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FALL 2021
CALDWELL
U N I V E R S I T Y MAGAZINE
INSPIRED AND FORWARD-THINKING
ALSO inside:
NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART
STUDENT LOUNGE
STUDENT INTERNS AT
COMPETITIVE RESEARCH
BIOLOGY PROGRAM
Thanks to your support, our campus has reopened this fall and the
Caldwell community is experiencing a long-awaited renewal.
As we begin again, our students need, and rely upon, your support. You can help them get a jump
start on this academic year by making a gift to the Annual Fund for current scholarship support.
TO GIVE:
VISIT: caldwell.edu/donatenow | Email: Giving@caldwell.edu | CALL: 973-618-3242
volume 13 ISSUE 2
CALDWELL UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
FALL 2021
Caldwell University Magazine is
produced for alumni and friends
6 10
twice each year by the News and
Media Relations Office at Caldwell
University. Its goal is to provide news
and information about Caldwell
University’s students, faculty, staff, Commencement 2021! Financial economics student interns on
alumni, and administration. We Wall Street and is focused on giving back.
welcome your comments and
suggestions! Please email us at
cumagazine@caldwell.edu.
Vice President, Enrollment
Management and
Communications
Stephen Quinn
21
Meet Lucy the canine Cougar.
Editor
Colette M. Liddy ’13 M.A.
Writers & Contributors
table of contents
Nicole M. Burrell ’09
Christina Hall
Meghan Moran ’07
Matt Netter
John Tagliaferri
Student reporter 5 New State-of-the-Art Student Lounge
Brianna Salcedo ’22
8 Jennifer Rhodes: Fighting Covid with Compassion and Creativity
Copy Editor
John Jurich 11 Yaman Thapa Interns at Competitive MIT Program
PHOTOGRAPHY
Pramit Piya 18 Students Find Hope and Joy in RCIA Journey
Alan Schindler
Joe Stefanelli
23 Mark Corino Honored for a Third Time as CACC AD
Design 26 Jim Kelly Enshrined in Essex County Football Coaches Hall of Fame
Graphic Imagery, Inc.
27 Presidential Inauguration Activities Planned
Address comments and
questions to:
29 A Gift from the Heart: A Cherished Collection Comes to Caldwell
cumagazine@caldwell.edu
32 Get Ready to Toast Our Own Living Legend!
Caldwell University Magazine
120 Bloomfield Avenue
Caldwell, NJ 07006
6
General information
www.caldwell.edu
973-618-3000
Undergraduate commencement
speaker Keith Kyewalabye
PRESIDENT’SLETTER
Hello,
Caldwell
family,
One day in July my wife Kathy and I were in the dining hall with
faculty and staff at a lunch sponsored by the Office of Human
Resources. Several students were on campus that day, too, for
freshman orientation. I was grateful to be in a room face to face
with so many people who had worked so hard over the last year
and proved that we are “the little engine that could.” When
larger universities could not withstand the headwinds of the
pandemic, Caldwell’s faculty, staff and students showed up with
resolve, adaptability and determination for teaching, learning and Education Today,” a faculty music concert, the Anne Goffin Smith
operations. And if necessary, we will do so again! I am grateful to Art Exhibit, reunion celebrations with the ’60, ’61, ’65, ’66, ’70,
all of you who persevered, and all of you who continue to support and ’71 classes, student activities including community service and
us as we honor the legacy of the Sisters of Saint Dominic by much more. Several of these will be livestreamed.
carrying out our educational mission.
We will launch two new sports this year—an acrobatics and
In this issue of the magazine, you will read about inspirational tumbling program, an emerging NCAA sport (ours is the first
members of our Caldwell community—chemistry student collegiate-level program in New Jersey), and a rugby club team.
Yaman Thapa ’22, who worked in a lab this summer in a Please come out to support our student-athletes in these or any
prestigious internship at MIT; business student Akwasi Osei-Du, of our 15 other sports. Our marching band performs at the home
who completed a highly selective internship at Credit Suisse; games for the sprint football team.
Dr. Jennifer Rhodes, who, like many professors in the School of
Each Sunday at 7 p.m. during the academic semesters, we have
Nursing and Public Health, has modeled excellence in nursing
Mass in our Sister Mary Dominic Tweedus Chapel. Please join us
during the health crisis and been innovative in student engagement;
if you can or tune into the livestream.
and several of our 2021 great graduates, including undergraduate
commencement speaker Keith Kyewalabye ’21, who has started A warm welcome to Dr. Peter Ubertaccio, our new vice president
working as a junior specialist at the University of California for academic affairs who came to us from Stonehill College, and
San Francisco Brain Tumor Center. Mr. Jorge Rodriguez, our new vice president for strategic initiatives,
who had a long career at St. John’s University.
We showcase three inspirational alumnae who are living out our
mission and values. Marcia Dukes ’05 is an advocate for racial In closing, the worldwide Order of Preachers celebrated the
equality and equity in education. Psychiatrist and professor, 800th anniversary of St. Dominic’s death on August 6. What an
Olga Leibu, M.D. ’06 is helping meet the mental health needs amazing legacy of charity, preaching and the pursuit of truth he
of children and adolescents. Children’s literature professional, left us! That history has been carried down through the centuries
Caroline Ward Romans ’68 is gifting the Jennings Library with a by courageous women and men who answered the call including
unique collection of children’s books, totaling hundreds of volumes our beautiful founders, the Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell.
that she has acquired throughout her career. One heroic Dominican was surely Saint Catherine of Siena, who
said: “Love follows knowledge.” Knowledge and love. Sounds like a
This fall, our beloved Sister Gerardine Mueller, O.P. ’54, founder
good combination to focus on as we start the new academic year and
of the Art Department, joins the club of centenarians! We have
strive to carry forward the rich heritage that has been entrusted to us.
been celebrating Sister’s life during “The Year of Sister Gerardine.”
Best,
I hope you can join us at some of the activities during
Inauguration Week including a lecture with History Professor
Marie Mullaney, Ph.D., on “The History and Evolution of Catholic
Women’s Colleges in the U.S.,” a panel discussion moderated by
Theology and Philosophy Chairman Dr. Jim Flynn on “The Future Matthew Whelan, Ed.D.
of Catholic Universities and the Role of Liberal Arts in Higher President
2 CALDWELLMAGAZINE
HOMECOMINGA N D F A M I L Y W E E K E N D
Friday, September 24, and Saturday, September 25, 2021
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
7 p.m.
