IMMACULATA
M
MAAGGAAZZIIN
NEE
SSPPRRIIN
NGG 22000077
a
t
a
l
u
c
a
m
Im
!
T
I
R
I
P
S
CAMPUSNEWS
CAMPUSNEWS
In Memoriam
Sister Kathleen Mary Burns, IHM
served at Immaculata for 34 years as
a professor of psychology, as the first
dean of the College of Graduate
Studies and in various administrative
positions.
Art Show 2006
Over 150 international juried artists participated in the
Immaculata Art Show in February. Pictured are (l. to r.) art and
artists committee member and alumna Toni Iaquinto
Makowski ’60; chair of the art and artists committee Susan
Thompson; and featured artist Mary Ann Weselyk next to one
of her oil paintings.
Graduate Students Help Hotel with
Staff Communication
During the fall semester, graduate students in the English for Specific
Purposes (ESP) course of Dr. Margaret van Naerssen assisted The
Great Valley Sheraton Hotel in improving communication between
their Hispanic staff and their English-speaking staff. The
administrative staff of the hotel developed the idea of a bilingual
reference card consisting of the most needed phrases. The ESP class
improved the bilingual card for more effective use and pilot tested it. ■
Golf for Scholarships
The 32nd Annual Invitational will have a change of venue. This year
the Golf Invitational will take place on October 1 at the Philadelphia
Country Club located in Gladwyne. Established in 1890, the
Philadelphia Country Club is one of the premier clubs in the area.
The event benefits the Immaculata University Scholarship Fund. For
further information and reservations, call 610-647-4400, ext. 3122. ■
2
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
At a recent reception at the residence of the Counsul General
of Ireland in New York City, associate professor of history, Dr.
William Watson (left), is pictured with the Irish Deputy Prime
Minister Michael McDowell (center) and Rev. Dr. Frank
Watson, William Watson’s brother and collaborator on the
Duffy’s Cut Project. The Watsons presented Deputy Prime
Minister McDowell with a copy of their book, The Ghosts of
Duffy’s Cut, concerning the plight of local Irish railroad
workers in the 19th century.
First MSN Graduates
The first graduates of the Master of Science in Nursing
degree program from the College of Graduate Studies are
pictured in photo. Sitting are (l. to r.) Dawn MacGibeny, Beth
Chiatti, and Maureen Kenzakowski. Standing are (l. to r.)
Kathleen Pechulis, Nadine Coralluzzo, and Denise
Yonkoske.
Spirituality Day
Heritage Week
On March 17, Immaculata held the first annual Spirituality Day,
Spirituality under the Dome.The purpose of the program is to provide
space for prayer, presenters and performers as a way of nourishing and
supporting one’s expressed desire to live in meaningful relationship
with God and neighbor. Sister Nancy Murray, OP presented the
keynote address, “Our Call to Ministry.” The day concluded with a
performance of the play Saint Catherine of Siena with Sister Nancy
Murray, OP. Father James Martin, SJ is scheduled as keynote speaker
for the next Spirituality Day on March 8, 2008. ■
Last fall a new tradition was initiated at Immaculata. Heritage Week,
from November 6 through 10, celebrated both the founding of the
Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the charter of
Immaculata University. Living the mission was promoted through six
core values: Faith, Caring, Teamwork, Service, Integrity, Learning.
Activities featured a scavenger hunt, Mighty Mac Spirit Day,
basketball games, and a day of service - “Into the Streets.”
The highlight of the week focused on observing the University
Charter Day. The University community joined to recognize,
celebrate and enjoy the founding and chartering of the University.
