Robert & Patricia Gussin

Spiritan Division of Academic Programs

n e w s l e t t e rVolume 11 Spring 2019 No. 1

d u q .e d u /g u s s i n - s p i r i ta n - d i v i s i o n

2018 - 2019 Gussin Spiritan Division Students (partial roster)

Samuel Manzo Anthony Massey Samuel ModzelewskiKayla McGann Alayna Moore Dalton Murphy Maya Narayanan Monesha Nelson Nikki Novick

Connor O’Brien Justin Prechodko Nathlan Pudlo Ladayah Robinson Nicholas Spaulding Brandon Stewart Molly Stothard Matthew Tracy Sydney Washington

Isiah Adams Sarah Agrillo William Beitler John Cantwell Christian Castelo Ronald Curry Louis DiCaprio Rylan Fitzgerald Mekayla Ford

Ethan George Christopher Geosits Hunter Hunsel Sabatino Iannarello Ryan Johnson Naomi Lance Christopher Louisos Nicholas Maleno Bryce Manley

Freshman Ronald Curry is a hard-working Duquesne

student leader currently double majoring in political science and integrated marketing communication. Ron is also a proud graduate of Pocono Mountain West High School located in Pocono Summit, Pa. As a high school student, he contributed to his community

as a worship leader at Community Church, and his school as a student leader serving two terms as the student council president. Here at Duquesne, as the Student Government Association’s vice president of communications, Ron states, “I have been working on bettering the connection between the SGA and the student body.”

When asked which GSD staff benefited him the most, Ron replied, “I would say the staff as a whole, but mainly Mrs. Rizzo and Dr. Griggs.” Regarding the GSD service which has helped him the most, Ron stated, “The program has helped me manage time as well as better my writing skills.”

“The Program has helped me manage time as well as better my writing skills.” Ron’s post-graduation plans include law school and eventually becoming a U.S. district attorney.

Joshua Rodes, a sophomore majoring in accounting, has

been selected as the 2019 Gussin Spiritan Division Student of the Year. A Guilford High School graduate, Joshua is a former resident of Madison, CT. As a high school student, Josh was an active member of Unity Club and Vineyard Church YouthGroup. A self-taught musician,

Josh is the recipient of the Business Administration Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship, the KPMG/Joseph T. Senko Endowed Scholarship, and the Duquesne University Academic Scholarship. For the past three semesters, he has been a Dean’s List honoree. When asked why he chose to attend Duquesne, Joshua responded, “Duquesne’s mission – ‘Serving God by serving students’ – is what originally attracted me to the school. In addition, DU offers a vast network of opportunities and internships.” Joshua is active in Duquesne’s student government association, where he serves as the chairman of the finance committee and the campus representative to the Pittsburgh Student Government Council. He also serves on the University’s curriculum overview taskforce, a body charged with evaluating and revising the University’s core curriculum. In addition, he is an active member of the campus chapter of the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success and a fundraiser for Autism Speaks.

“The GSD transformed my life both academically and personally…and I am

forever thankful for that.” Regarding the Gussin Spiritan Division, Joshua states, “The GSD transformed my life both academically and personally…. The Division has done so much for me, I want to give back to this program. I believe the GSD cultivated my desire to succeed and for that I am forever thankful.” After completing his undergraduate studies, Joshua plans to attend graduate school, then take the CPA exam, later move to a corporate setting, and then possibly work for the federal government.

Robert and Patricia Gussin Spiritan Division of Academic ProgramsAct 101/LSPDuquesne UniversityPittsburgh, PA 15282 412.396.6661

Joshua Rodes2019 Gussin Spiritan Division

Student of the Year

By Uhuru Hotep

Ronald Curry A GSD Student Leader

By Uhuru Hotep

Joshua Rodes Ronald Curry

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Introduction to the Gussin Spiritan Division of Academic Programs .................................................................. 2

GSD Sponsors Fifth Annual UCOR 102 Colloquium ........................ 3

2018 - 2019 Gussin Spiritan Division Students ...................................4

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Friends of the Division• Office of Admissions• Office of Diversity and Inclusion• Center for Accelerated Learning

The Newsletter StaffFounder and Publisher Judith R. Griggs, Ph.D.