Sprint football vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (James Caldwell HS)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Registration (tent outside of Student Center)
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Imago Dei: The Work and Legacy of Sister Gerardine Mueller
Art Exhibit (Mueller Gallery)
The monumental body of work of this prolific and deeply gifted artist
includes sculpture, stained glass, illumination and calligraphy, wood
carvings and printmaking.
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Party on the Plaza and Barbecue
(Newman Center Plaza)
Noon
Women’s soccer match vs. Chestnut Hill College (Athletic Field)
Noon – 2:30 p.m.
Campus tours (Depart from registration tent)
Student ambassadors will lead campus tours. Golf carts available for
those who need assistance.
1:30 p.m.
Caldwell “Mini-University” – Faculty lecture
2:30 p.m.
Dr. Matthew Whelan’s State of the University Address and
Alumni Awards Ceremony (Westervelt Lecture Hall)
Dr. Whelan will give an update on the University. The Peggy Harris
Alumna/us of the Year Award will be presented.
3 p.m.
Mingle with the Sisters of Saint Dominic (Werner Hall Lobby)
Join us for wine and cheese and get to know the Sisters of Saint Dominic.
3 p.m.
Women’s volleyball match vs. Nyack College
(Newman Center Gym)
4:30 p.m.
Homecoming and Family Weekend Liturgy
(Sister Mary Dominic Tweedus Chapel)
CALDWELLMAGAZINE 3
CALDWELLSPOTLIGHT
Welcome back!
Patrick J.
Sime, Ph.D.,
professor and chair
of the Department
Come on in. We missed you!
of Mathematics
and NCAA
faculty athletics
representative:
The University is welcoming everyone back for the “Even though the
fall semester. As an undergraduate student, I’ve current technology
does allow for remote learning and there
been waiting for this for a long time. I understand
is an increase in online courses, for most
the struggles we faced with virtual learning. Not students, it is not an optimal substitute
only does it feel impersonal, but the distractions for traditional on-campus learning. I
believe returning to campus fully benefits
outside of the University are immense and it can students … the connections that a student
take a great toll on an individual’s mental health. makes with other students, studying
together, making friends, involved in
Thanks to our wonderful faculty and staff, the other activities, such as clubs or sporting
process of virtual learning was as smooth as it events. For faculty, particularly myself …
could have been. I also missed the face-to-face interaction
Briana Salcedo ’22 with colleagues.
The pandemic has affected the students, faculty and staff, but we are all Dr. Lena
still standing strong. While working on this story, I found it heartwarming Campagna, Ph.D.,
assistant professor
to hear the perspectives of the Caldwell faculty and staff members and learn in the Department
that they have been experiencing very much the same things we students of Sociology and
Criminal Justice:
have. No matter our official titles, at our core, we are all still quite alike.
“I am excited to be
Here are a few faculty and staff perspectives on the pandemic and what it back on campus
means for the upcoming fall semester: in fall 2021 for
many reasons. First
and foremost, I am looking forward to
Dr. Donna Stephen Quinn, seeing both my colleagues and students
Naturale, DNP, vice president in person. It will be exciting to welcome
associate dean and for enrollment our incoming students to the campus and
associate professor management and not through a computer screen! While
in the School of communications: remote learning has been a challenge, I
Nursing and “Caldwell has always can’t wait to incorporate some of these new
Public Health: been an institution technologies and strategies learned over the
“I think that that prides itself on past year to the physical classroom space.
energy and ability the personalized We can really get creative in our teaching
to collaborate face attention that our and learning at CU!”
to face helps to promote a better learning students receive, and that will be amplified
and work environment for all … I look by us all being back together this fall. We Michelle Stauss,
forward to the campus coming alive with will be able to be there for one another assistant vice
the excitement and enthusiasm which again … While we have had many successes president for human
comes along with students being on in our virtual and hybrid settings over the resources and deputy
campus, while maintaining social distance last year and a half, so many great ideas, Title IX coordinator:
and adhering to CDC and state COVID solutions and relationships have been “The employees who
guidelines as required … It’s important to sparked by the random interactions we work for Caldwell
recognize that there may still be limitations have walking around campus, at events, University are among
on class size, ability to utilize clinical going to or from meetings or in the dining some of the best
agencies and lab spaces … However, we hall. To have that back again will be great people I know. We are
are headed in the right direction, and I to see for faculty and staff.” better when we are together. I look forward
think it is important that we continue to be to the energy they will bring back to our
flexible as we move through the pandemic campus now that we can resume regular
to a new and improved normal.” in-person operations.”
4 CALDWELLMAGAZINE
CALDWELLSPOTLIGHT
Dr. Ranjit
Nair, Ph.D.,
assistant
professor of
business and
computer
science: “I can’t
wait! Being back
on our beautiful
campus is going
to be invigorating for me, and I’m
sure it will be just as so for faculty,
staff and especially our students.
Wouldn’t it be nice to see people in New state-of-the-art student lounge in
person again and, most of all, making
meaningful connections again? For Mother Joseph Residence Hall
our students and in particular for our
freshmen, I have some advice—take full Senior Paul Iwarat is looking forward to seeing friends who were not on campus last year. Add to
advantage of this renewed opportunity. that a brand-new gathering space in Mother Joseph Residence Hall and 2021-22 is looking even
Connecting with people is not only a better. “It will be a great way to kick off the year,” said Iwarat, a resident assistant in the dorms.
recommendation to get ahead in work Senior Steph Lopez is excited too; the lounge will be symbolic of “a new beginning for connections,”
and career but a necessary component, a place where she hopes faculty and staff will also spend time getting to know students.
frankly, for success in life. I can say The space includes a common room featuring a wide-open gathering area with comfortable seating,
for sure that networking can help a study area behind a see-through glass wall with two large TV monitors, charging stations for
you get where you want to go. What devices, two bathrooms—one newly renovated and the other new and ADA compliant—and a
better place to do this than on our own butler’s pantry with a sink.
beloved campus? So look forward to it,
“
soak it up, revel in it and treasure every There is an industrial-style ceiling with “a New York
connection you make!” A New York loft look loft look juxtapositioned against the beautiful arched
chapel windows,” explained Sheila O’Rourke,
juxtapositioned against vice president for operations, who along with Ray
Virginia H.
