Author

salvetoday



Arts and Humanities  / Event Coverage  / Faculty/Staff
“Erased Landscapes” featuring artwork by Salve’s gallery director Ernest Jolicoeur
salvetoday Posted On October 4, 2023


The Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of “Ernest Jolicoeur: Erased Landscapes,” an exhibition of recent paintings and drawings by Ernest Jolicoeur, associate professor of art and the gallery director at Salve Regina. The exhibit will be open Oct. 5 – Nov. 2. An opening reception and artist talk are scheduled for the evening of Thursday, Oct. 5, from 5-7 p.m. with a lecture from 6-6:30 p.m.

Last year, Jolicoeur was awarded a sabbatical leave of absence to advance his professional work as an artist. This show acknowledges the impact of that experience on his creative livelihood, according to Jolicoeur.

“I am currently in my twelfth year as the director of Salve’s Hamilton Gallery,” said Jolicoeur. “Across that span, I have conceptualized, curated and installed approximately one hundred exhibitions on our campus. However, I’ve only shown examples of my professional work a handful of times in faculty group exhibitions. This is my first solo exhibition on campus, and it’s very special to me to have such a large body of work installed in the gallery that I know so well.”

In his series titled “Erased Landscapes,” Jolicoeur explores the memory of place and the place of memory as agents of image making. His acrylic paintings and collage drawings depict a world of charged spaces and architectural structures shaped by the forces of memory, observation and imagination.

For the very first time, Jolicoeur hangs his own pieces for a full exhibit at Hamilton Gallery.

“The work in the show explores the imprint of place on my life,” Jolicoeur explained. “How do we hold onto and depict our complex lived experience? And how do we reconcile the intangible forces of memory and imagination against the backdrop of architecture and the natural world? Those are some of the fundamental questions in this work.”

Each of the 23 pieces on display will offer viewers a unique composite of abstract and representational elements that are pressed together into a new hybrid landscape. These works invite the viewer to journey to a place just out of reach — like a childhood home or a temporary COVID-19 test site.

“I think of it as a reflective, poetic response to a time and place marked by the pandemic,” said Jolicoeur.

Jolicoeur’s work draws equally from both the natural world and the built environment. His paintings combine fleeting sensations of light, temperature, and atmosphere with fragmentary traces of landscape, architecture and the human figure. His work reimagines the poetic capacity for abstract painting to embody his lived experience of place.

“I hope people spend time with the work and allow the show to activate their imaginations and memories in a genuine way,” said Jolicoeur. “Paintings are static objects that embody space and time. I try to make paintings that are visually dynamic and highly associative, paintings that are available to everyone. I believe these drawings and paintings reveal themselves in time and reward contemplation.”

Jolicoeur received his BFA from Rhode Island College and his MFA from Yale University. He exhibits his work nationally and internationally. Most recently he exhibited his drawings in Newport at the contemporary art gallery Overlap. Other local venues include the RISD Museum, Roger Williams University and Brown University’s Bell Gallery. He also has an extensive record of exhibitions in New York that includes the Museum of Modern Art PS1, VOLTA, Feature Inc., Silverstein Gallery and ArtPort Kingston.

His work has received numerous honors and awards, including three fellowships from the Rhode State Council of the Arts. In 2022, Jolicoeur and Anthony Mangieri, associate professor of art history, co-authored “Muse and Mercy: Exploring Fine and Decorative Arts at Salve Regina University” to highlight the significance of art on Salve’s campus.

The Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery is located in the Antone Academic Center on the campus of Salve Regina. It is a fully accessible space with parking along Lawrence Avenue and Leroy Avenue. Its exhibits are open to the public Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 4 p.m. The gallery is closed on Mondays.


Continue Reading
0


Event Coverage  / News
Voices of Mercy luncheon speaker series kicks off with Sam Sacco
salvetoday Posted On October 4, 2023


The McAuley Institute for Mercy Education is excited to launch its third year of the “Voices of Mercy: What Matters to Me and Why” luncheon speaker series beginning with Sam Sacco, senior lecturer for the Department of Business and Economics, on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at Noon in Ochre Court. Please register for this event by clicking here.

