Carlow Spends the Summer in Ireland

Every summer Carlow University seems to get more and more in touch with its Irish roots, and this summer proved to be no exception.

The Pittsburgh-Emerald Isle connection began with the fourth annual Carlow University Round Table, held May 29 through June 4, 2011. This year’s theme was “Bringing Mercy to Light.” Each year, Carlow invites colleagues at Conference of Mercy Higher Education (CMHE) institutions to participate in a dialogue on teaching in Mercy mission-centered institutions and the role of Catholic social teaching. Fifteen faculty and guests attended from Mercy institutions Mt. Aloysius, College of St. Mary, Mercyhurst College, Gwynedd-Mercy College, and Carlow.

“Keynote speaker, Mary Reynolds, RSM, executive director of Mercy International joined the Round Table in Glendalough, Ireland, to talk about the ministries of Catherine McAuley in the light of Catholic Social Teaching,” said Mary Onufer, coordinator of the Carlow Round Table, adding that faculty enjoyed robust intellectual discussion as well as experiences deeply rooted in our Mercy heritage. “Carlow has been applauded by other CMHE institutions for taking the initiative to create the opportunity for this important dialog to take place, and for relationships to build amongst Mercy institutions. As a direct result of the RT, social work students from the College of St Mary’s in Omaha have joined Carlow education and counseling psychology students in Sligo, Ireland for field placements under the direction of Carlow faculty members Susan O’Rourke and Mary Burke for the last two years. Faculty attending the RT continue to share personal stories of how the experience deeply affects their connection with the mission of Catherine and the Sisters of Mercy in the work that they do.”

“A highlight of the Round Table was the visit to Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, the only Mercy-founded college in Ireland,” she said. “President Paedar Cremin extended a warm Irish welcome to the group, hosting them for lunch, and a tour of the campus. The college has an impressive collection of the work of renowned sculptor Imogen Stuart, winner of the college’s prestigious McAuley Medal. In 1958, the Sisters of Mercy commissioned three major Imogen Stuart pieces for the college and the college has acquired several more sculptures over the years. Though German by birth, Imogen is one of Ireland’s most accomplished artists with major works sited throughout the country.”

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing residency was held in Sligo, Ireland, from June 11 through June 22, 2011. In addition to the intensive sessions with mentor. Sean Hardie, Evelyn Conlon, Carlo Gebler, and Mark Roper—the residency included guest speakers Claire Keegan, winner of the 2009 Davy Byrnes Irish Writing Award; Leanne Sullivan, winner of the prestigious Rooney Prize for her promise as a poet; Ita Daly, one of Ireland’s best known novelists and short story writers; Tony MacAulay, author of Paperboy, his memoir of a Belfast childhood, which is going to be turned into a movie starring Kris Kristofferson; Gerald Dawe, poet and director of the Oscar Wilde Center at Trinity College in Dublin; Adrian Frazier, author of Hollywood Irish: Abbey Actors in Hollywood, 1936-1953 ; Mary O’Donnell, renowned author of six collections of poetry, two collections of short stories, and three novels; and Paul Murray, author of Skippy Dies, his second novel, which was a finalist for the 2010 Man Booker Prize, the most coveted literary prize in the world.

“Our program continues to grow and be respected,” said Ellie Wymard, director of the MFA program, who noted that the enthusiasm of the MFA students, who come from all over the United States and are of all ages and professions, is an advantage for the program. “We have attracted wonderful writers in Pittsburgh and in Ireland. Writers like to come to our program because of the energy of our students.”

It was a beautiful day for pictures atop Blarney Castle. Pictured (left-to-right) are undergraduate students: Christina Zazzaro, Leah Scott, Paula Gaus, Megan Wallace, Gina Chesterfield, Michael Miller, Rachel Blonski, Rebekah Stern, and Dee Jardine.

In August, undergraduate students—Rachel Blonski, Gina Chesterfield, Paula Gaus, Michael Miller, Leah Scott, Rebekah Stern, Megan Wallace, and Christina Zazzaro—made the trip to Ireland for the first time.

These students attended—along with Chris Meaner, director of Student Activities; Jermaine McKinley, coordinator for the Mercy Center for Service; and Sister Sheila Carney, RSM, special assistant to the president for Mercy Heritage and Service—the Dublin Pilgrimage for Young Mercy Leaders. This three-day pilgrimage brought together 143 students from 25 Mercy schools in Ireland, Britain, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States to the home of Catherine McAuley at the Mercy International Centre on Baggot Street in Dublin in August. Among the presentations for the pilgrims was Sister Sheila’s talk about the leadership style of Catherine McAuley, which outlined some of the outstanding qualities of leadership she embodied.