Williams, director of facilities, has overseen the
Rich, J.D., the beautiful arched
”
construction. The windows were located in the old
associate dean
of the School chapel windows. chapel for over five decades until the space was
formally decommissioned in accordance with canon
of Business
law in April 2019 and the beautiful new Sister Mary Dominic Tweedus Chapel was built in the
and Computer
Newman Center. Much of the exquisite sacred art was moved to the new chapel, which is more
Science: “I love
centrally located on campus.
the energy of a
busy campus and The chapel altar railings were too heavy to get up or down stairs, so Sister Kathleen Tuite, O.P., vice
active classroom, president for student life, and alumna Meg Poltorak Keyes ’75, the new chapel’s liturgical designer,
and I’ve missed that in the remote made arrangements with the Archdiocese of Newark to have them taken apart, repurposed and
and hybrid formats … When we’re given to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Newark.
remote, it’s easy to multitask instead of President Matthew Whelan says the new lounge will provide students with a modern living-learning
focusing on the primary task in front space that is critical to the “outside-the-classroom” learning experience. “They need this space. More
of us … As a teacher, I have even more importantly, they deserve it.” Crystal Lopez, assistant dean of residence life and conduct, agreed.
appreciation now for the visual cues “Lounge spaces on campuses are known to be places where lifelong memories are formed.”
from my students that help me evaluate
whether my students are understanding Lopez and Tim Kessler-Cleary, assistant dean for student engagement and retention, and their
the material and our activities … I think teams are planning events for the fall. “It will be a versatile space for students to work individually
it’s easier for students to walk into or together and serve as a programming venue for institutional and student-driven programming,”
an office in person and find the right said Kessler-Cleary.
people to help them succeed … It’s The contractor for the construction is Fuscon Enterprises, Inc., and the architecture firm is
fantastic to work in a place that truly Comito Associates.
has the students front and center of all
The project is made possible by a New Jersey Manufacturers grant and a generous gift from
that we do, especially emerging from
John and Nancy (Ann) Larue ’69.
our remote experience. n
The improvement is the first of more to come, said Dr. Whelan. “We are reviewing the entire
—Briana Salcedo ’22, student campus to make it one of the most beautiful in the region so that our students come here and not
reporter, communication and only get the very best experience in the classroom but outside the classroom as well.”
media studies major
—CL
CALDWELLMAGAZINE 5
CALDWELLACADEMICS
Commencement
Congratulations, Class of 2021! The University celebrated its graduates at
the 79th annual commencement May 23 with three separate ceremonies on
an athletics field to honor its bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree-earners.
Caldwell University President Matthew Whelan, Ed.D.
“Get good at making mistakes … nearly
all of the famous success stories tell a “It is time to awaken the desire to achieve
tale of countless failures … We all make once more. Life, with its ebbs and flows,
mistakes. It’s what we do with them that has given us another starting point just as
matters … Take responsibility for them. we crossed the finish line … This end is
Learn from them and remember you are truly just a beginning for something new.”
one mistake away from success.”
“Life, like a great art piece drawn out on
“Do not underestimate the magnitude several separate canvases, has offered us
of what you have just accomplished, not a fresh canvas onto which we will paint
just now but throughout your life. To stay our dreams into existence for this coming
the course when the winds and torrential season of our lives. And I could honestly
downpours of life, a monstrous storm, not be more excited for what the future
threatened to knock you off course, holds … because, despite challenges and
you withstood, you adjusted your sails dark times, we will emerge as victors, just
and you were able to navigate your way as we have today.”
through to your final destination. You’ll
learn that you have to do that in life. And — Keith Kyewalabye, undergraduate
it is worth it. Every second is worth it.” commencement speaker, Bachelor of Arts in
Biology with a minor in music. He is working
“Expect the unexpected. You can plan as a junior specialist at the University of
every second of every day only to have California San Francisco Brain Tumor Center.
it upended by something out of your
control. Don’t worry about that. You’ve
already proven you can do this.”
“We each lived through a stressful year
of working from home, which for some
of us meant working from home with
children, taking care of family members
and adjusting to this new normal. All of
these responsibilities continued while we
“I know that Shamkant would want me
completed our last full year of hybrid and
to tell you to keep kindness in your hearts
virtual learning during the pandemic.
and bring kindness to others. Every day.
This past school year taught us that we
Through every action and every word.”
will indeed face trying times, for we have
already done so. However, with hard work — Ujwala Mulgaonkar, M.D., receiving
“As the late Kobe Bryant once said, and perseverance, nothing can stop us. We an honorary degree for herself and
‘Great things come from hard work and are unbreakable, unbeatable,unstoppable posthumously for her husband, Dr. Shamkant
perseverance. No excuses.’” and undefeated.” Mulgaonkar, for their support of the School
of Nursing and Public Health
— Lesley Elaine Chung, graduate commencement speaker,
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership
6 CALDWELLMAGAZINE
CALDWELLACADEMICS
2021
“The people in the community are what
makes this school special. You are treated as
a part of the community the moment you
step on the campus.”
“As we enter the workforce and find jobs — Nathan Dikwa-Nkrumah, Bachelor of Science “Some of my fondest memories of my
that we have always dreamed of, we know in Sport Management young adulthood have been at Caldwell
that God is looking out for us and He is or with the people I have met from
always one step ahead of us. We have to Caldwell … I have 10 years of
be realistic and acknowledge that very few friendships from this institution.”
of us will land our dream job the minute
— Marcelle Boyd, Master of Science in Nursing
we graduate from Caldwell, but no matter
in Population Health, first graduate research
what, it is important to learn the job well
assistant and nursing tutor in the School of
and do it well. At any moment, you are
Nursing and Public Health, health equity
exactly where God intended you to be and
nurse manager, Robert Wood Johnson
sometimes it’s very hard for us to grasp, but
Barnabas Health System’s Office of Diversity
if we trust that the Lord is in control, you
and Inclusion
will be filled with peace.”
