P I FALL/WINTER 2011 RESIDENLYTN’NS T OO FFICI T H A See pageI A2.L DOSET L: B A T E. FOR ALUMNI, PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LYNN UNIVERSITY 14 A Year of Firsts 18 36 Aha Moments The Kids’ MVP s History in the making u Kevin M. Ross President c o The year 2012 is going f to be a big one for Lynn Editor’s Note University. We’ll celebrate our n 50th anniversary—a spectacular New beginnings i event in itself—and we’ll host and possibilities M the third and final U.S. presi- A RK dential debate of 2012 on FALC There’s nothing like the thrill of a new endeavor. That O N feelingof a fresh start—turning a page in your life—is ener- Oct. 22. (See page 2.) E gizing and inspiring. Excitement is growing across the campus and This issue comes to you as we conclude the first semester throughout the community for this historic occasion. of a new academic year at Lynn University. It’s been an exciting What more fitting way could there be to celebrate time, as we’ve welcomed our largest class in four years. Not only are these students impressive in number, they are charged our five decades of achievement than by bringing with an infectious energy and enthusiasm. Honestly, I don’t Lynn center stage before the entire country and the know who’s more excited—we staff and faculty members, or world for this pivotal event? The actual stage will the students themselves. You’ll find out why in our story, be none other than that in our spectacular Keith C. “Fresh Starts,” beginning on page 14. Our students aren’t the only ones celebrating new begin- and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center. nings. Our esteemed and much-admired professor Ralph The arrival at this point Norcio has a noteworthy achieve- in our history and this latest ment—he’s the inaugural recipient success is a testament to the of Lynn’s first endowed teaching position: The Homer and Martha dedication of so many of Gudelsky Endowed Professorship you—our faculty, staff, stu- in Business. I had the honor of dents, alumni and friends. speaking with him, his colleagues We used to speak of Lynn and family members for a profile story (beginning on page 10). University as being one of In our third feature, three of our alumni (Gregg McBride higher education’s best-kept secrets, but, as you’ll ’83, Emily Lipman ’08 and Felecia Hatcher ’06) tell about read in this issue, word about us is spreading far turning points in their lives. Their determination and courage and quickly. are encouraging and challenge any of us who may have become too complacent in our lives. As you’ll read (beginning on page I can only imagine the excitement our founders 18), a life-changing opportunity may be right before your eyes. felt as they welcomed the first class to campus. As With a new year soon to come, I hope you’ll be entertained, our golden anniversary and the presidential debate informed and inspired by this issue of new beginnings. draw near, I and the entire university community share that same enthusiasm in welcoming the world to Lynn University. —Liz McKey, editor Growing up with the university: A young Kevin Ross (right) and his sister, Ellen, take a walk outside their family's apartment in Trinity Hall in 1973. After becoming president of then-Marymount College in 1971, Donald E. Ross, wife Helen and their two children resided on campus for a brief time. ( ) FEATURES THE HEAD OF HIS CLASS 10 He exemplifies Lynn teaching at its best, and that’s why business professor and associate dean Ralph Norcio was the perfect choice for the university’s first endowed professorship. FRESH STARTS 14 When it comes to the excitement of new beginnings, nothing can compare to that first year of college. Read about Lynn’s Class of 2015 and the J-Term and Mentor Program they are the first to experience. 18 AHA! Like a light suddenly dawning, a revelation can strike, inspiring an entirely new direction. Meet three alumni whose lives changed after experiencing “aha moments.” 10 14 ( ) DEPARTMENTS 2 On Campus 9 Ask the Professor—Sindee Kerker 22 Sports 24 Connections 30 Class Notes 18 36 Close-Up—Christine Richardson ’97 On the cover:Ralph Norcio, associate dean and professor in the College of Business and Management, is the first recipient of The Homer and Martha Gudelsky Endowed Professorship in Business. (Photo by Gina Fontana) Lynn University Mission and Vision Statements Mission- to provide the education, support and environment that enable individual students to realize their full potential and prepare for success in the world Vision- to be recognized as one of the most innovative, international and individualized small universities in America FALL/WINTER 2011 VOLUME VIII NUMBER 1 Editor Liz McKey President Kevin M. Ross Lynn