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CALDWELL - ALSO inSide: Caldwell University
WINTER/SPRING 2021

   CALDWELL
   U N I V E R S I T Y              MAGAZINE

Faith in action Wall
celebrates University’s legacy

ALSO inSide:
a call to action: the one
Million in FoUr initiative

Keeping MUsic alive in
a pandeMic
CALDWELL - ALSO inSide: Caldwell University
VolumE 13                       issuE 1

                                                CALDWELL UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
     Spring Forward!                                WINTER/SPRING 2021

                                                Caldwell University Magazine is
                                                produced for alumni and friends

            Thanks                              twice each year by the News and
                                                Media Relations Office at Caldwell
                                                University. Its goal is to provide news         10                                                  13
    to your support,                            and information about Caldwell
                                                                                               Commencement 2020                                   Innovatively making music!
       things are                               University’s students, faculty, staff,
                                                alumni, and administration. We
     getting better.                            welcome your comments and
                                                suggestions! Please email us at
         still, Many stUdents                   cumagazine@caldwell.edu.
  need assistance in coMpleting
         this acadeMic year.

can We coUnt on yoU to help?
   You can make a gift to help fulfill one of
    several immediate priorities; to learn
                                                                                                                                19
                                                                                                                              Nursing students and faculty serve at vaccine sites.
  which of these is most meaningful to you,
please visit www.caldwell.edu/springforward.    Editor

                                                                                               table of contents
                                                Colette M. Liddy ’13 M.A.
            thanK yoU!
                                                WritErs & Contributors
                                                Nicole M. Burrell ’09
                                                Lori Funicello
                                                Christina Hall
                                                Meghan Moran ’07                                 4         New Faith in Action Wall Connects Legacy to Present
                                                John Tagliaferri
                                                Copy Editor                                      6         Aneesha Jean: Nursing an Atmosphere of Care in the
                                                John Jurich                                                Age of COVID-19
                                                pHotoGrApHy
                                                                                                 8         Katie Kornacki: Bringing Literature Alive
                                                Pushparaj Aitwal ’11
                                                Linda Maher                                    13          Keeping Music Alive in a Pandemic
                                                Pramit Piya
                                                Alan Schindler                                 19          Nursing Students Serve at Vaccine Sites
                                                dEsiGn
                                                Graphic Imagery, Inc.
                                                                                               22          Students’ Art on Display in the President’s Office
                                                ViCE prEsidEnt, EnrollmEnt                     23          University Hosts Anti-Racism Lecture Series
                                                mAnAGEmEnt And
                                                CommuniCAtions                                 24          Women’s Tennis Kianna Wiggins Selected as CACC
                                                Stephen Quinn                                              Rep on DII SAAC

                                                Address comments and                           27          One Million in Four Initiative Brings “Guardian Angels”
                                                questions to:                                              to the Fore
                                                cumagazine@caldwell.edu
                                                Caldwell University Magazine                   28          Celebrating the Year of Sister Gerardine
                                                120 Bloomfield Avenue
                                                Caldwell, NJ 07006
                                                                                               30          My Friend Dorothy (Cunningham ’49)
                                                General information
                                                www.caldwell.edu
                                                973-618-3000                              ON the COver – Sister Kathleen tuite, O.P., vice president for student life,
                                                                                          in front of the new “Faith in Action” wall in Werner hall.                                 6
                                                                                                                                                                     Professor Aneesha Jean
CALDWELL - ALSO inSide: Caldwell University
PRESIDENT’SLETTER

                                                                                                                                                   caldWell University board oF trUstees and president’s cabinet

                                                                                                                                                   chair                                Kenneth J. Gilmore, M.S. ’13                 trUstees eMeriti
                                                                                                                                                   Linda Luciano ’78, Ed.D., M.B.A.     Rhonda L. Graber                             Sister Arlene Antczak, O.P.
                                                                                                                                                   vice chair                           Sister Mary John Kearney, O.P. ’62           Alexander Giaquinto, Ph.D.
                                                                                                                                                   Brian J. Aloia, Esq.                 Francis A. LeCates Jr.                       Helen Westervelt ’80
                                                                                                                                                   secretary                            Sister Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P.,            president’s cabinet
                                                                                                                                                   Sister Donna Ciangio, O.P., D.Min.   Ph.D. ’65                                    Kevin Boyle, M.B.A., Vice President
                                                                                                                                                   MeMbers                              William B. O’Brien                           for Development and Alumni Affairs

   Hello,
                                                                                                                                                   Kathleen M. Barabas ’85              Patrick J. Osinski, Esq.                     Ellina Chernobilsky, Ph.D., Acting
                                                                                                                                                   Sister Mary Lou Bauman, O.P. ’69     Wendy Parent ’86, M.B.A. ’06                 Vice President for Academic Affairs

                                                                                                   2
                                                                                                                                                   Harry C. Beatty, Esq.                Sister Luella Ramm, O.P. ’74 (Prioress)      Shin K. Moon, C.P.A., Vice President

   Caldwell
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     for Finance
                                                                                                                                                   Elizabeth C. Berman ’84              Mark A. Reda
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Sheila N. O’Rourke, M.S., Vice
                                                                                                                                                   Maureen T. Bezer                     Mary Sellitto-Curcio ’83                     President for Operations

   family,
                                                                                                                                                   Stanley P. Borowiec                  Leon G. Smith, Jr., M.D.                     Stephen Quinn, M.A., Vice
                                                                                                                                                   Olga E. Bradford, Esq.               Sister Patricia Tavis, O.P. ’72              President, Enrollment Management
                                                                                                                                                   Lisa M. Bromberg, Esq. ’80           Laurita M. Warner ’70, M.B.A.                and Communications
                                                                                                                                                   Edward R. Collins ’98, JD, CFP,                                                   Sister Kathleen Tuite, O.P., M.A., Ed.S.,
                                                                                                                                                                                        president oF caldWell University             Vice President for Student Life
   I hope and pray that you and your loved ones are well and                growth and excellence. You will read about the integrity of one        AAMS, RFC
                                                                                                                                                                                        Matthew Whelan, Ed.D.
   navigating safely through the pandemic which continues to plague         of our students, Sophie Hicks ’21, who brought us her ideas on         John P. Crawford
   our lives and communities. The last year was one of unprecedented        promoting social justice and the dignity of all people. You can read
   challenges, and while we learned to adjust to wearing facemasks          about how we bring new ideas to life through Sister Gerardine’s art
   and social distancing, we also faced the loss of loved ones and          and lifelong commitment to beauty and education. Our “Faith in
   helped others who suffered the ravages of COVID-19. We are now           Action” wall is featured on the cover of this magazine. When you
   met with a new year of ongoing restrictions for public health, and       are able to visit our campus, you will see that this wall in Werner
   many are still experiencing hardships due to employment loss,            Hall shows the blending of the missions of the Sisters of Saint
   closure of businesses and schools, remote learning and working,          Dominic and the University. In the meantime, you can spend time
   and of course, social isolation.                                         with us virtually on Sunday evenings with the celebration of the
                                                                                                                                                                     32ND ANNUAL

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             SAVe
                                                                            Holy Eucharist in the Sister Mary Dominic Tweedus Chapel.
   We have also engaged in difficult discussions as we watched political                                                                                              CALDWELL UNIVERSITY

                                                                                                                                                                    GOLF
   divisions grow to the point of the Capitol insurrection and death        We are also very happy to share how many of you in our Caldwell