— Brittany Rose Gaule, speaking at the “Caldwell has given me a chance to not
baccalaureate Mass, Bachelor of Science only pursue my academic and athletic goals
in Psychology and a minor in human but also be able to serve others during my
resource management time. I was able to take advantage of various
opportunities at Caldwell that I may not
have been able to do at larger campuses.”
— Madison Perry ’21, Bachelor of Arts in Biology
with minors in psychology and theology,
recipient of the Excellence in Leadership and
Saint Catherine of Siena awards
“I knew that University was never going to
be easy, especially on the other side of the
world to home, but I loved every minute
of it and am so sad that it was cut short
because of the pandemic. But despite the
“I want to shout out the professors in the highest of highs and lowest of lows, I have
School of Education for preparing me to learned so much from my time at Caldwell,
be the teacher I have dreamed of being have met some of the greatest people in the
since I was 11 and to my professors in the world and have memories that I know will
History Department, especially my advisor last forever.”
Dr. Mullaney, for helping me grow as a
student, for their constant support in all — Sophie Hicks, Bachelor of Science in
of my endeavors in my academic and “Everyone from my freshman year to now Psychology with minors in neuroscience
teaching careers.” has been so helpful and kind to me, and it and medical humanities and recipient
is one of the most welcoming places. The of the Trustee Recognition and
— Molly Heller, Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Saint Dominic awards
University also has fantastic, caring staff
Education and Social Studies, Master of
and administrators who greet you with a
Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, K-6
smile and are always willing to help you no
teaching certification, teacher of students
matter what.”
with disabilities endorsement and special
education aide in Pequannock Middle School — Vincent Crisafi, B.A. in Criminal Justice
CALDWELLMAGAZINE 7
CALDWELLACADEMICS
faculty feature
Jennifer Rhodes:
Fighting COVID with Compassion and Creativity
Once classes started in the fall of 2020,
with some students opting for in-person
learning and others attending virtually,
Rhodes knew she would have to get
creative. “This created a huge challenge to
engage both in person and those tuning
in remotely from home,” Rhodes said.
“Workdays started early in the morning
and lasted late into the night. There was
not a moment to spare.”
To encourage student engagement and
focus, Rhodes pre-recorded all of her
lectures so students could access them at
times when they could best concentrate.
In her pathophysiology course, she
offered a hybrid plan that combined a
pre-recorded lecture paired with a live
portion that allowed the emphasis of key
points, interaction with students and
the opportunity to use creative learning
methods. Rhodes incorporated case
studies, flipped classroom, Jeopardy!,
Kahoot and “anything else I could
come up with.”
When vaccination sites began opening
up in New Jersey, she saw yet another
opportunity to contribute.
“When I first heard about the vaccination
sites opening in Essex County, the local
While the world was shutting down, supplies. She realized the contribution
police department told me they were
Professor Jennifer Rhodes was working Caldwell University could make and
looking for nurses to volunteer,” Rhodes
harder than ever. As tough as the challenges began collecting personal protective
said. “I contacted them immediately to
of COVID-19 were, she knew that nurses equipment (PPE). The School of Nursing
offer my time.”
could face the pandemic with hard work, and Public Health donated everything it
compassion and creativity. could and local families joined in, leading The School of Nursing and Public
to a substantial amount of PPE being Health was already working to establish
Rhodes began her first year as a full-time
brought to Morristown Medical Center a partnership with the Board of Health.
nursing professor at Caldwell University
and Mountainside Hospital. When Dr. Donna Naturale, associate
just months before the lockdown, coming
dean of nursing and public health, and
armed with a strong background in the Rhodes would drive to the hospitals with
Dr. Aneesha Jean, assistant professor, saw
medical field. It wasn’t long before she was her kids in the car, which was loaded with
Rhodes’s enthusiasm for the project, they
putting her experience to good use as part supplies like masks, baby monitors, gloves,
joined forces and showed up for the first
of the University community. cleaning supplies, shoes and even signs
day of vaccinations with what Rhodes
and cards made by children for the health
The first opportunity for Rhodes to described as “a small army of students.”
care workers.
contribute to the fight against COVID-19
“It was unforgettable and brought tears
came in March 2020 when she saw friends “We never made it past the entryway doors,
to my eyes that we were able to help and
and former colleagues in the medical field but it was a beautiful thing for the kids to
provide hope for better days to come.”
struggling to maintain stores of needed see,” Rhodes said. “We did what we could.”
8 CALDWELLMAGAZINECALDWELLACADEMICS
Caldwell University nursing students
jumped at the opportunity to serve, filling
every volunteer position they were offered.
Rhodes watched as they helped patients
cope with anxiety and administered
vaccines. Students even continued to serve
over winter break, with support from other
professors including Kathleen Boreale
and Bettina Eulie. Rhodes said the whole
experience was surreal and made her proud
of her University community.
Rhodes’s path to contributing to
COVID-19 relief began long ago. Having
known since childhood that she wanted
a career helping others, she earned a
Bachelor of Science and began working
in the pharmaceutical industry. She
returned to school to earn a Bachelor of
Science in Nursing and began working in
the emergency department at Jersey City
Medical Center. She then earned a Master
of Nursing and moved on to work as a
family nurse practitioner in the urgent care
and primary care settings.
“I love having direct contact with patients
and seeing the difference I can make by
caring for them,” Rhodes said.
With a wealth of knowledge in the nursing
field, Rhodes taught at Caldwell University
and Rutgers University as an adjunct for
about six years. She received a Doctor of
Nursing in 2017 and began working full
time at Caldwell in fall 2019. Nursing Professor Jennifer Rhodes with nursing students Debra Ellsworth and Gina Joseph at an Essex County
vaccination site.
It is easy to see why Rhodes made such an
impact at the University and in the greater accepts the award on behalf of the whole “I feel that Caldwell University did an
community during her first full-time year nursing school at Caldwell. With increased amazing job keeping students moving
at Caldwell. It is no surprise that other enrollment in the forward on their career paths,” Rhodes said.
people took notice. nursing program “During this time, it is even more important
“
At the conclusion of and the challenges of that we are preparing our future nurses.”
the 2020-21 school
I feel that Caldwell educating during a
Now with recent graduates working in an
year, Rhodes received University did an pandemic, everyone
unprecedented environment, Rhodes keeps
the Excellence in in the department
Teaching Award at amazing job keeping worked extremely
in touch with her former students, checking
honors convocation. on their welfare and asking them to share
hard. Rhodes is
students moving grateful to Dr.
their experiences with current students.
