The Heart of
Neumann’s Core Experience
by Sister Patricia Hutchison, OSF ’75
As a Catholic Franciscan university in the liberal arts tradition,
Neumann desires that all students develop a common foundation
of knowledge, skills, competencies, and values. This foundation
is appropriately called the Neumann University Core Experience.
The word Core comes from the Latin root Cor which means heart.
The Neumann University Core Experience lies at the heart of the
university. Every experience and every encounter that a student has
on campus contributes to the Core.
Much has changed at Neumann since the previous Core was
implemented in 1997. Neumann became a residential institution,
enrollment increased exponentially, and the profile of the
student body changed. Much has also changed in the nation and
world. Since 1997, faculty members have carefully monitored the
Neumann Core in an attempt to respond proactively to internal
and external challenges. In fall 2012, the University adopted the
revised Neumann University Core Experience.
How is the revised Core Experience different? According to
the Core philosophy, “the campus community unites to impart
the knowledge, skills, competencies and values that create
opportunities for students to integrate faith and reason, grow in
social responsibility, and prepare for personal and professional
leadership roles in the local and global community.”
The new vision emphasizes that Core is an integrated
experience. Although the revised Core includes many of the
previously required courses, the emphasis both inside and
outside the classroom is on five Student Learning Outcomes:
Comprehension, Contemplation, Conscience, Compassion, and
Communication. Courses are purposefully sequenced and many
of the best practices recommended by the Association of Catholic
Colleges and Universities and the Association of American Colleges
and Universities have been adopted. As in the past, every student
will take two theology and two philosophy courses which integrate
faith and reason in light of the Catholic Franciscan tradition; in the
revised program one course builds upon the other giving students
the opportunity to explore critical questions as they mature.
The revised Core retains a focus on foundational skills in
writing and mathematics and invites students to explore literature,
science, social science, history, the arts, and modern language. Two
previously required courses have been eliminated. Public Speaking
is now integrated throughout the entire academic and co-curricular
program. Learning outcomes related to diversity and global
learning, previously addressed in one required course, are now
integrated into courses within each major and in modern language
courses.
Two high-impact best practices are included in the revised Core
program: Service-Learning and capstone courses. There has always
been a strong focus on service, but it was possible for a student to
graduate from Neumann without actually engaging in service.
With the revised Core every student will participate in at least two
Service-Learning courses (in upper level theology and in the major
program), thus promoting life-long commitment to the University’s
belief that “knowledge is a gift to be used in the service of others.”
Students who have participated in Service-Learning affirm
its value. David Wallace, a sophomore Business major, stated:
Beginning in October 2009, members of the Neumann University community participated in conversations which led to the design of the Neumann University
Core Experience. Pictured here at one of the discussions are Robert Bunnell, John Wong, Ali Niknam, Kathleen McCauley, and Marisa Rauscher.
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“The lessons I learned through active participation in
service are lessons that cannot simply be taught in the
classroom. My experience at the House of Joseph helped
break down pre-conceived assumptions about men and
women who are living with HIV/AIDS . . . To anyone
who would argue that [requiring] Service-Learning is
not important, I would beg to differ . . . Going out and
doing these activities helps you to take the first step of
what could be a long relationship of giving back to the
community that has always provided for you.”
Super Senior Jamie Willis found her ServiceLearning experience “absolutely life-changing.”
According to Jamie, Catholic Social Teaching requires
that “we care for those who have less than us and
recognize that all people have human dignity.” Prior to
her experience at Chester Community Charter, Jamie
“had no intention of working in an urban setting.”
In fact, she was “pretty nervous” about the prospect
of being in a middle school Life Skills classroom.
Now, she claims, “I want nothing more than to teach
these children, yearning for knowledge, for love, for
acceptance.”
Capstone courses, typically re-invigorated senior
seminars, invite students to develop learning projects
and engage in reflection on the total University
experience. Faculty will design capstone courses
over the next three years, but some have already
begun to experiment. Response has been positive as
demonstrated by the following comment from a student
who participated in a Humanities Senior Seminar
evening of reflection: “During the experience, I gained a
better respect for what Neumann is all about. I reflected
on my life and the past five years at Neumann . . .
I reflected on my future and my life as a whole.”
Although some may continue to think of the Core
as a set of required courses, the emphasis on learning
outcomes related to Comprehension, Contemplation,
Conscience, Compassion, and Communication seems
to resonate with faculty, staff and students. Outcomes
introduced in the classroom are deepened everywhere,
through every encounter, throughout the student’s
entire career. The impact is evident in the enthusiasm
of students such as Resident Assistant Alexandria
Maurizzio. A junior Communication and Media Arts
major, Alex participates regularly in the Scholars!
