Building Excellence - University of Bridgeport · 2019. 2. 21. · 6 Building Excellence A new food...
Transcript of Building Excellence - University of Bridgeport · 2019. 2. 21. · 6 Building Excellence A new food...
U B KNIGHTLINES FALL 2011
1ALSO INSIDE The Grand Finale • Peace Maker • Give a Miracle
A PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BRIDGEPORT
FALL 2011
Building Excellence The campus gets a $7 million upgrade
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President’s Line
Neil Albert Salonen
Dear Friends,
Academic Year 2011-12 is bound to be memorable for many reasons, not the least of which is that it
began (literally) with a bang. The earthquake that shook much of the Northeast on August 23 rumbled
through the Bridgeport area as students were returning to campus. Following close on the heels of this
rare event was the approach of Irene, the first hurricane in 25 years forecast to hit Bridgeport directly.
On Saturday, the 27th, in advance of Irene, all of our recently arrived freshman students and returning athletes
and staff were evacuated to higher ground at nearby Sacred Heart University Because of extraordinary
planning and effort by many dedicated UB personnel, the University weathered the storm with minimal
damage to the campus and no loss of electrical power. Students returned to their dormitories on Sunday,
as soon as the storm had moved on. Move-in day, the first day of classes, and welcome activities were
rescheduled, and the new school year is now well underway.
Events such as these, which are out of our control, remind us how much all of us in the University
community depend on each other and draw strength from our collective commitment to UB. Over the summer,
a number of UB departments worked collaboratively to complete a wide variety of campus restoration,
repair, and renewal projects. Upgrades to the Anatomy Lab, which is so essential to the work of our
Chiropractic, Naturopathic, Acupuncture, and Physicians Assistant programs, have vastly improved storage
areas, ventilation systems, and work spaces, enabling our students to achieve higher levels of understanding
and competency in greater comfort. The renovation of dormitories will help meet the needs of an increasing
number of students who require on-campus housing, and the first phase of a two-part renovation of our
main dining facility in Marina Hall has made a significant improvement in the quality, hours of operation,
and variety of dining options.
Several important new gifts to the University will enrich research opportunities for graduate and
post-graduate students as well as independent researchers. The continued development of facilities in the
Shintaro Akatsu School of Design and the Arnold Bernhard Center for the Arts and Humanities move us
closer to accomplishing several key elements in our long-term plans for the University of Bridgeport.
Despite so much progress, the issue for many of our students remains their ability to pay for their
college educations. State and federal financial aid programs continue to diminish, and this trend affects
our student population in particular. The University of Bridgeport has always been committed to securing
as much financial help for as many students as we possibly can. We have a strong foundation for providing
continuing support, but every foundation requires shoring up on a regular basis. I want to thank you for
your generous support of our Annual Fund. I encourage you all to consider increasing your contributions
this year as an investment in our students and the growth of UB.
I hope that as you read this issue of Knightlines, you will appreciate the many inspiring stories about
our faculty, staff, and students. The University of Bridgeport community is composed of remarkable individuals
who contribute individually to the greater whole and make us who we are. Alumni have a special place in
their hearts for their alma mater, and I know that you will help us to make this year a special one–and
memorable not just for the weather.
Best wishes for a wonderful new year,
Neil Albert Salonen
President
U B KNIGHTLINES FALL 2011
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PresidentNeil Albert Salonen
Vice President for University RelationsMary-Jane Foster
EditorLeslie Geary
Sports EditorChuck Sadowski
Contributing EditorRebecca Salonen
Production DirectorLarry Orman
Staff PhotographerKazuhiro Shoji
DesignersScott Greenlee and Price Carter Creative Partners
Please send address changes and Letters to the Editor to: Knightlines, Cortright Hall, 219 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 or by e-mail to [email protected]. Please include your full name, UB class year (if applicable), and contact information. For additional assistance, (203) 576-4625.
Knightlines is published three times a year for University of Bridgeport alumni and friends by the Office of University Relations.
Cover photo by Leslie Geary
ContentsFeatures 4 The Grand Finale PointsofLightInstitutefounderandalumna
MarianL.HeardexhortsClassof2011to“dosomething!”atthe101stCommencement.
6 Building Excellence Anewfoodcourt,wiredclassrooms,and
WheelerRec’sgleamingfitnesscenterareamongmorethan$7millionworthofconstructionimprovementsoncampus.
10 Peace Maker FightinginNepal’sCivilWarinspiredPranaya
RanatostudydiplomacyattheInternationalCollege.Nowhe’shelpingimmigrantswhohavebeendisplacedbywarandworkingtobringlastingpeacetohiscountry,too.
17 The World is Their Classroom Internationalprogramsopeneddoorsand
enrichedlivesforUBstudentsthissummer.
20 Get a Miracle, Give a Miracle Dr.BrianNathansonbeganusingchiropractic
techniqueshelearnedatUBtohelpcancerpatients.ThenheandhiswifecofoundedCTRowforaCuretodoevenmore.
News Lines 24 Legacy for a friend
25 No ifs, ands, or butts
26 Opening doors
26 Applause! Applause!
27 Natural winners
Departments 3 Pipelines
28 Faculty Lines
29 Alumni Lines
32 Book Lines
32 Side Lines
A PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BRIDGEPORT
FALL 2011
Knightlines
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AsIsitinmyofficeinCortrightHall,IamsavoringthelovelyIndiansummerbreezespuffingupParkAvenuefromSeasidePark.Mixedwiththesoundsoftraffic,birds,andadistantlawnmoweristheunmistakablepasticheoflaughter,music,andfootstepsthatsignalonlyonething:students.
Welcomeback!Thesummerhasbeenaverybusytimeoncampus,withso
manynewprojectstakingshapethatitishardtochooseonlyafewtohighlight.TherenovationoftheHumanAnatomyLabinCharles
DanaHalliscomplete.Sidewalkshavebeenreplaced,creatingasaferandmoreaccessibleroutesthroughoutcampus.SignificantimprovementstothecardiofacilityatWheelerRec,aswellasafreshcoatofexteriorpaint,makeaworkoutevenmoreenjoyable.Campus-wideelectricalupgradeswerealsocompleted,astheUniversityworkstoensurethatitspowerneedswillbemetsafelyandefficiently.Andlastbutbynomeansleast,students,faculty,andstaffwillbeblownawaybytherenovationsatMarinaHall,whichnowboastsaninternationalfoodcourtandairconditioning!Thisisjustthefirststageofrenovationforthediningfacility,withthefullprojecttobecompletednextsummer.
TheUniversityofBridgeportcontinuestoworkatimprovingthefoundations,notonlyofitsphysicalplant,butforprograms,classes,activities,andofcourse,thevitalityoftheAnnualFund.TheAnnualFund,withgenerousfundsfromCHEFA,helpedtounderwritemanyoftheimprovementsandupgradeshereatUB,andwithyourhelp,wewillbeabletocontinuetheseefforts.
TheAnnualFunddependsonyou:eachandeveryoneofyou.Pleasevisitourwebsite,www.bridgeport.eduandmakeyourcontributiononline.We’veworkedtomakeitreallyeasy!Youmayalsocallmeat203-576-4542andIwillbedelightedtoworkwithyoutostructureagiftthatwillmeetyourphilanthropicgoals.Youmayalwayse-mailmeatmellenbe@bridgeport.edu.
AstrongAnnualFundmeansthatUBwillbeabletocontinueofferingaquality,affordableeducationtopresentandfuturegenerationsofstudents.Andthatissomethingweallwanttosee.
Withbestwishesforawonderfulnewyear,
MeemsEllenberg DirectorofAnnualandPlannedGiving
Meems Ellenberg
It’s a Brand-New Year!
U B KNIGHTLINES FALL 2011
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Pipelines
Healthy feedback
DearEditor,
Thankyouforpublishingtheveryinterestingandinspiringarticle,“Heal,Pray,Laugh”(Spring2011).
WearemostgratefultotheUBacupuncturistswhoservetheSchoolSistersofNotreDameinWilton,CT.Thisserviceportraystheirfriendliness,compassion,andexpertiseforhealing.CollegeofChiropracticprofessorJimFitzpatrickisathoughtfulorganizer,andweareveryfortunatetohavethiswonderfultherapyforoursisters.
Ourprayersandblessingsarewiththesehealersastheyreachoutintotheirfuture. Sister Teresia Spodnik Wilton,CT
DearEditor,
IamanalumnaofUB(theHumanNutritionInstitute)andIjustfinishedreadingtheKnightlines“HealthIssue”(Spring2011)fromcovertocover.IwassoimpressedwiththequalityofthepublicationIjusthadtowritetoyou.Thearticleswereinteresting,thewritingsuperb,andthephotosbeautiful.WhatawonderfulrepresentationoftheHealthSciencesDivisionandthediversityoflearningthatUBprovides!
Thankyoufordeliveringsuchaconsistentlyfineproduct.Inmylargefamilyweseemanyuniversitypublicationsamongus:Knightlineshasastandardofexcellencethatisclearlyabovetherest.
Iwillcontinuetolookforwardtoenjoyingfutureissues.
Annette Alfieri ‘08, MS Fairfield,CT
DearEditor,
IjustreceivedthenewestKnightlinesinthemail(“TheHealthIssue,”Spring2011),andIamsoimpressedwithit.
WorkingatUBIseeeverydaythehighcaliberofstudentsandfacultyinvolvedinthehealthsciencesprograms.Ilovetheholisticapproachesthattheseskilledhealthcareproviderstaketowardpromotinghealthofthemind,body,andsouloftheirpatients.LeslieGearydidagreatjobhighlightingtheseprogramsandthepeoplebehindthem.
Congratulationsandgreatjob!
Melissa H. Lopez, RN, BSN, MPH Director, Student Health Services Bridgeport,CT
General musings
DearEditor,
Itisajoytoseehowyouaregrowing-inreputation,students,focus.I’mproudyouaremyalmamater.
Eric Lubell Rochester,NY
DearEditor,
Wow,howtheUniversityhaschangedsinceIgraduatedin1966!
IwaspleasantlysurprisedandpleasedwiththefacilitiesandleadershipwhenIvisitedthecampusinJune.It’sanhonortosaythatIgraduatedfromUBandtoreceivetheDistinguishedAlumniAwardthisspring.Thankyou.
Moonyeen Klopfenstein ’66 Wilmington,DE
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What’s on your mind?Knightlines welcomes your letters!
SendthemtoEditor,Knightlines,CortrightHall,219ParkAvenue,Bridgeport,CT06604orbye-mailatknightlines@bridgeport.edu.Pleasebesuretoincludeyourfullname,contactinformation,andclassyear(ifapplicable).Lettersmaybeeditedforlength,clarity,oraccuracy.
Welookforwardtohearingfromyou!