“I was incredibly
surprised to receive this forward on their Kathleen Kelley, “They have gone through something
award. I was so busy associate professor that none of the faculty have experienced.
career paths ... During and director of Being a new nurse during uncertain times
devising new lectures
undergraduate nursing is beyond challenging,” Rhodes said.
and keeping the students this time, it is even studies, for adapting “My best advice is remember that you are
engaged that I did not
even think about being more important that and keeping the prepared with the knowledge you gained at
acknowledged.” department on course Caldwell University and we are always here
we are preparing our when the curveballs to support you day and night.” n
”
Today, she is sure to of the pandemic came
emphasize that she
future nurses. their way.
—Nicole Burrell ’09
CALDWELLMAGAZINE 9CALDWELLACADEMICS
Financial Economics Student Interns on
Wall Street and Is Focused on Giving Back
When Akwasi Osei-Du logged on to start Caldwell courses, including the classes
his internship for the global banking firm “Principles of Finance,” which taught
Credit Suisse each morning, he often him the fundamentals of valuation and
learned that the day ahead would include finance, and “Accounting Principles 1
meetings with team members, clients and and 2.” The skills he honed in “Business
executives in the United States, the United Communications” were essential, too, for
Kingdom, Latin American or Europe. responding to and framing emails and
“Live deals, bake-offs and pitches” were writing summaries. “They helped me with
the main focuses of his work as an taking notes on ‘big calls’ and with my and his father are first and foremost on
investment banking summer analyst, interpersonal skills.” his mind. In the summer of 2020, when
explained Osei-Du, a CU student with a he was working through the intensity of
The final two weeks were the highlight, the application process for internships and
double major in financial economics and
when interns lived at a hotel in Manhattan changing his major, it was his parents who
computer information systems with a
and had their working days “in-person.” helped him move forward. “They kept
concentration in business systems.
He was happy to finally meet face-to-face me grounded.”
His duties included “switching between with the other interns from schools like
various tasks on five or six concurrent Wharton, Princeton and Middlebury. Akwasi carries his mother in his heart with
deals,” furnishing the teams with They would dine together; some nights him every day. “Reflecting on her life and
information, researching companies’ were especially fun when they gathered for the gifts she gave so freely motivates me
financial statements for details for analysis, socials at rooftop restaurants. to work harder.” Among his dreams are to
taking notes on meetings and designing help young people in Ghana develop their
Upon graduation this coming May, Akwasi passions, and to run for political office
PowerPoint presentations. Frequently, his
hopes to work on Wall Street since he has one day. He is grateful for the gifts he has
work extended into the early morning
been offered a full-time position at Credit received from his family, mentors and
hours. “It was a great learning experience
Suisse and then possibly pursue his MBA. professors and is determined to carry them
because of the amount of responsibility
Long term, he would like to own his own forward whether on Wall Street, in the
and access I had learning directly from
firm in Ghana where he can focus on his Caldwell University community or with
my team and senior investment bankers
country’s needs in health care, finance children who need good role models.
and also CEOs of various companies,”
and agriculture. “The three things that keep me grounded
said Osei-Du, a native of Ghana.
As he thinks back over the past year, his are faith, family and giving back.” n
He was helped in his work by the
mother, who passed away in February, —CL
practical skills he acquired through his
University Launches 14 NEW Professional Certificate Programs
certificates offer a small bundle of courses
tailored to the student’s needs to respond Professional certificates
to changing workplace demands,” said offered include:
Virginia Rich, associate dean of the School • Actuarial Science
of Business and Computer Science. • Business Administration
• Communication and Media Studies
“You can complete a certificate to help you
• Data Analytics
immediately excel in your industry or to
stack your courses toward a degree. Either • Esports Management
Communication and Media Studies Professor
Bob Mann, a veteran broadcaster, is spearheading way, enrolling in a certificate program • Healthcare Administration
the podcasting certificate program. provides the jump start you need to bring • Human Resource Management
your skills up to the needs of the workplace.” • Management Information Systems
The broad range of short-term programs
• Marketing
focuses on specific career areas within the The professional certificates are designed for
fields of business, computer science and • Media Production
working professionals with flexible course
communications. Classes are all hands-on, • Organizational Leadership
options, including evening and online
so you walk away with marketable skills as classes. Many of the certificates require just • Podcasting
well as useful knowledge. six courses so they can be completed in • Sport Management
one calendar year. Credits may be applied • Supply Chain Management
“Certificate programs are the ideal way to
enhance existing career skills or to grow toward future degree programs. n
Learn more at https://www.caldwell.edu/
into a new role. Caldwell’s professional —Matt Netter professional-certificates/
10 CALDWELLMAGAZINECALDWELLACADEMICS
I feel inspired and
motivated every day.
I still cannot believe
that I’m here.
Yaman Thapa Interns at
Competitive MIT Program
“I feel inspired and motivated every day. different professors and understanding the the general population. She was given
I still cannot believe that I’m here,” said possibilities of science was inspiring.” that opportunity when she gave several
Yaman Thapa when we connected in presentations explaining a complex concept
While working in the labs, Thapa
the summer while she was interning at for different levels of understanding.
appreciated the strong foundation she
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
received from the faculty in Caldwell’s Thapa is pleased to know that students
(MIT), the premier educational institution
Department of Natural Sciences including who have participated in the MIT program
located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
the research class with Dr. Agnes Berki; have done very well, with 85% being
Thapa, a chemistry major with a the experimentation in Dr. Daryl Aucoin’s accepted into highly ranked graduate
neuroscience minor, was chosen for the biochemistry lab, which programs within
“
Bernard S. and Sophie G. Gould MIT helped her understand two years of their
Summer Research Program in Biology, biological phenomena; I learned a lot and internships. When
which is offered in collaboration with MIT’s the analytical chemistry met brilliant people she graduates from
Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences lab with Dr. Marjorie Caldwell, she would like
and is open to advanced sophomores and
juniors who are not MIT students.