This speaker series seeks to provide opportunities for the Salve Regina community to gather and share together around the University’s stories, core values and mission. The series will host one faculty member, one administrator and one staff member annually to reflect on their lives and vocations and respond to the question: “What matters to me, and why?”

Sam Sacco

Known for his leadership in the Newport Cliff Walk assessment project and grant writing with his students as well as his guidance of students who help manage a portion of Salve’s investments, Sacco inspires people to be present, act with integrity and lead with kindness.

The second speaker within the series will be Dr. Letizia Gambrell-Boone, vice president for student affairs, on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Click here to register for the lunch with Dr. Gambrell-Boone.

In the spring semester, the speaker will be Mary Edwards, assistant vice president for marketing and communications on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. Click here to register for the lunch with Mary Edwards. All luncheons will take place in the State Dining Room of Ochre Court at Noon.

Dr. Letizia Gambrell-Boone


Continue Reading
0


Arts and Humanities  / News  / Salve Spotlights
Salve students will make history performing on Broadway in ‘Children of Eden’ concert
salvetoday Posted On October 3, 2023


For the very first time in the history of Salve Regina’s theatre program, 22 students will be performing on Broadway in a concert production of “Children of Eden,” a musical by the famed Stephen Schwartz, at the Lincoln Center in Feb. 2024.

“When I found out that Broadway wanted our Salve cast to perform at the Lincoln Center with famous Broadway actors, I did not understand what I was being told,” said Matthew Desorcy ’24, a theatre arts major. “It took me a moment to realize that I would actually be performing on Broadway—and when I told my parents, they could not have been more proud. It’s a dream come true.”

So how did this dream happen for Salve students?

An unexpected phone call

“Children of Eden” is a musical that uses Biblical stories found in Genesis to think through themes of family conflict, identity and acceptance. The tales of Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel are featured in Act I, while Noah and the Ark are featured in Act II.

Salve’s theatre program had performed “Children of Eden” in the spring of 2023. While it is a show written by Schwartz—who wrote famous musicals like “Wicked” and “Godspell”—“Children of Eden” itself has never been performed on Broadway until now.

The Broadway concert performance is being produced by Manhattan Concert Productions, who called Dr. Tara Brooke Watkins, the program director of Salve theatre’s program, this past summer out of the blue to invite the students to audition by way of submitting a cast recording of the ensemble singing.

After viewing the recording Dr. Watkins submitted, Manhattan Concert Productions was so impressed they asked if Dr. Watkin’s students would be interested in performing during the Broadway concert.

Scenes from Salve’s theatre program performing “Children of Eden” in the spring of 2023.

“I have never had somebody call and say, ‘Hey, we want you to audition for Broadway,’” said Dr. Watkins. “When I first even got the email saying they were they were trying to get a hold of me, I thought it was a joke. But it was completely legit—and we are now taking 22 of our students to perform at Lincoln Center…. I’m still a little in shock that this is happening.”

All of the leads for the concert have been cast with well-known Broadway stars like Auli’i Cravalho, Nikki Renée Daniels, Jordan Fisher and Norm Lewis — and Salve’s students will be part of an estimated 350-person chorus to round out the cast. The students are being assigned to sing in either Act I or Act II because of how vocally demanding the show is. Stephen Schwartz himself might also be making an appearance during the show.

“I am a big fan of Jordan Fisher, who will be performing as Cain in ‘Children of Eden,’ so I am extremely excited for the chance to work with him in a professional setting,” said Desorcy.

The show opens Feb. 18, 2024, and tickets will go on sale Dec. 19, 2023.

Students react to the chance to perform on Broadway

To say that the 22 students who are performing on Broadway are excited for such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is an understatement.

“The cast and crew put so much of themselves into our production of ‘Children of Eden,’ and to have all the hard work recognized by those who work alongside the best in the business was amazing,” said Anna Annese ’26, a theatre major with a minor in music. “We are a small school, and it was empowering to be seen and chosen.”