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“I’m the only thing standing between you and that precious piece of paper, so listen up!” Marian L. Heard told the Class of 2011 as she launched into her keynote address at the University of Bridgeport’s 101st Commencement, held at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Listen up, they did.
Heard, who has mobilized millions of Americans to volunteer as the founding chairman and CEO of the Points of Light Institute, energized the 1,470 graduates and their families by calling on them to “do something” for positive change in the world. Graduates were joined by members of the Class of 1961, who were honored as Golden Knights on the 50th anniversary of their graduation. Dressed in bright yellow caps and gowns, the group marched across the stage to robust applause.
Heard wasted no time, either, to remind graduates that getting their degrees would not have been possible without the support and sacrifice of their families who “gave something up so you could be here today with your cap and gown. Don’t forget it. You did not do it alone.”
Heard’s humor, however, matched her candor. In speaking of the dangers of hubris, for example, she recounted the time that heavyweight champ Muhammed Ali refused to fasten his seatbelt on a plane because “Superman don’t need no seatbelt.”
Heard continued, “The flight attendant, a woman, responded, ‘Superman don’t need a plane, either.’”
And thus it went. Heard admonished those with cell phones: “I see you texting! Text this and send it
out to everyone on your contact list: A-M-Z-G- S-P-K-R. Amazing speaker! . . . Sit up straight. Some of you are slouching! . . . People like me do notice. So remember ESP — Elegant Self-Promotion. Carry yourself with pride. Carry yourself with focus and force.”
Striving and achieving excellence, she continued, would enable graduates to produce effective change for others’ benefit.
“Every 16 seconds a child dies because of lack of water . . . In America today, a child drops out of school every 26 seconds. So I need you to — “Do something!” Graduates called out, finishing the sentence.
Heard’s message was echoed by University President Neil Albert Salonen, who told graduates, “You cannot look out at the problems of the world and wait for ‘them’ to solve them. Today, you have become one of them.”
Both addresses resonated with graduates like you Sandra Granath, who earned her bachelor’s in Interna-tional Policy and Development. Granath, 25, moved to Taiwan over the summer to learn Mandarin. ”I want to work with the development of third world projects.”
Graduates were joined by members of the Class of 1961, who were honored as Golden Knights on the 50th anniversary of their graduation. Dressed in bright yellow cap and gowns, the group marched across the stage to robust applause.
Dorothea E. Brennan, a member of the Connecticut Board of Governors of Higher Education, also spoke. Jose Ricardo Aguilar delivered the senior class Commencement address.
Points of Light Institute founder and alumna Marian L. Heard ’63
exhorts the Class of 2011 to “do something!” at Commencement.
The GrandFinale
By Leslie Geary
Left: Alumna Marian Heard (top left) before delivering the Commencement Address. Graduates and the Golden Knights savored milestones and memories.
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Classesmayhavebeenoutforthesummer,buttheUBcampushummedwithactivityascrewsbeganmorethan$7millioninconstructionprojectstoaccommodategrowingenrollmentandsupportacademics.
“Therearealotofchanges—allgood,“saidDavidClarkin,ajuniorfromCoventry,RhodeIsland,ashemovedintothenewlyopenedChaffeeHall,whichgotatop-to-bottomoverhaul.
OtherprojectsincludedanewfoodcourtatMarinaDiningHall,restoringhistoriclandmarkbuildingsoncampus,andprovidingstudentswithmorehigh-techclassroomsandstate-of-the-arthealthscienceslabs.
Constructionisbeingfinancedbya$7millionConnecticutHealthandEducationFacilitiesAuthority(CHEFA)bondissue,variousprivategrants,andUniversityfunding.
“We’vecompletedmorethan$21.2millioninCHEFAprojectssince2008,butmanyofouroriginalprojects,likeremovingoldtransformerstocomplywithfederalenvironmentallaws,weren’tvisibletothepublic,”saidAssociateVicePresidentforPlanningandConstructionGeorgeEstrada.“Constructiondoneoverthesummerhasabiggerimpactonthelookandfeelofthecampus.It’sexcitingtosee.”
Serving up more at the food courtWorkbegansoonaftergraduationatChaffeeHall.Theresidencehall,closedin1992,wasreopenedshortlybeforestudentsreturnedtocampusinAugust.Crewspower-washedthebuilding’sbrickexterior,replacedtheroof,andinstalledenergy-efficientwindows.Interiorupgradesincludefreshlypainteddormroomsand
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By Leslie Geary
A new food court, wired classrooms, high-tech anatomy labs, and Wheeler Rec’s
gleaming fitness center are among the changes on campus this semester.
BuildingExcellence
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upgradedbathandlaundryrooms.ModerncommonsocialareasoneachofChaffee’sfourfloorsnowboastkitchenettesandloungesoutfittedwithflat-screentelevisionsandcomfortableseating.
Studentswhowanttoliveinthesouped-upresidencehallmusthaveearned60creditsandhavedonewellinclass,saidAssociatePresidentofAdmissionsBryanGross.“ReopeningChaffeeisn’tjustaboutaccommodatingenrollmentgrowth,”Grosssaid.“We’reraisingthebarintermsofprovidingthehighestqualityoflivingaccom-modationsthatwepossiblycanforourupper-classmenandgraduatestudentswhohavedonewellacademically.”
Acrossthecourtyard,thefirstphaseofMarinaDininghallupgradesbeganwhencrewsrippedupdecades-oldflooringandceilingtiles,addedairconditioning,andinstalledmassiveenergy-smartwindowsoverlookingLongIslandSoundinthemaineatinghall.TheotherhalfofMarinawasradicallytransformedintoamodernfoodcourtfeaturingthreerestaurantsrunbySodhexo:UltimateBaja,withsouth-of-the-borderfare;Grill155fortraditionalburgersandsandwiches;andStarGinger
createdbycelebritychefMaiPham.Patronscanpurchasefoodtogoordineatthecourt’scafé-styleseatingarea,whichboastsscreentelevisionsandwirelessInternet.
Smart boards and smart classroomsConstructionprojectswillalsoenhanceacademics.Tosupportthefast-expandingHealthSciencesDivision,forexample,thehumananatomylabatCharlesDanaHallwasdoubledinsizeandequippedwithmen’sandwomen’slockerrooms,scrubareas,modernizedventila-tionsystems,avirtualanatomylabwherestudentscanhonetheirskillsusingthelatesthuman-dissectionsoftware,andlarge-screenvideomonitorstobroadcastinrealtimegrossanatomydissectiondemonstrationsbyfaculty.
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Above: Before and after at Marina: The air condi-tioned dinning hall serves up views and an array of flavors.
Left: Marina’s new food court features offerings from Grill 155 and Star Ginger, created by celebrity chef Mai Pham.
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Closed in 1992, Chaffee reopened this fall with sumptuous new lounges and renovated rooms.
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Thetechnology,saidDivisionofHealthSciencesViceProvostDr.DavidM.Brady,“isintendedtoenhancetheinstructor’sabilitytoeffectivelyteachanatomy.
“Thislabrepresentsanotherpartintherevitalizationoffacilitieswithinthehealthsciencescampusandwillenhancethestudentexperienceandourabilitytorecruitstudentstoourprograms.”
Thebusinessschoolhasgrown,too,inrecentyears,thankstonewgraduate-andundergraduate-degreeprograms.TobetterserveMBAcandidatesandunder-grads,MandevilleHallclassroomsweremodernizedwithsmarttechnologyandanewcomputerlab.Thedean’sofficewasredesignedintoasuitethat,amongotheruses,willprovidecomfortablemeetingspacesforheadhunterswhoeachyearvisitMandevilletorecruitUBstudentsforjobs.
Wheeler Rec’s new fitness center AcrosscampusatthetheArnoldBernhardCenter(ABC),hometotheShintaroAkatsuSchoolofDesign,first-floorcorridorsarebeingrecarpetedandbright-enedwithnewlighting.Theupgradeswillcomplementrenovationsatthefirst-floorgallerywhichisusedtoshowcaseworkbydesignstudentsandvisitingartists.ABCisscheduledtoreopenlaterinthefall,andtheimprovementswill“reestablishABCasaculturaldestina-tioninFairfieldCounty,”saidEstrada.
Downtheblock,crewsrepaintedWheelerRecreationCenter,replacedtheroof,andinstalledpremiumMatrix
fitnessequipmentinthecardioworkoutcenter.CortrightHall,builtin1890forNewYorksocialite
LaviniaL.ParmlyandnowhometotheUniversity’sAlumniOffice,isbeingrestoredtoitsformergrandeur.Startinginthefall,artisancraftsmenwillrestoretheelegantQueenAnne-stylebuilding’swoodenYankeegutters,masonry,andwrap-aroundbaywindows.ThehistoricrestorationcampaignisbeingfundedbytheUniversityanda$200,000grantfromtheConnecticutCommissiononCultureandTourism.
ChangesatUBaren’tsimplyutilitarian.“Walkthroughcampus.You’llseemorelandscaping,trees,outdoorseating,”saidEstrada.“We’recreatingbeautifulspacesallovercampus.There’ssomuchtoofferatUB;wewantpeopletostop,takeintheview,andenjoyit.”
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The Human Anatomy Lab at Eleanor Dona Hall was demolished then rebuilt with new scrub areas, large-screen monitors, and virtual dissection stations.
Facelift: Crews replaced walkways and created lush open spaces throughout campus.
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Rana’s experience in Haiti was life-changing. “There were so many orphans, it was horrifying,” he says.
Peace
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Fighting in Nepal’s Civil War inspired Pranaya Rana ’11 to learn
more about nonviolent means to end conflict while studying at
the International College. Now he’s helping immigrants displaced
by war and working to bring lasting peace to his country.
Clutchingaspiral-boundnotebooktightlytohischest,themanhesitatedattheofficedoorandscannedtheroom’smodestsurroundings:twowoodentables,afireplacemantletoppedwith126miniatureflagsfromnationsaroundtheworld,onelargeAmericanflag,and18foldingmetalchairs,oneofwhichwasoccupiedbyanotherman,justabityoungerthanhimself,hesupposed.
Dressedinastarchedbutton-downshirtandbrownleathershoesbuffedtoahighshine,theroom’swell-groomedoccupantlookedlikehebelongedinacornerofficeoverlookingthecoruscatingskylineoftheBigCity,nothere.YetthisdimlylitclassroomattheInternationalInstituteofConnecticut(IIC)—anagencyfornewlyarrivedimmigrantslocatedinanoldVictorianonClintonAvenueinBridgeport—wasexactlywhereUBalumnusPranayaRana’11belonged.Indeed,he’dlefthishomeinNepaltobeinplaceslikethis.
“Please,”saidRana,28,lookingupfromhisnote-takingwithamegawattsmile.“Comein!Sit.”
