Glad to be Grads!It was a day for celebration for the approximately 1,800 members of the

Class of 2012, who were honored at Southern’s undergraduate commencement exercises on May 18 at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn.

Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of former U.S. President George W. Bush and former firstlady Laura Bush, delivered the commencement address, detailing the profound educationshe received from nontraditional teachers. Hager’s influences ranged from inner-city schoolchildren to a young mother living with AIDS whom she met while interning in LatinAmerica with UNICEF. “I have learned invaluable lessons and, in fact, I’ve found sometimesyou’ll find teachers in the most unexpected places,” says Hager, who is chairwoman ofUNICEF’s Next Generation, an initiative for young professionals dedicated to reducing thenumber of preventable childhood deaths around the world. In addition to her volunteerefforts, Hager is a contributing correspondent with NBC’s “Today” morning show and aNew York Times best-selling children’s book author.

The university also held graduate commencement exercises at the same location on May 17, recognizing the more than 850 students who earned advanced degrees.Christopher J. Korenowsky, executive director of the New Haven Free Public Library,addressed the graduates.

OWL

Dear Friendsof Southern,As the state’sleading producerof certifiedteachers andschooladministrators,Southern is a keyplayer in building

stronger partnerships betweenhigher education and K-12 schools.We recently announced theSouthern/New Haven Academy for Professional Development – or SNAP – focusing on distinctivetraining for student teachers seekingto work in urban schools. Southernhas also been named a co-recipientof a seven-year, $31.5 million federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for UndergraduatePrograms (GEAR UP) grant toimprove college access andreadiness for Connecticut’s students.Starting in summer 2013, we willhost 320 seventh graders from eightNew Haven middle schools who will participate in science, math,literacy, and cultural programs. Thefunding will be used to increase the number of low-income studentsprepared to enter and succeed inpost-secondary education, and toprovide scholarships for eligiblehigh school seniors. I wish you anenjoyable summer, and I thank youfor your support of your alma materas we continue our efforts toensure that a college degree is anattainable goal for all ofConnecticut’s children.

Mary A. Papazian, Ph.D.Presidenta

news supplement for alumni and friends of Southern Connecticut State University

Summer | 12

OWL Sightings

The results are in for the 2010-11

Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) —

a test that evaluates students across the

nation in several key areas, including

analytical reasoning, writing, and problem

solving — and the findings are particularly

impressive for SCSU students.

Southern students showed much

greater gains between their freshman and

senior years than most of their peers

across the country. Notably, Southern

seniors who took the CLA also exceeded

expectations — performing much better

than had been forecast based on their

scores on the SATs and the CLA taken in

their freshman year. In fact, when all

factors are weighed, Southern’s seniors

reached the 91st percentile nationally in

terms of exceeding expectations in the

educational gains they made between their

freshman and senior years.

In addition to the stellar CLA test

results, Southern has been selected by the

Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-

operation and Development, which

represents 34 nations, to participate in a

feasibility study for an international

assessment test of general skills. Southern

was one of only 10 universities in the

United States chosen to take part in the

study, which will assess students’ skills

against peers in Colombia, Egypt, Finland,

South Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, and Norway.

A dream team of Southern students tied for third place in aninternational competition run by the American Marketing Association:[STANDING, FROM LEFT] Peter Romas, Nicholas Gallicano, Marina Virgalla,and Daniel Morales [SEATED, FROM LEFT] Dean of the School of BusinessEllen D. Durnin, Emily Burkhardt, Cassandra Cortese, and AssociateProfessor of Marketing Robert Forbus, who advises the chapter.

The benefits of a college degree are far-reaching. Studies show that in addition tohaving much greater earning potential,college-educated adults volunteer more, leadhealthier lifestyles, and even share moreeducational activities with their children.

With such advantages in mind, theBoard of Regents for Higher Education hasapproved a new transfer and articulationagreement between the 17 Connecticut StateColleges and Universities (ConnSCU) —which includes the four state universities,among them, Southern Connecticut StateUniversity; the 12 community colleges; andCharter Oak State College. The agreement isdesigned to make it easier for interestedstudents to transfer from Connecticut’scommunity colleges to the state universitiesand Charter Oak — and ultimately earn afour-year degree.

By the end of September, the membercolleges and universities will finalize a 30-credit common core curriculum — generaleducation requirements that will betransferrable between the institutions. The

policy will not consist of a simple course-to-course transfer. Instead, the policy iscompetency based — meaning students willbe expected to demonstrate competency inskills and knowledge areas agreed upon byall of the member colleges and universities.A full major-by-major transfer plan is slatedto be adopted by July 2013.

Marketing MastersA talented team of Southern students tied for third

place in the American Marketing Association’s (AMA)international collegiate case competition, which challengedstudents from around the globe to develop a marketingplan for an academic publishing company. As one of only10 finalists, the Southern team was invited to present theirplan at the AMA collegiate conference in New Orleans inMarch. Southern’s standout performance placed them ingood company: the University of Pennsylvania won secondplace in the competition, while the top prize went to theBritish Columbia Institute of Technology.

DegreeINHand

GREATEXPECTATIONS

Arecent report from the National Center for Education Statistics reveals one of the most pressing challenges facing urban schools: hiring and retaining excellent

teachers. At the elementary school level, for example, schools located in cities found it “very difficult” to fill teaching vacancies or were unable to do so 6.7 percent of thetime. In comparison, the figure was only 3.7 percent for rural schools and 3.5 percentfor schools in a suburban setting.