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           THe dATe
   of innocent people. We have witnessed continued social unrest            community joined with us in our “One Million in Four” initiative
   in response to the urgent and longstanding need to resolve the           to raise $1 million in four months to ensure our students will have
   inequities faced by many of our neighbors and community members.
   Finally, we have watched as the country endured its most contentious
   election season in our history. 2020 was indeed a tough year.
                                                                            the resources they need to complete their education at Caldwell
                                                                            and continue on their personal journeys of growth.                                      OUTING                                                                  Monday,
   However, a new year has arrived and as we look ahead to growth and
                                                                            Thank you to all those who support the mission of Caldwell
                                                                            University and the Sisters of Saint Dominic. You are the sunlight
                                                                                                                                                    beneFiting stUdent scholarships                                                       JUne 21, 2021
   rebirth it is now time for us to Spring Forward! New people, new         for Caldwell. You are our Spring! You help us grow, learn, and
   ideas, and new voices will emerge which will help us eradicate the       thrive, and your commitment will sustain us as we emerge from a
   virus and bring us closer together. At Caldwell, we are poised to help   cold winter ready to blossom!
   fertilize this growth and rebirth with the very Core Values that have
                                                                            I hope you enjoy reading these stories, and know that the sun is                                                                                 Essex Fells Country Club, Essex Fells, nJ
   sustained us as Caldwell students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends
                                                                            shining brightly at Caldwell!                                                                                                                    sponsorship opportunities still available!
   – Respect, Integrity, Community and Excellence. You will see the
   living evidence of these values in stories throughout the magazine.      God Bless.                                                                                                                                        For more information, please contact
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              meghan moran at 973-618-3552 or
   In this issue, you will read about one of our Caldwell heroes –          Sincerely,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    mmoran@caldwell.edu.
   Professor Aneesha Jean – who works every day to ensure our
   future nurses learn about the respect, care, and dignity that all                                                                                                                                                              www.caldwell.edu/golf2021
   people deserve. You will read about the ingenuity of our Music
   Department faculty in bringing music to our community, and
                                                                            Matthew Whelan, Ed.D.
   also about our School of Education which recently received CAEP
                                                                            President
   accreditation, demonstrating that Caldwell remains a place of

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CALDWELL - ALSO inSide: Caldwell University
CALDWELLSPOTLIGHT                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 CALDWELLSPOTLIGHT

  Dominican Connection                                                                                                                        annual day of community service; the
                                                                                                                                              volunteer trip to Belize; the Young Adult        THE DOMINICAN MAGNIFICAT CONNECTS
                                                                                                                                                                                               SISTERS OF ST. DOMINIC AND STUDENTS
                                                                                                                                              Dominican Preaching Conference; the
                                                                                                                                              Faculty Commission on World Concerns
                                                                                                                                              lectures; Founder’s Day, and Masses. A
                                                                                                                                              panel on Dominican values describes how                                                         dedication to education and the order’s
                                                                                                                                              the life of St. Dominic, the mission of the                                                     charism,” said Greenwald. “But now
                                                                                                                                              Sisters of St. Dominic and the four pillars                                                     there are only a few Sisters working in
                                                                                                                                              of Dominican life inform the university’s                                                       person at the university, even though
                                                                                                                                              core values of respect, integrity, community                                                    many live nearby. I wanted the students
                                                                                                                                              and excellence.                                                                                 to meet and connect personally with at

                                                                                               2
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              least one Dominican Sister to add to
                                                                                                                                              Senior Anthony Pineros said the wall’s                                                           their understanding of the music we
                                                                                                                                              visuals can encourage students to                                                               are singing.”
                                                                                                                                              “incorporate in our lives the examples
                                                                                                                                              of faith and fellowship.” One of those                                                          Noreen Abedrabbo ’24 interviewed Sister
                                                                                                                                              activities is the Midnight Run during                                                           Joanne Beirne, O.P., who works in the
                                                                                                                                              which students reach out to the homeless                                                        Academic Success Center at the university.
                                                                                                                                              in New York City. He and Gaule joined                                                           The conversation with Sister Joanne, a
                                                                                                                                              the campus ministry run the week before                                                         former nurse, was “a very fun project”
                                                                                                                                              Thanksgiving to give out clothing and                                                           and led Abedrabbo to understand the
                                                                                                                                              food. It was especially poignant this year                                                      songs more and “sing them with more
                                                                                                                                              given the losses the vulnerable have faced                                                      emotion.” Abedrabbo recounted some of
                                                                                                                                              due to the pandemic. “We brought light to                                                       the memorable moments for Sister with
                                                                                                                                              their worlds,” said Pineros.                                                                    the music including when she and other
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Sisters sang the Dominican Blessing at
                                                                                                                                              Relocated next to the showcase are pictures      Sister Joanne Beirne, O.P.                     the summer drive-by outside the health
                                                                                                                                              of the Dominicans, St. Dominic, St.              When the pandemic prompted professors          care facility, St. Catherine’s. The Sisters
                                                                                                                                              Catherine of Siena, St. Thomas Aquinas,          to be more ingenious with their                were thanking the essential workers for
                                                                                                                                              St. Agnes of Montepulciano, St. Martin de        assignments, Music Department Chair            their courage and commitment during
                                                                                                                                              Porres and St. Rose of Lima.                     Laura Greenwald came up with a project         the pandemic. Sister Joanne holds in
                                                                                                                                              New statements from the Sisters on the           to connect her students with the Sisters of    her heart the memories of when the
                                                                                                                                              environment and racism will be added             St. Dominic. She assigned students the task    Magnificat was sung at her 50th
                                                                                                                                              to the display. “The wall will continue to       of interviewing a Caldwell Dominican via       anniversary jubilee celebration and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              at a university baccalaureate Mass.

“FAITH IN ACTION”
                                                                                               Senior Brittany Gaule got to know several      grow as the Sisters continue to bring forth      Zoom or the phone about her involvement
                                                                                               of the Sisters of St. Dominic through her      the Gospel message,” said Sister Kathleen.       in education and her feelings about the        “I went to public school and did not sing
                                                                                               involvement in campus ministry. The wall       She and O’Brien are encouraging the              Dominican Magnificat, a piece composed         these kinds of pieces,” said Abedrabbo, but
                                                                                               “helps us remember them … and how they         campus community and guests to visit             by Feargal King that is much loved by the      after her conversation with Sister Joanne,

 WALL IN WERNER HALL
                                                                                               passed the torch to us,” said Gaule.           the display to learn more about the roots        Dominican Sisters, and the Dominican           she sees how the songs are beautiful
                                                                                                                                              of the university. “I think it will catch        Blessing, songs the chorale normally sings     messages of hope that can help her lift her
                                                                                               One of the projects highlighted is the         people’s attention and encourage them to         at Masses and special functions.               voice. “I can use that when I sing to make
                                                                                               installation of a solar energy system, which   reflect deeper on the call of the Caldwell
  A new “Faith in Action” wall celebrates         to be “living the mission” and “growing                                                                                                      “I have worked with so many of these           them stronger.” n
                                                                                               provides 8% of the electricity for Caldwell    Dominican mission,” said O’Brien.
  the Catholic Dominican charism of the           mission every day” and to show “devotion     University, Mount St. Dominic Academy                                                           brilliant women, and I know their
  Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell and          to our Dominican heritage.” Panels show      and the Motherhouse. Quotes are included       For Pineros and Gaule, who are
  Caldwell University and graces the walls        the Sisters’ commitment to the “sacredness   from St. Dominic, St. Thomas Aquinas           approaching the end of their college

                                                                                                                                                                                               SUNDAY MASS IS LIVE STREAMED FROM CHAPEL
  of the second floor in Werner Hall. Sister      of all creation” through their “corporate    and Pope Francis’s encyclical “Laudato Si.”    careers, it is special to be able to walk past
  Kathleen Tuite, O.P., vice president for        stances” and actions on nonviolence,                                                        the photos, some of which show them
  student life, wanted to create a special spot   the death penalty, genetically engineered    Pictures and text present the academic and     taking part in activities over four years
                                                                                               extracurricular activities showing a “direct                                                    When Caldwell University Campus Ministry resumed the 7 p.m. Masses in the Sister Mary
  on campus where passers-by and visitors         foods and labeling of foods, human                                                          at Caldwell. “Looking at this wall makes
                                                                                               connection” between the Dominican                                                               Dominic Tweedus Chapel this past fall, they looked a little different. Students and staff
  could see the social justice issues that the    trafficking and immigration reform and                                                      me take a trip down memory lane,” said
                                                                                               Sisters and “how we live the mission                                                            attended Mass but there was limited seating due to social distancing. To make sure everyone
  Sisters of St. Dominic pursue and how that      their commitment to a land ethic and to                                                     Pineros. “It is something to hold on to and
                                                                                               today at the university,” explained Colleen                                                     could join in, Campus Ministry began live streaming the Sunday Masses through the
  work informs the university’s life.             confronting climate change. “It highlights                                                  cherish,” said Gaule. n
                                                                                               O’Brien, director of campus ministry, who                                                       Campus Ministry YouTube channel. n
                                                  the mission of the Sisters and gives words
  The colorful display showcases projects and                                                  worked on the project with Sister Kathleen.    —CL
                                                  and reflection to their preaching and
  commitments that uphold what it means                                                        Activities included are Caldwell Day, the                                                        Watch it here
                                                  living,” said Sister Kathleen.