Rana,whoinMaygraduatedwithamaster’sdegreeinGlobalDevelopmentandPeacefromtheInternationalCollege,wasbackatIICafterreturningthepreviouseveningfromWashington,D.C.He’dspentapackedthreedaysmeetingwithofficialsfromtheU.S.CommissionforRefugeesandImmigrantstodiscusssecurityand
fundingissues.Nonetheless,Rana’sgazelockedinonAbdulMahfozAbdulGhafor,a32-year-oldimmigrantfromAfghanistan,justnowsteppingintotheoffice.
Ghafor’sreticencewasunderstand-able.HearrivedinConnecticutasarefugeeinApril,afterbeingsponsoredbytheU.S.government.LikeotherclientsatIIC,he’dbeendisplacedfromhishomebywarandpoliticalupheaval.NowhisfuturelaywithRana,whosejobatIICitistoresettleGhaforand38otherclientsintoanewAmericanlifeandbecomeself-sufficientas
quicklyaspossible.It’samonumentaltask.Onanygivenday,Ranafinds
himselfschedulingmedicalappointmentsforclients;fillingouttheirapplicationsforGreenCardsandSocialSecuritynumbers;helpingthemapplyforfoodstamps;Medicaid,andotherbenefits;searchingforapartmentsandnegotiatingrentwithlandlordsfordisplacedfamilies;enrollingchildrenintoschoolsandtheirparentsintoESLclasses;andfinding,thenobtaining,jobsforclients,someofwhomspeakEnglish,mostofwhomdonot.
It’sajobthatrequiresstamina,grittydetermination,untoldpatience,andthefullsumofRana’sdiplomaticandsurvivalskills—mostofwhichheacquiredintheclassroomsoftheInternationalCollegeandthejunglesofNepal,whereforsevenyearsheservedinthearmy
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Soldier to statesman? International College alumnus Pranaya Rana has a most unusual past, but he’s determined to make the future better for those affected by war.
By Leslie GearyPeace Maker
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duringthatcountry’sbloodycivilwarbetweengovernmentforcesandMaoistrebels.RanaintendstoreturntoNepaloneday,tohelpitstabilizeandrebuild,butfirsthe’sgotworktodo.
For family and countryItis,withoutquestion,aratherunusualCV:soldier,student,nonprofitimmigrationcounselor.ButRana’svariegatedbackgroundreflectsafamilydestinyspanning100yearsofsuccessiveandever-successfulgenerationsofRanapatriarchs.Hisgreat-great-grandfather,DevShamsherJungBahadurRana,wasNepal’sprimeministerin1901forashortspellbeforebeingoustedbyfamilymembersinanastyinternecinepower-grab.AlthoughDev’sserviceasPMwasbrief—just144daysbeforehewasexiledtoIndia—theelderstatesmanenjoyedareputationasareformerwhochampionedthecausesofuniversaleducationandanti-corruption.Sincehistenure,theRanafamilyhasbeenlinkedtotheirhomeland.
“Whatevertheydid,italwayshadtodowithNepal,”saysRana,whoseancestorsincludemorethanafewgeneralsandwhosefatherisacolonelintheNepalesearmy.
SoitwasnotunusualthatsoonafterhisninthbirthdayRanaenrolledinaboardingschoolreservedforchildrenofthemilitary’selite.Whenheturned19,hejoinedNepal’sarmy,asafirstlieutenant.Hewashighlytrained,highlydisciplined,andharborednoillusionsaboutwhatlayaheadasheenteredthethen-ragingwar.Nevertheless,Ranaquicklygrewfrustrated.
“Ialwaystriedtoseeadifferentmeanstoresolveconflict,”hesays,“butthemilitaryhasachainofcommand.Youcannotmediatebetweenparties.There’snoimprovisation.You’retheretofolloworders,toserve,toobey.Asayoungofficer,yourvoiceisnotheard.AndIneverlikedtheviolence.”
Asithappened,thecivilwardidend,in2006.Ranahadthreemoreyearsofmilitaryservice,andwhileheknewhewouldleavethearmy,hewasn’treadyto
No job too small . . . or heavy. After finding homes for refugees Rana helps them move in.
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abandonhiscountry.Afterall,hewasaRana.“Youwerealwaysexpectedtoexcelinmyfamily,
andyouwanttodosomething,”hesays.“IrealizedifIhadadegreeandexperience,IwouldbeabletoprovidemyownideasforNepal’sfuture.Ifthey’regoodones,theywilllisten.”
Moreover,asfarasRanasawit,Nepaldesperatelyneededgoodideas.
“It’sbeenfiveyearssincethecivilwarendedandNepalstilldoesn’thaveaconstitution.It’sallaboutpowerpolitics.Nopromisesmadebyanyofthepartieshavebeenkept,”saysRanawithfrustration.“Iwanttohelpthingsgoinapositivedirection.”
Family destinyHavingaprimeministerinthefamilyisonething.ButtogethisturnatthesteeringwheelRanahadtoearnhischops—especiallygivenhisfamily’slegacy,whichwas,headmits,lessthanneutral.“Ineededexperience,”hestatespragmatically.“Ineededcredibility.”
SohewenttoKathmandutostudydiplomacyatTribhuvanUniversity,wherehemetanAmericannamedBrianPolkinghorn,directortheInstituteofMulti-TrackDiplomacy.FoundedbyambassadorJohnW.McDonaldtopromotepeaceinareasofconflict,theWashington,D.C.nonprofithasworkedinmorethan50nationsthathaveinvitedittoassistwithpeace-buildingefforts.PolkinghornhadbeentappedtohelpinNepalstabilizeafterthecivilwar.HeusedthetriptoteachaclassonconflictresolutionatTribhuvan.
ItwasafortuitousvisitforbothPolkinghornandRana.Therewere46students,butRanaquicklystoodout.“Hesatinthebackoftheclassroom,andeverytimeheaskedhequestionhestoodup,usedtheword‘sir,’andshowedhewasn’tjustsynthesizingwhatheheard;hewasreallyevaluatingtheinformation.AfteraboutthethirdquestionIrealized,‘Thisisareallybrightguy.He’sreallyaskinghigh-orderquestions,’”recallsPolkinghorn.
Soonthetwometoutsideofclasstoexchangeideas.PolkinghornwantedtotalkwithformersoldiersaboutintegratingMaoistsintoNepal’sarmy,andRanawashappytosharehisviews.
“Sometimesitdoesn’tpaytobeclose,andcomingfromamilitaryfamily,I’daskPranaya,‘Isthisapersonalbiasorwouldsomeoneelsegivethisassessment?’andforthemostparthewasveryhonest.Hedidn’tletpersonal
Rana helps a client unpack and move into new digs in Bridgeport.
Resettling refugees means paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork. Rana tells a client how to cut through the red tape at one of many meetings at IIC.
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More than 250 to become citizens at ceremony for newAmericans at UB this fall The University of Bridgeport will host a naturalization ceremony for new Americans this fall as part of its ongoing work with the International Institute of Connecticut (IIC) on behalf of refugees and immigrants to the United States.
The time-honored swearing-in will be held at the Arnold Bernhard Center on Friday, September 23.
University President Neil A. Salonen will deliver welcoming remarks to more than 250 immigrants from over 50 countries, who then will pledge the Oath of Allegiance before being sworn in as naturalized citizens.
“The University of Bridgeport has been a critical partner in helping the IIC to realize its mission to serve the needs of the foreign-born community in Bridgeport. We’re very happy to cohost this event with UB; it’s a ceremony that really is the American Dream,” said IIC Executive Director Angela Zurowski.
The IIC and UB’s International College have collaborated on various refugee-resettlement projects for the past two years, Zurowski added. Several students intern at the non-profit, and International College alumni also work at the organization’s immigrant resettlement and anti-human trafficking departments. – L.G.
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biasaffecthisassessment,”saysPolkinghorn.“HeknewwhattheMaoistswouldsayanddowhencertainoptionswerepresentedtothem.HepredictedthefalloftheMaoistprimeminister[KamalDahal]Prachandatwomonthsbeforeithappened.IshowedhisworktopeopleindiplomaticcirclesinWashington,D.C.andNewYork,andtheywerestunned.He’dtellyousomething,andbam,severalweeksormonthslateritwouldhavehappened.He’saverybrightguy.IfyouwantacheatsheetonthepeaceprocessinNepal,readhisthesis.”
Bright.Connected.Yetinpost-civilwarNepal,eventheseattributescouldbeadeterment.AsPolkinghornnotes,“Beingfromaprimeminister’sfamilyhasitsupsanddowns.Heneedscredibilityandexperience,andthesmartestwayforhimtodothatisbybeingoutofNepal.ThentheMaoistsandMarxistscannotcomebackandsay,‘You’reridingonthecoattailsofdeadancestors.’”
Polkinghorn’sadvice?Studyabroad,getpracticalexperience,thenreturntohelpyourhomeland.
Experience requiredTheInternationalCollegeatUBhadeverythingRanawaslookingfor:It’sGlobalDevelopmentandPeaceprogramofferedaconcentrationinconflictresolution.Studentsneededtospeakatleastoneforeignlanguage(Ranaknowsthree:English,Nepalese,andHindi).And,mosttantalizingofall,Rana,likeallstudentsatthe
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Right: Rana must use all of his diplomatic skills to get landlords to rent to his clients. “I don’t have to be in the UN to get experience in peace-and-conflict issues,” he says.
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College,wouldberequiredtocompleteaninternationalinternshiptogainpractical,on-the-groundexperience.
HequicklyimpresseddeanDr.ThomasWard.“BecauseofhisbackgroundPranayawasapersonwithsomeverystrongskillsandexperiences,andhebroughtthemintotheprogram,”saysWard,whohadRanainhisInternationalConflictAnalysisandResolutionclassandAdvancedDiplomacycourse.“WehaveotherstudentsfromNepal,buttheuniquethingaboutPranayaisthatheseesconflictresolutionthroughtheeyesofatrainedsoldier.Hehasabigvision.”
Andboundlessenergy.RanaaugmentedclassesbydoingvolunteerconflictanalysisforPolkinghorn,withwhomhestaysintouch,andtheInstituteforMulti-TrackDiplomacy.AndwhenanearthquakerippedthroughHaitiinJanuary10,2010,Ranaobtained
permissionfromNepal’smilitarysupervisorstojoinUNpeacekeepingforcesinHaiti,thusfulfillingUB’sinternshiprequirement.Heprovidedsecurityatfood-distributioncentersandatcampsforpeopledisplacedwhentheirhomesweredestroyed.
Butitwasthechildrenwhoinspiredhim.“Wewouldhelporphansinvariousorphanages
withfoodandclothingwithinternalresources,”herecalls.“Thechildrenwereanywherefromonetoeightornineyearsold.Ourbattalionwouldbringthemcookedmealsandclothesweboughtwithdonationsfrommilitarypersonnel.Sometimesourmedicalteamwouldgowithustogivecheck-ups.Thereweresomanyorphanages,itwashorrifying.Allwecoulddoisseeifthechildrenweretreatedproperly.ButHaitimadeitveryclearinmymindthatinonewayoranotherIwouldpursueafield
Thanks to his relationship with Chip’s owner George Chatzopoulous, Rana was able to get a job for client Mahfoz Ghafor.
