Spring 2009:Vistas Fall 2008 - Villa Maria College

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F O U R VILLA ALUM DAWN QUINN PRESENTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BARBARA B. LITTLE SPEAKER SERIES ▲T he Villa Maria College Community was privileged to have 1993 Alumna, Dawn Quinn return to the campus to tell her wonderful story as part of the Barbara B. Little Speaker Series. Like many students Dawn came to Villa as an “older student” when she realized she wanted more out of life. In the beginning, she struggled to adjust to academics and had bouts of insecurity. With the help of her husband, her faith and the teachers at Villa, she became determined to challenge all obstacles and move full steam ahead. After graduating from Villa, Dawn went on to get her BS and M. Ed. and has been a teacher of the Visually Impaired and Blind for Orleans- Niagara BOCES. In addition, Dawn has been married to Michael for 23 years and together they have 5 adopted children, 4 of whom have special needs. In her spare time Dawn is the choir director at her church and this year was the recipient of the DDSO Caregiver of the Year Award. Although Dawn has born with uncanny determination, she attributes the awakening of that determination, to her time here at Villa. The Barbara B. Little Speaker Series welcomes back alumni annually to share their stories. If you are interested in participating, please contact Joyce Kessel at 716-961-1836 or Mary Merigold at 716-961-1852. HEAL THE CHILD SEMINAR ▲O n Monday September 29, 2008 the Villa Maria community was privileged to have alumna, Laurie Moran (‘92) return to campus to present a child abuse prevention and education project and training program Heal the Child. What makes this program special is Laurie’s original music which adds voice to the important subject matter. Alumni, students, faculty and community members from various backgrounds were rewarded with an educational and heartwarming performance. Learn more about Laurie and the Heal the Child program by visiting www.healthechild.com. ▲T V I L L A M A R I A C O L L E G E A L U M N I N E W S STUDENT PROFILE ▲A shley Rucker Ashley Rucker, a sophomore in the Fashion Design and Merchandising program at Villa Maria College feels that fate has led her to the right place. Ashley did not initially look at Villa as a choice when making her college decisions. She was focused on going to a “big” school like her high school friends. The Kenmore East graduate had spent the first few years of high school in special education classes. She was embarrassed to admit this to friends and felt inferior to other students. The real difference in her special education classes meant a smaller class size and more opportunity for individualized attention. In this environment Ashley excelled and was placed in general education classes her senior year. While at Kenmore East, Ashley was captain of the Dance Team and was a member of the Race Unity Club. When it came time to apply to colleges, Ashley submitted applications to Canisius College, Buffalo State College, SUNY at Buffalo and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Unfortunately, all these colleges rejected Ashley’s applications. Realizing her success in high school started when she was in smaller settings, Ashley applied to Villa after hearing of the impending Fashion Design and Merchandising program. Once again she was on the road to academic success. Ashley now realizes that she never would have succeeded in other colleges. Villa Maria College provides the learning environment that allows students to be successful. Ashley states, “It is ok to be in smaller classes, since in reality, smaller classes are better for my learning habits.” The teachers help and truly care about the students at Villa. “I can go to any of them at anytime for help and that is a big factor in my success here.” When not in the classroom, Ashley lives and works at Collegiate Village as a leasing Assistant. She enjoys shopping and hanging out with friends and family. Ashley’s goal is to open her own store in New York City and become a stylist. With her ambition there is little doubt she will be successful. Ashley is pictured with her Dad and Sister Marcine Borowiak, College Vice President of Development, at the President’s Council Dinner where Ashley spoke. GINA VANCE CHAIRS SUCCESSFUL PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL DINNER he President’s Council Benefit Dinner was held on October 12, 2008 at the Millennium Hotel. Chair of the event was Gina Vance, member of the Council and an alum of the College. In addition to the address by Sister Marcella Marie Garus, College President, Fashion Design and Merchandising major and resident student, Ashley Rucker, shared her experiences at Villa and Collegiate Village. Over $11,000 was raised for student scholarships and grants. Charles Evingham, a member of the Council, presented the College with a President’s Council Banner that was displayed in the banquet room for the event and will be used at future Council functions. ▲
A L U M N I C O N N E C T I O N FACULTY UPDATES ▲ Shakora Harrue Banks received his Ph.D. in Educational Studies from Capella University. He also moved from Coordinator of Students with Disabilities to instructor of Social Science and holds membership on multiple committees. ▲ Carmen Aquila instructor and program coordinator of the music programs is a successful composer. He had two of his piano compositions premiere in Beijing, China last October by pianist Dr. Bryan Boyce. Another piano piece was premiered by Dr. Boyce at Buffalo State College. Carmen had a third piece for Soprano and Piano premiere on Long Island in December. ▲ Jaime Lorenz, a 1997 Interior Design graduate of Villa Maria College, and currently a full-time instructor in the program successfully completed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in October, 2008. Congratulations! VILLA JOINS INAUGURATION FESTIVITIES ▲P rior to Barak Obama taking the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States, the Villa community gathered to celebrate America and this historic event. Members of academia read speeches from American History including the Preamble to the US Constitution, The Gettysburg Address, Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy’s inaugural addresses and the “I Have A Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The group then watched history in the making as Barak Obama was sworn in. ALUMNI TOUR CHOCÓ LOGO ▲A group of Villa Maria College Alumni took a tour of local specialty candy manufacturer Chocó Logo in early February. The tour introduced the alumni to interesting processes and some unique products made at Chocó Logo including Obama Bark “Waves of Change”. After the tour, owner and chocolatier, Dan Johnson paired a variety of chocolates with wines as the group learned some tips on different confections. ▲ IN MEMORIAM Sister Mary Julia Witkowski, an educator, missionary and former Provincial Minister of the Felician Sisters in Buffalo, died February 24, 2009. She was 91. vistas F I V E In 1976, Sister Mary Julia was named Director of the Music Department at Villa Maria College of Buffalo, and elected Provincial Councilor at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province, in Buffalo, NY, a position she held from 1976 to 1982. In 1982, she was again elected to leadership in the province, this time as the Provincial Minister. She capably led the province until 1989. During her service on the leadership team, Sister Julia was an active member of the Villa Maria College Board of Trustees. Sister Mary Justine, 93, a Felician Sister for 74 years, died in the Felician Sisters Health and Wellness Center, Buffalo, NY, on January 17, 2009. Sister Mary Justine began her ministry in education as a Catholic elementary school teacher in 1936. She taught students on the junior high level in Buffalo for sixteen years and in Syracuse for four years. In 1956, she began to teach at Sacred Heart High School in Syracuse, NY where she remained for nine years. She also taught at Villa Maria Academy in Buffalo from 1974 to 1976. Her best years as an educator were spent at Villa Maria College of Buffalo. Sister Mary Justine was a full-time Religious Studies Instructor at the College from 1965 to 1974 and then again from 1976 to 1985. She was passionate about her subject matter and had the opportunity to travel and experience various religions first hand. This enabled her to share her knowledge with her students from personal experience which made the material much more interesting. Sister Mary Justine began teaching part-time in 1985 and served as a tutor in the Villa Maria College Learning Support Center. She was honored with the title of Professor Emerita at Villa Maria College on May 19, 1997. Afterward, she continued ministering as a part-time tutor as well as volunteering her services in the Development Office at the College. Overall, Sister Mary Justine ministered at Villa Maria College for 38 years. Published by: The Public Relations Office Villa Maria College 716 896 0700 Art Direction & Design: Paul Melohusky V I L L A M A R I A C O L L E G E
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Spring 2009:Vistas Fall 2008 - Villa Maria College

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