Hurricane Sandy Update
The devastation caused by Hurricane
Sandy had a direct impact on so many of
us in the St. Francis College community.
Our thoughts, well-wishes and heartfelt
support go out to everyone struggling to
rebuild their homes and their lives.
Because this issue was at press at the
time of the storm, it was too soon for us to
include specifics on the College’s efforts
to help those in need. Please check our
website at sfc.edu for information on
efforts to help with the recovery.
St. Francis College unveiled its new-look website over the summer. The
site is cleaner, easier to navigate and better tells the story of St. Francis
to the world. We welcome your feedback: [email protected].
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT BRENDAN J. DUGAN ’68
While St. Francis College is always looking to the future as well as working on ways
to improve the college experience, sometimes we need to look back and see where
we’ve been and why we’re here.
I
n this issue, we’ll tell you about the Franciscan
offers lessons to all of us (page 3); it’s not just about
Pilgrimage that we’ve been sponsoring since 1996.
the final destination but what you learn along the way,
Each year, we send a group of faculty, staff and
about the world and yourself, that makes that journey
administrators, as well as a separate pilgrimage of
more interesting.
students, to literally walk in the footsteps of St. Francis
Before we say hello to the newest member of our
(page 5) in the Italian hill town of Assisi. When the
community, first we say goodbye, with deepest gratitude,
pilgrims return, they share their experiences with the
to Bro. Thomas Grady, O.S.F. ’68. After 16 years of
larger St. Francis community. It’s a great way to reaffirm
shepherding students through Campus Ministry and
our Franciscan tradition and remember the reasons
Choir, Bro. Thomas is retiring (page 7). With that we offer
why we work so hard to help our students.
a hearty welcome to Fr. Brian Jordan, O.F.M., from the
Also in this issue, you’ll get to meet some of our
outstanding alumni, young and old, including Dominic DePaola ’64 and
his wife, Rosemarie, who have been longtime supporters of St. Francis.
Holy Name Province of the order of Friars Minor, who will
continue the work of helping our students in their spiritual development.
A big thank you also goes out to each and every one of you for
Among his accomplishments, Dominic has been Dean of several dental
making all of this possible. Your successes and your generous support
colleges and universities and now serves as Academic Dean of Nova
of St. Francis College have laid the foundation for us to create an
Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine (page 11).
atmosphere where anything is possible. The word is getting out to a
Sandy Tejada ’08 left St. Francis with all the tools she needed to
wider audience. Not only is Brooklyn the place to be, so is St. Francis
manage her own modeling career (page 20) while Terrisha Kearse ’05
College. The proof? Our incoming class this fall was our largest ever.
recently returned to Brooklyn to work on a feature film as she keeps her
That’s why our Donor Report (page 22) thanks each of you individually
Hollywood dreams alive (page 19).
for helping to make a difference.
In a case of “where are they now,” we’ll check in with Robbie
Mitchell ’96 and his wife, Clare Guerriero ’93. Some of you may
Sincerely,
remember them because of where Robbie proposed to Clare… on stage
during his 1996 commencement at the Brooklyn Academy of Music
(page 18).
Tyler Perkins ’14 is a throwback to the liberal arts students of old.
His belief in a sound mind and body as well as his strong desire to learn
Brendan J. Dugan ’68
President
S T. FR A NC I S COL L EGE T ERR IER | W IN T ER 2012–2013 | 1