No matter what happens in the future, the students say that they will never forget this chance, and they are excited that Salve’s theatre program is being recognized with such a national spotlight.

Scenes from Salve’s theatre program performing “Children of Eden” in the spring of 2023.

“I am undoubtedly grateful for the hard work and long hours that Salve theatre has put into perfecting every show performed throughout the four years I’ve been here,” said Desorcy. “This opportunity goes to show the dedication artists have when chasing their dreams. They refuse to go unnoticed.”

The students performing on Broadway are fundraising to cover the cost of hotel rooms, theatre workshops, transportation and more, and are hosting a Gala Cabaret Night at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 in the Casino Theater to garner support. The evening will feature performances from alumni and current students in the theatre arts program. Open to the University community and the public, admission is $25 for general and $10 for Salve Regina students.

“For some, this has been a lifelong dream come true — something that we have been working at since we were little,” said Annese. “Every theater kid dreams about being able to perform on Broadway someday, and for Salve our someday is coming in February.”

For more information, please contact Dr. Watkins at tara.watkins@salve.edu.


Continue Reading
0


Event Coverage  / News
Pell Center hosting book launch for G. Wayne Miller’s new satire on modern media
salvetoday Posted On October 3, 2023


The Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy is hosting a wine-and-cheese book launch event for G. Wayne Miller’s new fictional satire, “Unfit to Print: A Modern Media Satire.” The book launch will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 6:30 p.m. To register, go here.

The evening will feature a discussion with Miller hosted by Brendan Kirby, co-host of The Rhode Show on TV station WPRI/CBS 12. Miller will also sign copies of “Unfit to Print.”

“Unfit to Print” is a scathing indictment of today’s media by Miller, an author of 21 books and an award-winning journalist for four decades — most of them at the Pulitzer Prize-winning Providence Journal, the oldest continuously published newspaper in the U.S.

“Unfit to Print” is also a keen commentary on today’s politics and culture, when so many get their “news” from social media and reporters are seen as enemies of the people.

G. Wayne Miller is the director of Ocean State Stories, a nonprofit news outlet based at the Pell Center that serves all of Rhode Island and the many diverse communities that comprise the state. Miller also co-hosts and co-produces the national Telly-winning PBS TV and SiriusXM show “Story in the Public Square.”

To go to the launch event on Wednesday, Oct. 11, go here.

 


Continue Reading
0


Arts and Humanities  / Event Coverage  / Student Life
2024 short-term study abroad applications now open
salvetoday Posted On October 2, 2023


The Center for Global Education and Fellowships is pleased to announce that applications are now open for seven short-term study abroad programs in 2024. Programs take place during winter break, spring break, or summer break and range from one to four weeks in length. Some study abroad programs are attached to spring semester courses on campus, while others conduct coursework solely abroad.

2024 short-term study abroad programs

Students can choose from programs in the Amazon, Canada, Austria, Ireland, England, Italy and Maine.

Winter Break in the Amazon is a unique experience where students can study tropical biology in one of the world’s most diverse and captivating ecosystems. Students will travel through the Rio Negro in Brazil aboard the Motor Yacht Tucano. This program is led by Dr. Jameson Chace, professor in biology and biomedical services, and allows students to earn a 1-credit natural science lab. Deadline to apply is Nov. 1.

Spring Break in Calgary is an immersive dance experience where students will study at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks in the city of Calgary in Canada. Under the leadership of Dr. Lindsey Guarino, associate professor of dance, dance majors or minors have the opportunity to earn 1 or 2 credits toward their degrees. Students may also attend the program for personal enrichment. Deadline to apply is Nov. 1.

Spring Break in Vienna & Salzburg is designed for music students eager to expand new horizons by immersing themselves in the cultural and historical context were composers such as Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven set their roots. Attached to a 3-credit spring semester course, students will follow Peter Davis, senior lecturer in the music program, to Austria for one week during spring break. Deadline to apply is Dec. 1.