(continued on page 16)
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whereIcouldworkwithpeopleinneed.”WhenhereturnedtoUBtwomonthslaterWard
directedRanatoIIC,whichfrequentlycollaborateswiththeInternationalCollege(see“OathofAllegiance”onpage13).ManyimmigrantsatIIChavebeenforcedtoleaveBhutan,andRanawouldserveasamuch-neededinterpreter.Butevenwhenclientscomefrom,say,Eritrea,speakingTigrinya,orfromAfghanistan,speakingFarsiorRussian,orasmatteringofEnglish,Ranacanhoneskillstoachievehispoliticaldreams.Afterall,saysWard,hemayhave“abigvision”butlikesomuchinpolitics,dreamshingeondiplomacyandattentiontodetail.
“ThemostimportantthingPranayacandoinhiscurrentpositionatIICistoconveythesufferingandchallengesofthepeoplewhoneedtoberesettledtothepeoplewhocandosomethingaboutit,”Wardcontinues.“That’sakeydimensionofleadership:topossessboththeunderstandingofthecircumstanceofthosewhohaveneedsandtherealitiesofthosewhocanhelpthem.Youhavetobepatienttogetresults.PatienceisoneofPranaya’smanyskills.”
Notebooks and jobsAndsoRananowspendsdaysshepherdingclients,somewithfamiliesandyoungchildren,othersaloneintheU.S.,throughlabyrinthinebureaucracies.
“Justwhenyousettleoneproblemanothercomesup.Mostoftherefugeesdon’tspeakmuchEnglish,oriftheydo,theydon’twriteit.It’shardtoreachcaseworkersontheirbehalf.Wesendfaxestodifferentagencies,butfaxesdon’treachthemintime.Foodstampsorotherbenefitsarediscontinued.Toreactivatebenefits,weneedtogowaitinline.Andeverygovernmentofficeisbusy,”hesays.“Workingwithrefugeesissharpeningmynegotiatingskills.Idon’thavetobeintheUNtogetexperienceinpeace-and-conflictissues.”
Thejobisagoodfit,considering.“I’veseenwar,”saysRana.“I’veseenhowpeople
havetofleetheirhousesandleavewithouttheirbasicneeds.It’salwaysthecommonpeoplewhoarethevictims.MostofmyclientsarerefugeesfromBhutan,Afghanistan,Eritrea,wholivedasrefugeesbecausetheywereforcedtojointhemilitary.Mybackgroundgivesmegoodknowledgeofwhattheirliveswerelike.”
HisempathyquicklybecomesapparentduringhismeetingwithMahfozGhafor,thehesitantyoungmannowcomfortablyensconcedinafoldingmetalchairatIIC.Afterafewpleasantries,Ranagetstothepoint:“There’sanewESLclassforyou.It’severydayexceptFriday,from10a.m.to11a.m.,”hetellsGhaforcheerfully.“Here,letmewriteitdownforyou.”
Ghafor,stillclutchingthespiralnotebook,slowlyhandsitoverthetableforRanatocopytheclassscheduleonthebook’slastpage.“I’llgetyouanother,”Ranasays,evermindfulthatsweepingchange—beitcraftinganationalconstitutionorbecominganAmericancitizen—oftenhingesnotonloftyideasbutonthetiniestofdetails.SomethingasinconsequentialafreshnotebookwillmakelifeinfinitelyeasierforGhafortoremainorganized,gettoESLclasses,andwithanyluck,schedulejobappointments.There’smorenews:RanahasbeenmeetingwithGeorgeChatzopoulos,ownerofChip’sFamilyRestaurantinOrange,andChatzopouloshasagreedtohirefourIICclients,includingGhafor,athissecondsiteinFairfield.
Conversationensues.GhaforwillcallRanaifheisunabletoattendclass.Ranaunderscoresthepointbyholdingafisttohisear,asifcradlingaphone.Mahofoznodsinassent.“Yes,Iwillcall.”
“Good!”beamsRana.“It’sgoodtoseeyoutryingtospeakEnglish.Whenyouimprove,youwillgototheintermediatelevel.Youaredoingverywell.”
“ Haiti made it very clear in my mind that in one way or another I would pursue a field where I could work with people in need.”
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“InpreparingforKorea,it’ssafetosaythatIwasworriedaboutallthewrongthings,”saysKatelynAnton.“I’msomuchmoreversedwiththeculturethanthelanguage,sowhileIunderstoodtheimportanceofgivingmoneywithbothhands,Icouldn’tunderstandthepricewhenastoreclerkspokeit.”
Anton,who’smajoringinInternationalPoliticalEconomyandDiplomacyattheInternationalCollege,wasamongmorethanonedozenUBstudentstostudyatseveralinternationalprogramsheldinEurope,Asia,andtheMiddleEastthissummer.
Theclassestheytookwereasdiverseasthecountriestheyvisited.Studentslearnedaboutdiplomacytobiol-ogytodesignincitiesfromMilantoTunis.Butwhiletheymayhaveexploreddifferentculturesandaca-demicfields,theyagreedthattravelopenedtheworldtotheminwaysthatwillleavealastingimpact.
Italian by designItwas,byallaccounts,l’estate perfetta—theperfectsummer—forShintaroAkatsuSchoolofDesign(SASD)studentsCarlaChavez,GladysErazzo,andElizabethKohler,whostudiedatthemuch-celebratedIstitutoSuperiorediArchitetturaèDesign(InstituteofArchitectureandDesign)inItaly.
ThethreeinteriordesignmajorswereassignedtodevelopplansfortherenovationoftheHotelBulgariinMilan.TheyalsotraveledthroughoutEuropetoviewthearchitectureofBarcelona,Paris,Venice,andGermany.
JohnKandalaft,thechairmanofSASD’sinteriordesignprogram,createdtheuniquetrainingprogramwiththeInstitutewhenhewasinItalyayearagotodevelopatastingpavilionatawinerythatisassociatedwithUBalumnusShintaroAkatsu.
SASD students Carla Chavez (seated) and Elizabeth Kohler at Juliet’s tomb in Verona, Italy.
Chavez’s designs for the Hotel Bulgari in Milan
U B KNIGHTLINES SPRING 2011
International programs open doors, enrich lives
for UB students this summer
ClassroomWorldThe is their
(continued on page 18)
By Leslie Geary
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Lessons in ArabicRebeccaWardandSheilaPimentelbothspentthesummerlearningArabicintheMiddleEastafterwiningprestigiousscholarships.
Ward,aseniormajoringinWorldReligions,wonaU.S.DepartmentofStateCriticalLanguageScholarshiptostudyatCentred’EtudesMaghrebinesàTunis.
“Itwasafantasticprogram,”shesays.“IjumpedfourlevelswithmyArabic!Icanreadmuchfasterandspeakmuchmoreconfidently.”
Nowonder.WardspenttenweeksinTunisandmostofhertimewasdedicatedtointensivelanguagestudies.“Ihadclassforfourhoursaday,thentutoring,andthenspeakingpractice,andthenfourhoursofhomework,”shereports.
Wardstudiedwith26studentsfromotherU.S.universities.ButthepersonshegottoknowmostintimatelywasAyaMoez,herhostparents’11-year-olddaughter.“Ihadtodoalotofwritingassignments,andsheusedtohelpmewithmygrammarandspelling.Shelovedit!Shemademelittlelessonsformeandgradedthem,”saysWard,laughing.“Itwasverycute.”
InDubai,Pimentel,21,spentthesummerattheAmericanUniversityasaWilliamJeffersonClinton
“Wefeltthatitwasimportanttoprovideourstudentswithanopportunitytostudyinteriordesignoverseasandexposethemtoadifferentculturalcontext,”Kandalaftsaid.“TheyhadtogototheHotelBulgari,photographit,anddevelopconceptsfortherenovation.It’sareal-lifeprojectinhospitalitydesignthat’spartofthepracticaltrainingatSASD.We’realsohopingtocreateateaching-andstudent-exchangeprogramwithprofessorsfromtheInstitute.”
WorkattheInstitutewas“intense,”saidChavez.“Itwaslikedoingasemester’sworkinafewweeks.Buttheprofessorswereverygood.”
Whennotinastudio,Chavezhitthestreets.“Youwalkforhoursandhoursandeverywhereyoulook,there’sartanddesign,architecture,fashion,style.Itwassuchacrazy,excitingtrip!”
Chavez (right) and her architect professor at Istituto Superiore di Architettura è Design
Sheila Pimentel and friend on a camel ride
Pimentel in front of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
From left: Clinton Scholars Jessica Chiang, Jonathan Berman, Anya Vitalyevna, and Pimen-tel with a tour guide in the desert of Sharjah
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Scholar.AlthoughherfirsttaskwastoimproveherArabic,Pimentelfoundthatthetimingofthetripgaveherafront-rowseattotheso-calledArabSpringproteststhathaveeruptedinEgypt’sTahrirSquare,inTripoli,Sana,Jeddah,andothercitiesacrosstheMiddleEast.
“TherewerepeoplefromLebanon,Egypt,Iran—allover—andtherewasalotofheateddiscussionaboutwhatwasgoingon,”saidPimentel.“Iwasabletogetalotofdifferentperspectives;itwasreallyenrichingtohear.”
PimentelalsobefriendedaPalestiniancouple,FerafandBuka,whofrequentlyinvitedherformealsofstuffedzucchini,rice,meat,chocolates,watermelon,anddemitassefilledwiththickTurkishcoffee.Astheylingeredovertheirmeals,Pimentellearnedhernewfriendsdidn’thavepassports,onlyrefugeepapers.
“Theytoldmehowharditwasforthemwithoutpassports.Iknewstufflikethathappened,butitshockedme,”saidPimentel,whoonedaywantstoworkintheU.S.ForeignServiceorforaninternationalNGO.“ButI’manoptimist.Iseehope.Anditwasamazingtomeetnewpeople.”
A garden in ChinaAspartofitsongoingexchangeprogramwithsisterschoolSichanUniversityJingjiangCollege(SUJC)inChina,eightstudentsandmasscommunicationsprofessorYanminYutraveledtoChengdu,China,fortendays.Amongthem:MBAcandidateJannethAchury,whosignedonforthetripbecauseshewantstoworkininternationalbusiness.
“Ispeaktwooutofthreemajorlanguages—EnglishandSpanish—andI’mlearningMandarin,”saysAchury.“IwanttodobusinessinChina.”
Tolearnmoreaboutvariousenterprises,AchuryvisitedShanghai,whichshecalled“NewYorkonsteroids.”Shealsogotapeekatmoremodestruralenterpriseswhenshe
UB student Carolina Lobato helps to plant a tree at Jinjiang College.