Events included a Mass of Thanksgiving, a gathering in the Rotunda
to honor Mother Camilla, the founder of Immaculata, followed by
laying a wreath of remembrance in the IHM cemetery in honor of
Mother Theresa Maxis, the founder of the IHMs.The day included
a visit to the retired Sisters at Camilla Hall to thank them for their
dedication and love for Immaculata.With ringing of bells and words
of appreciation, Sister Patricia Fadden, president of Immaculata,
recognized the chartering and the vibrant campus Immaculata has
been and continues to be. ■
After graduating from Little Flower
High School, Sister entered the Sisters, Servants of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary. She earned a bachelor’s degree
from Immaculata and both a master’s and doctorate from the
University of Virginia. She studied in Rome on a Fulbright
scholarship in 1966. In 1974, she became a licensed
psychologist in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Before joining the Immaculata faculty in 1971, Sister
Kathleen Mary taught in elementary and secondary schools
in Pennsylvania including St. Louis in Yeadon and St. Francis
de Sales in Philadelphia. Sister was also prefect of studies at
Norfolk Catholic High School in Virginia from 1964-67
and prefect of discipline at Notre Dame Academy in Miami
from 1967-69.
At Immaculata, Sister also served as director of special gifts
(1976-78) and dean of college development (1978-80). Prior
to her post as director of the Graduate Division (now the
College of Graduate Studies) in 1983,Sister served as professor
of psychology in both the undergraduate and graduate
division and chaired the department from 1981 to 1988.
A faculty evaluator once described Sister Kathleen Mary as
“a visionary.”According to Sister Patricia Fadden,“The loss
of Sister Kathleen will be felt deeply by the Sisters, faculty,
administration and alumni of Immaculata. Her leadership
as a faculty member and administrator and her expertise
through the early years of the graduate school contributed
greatly to the dynamic growth of the current College of
Graduate Studies. She will be missed.”
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
3
CAMPUSNEWS
Men’s Basketball Team Plays for PAC Championship
In front of a capacity crowd at Alumnae Hall, the men’s
basketball team in their second season of existence
advanced to the 2007 Pennsylvania Athletic Conference
(PAC) Playoffs with a win over Eastern University. “It
feels great to be in the playoffs,” said head coach
Jamie Chadwin. “We really earned it. It is a
testament to the team’s work ethic and how they were
able to persevere through the rough start, when we
began the season 1-10.” Over the last 13 games,
Immaculata went 9-4 to improve to 10-14 overall and
10-7 in the conference.
For the second consecutive season and the third time in four years, the
Immaculata University Women's Basketball team qualified for the
Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) playoffs. The Mighty Macs
defeated Rosemont College 65-54, to earn a trip to the postseason. Their
overall record is 14-8 for the regular season. On February 19, the Mighty
Macs lost to Alvernia College in the first playoff game. Dominique Murray,
a sophomore forward was named to the women's basketball AllPennsylvania Athletic Conference first team. She led the Mighty Macs in
scoring, averaging 16.5 points a game, and in rebounding (10.7 a game).
Murray, a two-time PAC player of the week, had 15 or more rebounds
seven times.
The Mighty Macs won their first playoff game
(Immaculata University 77, Wesley College 62) to face
Gwynedd-Mercy College in the conference semifinals
on February 20.
In the biggest win in its short history, Immaculata
University upended Gwynedd-Mercy, 65-59 to earn a
spot in the PAC Championship. On February 23, the
Mighty Macs, who were #3 seed in the playoffs, were
defeated by top-seeded Alvernia College (70-55) in the
title game.
Ranked 7th overall in the conference at the beginning
of the season, the team improved to advance to the
championship game. Coach Jamie Chadwin was
named the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Coach of
the Year. Sophomore Kyle Finklea and junior Robert
Jones were named Second Team All-PAC, while
sophomore Josh Alderson was named to the AllSportsmanship Award. The Mighty Macs achievement
was featured on the Comcast SportsNite television
show on February 22.
4
sportsnews
Women’s Basketball Team Reaches Playoffs
IU recently displayed a new 1,000 Point Club banner in the gym.
Three former 1,000 point Mighty Mac players are pictured with
current 1,000 point player Megan Legere ’07. Pictured (l. to r.) are
Molly Lackman ’94; Caroline Duffy ’93, who is currently assistant
director of campus ministry and assistant women’s basketball coach
at Immaculata; Legere; and Mary Gallagher ’97. Letty Huntzman ’86
was also present but not in photo.