University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, nationality, ethnic Art Director Vice President for Marketing origin, disability and/or age in administration of its educational and admission policies, scholarship Andréia Brunstein Schwartz ’00, ’03 and Communication and loan programs, athletic and/or other school-administered programs. Michele M. Morris Production Assistant Shaun Aaron Vice President for Development Lynn Magazine is produced for alumni,parents and friends by the Office of Marketing and and Alumni Affairs Communication at Lynn University, 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33431-5507 Assistant Editor Debbie Stern Judith L. Nelson e-mail: [email protected] Staff Writers www.lynn.edu/magazine Chad Beattie, Joshua Glanzer, c 2011 Lynn University Susan Philbrick, Joyce Shelfo, Laura Stephens ’08, ’10 ( ) ON CAMPUS C O U Lynn RTESY N EW M A N A selected RC H ITEC TS, C to host final O PYRIG H T © presidential 20 1 1 RO debate of BERT BEN SO N PH 2012 OTO G RA PH Y The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) has selected Lynn University as the site of the final 2012 presidential debate, to be held on Oct. 22, 2012. The CPD is a nonprofit, nonparti- sancorporation and has sponsored all general election presidential and vice presidential debates since 1988. Lynn University was one of 12 sites nation- wide,and the only institution in Florida, under consideration to host a World stage: All eyes will be on the Wold Center for the third and final presidential debate. vice presidential or one of three presi- dential debates produced by the CPD. “Being an undergraduate or gradu- entire Florida Congressional Delega- itself will be extremely limited. In ate student here on our campus when tion,the Florida Cabinet, the leadership debates produced by the CPD in prior such an historic event takes place will of the Florida Legislature, former presidential elections, at most a few provide a singular and unparalleled Governor Jeb Bush, former Governor hundred tickets were made available educational experience,” says President and Senator Bob Graham, Palm Beach to the host university in the days Kevin M. Ross. County officials, Boca Raton Mayor immediately prior to the debate. The The university has already hosted Susan Whelchel and many others. campaigns control a significant portion a Congressional District 22 debate in Preparing for an event of this mag- of the tickets. Virtually all of tickets October 2010 between then-incumbent nitude requires the campus and com- allocated to Lynn University from the Ron Klein and Allen West. munity to come together and organize CPD will be distributed to current Lynn University submitted its for the arrival of the candidates, their students in the days before the debate, application to the CPD in January campaign staff members, and thousands as recommended by the CPD and 2011 and hosted its staff over the fol- of national and international journalists consistent with past practices of debate lowing summer for an on-site survey expected to come to the area to cover hosts. Tickets will not be available of the proposed debate venue, the the debate. through Lynn University personnel, Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold “It is a tremendous challenge, but and tickets are not available through Performing Arts Center, and campus. Lynn University will be prepared to any means at this point in time. Lynn University received over- welcome the nation to Florida for the For the latest details about the whelmingand nearly unilateral support final debate before the 2012 general presidential debate at Lynn, visit the for its application from government election,” says President Ross. website, http://debate2012.lynn.edu. officials at all levels, including the Ticket availability for the debate 2 FALL/WINTER 2011 | LYNN MAGAZINE ON CAMPUS President announces gifts for scholarships, capital projects in annual address In his sixth State of the University we will be able to welcome even more NOTEWORTHY PROGRESS address on Oct. 12, President Kevin deserving students to our campus who M. Ross announced that Lynn has otherwise might not have been able to received $5 million in new gifts to attend Lynn,” said President Ross. Speaking before staff, faculty and endow a scholarship and to fund two A pledge of $1 million from students in the Wold Center, President capital projects. Robert Sheetz, also from Boca Raton, Ross also reviewed other significant “To date, with these gifts, we have will fund the renovation and upgrade accomplishments, including: raised over $30 million in cash and of the university’s main entrance on pledges for the projects outlined as Military Trail. The new entrance will • welcomingLynn’s