UB students were greeted by Jingiang College President Li (center) and Vice President Yang (right of center).
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Heart and SeoulSinceshealreadyspeaksChinese,KatelynAntondecideditwastimetoaddKoreantoherrepertoire.SoshesignedupfortheInternationalSummerProgramatHanyangUniversityinSeoul,Korea.
Languageclasses,shefigured,wouldhelpheraspresidentofUBLanguageExchange,astudentgroupshefoundedlastyeartopromotetheunderstandingofvariouscultures.Andthemarketingwouldbehelpful,too.
Antonplanstocombineherinterestinvariouscultureswithbusiness.Tohelpprepareforbusinessschool—shehashersightssetonanMBA—shetookbothmarketingandbasicKoreanlanguageclassesoverthesummer.
TheKoreancourses,sheadmitted,“wereabitofastretch....ThereweresomanytimeswhenmyverbalcommunicationwaslimitedandIgotpastthatwithpersistence,determination,andalotofcharades.WhatreallycontributedalotthoughwasthehospitalityoftheKoreanpeople.Asclicheasitsounds,Ilearnedthatasmilereallydoessayitall.”
visitedawinerynearSUJC.YetAchuryfoundthatspontaneousadventures
providedherwiththemostpivotalexperiences.OnemorningsheandUBclassmateMariahDookiejoinedherhostmotheratalocalpark.“WecalledherMissMei.Shewasolder,likeamother,andsheinvitedustodotaichiwithher,”saidAchury.“Itwasabout7a.m.andalittlebitrainy.Butwhenwegottotheparkwesawoldtreesandriversandbamboohouses.Itwasbeautiful,likebeinginanenchantedmovie.”
Happily,thatenchantedgardenawaitsAchury:SUJCofferedherajobteachingEnglishtoitsChinesestudents.She’llgonextsummer,aftershegraduateswithherMBAfromUB,andworkduringtheday.Atnight,she’lltakemoreMandarin.“Itwillbesogoodtolearnmoreofthelanguageandthepeopleandculture,”shesays.“Itwillopenalotofdoors.”
UB students attended the International Summer Program at Hanyang University in Seoul, South Korea, from June 28 to July 22.
UB student Katelyn Anton (third from left) and friends at the Mirim Botanical Garden in South Korea where Anton delighted in viewing various species of magnolias.
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Loveisintheair:JusttwodaysafterValentine’sDay,Dr.BrianNathanson’07,aUBCollegeofChiropracticgraduate,issittinginhisEastAvenueofficeinNorwalk,Connecticut,alongwithhiswife,PennyNathanson.It’saninterviewwhereonespousefinishestheother’ssentencesandviceversa.Penny,seatedbyNathanson’sside,isquicktoaddanecdotesofherhusband’smanyaccomplishments.
ThecouplemetonJuly4,1986,attheStatueofLibertyCentennialCelebration,completewithaflotillaofships,PresidentReagan,andpicturesqueviews.“Wesawfireworksthatevening”Nathansonrecallswithalaugh.ThehappycouplemarriedonAugust2,1992.
Destiny intervenesAtagetwo,theNathansons’daughterMarnibeganhavingseizures,aneventthatinspiredNathanson,who
hadbeenathird-generationprinter,topursueacareerinhealthcaresothat
he,too,mighthelp
GetGivea Miraclea Miracle
Dr. Brian Nathanson began using chiropractic techniques he
learned at UB to help cancer patients. Then he and his wife
cofounded CT Row for a Cure to do even more.
(continued on page 22)
By Sherri Bartley Rivera
Nathanson and his wife Penny
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Association.Nathansonhadnevertriedthesport,buthewasintriguedeverytimehewalkedbytheAssociation’sboathouse.
“Ialwayslikedtheoutdoors,andIknewabouttheplace,soIjustwanderedinoneday,”Nathansonsays.HeintroducedhimselftoCharlesHuthmaker,thedirector,andtoldhimaboutthechiropracticskillsheusedtohelprunnersintheINGNYMarathonandotherathletes.
Theytwomenitoffinstantly.Nathansonbegantreatingrowers–andlearningtorow.(“I’mnotatypicalrower,”heconcedeswithalaugh.“I’mshort.”)Buthelovedit.Soon,hehadPennyrowing,too,andthentheirdaughters.Thefamilywashookedonthesport.
“PennyandIkeptthinkingthiswouldbeagreatforourpatients,”saysNathanson.
TheyestablishedthelocalRowforaCurechapterinConnecticut.
Row for a CureTheConnecticutChapterofRowforaCureregattaraisedarespectable$7,000itsfirstyearin2009fortheConnecticutAffiliateofSusanG.KomenforaCure®.KomenConnecticutisastate-levelorganizationthatispartofthenationalSusanG.KomenfortheCure,whichisworld’slargestgrassrootsnetworkofbreastcancersurvivorsandactivists.
Thesecondregatta,onacoldday,with40-mile-per-hourwinds,inNovember2010,theCTchapterraisedover$23,000.TheNathansons’youngerdaughter,Cali,then12-years-old,alsorowedforthefamilycause.
“Connecticuthasthesecondhighestincidenceofbreastcancerinthenation,”saidAnneMorris,executivedirectorofKomenConnecticut.“WearesoappreciativetohavethegeneroussupportoftheConnecticutcommunitythrougheventsliketheRowforaCuretodowhatwecantocombatthisstatistic.UnderBrianandPenny’sleadership,RowforaCurehasmadeasignificantcontributiontothelocalfightagainstbreastcancer.”
others.Hedecidedonchiropracticmedicineasitwouldallowhimtorunhisownpracticeanddictatehisprofessionalfuture.
NathansonoptedtostudyattheUniversity’sCollegeofChiropractic,whichcametotheforefrontofhissearchashewasinspiredbyprofessorslikeDr.StephenPerle.NathansonvolunteeredtoworkonPerle’sfinishlinetriageteamfortheINGNYCMarathon.“Brianjumpedrightin...andheputhisallintoit,”recallsPerle.Today,thetworemaininweeklycommunication.
PerlealsotaughtNathansonhowtohelppatientsusingtheso-calledGrastontechnique,amethodthatinvolvesusingspecificallydesignedstainlesssteelinstrumentstobreakdownscartissueandreduceinflammation.
Asastudent,NathansonhadnoinklingofhowthelessonswouldcometodefineNewEnglandPhysicalCare,theprivatepracticeheopenedinNorwalk,Connecticut,andopenanewchapterinhislifehelpingcancerpatients.
“Itallowedmetogivelifebacktoapatientwhohadamastectomy.Shethoughtshewouldneverbeoutapain,”recallsNathanson,whosefirstcancerpatientwasawomanwhohadundergoneamastectomy.Theoperationcreatedbuilt-upscartissueinherpectoralmuscles,causinghertolosesignificantarmmovement.UsingtheGrastontechnique,Nathansongotherarmsmovingagainanddecreasedherpain.Soon,wordtraveled,andhewastreatingmanybreastcancerpatients.
Get a Miracle, Give a MiracleAtthesametime,cancerwasimpactingNathanson’spersonallife.Hismotherpassedawayfrombraincancer,andtwoclosefamilyfriendsdevelopedbreastcancer.Ashesufferedpersonallossandworkedwithbreastcancerpatients,Nathansonandhiswifecouldnothelpthinkingabouttheirdaughter’searlierexperiencewithseizures.
Theydecidedtoraisemoneyforacausesupportingcancerpatients.Butwhatkindofcharity?
Theanswer,asitturnedout,wasacrossthestreetfromNathanson’spracticeattheNorwalkRiverRowing
“ The chances of our daughter getting better were very small. This experience totally turned our lives around. We got a miracle and we had to give back.”
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Right: Penny Nathanson and daughter Cali at the 2010 CT Row for the Cure.
Seventy-fivepercentofnetproceedsfromeventslikeRowforaCuresupportConnecticut-basededucation,screening,andtreatmentprograms,saysMorris.Otherproceedsfundnationalresearchinitiativestofindcuresforbreastcancer.“Todate,andwiththehelpofcommunityfundraiserslikeRowfortheCure,KomenfortheCurehasinvestedmorethan$20MillioninConnecticut’sbreasthealth,”Morrisadds.
TheNathansonsloveandliveasateam,butnowDr.Nathansonexplains“we’refinallyworkingasateam.”
AstheinterviewconcludesPennysitsattheedge
ofherseatanddeclares,“Brianisveryhumble…butIknowthatheistheretohealpeopleandhe’scomehomeandtoldmestoriesaboutpeople.AndIseetearsrole,hisheartandhissoulandhisspiritareintomakinglivesbetter,forpeopletobethebesttheycanpossiblybe.It’sfrominside.”
Dr.Nathansonreplies,“Idon’thealanyone,peoplehelpthemselves.”
To learn more about CT Row for a Cure, please visit www.active.com/donate/rftcnorwalk
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News Lines
NutritionexpertandhealthcareentrepreneurRobertJ.Crayhon,whoformorethanadecadeservedasamentortoUBhealthsciencesstudents,washonoredinMaywhentheUniversitydedicatedanamedclassroominhismemory.
CrayhonwascofounderofDesignsforHealth,anutritionsupplementscompany,whodiedofcancerinSeptember2010.ButatUBhewasknownbygraduatesfromtheHumanNutritionInstituteasthego-tosourceforcareeradvice.Studentsoftenattendedhisworkshopsandsoughthisinputastheypreparedtoenterthenutritionprofession,saidDr.DavidM.Brady,viceprovostofhealthsciencesatUB.
“Roberthadarealgiftofspeakingandmotivatingpeople.Heranseminarsthatwereextremelypopularwithourstudents,andhetouchedalotofthem”saidBrady,whoalsoischiefmedicalofficeratDesignsforHealthandmetCrayhoninthe1990s.
LocatedinEleanorDanaHall,the$55,000RobertJ.CrayhonMemorialClassroom,whichfeatureswirelessandothersmarttechnology,isthefirsthealthsciences
Legacy for a friendA modern new health sciences classroom is named in honor of the late Robert Crayhon,
longtime supporter of the Human Nutrition Institute.
classroomtobenamedforanindividualandrepresents“afittinglegacytoamanwhotouchedalotofstudents,”saidBrady.
DesignsforHealthPresidentLindaLizotteandcompanyCEOJohnathanLizotte,whocofoundedtheSuffield,Connecticut,companywithCrayhonin1989andwereamonghisclosestfriends,donated$15,000.TheChiropracticCollegeStudentGovernment,NaturopathicStudentAssociation,andtheFonesSchool’sSigmaPhiAlphaHonorarySociety,studentgroupswithinthehealthsciences,aswellasProfessionalNutritionAssociates,analumnigroupforUBnutritiongrads,madedonations,too.Fundingalsocamefromvarioushealthsciencesdivisions.