Men’s Lacrosse
When the men’s lacrosse team took the field at Draper Walsh Stadium
on March 14 against Manhattanville College, a new era began in
Immaculata athletics. Lacrosse is the sixth male sport at Immaculata
University, following men’s soccer, basketball, tennis, golf and cross
country. The Mighty Macs scheduled 12 contests for head coach Bob
Bush in 2007, including seven PAC games.
With 17.9 left in the first half vs. Emory &
Henry on December 30, Meg Legere
became the 16th player in Mighty Mac
women’s basketball history to amass 1,000
career points. Molly Lackman (1990-1994) is
the school’s all-time scorer with 1,908
points.
Men’s Soccer Team
Advanced to PAC Playoffs
In only its second year of existence, the Immaculata University men’s
soccer team advanced to the 2006 Pennsylvania Athletic Conference
(PAC) Playoffs. In its inaugural season in 2005, Immaculata compiled a
mark of 2-11-1 overall and 0-8 in the PAC. The Mighty Macs finished the
2006 regular season with a record of 7-10 overall and 4 -5 in the PAC.
Stadium Dedication
New Soccer Head Coach Named
The stands were packed for the first
soccer game at the new Draper Walsh
Stadium in October. Present for the
dedication of the stadium pictured are
the Draper Walsh family members and
friends. Alumna Mimi Draper Walsh ’63
is seated third from left.
Mike Barr is named the second head coach in the history of the
Immaculata soccer program.
Barr is recognized as one of the most successful coaches in the area
having guided Strath Haven High School to16 Central League
championships, six District One Class AAA titles, and five PIAA Class
championships in his 22 seasons from 1984-2005. He replaces Seamus
O’Conner who compiled a record of 9-22-1 in his two seasons as head
coach. About his new position, Barr said, “I am excited…They (IU)
have the best soccer stadium in the Philadelphia area.”
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
For sports information visit www.immaculata.edu and click on Athletics.
5
Caring for Orphans in Africa
by Sister Elizabeth Achieng ’95
AIDS has affected all of us in
Uganda in one way or another.
My own sister and her husband
died of HIV/AIDS leaving
behind seven children—four girls
and three boys.The last born is
now in high school.This
happened when I was studying at
Immaculata. I shared my sorrow
with a friend, an Immaculata
alumna, who was then also a
student at Immaculata. She has
been responsible for educating all
seven children till they qualified in some
career. Only two of them are still in high
school.
This orphanage mainly cares
for babies with AIDS or
abandoned children whose
parents have died of AIDS.
I belong to the Little Sisters of St. Francis
of Assisi of the Third Order Regular, an
indigenous congregation of the
diocesan rite,
Government offices and the
community entrust us with
abandoned children and orphans
yearly but without financial support.
founded on May 1, 1923, in Uganda by
the late Mother M. Kevin Kearney, a
Franciscan missionary.The institution’s
Mother House and the First Novitiate are
at Nkokonjeru in the Diocese of Lugazi,
Uganda.The Generalate is in Jinja Diocese
Uganda. In 1986, I made my perpetual
vows and in 2002, celebrated my 25th
anniversary in religious life.
My coming to Immaculata was God’s
favor. I was asked by the then Mother
General in 1992 if I would take a
scholarship given by the IHM Sisters to
pursue business studies and administration.
It was scary to embrace the unknown, but
I accepted and with faith and confidence
forged ahead.
In 2004, I became director of the St.
Philomena Iganga Babies Home located in
the eastern part of Uganda. St. Philomena
was started in 1952 by the Franciscan
Missionary Sisters of Africa on behalf
of the Jinja Diocese. In 1973, the
home was handed over to the Little
Sisters of St. Francis, where today they
care for more than 30 children
between the ages of four months to five
years old.This orphanage mainly cares
for babies with AIDS or abandoned
children whose parents have died of
AIDS.
production. Nutrition is vital to these
children.They suffer from fever, malaria,
pneumonia, and flu. Almost every other
week we fight the disease as it comes by
taking them to the nearest health center as
soon as possible.
regularly because they are torn from
constant washing. Sometimes we use paper
bags for diapers and feed the children tea
because we have no formula. In addition,
car maintenance, fuel and medical bills
must be paid.