Summer in Ireland is a great opportunity for students interested in public health to compare the healthcare systems in the United States and Ireland. Ideal for Nursing or Healthcare Administration majors, this spring semester course attached to a two-week trip to Ireland with Dr. McCarthy and Dr. Cherubini allows students to earn 3 credits fulfilling their public health requirement in those majors. The program is also open as a free elective to students in any other major.  Deadline Dec. 1.

Summer in Oxford, a program rooted in experiential learning, is a chance for students to engage in the rich academic and cultural heritage of Oxford in the United Kingdom while taking courses with Salve Regina’s Dr. Sally Gomaa, professor in the Department of English, Communications and Media; and Sam Sacco, senior lecturer in business and economics. Students will also have classes at St. Clare’s College and Oxford University. Coursework will be complemented with guided field trips to historically significant sites in and around Oxford, in addition to excursions in Bath, Stonehenge, and London to enrich students’ understanding of British culture and history. Students will take two courses, completing 6 credits by the end of the program. This program will allow students to fulfill requirements across a variety of areas including Pell honors, core requirements, or major and minor requirements. Deadline to apply is Feb. 1, 2024.

Summer in Italy is a developmental psychology and education program in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Under the guidance of Dr. Kaitlin Gabriele-Black, professor in the psychology department, students will gain a deeper understanding of child development in a city that views early childhood education as a collective responsibility of the local community. With excursions to Bologna and Rimini, this is a great way for students to engage with Italian culture while fulfilling 6 credits in their major or minor, core requirements, or earning free elective credits. Deadline to apply is Feb. 1, 2024.

Summer Archaeology Program is a great opportunity for Cultural and Historical Preservation (CHP) and Sociology and Anthropology majors or minors to earn 3 elective credits while gaining hands-on experience in archaeological survey and excavation techniques in the Northern Maine woods. Under the leadership of Dr. Heather Rockwell and Dr. Nathaniel Kitchel, assistant professors in the CHP program, students will collaborate with other experts in the fields of archaeology and cultural preservation while exploring the Munsungun Quarries project. Deadline to apply is Feb. 1, 2024.

Next steps

Studying abroad is one of the most transformative experiences students can partake in. It fosters personal growth, opens new perspectives, and enriches academics in a way that cannot be replicated on campus. Participating in a short-term program is a great way for students to receive official Salve credits, work with Salve faculty and get a taste for international travel without committing to a full semester.

Short-term programs are designed to accommodate a variety of students. Whether a student is a biology major looking to study a diverse array of species, a nursing student trying to find time in their coursework to study abroad, or simply looking to fulfill core requirements, there is a program for everyone.

Students interested in any of the above short-term programs may now open an application on ViaTRM and apply by the respective deadline. For further information, check out the Center for Global Education and Fellowships’ Linktree or attend the remaining information sessions for the following programs:

  • Winter Break in the Amazon – Thursday, Oct. 12, from 4 – 5 p.m. in Miley Hall, Room 012.
  • Spring Break in Vienna & Salzburg – Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 4 – 5 p.m. Angelus Hall, Room 102.
  • Summer in Ireland – Thursday, Oct. 19, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., in O’Hare Academic Building, Room 160.
  • Summer in Oxford – Wednesday, Oct. 25, from Noon – 1 p.m. O’Hare Academic Building, Room 260; additional session is on Tuesday, Nov. 14, from Noon – 1 p.m. in same location.
  • Summer in Italy – Tuesday Oct. 3, from 2-3 p.m. in O’Hare Academic Building, Room 260; additional session on Monday, Nov. 13, from 1 – 2 p.m. in O’Hare Academic Building, Room 260.
  • Summer Archaeology Program – Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 2 – 3 p.m. in O’Hare Academic Building, Room 260.

Continue Reading
0


News
Meet Salve’s new Fulbright foreign language teaching assistants
salvetoday Posted On September 27, 2023


Each academic year, Salve Regina hosts several foreign language teaching assistants from across the world through the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program. For 2023-24, Salve welcomes Cecilia Campana (pictured above, left) and Sophie Grzeskowiak to campus (pictured above, right).