AtthededicationCrayhonwasrememberedforhisintellectandhumor.Bloggingaboutbeingdiagnosedwithstage-fourcoloncancer,Crayhononcewrote:“Ifyouarelookingforsomethingfunandexciting,don’tpickcancer.It’sboring.You’retired.Youdon’tlookyourbest....What’smore,yourstoriesaren’tinteresting.”– Leslie Geary
Fitting tribute: After the death of Robert Crayhon, UB students, faculty, and others donated a classroom in his memory. It is the first health sciences classroom to be named for an individual.
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UB teams up with anti-smoking groups to keep
Connecticut students from lighting up.
Asheboundsacrossaroomwiththeself-assuredenergyofanathleteRashadMelvin,19,lookslikethepictureofhealth.
Butlookscanbedeceiving:Melvinbegansmokingwhenhewas17,andlikemillionsofAmericanteenagerswhopickupthehabit,hesuddenlyfoundhimselfhamstrungbyanaddictiontotobacco.“Iwasstressedoutbecauseofschool,andafriendofferedonetome.”
ButinAugustMelvin,whoisfromNorwalk,Connecticut,tossedawaycigarettesforgoodandpickedupplentyoftipsabouthelpinghispeersstayhealthyafterparticipatinginacutting-edgeprogramheldattheUniversity.Called“Don’tLetYourLifeGoUpInSmoke,”thecampaigntrainedFairfieldCountyteenagerstobecomeanti-tobaccoadvocateswhileopeningdoorstothemasfutureprofessionalsinthefieldofhealthcare.
TheprogramwasfundedbyaConnecticutDepartmentofHealthgrantthroughtheAmericanLungAssociation,andwasledbyUBfacultyandthenonprofitConnecticutAreaHealthEducationCenter(AHEC).Healthexpertssaysuchprogramsarecritical.Thenumber
ofAmericanteenagerswhosmokeupto10cigarettesadayjumpedfrom61percentto79percentbetween1991and2009,accordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention.
“Onceyougetinthehabit,itbecomesalmostimpossibletoobserveyourownfreewill,”saidUBPresidentNeilSalonen,whovisitedtheprogramtoencouragestudents.HewasjoinedbySenatorRichardBlumenthal.
Don’tLetYourLifeGoUpInSmokefocusedonscienceandadvocacyinhealthcare.Theteenagerslearnedtowriteanti-smokingPSAsforradioandcraftedletterstolobbylawmakerstosupportanti-smokingprograms.
Muchoftheirtrainingwillbeputtousethisfall,whenprogramparticipantswillbedispatchedtoFairfieldCountyschoolstoteachmiddleschoolstudentsaboutthedangersoftobacco.“Peer-to-peercounselinghasproventobeextremelyeffective,”explainedAHECExecutiveDirectorMeredithFerraro.
Tohelpfocusonthesciences,participantsalsotookseminarswithUniversitybiologyprofessorKathleenEnglemanntolearnaboutthechemicalpropertiesoftobaccoandsomeofthemorethan4,000chemicalsand43knowncarcinogensfoundincigarettes.
“Ifyouknewwhatwasinthem,”saidMelvin,“you’dneverstart!” – L.G.
No ifs, ands, or butts
UB President Neil Salonen and Senator Richard Blumenthal encouraged teenagers to choose healthy habits.
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News Lines
UniversitygraduateswhoqualifywillbegrantedguaranteedadmissiontotheAmericanUniversityofAntiguaSchoolofMedicine,(AICASA)underanarticulationagreementsignedbythetwoschoolsinMay.
Inexchange,UBwillofferqualifiedgraduatesofAICASAadmissionintoitsbiology,healthsciences,orgeneralstudiesprograms,effectivethisfall.
“Thisagreementgivesourbiologyandhealthsciencestudentsaguaranteedadmissionoptiontoahigh-qualitymedicalschool,”saidArtsandSciencesDeanStephenHealey.“AmericanUniversityofAntiguaCollegeof
Theypracticed,practiced,practiced,andonMay21,theUBChamberSingersmadetheirdebutatCarnegieHall,oneoftheworld’smostcelebratedconcertstages.
Theten-memberstudentgroupperformed“Requiem”bycomposerBradleyEllingboe,underthecomposer’sbaton.
TheywerejoinedbyotherstudentandcommunitychoirsfromaroundtheU.S.aspartoftheManhattanConcertProductions’EnsembleDebutSeries.
“ThisisafirstforUB’schoralprogram,”saidChoralDirectorFrankMartignetti.
“Thisisawonderfuladditiontotheirtrainingasaspiringprofessionalmusicians,andI’mthrilledthatitishap-pening.”
FundingtoparticipateintheprogramwasgenerouslydonatedbyUBBoardofTrusteemembersMarkFries’73,Colin“Ben”Gunn,andS.GeorgeSanta,andPhillipV.Sanchez,PeoplesUnitedBank,andUBfacultyandstaffmembersHansvanderGiessen,StephenHealey,FrankMartignetti,KyleBuckley,andKellySocol. – L.G.
Medicinehasshownitselftobeanexcellentpartner.Iamdelightedthatwehaveestablishedthisagreementwiththem,andIlookforwardtoourstudentsbenefitingfromit.”
TheagreementbuildsupontheUniversity’songoingworktoestablish
collaborativeprogramsforitsstudentsinthefast-growingfieldofhealthcare,Healeyadded.Lastyear,forexample,UBandtheUniversityofConnecticutlaunchedaone-of-a-kindprogramthatguaranteesqualifiedUBgradsadmissiontoUConn’shighlycompetitiveSchoolofPharmacy. – L.G.
Guaranteed medical school for UB gradsUB and American University in Antiqua pen an agreement to expand opportunities in health care.
UB Choral Director Frank Martignetti (second from left) and the UB Chamber Singers backstage at Carnegie Hall. Alumnus Bruce Lorentzen ’76 (fifth from left) joined them.
UB Singers perform at Carnegie Hall.
Applause! Applause!
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AteamofCollegeofNaturopathicMedicine(UBCNM)studentswon$7,500andagleamingtrophyattheannualcompetitionhostedbytheAmericanAssociationofNaturopathicPhysiciansConvention,inPhoenixonAugust17-20.
TeammembersKateMiyagi,KimSanders,LisaLaughlin,andAlixLouden,whowerecoachedbyprofessorFrankLaRosa,bestedteamsfromnaturopathicschoolsfromacrossthecountryduringtheZRTCupCompetition.
Teamsadvanceinthegrueling,multidayeliminationroundsbysuccessfullyansweringmorethan400questionscoveringthemedicalandbiologicalsciencesthatarepartofthenaturopathiccurriculum.
ThecompetitionissponsoredbyZRTLaboratory.“Theycertainlydidusproud!”saidUBCNM
AssociateDeanDr.ElizabethPimentel.“Theirhardworkpaidoff,aswasevidentintheirrapidresponsesandconfidenceunderpressure.”
ThisisthesecondconsecutiveyearthataUBteamhaswontheZRTCupandprizemoney. – L.G.
Natural winnersNaturopathic students dominate the competition at AANP conference.
UB naturopathic students walked off with the ZRT Cup after successfully answering hundreds of questions covering the medical and biological sciences.
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O, Baby! Doesawoman’sbloodtypeaffectherabilitytohavechildren?
Perhaps.InastudypresentedattheAmericanSocietyofReproductiveMedicineConference,researchersmeasuredlevelsoffollicle-stimulatinghormoneinwomenundergoingfertilitytreatmentsandfoundthatthosewithtypeObloodhadchemi-calsignslinkedtoloweggnumbers.
That’snosurpriseto Dr. Peter D’Adamo,directoroftheUniversity’sCenterofExcellenceinGenerativeMedicineattheCollegeofNaturopathic,whoprovidedinsighttothefindings:“Asignificantnumberofinfertilitycasesaretheresultofimmunologichostilitybetweenaperson’sbloodtypeandtheenvironment.”
Oneoftoday’smostrecognizedexpertsinthefieldofhumanbloodtypes,D’Adamohasresearchedtheconnectionbetweenbloodtype,genetics,anddiseaseformore
thanthreedecades.Additionally,heistheauthorof18booksonhealthandnutrition,includingtheNew York Timesbestseller,Eat Right 4 Your Type.InhisbookEat Right for Your Baby,D’Adamodiscussestheconnectionbetweenbloodtypeandfertility:“TypeO’s,”henotes,“tendtosufferfromhormonalandmetabolicdisorders,whichareamajorimpedimenttofertility.”
Wanttoknowmoreabouthowbloodtypesaffecthealth?Visitwww.dadmamo.com.– L.G.
Faculty Lines
Patching up the FallenForrunners,summerushersinbountifulopportunitiestoracedistancesshortandfar.That’swhenthingsheatupforCollegeofChiropractic(CC)professorDr.Stephen Perle,whohascaredforderailedrunnersatmorethan300roadracesinthepast30years.ThissummerPerleteamedupwithchiropracticfacultyRichard SaporitoandLaura Greco,students Raluca Duma,Emma Sommers,Emmanuel M. Renaudo,Yevgeniya Boyko,andTheresa Ankrah,andCCalumniDrs.Dennis Lanni’01,Natalya Kascheef
Yakirevich’06,andKiara Capaldi ’09topatchuprunnersattheRock’n’RollHalf-MarathoninProvidence,RI.Thosewhoraceyear-roundmaywishtoconsidertheNewYorkRock’n’Roll10KinProspectPark,Brooklyn,onOctober22,wherePerlewillbemedicaldirector.Heanticipatesplentyofopportunitiestotendtoachesandpains.“I’mlookingforvolunteers!”hesays. – L.G.
Health Rounds
Dr.David Brady,viceprovostofUB’sDivisionofHealthSciencesanddirectoroftheHumanNutritionInstitute,hasbeencrisscrossingthestatetotalkabouthealthandpromotetheUBclinicsandhealthscienceprograms.
“Peoplearetryingtoknowhowtotakemorecontroloftheirhealthoutcomesratherthanrelyingonheroicmedicalinterventionwhenit’sprettyfargone.Theywanttomaketherightlifestylechoicesanddietarychoicesandwhatopinionsareavailablewhenanychronicconditionsthattheyhave,”saidBrady.
Brady’stalksatlocallibrariesandonradioshowshaveresonatedwithaudiencessearchingforhigh-quality,affordablealternativestotraditionalmedicaltreatments.“They’rereallyexcited,”Bradysays,“whentheyhearabouttheclinicsandallofthethingsthatareavailablehere.” – Leslie Geary
From left: College of Chiropractic professors Drs. Laura Greco, Richard Saporito, and Stephen Perle cared for runners at the Providence, RI, half-marathon this summer.
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Alumni Lines
hewrites,“golf,weatherpermitting.”HelivesintheChicagoareaandhasthreegrownchildrenandeightgrandchildren.
