The Hillary Effect

In the span of a week, I witnessed what The Washington Post has labeled the “Hillary effect,” i.e., the ability of the Secretary of State to bring together women of power to influence both policies and people. Although the Post was referencing the fact that Hillary Clinton’s presence as Secretary of State has led to a dramatic rise in the number of female foreign ambassadors in Washington, I am referring to two events at which the co-sponsorship of the State Department has led to a closer connection between American women’s colleges and women across the globe.

The first event was co-sponsored by the New York Academy of Science to celebrate Nobel Day and women in science. Secretary Clinton, via video, introduced a program (NEXXT Scholars) to encourage more young women to study science and, simultaneously, to encourage women’s colleges to recruit women students from Middle Eastern countries. The second event, Women in Public Service, was hosted by the Secretary herself at the State Department in Washington and brought together a dizzying show of woman-power. Attendees included former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, activist Gloria Steinem, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde, President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga, President of Costa Rica Laura Chinchilla, female admirals from the US Navy, and ambassadors from around the world. The theme was to inspire and plan for the development of women leaders with the assistance of women’s colleges.

Saint Joseph College is eager to engage in these endeavors. Both efforts, to develop women in science and as leaders, mesh beautifully our mission and our strategic plan. We are ready to reach out to women throughout the world with our programs and our community spirit.

Thanks to Our Veterans

As the United States withdraws troops from Iraq and the conflict in Afghanistan continues, we are aware of the hardships our military forces and their families have endured. Those involved in the military face challenges that result from financial strain, separation, trauma, and the loss of comrades and loved ones. We at Saint Joseph College appreciate the sacrifices they have made for our country, and we are proud of the alumnae/i who stand among them.

Women continue to play an increasingly integral role in the military. The first 19 women to complete officer training at submariners’school graduated just last week; female students earned two of the three class achievement awards. The commanding general of Parris Island is a woman. Saint Joseph College alumnae/i have served in a variety of military roles thoughout the years, many rising to high office – among our graduates was one of the Navy’s first female Rear Admirals.

We are excited to have been designated as a “military-friendly” institution and we look forward to welcoming more servicewomen and men to our programs.

Weathering the Storm

This week’s historic winter storm has caused unprecedented damage here in Connecticut, with fallen trees and broken branches everywhere – many of which brought down power lines with them. Our campus has been without electricity since last weekend, although the welcome arrival of a generator on Wednesday allowed the College to reopen so that students can resume classes. I am grateful to everyone in the Saint Joseph College community who has worked so hard to help us get up and running during a very challenging situation.

Summer’s Harvest

My guests from The School for Young Children's summer program helped water the garden during their visit.

As we mark the “official” end of summer with Labor Day weekend, I find myself reviewing some of the highlights of the season. There are so many delightful events that take place in the summer – free concerts in the park, trips to the shore, Shakespeare on campus, festivals and more.

One of my favorite summertime activities is planting and tending my garden. I find gardening both relaxing and productive, and it’s a wonderful activity to share with young people. Children from the SJC School for Young Children visited me in August and helped harvest summer squash, collard greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs. However, I think their favorite activity was watering the plants! My grandchildren also pitched in during their annual summer visit to Connecticut. They were able to enjoy watermelon and cantaloupe in addition to the veggies.

My grandson Zachary

My granddaughter Grace.

Calm Before the Storm

I have often heard this saying, but it was never more apt than today. On this brilliantly sunny summer day, our faculty returned from their summer activities to prepare for the excitement of a new term. Fifteen new faculty members were introduced and their impressive credentials and experiences complemented those of our existing roster of talented scholar-teachers. While the faculty met, student orientation leaders spread checkered tablecloths on outdoor tables in preparation for tonight’s welcome barbeque for first-year students and their families.

While all seems ready for a calm start to the academic year, there is a flurry of behind-the-scenes planning to address potential chaos as Hurricane Irene barrels up the east coast. We are taking heed and watching the storm carefully, preparing for the safety and well-being of students, faculty, and staff, and hoping that our lives and our educational programs will not be unduly affected.

