Press Releases

Rosemont, PA - Rosemont College has received a financial grant of $100,000 from The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and the Walmart Foundation. The Walmart College Success Award will assist Rosemont with funding for the institution’s Bridge to Success, a pre-orientation program designed to enhance retention of first-generation students. Rosemont was one of only 30 colleges nationwide to receive the funding.

Through the Walmart College Success Award program, 30 CIC member colleges and universities, selected through a competitive application process, will receive substantial grants to help strengthen exemplary programs that support the education of first-generation students. The newly selected 30 institutions and the 20 initial College Success Award recipients will work together as a network to assist first-generation college students, learn from one another, and serve as models for other colleges and universities.

Located in suburban Philadelphia, Rosemont College offers students an exceptional and comprehensive, coeducational learning experience. The College’s Bridge to Success is offered each August for incoming students and offers them academic support which emphasizes writing and reading, college readiness, and study skills. A group of select students will also receive individual mentoring to assist with team building. All participating students are monitored throughout the academic year by the Program’s coordinator and the Student Academic Support Center.

“Rosemont College has made a commitment to offer a comprehensive learning experience to all interested and qualified students,” said Marilyn Moller, Bridge to Success Coordinator and Director of Education at Rosemont College. “This award is a wonderful way to advance Rosemont’s Mission, its dedication to the Program, and most importantly its dedication to educate our students. We are very grateful to the CIC and the Walmart Foundation for establishing this award.”

In 2009, the CIC received a second grant of $3 million from the Walmart Foundation to support the second cohort of award recipients. Twenty CIC member institutions with programs that show the greatest promise of increasing retention of the largest number of first-generation students were selected to receive grants of $100,000. Ten institutions that have established worthy projects with a smaller scope of impact or are more experimental in nature will receive $50,000 awards. All award winners have an undergraduate enrollment that includes at least 30 percent first-generation students among the most recent classes of first-year students.

“The 20 colleges and universities selected for the initial awards in 2008 have done a great job in rising to the challenges of retaining and graduating first-generation students,” said Walmart Foundation president Margaret McKenna. “The Walmart Foundation is proud to provide the opportunity for an additional 30 institutions to participate in the program and contribute to the growing body of knowledge on how best to support these students.”

In announcing the award winners, CIC President Richard Ekman said, “We are delighted by the recognition that this second grant from the Walmart Foundation gives to the role played by private colleges in educating first-generation students. Much attention has been focused recently on higher education as a key to making the United States workforce stronger and the country more competitive in the 21st century world economy. As the federal government and philanthropic leaders call for increased degree completion in higher education, small and mid-sized private institutions are an underutilized resource in this effort. Private colleges also enroll comparable or higher percentages of lower-income and first-generation students to public institutions and they require far less subsidy by state governments to succeed in meeting these national goals. Most importantly, small and mid-sized private institutions have moved beyond a focus on access to a record of unequalled success in retaining and graduating low-income and first-generation students.”

Citing data from the American Association of Community Colleges, Ekman noted that more than six million students a year enroll for credit at the nation’s community colleges. However, only 26 percent actually transfer to a four-year college. In addition, according to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the six-year graduation rate of first-generation students at public four-year institutions is only 44 percent compared with 61 percent at private colleges and universities. “In short, if we are to achieve the ambitious national goal of increased numbers of college graduates, the lessons learned from the experiences of private colleges will need to be heeded by national policymakers and others,” Ekman stressed.

The Walmart College Success Awards program will include a conference in 2011, online networking opportunities, and a final publication on best practices from both cohorts to be disseminated at the end of the grant period in 2013.

The 20 $100,000 award winners are:

Alma College, MI; Alverno College, WI; Berea College, KY; Catawba College, NC; Clark Atlanta University, GA; College of Notre Dame of Maryland; DePaul University, IL; Elizabethtown College, PA; Franklin College, IN; Guilford College, NC; Lynchburg College, VA; Mars Hill College, NC; Mercyhurst College, PA; Mills College, CA; Notre Dame de Namur University, CA; Rosemont College, PA; Stetson University, FL; Stevenson University, MD; Thomas College, ME; and University of St. Francis, IL.