Program created by Residence Life Director Michael
Webster. According to Alex, “The Scholars! Program
challenges me to thinking creatively . . . to take what
I have learned inside the classroom and share it and
apply it to the outside world, all the while motivating
me to go out and learn more so that I have more to
share!”
Philadelphia’s Coaches
vs. Cancer Receive
2012 Institute Award
Neumann presented the 2012 Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character
Development Award to the Philadelphia chapter of Coaches vs. Cancer in
October.
Coaches vs. Cancer of Philadelphia is part of the national Coaches vs.
Cancer program, created in 1993 by the American Cancer Society and the
National Association of Basketball Coaches. Since its inception in 1996,
the Philadelphia chapter has raised more than $4.7 million to combat the
disease.
Three prominent head coaches — Fran Dunphy of Temple, Phil Martelli
of St. Joseph’s, and Jay Wright of Villanova — attended the presentation
and accepted the award on behalf of the chapter. Martelli, a passionate
spokesman for the cause, addressed the crowd and illustrated the reach of
the disease by asking people to stand if they had family or friends affected
by cancer. Few of the 500 audience members remained seated.
The institute presents the award annually to individuals or groups who
exemplify the development of strong character through athletics and the
embodiment of the good that exists in sports.
Independence Blue Cross (IBC) is the presenting sponsor of the award.
IBC is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania with 2.2
million members in the local area. Nationwide, IBC and subsidiaries
provide coverage to 3.1 million people.
Jay Wright (foreground), Phil Martelli (center) and Fran Dunphy (not pictured)
signed autographs for students after accepting the 2012 ISSCD award.
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Dr. Hechenberger Honored at Thanksgiving
Reception
Dr. Nan B. Hechenberger, Neumann’s
president from 1989 to 1996, was honored
for her service to the university at the 2012
President’s Thanksgiving Reception, held at
The Springhaven Club.
Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, successor
to Dr. Hechenberger, announced the
establishment of funding for the Dr. Nan B.
and Mr. Aloysius Hechenberger Endowed
Scholarship Award in honor of the couple’s
commitment to the university and its
mission over the years.
“The University wishes you to know
that this scholarship is initiated and
named with sincere gratitude to each of
you,” said Dr. Mirenda. “The intention
is to recognize an academically excellent
student who demonstrates, in quality
and quantity, service to others in keeping
with the Franciscan spirit and worldview.
This award will serve as a reminder of all
that was accomplished over your years to
strengthen Neumann and as recognition
of your leadership as president and
ambassador.”
Lou and Dr. Nan B. Hechenberger (left) were surprised when Dr. Rosalie and Tony Mirenda announced
the establishment of a scholarship in Dr. Hechenberger’s honor.
More than 50% of Neumann undergraduates are first generation students.
As a private, Catholic university, Neumann
provides access to such eligible students
and their families who require financial
assistance to achieve their educational
dream of a university degree.
Also recognized at the event were the
Knights of the Round Table, those who have
donated to the university for ten or more
consecutive years, and the Presidential
Ambassadors, who have represented Dr.
Mirenda at events since 2002.
Delaney Named Board Chairperson
Neumann University has appointed James Delaney to serve as chairperson of the University Board of
Trustees. He has been a member of the board since 2006, first chairing the finance committee before
assuming greater responsibility as vice chairperson of the board. His three-year term as board chair
began on July 1, 2012.
Delaney is the retired president, CEO and co-founder of J.G. Wentworth & Company, Inc.
(established in 1991), a specialty finance company and the largest originator of deferred payment
obligations in the U.S. Throughout his 30-plus-year career, he held several positions with health care
institutions, including Philadelphia Blue Cross and Hahnemann University, and founded several
health-related firms.
Delaney has served as a board or committee member of numerous organizations, including the Archdiocese of Philadelphia,
Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute, Irish American Business Chamber and Network, Hahnemann Orthopedics Institute,
Monsignor Bonner High School, Catholic Athletes for Christ, and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
He has also been active in many civic organizations, among them the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, Lower Merion Conservancy,
Morris Arboretum, and the Barnes Foundation.
Delaney volunteers as a lector, bible study leader, and Eucharistic minister at St. John Vianney Parish. He earned both a BS
in accounting and an MBA from St. Joseph’s University, and a master’s degree in taxation from Widener University. He and his
wife Jacqueline reside in Malvern, PA.
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Two Student Videos Win NATAS Awards
Two student-produced Neumann videos
have won 2012 Student Achievement
Awards, which were presented by the
Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
(NATAS) at the local Emmy Awards
ceremony in September. In the six
College Production categories, Neumann
was the only university to capture more
than one award.