Thapa spent 10 weeks working in an
advanced bioinformatics lab at the Broad
Squires, which helped
her build confidence with
handling chemicals; Dr.
every day.
Xiaolei Gao’s lectures, which prepared
” to study molecular and
cellular neuroscience,
starting right away in
a doctoral degree program or working as
her to understand chemical reactions a research assistant for a few years before
Institute of Harvard and MIT. Her mentor
that underlie synthesis and biochemical going to graduate school.
closely supervised her during experiments
reactions, and psychology professor Dr.
and presentations, she met weekly with two Beyond the science experiences, Thapa is
Jon Sigurjonsson’s class, which helped
or three MIT faculty members, scientists, grateful for the people she met and with
her understand the connection between
deans and peers and she took a methods whom she developed relationships. In
interdisciplinary concepts.
and logic class to enhance her skills for particular, she enjoyed the social events
reading scientific papers. Her research During downtime Thapa and the other with her MIT research peer groups, being
project on “Three-dimensional intact tissue students took excursions around Boston and on campus, having philosophical and
transcriptional analysis of mouse spinal Cambridge, enjoying a boat cruise, dinner scientific conversations and interacting
cord” looked at where in the spinal cord in Chinatown, a Fourth of July celebration, with people from different backgrounds.
specific genes are expressed. painting and fitness classes and more. “It has strengthened my desire to seek
knowledge, understand the physical and
“I learned a lot and met brilliant people One of Thapa’s goals during her internship
biological world and make a contribution
every day,” said Thapa, an international was to improve her presentation skills so
towards humanity.” n
student from Kathmandu, Nepal. “Meeting she can communicate science clearly to
—CL
CALDWELLMAGAZINE 11CALDWELLACADEMICS
Student
Accolades
part was getting practical advice from the
high school band directors so she knows
what to expect when she becomes one.
Nursing students Elizabeth Ann Chesney
and Stephanie Zladivar, Associate Dean
of Nursing and Public Health Donna
Naturale and Sister Joanne Beirne, O.P.,
writing tutor in the Academic Success
Center, were interviewed by Global
Sisters Report, a project of the National
Catholic Reporter, for the article “Nursing
Marching Band Director and Professor of Music students bring aid, community to retired Jamal Samuel Owen Douglas
Rebecca Vega and band members Alicia Santamaria
and Amanda DeForne. Dominican sisters amid the pandemic.”
The story spotlighted the students’ work Graphic arts major Jamal Samuel Owen
as nursing assistants at St. Catherine’s Douglas celebrated becoming an Eagle
Caldwell University marching band
Convent during the pandemic in the spring Scout, the highest rank a Scout can earn,
members Amanda DeForne and
semester and the benefits they gained July 16. Nearly two years after completing
Alicia Santamaria and Professor of
including practical fieldwork and a chance his project in support of Miss Pat’s Cats, a
Music Rebecca Vega joined students
to learn from the Sisters of Saint Dominic nonprofit that helps cats in the inner city,
and educators from across the country
about the history of the University and the he and other Scouts from America Troop
at a marching band camp conducted by
roots of the Order of Preachers. 6, West Orange, who had obtained the
nationally acclaimed experts. The forum
rank were applauded at the court of honor.
was held at West Chester University, West
Douglas, a member of the Caldwell esports
Chester, Pennsylvania, July 26-29, and
team and marching band, says he sees
workshops included rehearsal techniques,
how characteristics he learned in scouting,
organization and administration,
such as speaking up for himself and
leadership, drill writing, conducting,
communicating with his teachers and peers,
literature, band pedagogy and technology.
have helped him in his university career.
Vega said it was a wonderful opportunity
Amira El-Boghdedy’s applied behavior
for her and the students to plan together
analysis (ABA) master’s thesis with Dr.
for the fall semester and to think about
Tina Sidener and Dr. Sharon Reeve, “A
marching and music fundamentals. “The
Comparison of Procedures for Maintaining
girls learned so much … It was also great
On-Task Behavior in the Absence of an
for them to hear different band director
Nursing student Elizabeth Ann Chesney Instructor,” was accepted by the journal
perspectives since they both want to teach
Behavior Analysis in Practice. Heather
high school marching band.”
Pane’s ABA doctoral dissertation with
DeForne and Santamaria are excited to Dr. Sidener and Dr. Sharon Reeve, “A
bring back the information they learned to Comparison of Development-Matched
members of Caldwell’s marching band so and Age-Matched Targets on Play Skills of
they can grow and improve. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder,”
was accepted by the Journal of Applied
They particularly appreciated learning from
Behavior Analysis. Doctoral student Priya
the professionals who were “insightful,
Patil published her master’s thesis with Dr.
inspiring and motivating,” said Santamaria,
Sidener and Dr. Sharon Reeve, “Teaching
a music and secondary education major.
children with autism spectrum disorder to
DeForne, a music education major with
mand, ‘why?’,” in the journal The Analysis
a minor in communications, said the best
Nursing student Stephanie Zladivar of Verbal Behavior. n
12 CALDWELLMAGAZINECALDWELLACADEMICS
CALDWELL LAUNCHES PROGRAM TO HELP
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES SOAR
show academic success and gain
independence, career development will
become more of a focus.
Students in the national honor society
for learning disabilities, Delta Alpha Pi,
will provide peer mentoring. “They want
to hear from other students, not just us,”
said Skinner. Students in SOAR who
demonstrate achievement may qualify
for membership in Delta Alpha Pi as
upperclassmen and even serve as
student mentors for future members
A new program to help students with Caldwell was built on the welcoming of the program.
learning disabilities flourish in a university atmosphere cultivated by the Sisters of Incoming students are excited to be part of
setting is kicking off this fall. St. Dominic and that quality of care the fledgling program. One student said he
continues today, making the University a chose Caldwell because of SOAR, another
Student Outreach and Academic Resources
perfect fit for SOAR. “We strive to provide said he looks forward to helping shape the
(SOAR) is designed to help students with
our students with the best academic program and a third said that she looks
a diagnosed language-based learning and/
experiences possible, so we are pleased to forward to developing independence under
or neurological disability achieve their
offer an extra layer of support to help our the guidance of her academic facilitator.