The ten $50,000 award winners are:

Cardinal Stritch University, WI; Chaminade University of Honolulu, HI; Defiance College, OH; Emmanuel College, MA; Eureka College, IL; Heritage University, WA; McKendree University, IL; Saint Augustine’s College, NC; Wabash College, IN; and Woodbury University, CA

The programs offered at these 30 institutions represent the wide range of approaches to working with first-generation students. Some institutions focus on the unique needs of a particular subset of first-generation students, such as Hispanic students, commuter students, transfer students from community colleges, or students pursuing a teaching career. A number of the award recipients offer transitional summer programs for incoming students that help prepare them for college-level work and life away from home. Others provide services such as mentoring, tutoring, career development, and providing scholarships and stipends to help ensure success for first-generation students.

For more information about the Walmart College Success Awards and the programs of the 30 winners, visit the CIC website at www.cic.edu/projects_services/walmart_college_success.asp.

Commencement 2010 Remarks to the Graduates
By Joseph M. Torsella

Student Reflection
By Lynn Watson '10, SGPS

Invocation
By Nidha Azam '10

Student Reflection
By Disha Shah '10

Student Reflection
By Loretta McKaig '99 & '10, SGPS

Rosemont, PA - Rosemont College’s School of Graduate Studies will host “A Stroll Through the Arts” on Thursday, May 6, 2010, from 6:30-10:00 p.m. at Main Building. The evening will feature literary readings, digital and graphic design presentations, as well as video productions. This event is free and open to the public.

Three awards will be presented including the Charles James O’Donnell Award in Digital Design, the Graduate School Award in Literature, and the Graduate School Award in Fine Arts.

For more information contact Alexis Kropp, Director of Public Relations, 610.527.0200 ext. 2967.

An Irish Poetry Evening with Father John McNamee at Rosemont College

Rosemont, PA- Celebrate the season of all things Irish with parish priest and noted author, Father John McNamee at Rosemont College on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, in the foyer of Main Building. The poetry reading will begin at 7:00 p.m. and is sponsored in part, by The Bolger Fund for the Promotion of the Study of the History and Culture of Ireland.

A man of Irish wit and humor with a gift of poetry, Father McNamee will read selections from Donegal Suite and poems not yet published.

Perhaps best known for his efforts on behalf of the poor, Father McNamee is a pastor emeritus of Saint Malachy Church (Philadelphia, PA) and the author of several books of prose and poetry which champion the cause of the poor. His best known book, Diary of a City Priest, was made into a movie and appeared at numerous film festivals with distribution rights on public television.

Father McNamee’s contributions to the poor have touched many people and projects in Philadelphia and elsewhere. He is the founder and board member of the Southwest Community Enrichment Center. Other organizations that he is involved with include the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Movement, the Catholic Worker House, the Ludlow Youth Community Center, and the Catholic Peace Fellowship. Additionally, he continues to support the efforts of Saint Malachy.

McNamee’s presentation is free and open to the public.

Sponsored in part, by The Bolger Fund for the Promotion of the Study of the History and Culture of Ireland”

New Environmental Studies Major Announced
at Rosemont College

Rosemont, PA- Rosemont College’s Undergraduate College announces its newest program, a bachelor of arts in environmental studies. Located 11 miles west, the nation’s 6th largest city, Philadelphia, Rosemont’s proximity offers prospective students and future graduates a wide variety of employment and post-baccalaureate study opportunities within the sectors of conservation, preservation, and environmental studies, science, and policy. Rosemont will begin admitting students into the program for the fall 2010 semester.

The new degree is designed to prepare students to become familiar with the pressing issues regarding the environment, and to facilitate a meaningfully contribution to its preservation and maintenance. The interdisciplinary program will also provide training in the skills necessary for employment in a variety of settings in addition to providing preparation for specialized study at the graduate level.