Managing Editor Uhuru Hotep, Ed.D.

Guest Editor Jonathan Fisher, B.S.

The mission of the Gussin Spiritan Division is teaching, caring and building futures through a community of excellence.

Gussin Spiritan Division of Academic Programs

Voice 412.396.6661

Fax 412.396.5466

duq.edu/gussin-spiritan-division

Introduction to theGussin Spiritan Division of Academic Programs

Standing as a hallmark of Duquesne’s dedication to education for the mind, the heart and the spirit, named for the Spiritan congregation and endowed by alumnus, Dr.

Robert Gussin and his wife, Dr. Patricia Gussin, the Gussin Spiritan Division of Academic Programs specializes in helping students of varying backgrounds develop their full potential as students and citizens of the world. The Division’s performance-tested system of personal guidance and learning assistance supports the student’s transition from high school diploma to college degree. The Gussin Spiritan Division helps freshmen and other students new to Duquesne maximize their chances of college success. While there are many factors that will impact that success, chief among them is a solid transition to college life. Successful college transitions are made when the student:

• Adapts to new learning environments and new learning situations. • Understands the role of personal responsibility in college, career and life success. • Refines the academic skills necessary for college success—reading, writing, editing and critical thinking. • Relies on high-quality academic support such as tutoring, counseling and other interventions should problems arise.

The Gussin Spiritan Division of Academic Programs operates on a cohort model. While the Division freshmen are immersed in the same core curriculum as other Duquesne first-year students, Spiritan Core courses are taught by University faculty hand-picked by the Division because of their commitment to the Division’s approach to student development. The Gussin Spiritan Division student’s transition from high school to college begins with a summer semester during which the student is registered for Core English 101, University 101, Research and Information Skills and Academic Strategies. The student returns to campus for the fall semester with a University transcript showing six earned credits and with an armful of friendships developed during the summer semester. The academic year continues this development through coursework, academic advisement, tutoring when needed and counseling. It culminates with an end-of-year review during which assessment of academic and affective growth is discussed with the student. Assuming all Division requirements are completed and all prerequisites for the intended major are satisfied, the student transfers to the college or one of the schools to pursue that major. Otherwise, the student is retained in the Division until all requirements and/or prerequisites are met. That many Division students have gone on to complete their degrees at Duquesne or elsewhere—and some have pursued or are pursuing graduate degrees—attests to the soundness of our approach to academic and affective development. Obviously, the transition Gussin Spiritan Division students make during this first year lays the foundation for their progress toward their degree. Our work is intended to help the student selected for admission to the Division accept personal responsibility for academic success or failure. Their success is our success.

GSD Sponsors Fifth Annual UCOR 102 Colloquium

By Uhuru Hotep

Hunter Hensel Nikki Novick

Ladayah Robinson Patrick Smith

On December 5, 2018, Gussin Spiritan Division (GSD) UCOR 102 faculty members Jessica Benigni, Sean Martin, Samantha Rump and Michael Saldana, along with GSD Public Speaking instructor Blake Plavchak,

facilitated the Fifth Annual UCOR 102 Colloquium. The Colloquium is an educational forum where first-year GSD students share excerpts from their UCOR 102 research papers with an audience of University faculty, staff and students. Four students wereselected to participate in the 2018 Colloquium: Hunter Hensel, Nikki Novick, Ladayah Robinson, and Patrick Smith. Conceived in the fall of 2014 by the GSD faculty, the Colloquium is billed as “A Celebration of Excellent Student Writing.” It is also an opportunity for the Division to promote academic research andshowcase the superior writing skills of select GSD students.

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