SJC at Mohegan Sun

Everyone in Connecticut enjoys women’s basketball, especially when we have a chance to see Maya Moore go up against Tina Charles and her Connecticut Sun teammates. The Sun trounced the Minnesota Lynx (108-79) on August 16th, and SJC alumnae/i and friends had a great time in our Mohegan Sun skybox. Cheering for the team, meeting old friends, and sampling delicious food — it was a wonderful way to spend a summer’s evening!

I hope that we will get some fans out to see the Saint Joseph College Blue Jays play this academic year, as well. Check out our athletics website for the schedule of games.

 

 

 

The group from Saint Joseph College enjoyed watching the game together.

The Connecticut Sun in action!

Blaze, the Connecticut Sun mascot

Higher Education and the Governor

On August 15, I joined fellow college presidents - all members of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges - in a meeting with Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Catherine Smith to discuss the role of higher education in the state’s economic well-being.

The presidents were pleased to have the opportunity to talk about how independent institutions help students achieve their educational goals; create programs that respond to employers’ workforce needs; and provide jobs, cultural events and community service programs. In turn, we asked that Connecticut follow the cost-saving practices of 39 other states by eliminating the redundancies in educational program approval.  We also expressed our eagerness to work with the administration on its Strategic Plan for Higher Education, our willingness to engage in cooperative agreements with community colleges (Saint Joseph College has two such agreements in place), and our hope that need-based financial aid for Connecticut residents attending independent institutions will be maintained.

Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges presidents gather to speak with Governor Dannel P. Malloy and DECD Commissioner Catherine Smith on August 15. (I'm standing to the left of the Governor and the Commissioner.)

Classes Begin at the SJC School of Pharmacy

Downtown Hartford Just Got Healthier! With this bold statement, Saint Joseph College announced the start of classes at our new School of Pharmacy.  Located in a beautiful and technologically-advanced facility on Trumbull Street in Hartford, the School (our first professional doctoral program) is now bustling with activity. We are all very excited to have the students here; this is especially true for the faculty and administrators who have worked for almost two years to build the unique three-year modular curriculum. Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra even stopped by for a special tour on opening day.

The students actually arrived on August 8 for a week of orientation, which culminated in an impressive and moving White Coat Ceremony on our main campus. Now they are fully engaged in the serious studies that will bring them into the profession of pharmacy.

Happy Birthday, USA!

The Paraguayan military band added to the festive spirit and the feeling of international cooperation.

Independence Day in the U.S. is typically celebrated at the beach or in the park with barbecues and picnics. But this year, while visiting my son and his family, I celebrated by visiting the U.S. embassy in Paraguay. It’s winter right now in Paraguay, so the temperature was a brisk 55 degrees, but sunny and cheerful. A crowd of about thirty visiting citizens gathered with personnel from the consulate to sing the National Anthem and salute the colors when the flag was raised. U.S. Ambassador Liliana Ayalde read a letter from Secretary of State Hilary Clinton praising those who serve our country while abroad.

The Marines raise the U.S. flag during the Independence Day event.

Then, one of the soldiers followed tradition by reading from the Declaration of Independence. Hearing the words of this amazing document while standing in a foreign land made the freedoms and rights we enjoy in the U.S. feel more precious than ever. The ceremony was brief, but powerful. When it was done we enjoyed meeting the ambassador, making friends with the other visitors, and partaking of delicious treats: hot chocolate, coffee, and fresh-baked breads and cookies.

Shanghai’s Delights

This city scene is representative of much of Shanghai.

Touring Shanghai was amazing in many respects. The variety and ingenuity of the architecture left me in awe; the city’s landscape is comprised of one amazing skyscraper after another. They twist and reach high above the ancient temples with gleaming steel, glass, and marble facades. I also enjoyed the historic sections of town, with charming parks that offered an opportunity to rest and experience a moment or two of serenity in the midst of bustling traffic.

This park is also a sculpture garden - a welcoming and wonderful place.

I once again appreciated the generosity and hospitality of my Chinese hosts. Even strangers with limited English skills graciously tried to help us find our way, and my hosts spent inordinate amounts of time making my colleagues and me feel welcome.  And I love the food!  The cuisine of Shanghai includes braised, stewed, and spicy; vegetables, chicken, pork, and beef are all available. Fresh fruit and bakeries abound. While, like any city, there are the Starbucks and McDonalds, we went from one outstanding meal to the next in restaurants where our hosts piled the table with many fine dishes.