“The environmental studies program has been developed with great consideration for the individual student’s needs and will instill an awareness of the importance of the environment for future generations,” said Lenore Koczon, Dean of the Undergraduate College. “Our faculty has developed a unique niche program that incorporates such disciplines as science, philosophy, theology, and business.”

For more information, call 1-888-2ROSEMONT or visit www.rosemont.edu.

Rosemont College Blood Drive

As a result of the recent bad weather across the country, on the heels of the holiday season, the blood supply has drastically decreased.  
Type O negative and B negative blood supplies have dropped to emergency levels.
 
As a blood donor, your help is needed now! 
 
Since type O negative blood can be used for any patient when there is not time to determine the patient’s blood type, it is crucial that there b a sufficient supply. 
 
Each day, more than 38,000 blood donations are needed in the U.S.  Your help is needed to replenish the blood supply.  Schedule your appointment to give blood through the American Red Cross today and help save lives. 
 
Please give at our upcoming blood drive:
 
Rosemont College
Monday, February 15th
10 AM – 4PM
McShain Auditorium
 
CLICK HERE   to sign up online
 
For questions about eligibility
CLICK HERE  or call 1800 GIVE LIFE (option 4)

For this week's prayer we join with Pax Christi Port-au-Prince and the Commission Episcopale Nationale Justice et Paix (the Haitian Catholic bishops' Justice and Peace Commission) as they have invited everyone to hold a day of prayer for Haiti on Friday, February 12, one month after the devastating earthquake struck that country and so we pray.

God our hope, we entrust to you the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Dismayed by the incomprehensible suffering of the innocent, we ask you to inspire the hearts of those who are trying to provide the aid which is so indispensable. We know how deep the faith of the Haitian people is.

Strengthen the downhearted; console those who are weeping; send your Spirit of compassion on this people which has been so sorely tried. Amen. (prayer courtesy of Taize Community Prayer Service)

Campus Ministry News

Confirmation Information Session

If you are interested in being confirmed, please come to an information session to sign up this Sunday February 14th at 8 pm or contact Elizabeth Small at esmall@rosemont.edu before Sunday.

Lenten Announcements

This Lent we invite you to journey with Campus Ministry as we enter into the next 40 days of prayer and fasting. This time is a time to slow down, to pay attention, and to re-evaluate. We invite you to join us during this time.

Come by the Campus Ministry Office anytime before Ash Wednesday to participate in Operation Rice Bowl, Rice Bowl will also be available at Ash Wednesday Mass. They will be collected during Holy Week.(This fundraiser benefits many countries in severe need through Catholic Relief Services)

Mardi Gras Party
Join the Campus Ministry Staff in celebrating Mardi Gras with donuts and coffee at 3pm on Tuesday February 16th

Our Lenten Season will begin with Ash Wednesday Mass at 12:30 pm in the Immaculate Conception Chapel. Please join us for Mass.

Joseph M. Torsella, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Board of Education, 
to Speak at 87th Commencement

Rosemont, PA - Joseph M. Torsella, chairman of the Pennsylvania Board of Education and the founding president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, will be the guest speaker at Rosemont College’s 87th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 15, 2010.

President Sharon Latchaw Hirsh, Ph.D., will preside over the ceremony, which will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Connelly Green. In the event of rain, the event will be held in the College’s Alumnae Hall. Torsella will also be the recipient of an honorary degree presented by the College’s Board of Trustees.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, Torsella earned an honors degree in economics and history. As a Rhodes Scholar, he did graduate work in history at New Oxford College. He would go on to become Philadelphia’s Deputy Mayor for Policy and Planning (1992-1993) where he helped formulate many of the initiatives that resolved a $1.25 billion cumulative deficit for the city at that time.