largest entering priorities in Lynn 2020,” President include a traffic light and five lanes for class in four years, with 538 day Ross said, referring to the university’s better traffic flow. undergraduate students; strategic plan. “We are grateful for these “This will be the first impression • achieving endowment growth wonderful friends whose generosity that potential students and their fami- affirms their commitment to the mis- lies have of our campus,” President from $4,180,000 to $21,131,000, sion and vision of Lynn University.” Ross said. from 2000 to June 2011; Holli Rockwell of Boca Raton has Benjamin Olewine III, a longtime • keeping Lynn’s tuition rate established a planned gift of $3 million benefactor to Lynn University from increase well below the national to establish The Herbert and Holli Harrisburg, Pa., and Boca Raton, has Rockwell Endowed Scholarship Fund. pledged $1 million to create a new average for the fifth consecutive year She will fund the scholarship during Potomac Road entrance and a back (Lynn’s increase in 2011 was 2.7 her lifetime and through her estate— perimeter road; the project includes percent; the average increase for a allowing her to enjoy seeing students relocating the existing Benjamin private, nonprofit four-year institution receive the scholarship that bears her Olewine III Preserve. The preserve, and her late husband’s name. She is home to Florida scrub, will provide a was 4.5 percent); a long-standing supporter of Lynn living laboratory for the study of this • completing one-third of Lynn’s University, and she also has named the imperiled ecosystem, including seven strategic plan goals in only five years, Herbert and Holli Rockwell Terrace animals and 40 plants listed as rare, including eight new endowed scholar- Garden at the Keith C. and Elaine threatened or endangered. He also Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center. has funded the Olewine Culinary ships, restructuring the core curriculum “With this continued growth of Laboratory as well as the Olewine and completing the Perper Plaza, the endowments for student scholarships, Entrance Garden at the Wold Center. Perper Tennis Complex and the Wold Performing Arts Center, among others. FG G AYLO Last summer, construction began on R the Remembrance Plaza, which will honor Lynn’s six who were lost in Haiti’s 2010 earthquake: professors Patrick Hartwick and Richard Bruno, and students Stephanie Crispinelli, Britney Gengel, Christine Gianacaci and Courtney Hayes. “Lynn University has earned its place in history—and Lynn is here to stay,” President Ross said. “We are making our mark not just in the realm of higher education, but in the world.” Gifts like that made by Holli Rockwell to create an endowed scholarship fund help Lynn attract the most promising students, regardless of their ability to afford a college education. FALL/WINTER2011 | LYNN MAGAZINE 3 ON CAMPUS U.S. News moves Lynn to national list, ranks us 4th for international students Student leaders hold court in U.S. News & World Report’s annual “America’s Best Colleges” issue moved Lynn University from its round-table government “Regional Universities” list to its “National Universities” list, ranking Lynn among its top 268 schools in Starting last fall, a new tradition in student government began at Lynn: the the country. Knights of the Round Table. Amid the stiffer competition, Drawing upon Lynn’s symbol of the Knight and King Arthur’s legendary U.S. News’ 2012 edition ranked Round Table, the new structure replaces the former Student Government Lynn among the top four schools Association (SGA) and the traditional governance model led by a president. in the United States for percentage Because a round table has no head seats, everyone who sits there has equal of international students, with 17 status and so will Lynn’s 12 “knights,” chosen to represent their different percent of its student body coming “courts”—clubs, organizations and student interest groups. from other nations. Lynn follows The 12 courts include: the New School, Illinois Institute ●Community Service (Knights in the Community, Students For The Poor, of Technology and the New Jersey Relay for Life, Best Buddies, Students Working for Equal Rights) Institute of Technology. ●Religious (Hillel, Newman Club, Chabad, Campus Crusade for Christ) Students come to Lynn from 77 ●Special Interest (Gay Straight Alliance, Organization of Latin American nations, and the school’s percentage Students, Black Student Union, Caribbean, International Affairs Society) of internationals continues to increase. ●Greeks (Tri-Sigma, Alpha Phi Delta, Zeta Beta Tau) It has steadily risen from 15 percent ●Residence Life (resident assistants, community advisors, Shield) in