A Family That Learns Together, Stays Together
By Chandra Persaud ’11
Suzanne Forsberg Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages, Fine Arts, and
International Cultural Studies, has an infectious love for music and teaching—so infectious
that four of the Salameh sisters decided there was no one better to guide them through
the musical world of composers such as Bach and Beethoven.
C
andy and Jakleen
style. For example,
Salameh ’06
with the help of the
were the first of
Faculty Development
the sisters to witness
Committee at
Forsberg’s passion
St. Francis, she has
for teaching. After
complemented her
taking Music of the
Music of the Western
Western World, part
World course with
of the core curriculum
several research
at St. Francis College,
trips to Europe to
The Salameh sisters Jakleen ’06, Candy ’06, Rosaleen ’13, Joanne ’10, and Karoleen ’02
the girls’ mutual
study the music of
with Professor Suzanne Forsberg.
enjoyment of the course
composers such as
compelled them to
Bach, Handel, Mozart,
encourage their younger sisters
and Beethoven.
After hearing about the positive
to follow suit.
Every educator desires to touch
Without hesitation, Joanne
at least one student in a meaningful
experiences a friend had at St. Francis,
Salameh ’10 and Rosaleen Salameh
way, but to leave a mark on an entire
Karoleen decided there was no better place family brings a sense of inexplicable
’13 took their older sisters’ advice
and both separately fulfilled the
to receive a college education. Her unique satisfaction. Recalling her memories
music component of their education
with each of the Salameh girls,
experiences there prompted her younger Dr. Forsberg shares, “The sisters
with Dr. Forsberg. It was a choice
that neither sister regrets. “Suzanne
were always polite and eager to
sisters to follow in her footsteps.
Forsberg made the course all the
learn. Each one has a unique and
more interesting with not only her
engaging personality, and each
teaching methods, but her passion for the subject. What made her
contributed to the class in a distinctive and valuable way. Above all,
course special was Dr. Forsberg herself. She has the aura to make
their loyalty to me as one of their teachers has meant a great deal
one want to learn,” says Rosaleen.
over the years.”
The youngest of her sisters, Rosaleen admits that she was the most
It must be noted that this loyalty started with the oldest of the
nervous to embark on her college education. Struggling with the
Salameh sisters, Karoleen ’02, a child psychologist who never even
remnants of a learning disability left undetected until middle school,
took a class with Dr. Forsberg. After hearing about the positive
Rosaleen was skeptical about her future at St. Francis.
experiences a friend had at St. Francis, Karoleen decided there was
Taking Dr. Forsberg’s class during her first semester provided the
no better place to receive a college education. Her unique experikind of motivation Rosaleen needed. “It was as if her class presented
ences there prompted her younger sisters to follow in her footsteps.
itself as an example of what was to come and I remember thinking
For a family of sisters on different career paths, it’s noteworthy
that if there are more classes like this one, my college experience
that they found a common love in Dr. Forsberg’s class. Candy and
should be great! Dr. Forsberg was kind-hearted, understanding, and
Jakleen majored in History and currently work as paralegals at
patient. She was always willing to offer help if I was confused or
separate law firms. Joanne received her degree in Communication
stressed,” Rosaleen recalls.