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CALDWELL - ALSO inSide: Caldwell University
CALDWELLACADEMICS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          CALDWELLACADEMICS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             CALDWELLHISTORY

                                                                                                                                             Headline
  fACuLTy fEATuRE

  ANEESHA JEAN:
  NursiNg aN atmosphere of Care iN
  the age of CoViD-19
                                                                                              family during some of the most vulnerable
                                                                                              times,” Jean says. “Supporting people
                                                                                              through health promotion and mitigation

                                                                                              2
                                                                                              measures during life crises, such as birth,
                                                                                              illness and death, has been a calling. I am
                                                                                              inspired by the patients and others like
                                                                                              my grandmother who need advocates and
                                                                                              professionals that empower them to live life
                                                                                              to their fullest potential.”
                                                                                              Many skills go into nursing, and Jean
                                                                                              knows that equipping students with those       Professor Aneesha Jean (r) with December nursing graduate Jill Patel ’20 in the simulation lab.
                                                                                              skills during their time at the university
                                                                                                                                             to campus,” Jean says. “They’re working                    “You have to listen to your patient,” Jean      is through simulations. In these simulated
                                                                                              is key to helping them do their jobs
                                                                                                                                             to make sure the campus is safe for both                   says. “Listen to what their concerns are.       events, a student might enter a lab that
                                                                                              effectively in the future. Jean comes armed
                                                                                                                                             faculty and students and staying current with              You have to validate their concerns. You        has been modeled after a bedroom. The
                                                                                              with an impressive résumé, including
                                                                                                                                             guidelines set by the government and CDC.”                 have to be ready to confront their concerns     student might be tasked with treating
                                                                                              time working as a clinical instructor at
                                                                                                                                                                                                        with correct and accurate information.          a patient who is elderly, with a geriatric
                                                                                              the Valley Hospital and as the director of     COVID-19 has offered Jean an opportunity
                                                                                                                                                                                                        A lot of their fears are based on               concern such as wound care or diabetic
                                                                                              wellness services and field nurse supervisor   to educate students on real-world issues.
                                                                                                                                                                                                        misinformation.” Once a patient has been        education. Even though the patient is
                                                                                              at the nonprofit HomeCare Option. A            “When the pandemic first hit our nation,
                                                                                                                                                                                                        educated, it is important                                            actually a mannequin,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           “
                                                                                              first-generation college student, she holds    as it was emerging, it was very timely for
                                                                                                                                                                                                        to trust patients to make                                            the student is expected
                                                                                              an undergraduate degree from a joint BSN       my course. That was when I was teaching
                                                                                                                                                                                                        the best choices they can.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Caldwell has been               to practice proper
                                                                                              program with Ramapo College, Englewood         students about public health and public
                                                                                              Hospital and UMDNJ, a master’s in              health policy and infection control and
                                                                                                                                                                                                        “Listen and understand               very proactive about            communication and
                                                                                                                                                                                                        where your patient is                                                care, giving simulated
                                                                                              nursing education from Ramapo/UMDNJ            infectious disease control.”                                                                    their approach and
                                                                                                                                                                                                        coming from, counter                                                 health care education
                                                                                              (now Rutgers University) and a doctorate
                                                                                                                                             Jean has incorporated lessons from the                     with accurate and timely                                             based on the patient’s
                                                                                              in nursing practice with a focus on health
                                                                                                                                             stages of the pandemic into her classes.                   information and then give
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             their plan to return            needs. Lab coordinators

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       ”
                                                                                              literacy and patient engagement from
                                                                                              William Paterson University.
                                                                                                                                             Students will likely graduate into a world                 them the full picture,” Jean         to campus.                      observe and give the
                                                                                                                                             that is still dealing with the ramifications               says, describing her advice                                          students feedback.
                                                                                              Like many professions, nursing involves        of COVID-19, and they will need to                         to students. “Tell them,
  In a world where many people are feeling      “In those brief moments, she would tell me                                                                                                                                                              Through relevant coursework, telehelp
                                                                                              being a strong multitasker. In a non-          know how to care for their communities                     ‘This is what can happen,’ and make sure
  overwhelmed by health concerns, Professor     about her time at work. As a child, I saw                                                                                                                                                               conferencing and simulated experiences,
                                                                                              pandemic semester, Jean would be               in an effective way. Jean and her colleagues               that they can understand that and allow
  Aneesha Jean is working hard to teach         what she meant to her patients and how                                                                                                                                                                  students learn how to effectively care for
                                                                                              teaching in the classroom, working             have been quick to add features to classes                 them to make an informed decision.”
  Caldwell University nursing students          fulfilling the work was.”                                                                                                                                                                               their communities. They also benefit from
                                                                                              alongside students in on-campus labs and       that will serve students. Those include
  how to empower their patients and                                                                                                                                                                     In that moment of trust, nurses have the        the experience of Jean, who knows how
                                                Jean found herself with her first patient     traveling to supervise nursing rotations       the addition of a telehelp program that
  communities to embrace health. She has                                                                                                                                                                opportunity to legitimize the decision-         to bring concepts from the classroom into
                                                before she had entered high school or had     for students in hospitals and community        students can use to contact the residents of
  seen firsthand how important equipping                                                                                                                                                                making ability of patients. “We miss an         real-life situations. She is confident her
                                                begun her pursuit of a nursing degree. That   sites. With the necessary changes this         Marion Manor—HUD housing adjacent
  others with the information they need to                                                                                                                                                              opportunity when we don’t focus on the          nursing students will be ready when they
                                                patient was her grandma, the same one         year, she is equally busy with many jobs.      to the campus where many Sisters of St.
  make healthy choices can be.                                                                                                                                                                          empowerment piece of health and health          graduate and enter the workforce. “My goal
                                                who had prompted her love of nursing.         Jean teaches on campus and remotely, is        Dominic live—for wellness checks. Jean
                                                                                                                                                                                                        literacy and making sure that people can        is to give the students the opportunity to
  For Jean, treating patients with care and     She cared for her, acting as her nurse and    a course coordinator, oversees work in         and the others also are emphasizing the
                                                                                                                                                                                                        make informed decisions about their health      learn some of those important community
  respect is personal. She was inspired to      advocate as she navigated the complexities    the on-campus lab and has joined a team        mental health component of courses and
                                                                                                                                                                                                        choices and behaviors.”                         and public health concepts and to be
  pursue nursing by her grandmother, Mary       of the health care system. Although her       that works to ensure Caldwell University       offering training in proper contact tracing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        prepared to deal with the public—to help
  Lou James, who worked as a live-in health     grandmother died in 2018, her inspiration     is following proper safety protocols           for COVID-19.                                              Jean is determined that students leaving
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        individual families and communities to be
  care attendant. “She would come home          and influence live on in her granddaughter.   and delivering an effective education to                                                                  the nursing program at Caldwell will be
                                                                                                                                             Whatever the type of nursing, preparing                                                                    empowered to make healthier decisions
  from her patient assignments after being                                                    students throughout the pandemic.                                                                         prepared to offer their patients the highest
                                                “I believe nursing is a special profession                                                   students to educate patients is a key                                                                      and choices.” n
  gone for two or three days at a time and I                                                                                                                                                            quality care. One way she and the rest of
                                                because the nurse has the privilege and       “Caldwell has been very proactive about        component of care. That has not changed
  would meet her at the bus stop,” Jean says.                                                                                                                                                           the staff in the nursing program do that        —Nicole Burrell ’09
                                                honor to care for the individual and          their approach and their plan to return        with the arrival of the pandemic.

