Monday Morning Update

June 01, 2009

Alumni Reunion: Close to 700 reunion alumni, along with more than 400 family and friends, celebrated the largest reunion in Stonehill history this weekend. A record 17 classes participated in the three day celebration. Alumni and guests explored campus changes, showed their children around, renewed marriage vows, toured the new Science Center, caught up with friends, and prayed for deceased classmates. They also enjoyed good food, music, and dancing.

Educational Leadership: At the President's Dinner recently, Sara Gagnon, a seventh grader from Trinity Catholic Academy (TCA) in Brockton, melted hearts when she accepted the President's Award for Excellence on behalf of her school. Gagnon explained to 700 people in the Sports Complex how blessed she is to be obtaining such a good education at TCA. Also honored were Dr. William Simmons, the outgoing Superintendent of Schools in Easton and Sr. Mercedes Videira, O.S.U., who recently retired as Principal of Ursuline Academy in Dedham. The President's Dinner raised $100,000 for academics. For more, including a photo essay, visit here.

Student Philanthropist: Not many college students say they want to be professional fundraisers, but that is exactly what Stonehill's Sarah Varadian '10 told the President's Dinner audience. An American Studies major & psychology minor, she discussed her three nonprofit initiatives that have helped women in Afghanistan, children in Armenia, and villagers in Africa. In her classes, Varadian is integrating those practical experiences with academic research into the economic development of women, especially in underdeveloped countries. To read her remarks, visit here.

Faculty Service: Chemistry Professor Maria Curtin is the recipient of the 2009 Outstanding Faculty Service Award. In presenting the award, Provost Katie Conboy noted Curtin's central role as faculty shepherd in the planning and building of the new Science Center. Curtin also currently serves as the vice president of the Faculty Senate. For more, visit here.

Expansion India: After four years at Stonehill, Fr. Paul Pudussery, C.S.C. has returned to Agartala in Northeastern India where he is starting a new Congregation of Holy Cross university. He is also overseeing five Class of 2009 graduates who are teaching English at Holy Cross School there as part of our Expansion India post-graduate service program. For more, visit here.

Family Rosary: Led by Fr. John Phalen, C.S.C., '70, Holy Cross Family Ministries will sponsor a Rosary Festival at W. B. Mason Stadium on June 6. All are welcome at this free, multi-cultural, multi-lingual event. For more, visit here.

Tennis: Belated congratulations to our men's & women's tennis teams on their record-breaking seasons. The men advanced to the NCAA East Regional finals, ending the year with a program best 22-4 record. The women won their first-ever NCAA East Regional title, going a record 22-4 as well.