2024 SHU Year in Review

From Blessing of the Hands ceremonies and a renovated basketball arena to a new dynamic partnership with Notre Dame Prep, 2024 was a year to remember for SHU

This year, SHU bid farewell to the class of 2024 and welcomed the class of 2028 amid a monumental year of growth, success and innovation.

In January, the University’s Multicultural Center kicked off the year by inviting alum Aisha Losche ’07 to the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts to speak at the annual commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.

Also in January, nursing students enjoyed their Blessing of the Hands ceremony. The event highlights the significance of the therapeutic and healing touch nurses bring to their work and emphasizes the spiritual care they provide.

February marked the announcement of the agreement for the monumental purchase of Notre Dame Prep. The partnership with the neighboring school, now Notre Dame Prep of Sacred Heart University, will allow both institutions to maximize resources and provide exciting opportunities for future students. The two schools share a similar passion and vision for improving the future of Catholic education.

Early spring brought annual events such as the Black Love Gala, the alumni Easter celebration and the Founder’s Day celebration.

In April, the SHU Community Theatre hosted the national premiere of The Long Game, an inspiring period drama about five young Mexican American caddies in 1955 and their journey to learn to play golf and open a course in southern Texas. Actor Jay Hernandez, the film’s star, attended the Fairfield premiere.

In May, the University said congratulations to the class of 2024 at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater. Following commencement, the Indian Student Union, with the help of the University’s Office of Graduate Student Affairs, hosted their Holi celebration. Holi, often called the festival of colors, is a Hindu tradition that marks the triumph of good over evil.

As the majority of students departed campus for the summer, SHU offered events like orientation for new students and nursing immersion programs that gave students valuable real-world experience.

Horizons at SHU, a program that offers enrichment activities to Bridgeport youth, was also up and running. Horizons works toward providing educational equity and equality for all students.

In July, performing arts produced Reject Me Already, a play written by alum Paul Richard Keegan ’23, that later premiered at The Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland.

In August, SHU welcomed the class of 2028 and saw students return to their home away from home for the fall semester.

The University kicked off the semester with the opening and dedication of the John & Sabina Petillo Center for the Performing Arts. The new center was dedicated to the Petillos for their ongoing support of performing arts at the University.

In addition to Homecoming and another Blessing of the Hands ceremony, in September, SHU hosted its annual 9/11 commemoration in remembrance of the tragic event.

In October, SHU’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions welcomed thousands of future Pioneers to open houses as they toured campus and immersed themselves in all things SHU.

Graduate student life and international & immigration services celebrated Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in November. Also, the community contributed to the University’s annual turkey drive which provided Thanksgiving meals for hundreds of residents.

Sacred Heart also kicked off its men’s and women’s basketball seasons in November with the reopening of the William Pitt Athletic & Convocation Center. The updated, state-of-the-art arena brings fans closer to the action.

To close the book on 2024, students, faculty and staff gathered at the annual tree lighting ceremony at West Campus.

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