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CALDWELL - ALSO inSide: Caldwell University
CALDWELLACADEMICS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          CALDWELLACADEMICS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             CALDWELLHISTORY

                                                                                                                                                        Headline
  fACuLTy fEATuRE                                                                                                                                                                                                               she worked at the Harriett             provide a chance to develop the skills of

  KATIE KORNACKI:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Beecher Stowe Center as                critical thinking, reading, and writing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                a tour guide and helped                that can help students to be “successful
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                facilitate programming and a           anywhere,” says Kornacki.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                conversation series, “Salons at
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       In five years at Caldwell, she has directed
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Stowe,” on topics related to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       the honors program, served on the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                contemporary social justice
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Academic Leadership and Curriculum
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                and the history of slavery.
  BriNgiNg Literature aLiVe through historY                                                                                                                                                                                     Once she earned her Ph.D.,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       committees and helped with the Restart
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Task Force following the lockdown. She

  aND eXperieNCes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Kornacki sought to find                is currently serving on the task force for
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                a liberal arts school, a               redesigning the core curriculum.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                smaller institution; the large
                                                                                                   reading; you are not realizing it, but you                                                                                                                          The pandemic has been a learning
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                university had provided
                                                                                                   are.” Plus reading English literature offers                                                                                                                        process for Kornacki and her department
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                solid teaching training, but
                                                                                                   life lessons—like learning through characters                                                                                                                       colleagues as they have endeavored to be
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                something was lost in that

                                                                                                   2
                                                                                                   how to be compassionate. “We can’t                                                                                                                                  innovative in teaching. They have found
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                bigness: “You would not see
                                                                                                   empathize with someone else unless we can                                                                                                                           that the most effective methods involve a
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                a single familiar face walking
                                                                                                   put ourselves in their shoes,” says Kornacki.                                                                                                                       balance between synchronous—in real time
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                across campus.” When
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       whether in person or with technology—
                                                                                                   Born and raised in New England, she                                                                                          Caldwell University came up,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       and nonsynchronous learning, with
                                                                                                   knows what it is like to find a character                                                                                    she was attracted to its size
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       students navigating some of the
                                                                                                   or writer from 200 years ago who inspires                                                                                    and diversity.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       coursework on their own. Most important
                                                                                                   a student. During her studies Kornacki
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Kornacki is grateful for her      to her and her colleagues is “reaching out
                                                                                                   kept hearing the name of another New
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     “amazing” colleagues in the       to students and recognizing that we are in
                                                                                                   England woman—Margaret Fuller, a
                                                                                                                                                   Professor Katie Kornacki and students in her African American Literature          English Department and their      a pandemic and students are overwhelmed
                                                                                                   19th-century writer and advocate for the
                                                                                                                                                   class in spring 2019 on a field trip to tour the Schomburg Center for research    creativity in developing new      too … they’ve appreciated that. They’ve
                                                                                                   American transcendentalism movement.            in Black Culture and take a historic walking tour of harlem. here they are in     classes for English majors and    seen that.”
                                                                                                   Fascinated by Fuller, she began to study        a historic nightclub.                                                             non-majors where students
                                                                                                   her works and did her thesis on “Margaret                                                                                                                    As much as COVID-19 has forced an
                                                                                                                                                          to Boston for the sightseeing Duck Tour                    can  engage  in  high-impact learning and
                                                                                                   Fuller’s Conversations: Self and Other                                                                                                                       adaptation of the teaching and learning
                                                                                                                                                          and part of the Freedom Trail of national                  make    meaningful   connections to the
                                                                                                   in Nineteenth-Century Literary and                                                                                                                           process, certain aspects must remain in
                                                                                                                                                          historical sites.                                          contemporary     world   outside the classroom.
                                                                                                   Intellectual Culture.” Today Kornacki                                                                                                                        a good English literature class, like the
                                                                                                   is on the board of the Margaret Fuller               From a young age growing up in Groton,                   Choosing English as a major “is a              lessons to be learned from history, the
                                                                                                   Society and is the co-editor of the                  Massachusetts, Kornacki and her brother                  dangerous thing,” she says. “Parents and       empathy to be gained from the characters,
                                                                                                   organization’s newsletter, Conversations,            Steve Kornacki, a television political                   kids want to know ‘what kind of job I’m        the critical thinking skills and the search
                                                                                                   which she founded.                                   journalist, were encouraged by their father              going to get,’ and this discipline is not      for truth. Kornacki knows good things
                                                                                                                                                        and mother to read. “My mother would                     ‘career-specific.’” Yet                                             are happening when
                                                                                                   Kornacki’s passion for history is
                                                                                                                                                        take us to get our library cards. We did the             “the sky is the limit,”                                             students are taking
                                                                                                   incorporated in her classes. “We don’t

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             “
                                                                                                                                                        summer reading program … our parents                     she says, pointing out                                              intellectual risks and
                                                                                                   have a good connection with the past …
                                                                                                                                                        were big believers in the educational                    that law schools are              We can’t empathize                asking interesting
                                                                                                   it is impossible to understand where we’re
                                                                                                                                                        family vacation.”                                        attracted to English              with someone else unless          questions—whether
  Katie Kornacki knows things are clicking        some lament that young people are not            at today without understanding history,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 majors because of their                                             in the classroom or
  for her students when they start to relate to   reading books. But Kornacki doesn’t buy          and part of that comes through literature,”          Kornacki attended high school in New
  the lives of characters who lived 100 years                                                      she says.                                            Hampshire, earned a bachelor’s degree
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 humanities studies.               we can put ourselves in           in a lively chat on
                                                  that as a challenge; she works with it.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       ”
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Attorneys need to                                                   Google Meet. She
  ago. “They acquire a knowledge of history       “This notion that ‘nowadays’ people aren’t       Kornacki also believes in providing
                                                                                                                                                        in English literature from the University
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 develop skills like               their shoes,                      wants them to be free
  and start viewing the world from multiple       reading, aren’t writing—if you read back                                                              of Maine, did a semester in law school
                                                                                                   students with experiential learning                                                                           “paying close attention                                             to discover through
  perspectives,” says Kornacki, chair of          through time, you could find people saying                                                            and then went for a master’s in teaching
                                                                                                   excursions. In her Literature in the                                                                          to text” and doing                                                  the literature and gets
  Caldwell University’s English Department.       that in the 1860s, the 1920s,” she says.                                                              from the University of Maine. She taught
                                                                                                   Environment class, they go to the great                                                                       “close reading,” which involves thoughtful,    excited when they “connect meaningfully
  She finds it most fulfilling when through       The nature of people’s reading and writing                                                            English for three years at Oakhill High
                                                                                                   outdoors and observe. In African American                                                                     critical analysis of a text and rereading.     with at least one of the texts that we read:
  reading prose, fiction, creative nonfiction,    has changed. “They are writing more than                                                              School in Maine, which serves the towns of
                                                                                                   Literature, American Images and Literature                                                                    Large corporations desire English majors       making connections between their own
  drama or poetry her students start to           ever. It is different writing,” says Kornacki,                                                        Litchfield, Sabbatus and Wales, and then
                                                                                                   and Women in Literature, they “appreciate                                                                     because they recognize that good writing       lives, thoughts, and emotion and those of
  think “about themselves, or their place in      pointing to the explosion of digital and                                                              earned a master’s degree in American and
                                                                                                   literature as a tool for social justice”; her                                                                 and critical thinking are missing in their     published authors.” And she knows that
  the world or the relationships with other       social media sites and of commentary and                                                              New England studies from the University
                                                                                                   students read texts that include the history                                                                  employee base. Other English majors            sometimes that means they may be lucky
  people.” That is more rewarding than            blog posts. In her classroom she builds on                                                            of Southern Maine. “I’ve always had an
                                                                                                   of slavery and race in America juxtaposed                                                                     pursue publishing and writing careers;         enough to find a writer from 200 years ago
  “getting the quote-unquote perfect paper,”      that and challenges students to go places                                                             interest in place. For me that place is New
                                                                                                   with contemporary works and current                                                                           some double major and go into teaching.        who inspires them to discover their own
  says Kornacki, who is also an associate         they might not have gone before. For many                                                             England.” Kornacki did her doctoral work
                                                                                                   issues. She has taken students to the                                                                         Kornacki says an increasing number of          research and writing passions. Yes, she says,
  professor in the department.                    that means reading longer-form books.                                                                 at the University of Connecticut where she
                                                                                                   Schomburg Center for Research and Black                                                                       students with English degrees are pursuing     “there are always reasons why we end up
                                                                                                                                                        was “lucky enough” to be in the classroom
  Championing English literature might            “You learn so much about how to write,           Culture and on a walking tour of Harlem.                                                                      careers in the medical humanities, inspired    where we end up.” n
                                                                                                                                                        the entire time. “I taught through graduate
  seem like a futile exercise at a time when      not just from practicing writing but from        When she directed the honors program                                                                          by “literature that deals with doctor-patient
                                                                                                                                                        school.” While pursuing her doctorate,                                                                  —CL
                                                                                                   she hosted trips to the United Nations and                                                                    issues.” For non-majors, English classes