Torsella was the driving force behind the concept, fundraising, construction, and opening of the $200 million National Constitution Center. Under his leadership, the Center sprung to international acclaim, financial stability, and unparalleled institutional reputation. In 2009, after serving two separate terms, Torsella stepped away from the Center to run for United States Senate, a bid he would narrowly lose.

In 2008, Torsella was appointed by Governor Edward Rendell as Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the regulatory authority responsible for all 501 public school districts and 14 state universities in the Commonwealth. In 2005, Torsella took on the role of founding co-chair of the Greater Philadelphia area’s bid for the 2016 Olympics.

Along with his many career accomplishments, Torsella has served as a trustee or advisor to many civic and non-profit organizations, including the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Holocaust Awareness Museum; Historic Philadelphia, Inc.; the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation; the Springside School; and the Knight Foundation. He is also an active parishioner at St. Genevieve’s Roman Catholic Church.

• Dawn Adler Adjunct Faculty, American Sign Language
  
• Cheryl Grant Adjunct Faculty, Business
  
• Melissa Glen-Fleming Adjunct Faculty, Communication
  
• Kristen Wilson Adjunct Faculty, Counseling & Psychology
• David Arena - Adjunct Faculty, Counseling & Psychology
  
• Raymond Setters - Adjunct faculty, Creative Writing
  
• D.F. Pace - Adjunct Faculty, Criminal Justice
  
• Robert Salladino - Adjunct Faculty, Education
• Ann Eves - Adjunct Faculty, Education
  
• Theresa Lewis-King -Adjunct Faculty, Education
• Donna Piekarski - Adjunct Faculty, Education
• Susan Rodriguez - Adjunct Faculty, Education
• Christina Spink - Adjunct Faculty, Education
• Barbara Wade - Adjunct Faculty, Education
• Gaeton Zorzi -Adjunct Faculty, Education
• Mary Jane Meconi - Adjunct Faculty, Education
• Alan Rosenau - Adjunct Faculty, Education
• Nancy Pashley - Adjunct Faculty, Education
• J Greory Boyle - Adjunct Faculty, Education
• Amy Williams - Adjunct Faculty, Education
• Terri Salvucci - Adjunct Faculty, Education
• Anita Urofsky - Adjunct Faculty, Education
• Renee Jackson - Adjunct Faculty, Education
  
• Carla Spataro - Adjunct Faculty, English & Publishing
• JC Todd - Adjunct Faculty, English & Publishing
  
• Michael Cifone - Adjunct Faculty, Ethics
  
• John Cameron - Adjunct Faculty, History
  
• Lisa Grossbauer - Adjunct Faculty, Math
  
• Linda Cobourn - Adjunct Faculty, Reading
  
• Christine McCormick - Adjunct Faculty, Sociology
  
• Tatiana Ripoll-Paez - Adjunct faculty, Spanish
• Julia Vila - Adjunct Faculty, Spanish
  
• Megan McLain - Adjunct Faculty, Women's Studies
  
• Marshall Warfield - Adjunct Faculty, Writing
  
• James Talone - Adjunct Faculty, Writing
• Helen Soiffer - Adjunct Fauclty, English

The Rosemont College Athletic Department welcomed Danielle Maye, assistant director of athletics, and Lawrence McNamee, assistant athletic trainer to the full time staff this year.

Maye, a graduate from State University of New York College at Cortland, comes to Rosemont after serving as the Assistant to the Athletic Director at Gloucester County College in Sewell, N.J. There, she assisted with monitoring student-athlete academic progress as well as event management and marketing and promotions.

McNamee received his Bachelors Degree from Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. in Athletic Training and his Masters in Sport Studies from High Point University in High Point, N.C. While there, he worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at High Point for the men’s basketball and men’s and women’s cross country and track programs. In addition, he assisted with the institution’s twelve other Division I programs and did internships with Appalachian State University.

New Coaches Named to Expanding Athletics Department

There are four new additions to the Rosemont coaching staff this year. The department welcomes Shawn Becker (women’s tennis), Joe Corbett (women’s volleyball), Megan Monahan, (field hockey) and Will Nord (men’s soccer).

