchange Rate Exposure and Valuation Effects of Cross-Border Acquisitions," an article by Dr. Anna D. Martin, associate professor of finance in the Dolan School of Business, was recently in the Journal of International Financial Markets, Instruments and Money.

In June, she presented a paper at the 2003 Multinational Finance Society annual meeting that was held in Montreal.

In May, Dr. Carole Ann Maxwell, director of choral and liturgical music, received a doctor of sacred music degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation, based in South Bend, Ind.

In a July Connecticut Post article, Dr. John Orman, professor of politics in the College of Arts and Sciences, offered his views on the upcoming September primaries for the Bridgeport mayoral race. Dr. Orman said current Mayor John M. Fabrizi remains the candidate to beat, even though he entered the race late and has raised less money than his opponents. "The machine overrides money in urban politics," Dr. Orman said.

The publication of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's book in June brought requests for interviews with Dr. Orman from Radio KGO, an ABC affiliate in San Francisco, and L'hebdo in Switzerland. In July, the Sacramento Bee - responding to reports that Arnold Schwarzenegger might run for governor of California - interviewed Dr. Orman about celebrity politicians. Scotland on Sunday newspaper also sought Dr. Orman's expertise on celebrity politics.

Dr. Patricia Poli, associate professor of accounting in the Dolan School of Business, has been elected treasurer of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants for the 2003-04 year. Her previous roles with the society include secretary, member of the Board of Governors, and committee chair. Dr. Poli is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and serves as president of the American Accounting Association Northeast Region, for which she recently chaired the 52nd Annual AAA Northeast Region Conference.

A question about winning lottery ticket number combinations in a June issue of The Cincinnati Enquirer was answered by Dr. Tim Snyder, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Snyder, a mathematician and computer scientist, recommends lottery players "steer clear of the betting pack." "Since players often go for lucky numbers, like their children's ages or birthdays, personal favorite numbers, etc., this tends to overload the low numbers, especially one through 12," he says. He suggests basing number picks on the unusual sets selected by the computer, such as 14-15-16-17-18-39.

Dr. Norm Solomon, dean of the Dolan School of Business, and Dr. Bharat Bhalla, associate dean and professor of finance, were featured in the Westchester/Fairfield County Business Journal in an article, "How to Choose an MBA Program."

Brian Torff, director of the music program in the College of Arts and Sciences, performed and was interviewed on the Michael Bourne Show on jazz radio station WBGO-FM 88.3 in Newark, N.J. The broadcast was in anticipation of the July 23 Alice Tully Hall-Lincoln Center concert with the Django Reinhardt New York Festival. He also was interviewed by WPSU-FM at William Patterson College.

He and the Django Reinhardt Group also performed at the following venues: June 12 - Ravinia Festival, Chicago; June 14 - Peter Britt Festival, Medford, Oregon; June 18 - University of Michigan; and June 30 - Montreal Jazz Festival. In addition, he was interviewed on Detroit radio station WDET-FM.

Torff also performed this summer with renowned jazz musicians Florence Melnotte and Jim Oblon at the New Haven Arts and Ideas Festival. He collaborated with Melnotte to record a new compact disc, Another Great Day, on Bassline Records.

In July, Dr. Kathleen Wheeler, professor in the School of Nursing, published "Further Development of the Perception of Empathy Inventory," a chapter in the second edition of Strickland and Walsh's book, Measurement of Nursing Outcomes: Volume 2, Client Outcomes and Quality of Care.

Luncheon honors retirees and long-time employees

In June, Fairfield University and the Office of Human Resources honored more than 130 administrators, faculty, and staff at the 11th annual Service Recognition Luncheon. All were recognized for their commitment to the University for periods ranging from five to 35 years. Among the retirees congratulated by University President Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. (above, center) were (top, l-r) Loretta Cerrato of the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, Ann Marie Farrington of the security department, Dr. Suzanne MacAvoy, professor of nursing, and Dr. Nicholas Rinaldi, professor of English. Barbara Kiernan, director of University publications, received this year's Choice Award. The award is presented to an employee who models the mission of Fairfield University while conducting his or her job.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

Service Anniversaries

August 2003

Births

Jason Kapell, digital editor and television producer in the Media Center - daughter, Simone, born May 30.
Chris Lindwall, assistant women's basketball coach - daughter, Julia Elizabeth, born June 23.
Dr. Edna Farace Wilson, dean of University College - granddaughter, Isabella Marie, born July 17.