1965Toby Ulman Grandberg sentusanannualfamilyupdate.“It’sbeenabusyyear,”shewrites.GrandbergandhusbandMartyretiredbutthenlaunchedacateringbusiness,theiroldestsonHarriswasmarried,andtheywelcomedthebirthoftheirsecondgranddaughter,Isabella.
1966Judith Kovalsky Solo earnedherbachelor’sandmaster’sineducationatUB(thefirstin1962),andwasformerlyateacherandguidancecounselor.Shenowworksfull-timeattheFinancialAccountingStandardsBoardinNorwalk,CT.ShehassevengrandchildrenandlivesinShelton,CT.
Sandra Skalkos Will hasretiredasaschooladministratorandlivesisSanJose,CA.
1968Stanley Myers isenjoyingsemi-retirement.TheprofessoremeritushasreturnedtoteachingasanadjunctprofessoratNorwalkCommunityCollege.HealsohaswrittenseventextbooksonCOBOLandothercomputerlanguages.
1971Randy Freemanwritesthat“afterworkingformanyyearsaspartofagrouppsychotherapypractice,Irecentlywentoutonmyown.Ambusywithmyownpracticeandamenjoyingbeautifulgrand-children.”HerofficeislocatedinWayne,NJ.
Would you like to share news of your own or nominate an alum to be interviewed for a “Focus On” interview? We’re interested in what you’re doing, and so are your classmates! Contact: Knightlines, Cortright Hall, 219 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 or [email protected]. Be sure to include your full name, contact information, and class year.
1950Richard LordpassedawayonNovember12,2010atRockinghamCountyNursingHomeinBrentwood,NH.Heworkedforover30yearsinthetextileindustry.
1957Marilyn Case SutcliffesendsnewsfromNashville,TN,whereshestaysbusyasamemberofvariousgardenclubsandjudgeforareaflowershows.Shealsoenjoysgolfandhergrandchildren.Ms.Sutclifferetiredin1994fromacareerinmedicalresearchattheVAMedicalCenter.
1962 Frank LesterretiredasPresidentofUnionTankCarCompanyafter28years.Whilethereheledthecompany’sresearchdivisionandthedevelopmentofitsnext-generationhazardousmaterialstankcars,amongotherachieve-ments.Lester,abusinessschoolalumnus,wasamemberofthe1959soccerteam,whichwaspreviouslyinductedintotheUniversity’sHallofFame.LesterservesasadirectoroftheCitizen’sFinancialBankinMunster,IN,andstaysactiveinhisLutheranchurchandenjoyschoralsingingaswellasavarietyofsports,includingplatformtennis,flyfishing,and,
(continued on page 30)
Alumna Marian Heard ’63 and University supporter Janice Kavanaugh, wife of Steve Kavanaugh ’86, catch up at the spring alumni New England reception in Boston.
Campus activities director Colleen Powers (third from left) presented UB’s Greek Organization of the Year award in May to Alpha Kappa Alpha members Iyeshia Redrick, Ashley Fonville, Duanecia Evans, Andrea Wright, and Charisma Hernandez.
Dean of Students Kenneth Holmes and 2011 Dean’s Award winner Colin Capaci Fricke
1978Charlene T. D’Alessio earnedhermaster’sinteachingbyattendingnightclassesatUB.Thehardworkpaidoff:Shespentthenext30yearsteachingartandnowworksasafreelanceartistandillustrator.
1980Ted Drozdowski hasputhisjournalismdegreetogoodusewritingmusicreviews,buthisrealpassionisplayingslideguitarwithTennessee-basedbluesband,Scissormen.FeaturedinfilmmakerRobertMugge’sdocumentary,BigShoes:Walking and Talking the Blues,Scissormen’ssoundisamixofMississippiDelta,rock’n’roll,andChicago,andHillCountryblues.Criticsarepleased.Ina Rolling Stone review,criticAnthonyDeCurtiswrote:“TedDrozdowskiisaguitaristofspellbindinginventionandintelligence.Hisslideplayingshearstheskinoffyourbones,andhecanunleashroaringgalesofsound.”TocheckoutDrozdowskilive,gotowww.scissormen.com.
Howard Wise hasbeenbusyrunningBe-WiseElectric,LLC,anelectrical-contractingfirmhefoundedtenyearsagoafterswitchingcareerstorunhisownbusiness.TheformerbusinessschoolalumnuslivesinScotchPlains,NJ.
1985Frank Zaggotis’s sold-outcabaretshowBack 2 Basicshasbeentransportingaudiencesonamusicaljourneywhilewowingcriticswith“well-chosensongs”sungbyZaggotishimself.Thesemi-autobiographicalshowexaminesthemesofsurvivalandtragedy.ZaggotismajoredinmusicaltheaterandactingatUB.
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Alumni Lines
1996Mary Ann Sheehy wasappointedinJunetoassistantprincipalatJoelBarlowHighSchoolinRedding,CT.Theeducationschoolalumnapreviouslyservedastheschool’sdeanofstudentsanddirectorofstudentactivities.“Myexperienceattheschoolofeducationallowedmetoexplorealotofwaysofthinkingaboutcurriculum,”saidSheehy,whosenewresponsibilitiesincludefocusingoncurriculumdevelopment.“It’swheremyheartis,”sheadds.Whennotatschool,SheehyandherhusbandenjoytravelingthroughConnecticutandreading.
2005It’sbeenafewyearssincehe’stakenfinalexams,butAndrey M. Dovletov stillknowshowtoaceatest:Theb-schoolalumandformerStudentGovernmentpresident,recentlypassedtheuniformCPAexamandhasbeenappointedDirector,ComplianceandInternalAuditatTouchstoneHealthinWhitePlains,NY.– L.G.
Distinguished Alumni winners J. Daniel Merena ’84, Moonyeen Klopfenstein ’66, Vladimir Drobashevsky ’59 (center) with President and Mrs. Rebecca Salonen.
Alumni Association Scholarship winner Mariah Dookie, a psychology major from Bridgeport, with her mother Maxine (on right) and grandmother Alma. This is the first time the Association has awarded the scholarship for outstanding academic achievement and community involvement.
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From left: Vladimir Drobashevsky ’59 with professor emeritus Don McIntyre ’57 and Rebecca Salonen at the Distinguished Alumni Dinner. Drobashevsky studied industrial design with McIntyre as his professor.
Family of alumna Moonyeen Klopfensten ’66 greet each other before the Distinguished Alumni Dinner and awards ceremony in June.
From left: Richard Greenwood ’11, alumni board member Andrea Andrews ’06, Ivana Kovacecic ’11, and alumni board member Dennis Brotherton ’86 at the Distinguished Alumni Dinner.
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Thesummerof2011hasbeenagoodoneonthediamondforapairofformerUBstandoutsinoutfielderPeterBarrowsandpitcherT.J.O’Leary,whoaremakingquiteamarkinprofessionalandinternationalbaseball.
A2011Bridgeportgraduate,BarrowsgotofftofinestartinproballwiththeWichitaWingnutsoftheindependentAmericanAssociation.Inhisfirst12gamesinprofessionalbaseball,Peterhasa.395battingaverage,withonehomerunandsevenrunsbattedin.Hehashitsafelyin11ofthe12gamesinwhichhehasplayedasWichita’sstartingrightfielder.
BarrowssignedwiththeWingnutsinmid-July,afterleadingafterleadingthesummerMINKCollegiateBaseballLeagueinbattingwitha.404averageplayingfortheNevadaGriffons.
AFirstTeam2011All-EastCoastConferenceselection,aswellasa2011FirstTeamDaktronicsAll-EastRegionpick,PeterhelpedthePurpleKnightstoasingle-seasonschoolrecord31-14recordthispastseason,asheledtheteaminbattingaverageof.353,sluggingpercentageof.516andstolenbaseswith21.
Barrows’ssigningmarksthesecondconsecutiveyearthataformerUniversitybaseballplayerhasinkedaprofessionalcontract,aspitcherRileyShuckerowsignedwiththehometownBridgeportBluefishoftheindependentAtlanticLeaguein2010.
O’LearywasselectedastheMostOutstandingPitcheratthe2011EuroBaseballQualifierheldinBarcelona,SpainfromJuly25-July30.T.J.tossedacompletegame,four-hitshutoutintheRepublicofIreland’s10-0winoverHungaryonJuly27.
T.J.,whopitchedforthePurpleKnightsduringthe2009and2010seasons,isinhissecondyearrepresentingIrelandonthediamond.TheIrishNationalBaseballteam
Side Lines
Great Success Book Lines
“Medicinehasturnedchildhoodintoadisease,”saysSchoolofNaturopathicprofessorDr. Jared Skowron.Troubledbythattrend,Skowronsatdowntopenhislatestbook,100 Natural Remedies for Your Child,(RodalePress).SkowrontreatshundredsofkidsayearathisprivatepracticeandattheUBclinic,andsaystoomanykidsaregivenprescriptionsfordrugstheydon’tneedandthatcancausethemphysicalharm,dueto
“over-diagnosisandincorrectdiagnosis.”100 Natural Remediesprovidesotheroptions.Featuringanalphabeticalindexofthetop100pediatrichealthconditions—fromacnetochickenpoxtothefluandweightloss—thebookfeaturesahandyguidetonaturalremediesforeachoftheailments.Each“hasbeenscientificallyresearchedtosafeandeffective”Skowronsays.Andmanynaturalremediescanbeusedinconjunctionwithpharmaceuticalmedicinesformoreeffectiverelief.
TheGreatMortgageMeltdownunderscoresthepitfallsofbadloans.Butthere’sdanger,too,ifbanksdon’tmakeanyloans,arguesbusinessschoolassistantprofessorJames SagnerinHandbook of Corporate Lending (BankCreditTrainingPartners).Sagner,aformerseniorbankeratFirstChicagoBank,co-wrotethebookwithHerbertJacobs.“Banksaresoscaredaboutmakingbadloansandareundersuchpressurefromregulatorstobuilduptheircapitalthattheydon’twanttolend,”Sagnersays.Corporate Lendingarguesbankscanandshouldmakesmartloans.Theyjustneedtosticktosoundbutoften-eliminatedbusinesspractices,likereinstitutingcredit-trainingprogramssolenderslearntoproperlyanalyzeloanapplications.
Gastrointestinalcomplaintsaccountfornearlyonethirdofallvisitstoprimarycaredoctors,andoneoutofsixpatientssufferfromdigestivedisease.Integrative Gastroenterology (OxfordUniversityPress),editedbyHumanNutritionInstitutealumnusDr.Gerard E. Mullin ’94,isgearedtohelpmedicalprovidersbettercareforthesepatients.MullinsisanassociateprofessorofmedicineandpracticingphysicianatJohn’s
Hopkin’sUniversitySchoolofMedicine.Thebookprovidesforthefirsttimeeverbothintegrativeandstandardmedicalremedies—frompharmaceuticalstonaturopathicsupplements,dietaryandlifestylechanges,andmind-bodytreatments—forcommongastrointestinaldisorderslikeirritablebowelsyndrome,reflux,celiacandCrohn’sdiseases.ChaptersonfibromyalgiaandalternativelaboratorytestingforgastrointestinaldiseaseswrittenbyUBViceProvostofHealthSciencesDr.DavidM.Brady.