Core Values: Student Progress and Discovery/Quest

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Movie Filmed on Campus This Summer to Premiere on September 29 during Mercy Founders Fortnight

Batman didn’t make it to Carlow University this summer, but another important movie was filmed on campus. Most Unexpected Opening: Sister Regis Grace and the Founding of Mount Mercy College, a play presented for the first time during last year’s Mercy Founders Fortnight, was converted into a motion picture and filmed on campus this summer.

The movie chronicles the journey of Sister Regis Grace, RSM, and the events that led to the founding Mount Mercy College, which is known today as Carlow University. Sister Regis was the founding dean and acting president for 22 years.

Megan Carney, professional playwright and niece of Sister Sheila Carney, special assistant to the president for Mercy Heritage and Service, wrote and directed the play on which the film is based. Megan spent time on campus last summer interviewing community members and Sisters of Mercy and working in the archives of both the University and the convent. Mind Over Media produced and filmed the play and Carlow alumna Cynthia Serjak, RSM, ’72 created original music to support the script.

“The whole process was fascinating,” says Sister Sheila. “I enjoyed watching as the convent became a movie set and one art form was transformed into another. The film, with its retelling of the dramatic events around the founding of Mount Mercy College, will be an important resource for the University.”

The world premiere of Most Unexpected Opening will be on September 29, 2011, at 12:30 p.m. in Kresge Theatre as part of this year’s Mercy Founders Fortnight. DVD copies of the movie will be available for sale at the premiere and through Sister Sheila’s office.

Mercy Founders Fortnight begins Monday, September 19, 2011, and continues until Friday, September 30, 2011. Highlights include the unveiling of Carlow’s newest piece of public art; a presentation on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition by Maureen Crossen, PhD; and a teach-in on the theme of Expanding World View. Please visit www.carlow.edu or MyPortal for more information and a complete schedule of events.

Core Values: Hospitality and Discovery/Quest

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Carlow Community Celebrates New Academic Year at Opening Meeting

Carlow faculty, staff, and more than 40 student leaders gathered for a day-long meeting to open the new school year on Thursday, August 18, 2001, in Kresge Theatre.

University president, Dr. Mary Hines, had to issue several calls to order before welcoming the audience, as the energy and excitement of reunited faculty, staff, and students filled the theatre.

The excitement continued as a video presentation—created by E-Portfolio coordinator Sallie Wormer—of faculty and staff in action during the 2010-2011 school year demonstrated the positive effects their work has on students and the University.

Sister Sheila Carney, RSM, special assistant to the president for Mercy Heritage and Service, led the opening prayer and gave an overview of the day’s activities, which included exploring Carlow’s identity as a Catholic University.

Dr. Hines then announced that a special guest was joining the meeting. She introduced Carlow senior, Rebekah Stern, who presented the new Carlow Celtics mascot to the Carlow community. The shamrock-shaped mascot with purple and gold socks and adorned with the Celtics logo will be appearing at athletic and student events around campus.

University vice presidents Margaret McLaughlin, Tyler Kelsch, Karen Galentine, and Louise Sciannameo; along with dean of students, Jennifer Carlo, took turns introducing new faculty and staff in each of their departments. Kelsch, vice president for Finance and Operations, gave a presentation that detailed the new construction and information technology improvements that were made on campus this summer. McLaughlin, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, spoke about curriculum changes and new accreditations, including Carlow’s renewed Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation and the accreditation of Carlow’s Doctorate of Psychology in Counseling Psychology program.

In her address, Dr. Hines reported increased enrollment, positive responses from University donors, and many more signs that 2011-2012 will be a positive and productive year for Carlow University.

After a short break, the focus of the meeting transitioned to exploring Carlow’s identity as a Catholic university. Theology professor Jack Alverson delivered a speech entitled, “The Catholic Roots of Higher Education” in which he reflected on the role of monasticism in creating the foundation upon which Catholic higher education rests.

Ellie Wymard, English professor and director of the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program gave a speech entitled, “John Henry Newman: Champion of the Laity.” Wymard related Newman’s contributions to the development of Catholic higher education—especially with regard to the role of the laity. She illustrated her theme with examples of the contributions of the lay faculty in the history of the University.