“Camden: The Forgotten City” won
in the Public Affairs/Community Service
category. The video was produced by
Daniel Angelo, Amy Cockerill, and
Casey Jones. The eight-minute piece
details the economic plight of Camden,
New Jersey, and the efforts of Father
Michael Doyle, pastor at Sacred Heart
Church, to renew the Waterfront South
section of the city.
“Neumann University: Uniquely
Personal” won in the General
Assignment News category. It was
created by Athena Thompson, Cortney
Brooks, Katie Orr, Michelle Ferguson,
Crystal Bianchi, and Megan Scott.
Featuring interviews with students and
faculty members, the video investigates
the meaning of the university’s
marketing theme to members of the
campus community.
There were 14 finalists in six College
Production categories of the NATAS
awards. Other winning videos were
from Drexel University, Moravian
College, Shippensburg University, and
Temple University. The mid-Atlantic
region covers Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Delaware and far eastern Ohio.
Panels of professional judges rated
the entries on content, creativity and
execution. The Communication and
Media Arts senior seminar class, which
produced the videos, was taught by
Karen Thomas, a full-time faculty
member at Neumann University and
a meteorologist at WTXF (FOX 29) in
Philadelphia.
Daniel Angelo and Casey Jones won for their video entitled “Camden: The Forgotten City.” Instructor
Karen Thomas holds the award.
Michelle Ferguson, Athena Thompson, Cortney Brooks, and Katie Orr gather around instructor
Karen Thomas. The students won for their “Neumann University: Uniquely Personal” video.
Winter 2013 15 Around c a m p u s
A Busy Arts Season
Culminates with
The Nutcracker
The annual performance of
The Nutcracker by International
Ballet Classique captures
the Christmas spirit.
The fall arts season showcased many quality programs on stage.
Impersonator Rene Goodwin kicked things off with her show, “My
Friend Jackie.” The program detailed the experiences that created
and molded the woman we came to know as Jackie, Jaqueline
Bouvier Kennedy, through the eyes of family friend Candy Stanton.
She shared details about Jackie and life inside the Kennedy
household.
October brought Halloween events with performer Albert Them
reading original ghost stories filled with local lore. Lansdowne was
the setting for the charming stories and the tension was lightened
with Them’s odd bits of poetry about Robert Frost in his callow
youth. Bram Stoker expert Carol Senf, English professor at Georgia
Tech University, came to campus as the keynote speaker for the
Sigma Tau Delta English honor society induction. She characterized
Stoker as an early literary feminist and techie, enchanted by strong,
independent women and fascinated by turn-of-the-twentiethcentury technology (the typewriter, phonograph, and telephone).
The year 2012 marked the 100th anniversary of Bram Stoker’s death.
The Halloween scares wrapped up as Michael Arnzen, a horror
writer and scholar, came to campus to answer the question, “Why
do we love to be scared?” with his presentation, The Popular
Uncanny. He examined the familiar notions of the doppleganger,
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déjà vu, ghosts and other stock elements of the uncanny that continue
to haunt 21st century popular American culture.
The Cultural Arts Forum Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show
was held in November at The Springhaven Club in Wallingford, PA.
More than 100 guests were treated to a wonderful lunch and the latest
women’s and children’s fashions. Women’s fashions were provided by
Lady’s Image in Wilmington, DE. The show raised more than $4,000
to benefit the Dr. Margaret Mary Kearney Scholarship Fund.
The Neumann University Players brought Almost, Maine to the
Neumann stage as the fall’s major production. The play is composed
of nine vignettes that explore love and loss in a town called Almost,
Maine. Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in
unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised and hearts are
broken, but the bruises heal and the hearts mend — almost.
Neumann celebrated Christmas with the annual Greccio live
nativity, followed by a performance from the Christina Brame Gospel
Choir and Praise Dancers. The Concert Chorale Christmas celebration
featured songs from Tom Fettke’s A Great and Mighty Wonder, as well
as a performance from the Mount Hope United Methodist Church
Bells of Hope. The Jazz Band also took on Christmas classics as well
as old favorites at its winter concert. The season closed out with the
International Ballet Classique’s performance of The Nutcracker.
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Gabe Riberio ’09 and Tiffany Martorana share a tender moment in Almost, Maine,
the fall production of the University Players.
April and Owen Bondurant, children of Jennifer April Bondurant ’04, model the
latest in children’s apparel at the annual Cultural Arts Forum Fashion Show.
The Praise Dancers perform The Greatest Gift:
A Greccio Celebration after the Greccio Live Nativity
held the first weekend in December.
Winter 2013 17