New Employees

Allen Simon - systems mechanic, Energy Services.
Julie Tamayo - assistant director of graduate and continuing studies, Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies Admission.

By Jack Jones, Director of Sports Information

Fairfield University to host NCAA

Fairfield University received the bid to host the 2004 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament first and second round games at the Arena at Harbor Yard. At press time, the dates had not been determined, but will be either March 20 and 22 or March 21 and 23. The NCAA will announce the dates for each first- and second-round site this month.

Basketball season tickets on sale Sept. 1

Season tickets for the 2003-04 men's and women's basketball season will go on sale Sept. 1. For information on season ticket packages, contact the Fairfield University ticket office at ext. 4103 or visit http://fairfieldstags.ocsn.com/tickets/fair-hoops-tickets.html.

Student-athletes named to MAAC honor roll

Announced in July, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference named 77 Fairfield University student-athletes to its 2002-03 academic honor roll. The women's crew team led the way with nine student-athletes on the team. Football, women's cross country, and women's swimming each had seven named, while men's cross country, women's soccer, and softball each had five selected to the squad. To be eligible, an athlete must hold a grade point average of 3.20 or higher on a 4.0 scale and be in his or her second year of athletic eligibility. The Honor Roll consists of student-athletes from full and associate members of the MAAC.

Field hockey goaltender represents Fairfield at Florida conference

Lauren Thomas '04, field hockey goaltender, represented Fairfield University at the annual NCAA Leadership Conference in Florida. Hosted at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., the event brought together 302 student-athletes from around the country - selected from 1,172 nominees. The conference enhances student-athletes' leadership and communications skills and enables them to become motivators when they return to campus. To be eligible for the conference, the student-athletes must be in good academic standing and must have NCAA athletics eligibility remaining in the following academic year.

Women's lacrosse earns national honors

Midfielder Meghan Main '03 received a spot on the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Honor Roll. She tallied a career-high 42 points during the 2003 season, registering 37 goals and five assists in 17 games, and established a school record with eight goals in a victory against Siena College - which helped her collect Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors. She capped her senior season with a berth to the All-MAAC first team as well as the MAAC All-Academic squad.

In addition, Fairfield University's women's lacrosse team was one of 22 teams cited for academic excellence by the IWLCA. Each of the 22 teams had a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The women's lacrosse team, under first-year head coach Stacey McCue, completed the 2003 season with an 8-9 overall record and an unblemished 6-0 MAAC mark. The Stags won the conference regular-season title before losing in the MAAC tournament semi-finals.

International recruiting scores big for Stags' soccer

Carl Rees, head coach of the men's soccer team, has recruited several of the team's best players from overseas.

By Jack Jones, Director of Sports Information

Convincing talented athletes from all over the world to leave their communities to compete at an American university is not always an easy task. But hearing from someone who's done it can reassure a wary student.

"It certainly helps that I went through the same process that I am asking players to go through," says men's head soccer coach, Carl Rees, who at age 17 left England and became a star athlete on the soccer team at Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y. "I can explain what they can expect, as well as the similarities and differences between countries."

But before he gets to that point, Rees and his assistants are busy flushing out talent by attending national team tournaments and training, such as the Canadian under-20, English under-18, and New Zealand under-20 squads. Over the years, he's found talent such as recruit Rob DeFaveri '02, from Canada, who remains Fairfield's all-time leading scorer for the men's team with 59 points.

"It's an 18-month process," Rees says. "We identify athletes during their play with under-17 teams. Then we track them during their play with the under-20 teams. We try to establish relationships with kids, whether overseas or in the United States." Once that relationship is established the job gets easier, he adds, since "Fairfield University sells itself.

"We fill a market within the United Kingdom and Canada," he continues. "Their college level soccer is more like club level here. For example, a player in the United Kingdom has to give up academics if he wants to be on the soccer team. Or, he has to give up soccer to be a full-time student. We fill that niche. We offer players a first-class degree with a first-class facility in a great area."