Two years ago, Southern and New HavenPublic Schools began work on a long-terminitiative — the Southern/New Haven Academyfor Professional Development (SNAP) — designedto provide specialized training for studentteachers who plan to work in Connecticut’s innercities. As a first step, five schools in New Havenhave been designated as SNAP schools, locationswhere most Southern student teachers stationedin New Haven will be assigned.

In the spring 2012 semester, about 40student teachers were placed in the SNAPschools, which include Barnard, Edgewood,Conte-West Hills, Bishop Woods, and John S.Martinez schools. In the past, about 40 to 50students typically were assigned to the entireNew Haven school district, which includes 31elementary and middle schools.

There are numerous advantages toclustering the student teachers in the five SNAP schools, including increased opportunitiesfor them to meet as peers to discuss theirobservations and share suggestions. Theprogram also will make it possible for Southernto offer more workshops and professionaldevelopment programs at the SNAP school sites.

Southern students are currently required to complete two, eight-week student teachingsessions — one in an urban district and one in a suburban or rural setting. Looking forward,Southern soon may give students the option of completing two urban placements.

[TOP LEFT] Southern student teacher Haley Vitko brings science to life in a first-

grade classroom at Barnard EnvironmentalStudies School in New Haven. [REMAINING THREE

PHOTOS FROM TOP] In the city’s Conte-West HillsSchool, several student teachers, including

Megan Bryant, Rachael Bedard, and BrennaMcGuigan, teach and learn from their students.

TEACHING Tomorrow’s Teachers

Summer | 2012

Retired U.S. astronaut Mark Kelly addressed an enthusiasticaudience at the John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts,discussing his career and the challenges his wife, former

U.S. Rep. GabrielleGiffords (D-Ariz.), hasfaced during herongoing recovery from atraumatic brain injury —the result of a January2011 assassinationattempt. Kelly, whoserved as commander of the space shuttleEndeavour’s finalmission to theInternational SpaceStation, delivered the2012 Mary and LouisFusco DistinguishedLecture on May 4.

A portion of theevening’s proceedssupports Southern’sEndowed Awards ofExcellence, a merit-based scholarshipprogram.

TRUE GRIT

Crowning a spectacular season,swimming sensation AmandaThomas was named the 2012 NCAADivision II Women’s Swimmer of theYear by the College SwimmingCoaches Association of America.

The junior exercise sciencemajor won two national titles at theNCAA Division II Women’sSwimming and Diving Championshipthis year — the 200- and 400-yardindividual medley. The individualmedley consists of four strokes: thebutterfly, backstroke, breaststroke,and freestyle.

Thomas, who was the nationalchampion in the 200-yard individual

medley in 2011 as well, set an NCAADivision II record in the event thisyear with her time of 2:00.09. Shealso finished second in the 200-yardbutterfly and thirdin the 200-yardbackstroke at thisyear’s nationalchampionship,which was heldMarch 14-17 inMansfield, Texas.

Stay tuned!The 14-time All-American hasqualified tocompete in theU.S. Olympic TeamTrials this summer.

THOMAS RULESTHE POOL: A NationalChampion Again!

Owls Seek Olympic GloryWith the XXX Olympic Games set to kick off in Great

Britain on July 27, two student athletes are striving to make

their own Olympic dreams a reality after qualifying to compete

for spots on the U.S. team.

• Track standout Selasi Lumax [NUMBER THREE IN THE RIGHT

PHOTO] qualified for the trials by winning the 800 meters at the

New England Championships. The track and field trials will be

held from June 21 to July 1 in Eugene, Oregon.

• Swimmer Amanda Thomas qualified to compete in the

400-yard individual medley. The trials will be held from June 25

to July 2 in Omaha.

OCTOB ER 13

OWL Sightings

Homecoming 2012

Keep a Southerneducation in reach oftalented

and deservingstudents and help

the universitycreate a climateof excellence.

Your gifthas areal

impact.

Distinguished

&Outstanding Alumni Awards

October 12 Michael J. Adanti Student Center, Grand Ballroom

Honoring alumni for their accomplishments in the community and the business world.

(203) 392-6500

Come home to Southern for a campus-wide celebration

for the entire family.

(203) 392-6500

TheAlumni Tent

Party • The StudentParade of Floats • TheHomecoming footballgame • The 5K RobertCorda Road Race • The

President’s DonorRecognition Breakfast• and much, much

more!

Please make a gift to our students today by returning the

envelope provided or visit us online at www.giving.SouthernCT.edu.

Alumni and friends are invited to join the Southern community for

as the 11th president of Southern Connecticut

State University.September 28 • 1:30 p.m.

John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts

Information on the ceremony and a week of activities leading up to the event

will be available atwww.SouthernCT.edu/inauguration2012

or call (203) 392-6586.

THE

InaugurationOF

Mary A. Papazian, Ph.D.

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Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDPermit No. 1035Springfield, MASummer | 12

OWL Sightings

n a dramatic show of strength, skill, andversatility, student athlete Nick Lebronwon the national title at the NCAADivision II National Indoor Track andField Championships in the heptathlon,which includes seven events — the 60-meter dash, the 1,000-meter run, theshot put, the 60-meter hurdles, the highjump, the long jump, and the polevault. Lebron scored 5,225 points in theevent, breaking his own Southernrecord established earlier in the season.Fellow Owl Connor Coleman finishedthird in the heptathlon at nationals,which was hosted by Minnesota StateUniversity from March 9 – 10.

The Owls finished third overall atthe competition, the team’s best-everstanding at the indoor championship.

I

Track StandoutCrowned NATIONALCHAMPION

Address Service Requested

Alumni Association501 Crescent StreetNew Haven, CT 06515-1355www.SouthernCT.edu