After a picnic lunch, the meeting reconvened for further discussion of Carlow’s Catholic identity. Carney introduced Edward Foley, OFM Capuchin, professor of liturgy and music at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois, who gave a speech entitled, “The University as a Sacrament.”

Using a fast-paced PowerPoint presentation, Father Foley encouraged the audience to think of the many ways in which the University may be a sacrament—a place where we encounter God.

“The response of University community to these discussions has been very positive,” says Carney. “That bodes well for our ongoing discussion of our Catholic identity.”

Core Values: Sacredness of Creation and Leadership

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Carlow University trustee Joyce Bender, the CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc., has been elected chair of the board of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country’s largest cross-disability membership organization.

Joyce Bender

Bender was elected chair of AAPD, which is headquartered in Washington D.C., by the organization’s board of directors. She is a longtime AAPD board member and a lifelong champion of the rights of people with disabilities. Bender has been a member of the board of trustees at Carlow since 2006.

“As a woman living with epilepsy, the opportunity to serve as AAPD’s board chair is an incredible honor,” says Bender, as quoted in the AAPD’s news release. “My goal is to take AAPD to the next level and grow the organization exponentially in order to positively impact the lives of Americans with disabilities everywhere.”

Bender is the founder and CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc., a firm that recruits and hires people with disabilities in the public and private sectors. Bender is the immediate past chair of the national Epilepsy Foundation board of directors, and is a board member of the Epilepsy Foundation of Western and Central Pennsylvania, The Center for Victims of Violence and Crime, and other nonprofit organizations. She is also on the board of advisors for the Homeless Children’s Education Fund. She is the host of “Disability Matters with Joyce Bender,” a radio show on www.voiceamerica.com.

AAPD was founded in 1995 to help unite the diverse community of people with disabilities, including their family, friends and supporters, and to be a national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For more information about AAPD, please visit the organization’s Web site at www.aapd.com.

Core Values: Leadership and Service

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PsyD Program Accreditation Means Credibility for Students, Visibility for Carlow University

The Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA) has awarded Carlow’s Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) in Counseling Psychology program a seven-year accreditation as an outstanding program.

“All applied doctoral programs in psychology must be accredited by the APA to ensure they are adhering to discipline standards,” says Mary Burke, PhD, director of the PsyD in Counseling Psychology program.

Burke led the program through the rigorous accreditation process, which included a 1,000-page self-study, an application, and site visits from established psychologists representing the APA. The visiting psychologists talked with students, faculty, the program’s advisory board, and local professionals working with the doctoral students.

This summer, Carlow’s program was awarded a seven-year accreditation. It is very unusual for an applicant program to be granted seven years; most new programs are granted three or five years of accreditation.

The University benefits from increased visibility in a variety of settings, including among the 60-70 directors of doctoral programs in the United States who will learn about Carlow’s accreditation from the APA. “Our program will also be listed on the APA website and other sites where potential students go to research programs,” says Burke.

Please visit http://gradstudies.carlow.edu/psy-d/index.html to learn more about Carlow University’s PsyD in Counseling Psychology program.

Core Value: Intellectual Integrity

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The board of directors and staff of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) has accepted Carlow University into membership with the organization. Carlow will begin play in the USCAA for the 2011-2012 academic year.

“After further review by our staff and board, it has been determined that Carlow University and its athletic program are an ideal fit for the USCAA,” says William G. Casto, the executive director of the USCAA. “We are excited about the opportunity to work with the coaches, staff, and student athletes, and look forward to building a solid relationship with Carlow.”

Carlow University has been a member of the American Mideast Conference (AMC) in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) since 2001. Carlow fields women’s teams in five sports: volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball, and tennis. Carlow will maintain its NAIA membership. This dual affiliation will provide additional opportunities for competition and national honors for Carlow’s student-athletes.

“Over the past several years, the American Mideast Conference has seen membership decrease from a record high of 21 down to eight for the 2011-12 academic year, “ says George Sliman, director of Athletics at Carlow. “Many schools went to NCAA Division II and III while several others moved to other NAIA conferences. As such, the future of the AMC is uncertain and Carlow sees membership in the USCAA as an opportunity to compete with schools within a closer geographic proximity while still having opportunities to qualify for national championships and individual student awards. The USCAA provides our student athletes with an opportunity to continue competing, but without the long distance travel schedule that interferes with coursework.”