The two will be teaching languages, living at Carnlough Cottage and taking courses each semester. They are also facilitating conversation tables for the University community, planning cultural events and movie nights on campus, and will be teaching introductory language instruction together at the Pell Elementary School in Newport, Rhode Island.

Learn more about Salve’s new Fulbright foreign language teaching assistants below.

Cecilia Campana

Campana began studying English while attending primary school in her native Rosario, central Argentina’s largest city. She earned degrees in technical scientific and literary translation, and in both English teaching and translation, having studied at the Higher Education Institute No. 28 “Olga Cossettini” and the National University of Rosario.

Having taught and coordinated ESL instruction for students of different ages and skill levels in Argentina since 2017, Campana also taught young children for a year while living in Stuttgart, Germany. She said her appreciation for traveling and learning about different cultures is what inspired her to apply to the Fulbright program.

“I thought this was going to be a great opportunity for personal and professional growth,” she said. “I had been teaching for many years before coming here, and I felt like this gave me the opportunity not only to take classes, but also to see how the educational system works in another country.”

A post from Comisión Fulbright Argentina’s LinkedIn page celebrating the Fulbright TAs. Campana is pictured (second row on far right, second person in). 

Salve ranked at the top of her Fulbright choices because of its location. “The city looked very nice, and we are both amazed at how beautiful the campus and the city is,” she said. “It’s a big plus.”

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Campana is taking two classes this semester: ENG-310 Fairytales and Fantastic Literature with Dr. Margaret Svogun, professor in the Department of English, Communications and Media; and ITL-111  Elementary Italian with Dr. Norman Rusin, lecturer in the Department of Modern Languages. She also hopes to continue practicing her love for pottery during her time at Salve and plans to take all that she learns through her Fulbright experience back to her future students in Argentina.

“I have been teaching for many years before coming here, and I think this will give me lots of tools to take back to my classes in Argentina as an English teacher with a different perspective,” she said. “Maybe to take some of the American culture back to my country and see how I can apply what I’ve learned here in my lessons.”

Sophie Grzeskowiak

Born in the suburbs of Paris and raised in Aix-en-Provence in southern France, Grzeskowiak completed her upper-level language studies at Aix-Marseille University, earning her bachelor’s degree in foreign literature and civilization with a major in Japanese. She also has two master’s degrees – one in literary translation and cultural exchanges, and another in teaching French as a foreign language.

Grzeskowiak studied in Tokyo at Meiji University as part of an international exchange, completed an intensive language course at The Kyoto Center for Japanese Linguistic Studies, and taught French at St. Munchin’s College in Ireland through France Education International.

Grzeskowiak learned about the Fulbright program from a professor at Aix-Marseiile and placed Salve among her top choices because of the beauty of the campus and because the city of Newport has a lot to offer. In addition to teaching FRN-111 Elementary French this semester, Grzeskowiak is taking two courses: RTS-300 Religious Diversity of Newport with John Rok, adjunct faculty in the Department of Religious and Theological Studies; and ENG-240 Witches in American Literature with Dr. Matthew Ramsey, professor in the Department of English, Communications and Media.

“I also like theater a lot and would like to be part of a production of the student-run theater club, StageFright,” Grzeskowiak said. “And I really, really like cinema, so I want to organize the movie nights. They have a lot of DVDs in the library – and a lot of French classics – so it will be nice to make this happen.”

After completing the Fulbright program at Salve, Grzeskowiak hopes to continue pursuing her passion for traveling and for teaching.

“I really enjoy teaching young adults, and I really enjoy teaching teenagers, so I think I’m going to go on teaching French as a foreign language or French for French students in high school or maybe in universities,” she said. “I would maybe like to go to Wales or England or Scotland to teach a little bit over there, too.”


Continue Reading
0


Arts and Humanities  / Event Coverage  / News
Explore the topic of banned books with events, discussions and a play this semester
salvetoday Posted On September 27, 2023


PEN America, a national freedom-of-speech organization, released an annual report on book bans which revealed that between July 1, 2022, and June 31, 2023, there were 3,362 recorded instances of book bans in U.S. public school classrooms and libraries. This is a 33% increase compared to last year.