full potential as undergraduates and after
students with learning differences earn
graduation when they go on to pursue their To be eligible, a student must be an
a university education,” said Henrietta
hopes and dreams. incoming freshman or a transfer student
Genfi, Caldwell’s associate dean for
“One of the most exciting aspects of academic support. accepted to Caldwell under the standard
SOAR is how it will help students learn admissions process and have a documented
SOAR is focused on inclusivity. “We’re not diagnosis of a language-based and/or
to be independent and to self-advocate,”
altering curriculum. Nothing is separate,” neurological learning disability including
said Elizabeth Skinner, Caldwell’s director
said Skinner, “but students in Soar attention deficit disorders. As part of the
of accessibility services. The program is
will have the advantage of personalized application process to SOAR, students
designed to offer support for the students
academic services including tutoring, must submit a current IEP or 504 plan as
by providing them with academic
writing coaching, peer mentoring, well as evaluation testing reports and take
facilitators and peer mentors, and to give
outreach, career-building and leadership part in an interview with the University
parents of students an opportunity to
skills training and other resources.” program staff. n
participate in educational workshops.
During their college careers, as students
CALDWELLMAGAZINE 13CALDWELLACADEMICS
Meet Dr. Peter Ubertaccio
Caldwell’s New VP for Academic Affairs
to open up the eyes of our students to the
world and its complexity is fundamental to
our mission. One thing I loved about being
dean was I got to learn about all these great
disciplines and programs we offered. Now
as a vice president I have a whole new raft
of programs that I am learning about, and
it’s everything from literature and history
and math to nursing labs and applied
behavior analysis and all the amazing
offerings here. I’m a faculty member by
training, so it is kind of natural for me to
really want to get to know my colleagues,
to learn about their disciplines and to learn
about what they need to be successful.
What do you hope that our
mission means to the faculty?
Catholic institutions have a special calling
for offering students a comprehensive
view of intellectual life. And what we do
well—Catholic institutions—really forces
our students and ourselves to think about
the world that we live in, our place in
it, our ethical role as human beings, the
contributions of the Church to our society.
Those are the kinds of intellectual and
spiritual questions that we ask ourselves
that many institutions don’t. And it is not
a critique of them. It is just a unique and
wonderful characteristic of Catholic higher
ed. And so I think faculty, staff, students,
we all have to be in a place where we are
Dr. Peter Ubertaccio joined attended Morristown High School. Colette willing to engage those fundamental issues.
Caldwell University as vice Liddy talked to him about his background
president for academic affairs and his hopes for the future at Caldwell. What has the pandemic taught
us about higher education,
on July 1. He comes to Caldwell from
What is it like being in the and where will that take us
Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts, at Caldwell?
Garden State?
where he was dean of the Thomas and We in higher ed can be more innovative,
It’s great. I’ve spent a lot of time in
Donna May School of Arts & Sciences not just Caldwell, more quickly than we
New England and I’m getting a little
and an associate professor of political are used to. We as an industry need to
reacclimated to the area. Caldwell is a
science. He was previously director of figure out how we can institutionalize
beautiful town, and I have been trying to
the Joseph Martin Institute for Law & that, because we don’t want to leave it
do my best to remind myself of what it
Society and the chair of the Department to the online providers. They have their
means to live in New Jersey, so I’ve been
of Political Science and International role, and it is a decent role, but it is not
listening to a lot of Bruce Springsteen and
Studies at Stonehill. He is chair of the the right kind of institution for lots of
going to local diners when I can. It’s really
John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum students. We—the smaller institutions,
been great.
Foundation in Hyannis, Massachusetts. which were forced into remote and online
Dr. Ubertaccio holds an undergraduate What is rewarding about en masse—need to figure out how we can
degree from the Catholic University of working with faculty?
institutionalize that level of innovation
America and a Ph.D. in politics from The faculty in the classroom are the drivers and move things a little more quickly than
Brandeis University. He is no stranger to of the most important aspects of what we we have had to in the past. I think at the
New Jersey; he grew up in Morristown and do. Their ability to educate, to mentor, same time, we, in Catholic higher ed space,
14 CALDWELLMAGAZINECALDWELLACADEMICS
Caldwell Welcomes
Jorge Rodriguez as
Vice President
need to figure out how we do that and a long time. I’d like to spend my time
for Strategic Initiatives
make sure that our mission is prominent working with faculty, staff, students and
in our new programs and new modes of friends of the University just to really get to
delivery. We need to think about how we know the institution.
are delivering the mission to an increasing
You have taken students on travel
number of students who will be accessing experiences. Is that something
us online or via hybrid courses. that interests you?
Having said all that, I think the pandemic Very much. I think short-term, faculty-led
has also demonstrated to us that there travel is something we could do more of
is a real desire to continue to pursue and would be really popular with students.
an education that focuses on the whole We often just assume that travel means
person, and as much as we will use abroad, and I think there is a lot more
technology and develop new programs we can do domestically. There’s a lot of
in response to the kind of changing learning that needs to be done about our
marketplace, we will own country.
still have students who Do you have
“
want to study and need college-age
to be supported in our
The faculty in the children? Have
you gone
traditional programs, classroom are the through the
and we will still have
admissions
students who want to drivers of the most process?
The University welcomed Jorge
be in residence and love Rodriguez this summer as vice
to be student athletes
important aspects of Yes, both times during
president for strategic initiatives.
the pandemic. My
He joined Caldwell after more than
and want to go to Mass what we do. Their oldest is going into
in person. And so I 37 years at St. John’s University in
her second year. My
think one thing that ability to educate, middle daughter is
financial leadership positions and
the pandemic has really as vice provost and chief enrollment
reinforced to me is the
to mentor, to open starting this fall. Our
officer. Rodriguez has extensive
youngest son is going
experience in undergraduate
sense of community up the eyes of our into his junior year of
that we missed and enrollment, graduate enrollment,
high school. We have
that people really are students to the world not yet gotten one
international students, financial aid,
yearning for. net revenue analysis, scholarship
and its complexity is full cycle of a normal
development, bursar, advising,
Goals at Caldwell? college admission
retention, housing and student affairs
My goal for this fundamental to experience because
issues, global studies, marketing and
”
summer into the fall the first one was cut
our mission. short, when we were
communications, faculty/high school
semester is to just get research, customer service and more.