And players who choose to attend Fairfield are hardly disappointed in their decision. During the last few years, the men's team has earned a national ranking, reaching as high as 12th in the top-25 poll. But success isn't limited to the field, as athletes are also achieving success after graduation - on this side of the pond. Paul McSherry '97 works at UBS Warburg and Lee Williams M.B.A.'98 is employed by GE Capital. Furthering his soccer dream to play professionally is recent graduate Justin Thompson '03, who is training for the Olympic team and may eventually be part of the Canadian national team.

The women's team has fewer international recruits. "On the whole, the best women's soccer players in the world are being developed in the United States," says women's team head coach Maria Piechocki. "So it isn't as vital for us to recruit internationally for women's programs."

Athletes who are recruited overseas to play on U.S. teams are generally the "cream of the crop" according to Piechocki. And to get those players, she, like Rees, tries to establish relationships early-on with national team contacts and coaches.

Abby Allan '99 from New Zealand - who leads as an all-time scorer with 139 markers - came to Fairfield through a contact who knew of her talent.

No matter how long the recruiting process, both coaches agree it's time well spent.

Photo by J. Gregory Raymond

The Spiritual Exercises to be offered this fall

In the last decade, some 25 members of the University community - faculty, staff, and administrators - have embarked on a personal adventure known as the Spiritual Exercises. Written by St. Ignatius of Loyola while still a lay person, the Exercises are the foundation of Jesuit spirituality and a pathway to discovering the presence of God in all things.

Just as a sound body requires regular, focused exercise, so does the spirit benefit from the focused, sequential exercises St. Ignatius put together to open retreatants to greater awareness of the presence of God in everyday life.

What follows is a brief Q&A with Rev. James Bowler, S.J., facilitator for Catholic and Jesuit mission and identity, and a spiritual director.

Q. Time-wise, what does the Retreat in Daily Life involve?

A. The retreatant makes an approximately five-month commitment to spend an hour a day in prayer and reflection, and to meet weekly with a spiritual director for about an hour.

Q. What is a spiritual director?

A. The term "spiritual director" can be deceiving and off-putting, in that it sounds like the director simply tells you what to do. Not so. Rather, a spiritual director serves as another set of eyes and ears, helping you look for clues to God's presence in the day-to-day prayer and activities that make up your life. A director is actually more of a non-judgmental spiritual companion, walking with you and God on your journey to deeper awareness and greater freedom.

Q. How do I know if the Retreat in Daily Life is right for me?

A. If you find yourself answering yes to the following questions, you may well be a candidate for the Retreat in Daily Life, whether now or after a time of preparation:

• Do I have a desire to recognize more fully the presence of God in my daily life?
• Do I desire to serve others through the circumstances of my current life?
• Am I willing to discuss my experiences in prayer with a spiritual director/companion?
• Can I make a commitment, now or in the future, to spending significant time each day in prayer and reflection?

Q. What would a period of preparation entail?

A. Many people opt for a preparation or testing period before making the serious, long-term commitment the Retreat in Daily Life entails. At Fairfield, we are pleased to offer that option as well. Most likely, you would meet once a month - more often if you choose - with a director between November and March, and then move into weekly meetings in April and May as you make the condensed "Eight Days in Eight Weeks" retreat. By then you would be ready to discern with your director whether to move into the Retreat in Daily Life next fall.

Q. When does the Retreat in Daily Life begin?

A. This year, the retreat or preparation period for it will begin in late October. Watch for announcements in Campus Currents, e-mail, and flyers around campus.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

news Briefs

Construction report: August 2003

The summer heat didn't stop construction crews from completing several projects across campus:

• Alumni Field's new synthetic surface.
• The new tennis courts at the Thomas J. Walsh Jr. Athletic Center.
• The new Dolan Campus parking lot.

Ongoing projects include:

• The Bellarmine Hall exterior restoration, which began in July.
• Renovations to the original Rudolph F. Bannow Science Center.
• Prep construction, which continues through September.

JAA honors Fairfield's alumni program

In June, Fairfield University was recognized by the Jesuit Advancement Administrators during the association's annual conference. JAA presented the Office of Alumni Relations with the 2003 Runner-up Alumni Relations Award for its Alumni College program. Held annually since 2001, Alumni College offers graduates a full day of mini "courses" taught by some of the graduates' favorite faculty members.