Becker steps into women’s tennis after heading the varsity tennis program at Palmerton Area High School. There he coached the coed program and had three District XI singles and two doubles tournament qualifiers. In his collegiate career, Becker was a member of the varsity tennis team at Lebanon Valley College.

Corbett served as the head women’s varsity coach for Cardinal Dougherty’s program for the past two years. In addition, he played club volleyball at his alma mater Hobart College as well as starting for the school’s varsity men’s basketball team for four years. He will also serve as an assistant for the men’s basketball team.

Monahan comes to Rosemont after serving as assistant field hockey coach at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. She helped lead the team to the NCAA Championships for the first time in eight years. As a player, she played for LaFayette College in Easton, Pa. While there, she was named to the All- Patriot League First Team, Offensive Player of the Year twice and the team’s co-captain her senior year

Nord comes to Rosemont after serving as the head coach of the FC Delco under 17 boys team. The club is ranked sixth in the nation for Youth Soccer Clubs. In 2007, Nord’s team finished third in the country. In addition, Nord served as the assistant coach for the varsity soccer team at Bayard Rustin High School in West Chester, Pa. The school was founded in 2006 and Nord was an aid in building the program.

“The community is very fortunate to have historic and beautiful Rosemont College as a neighbor and friend. I am so glad that I can participate in Reflect | Renew | Rejoice: The Campaign for Rosemont College through the 2010 Cresset Dinner. I hope friends and associates join me in this most worthwhile journey.”

“Bill is one of Philadelphia’s most civically minded citizens and genuinely cares about the community in which he lives,” said Rosemont President Sharon Latchaw Hirsh, Ph.D. ’70. “He has contributed a great deal of time and energy to many worthy organizations in our area and Rosemont is so delighted to be among them. We are pleased to honor Bill Giles with this year’s Cresset Award.”

Bill Giles is the recipient of the 2010 Cresset Award. The Cresset Award is given annually by Rosemont College to outstanding individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting values and to supporting education for all people. Giles, chairman of the Philadelphia Phillies, will be honored at the 22nd Cresset Award Dinner on April 22, at the Please Touch Museum, in Philadelphia, PA. This year’s dinner will be chaired by Dan Polett, president/owner of Wilkie automotive dealerships, and his wife, Margo Barry Polett ’61, of Gladwyne, PA.


Giles is very well known for his prolific front office baseball career which began in 1959 when he was named GM of the Nashville Vols, a Cincinnati Red’s minor league team. From there he moved throughout the industry arriving in Philadelphia with the opening of Veterans Stadium, at the request of the Carpenter family, to assist with the business end of the operation in 1969.

In 1981, while serving as the executive director of the Philadelphia Phillies, Giles organized a group of investors to purchase the Phillies when the Carpenter family put the team up for sale. The acquisition was a success and Giles would go on to serve as President of the club until June 1997, when he accepted the position of Chairman. Four years later, Giles was nominated to serve as honorary president of the National League (NL), a role in which he represents the NL at the All-Star Game and postseason play.

During Giles’ tenure, the Phillies have obtained five National League championships, two World Series titles, and a new home in Citizens Bank Park, a project which Giles played a key role in the design concept and securing the financing from the Commonwealth and the city of Philadelphia.

While it seems as though baseball has been Giles’ life he has found time to serve many of the Philadelphia’s regions most prestigious and prolific organization. For 18 years, Giles served as the Chairman of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitor Bureau and was instrumental in bringing the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the Marriott Hotel to fruition. Today he holds the title of chairman emeritus with the organization.

Other volunteer titles that he has held include member of the executive committee of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Philadelphia Sports Congress; past president of the Boy Scouts of America and the Corporate Alliance for Drug Education. Currently, Giles is on the board of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce and the Police Athletic League. He is a member of the Union League, the Rotary Club, and the visitors boards of the Temple University Medical School and Temple’s Journalism School. Additionally, Giles has been honored many, many times for his contributions to Philadelphia region.