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CALDWELL - ALSO inSide: Caldwell University
CALDWELLACADEMICS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               CALDWELLACADEMICS

           c         l       a         s        s             o          F

2020
  GETS ITS DAY IN THE SUN                                                                    2
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Liam Kearney receives his MBA from his aunt, Sister
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Mary John Kearney, O.P., professor emerita, with President
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Whelan looking on.

                                                                                              Dr. Matthew Whelan commended the graduates for making      Lamar-Shea Chang gave the student commencement address at the undergraduate ceremonies. he received a
                                                                                              it to the finish despite the challenges of the pandemic.   Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and Biology with a minor in chemistry and is now studying
                                                                                                                                                         in the MBA program.

                                                                                                                                                         Dr. Matthew Whelan, who became                           others … nurture an adventuresome spirit
                                                                                                                                                         Caldwell’s ninth president July 1, noted                 … discover your passion … take time every
                                                                                                                                                         that if it were not for the pandemic, he and             day for the rest of your life to be grateful.”
                                                                                                                                                         the graduates would not have crossed paths.              Choose to do good, she said, “when you
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  are not rewarded, when you are too tired or
                                                                                                                                                         When “out of the ordinary things” like this
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  when people question why you take time to
                                                                                                                                                         happen, he said, “I like to ask myself, ‘What
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  do so. That is when your goodness is needed
                                                                                                                                                         is this teaching me?’” He commended
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  most.” Be attuned “to those things about
                                                                                                                                                         graduates for their hard work while juggling
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  which you feel passionate and look for ways            Keisha Shay receives a diploma for her doctorate
                                                                                                                                                         jobs, internships and other responsibilities.                                                                   in educational leadership with a higher education
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  to express that interest in your family, in
                                                                                                                                                         “You were met with unprecedented                                                                                specialization from President Whelan.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  your workplace and in your communities.”
                                                                                                                                                         challenges. Your world was upended.
                                                                                                                                                         And still you made it.” Quoting Nelson                   Lamar-Shea Chang gave the student                      student life; the invocation was given
                                                                                                                                                         Mandela, Dr. Whelan said, “‘It always seems              commencement address at the undergraduate              by Colleen O’Brien, campus minister.
                                                                                                                                                         impossible until it’s done.’ You sit here                ceremonies. Chang, who received                        Communication and Media Studies Professor
                                                                                                                                                         today, the very embodiment of that quote.                a Bachelor of Science in Computer                      Bob Mann presented the candidates and
                                                                                                                                                         You have taught me that when you carry the               Information Systems and Biology with a                 degrees. Dr. Whelan gave the benediction. n
                                                                                                                                                         Caldwell University mission and the core                 minor in chemistry, said Caldwell gave the
                                                                                                                                                         values of respect, integrity, community and              students “the perfect gift for a lifetime.”
                                                                                                                                                         excellence … nothing is impossible. Class of                                                                     The grand marshals were:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  “We all received a great education, which
                                                                                                                                                         2020, you are an inspiration to us all.” Dr.                                                                     • Graduate ceremony: Joanne Jasmine,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  will have ripple effects in all our individual
                                                                                                                                                         Whelan told the graduates that he looked                                                                           professor of education; coordinator,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  communities. A great gift from Caldwell,
                                                                                                                                                         forward to continuing to meet them on                                                                              M.A. Curriculum and Instruction;
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  a great takeaway,” said Chang, who grew
                                                                                                                                                         their journeys as alumni.                                                                                          co-coordinator, Ed.D./Ph.D.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  up on the island of Jamaica in Portmore,
                                                                                                                                                         Dr. Nancy Blattner, former Caldwell                      St. Catherine. He pointed out that beyond                 Educational Leadership.
  CU had the chance to celebrate its Class      wiser for it,” said Marisa Juliano, of       who holds an undergraduate degree in
  of 2020 on Sept. 20 in three long-awaited     Forked River, New Jersey, who gave the       psychology from Caldwell, said her life’s                   president, who could not attend due                      the excellent academics, many other aspects             • Undergraduate Bachelor of
  ceremonies delayed by the pandemic.           student commencement address at the          journey into young adulthood was shaped                     to travel restrictions, sent her remarks                 of university life formed that perfect gift:              Science and Bachelor of Science in
  Two undergraduate ceremonies and one          graduate ceremony.                           by her time on the university campus.                       virtually from St. Louis, where she is now               the opportunities to exercise personal                    Nursing ceremony: Kathleen Kelley,
  graduate ceremony—arranged for social                                                      “The experiences that I had here were a                     president of Fontbonne University.                       passions and to build communities                         associate professor and director of
                                                Juliano, who earned a Master of Art in                                                                                                                            within the dorms and lasting friendships,                 undergraduate nursing education,
  distancing—were held on the athletics field                                                crucial part of my development.” During                     In addition to the workforce and job
                                                Clinical Mental Health Counseling with                                                                                                                            the inspiration for fundraisers, and “the                 School of Nursing and Public Health.
  in beautiful fall-like temperatures.                                                       the pandemic Juliano served COVID-19                        readiness skills they gained at Caldwell,
                                                Art Therapy specialization degree, said                                                                                                                           Catholic Dominican way,” which in
                                                                                             patients and high-risk seniors, providing                   Dr. Blattner said she hoped the graduates                                                                        • Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts and
  “We displayed resiliency and persevered       that during their last months at Caldwell,                                                                                                                        “essence means to act out of love.”
                                                                                             art therapy services at a senior citizen                    had been inspired to take with them                                                                                Bachelor of Fine Arts ceremony:
  through the pandemic … we stand here          students in her class were forced to adapt
                                                                                             community. “The Caldwell mission of                         special values to live a full life— “the desire          The mistress of ceremonies was Sister                     Yang Cai, professor of sociology.
  today in celebration, better, stronger and    to ever-changing circumstances. Juliano,
                                                                                             giving back lives within each of us,” she said.             to do good and be a source of goodness to                Kathleen Tuite, O.P., vice president for

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CALDWELL - ALSO inSide: Caldwell University
CALDWELLACADEMICS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    CALDWELLACADEMICS

                                                            STUDENT                                                                          HOw dO yOu keep
                                        Accolades                                                                                            THe muSic pLAying?
                                                                                                                                             MUsic departMent does it With ingenUity and perseverance
                                                                                                                                             How do you keep the music playing? It
                                                                                                                                             was a question Music Department faculty
                                                                                                                                             wrestled with as they ventured into the fall
                                                                                                                                             semester amid COVID restrictions. But
                                                                                                                                             faculty and students proved it can be done—