to know Caldwell. It trying to make a
He has led projects on campuses
is just a matter of getting to know this decision, by COVID, and we couldn’t do
across New York and in Rome. In
place and working with President Whelan any follow-up visits. And then the second
his position at Caldwell, he will
on thinking about the future of the one was during COVID. Things felt a
oversee new projects, directives and
University, how we can strengthen some little off. But both of my daughters have
initiatives, working with President
of our programs, how we can highlight the made really good choices. It was a
Matthew Whelan and the CU Board of
distinctiveness of a Caldwell education, reminder to me as a parent, as an
Trustees. Rodriguez says he is excited
what new programs we want to add to administrator, (of ) the amazing work
to join Caldwell, “a premier Catholic
our portfolio and how we support the that colleges are doing during some
University,” with its dedicated
programs that we have. pretty difficult circumstances. n
team and “a vibrant community
Being at a comprehensive institution is a of students.” He looks forward to
particular kind of charge for us to grow assisting in providing an exceptional
and innovate but then also continue to education to all students and sharing
support and highlight that which we have in the Dominican mission “that will
had and has been part of our DNA for truly help inspire students to change
the world." n
CALDWELLMAGAZINE 15CALDWELLFACULTY&STAFF
Faculty & Staff Notes
Kevin Barnes, Ed.D., associate dean of World” accepted for publication in the peer- Ireland and Contemporary Women’s
the School of Education; Brian Bulger, reviewed, open-access journal Religions. Writing: Feminist Interventions and
Ed.D., CAEP, co-coordinator for the Imaginings” was published by Routledge
Ruth DeBar, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA
School of Education; Joanne Jasmine, in May. For the second year in a row,
(NY), professor in the Department
Ed.D., professor of education, and she was invited to serve as a member
of Applied Behavior Analysis and
Edith Ries, Ed.D., professor of of the American Conference for Irish
clinical supervisor of the Center for
education, presented at the New Jersey Studies committee that awarded the
Autism and ABA, served as a site visitor
Association of Colleges for Teacher annual Michael J. Durkan Book Prize for
for accreditation by the Association for
Education’s Day of Assessment. Their Language and Culture. As co-editor of the
Behavioral Analysis International for
presentation was titled “Best Practices: literary and cultural studies journal LIT:
another institution’s doctoral and master’s
Using Data to Inform Instruction in Literature Interpretation Theory, under the
programs in behavior analysis. DeBar;
Education.” Ellina Chernobilsky, Ph.D., Taylor & Francis imprint, Harney-Mahajan
Jason Vladescu, Ph.D., BCBA-D,
associate vice president for academic worked on publishing the special issue
NCSP, LBA (NY), associate professor of
affairs, Ries and Jasmine had a chapter “Religion, Criticism, and the Postcritical.”
applied behavior analysis, and Sharon
titled “Humanizing a Teacher Education
Reeve, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, professor Jim Kelly,
Program in a Small Liberal Arts University”
of applied behavior analysis, had an athletics
published in the book “International
article published in the Journal of Applied administrator
Perspectives on Innovative Approaches
Behavior Analysis on the effects of video and head sprint
Towards Teaching and Learning:
modeling on abduction-prevention skills football coach,
Humanizing Higher Education.”
by individuals with autism spectrum and former
Traci Bitondo, LPC, ATR-BC, adjunct disorder. DeBar and Professor Tina Nutley High
lecturer in art therapy in the School Sidener, Ph.D., BCBA-D, chair of School coach,
of Psychology and Counseling and the Department of Applied Behavior was enshrined in
professional art therapist, created a Analysis, worked with doctoral student the Essex County
government affairs committee for the New Jessica Amador on publishing her master’s Football Coaches
Jersey Art Therapy Association with two art thesis on teaching practitioners to conduct Hall of Fame.
therapy alumni to advocate licensure for art a trial-based functional analysis in the
Harry Maisch IV, adjunct lecturer in the
therapists in New Jersey. Journal of Behavior Modification.
School of Natural Sciences, published a
Ellina Chernobilsky; Nan Childress- Janet L. Fike, Ed.D., J.D., adjunct peer-reviewed journal article on a self-
Orchard, DMA, professor of music, and lecturer in the School of Education collected assemblage of fossil fish remains
Thomson Ling, associate dean of the and superintendent of schools for the from Monmouth County, New Jersey,
School of Psychology and Counseling, Morris-Union Jointure Commission, titled “Osteichthyans from the Shark River
led a round-table discussion at the annual was selected as the Union County Formation (middle Eocene) and Kirkwood
meeting of the Association of American Superintendent of the Year by the Union Formation (early Miocene).”
Colleges and Universities in January County Superintendents’ Roundtable.
Neil Malvone, assistant professor of
that focused on the place of liberal arts
Jaz Graf, adjunct lecturer in the sports management, had his article
in program prioritization. Chernobilsky
Department of Visual Art and Design, “Athletes and Depression: A Historical
presented a professional development
had her work featured in the Newark Review and the COVID-19 Impact”
session titled “Action research as a form
Museum of Art’s 2021 New Jersey Arts published in the International Journal of
of professional development” to the faculty
Annual: ReVision and Respond exhibition. Education and Social Science.
of the American University of Afghanistan
Graf was awarded a Newark Creative
in April. Rob Middleton,
Catalyst grant and an Artist Book residency
adjunct lecturer
Christopher Cimorelli, adjunct lecturer at the Women’s Studio Workshop.
in the Department
of theology and director of the National
Tara Harney- of Music; Nan
Institute for Newman Studies, was
Mahajan, Childress-
co-editor of the Festschrift volume “One
Ph.D., assistant Orchard, DMA,
Bread, One Body, One Church: Essays on
professor of professor of
the Ecclesia of Christ Today in Honor of
English, music, and
Bernard P. Prusak” (Peeters Press, 2021).
co-edited a book Rebecca Vega,
In addition, he recently had the article
that includes a professor
“Newman, Catholicity, and the Church
chapter written of music, made a studio recording of
Today: On the Development of Christian
by her. “Post- Middleton’s piece “Miracles” in late May.
Principles through Dialogue with the
Celtic Tiger The piece was inspired by illuminations in
16 CALDWELLMAGAZINEYou can also read