The USCAA, with 73 members in 22 states, was formed in 2001 to provide quality athletic competition on a regional and national level. The USCAA focuses specifically on smaller institutions of higher learning and their student athletes. USCAA members typically have enrollment figures that range between 500 and 2,000.

Core Value: Student Progress

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Carlow University Researchers Evaluate Effectiveness of iQ Zoo

When the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, PBS KiDS GO!, and WQED Multimedia launched iQ Zoo earlier this summer, they touted it as an innovative way to educate children and families about animals, habitats, and careers.

Taking part in the iQ Zoo presentation at WQED on August 10 were (left-to-right): René Picó II, PhD; TingTing Rachel Chung, PhD; Tim McNellie, from the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium; Yifen Liu, a University of Pittsburgh student; Jennifer Stancil, WQED; Stephanie Wilsey, PhD; Molly Walsh, a Carlow MBA student; Vincent Pietropaoli, a Carlow student; Jenny Bourne, a Carlow student; Eliana Munro, a WQED intern; and Emily Sturman, WQED.

To determine if iQ Zoo was accomplishing all that it claimed it could, the zoo and WQED turned to Carlow University faculty and graduate students, who did intensive research and supplied the data that confirmed that families were using their smartphones to access a unique, informal learning experience.

“We talked to 91 visitors from seven states,” says Rachel Chung, PhD, an assistant professor at Carlow and the coordinator of the MBA program. “We spent 12 hot summer days collecting research data with the help of 13 undergraduate, graduate, and high school students.”

Zoo visitors can access iQ Zoo by using their smartphones to scan Quick Response (QR) codes attached to exhibits for 14 animals that live in three distinct habitats—the African savanna, the polar ice caps, and tropical forests. The QR codes allow them to see multimedia content—such as videos, audio clips, pictures, and explanatory text—that offer more information about the particular animal than is displayed at the zoo.

QR code

“The parents liked the convenience that iQ Zoo offered and they found it to be informative and a tool that promotes learning,” says Stephanie Wilsey, PhD, an assistant professor in psychology. “Children found it to be fun and educational, thought it was easy to use, and that it maintained or enhanced their interest in the animals.”

The iQ Zoo project is geared towards children ages 6 through 11 years and their families. According to a news release issued by the zoo and WQED, this marks the first time that a PBS station is using QR code technology to leverage the capacity and reach of PBS KIDS GO! interactive materials in partnership with a community-based educational facility. It is hoped that this project will be able to be expanded so other zoos around the country can partner with their local PBS station.

Carlow researchers—which included faculty members Chung, Wilsey, and Rene Pico, PhD, an assistant professor in elementary education, and undergraduate students Jenny Bourne, a math major; Vincent Pietropaoli, a psychology major; and MBA student Molly Walsh—found that the smartphone users retained more information about the animals than the control group did.

“Whatever knowledge they came into the zoo with, they improved from there,” says Wilsey.

The researchers presented their findings to Deborah Acklin, president and CEO of WQED Multimedia, and a member of Carlow’s board of trustees, and representatives from the zoo on August 10, 2011.

“We also found 15 other PBS stations that are interested in adopting the iQ Zoo program for their own locations,” says Chung. “We’re hoping that our findings will help PBS decide to fund this program nationally.”

Core Value: Discovery/Quest

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Summer Brings Many Physical and Infrastructural Improvements to Carlow University

Carlow University students, faculty, and staff returning this fall will notice many physical and infrastructural changes around campus. Over the summer break, Carlow finance and operations personnel, along with many outside contractors, were hard at work improving various areas of campus to better serve the entire Carlow community.

Construction projects included:

• Student Accounts, the Office of the Registrar, and the Office of Financial Aid have moved from the first floor to the second floor of Antonian Hall. Grouped together in the same area and now called the Student Hub, the departments share a reception area that streamlines the navigation of each office. “Students can now go to just one place and have all their questions about registration, financial aid, and student accounts answered—there will be no more shuffling around from office to office,” says Judy Bolsinger, associate provost for enrollment management.

• The first floor of Antonian Hall was transformed into the new home of the Carlow University art department. The new space includes a large ceramics studio as well as faculty offices.

• Academic Affairs moved from the third floor of Grace Library to the fifth floor of Grace Library in the space that was formerly the home of the International Poetry Forum Archives. The poetry forum has been transferred into the library archives and is being cataloged for access through the library. Additionally, all of the archives have been digitally copied and are available at http://thepoetryforum.org/.