Dial 8 for outside line

Need to dial an off-campus number? In a change that began on Aug. 4, an outside line is now accessible by pressing 8 (instead of 9) on your telephone keypad.

New banners adorn campus

Incoming freshmen Aleah Graziano from Bentley, Mass., and Paola Londono from Queens, N.Y., stroll along a path flanked by the University's new banners.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

Artist Rosalyn A. Engelman exhibits at Thomas A. Walsh Art Gallery

The luminous works of Westport artist Rosalyn A. Engelman, whose strong brushstrokes evoke abstract landscapes, seasons, and historical events, will be on display through Aug. 10 at the Thomas A. Walsh Art Gallery.

Crescendo Works by Rosalyn A. Engelman offers a look at some of the artist's most recent paintings, which are often inspired by her recollections of places she's visited, Biblical scenes, and moments in time. Building on her love of rhapsodic music, calligraphy, and haiku, the paintings offer a glimpse of imagined space and mood.

For more information, call the gallery at ext. 2969.

Summer Festival Chorus presents 10th annual concert on Aug. 9

The popular Summer Festival Chorus of Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, under the direction of Dr. Carole Ann Maxwell, will perform its 10th concert on Aug. 9. The concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Quick Center, premieres a new composition by jazz pianist/composer Dr. Joe Utterback.

The program also includes Schutz's Psalm 100, a jazz arrangement of Gershwin's Summertime, portions of Schubert's Magnificat, the spiritual Ain-a That Good News, and Danny Boy. An accompanying slide show will offer photos of past concerts culled by the 10th anniversary committee.

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

Gifts and Grants

Davis Foundation grant funds new center

The Davis Educational Foundation recently awarded Fairfield University $200,000. These funds will expand the integration of technology into additional economics courses and create The Center for Academic Excellence in which professors from all disciplines can learn and share information about the newest pedagogy. Dr. Laurence Miners, associate professor of economics in the College of Arts and Sciences, will serve as director of the new center for the first two years.

"The Center for Academic Excellence is the next logical step in the University's continuing efforts to examine and improve pedagogy in general and facilitate the integration of technology into pedagogy in particular," says Dr. Orin Grossman, academic vice president.

A $200,000 grant provided by the Foundation four years ago launched a revamp of introductory economics courses taught by Dr. Miners and Dr. Kathryn Nantz, associate professor. The new grant will allow these redesign efforts to continue, expanding the project to intermediate courses and to the statistics lab.

This summer, Dr. Miners offered an online economics course for the first time. In the fall, rather than offering two traditional introductory courses, he will teach one face-to-face and one online. This fall, Dr. Nantz is incorporating new teaching software into one of her two intermediate microeconomic theory courses, allowing for comparison between the two modes.

The grant has also made possible the inclusion of a lab component for students in the program's bachelor of arts track, comparable to that taken by students pursuing a bachelor of science degree. "The statistics lab is a venue where the use of technology has huge payoffs in terms of student learning," says assistant professor Dr. Cathy Miners, who will take the lead in this area.

William Pitt Foundation awards scholarship funds

The Community Partnership Scholars program has received significant support from the William Pitt Foundation for the second consecutive year. The program provides a full-tuition scholarship to a student from each of nine urban high schools: four in Bridgeport and five in New York City.

The Pitt Foundation's $45,000 grant will help make another year of college possible for the four Bridgeport students who began receiving it last year. Each student will receive $11,250 toward his or her 2003-04 tuition from the foundation, which plans to support them throughout their tenure at Fairfield.

Media Center to develop new editing suite

The Copeland Family Foundation has made a $30,000 grant to develop a new nonlinear editing suite in the University's Media Center. Under the direction of Rev. James Mayzik, S.J., these funds will bring to Fairfield University the premiere tool of choice for professional film and television production companies: the Avid Media Composer Adrenaline editing/effects system. Used in all major networks and studios, Avid's editing systems will acquaint students in the new media film, television, and radio minor with industry-standard technology that allows for creative exploration, narrative storytelling, and documentary presentation. The suite provides a major leap forward for the program and an enhancement to many of its production courses.