The issue of banned books is something to be taken seriously. So why exactly is banning books an issue, and how should a community navigate calls for censorship?

From October 2-5, McKillop Library is hosting a Banned Books Week to help Salve staff, faculty and students come explore these difficult topics.

Banned books and censorship will be at the forefront of other events this semester — like the Inclusive Reading Club’s (IRC) meeting on Oct. 19.

The theatre program is also creating an original play called “The Banned Books Club,” and they will be using inspiration from audience members at an event that will happen during Banned Books Week. The final play will be completed and performed later on.

“We have an event on Oct. 5 where there will be a snippets of the show that gets performed in the library, and feedback from audience members will be added into the final show,” said Dr. Tara Brooke Watkins, director of the theatre program. “So audience members will actually have a say in the final product, not just the cast.”

All of these banned books offerings below will provide lively conversation, so please join when able.

Banned books events

Banned Books Week

Don’t Silence Me: Gender, Sexuality, and the Danger of Banning Books
Monday, Oct. 2, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
McKillop Library, first floor

Students in WGS 210 Intro to Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies will host this book reading and discussion focused on books banned due to issues of gender and sexuality. They will read short passages from banned books to amplify and elevate oppressed voices, and they will lead a discussion around issues of censorship, identity and sexuality. Participants don’t have to read any of the books to participate in the discussion. Faculty facilitator of this event will be Dr. Anthony Mangieri, assistant professor in the Department of Art and Art History.

For more information, go here.

A Source of Self-Regard: Reflections on Toni Morrison’s ‘The Bluest Eye’
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
McKillop Library, first floor

This student project presentation enables students to engage with Morrison’s exploration of cultural fault lines, freedom and the African American presence in American literature. Faculty facilitator of this event is Dr. Ikea Johnson, assistant professor in the department of English, Communications and Media.

For more information, go here.

Virtual – Teaching While Banned: Perspectives from Current Public School Teachers
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Virtual event

Attend this virtual panel where Salve alumni who teach in grades 7-12 schools share what it’s like to teach in an environment where the threat of censorship is present. How does it affect their students and pedagogical choices? How does it affect the classroom climate? How does it differ from district to district and state to state?

Faculty facilitators of this event are Dr. Tracy Pelkowski, program coordinator for the Department of Education; professors Dr. Matthew Ramsey and Dr. Donna Harrington Leuker from the Department of English, Communications and Media; and Dr. Timothy Neary, professor in the Department of History.

To register, go here.

Theatrical Presentation and Exploration on Banned Books
Thursday, Oct. 5, 4-6 p.m.
McKillop Library, first floor

The theatre program is creating an original play about banned books and is looking for community voices. On October 5, the theatre program will present a piece in the works that will actively seek audience input and perspective. Using a technique from Augusto Boal the theme of banned books and censorship will be explored, and audience members will speak back to the actors about what could have happened or should have happened during performed scenes. Actors will then replay scenes with audience input.

Faculty facilitator of this event is Sarah Ploskina, adjunct professor from the Department of Theatre, Music and Dance.

For more information, go here.

Inclusive Reading Club

Censorship: Who Decides What We Can Read?
Thursday, Oct. 19, at 4 p.m.
McKillop Library or virtual 

Join the IRC for a conversation on book challenges in various settings. While a book challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict access to materials — often in libraries and classrooms — a book ban is the actual removal of those items. The IRC will talk with librarians and teachers about their experiences with challenges, how they respond and how they can best serve the needs of the communities in which they work.

For more information, go here.

Department of Theatre, Music and Dance – Play

The Banned Books Club
Friday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 4, at 2:00 p.m.
in McKillop Library

Saturday, Oct. 28, at Noon
Middletown Public Library

More information on this play will be coming soon.

Feature photo by Getty Images/Lobro78


Continue Reading
0


Mercy Mission  / News
Celebrating Living the Mission Awards recipients for 2023
salvetoday Posted On September 26, 2023


The Office of Mission Integration for the second year celebrated Salve Regina’s Living the Mission Awards at the University’s fall 2023-24 academic convocation on Sept. 5. These awards are a celebration of Salve’s faculty, staff, students and community partners who have carried out the mercy mission through their dedicated service and leadership.