The greatest challenge the orphanage faces
is that of a sustainable source of income.
Government offices and the community
entrust us with abandoned children and
orphans yearly but without financial
support.Yet, we must support these babies
with material needs, shelter and food.The
clothes and bedding have to be replaced
In the Franciscan tradition, the Sisters rely
solely on Divine Providence and the
charity of others to care for their needs
and offer hope to the orphans.
Sister Elizabeth Achieng ’95 is director of
St. Philomena Babies Home in Uganda
The Office of Mission and Ministry
at Immaculata and the Alumnae/i
Board of Governors are seeking
ways to assist their fellow alumna,
Sister Elizabeth Achieng ’95, by
providing spiritual, financial and
material assistance to the St.
Philomena Babies Home
Donations may be sent in care of:
Immaculata University
Campus Ministry
PO Box 665
Immaculata, PA 19345
Please make checks payable to:
Immaculata University
Memo line: St. Philomena Orphanage
The unrest in Uganda has
caused uncertainty in food
6
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
7
Empowering
the Professional Teacher
The Fellowship in Mathematics and Science (FIMS) is among
several such programs currently available to teachers.
by Sister Marie Anselm Cooper, IHM, EdD
From the earliest days, Immaculata
University has demonstrated a dedication to
the pre-service and ongoing development of
the professional teacher. That commitment
has strengthened and deepened through
the decades. Complementing the
outstanding degree programs for teachers
at the undergraduate and graduate levels,
Immaculata offers a variety of professional
development workshops and courses. The
Fellowship in Mathematics and Science is
among several such programs currently
available to teachers. For those schools
traditionally engaged in teacher education
and rooted in the liberal arts, programs for
outreach to in-service teachers, and
through them to their students, deserve a
fresh look and a new appraisal.
One such program is Fellowship in
Mathematics and Science (FIMS), a threeyear professional development program in
mathematics and science, content funded
under the United States Department of
Education’s Mathematics/Science
Partnership Program, administered by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education. The
partnership brings together the Chester
County Intermediate Unit, the lead agency
on the grant, Immaculata University as
educational partner, and research scientists
from the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) with seventy-five
teachers from school districts in
Philadelphia, Delaware, and Chester
counties. All school districts included in the
partnership faced challenges in meeting
8
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
mandated annual improvement in the years
preceding the program. FIMS improves
student learning by improving the content
preparation, NASA connections, availability
of technology, and pedagogical tools of
classroom teachers. Five full-time science
and mathematics faculty members from
Immaculata have served as teachers during
the program.
Teachers spend one intensive week at
Immaculata and three days at NASA
Goddard Space Flight Center each summer,
and one evening per month, through the
school year, increasing content expertise,
building lessons based on NASA missions,
and sharing strategies with each other, with
the instructors, and with the NASA
scientists. Each of the three years has
concentrated on one area of science and
mathematics.
January 2007. Recently, the Department of
Education announced its continuation for a
fourth year.
Projects like FIMS have the potential to help
students envision futures for themselves that
might not be possible otherwise. The
enthusiasm teacher participants build during
the program translates into student
excitement for mathematics and the
sciences, persistence in learning, and
willingness to try new things. As teachers
broaden their views, students broaden theirs,
and doors to the future open up to students
who had known only walls.
Sister Marie Anselm Cooper, IHM, EdD, is
professor of mathematics/physics at
Immaculata University and director of the
Office of Sponsored Research.