last year’s rankings and 14 percent ●Student-athletes in 2010’s rankings. ●Academic (creative writing, fashion management, Honors Colloquium, Lynn’s leaders recognize the value hospitality, law and justice, pre-health professions, sports management, Kappa of an international perspective among Delta Pi, Psi Chi, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals) their student body, faculty and staff. ●Knights Activities Team “Our large number of interna- ●Recreation (video gaming, running, student alumni, grilling) tional students from diverse back- ●Commuters, Graduate and Evening grounds contributes greatly to the ●Communication (iPulse, Broadcasting Society, drama) differing types of experiences that can be brought into class discussions," ●Member-at-large (undecided students) The new approach allows for more says Gareth Fowles, vice president representation, says Phil Riordan, vice for enrollment management. “This president for student life. “This enriches everyone’s educational expe- will give 11 more students the rience at Lynn since all students are opportunity to step up exposed to other cultures and the and the chance for all unique views held by those from students to work around the world. It can go a long together toward a way to building citizens of a global- common goal.” ized society.” U.S. News & World Reportalso recognized Lynn for its consistently small class size. Lynn was ranked 57th in its national list for “Highest Proportion of Classes Under 20” students, at 59 percent. Lynn’s studentto teacher ratio is 15:1. 4 FALL/WINTER2011 | LYNN MAGAZINE ON CAMPUS PH ILLIP SPEA RS Lynn College of International Communication Dean David Jaffe (center) was part of the team visiting Apple. Such discussions, he says, “are indispensible in this era of rapid changes in communications industries.” LYNN AND APPLE all video associated with campus conferences and events will begin to migrate to iTunesU. explore ways to enhance students’ learning Lastly, Lynn’s Transitions 2012 conference will serve as the perfect Several members of Lynn University’s Through the pilot program, 16 fac- setting for Apple personnel to present senior management team visited Apple ulty members received an iPad, along their cutting-edge assistive technologies. headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., in with hands-on training in applications The conference is an international the early fall to explore areas where the and CBL concepts. The goal is to gathering of educators, parents and company’s technologies can enhance engage faculty and students more fully students that examines how to best Lynn students’ learning. during January Term, the 21⁄2weeks move students with learning differences Three outcomes have already between the fall and spring semesters. from high school to higher education. resulted from the conversations: (1) a The pilot will be used primarily in the Apple’s tools and technology can pilot with select faculty to use Apple’s J-Term for first-year students, known help students obtain content geared to Challenge Based Learning, (2) the as The Citizenship Project, but it will the ways they process information. launch of Lynn’s iTunesUniversity be used in a few other J-Term courses Their devices can process visual texts (iTunesU) and (3) a presentation as well. that help students with learning differ- by Apple experts on their assistive “We expect the faculty in the pilot ences understand the words. They can technology at Lynn’s Transitions program to generate some creative also easily process and read whole 2012 conference on Jan. 27. challenges and solutions, connecting bookswith a few swipes of the finger “We learned about their whole students with multiple community in voices that sound human and even ecosystem of digital technology and partners and beyond,” says Christian incorporate breathing patterns. explored ways to utilize their innovative Boniforti ’02, Lynn’s chief information Marsha Glines, dean of Lynn’s suite of products to enhance our stu- officer. Institute for Learning and Achievement, dents’ learning experience inside and In Lynn and Apple’s second collabo- is examining ways these assistive tech- outside of the classroom,” says President ration, the iTunesU distribution system nologies can be leveraged to help her Kevin M. Ross. will be used to deliver rich, layered, students. Apple defines Challenge Based multimedia educational content into “Accessibility features have been Learning (CBL) as a “multidisciplinary the hands of students no matter what baked into Apple products forever,”she approach to teaching and learning that device they are using, even PCs. Lynn says. “There are so many applications encourages students to leverage the is committed