                                                                                                2                                            teaching and performing with ingenuity
                                                                                                                                             and adaptability. All of the music ensembles
                                                                                                                                             met safely on campus with most students in
                                                                                                                                             person for the entire fall semester.
                                                                                                                                             With sprint football sidelined until the spring
                                                                                                                                             due to COVID restrictions, the Marching
                                                                                                                                             Band, under the leadership of Professor
                                                                                                                                             Rebecca Vega, gave a “halftime” performance
                                                                                                                                             on a beautiful October Friday evening,              Laura Greenwald, who chairs the Music           helped prepare each student musician to
                                                                                                                                             with friends and families watching from the         Department, spent the summer researching        be ready to organize a small jazz band and
  Alicia Santamaria                                                                             Sojiyana Ligal Shrestha                      parking lot or on the CU Facebook page.             how to sing safely. “I wanted the students      lead it in a performance with little or no
                                                                                                                                             On a Sunday in November, the band                   to feel connected to others at a time when      rehearsal as frequently occurs in this field,”
                                                                                                Sojiyana Ligal Shrestha ’21 was selected
                                                                                                                                             surprised Dorie Volz of North Caldwell,             many people are isolated, so we rehearsed       said Middleton. As a final project, each of
                                                                                                to receive a Martin R. Sullivan Memorial/
                                                                                                                                             who turned 100, marching up to her yard             both inside and outside, wearing masks          the students conducted and played a video-
                                                                                                PricewaterhouseCoopers Scholarship
                                                                                                                                             to perform “Happy Birthday,” “25 or 6 to            while staying socially distant.” They           recorded performance of a tune.
                                                                                                through the Independent College Fund of
                                                                                                                                             4” and more.                                        worked with professional composer Karen
                                                                                                New Jersey. Shrestha is double majoring                                                                                                          Nan Childress Orchard, professor of music,
                                                                                                                                                                                                 Siegel to learn how to use technology
                                                                                                in accounting and financial economics        Vega’s class included an assignment for                                                             found it was an “unexpected blessing” to be
                                                                                                                                                                                                 to perform live over the internet. The
                                                                                                and plans to sit for the CPA exam and        which students explored the “why” of                                                                a pianist in a pandemic since making music
                                                                                                                                                                                                 culmination for the chorale was a socially
                                                                                                work for the Big 4. “Ultimately, I want to   their music by picking a favorite work                                                              on the piano doesn’t require blowing air
                                                 Keith Kyewalabye                                                                                                                                distanced performance on Facebook Live
                                                                                                become a socially responsible CFO one        and researching why and how composers                                                               through an instrument or straight out into
                                                 these students for learning the required                                                                                                        in the gym Nov. 19 at which the group
                                                                                                day.” She appreciates the faculty members    used musical elements to create a message.                                                          the air as a singer must do.
                                                 music/routine in such a short time,” said                                                                                                       premiered the piece “Meditation” by Siegel.
                                                                                                she has had in the School of Business and    Some of the composers met virtually with
                                                 band director Rebecca Vega. “I am excited      Computer Science. “They were always                                                                                                              Her piano classes were held in the keyboard
                                                                                                                                             the class. Several students explored how            Students in Greenwald’s Opera Theatre
                                                 to see their final performance in January.”    willing to go that extra mile to make sure                                                                                                       lab with a limited number of students and
                                                                                                                                             music was used in their favorite movies.            Workshop class recorded a video of their
                                                                                                we are confident in our learnings.”                                                                                                              one teacher, and private lessons were held
                                                 Prabuddha Raj Bastola, an accounting                                                        An international student shared his “why”           devised opera “Pandemic” for which
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 in the large Alumni Theatre rather than in
                                                 major, was selected to receive a 2020-21                                                    by describing and showing examples of the           Greenwald and the students wrote new
                                                                                                Simran Gurung, a nursing major and                                                                                                               the small studio.
                                                 CohnReznick Accounting Scholarship                                                          music he heard while growing up in Uganda.          lyrics for songs by Mozart, Dowland and
                                                                                                vice president of the Student Government
                                                 through the New Jersey Society of Certified                                                                                                     Schubert. Senior Lauren Mann, junior            Orchard was happy that students had
                                                                                                Association, is the recipient of the
                                                 Public Accountants (NJCPA). Bastola said                                                                                                        Maria Tavarez, sophomore Tatyanna               the chance to perform for each other in
                                                                                                Partners for Health Foundation Nursing
                                                 he is working extremely hard to be able to                                                                                                      Rodriguez and freshmen Noreen Abedrabbo         performance class.
  Samantha Miller                                                                               Scholarship through the Independent
                                                 contribute to the industry. “I believe that                                                                                                     and Krystal Tardif performed and staged the
                                                                                                College Fund of New Jersey. She                                                                                                                  By remaining socially distant and using
  Three CU marching band members were            public accounting can help a lot of people                                                                                                      pieces, which reflected their feelings about
                                                                                                appreciates the nursing program at                                                                                                               bell covers and face masks, all her students
  chosen to participate in a performance of      if done right.” He has appreciated learning                                                                                                     the pandemic. They were accompanied by
                                                                                                Caldwell and how the professors encourage                                                                                                        were able to perform repertoire they were
  the Collegiate Band Directors National         from Professors Ann Marie Callahan and                                                                                                          staff accompanist Nancy Chamberlain.
                                                                                                her to become proactive and “a more                                                                                                              working on in their lessons. “This was
  Association Intercollegiate Marching Band      Alvin Neiman. “Both of them are willing        confident problem solver, which is an                                                            The jazz band, directed by Robert               particularly important to our four seniors,
  on Jan. 11. Alicia Santamaria, trumpet;        to leverage their connections to help us get   essential skill for a nurse.” She aspires                                                        Middleton, took a break from preparing          who are preparing for senior recitals in the
  Keith Kyewalabye, alto saxophone, and          internships and jobs. This gives me a lot      to become a registered pediatric nurse,                                                          for performances in the style of a large        spring semester,” said Orchard. Technology
  Samantha Miller, color guard, joined           of confidence to keep moving forward,”         advance her studies, become a nurse                                                              ensemble and focused on small-group             was also used for class, with some students
  college band members from around               said Bastola. He appreciates the scholarship   practitioner and work with medically                                                             jazz skills while staying socially distanced.   performing remotely from home or
  the country in a video halftime show           from CohnReznick and NJCPA. “Someday                                                        Dr. Laura Greenwald prepares for the chorale’s
                                                                                                underserved children, eventually joining                                                         Each student musician took a turn leading       locations on campus. n
                                                                                                                                             Facebook Live performance with Dan Burg, media
  presented during college football’s national   I want to make them proud with my work.”       a nongovernmental organization her aunt                                                          the band in a performance of a tune from
                                                                                                                                             services coordinator, and Nicholas Peteya, senior
  championship game. “I am so proud of                                                          runs back in her home country of Nepal. n    technology specialist and member of the chorale.    the standard jazz repertoire. “These skills     —CL

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CALDWELL - ALSO inSide: Caldwell University
CALDWELLACADEMICS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              CALDWELLACADEMICS

  School of Education Receives                                                                                                                                        Nursing Council Licensure Examination
  CAEP Reaccreditation                                                                                                                                                Rates Climb Due to HESI Products
  It was just about the best early holiday                                                                           planned for April, but due to the                Ninety-five percent of Caldwell’s 2019 nursing graduates are either
  gift the School of Education could have                                                                            pandemic, travel arrangements, hotel             employed, enrolled in further education or serving in the military. In
  received. Before Thanksgiving, the school’s                                                                        rooms and meals were canceled and all            2018-19 graduates from the program achieved a 98% overall pass rate
  associate dean, Kevin Barnes, received word                                                                        meetings were moved online. Sixteen              compared with a national pass rate of 73% on the National Council
  from the Council for the Accreditation                                                                             meetings with 68 people were held                Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The School of Nursing and Public
  of Educator Preparation (CAEP) that                                                                                virtually. CAEP representatives spoke            Health attributes that to the work of incorporating Elseveir’s HESI
  the national committee had approved                                                                                to undergraduate students, then their            products across the BSN curriculum. Dr. Kathleen Kelley, director of
  Caldwell’s reaccreditation for the next                                                                            professors, to graduate students and then        the undergraduate nursing program, was featured in video and print
  seven years. The faculty members, staff and
  students had weathered several months
  of rigorous scrutiny amid COVID-19
  to showcase the excellent education
                                                                                                                     2
                                                                                                                     their professors.
                                                                                                                     Barnes is especially grateful to Ries and
                                                                                                                     Bulger. “Their efforts can’t be overstated
                                                                                                                     as well as the efforts of all of the School of
                                                                                                                                                                      interviews by Elsevier detailing how and why the NCLEX pass rates
                                                                                                                                                                      for Caldwell’s nursing graduates rose exponentially after incorporating
                                                                                                                                                                      HESI into the nursing curriculum. n

  undergraduate and graduate students
                                                                                                                     Education professors. There were phone
  receive at Caldwell.                                                                                                                                                 Watch it here
                                                                                                                     calls, graphs and emails going often until 8,
  The university CAEP coordinators were                                                                              9 and 10 p.m. at night.” Faculty members
  Dr. Edith Ries, professor of education, and                                                                        are relieved that the process is completed.
  Dr. Brian Bulger, director of field-based                                                                          They passed with flying colors and with no
  education; along with Barnes they led                                                                              stipulations. “We have a completely clear
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                December nursing graduate Marie Jean Pierre.
  the team in preparing for interviews and                                                                           slate and reaccreditation for the next seven
  assembling materials. All full-time faculty           Dr. Brian Bulger, director of field-based education,
                                                                                                                     years!” said Barnes. n
  members were engaged in the process.
                                                                                                                                                                          cALdweLL uniVerSiTy iS A 2021
                                                        and Dr. edith ries, professor of education, were CAeP
  Originally the CAEP campus site visit was             coordinators for the university’s reaccreditation process.