School of Nursing awarded grant for student funding

The Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Administrative Services Bureau of Health Professions has awarded Fairfield University an Advanced Education Nursing Traineeship grant, which provides tuition remission funds for students enrolled in graduate studies in the School of Nursing. The $29,897 grant, which will fund students during the 2003-04 academic year, is a 60 percent increase in funding provided in 2003.

Fairfield University's School of Nursing was able to increase its funding by demonstrating that its graduates are working in underserved areas or with underserved populations, says Dr. Jeanne Novotny, dean. "That is one way in which the federal government hopes to better serve the needs of those who require health care."

Fairfield receives $10,000 grant to restore paintings

Ten master paintings, dating from the mid-14th through the early-18th centuries, were presented last spring to Fairfield University by The Discovery Museum in Bridgeport. Given to the museum in 1962 by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, the University was chosen to receive the collection for its "exceptional art history program, its reputation for collections management, and its accessibility to the public," says museum president Paul Audley.

The Samuel H. Kress Foundation has awarded Fairfield a $10,000 grant to give art history students the opportunity to explore every aspect of the works - from origins and themes to restoration. Dr. Philip Eliasoph, professor of art history, will direct the project. Working with Patricia Sherwin Garland, conservator of paintings at the Yale University Art Gallery and a private restoration consultant, he has obtained an initial assessment of the collection's condition as well as conservation treatment proposals for each painting.

"Within the next few years," says Dr. Eliasoph, "art history students will develop a comprehensive catalog of these paintings, enabling us to place the paintings into their historical, cultural, and artistic contexts."

Student wins scholarship to study in Japan

By Dana Ambrosini, Director of Media Relations

It's a dream come true for Erin Teeling '05 of Jefferson, N.J. An international studies major, Teeling received the 2003 Norman Woodbury Scholarship from the World Affairs Forum, enabling her to live out her wish to study in Japan.

Teeling, who was the sole recipient of the $2,500 scholarship, will spend her fall semester in the Asian studies program at Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata City, near Osaka. She will join 450 students from 35 nations in the Asian studies program, the largest of its kind in Japan.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," says Teeling, who has never traveled outside of the United States. She began studying Japanese in high school and loved it. Travelling to Japan has been one of her goals.

Teeling says she chose Kansai Gaidai because the Asian studies program gives students freedom to choose from a variety of courses in the humanities, language, art, social sciences, and business, all of which are taught in English. While not in class, she hopes to immerse herself in Japanese culture in Hirakata City and Osaka, two of the largest cities in Japan.

"The way to really learn a language is to dive right into the society," she says.

Anne LeBourgeois Grieves, WAF's education chair and a board member, says the scholarship selection committee was impressed by Teeling's academic performance, maturity, and the deliberate way she has gone about her education. The fact that she took Japanese in high school also made her stand out.

"Erin saw an opportunity and she went for the opportunity," Grieves says. "And she's doing a very courageous thing. It takes a little more guts to go to a country like Japan as a first trip abroad, but Erin is very thoughtful about how she's going about the program. We think she'll make an excellent representative."

Teeling, a Presidential Scholar, was named to the Dean's List for three out of her first four semesters at Fairfield. A softball player, she also has served as a Spanish and economics tutor.

Teeling should excel in her studies in Japan, says Dr. Katherine Kidd, director of international studies. Teeling is the first student to have taken Dr. Kidd's challenging Introduction to International Studies course as a freshman. Her final paper considered how baseball has become part of Japanese culture and how the culture affects the sport, demonstrating her sophisticated understanding of Japanese society.

"She's creative and has a real intellectual curiosity," Dr. Kidd says. "She's well-disciplined and much more mature in her approach to things than many students her age. But she's also on the softball team and she's very down to earth. She's a true scholar-athlete."

Sharing a moment

In June, Kelly Ryan, director of refugee policy for the United States State Department, Washington, D.C. (far left), and Rev. Rick Ryscacvage, S.J., of Jesuit Refugee Services/USA in Washington, D.C. (far right), were among the speakers at an on-campus seminar on migration and refugees. During a break, they shared a light moment with Dr. Kathryn Kidd, director of international studies, and Dr. Tim Snyder, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

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