Over the years of the grant teachers have
shown significant increases in their
confidence, satisfaction, and readiness to
embrace differentiated instruction and
hands-on, minds-on learning with their
students, and that has positively impacted
student success. The connections made
among teachers from the three districts has
enriched the lessons of all and
conversation over dinner at Tuesday
evening meetings is centered on classroom
strategies and investigations, new ideas
and useful websites. The project’s success
prompted an invitation to the director and
teachers to present at a meeting of
Pennsylvania school administrators in
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
9
A VISIT TO AMERICA
Saudi Fulbright Scholar Comes to Immaculata University
rom February 11 to 17, Immaculata
hosted Saudi Fulbright scholar
Professor Mishal al-Sulami of King
Abdulaziz University. Immaculata was the
third stop for al-Sulami on his American visit,
after stays at fellow SEPCHE (SouthEastern
Pennsylvania Consortium of Higher
Education) schools Chestnut Hill and
Neumann. Al-Sulami is assistant professor in
Islamic Studies at Abdulaziz, and chairman of
that department’s Human Rights Academic
Committee. He received his PhD in Political
Science from the University of Exeter, UK, in
F
2002. His book, entitled The West and Islam:
Western Liberal Democracy versus the System of
Shura, was published in 2003 by
RoutledgeCurzon. Immaculata was honored
to host a Fulbright scholar for a full week.
Professor al-Sulami’s visit was quite timely,
given the complex issues in Middle Eastern
politics presented each day in the news.
The Fulbright Program
Al-Sulami comes to Immaculata and the
other SEPCHE schools via the Fulbright
Dr. al-Sulami at the University of
Pennsylvania Middle East Center
by Dr.William E.Watson
Foundation’s Visiting Specialists Program,
specifically through Fulbright’s “Direct
Access to the Muslim World.”The
Fulbright Foundation was established in
1946 and is sponsored by the US State
Department. Fulbright is the world’s
largest international exchange program,
and its official statement maintains that
the foundation “aims to increase mutual
understanding between the peoples of
the United States and other countries
through the exchange of persons,
knowledge, and skills.”
Immaculata’s new Middle East Studies
Program, housed in the History and
Politics Department, has been fortunate
to have had the services of University of
Pennsylvania Fulbright recipient Alexa
Firat (who studied in Syria for a year) to
teach Elementary Arabic to Immaculata
undergraduates for the past two years.
Saudi Arabia
Unified in 1932 by Wahhabi Arab tribal
leader Abd al-Aziz, Saudi Arabia is a
kingdom that covers most of the Arabian
Peninsula—about one fifth of the area of
the United States (Wahhabism is regarded
as a Sunni fundamentalist form of Islam).
The kingdom’s population is 22 million
natives and 5.5 million foreign workers,
many of whom work in the petroleum
industry.The country’s economy is
dominated by oil, and the kingdom owns
fully 25 percent of the world’s proven
petroleum reserves.The median age of
10
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
Dr. al-Sulami talks with Immaculata
students at a reception in the Blue Room
Presentation to Honors students
the kingdom’s population is 21 years, and
the life expectancy is 75 years.The
country’s literacy rate is almost 79
percent, and there are 2.5 million
internet users in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia is a traditionalist monarchy,
although there is a Consultative Council
(Majlis al-Shura) with a 120 member
legislature whose chairman is appointed
by the king.Voting was held for
municipal councils for the first time in
2005 by males over age 21. An Allegiance
Commission of Saudi princes has been
formulated as well, which will play a role
in selecting future kings.Women do not
possess legal equality with men in the
kingdom, and honor killings, female
circumcision, and trafficking in humans
for involuntary servitude (mainly from
Yemen, Pakistan, and sub-Saharan Africa)
remain problematic issues.
Saudi dissidents generally fall into two
categories—fundamentalist jihadis drawn
to leaders such as Usama Bin Laden
(who loathe the Western alliances forged
by the House of Saud) and those few
who seek liberal reforms along western
lines. Neither group as yet stands poised
to create any sweeping change in the
kingdom, and both the US and NATO
specifically prefer to support the current
ruling dynasty over any regional option.
The Saudis allowed American and
coalition forces to use the kingdom as a
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
11
“Is the United States ready to accept the outcome of democracy in the Arab world?”