to populating its iTunesU being developed by the Apple higher technology they use in their daily lives not just with a professor’s address or a education folks which will positively to solve real-world problems through few papers, as some schools currently impact student learning.” efforts in their homes, schools and do, but with tailored content associated communities.” with Lynn’s academic units. For example, FALL/WINTER2011 | LYNN MAGAZINE 5 ON CAMPUS S R E New business dean: K Thomas Kruczek is the new dean of A the College of Business and Management. Kruczek M formerly served as executive director of the Falcone Education dean S W Center for Entrepreneurship at the Whitman School of appointed: Craig Management at Syracuse University. Under his direction, E Mertler has been named dean of the Donald E. the center rose in national rankings and is now listed as N and Helen L. Ross College of Education. the No. 3 entrepreneurship program by Bloomberg/ Formerly, he served as a professor and director N Business Week, No. 7 by the Princeton Review/ Entrepreneur of the Doctoral Program in School Improvement N Magazineand No. 8 by U.S. News & World Report. at the University of West Georgia. Prior to that, Y Prior to that, he was executive director of the Center for L he was a faculty member in the College of Entrepreneurship at Rollins College. He holds an M.B.A. Education and Human Development at Bowling S from Notre Dame University. Green State University. He holds a master’s R degree in educational research and evaluation E K from The Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in A educational measurement and evaluation from M Florida State University. S A senior in W Greece: Zachary E N Welsh, a senior photography Liberal education dean named: major from Westminster, Md., just spent N his last semester studying in Paros, Greece, Katrina Carter-Tellison, a member of N after earning the Marie McKay Global Lynn’s faculty since 2004, has been appointed Y L Citizen Scholarship from Athena Study dean of the College of Liberal Education. Since Abroad. Welsh’s long record of community joining Lynn, Carter-Tellison has served as assistant professor of S service began at a young age as a Boy sociology, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, associate R Scout. At Lynn, he was active in Knights professor of sociology, and chair of the Dialogues of Learning core E in the Community and spearheaded the curriculum. She earned an M.S.W. at Barry University and a Ph.D. K first One Day Without Shoes, an interna- in sociology at the University of Miami. A M tional movement created by TOMS Shoes to highlight poor children’s need for shoes. S W E The students have spoken: In keeping N with tradition, Lynn’s undergraduate students cast N Peer review: Lynn faculty their votes for the Outstanding Professor of the N honored two of their own last Year last spring, prior to commencement. Earning Y spring. Chosen as Faculty Members the honor was Sindee Kerker, associate professor L of the Year were Anna Krift, associate of criminal justice in the College of Liberal professor of international relations in the College Education. She has taught at Lynn since 1999. S R of Liberal Education and director of the Center for (For more on Kerker, see “Ask the Professor” on E Global Education and Citizenship, and Ralph Norcio, page 9.) K associate dean and professor of finance and accounting A in the College of Business and Management. Krift has M served on Lynn’s faculty since 2005, and S Norcio has been a Lynn faculty mem- W ber since 1990. Norcio also holds E N the Homer and Martha Gudelsky Endowed Professorship in Business. N (See story beginning on page 10.) N Y L 6 FALL/WINTER 2011 | LYNN MAGAZINE ON CAMPUS Conservatory professor is first recipient of Cheek-Milby Fellowship As a musicologist—one who studies the history, theory and A highly trained profes- science of music, Barbara Barry helps Conservatory of Music sional musician, Barry holds students broaden their understanding so that they can become five degrees in music: two in well-rounded, educated musicians. As the first recipient of piano performance and three Lynn University’s Kathleen Cheek-Milby Faculty Fellowship, in music theory and analysis. she, too, has had the opportunity to expand upon her know- Throughout, she’s experienced both good and bad teaching, ledge and experiences. she says. “The good is productive, encouraging and inspires Created by and named for Lynn’s vice president for students to learn; the bad is highly critical and undermines academic affairs from 1999 to 2007, the fellowship provides students.” funding every two years for a faculty member to teach abroad For Barry, the goal always is “to empower, not diminish