• Handicap parking spaces and a new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant walkway were created outside of Frances Warde Hall. Handicap parking spaces were also created near Tiernan Hall.

• Window air conditioning units and micro-fridges were installed in all student dorm rooms.

• Health Services moved to the fourth floor of Frances Warde Hall where it is located in a new Health and Wellness Center along with Counseling Services and the Office of Disability Services. The Office of Student Life moved to the third floor.

• Parking Lot C received several upgrades including landscaping and the demolition of several University-owned houses, which created 30 additional parking spaces. The total number of spaces available now is 181.

• Other projects included: sidewalk repairs, Aquinas Hall roof replacement, storm drain replacement, and updating the bathrooms and furniture in some of the dorms.

Infrastructural improvements included:

• All faculty and staff are now using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones that integrate with the Carlow E-mail system and provide a number of useful tools and features that previous phone system could not offer.

• Students can now use one student ID and one password to log in to the network and lab systems, their E-mail accounts, Blackboard, and WebAdvisor. Previously, students expressed frustration about having to remember several IDs and passwords to access these sites and systems.

Tyler Kelsch, vice president of Finance and Operations, detailed these construction and infrastructural improvements at the August 18 Opening Meeting. He also explained that the improvements were paid for with a bond that does not add any additional cost to the University budget.

“It was important to make these improvements now, as the University’s enrollment continues to grow,” says Kelsch. “These updates increase student safety and make the campus and its systems easier to navigate.”

Core Value: Hospitality

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Carlow University Welcomes New Staff and Faculty

Carlow University welcomed several new employees to the community over the summer, while other existing staff and faculty members changed roles.

New hires include:

• Norma Alicea-Alvarez, assistant professor, School of Nursing
• Jennifer Carlo, MA, dean of Student Affairs, Office of Student Affairs
• Christy Dennison, stewardship/donor relations administrator, University Advancement
• Constance Dyer, senior accountant, Finance and Operations
• Deborah Gearhart, cashier, Finance and Operations
• Susan Harchelroad, instructor, School of Nursing
• Eve Jacobs, writing tutor, Center for Academic Achievement
• Chardae Jones, secretary, School of Education
• Beth Koenig, JD, dean of academic administration, Academic Affairs
• Ada Lovo-Martinez, assistant to the dean, School of Education
• Deborah Mitchum, instructor, School of Nursing
• Nicole Mullen, financial aid counselor, Office of Financial Aid
• Martha Newmyer, instructor, School of Nursing
• Kathy Paulk, data analyst, Institutional Research and Effectiveness
• Michelle Peduto, interim principal, Campus School of Carlow University
• Zachary Sams, police officer, Police Department

Those who have changed roles include:

• April Chaney, assistant professor, School of Nursing
• Marsha Frank, instructor, Department of Social Work
• Betsy Hunt, math lab coordinator, Massey Mathematics Lab
• Patricia Jameson, instructor, Department of Psychology and Counseling
• Jessica Legg, peer tutor coordinator, Center for Academic Achievement
• Mary Onufer, instructor, School of Management
• Valerie Patilla, preschool teacher, Campus School of Carlow University
• Kathleen Stewart, instructor, Department of Psychology and Counseling

Core Value: Hospitality

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New Student Orientation Photo Albums

(left to right, top to bottom): Move-in Day, Matriculation Ceremony, Activities Fair, Playfair, and the Night of the Celtic.

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For upcoming campus events, please visit MyPortal.

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Carlow Night at the Symphony

Friday, September 23, 2011 ~ 8 p.m. ~ Heinz Hall

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) presents “Honeck and Pictures at an Exhibition” Featuring artist Manfred Honeck, conductor, and Rudolf Buchbinder, piano.

Opening the 2011 PSO season, this performance
is a rich kaleidoscope of music with unexpected
twists. Dreamwaltzes is American composer Steven Stuckey’s fantasia on Viennese composers Schubert, Brahms, and Mahler. Van Cliburn International Piano Competition winner Rudolph Buchbinder makes a rare performance in America and interprets Gershwin’s jazz-inspired Piano Concerto in F . Mussorgsky’s much-loved Pictures at an Exhibition closes this concert in grand fashion.

Tickets are available at special rates: $15, $20, and $25. Check back on MyPortal for additional details about reserving tickets.