Presentation to History and Politics of the Middle
East Class
base of operations in the 1991 Gulf War against
Iraq, and significant American forces were based
in the kingdom until a recent redeployment to
nearby Qatar. Establishment educators with
Western ties such as Mishal al-Sulami are vital
to the future of the kingdom
Professor Al-Sulami met with faculty, students,
and the public in several venues during the
week of February 11. His schedule included a
book presentation and discussion in the
Gabriele Library Atrium on February 12, and
two opportunities for the public to interact
with a Fulbright scholar: a discussion at the
Exton Barnes & Noble on February 12, and a
lecture and discussion in Loyola Hall on
February 15.The topic of his public discussions
was “Is the United States Ready to Accept the
Outcome of Democracy in the Arab World?”
Additionally, Professor al-Sulami gave private
classroom lectures to Immaculata students and
spoke at lunches with faculty and students
throughout the week.
After his presentation at
Gabriele Library, Dr. al-Sulami
is pictured with executive
director of Gabriele Library,
Jeffrey Rollison and
international student Zahra
Valli from Kenya, originally
from India
William E.Watson, PhD, is associate professor
of history at Immaculata University.
Chair of the history/political science
department, associate professor of
history, Dr. William Watson is pictured
with Dr. al-Sulami and assistant
professor, Dr. Eugene Halus, Jr.
Sister Carroll Isselmann, vice
president for academic affairs,
greets Dr. al-Sulami on his arrival
at Immaculata
Lecture in Loyola Hall
12
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
Visit to the Archdiocesan Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.
Pictured are director, Father Gregory J. Fairbanks, Dr. al-Sulami, and assistant
director Sister Joseph Kase, IHM
Dialogue at Barnes & Noble in Exton
Sister Patricia Fadden, president, presents
Dr. al-Sulami with gifts from Immaculata University
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
13
Doug MacEwan, director of the
capital campaign, displays the
new campaign logo.
IMAGINE IMMACULATA
BUILDING ON THE VISION
A Campaign for the Future…
On April 29, 2007, Homecoming
weekend, Immaculata embarked on a
visionary capital campaign for the future,
“The Imagine Immaculata – Building on
the Vision” Campaign. Theresa Shank
Grentz ’74, former head basketball coach
of the University of Illinois women’s
basketball team and a member of the
championship Mighty Macs basketball
teams of the 70s was the featured speaker.
Theresa spoke enthusiastically about her
years here at Immaculata, her memories,
and all that she had been given. Her
excitement for Immaculata’s future was
evident in her remarks that the possibilities
are endless for the growth of Immaculata.
Immaculata University continues a
tradition of excellence in education. As a
university of today, the University is
interested in each individual student, their
hopes, dreams, and goals for the future.
Fostered by our founding Sisters, Servants
of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Immaculata continues to be aware of the
needs of all students and strives to service
those needs in the best way possible.
Sparked by an in-depth Campus Master
Plan created over the last few years, the
University realized that with the expanded
enrollment in all three colleges, the
demand for services has placed a stress on
14
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
facilities.The campus needs to refurbish its
physical plant, as well as build new facilities
that assist with the recruitment of students
looking for a total collegiate experience.
The Imagine Immaculata – Building on
the Vision Campaign will fund the planned
changes and growth of the physical plant
that will contribute so much to a vital
student life on campus. The capital
campaign goal of $16 million will be a
good beginning. As alumni and friends are
asked to participate generously in the
campaign, the stewardship of their
investment in Immaculata is assured.
Theresa Shank Grentz ’74, featured speaker, is pictured
with Patty Canterino ‘92, athletic director and coach of
women’s basketball.
With the dedication of the Draper Walsh
Stadium in fall 2006 and the construction
of a new softball field, the master plan for
the future has begun. Next in line will be
the construction of a new student center
designed with a food court, coffee house
and convenience store, and other amenities
seen on university campuses of the 21st
Century. The building will have a fitness
center, a black box theater, seminar rooms,
student organization activity rooms,
meeting rooms and administrative offices.
Fueled by the energy of those who
attended the kickoff celebration,
Immaculata is pressing forward with
expansion throughout the University. The
undergraduate population in the College
of Undergraduate Studies has doubled in
size compared to two years ago. A
dynamic future bodes well throughout
every area of the University with
unprecedented growth in enrollment,
academic programs, student services,
faculty, and staff.