                                                                                                                                                                          u.S. newS & wOrLd repOrT
                                                                                                                                                                          BeST VALue ScHOOL
                                                                                                                                                                          Caldwell university is one of the region’s best value schools in      in 2020 Caldwell university was formally recognized as a
                                                                                                                                                                          the north, according to the u.s. news & World report 2021             Hispanic-serving institution by the u.s. department of Education
                                                                                                                                                                          college rankings.                                                     office of postsecondary Education, reflecting the growth
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                in enrollment of Hispanic students at the university and the
                                                                                                                                                                          For nearly 30 years, the education rankings have been assisting
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                welcoming environment Caldwell has created for the students.

                                                                                          DONATION
                                                                                                                                                                          parents and students in selecting a university or college.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                “We look forward to reaching out and ensuring that all students,
                                                                                                                                                                          Caldwell moved up to 14th place in the category of the best value
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                especially those underrepresented in higher education, are offered
                                                                                                                                                                          regional universities in the north from last year’s no. 18. the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                the opportunity to move forward with us,” said dr. Whelan. “All
                                                                                                                                                                          university is also among the top 75 regional universities in the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                of this is backed by the promise of our core values of respect,
                                                                                           Caldwell university is grateful to lG Electronics                              north overall, ascending eight spots from last year to no. 67.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                integrity, community and excellence and our deeply held dominican
                                                                                           for its donation of 19 laptops for students who                                Caldwell came in eighth for most international students and 19th
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                mission to graduate students who will pursue truth and contribute
                                                                                                                                                                          as a top performer on social mobility.
                                                                                           were in need of a device. in the fall semester,                                                                                                      to a just society. i can think of no greater value than that.”
                                                                                           Heather Cook, director of Jennings library, made                               “While no single ranking tells the story of any institution, it is
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Caldwell university was also named to money’s 2020 best
                                                                                                                                                                          gratifying to know we have been recognized for our outstanding
                                                                                           arrangements for the library staff to distribute the                                                                                                 Colleges list.
                                                                                                                                                                          value,” said dr. matthew Whelan, Caldwell university’s president.
                                                                                           laptops to the students in the library.                                        “our nationally and internationally accredited programs in            For the new 2020-21 academic year Caldwell welcomed over
                                                                                                                                                                          applied behavior analysis, our incredibly high pass rates on tests    520 incoming students, including 445 freshmen representing
                                                                                                                                                                          such as the national Council licensure Examination for nursing,       14 states and 10 countries. it was a record-breaking year with
                                                                                                                                                                          and the availability of unique programs in art therapy and esports    4,976 freshman applications and 3,750 acceptances. Caldwell
                                                                                                                                                                          management are complemented by the generous financial aid and         continues to enroll a diverse population of students, with 68% of
      Prabuddha raj Bastola receiving a laptop donated by LG.                                                                                                             very affordable out-of-pocket tuition our students pay.”              the incoming freshmen identifying as students of color. n

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CALDWELL - ALSO inSide: Caldwell University
CALDWELLfACuLTy&STAff                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           CALDWELLfACuLTy&STAff

  Faculty & Staff notes
  Karla Batres, Ph.D., associate professor           a training session on autism spectrum         on the ground at college and university         to present guest lecturers of national         Arts, 2020). Miller was also a guest on         Equivalence-based Instruction and Match-
  of psychology, Stephanie Sitnick, Ph.D.,           disorders for West Essex first responders.    campuses in the age of COVID-19, equity         renown to surrounding school personnel in      “The Curious Catholic Podcast” during           to-Sample Procedures” at the 15th annual
  associate professor of psychology,                                                               and access, the intersection between state      an open forum for discussion and Q&A.          which she discussed the origin, growth and      conference of the New Jersey Association for
                                                     Meghan Deshais, Ph.D., BCBA-D,
  and Thomson Ling, Ph.D., associate                                                               guidance and institutional policy, and more.                                                   mission of Presence. She is the founding        Behavior Analysis where he was also a co-
                                                     assistant professor of applied                                                                Maria Lupo, adjunct lecturer in graduate
  dean in the School of Psychology and                                                                                                                                                            editor of this poetry journal and engages       author with his students and ABA colleagues
                                                     behavior analysis, was nominated              Colette Liddy, director of news and             art therapy in the School of Psychology
  Counseling, presented at the conference                                                                                                                                                         interested students in reading submissions      on three research paper presentations
                                                     to the editorial board of the Journal         media relations and adjunct lecturer            and Counseling, is a recipient of the
  on “Moving the needle: Using data to                                                                                                                                                            every fall in her journal editing class.        addressing effective instructional procedures.
                                                     of Applied Behavior Analysis.                 in the Department of Theology and               South Mountain Conservancy award
  improve diversity, equity, and inclusion                                                                                                                                                                                                        He served as a research paper reviewer for
                                                                                                   Philosophy, had her article “Pope’s new         for her outdoor installation “Wishin’ &        Christin Mulligan, adjunct lecturer in
  towards student success,” which focused            Jaz Graf, adjunct lecturer in the                                                                                                                                                            the journals The Psychological Record and
                                                                                                   book-interview is a step toward a better        Hopin’: A Living Quilt,” an eco-friendly       the English Department, published an
  on using data to improve the outcomes              Department of Visual Arts and Design,                                                                                                                                                        Behavioral Interventions.
                                                                                                   post-pandemic world” published in the           quilt that will be constructed of recycled     essay, “Divorce Ruling Without Consent:
  of minority students.                              is scheduled to present her research on