Giles and his wife, Nancy, reside in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and are the proud parents of three grown sons, Michael, Joseph, and Christopher and eight grandchildren.

Previous Recipients:
2009 - Deb Takes ’98
2008 - Fred & Kathy Mullan Rotondaro '65

2007 - Pat Ciarrocchi '74

2006 - Robert Ryan & Barbara Spiro Ryan

2005 - Helen Meeks Horstmann, MD '67

2004 - Thoman J. Healey & Margaret Sachs Healey, Ph.D. '67

2003 - John Thomas Paul & Judith Savaiano Paul '70

TAKE A DAY ON, NOT A DAY OFF
Martin Luther King, Jr Day of Service celebrated by Rosemont College community

Rosemont, PA - A group of Rosemont students, alumni, faculty, and staff accompanied by Director of Worship and Spirituality, Elizabeth Small and Coordinator of Service and Events, Michael McDonald will join together to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by volunteering on their day-off and making it a day-on.

Rosemont College is officially closed on Monday, January 18, but many will spend their day living the College’s mission and serving the local community. One group of volunteers will organize, in partnership with Saint Ignatius School, to assist with a facility clean up project in West Philadelphia, while a second group of volunteers will spend the day with Philabundance working first hand with issues of hunger in Philadelphia. A third group will support a campus wide cleanup project at Rosemont’s suburban campus.

“Dr. King reminded us of our responsibility to make a difference in the communities in which we live,” said Small. “Rosemont is proud to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy and to answer his call.”

This event is just one of the many programs held at Rosemont throughout the year which celebrate Rosemont’s mission of trust and reverence for the dignity of each person; diversity in human culture and experience; and persistence and courage in promoting justice with compassion.

Yes its time to gear up for RecycleMania.

As some of you know Rosemont entered the competition in 2008. During our first year we placed # 9 in the Waste Minimization Category very impressive for our first year. In 2009 we came in at #8 in the nation & # 1 in PA for Waste Minimization Category.

Now the pressure is on, how do keep this momentum up? The answer is you, keep spreading the word, put peer pressure to work as you challenge your fellow students & staff to recycle more than ever. We are also looking for volunteers to help the facilities department with the recycling program. Attached is a flyer for what can & can not be recycled.

RecycleMania 2010 Dates:
Sunday, January 17 through Saturday, March 27, 2010

Total Campuses Enrolled to Date: 443.

2009 Figures – Campuses Enrolled: 513.

To volunteer send me an email or stop by the facilities office in Cardinal Hall to find out what you can do to make this year better than ever.

Thank you for your support.

Thomas Szatkowski
Director of Facilities
Rosemont College
P 610-527-0200 X 2152
F 610-526-2954

Drdak: From Mosul to Mustang

Lawrence Gallery
Rosemont College
1400 Montgomery Ave.
Rosemont, PA 19010

Phone:
610.526.2967

Day/Hours:
Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Maureen Drdak
Drdak: From Mosul to Mustang

Run Date:
February 4 – March 4, 2010

Opening Date:
Thursday, February 4, 2010
4:30-6:00 p.m.

The Lungta Triptych (detail)
Acrylic, gold, and sacral clay
3 panels, 6' x 6' each
2009

Epiphany Party Gift Drive
for students of the Providence Center

Donate Now through January 6th

The Alumni Office is currently collecting donations of new and unwrapped toys and gifts for students of the Providence Center. Gifts will be presented to students at the annual Epiphany Party held on January 9th.

To donate a gift or make a monetary donation please click here.

A collection bin is located in the lobby of Main Building. Donations can also be brought to the Alumni Office during normal business hours.

For more information about donating, or the Epiphany Party, please contact:
Jenny James, Alumni Relations Associate at 610.527.0200 x2808 or jjames@rosemont.edu.