The Living the Mission Awards recognize individuals who advance the University’s mission in extraordinary ways through their actions, seeking wisdom and promoting universal justice.

The five individuals below have linked Salve Regina’s community to the mercy mission in tremendous ways. Salve Regina is so grateful for how these five recipients are “shining lamps giving light to all around you,” in the words of Catherine McAuley.

Faculty Recipient

Dr. Paula Martasian, associate professor and chair of the Department of Psychology

“Dr. Martasian is the embodiment of compassionate mercy leadership,” Dr. Cody Morris, assistant professor of psychology and graduate program director, reflected in his nomination. “She leads her department with humility, integrity, fairness, grace and courage, which sets an example for all of the young faculty in that department.”

Dr. Martasian gives so much of herself to Salve’s community, students, faculty and staff, and she makes time for the care for the earth, as well as offering meditations and engaging in service regularly in her church and the wider community. Dr. Martasian is living the mission of Salve by working for a world that is harmonious, just and merciful.

Undergraduate Student Recipient

Isabelle Cole ’24, a major in social work with a minor in global studies

“Taking on mercy through action and protest, Belle has given voice to survivors on campus who have suffered sexual assault,” shared fellow undergraduate student, Matthew Elderkin ’24, in his nomination. Elderkin noted that Isabelle Cole inspires and empowers people to unite and share their stories.

“She is a true purveyor of the mercy mission,” he said.

This year, Cole was also elected as president of Salve’s National Mercy Honors Society, Sigma Phi Sigma.

Community Partner Recipient

Mrs. Victoria Johnson, founder of the Newport Middle Passage Port Marker Project and retired principal from Rogers High School


As an institution committed to supporting the community, the university has the pleasure of working with so many extraordinary Aquidneck Island partners. Mrs. Victoria Johnson has worn many hats in the Newport community, especially as retired principal of Rogers High School.

Mary Beth Pelletier, program manager in mission integration, nominated Mrs. Johnson for her commitment as a community member to celebrating the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a planning committee member for Salve’s annual MLK Week celebration. Pelletier reflected in her nomination that Mrs. Johnson’s leadership in Newport and the NAACP’s MLK Day celebration is thoughtful, enlightening and humbling.

“You can also see Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s legacy in Mrs. Johnson’s work,” said Pelletier. “She exhibits courage and mercy in her work and is a valued member of our extended Salve family.”

Graduate or Professional Student Recipient

Evan Switzer, graduate student in behavior analysis

Evan Switzer recently completed his first year in Salve’s behavior analysis (ABA) graduate program. A father of three, Switzer became interested in changing his career and pursuing further studies in ABA as he learned to support one of his children with a diagnosis of autism.

Dr. Cody Morris, graduate program director of ABA, shared in his nomination that Switzer understood fully the importance of the practicum and clinical experience and his willingness to shift his career trajectory to dive in fully was remarkable.

“Evan is clearly committed to becoming a good behavior analyst so that he can help children and families in need and is doing whatever it takes to fulfill his mission,” said Dr. Morris.

Staff Recipient

Anne McDermott, director of the Office of Financial Aid

As the director of financial aid, Anne McDermott has the incredible task of helping to connect students and their families with financial support to realize their dreams for a college education. Dr. Elizabeth Fitzgibbon, associate dean of undergraduate studies and associate professor in mathematical sciences, recognized McDermott for her mercy leadership.

“Anne has led the financial aid office in making significant reforms which have addressed matters of diversity, equity and inclusion — as well as the dignity of all persons,” said Dr. Fitzgibbon. “Anne is consistently putting student needs at the center of the conversation.”

Dr. Fitzgibbon shared in her nomination that McDermott has also lead the way in making significant changes to how Salve addresses students with demonstrated need by helping the process become smoother.