for up to six months. Barry spent a week in November 2010 the student.” in London at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and at She adds, “It’s very important to be giving and generous the University of London Goldsmith’s College, where she in your teaching…to encourage students so that they can holds both B.M. and Ph.D. degrees. The following spring, become strong, resilient, confident. That requires nurturing she traveled to Jerusalem to teach courses in graduate musi- and support so that you give them strength of character as cology at Bar Ilan University and Hebrew University. well as the intellectual tools to succeed.” Both experiences enriched her professional development No doubt, prestigious honors like the Cheek-Milby and allowed her to explore future partnerships for student Fellowship will inspire her and future Lynn faculty members and faculty exchanges between Lynn and those institutions. to do just that. LYNN 360 Seen and heard Lynn from around has its first student from Tiblisi, the campus the capital of the nation of Georgia: freshman Guranda Kurdgelashvili. (cid:0)Toy inventorand former Hasbro marketing VP Gary Carlin is executive-in-residencein the Lynn College of International Communication. His latest cre- ation is the Coffee Talk Game. (cid:0)Users of iPhone and Android smart- phones can download Lynn’s free mobile appto access the latest news, photos, videos and tweets about university events. (cid:0)More than 2,500 fish, including a 47-pound Triploid Grass Carp, were moved from a Lynn lake before construction began on the Remembrance Plaza, a permanent tribute to the Lynn students and professors who lost their lives in the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The plaza will be completed in early 2012. (cid:0)Jim Lehrer, PBS NewsHour host and author of Tension City: Inside the Presidential Debates, from Kennedy-Nixon to Obama-McCain, visited Lynn on Nov. 9-10 as the Dively Frontiers in Globalization Lecture Series speaker. Lehrer has moderated a total of 11 presidential debates. FALL/WINTER 2011 | LYNN MAGAZINE 7 ON CAMPUS Seeing Lynn through new eyes: It’s an experience, not a tour To the left is our state-of-the-art computer lab. … Our library was built in 1991 and contains 270,000 print and electronic items. … And on and on. It’s enough to give even the most interested prospective students and their families droopy eyelids. But, no longer. The admissions tour of the past is long gone, replaced by a campus experience called Lunch at Lynn. It’s so named, says Taryn Hamill ’09, ’10, campus visit coordinator in Lynn’s Office of Admission, because the visits will begin or end with the most signature of Lynn moments—lunch in the cafeteria, complete with a faculty member along. “We threw away our old tour manual,” she says. “Lynn is so much more than a set of facts, buildings and a gorgeous The visits will begin or end with the most signature of Lynn moments— lunch in the cafeteria, complete with a faculty member along. campus. We want our prospective students and their fami- lies to truly experience Lynn, and that means seeing our people up close—our students, our professors and campus community.” Once visitors arrive on campus, they’ll have their own reserved parking spot. From there, they’ll be greeted by Lynn students and meet with a campus stylist dedicated to personalizing their visit. Separate experiences are planned for prospective students and parents because they have different questions and concerns, Hamill says. “We want parents to connect with other parents and students with students,” she GINA FONTANA adds. Each group will be led by a Lynn student because, as Hamill explains, “students are our best storytellers.” What an experience:(from top) Jalissa Whitfield The experiences will take students inside classrooms, (right), a prospective student from Leesfield, Fla., into the residence halls, into the recording studio, on stage, and campus stylist Youcef Oudjidane review her and more, depending on their interests. They’ll even walk custom tour; stepping out on campus with tour onto the athletic court in the gym, where it all begins and guide Cory Drucker and Whitfield’s friend, Tequila ends for Lynn students—from new student orientation to Hepburn; trying out the recording studio; enjoying commencement. The goal: to keep prospective students and lunch with human services professor Jill Levenson. their parents talking about Lynn long after their visit ends. If you or someone you know would like to visit Lynn, you may make a reservation by visiting www.lynn.edu, or contacting the Office of Admission at 1-800-888-5966 or 561-237-7900. 8 FALL/WINTER 2011 | LYNN MAGAZINE
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