With Sister Marian William Hoben,
former president of Immaculata
are (l. to r.) Mary K. Doherty ’74
and former Mighty Macs, Theresa
Shank Grentz ’74 and Denise
Conway Crawford ’74
Attending the campaign kickoff reception are (l. to r.) Sister Lorraine McGrew, IHM, chair of the
board of trustees; Bernadette Maguire ’57, chair of the campaign steering committee; Sister R.
Patricia Fadden, president; Theresa Shank Grentz ’74; Doug MacEwan, director of the capital
campaign; and Dr. Linda Hopkins, vice president for institutional advancement.
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
15
I M M A C U L ATA T R A D I T I O N
IceTime
by Catherine Glisson ’09
What does Immaculata University have in
common with ice, figure skates, sit spins,
and axels? For many not much, but for one
student in particular—everything! The
student is Catherine Glisson, a sophomore
communication major who has been figure
skating since eleven years of age.
If I could,
I would eat,
breathe,
and sleep
ice skating.
I still remember where I was when I asked
my Dad if I could start ice skating lessons.
While we were waiting for our food at
Denny’s, I was leafing through a newspaper
and saw an ad for ice skating lessons.
Immediately I asked my Dad if I could
take lessons. Little did we know that nine
years later I would still be skating.
I train at the University of Delaware,
where I take lessons from Debbie Varner,
Meri Alfano, and Yovanny Durango.
Debbie has been my figure skating coach
for two and half years and Meri for seven
years. For the last four years,Yovanny
Durango has been my dance coach.
Skating takes time and dedication in order
to excel. On-ice, I practice five days a week
for two hours each day and off-ice, train
for one and half hours a day as well.While
16
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
attending Immaculata, I skate three days a
week at Ice Line in West Chester, and two
days at the University of Delaware.When I
am at home on breaks, I skate five days a
week at the University of Delaware.
Currently I am working on the foxtrot in
dance,‘moves in the field’ and freestyle.
‘Moves in the field’ are elements that
basically deal with edge quality.There are
four or five elements at each level that a
skater needs to pass in order to move to
the next level.This replaced ‘figures’ which
was previously a mandatory part of skating
competition.
I am very selective where and how I spend
my time because I am taking fifteen
credits and have earned Dean’s List each
semester. My activities include being
secretary of my sorority Alpha Xi and the
vice president for IU’s photography club.
My social life is usually reserved for
weekends and meeting friends at meals.
Time management is the key to success
and is not an easy task to master. I still find
that I am trying to master it.
I would like to attain my senior freestyle
and ‘moves in the field’ by the time I
graduate and be on my gold dances. US
Figure Skating organizes dances in
categories and gold dances is the last
category before moving on to international
dances.Though at one time my goal for
skating was to go to the Olympics, I have
found as I have continued in the sport that I
would like to coach. After graduation,
another option would be touring with
Disney On Ice.
Skating has taught me many things about
myself and life—how to persevere, to be
dedicated, the significance of working hard,
and the satisfaction of knowing that you
did your best.These lessons came true
especially in times of injuries. I have had to
take time off for two knee surgeries on the
right leg which happens to be my landing
leg for jumps. After a torn ACL in fall
2005, I am just getting back into skating.
Ice skating is my passion in life. I look
forward to skating everyday. If I could, I
would eat, breathe, and sleep ice skating.
Not only is skating my passion, but it is a
way for me to stay healthy and to relieve
stress. Everyone should have a passion in
life and I am very blessed to have found
mine.
Why We Ring the
Infant’s Bell
by Sister Catarin Conjar, IHM
*
At the commuter entrance to Nazareth Hall, stands a small statue
of the Infant of Prague. Traditionally, those passing ring the small bell
attached to the statue and say a prayer.
Why do we ring the Infant’s bell?
The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart
of Mary, the founders of Immaculata
University, have kept a special devotion to the
Infant of Prague.This devotion was inspired by
two of their special patrons, St.Teresa of Avila
and St. Alphonsus Ligouri. Each evening, young
Sisters in formation, were encouraged to stop
at the place where there was a statue of the
Infant of Prague to offer a prayer.