–ReviewedbyLeslieGeary
Baseball alums Peter Barrows and T.J. O’Leary
shine on the diamond all over the world.
By Chuck Sadowski
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ismadeupofapproximately60percentIrish-AmericansthatplayedeithercollegeorprofessionalballintheUnitedStates,and40percentIrishcitizens.
Irelandfinishedthirdinthefive-teamEuroBaseballQualifierwitha2-2record.HostSpainwontheeventwithaperfect5-0record,andSwitzerlandwassecondwitha3-2mark.
Great Success
Former UB standout T.J. O’Leary ’09 starred for the Irish National Baseball Team this summer.
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Side Lines
Itwasabanner2011seasonfortheUniversityofBridgeportbaseballteamunderthedirectionofheadcoachJohnAnquillareasthePurpleKnightspostedasingle-seasonall-timebestrecordof31-14andfelljustonegameshyofwinningtheEastCoastConferencetiletoadvancetotheNCAADivisionIIChampionshipTournamentforthefirsttimeever.
AfterfinishingsecondintheECCregularseasonstandingswitha21-8record,thePurpleKnightsmadeitallthewaytothechampionshipgameofthe2011conferencetournamentbeforeseeingtheirseasonendwithatough1-0losstothehostDowlingCollegeGoldenLions.
UBwastoughathomeduringthe2011campaignasthePurpleKnightsposteda21-8recordwhenbattinglast.
FivePurpleKnightsearnedAll-EastCoastConferencehonorsin2011.SenioroutfielderPeterBarrows,wholeadtheteamwitha.353battingaverage,andjuniorpitcherMattBartolomei,whoposteda5-4recordwitheightsaves,werenamedFirstTeamAll-ECC.BartolomeihasnowearnedFirstTeamAll-Conferencehonorsfortwostraightseasons.BarrowsalsowasnamedFirstTeamDaktronicsAll-EastRegion,andbothPeterandMattwerenamedSecondTeamAll-RegionperformersbytheAmericanBaseballCoachesAssociation.
Threeplayers,seniorshortstopGaetanoGiuntaandjuniorsEricSchlitter(firstbaseman)andTomWiacek(pitcher)earnedSecondTeamAll-ECCaccolades.SchiltterledthePurpleKnightswithtwohomerunsand42runsbattedinduring2011.
TheBridgeportsoftballteamalsoimprovedduringthe2011seasonasthePurpleKnightsdoubletheirwintotalfromthepreviousseasonastheywent9-32-1overall.
Purple Knights fall just one game shy of conference title and
first-ever trip to NCAA Division II Championship Tournament.
By Chuck Sadowski
Baseball Shines in Spring 2011 with all-time best 31-14 record
Above: Senior outfielder Peter Barrows earned first All East Coast Team Conference honors in 2011.
Right: Junior first baseman Eric Schlitter led the Purple Knights with 42 runs.
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WhentheCollegeSwimmingCoachesAssociationofAmerica(CSCAA)hasannounceditsspring2011Teamand2010-11IndividualScholarAll-Americalist,UniversityofBridgeportwomen’sandmen’sprogramsarewellrepresentedfortheirexcellenceintheclassroomaswellasinthepool.
Forthefourteenthstraightsemester,theUBwomen’sswimmingsquadhasreceivedaCSCAATeamScholarAll-AmericaAward.ThePurpleKnightwomenhaveearnedthisprestigiousacademicawardeverysemestersincetheteambecameavarsityprogram.ToearnaCSCAATeamScholarAll-AmericaAward,aprogrammusthaveaminimumcumulativegradepointaverageof3.00.FortheSpring2011semester,theBridgeportwomen’sswimmingteampostedateamGPAof3.25,whichwastheseventeenthbestinallofNCAADivisionIIwomen’sswimming.
OntheIndividualScholarAll-Americalist,
UBwaswellrepresentedonthemen’ssidewitheveryswimmerthatqualifiedforthe2011Men’sNCAANationalChampionshipMeetreceivingtheaward.ToearnIndividualScholarCSCAAAll-America,thestudent-athletemusthavequalifiedforthe2011NCAASwimming&DivingNationalChampionshipsandearnedaminimumGPAof3.5.ThefollowingmembersoftheUBPurpleKnightsMen’sSwimmingTeamearnedthisawardfor2010-11:
Toni Valcic – 3.89 GPA (Spring 2011)Piotr Safronczyk – 3.67 GPA (Fall 2010)Oscar Pereirro– 3.67 GPA (Spring 2011)Nikola Savic – 3.56 GPA (Spring 2011)
Additionally,fiveBridgeportswimmersearnedfivespotsontheCSCAAHonorableMentionIndividualScholarAll-AmericalistafteraccumulatingaminimumGPAof3.5andatleastoneNCAA“B”QualifyingStandard.Thestudentswere:
Maris Visse (Women) – 3.93 GPA (Spring 2011)Sandra Schmitz (Women) – 3.90 GPA (Fall 2010)Anna Kwiatkowska (Women) – 3.78 GPA (Spring 2011)Florian Mehlan (Men) – 3.72 (Fall 2010)Anna Krasnowska (Women) – 3.53 GPA (Spring 2011)
UB women swimmers earn their 14th consecutive team academic award.
By Chuck Sadowski
Big Splash
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Side Lines
AnenthusiasticgroupofplayershitthelinksundersunnyskiesattheTashuaKnollsGolfClubinTrumbull,Connecticut,onJune13,forthe15thannualUniversityofBridgeportAthleticsDepartmentGolfClassic.
Atotalof120golfersteedoffandenjoyedgreatcompanywhilesupportingtheathleticdepartmentattheUniversity.UBAthleticHallofFamers,AlanFischer(’72basketball),BillBrew(1959men’ssoccer),SteveRay(’90basketball),PhilNastu(’76baseball),
andJohnO’Reilly(’86basketball)weresomeofthealumniwhoshowcasedtheirgolfskillsontheday.
Participantshelpedraisemorethan$25,000tosupportseveralupgradesandrenovationprojectsfortheHarveyHubbellGymnasiumandWheelerRecreationCenter.
TheDepartmentofAthleticsthankseveryonefortheirsupportandlooksforwardtoanevenbettereventin2012!
120 golfers support the Purple Knights on a
perfect day at Tashua Knolls Golf Club
By Pete Doneit
Annual UB Athletics Department Golf Classic is a Hit
From left: UB men’s basketball coach Mike Ruane and University Athletic Hall of Fame alumnus Phil Nastu ’76
From left: Nancy DeLuca, Mary Ellen Kelly, Mary-Jane Foster, Vice President University Relations, Cheryl Dziubina, and Missy Cummings
Eye on the ball: one of the 120 participants who took a swing for UB athletics.
Participants get ready to tee off at UB’s annual Golf Classic at Tashua Knolls Golf Course in Trumbull, CT, on June 13. The fundraiser, now in its 15th year, raised nearly $25,000 to support University athletics.
From left: Board of Trustee Mark Fries ’73, Bill Brew ’62, UB assistant registrar Bill Brandon, and Bob Carlson, president of Carlson Construction, one of the tournament’s supporters
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2012 United States Gymnastics Association Collegiate Team & Individual National Championship Thethree-timedefendingUSAGNationalCollegiateTeamChampionPurpleKnightswillbehosting
the2012UnitedStatesGymnasticsAssociationCollegiateTeam&IndividualNationalChampionshipinBridgeportfromApril12-15.
2011 University of Bridgeport Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner JoinusonSaturday,November5aswehonorthisyear’sbest-of-the-bestfrompastUBathleticteams.
Soccer Showdowns 2011figurestobeanotherbanneryearforthemen’sandwomen’ssoccerteamsasthePurpleKnightswill
battlefortheEastCoastConferencetitleandaberthintheNCAADivisionIINationalChampionshipTournament.TheUBwomenwillbelookingfortheirfifthstraightNCAAtripthisseason.HeadouttoKnightsFieldforapairofcrucialECCdoubleheadersonSaturday,September24versusC.W.Post(men-3p.m./women-6p.m.)andSaturday,October15againstDowling(women-3p.m./men-6p.m.).
Basketball Tournaments Themen’sandwomen’sbasketballteamsthatbothadvancedtothefinalsofthe2011EastCoastConference
ChampionshipTournamentwillhostfour-teamtourneysinHubbellGymthisseason.Themen’steamwillopenits2011-12regularseasononNovember13and14.Thewomen’steamwillhostitstournamentinbetweenChristmasandNewYear’sonDecember29and30.Otherbasketballdatestocirclearethemen’steamannualpreseasonexhibitiongamewithFairfieldUniversityattheWebsterBankArenaatHarborYardonNovember4,andboththemen’sandwomen’steamswillhosttheirsecondannualDonateLifeGametoraiseawarenessfororganandtissuedonationsonSaturday,January21,2012versusNYIT.
Volleyball v. UDC TheEastCoastConferencewelcomesanewmemberforthe2011-12academicyearintheUniversityofthe
DistrictColumbiaFirebirds.UDCwillmakeitsfirstappearanceinBridgeportasanECCmemberonSunday,October30,whentheyfacethePurpleKnightsvolleyballteam.TheUBvolleyballteamhasreachedtheNCAADivisionIIEastRegionalFinalforthepasttwoseasonsandwillbelookingforitsfourthstraighttriptotheNCAA’sin2011.
Spring has Sprung Comingoffasingle-seasonschoolrecord31-14seasonthatsawtheUBbaseballteamfalljustonegameshy
ofmakingitsfirst-everappearanceintheNCAADivisionIINationalBaseballChampionshipTournament,thePurpleKnightarescheduledtoopentheir2012homescheduleonMarch23whentheyhostC.W.Post.Don’tforgetthatallofBridgeport’shomegamesareplayedinoneofthepremierfacilitiesforcollegebaseballintheNortheast,theBallparkatHarborYard.
You can stay up to date with University of Bridgeport athletics by visiting www.ubknights.com
Six Purple Knight Athletic Events Not to Miss in 2011-12
A Six Pack of UB Athletics
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OfficeofUniversityRelations219ParkAvenueBridgeport,CT06604
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDSpringfield, MAPermit No. 130
Save the Date!
Saturday, November 5, 2011Arnold Bernhard Arts and Humanities CenterMr. and Mrs. Henry B. duPont III Tower Room84 Iranistan AvenueBridgeport, CT 06601
Cocktails 6:00 p.m.Dinner 7:00 p.m.
DepartmentofAthleticsCordiallyinvitesyouto
the 16th Annual
hall of fameDinner and
Awards Ceremony