On March 19, Sacred Heart University held its annual Founder’s Day, a day to recognize faculty members who have dedicated years of service to positively impacting the entire SHU community.
Source: Will Morgan, Staff Writer and Photographer
In his book “1963,” Dr. Michael Higgins, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Catholic Thought and former Vice President for Mission and Catholic Identity at SHU, emphasizes this sense of recognition.
“In so many ways, we are our past. That’s why we remember. It is not possible to go forward until we have a key and secure sense of where we are from; it is not likely that we will flourish unless we have a grounding in the shaping moments of the past,” Higgins said.
Founder’s Day recognizes the hard work SHU faculty put in every day to ensure a safe and inclusive space for students to flourish in their education.
“Every one of our honorees has made a significant contribution to the exciting growth and positive changes that we have made here in recent years and will continue to make here at Sacred Heart,” said President Dr. John Petillo.
Throughout the years, SHU has continued to follow the mission laid down by its creators. In particular, Bishop Walter Curtis, the head of the original council that established Sacred Heart in 1963, was set on providing a Catholic college experience in Bridgeport, specifically for those who are underprivileged and cannot afford higher education due to the ever-growing costs, according to Higgins in his book “1963.”
Petillo assured that this mission is still recognized 62 years later.
“The culture of caring is not just about addressing academic needs. It encompasses the holistic well-being of our students. It means striving to understand their emotional, social, mental health needs and providing the necessary resources to support and foster an inclusive community,” Petillo said.
This year, SHU honored 58 staff members ranging from 15 to 35 years of service in the community.
Dr. David Taylor, Dean of the Welch College of Business & Technology, was recognized for his service towards SHU.
“It is an honor to be recognized for my 15 years at SHU, but I am also humbled to know that so many of my colleagues have been part of SHU for 25, 30 or even 50 years,” said Taylor. “Compared to them, I am a relative newcomer, and their institutional knowledge is irreplaceable.”
According to Taylor, the importance of recognizing these faculty members with years of expertise cannot be overstated. “Our long-standing colleagues serve as mentors to the younger faculty, who will one day be mentors to the next generation, providing us with the continuity to continue the traditions and culture that have made us successful,” said Taylor.
Petillo also discussed the stories he has heard from students, throughout the years, of faculty members helping them through times of crisis, whether educational or personal.
“I have seen numerous faculty members exhibit dedication to service during my time at SHU. In particular, Prof. [Elizabeth] Buckner helped me last semester when I was struggling in a nursing class by offering extra help even though I was not in her section,” said junior Richard Redler. “I feel this is very important as it shows the faculty here will go above and beyond to ensure we succeed.”
Now more than ever, Sacred Heart is committed to ensuring every student feels included and cared for. Founder’s Day is essential in ensuring this message is just as clear as it was in 1963, recognizing those who uphold the same values.