One of the early faculty members, Sister
Donatus, also had great devotion to the Infant
of Prague. For this reason, she selected him as
the patron of Cue and Curtain. Sister’s office
was opposite the little theater, tucked beneath
the stairwell. On the opposite wall a little shelf
was built to hold a statue of the Infant of
Prague.Words inscribed near the theater were:
“I will play my part before the King.”
When the site was selected for Villa Maria
Hall, the builders were concerned that there
was not an adequate water supply for such a
facility.The superior general at that time,
Mother Camilla, assured the workers that there
had to be water in the area because the
sycamore trees would not be growing
otherwise.
Because of the devotion that the Sisters
witnessed, the students also began to turn to the
Infant with their needs—student, faculty or
staff—you could hear the ringing of the bell
which announced that a prayer was being
offered to the Infant.
Mother Camilla encouraged the Sisters to
make a novena (nine days of prayer) to the
Infant of Prague. Almost miraculously, two
artesian wells were discovered in the area of
what is now back campus.Today, you will
notice a statue of the Infant of Prague erected
in that area as a reminder to be ever thankful
for the blessings God sends us.
Today, Immaculata has undergone many
renovations. In 1998, the statue of the Infant of
Prague was moved to the commuter entrance
in Nazareth Hall. At the present time that is
where it remains and if you listen carefully, you
can hear the ringing of the bell and the earnest
prayers ascending to heaven.
Sister Catarin Conjar, IHM, is coordinator,
international student services, at Immaculata
University.
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE SPRING 2007
17
Endowed
Immaculata
Scholarships
Gifts may be added to these scholarships or
to any scholarship previously endowed.
FOUR NEWLY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS
Laverne and Katherine Tucker Alexander Scholarship
Sister Marie Antoine, IHM Scholarship
Jessica Lee Ricciardi Scholarship. Jessica, a student
Rocco N. and Sara J. Borrelli Scholarship
Kathy Burke Scholarship
in the College of LifeLong Learning, died in
Dolores Wiza Conoscento Scholarship
Stella M. and Jeanne A. di Toro Scholarship
October, 2005, at the age of 22. Her parents,
Almira M. Doutt Scholarship
Nancy and Robert Ricciardi have established
Draper-Walsh Service Grant
Estelle and Theresa K. Fagan Scholarship
an endowed scholarship in her memory for
students with financial need.
Jane M. Feely Scholarship
Jessica Lee Ricciardi
Jada Gallagher Memorial Scholarship
Monsignor Maurice Hassett Scholarship
Anne and Tim McCarthy Scholarship
Joanna Cahill McLaughlin Scholarship. As part of Joanna’s estate plan,
Margaret S. and Eileen E. McKelvey Scholarship
Linda Fredericks Michelson Scholarship
a gift to Immaculata enabled the establishment of an endowed
Monsignor Hugh J. Nolan/Dever Rapp Scholarship
scholarship. Her husband, Jack McLaughlin and her family
Desmond J. Nunan, Sr. and Rev. Francis J. Walsh
Scholarship
recommended the scholarship for a music major who is involved
Shirley Pinola Scholarship
Mary Ann Scheuhing Scholarship
in theater/performing arts.
Helen A. Sharpe Scholarship
Cheryl J. Thatcher Scholarship
Gerard A. Beauchesne Scholarship. Margaret Beauchesne and her family
established an endowed scholarship in memory of their husband and
father. The scholarship will be awarded to a nursing student.
Fred and Barbara Travaglini Scholarship
Louis and Madeleine M. Vassalotti Scholarship
Monsignor William J. Wall Scholarship
Class of 1939 Scholarship
Class of 1948 Scholarship
Class of 1960 Scholarship
Trieste Musa Rao Scholarship. Trieste’s estate plan provided for an
endowed scholarship to help students with financial need who
study music.
Class of 1963 Scholarship
Immaculata General Scholarship Fund
For more information regarding endowed scholarships,
please contact Sister Rita O’Leary, IHM, director of
planned giving and stewardship, at 610-647-4400, ext. 3124
or ro’[email protected]