                                                                                                   2
                                                                                                   Christian online publication Aleteia.           tea bags and installed in the Wildflower       Gender, Penal Law, and the Faminized            Sharon Reeve, Ph.D., BCBA-D,
                                                     Thai papermaking in “Designing Words:
  Ellina Chernobilsky, Ph.D., acting vice                                                                                                          Sculpture Park Exhibition at South             Body in Nuala O’Faolain’s ‘My Dream of          professor of applied behavior analysis,
                                                     Typography, Calligraphy, and Book Arts        Thomson Ling, Ph.D., associate dean
  president for academic affairs; Henrietta                                                                                                        Mountain Reservation, Essex County, in         You,’” which deals with art/architecture,       and doctoral alumna Alexandra O’Grady
                                                     across the Asian Continent” as part of the    in the School of Psychology and
  Genfi, associate dean of academic                                                                                                                May. Lupo was awarded first place in the       feminism and the legal system. The essay        published an article in Behavioral
                                                     College Art Association’s annual conference   Counseling, chaired a symposium at
  support; Susan Hayes, director of                                                                                                                Essex County Senior Art Exhibition for her     appears in the interdisciplinary edited         Interventions on “Comparing Computer-
                                                     in February. Graf serves on the exhibitions   the American Psychological Association
  institutional research and assessment;                                                                                                           mixed media piece “Prophet’s Dream.”           collection “Gender Justice and the Law:         Based Training and Lecture Formats
                                                     committee of North American Hand              conference titled “Liberating diversity in
  Jhoanna Olivia-Marquez, assistant                                                                                                                                                               Theoretical Practices of Intersectional         to Teach Visual Analysis of Baseline-
                                                     Papermakers and is the recipient of a         teaching: Using identity to change the          Neil Malvone, assistant professor
  director, advisement and Barbara                                                                                                                                                                Identity” from Fairleigh Dickinson              Treatment Graphs.” Reeve and master’s
                                                     Creative Catalyst Artist Fellowship.          invisible landscape.” Ling, Chernobilsky        of sport management and esport
  Chesler, Ph.D., former vice president for                                                                                                                                                       University Press.                               student Micah Lewis presented at the New
                                                                                                   and other colleagues wrote a presentation       management, published an article
  academic affairs, published the chapter            John Hannum, assistant professor of                                                                                                                                                          Jersey Education Association conference.
                                                                                                   that Henrietta Genfi, associate dean of         titled “Esports Game Changers Impact           David Petrillo, Ph.D., adjunct lecturer
  “Supporting at-risk students in a small            education, presented on “Is It Time for
                                                                                                   academic support, and Ling presented at         Society Following the Path of Traditional      in the Department of History and                Edith Ries, Ph.D., professor of
  university” in the book “Humanizing                Another Eight-Year Study?” to members of
                                                                                                   the annual Drexel University Conference         Sports” in the August 2020 edition of          Political Science, was interviewed for the      education; Ellina Chernobilsky, Ph.D.,
  higher education through innovative                the Association for Middle Level Education
                                                                                                   on Teaching & Learning Assessment.              the International Journal of Business          DIA Connections podcast produced by             acting vice president for academic
  approaches for teaching and learning.”             on Oct. 23. The presentation focused
                                                                                                   The presentation was titled “Engaging           Management and Commerce.                       the Defense Intelligence Agency focusing        affairs, and Joanne Jasmine, Ph.D.,
                                                     on how the future of education has been
                               Nan Childress                                                       voices to make hard choices: Involving                                                         on the impact of the pandemic on world          professor of education, published
                                                     forever changed as a result of the pandemic                                                   Megan Matesic, Ph.D., research analyst
                               Orchard, DMA,                                                       stakeholders in resource allocation and                                                        events, military threats and politics. He       a chapter on “Humanizing a teacher
                                                     and what can be learned from recent and                                                       in the Institutional Research and
                               professor of                                                        program prioritization.”                                                                       was interviewed by the Financial Times          education program in a small liberal arts
                                                     past experiences.                                                                             Assessment Department, presented
                               music; Thomson                                                                                                                                                     in October for an article on the impact         university” in the book “International
                                                                                                                              Catherine            her research on “First-Year Retention
                               Ling, Ph.D.,          Patricia M. Hubert, adjunct lecturer in                                                                                                      of the pandemic on the election of 2020,        Perspectives on emerging trends and
                                                                                                                              Lundquist,           of Students with Disabilities in Higher
                               associate dean        nursing, completed the Caritas Coach                                                                                                         intertwined with the history of disease         integrating research-based learning across
                                                                                                                              Ph.D., adjunct       Education” at the Association of the
                               of psychology         Educator Program through the Watson                                                                                                          and politics.                                   the curriculum.”
                                                                                                                              lecturer in          Study of Higher Education conference in
                               and counseling,       Caring Science Institute to focus on caring
                                                                                                                              the School of        November. The project was based on her                                    Kenneth F.           Tina Sidener, Ph.D., chair of the
                               and Ellina            science theory. She co-authored a paper in
                                                                                                                              Education and        doctoral dissertation.                                                    Reeve, Ph.D.,        Department of Applied Behavior
                               Chernobilsky,         the institute newsletter on “Caring Science
                                                                                                                              award-winning                                                                                  BCBA-D,              Analysis, was chosen to be a subject
                               Ph.D., acting         and Moral Distress in Nurses during                                                           Mary Ann B. Miller, professor of English,
                                                                                                                              kindergarten                                                                                   professor of         matter expert for the Behavior Analyst
                               vice president for    COVID-19 Pandemic.”                                                                           has written blurbs for the back covers of
                                                                                                                              teacher, served as                                                                             applied behavior     Certification Board for 2021-24. She
                               academic affairs,                                                                                                   books, ranging from critical studies of
                                                                              Timothy                                         a panelist during                                                                              analysis, co-        served as associate editor for the journal
  led a roundtable discussion at the American                                                                                                      Catholic film and of Catholic writers of
                                                                              Kessler-Cleary,                                 the school’s                                                                                   authored a paper     Education and Treatment in Children.
  Association of Colleges and Universities’                                                                                                        literature to small collections of poems
                                                                              assistant dean                                  Principals’                                                                                    with his former
  annual meeting in January 2021 on the                                                                                                            by individual authors: Nancy Enright,                                                          Stephanie Sitnick, Ph.D., associate
                                                                              for student                                     Roundtable Nov.                                                                                doctoral student
  place of liberal arts in program prioritization.                                                                                                 “Catholic Literature and Film: Incarnational                                                   professor in the Department of
                                                                              engagement           13. Panelists Dr. Maurice Elias, Rutgers                                                                                  Carol McPheters
                                                                                                                                                   Love and Suffering” (Rowman & Littlefield,                                                     Psychology and Counseling, was
  Ruth M. DeBar, Ph.D., BCBA-D,                                               and retention,       University psychology professor and                                                                                       and his ABA
                                                                                                                                                   2017); James Matthew Wilson, “The                                                              a co-author for a manuscript titled
  LBA, professor of applied behavior                                          co-facilitated       internationally renowned social-emotional                                                                                 department
                                                                                                                                                   Hanging God” (Angelico, 2018); Paul                                                            “Early Adolescent Predictors of Violent
  analysis, co-authored an article published                                  a webinar for        well-being authority; Mary Cunningham,                                                                                    colleagues
                                                                                                                                                   Mariani, “The Mystery of It All: The                                                           Behavior: Child and Contextual Risk, and
  in The Journal of Experimental Analysis                                     the Stetson          Caldwell-West Caldwell public schools                                                          investigating how specific teaching variables
                                                                                                                                                   Vocation of Poetry in the Twilight of                                                          Moderation by Rejecting Parenting” in
  of Behavior and has had two articles                                        University Law       student assistant counselor, and Lundquist                                                     affect concept formation in adults. The
                                                                                                                                                   Modernity” (Paraclete, 2019); Philip C.                                                        the Journal of Early Adolescence. She also
  accepted for publication in Behavior                                        School Center        engaged in a virtual discussion about                                                          paper was published in a special issue
                                                                                                                                                   Kolin, “Reaching Forever” (Wipf & Stock,                                                       co-authored the paper “Parent food-related
  Modification and the Journal of Applied                                     for Excellence in    social-emotional development and well-                                                         on concept formation in the Journal of
                                                                                                                                                   2019); Maryanne Hannan, “Rocking                                                               behaviors and family-based dietary and
  Behavior Analysis. She served as a virtual                                  Higher Education     being before 70 participants. Dr. Kevin                                                        the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.
                                                                                                                                                   Like It’s All Intermezzo” (Wipf & Stock,                                                       activity environments: Associations with
  site visitor evaluating educational programs       Law and Policy titled “Boots on the           Barnes, associate dean of the School of                                                        Reeve was a co-author on three additional
                                                                                                                                                   2019); David Craig, “Lent Always Takes                                                         BMI z-scores in low-income preschoolers,”
  in behavior analysis for the Association of        Ground: Ensuring Equity and Mitigating        Education, served as the facilitator and                                                       research papers published in other behavior
                                                                                                                                                   Us” (Wipf & Stock, 2019); Adam Arehart,                                                        which was published in Childhood Obesity.
  Behavioral Analysis International. With a          Risk in the COVID-19 Era” on Nov. 5.          host. The Principals’ Roundtable provides                                                      analysis journals. He served as chair for the
                                                                                                                                                   “Clay Vessels” (Wipf & Stock, 2020); Wally
  colleague and graduate students, she hosted        The webinar focused on what is happening      opportunities for the School of Education                                                      research symposium “Recent Research in
                                                                                                                                                   Swist, “Awakening and Visitation” (Shanti                                                                                 continued on page 18

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