Continue Reading
0


Event Coverage  / News
Pell Center will hold conversation with the ambassador of Liechtenstein on war in Ukraine
salvetoday Posted On September 20, 2023


The Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy’s will host a conversation with ambassador Georg Sparber on international rule of law and the war in Ukraine. This event will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. in the Bazarsky Lecture Hall in O’Hare Academic Building. To register, go here.

Since 2021, Georg Sparber has been the ambassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the U.S. He also serves as Liechtenstein’s permanent observer to the organization of American states.

Before assuming his current duties, he held the position of deputy permanent representative of Liechtenstein to the United Nations (UN) in New York since 2017. His portfolio included disarmament, peace and security and political issues.

Georg Sparber, ambassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein

From 2014-2016, Sparber served as deputy head of mission at the Liechtenstein Embassy in Vienna with accreditation to Austria and the Czech Republic. During that time, he was also Deputy Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the UN and other international organizations in Vienna, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

From 2010-2014, Sparber was posted to the permanent mission of Liechtenstein in New York and was responsible for development, human rights, global governance and elections. He joined the Office of Foreign Affairs in Vaduz in 2009.

Ambassador Sparber holds a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, where he also finished his graduate studies. During his studies he spent time at Sorbonne University in Paris, France, and at Rutgers University in New Jersey. He grew up in Liechtenstein, where he received his primary and secondary education.

This event will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 26. To register, go here.


Continue Reading
0


Arts and Humanities  / Event Coverage  / News
Donovan Rypkema will present keynote address on historic preservation’s economic benefits
salvetoday Posted On September 19, 2023


Renowned preservation economist Donovan Rypkema will shed light on the many underestimated benefits of historic preservation when he presents The Noreen Stonor Drexel Historic Preservation keynote address at Salve Regina.

Free and open to the public, Rypkema’s talk, “The Impacts of Historic Preservation: Beyond Gargoyles,” will be presented on Friday, Oct. 13, at 5 p.m. in the DiStefano Auditorium in Antone Academic Building. Anyone interested in attending can register here, and people are encouraged to register sooner rather than later.

“While the value of historic preservation is often measured in terms of aesthetic and cultural contributions, recent research has demonstrated the economic benefits it can have on communities,” said Dr. Heather Rockwell, assistant professor of cultural and historic preservation at Salve. “Dr. Rypkema’s firm, PlaceEconomics, found that historic heritage tourism attracts 9.8 million tourists and nearly 1.4 billion dollars to the Rhode Island economy each year.”

Other key Rhode Island findings from Dr. Rypkema’s and PlaceEconomics’s research show that historic preservation created jobs for 19,000 workers directly and an additional 7,000 indirectly. These jobs generate paychecks of nearly $1 billion, contributing significantly to the state’s economic vitality.

Rypkema will explain how the benefits go beyond the economy, providing a boost on every level, including livability, and environmental and social justice advantages. His presentation will delve into these findings, showcasing real-world examples from across the United States and beyond.

Rypkema is the president of Heritage Strategies International and principal of PlaceEconomics, specializing in the intersection of historic preservation and economic development. He has been instrumental in assessing and promoting the economic benefits of preserving heritage.

His groundbreaking book, “The Economics of Historic Preservation: A Community Leader’s Guide,” is a widely recognized resource among preservationists nationwide.

In addition to his extensive contributions to the field, Rypkema’s accolades include the prestigious Crowninshield Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a testament to his lifetime dedication to the advancement of historic preservation in the United States.

The Noreen Stonor Drexel Cultural and Historic Preservation Program at Salve Regina University prepares students for careers that explore and safeguard the places, objects, and stories that shape our history. As one of only nine undergraduate programs recognized by the National Council for Preservation Education, Salve Regina’s curriculum offers a diverse foundation in major disciplines such as architectural history, archaeology, museum studies and urban planning. The program emphasizes the cultural relationships between people, objects and buildings, fostering the preservation of stories that give material things meaning.

The lecture will be given on Salve’s campus on Friday, Oct. 13, at 5 p.m. Anyone interested in attending can register here.


Continue Reading
0


  • Calendar