Founder’s Day

Sacred Heart University was founded in March 1963 by the Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis, second bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport.

His goal was to provide an institution of higher education that would serve the people of the diocese and region, regardless of sex, race, creed or religion. In October 1962, Bishop Curtis announced both the plan to open a college the following September and its name—Sacred Heart. The choice of the name had a dual origin: it was the name of the bishop’s first pastorate in Bloomfield, N.J., and was a pledge from the bishop attesting to the value of such an institution.

As we continue to grow and expand both our programs and our infrastructure, we reflect on the original vision of Bishop Walter W. Curtis and his small, faithful band of colleagues who founded this University over 60 years ago. We are the successors of that brave group of Pioneers and, each year, we gather as a community to celebrate Founder’s Day and to thank those who help continue the mission.

To read more about our history, download 1963 by Michael W. Higgins, Ph.D.

2025 Honorees

35 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Sharon L. Fedak, BS Lab Coordinator Chemistry
Alberto Fernandez Public Safety Supervisor Public Safety
John B. Roney, Ph.D. Professor History

30 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Karen S. Christensen, Ph.D. Associate Teaching Professor Teacher Education
Beverly D. Fein, Ed.D., DPT Clinical Associate Professor Physical Therapy
Julie A. Freddino, BA Senior Director Programs & Infrastructure WSHU
June-Ann T. Greeley, Ph.D. Professor Languages & Literature
Bridget M. Lyons, DPS Professor Finance
Christel J. Manning, Ph.D. Professor Theology & Religious Studies
Christian J. Morrison, JD Head Coach Track & Field, Cross Country Athletics
Marlina Slamet, Ph.D. Professor Physics

25 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Joe L. Barroso, BA Coordinator of Recreational Facilities Club Sports
Wendy Bjerke, Ph.D. Clinical Professor Exercise Science
Hema Gopalakrishnan, Ph.D. Associate Professor Mathematics
Sotirios A. Gountas Mail Operations Supervisor Mail & Duplicating Services
Laura A. Korutz, BS Head Coach Women's Lacrosse Athletics
Andrew C. Miller, Ph.D. Associate Professor Communication & Media
William G. Mumper Chief Information Security Officer Information Technology
Mary Ellen Peloso, AS Administrative Assistant University Advancement
Janice M. Portentoso, MA Station Manager WSHU
Sally K. Schettino Director of Employee Relations & Wellness Human Resources
Salvatore Siconolfi Locksmith Public Safety
Bonnie L. Signore, AS Coordinator of Athletic Scheduling Athletics
Saburo Usami, BS Executive Director of IT Infrastructure Information Technology

20 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Joseph H. Audie, Ph.D. Professor Chemistry
Mark A. Beekey, Ph.D. Dean Colleges of Arts & Sciences
Philip B. Brenha, BS Public Safety Officer Public Safety
Paulo J. De Oliveira, M.Ed. Assistant Coach Men's & Women's Soccer Athletics
Jerry Goehring, BA Executive Director of the Performing Arts Performing Arts Program
Michael L. Iannazzi, M.Div. Senior Vice President for Administration Administration
Anthony L. Latina, M.Ed. Head Coach Men's Basketball Athletics
Carmen T. Lloyd Public Safety Security Officer Public Safety
Pamela J. London, BS Head Coach Softball Athletics
Ami Neville Administrative Assistant Mission & Culture
Amy K. Novak, MBA Senior Director of Career Education Career Development
Betsy H. Perrelli Student Accounts Financial Analyst Student Accounts
Salvatore Ragone Public Safety Officer Public Safety
James L. Randall, MS Public Safety Officer Public Safety
Raymond E. Spagone, Jr. Public Safety Security Officer Public Safety
Mary L. Treschitta, MFA, MAT Associate Professor Art & Design
Luis M. Yanez, AAS- CS Public Safety Security Officer Public Safety

15 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Pamela Buck, Ph.D. Associate Professor Languages & Literature
Susan B. Gannon, MS Assistant Teaching Professor Psychology
Matt Gardner, M.Ed. Assistant Football Coach-Offensive Coordinator Athletics
Rebeca J. Giorgio Department Coordinator Occupational Therapy
Grace Chun Guo, Ph.D. Professor Management
Marc A. Izzo, BA Vice President of Construction & Facilities Management Facilities & Construction
Cara Erdheim Kilgallen, Ph.D. Associate Professor Languages & Literature
David LaRochelle, BBA Assistant Director for Institutional Data & Reporting Institutional Research
Andrew Lazowski, Ph.D. Professor Mathematics
Carl J. Marottolo, BA Head Coach Men's Ice Hockey Athletics
Scott C. McDougall Assistant Coach Men's Ice Hockey Athletics
Kerry A. Milner, D.N.Sc. Professor Graduate Nursing
Amanda Moras, Ph.D. Senior Associate Provost for Teaching & Learning Provost's Office
Anthony Papa, JD Associate Teaching Professor Sociology, Criminology, & Criminal Justice
Liz-Ann M. St. Onge, BS Associate Vice President for Finance & Controller Business Office
Laszlo Szegedi Public Safety Security Officer Public Safety
David G. Taylor, Ph.D. Dean Welch College of Business & Technology

Previous Honorees

45 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Sandra Honda Adams, MS Associate Professor Computer Science & Engineering
Julie Bellico Savino, MAT Associate Vice President for Student Financial Assistance Student Financial Assistance

40 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Ralph Lim, MBA Associate Professor Finance

35 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Michael D. Larobina, JD, LLM Secretary & General Counsel Office of the President
Elizabeth Geralyn Luckie, BS Director of Athletic Aid & Student Financial Assistance Student Financial Assistance
Carylanne Rice-Ehalt, M.Ed. Executive Director for Upward Bound Upward Bound

30 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Eid A. Alkhatib, Ph.D. Professor Chemistry
Arthur T. Gerckens, BS Director of Mail & Duplicating Services Mail Center
Michael J. Guastelle, M.Ed. Head Coach Men's & Women's Tennis Athletics
Ann D. Kelly, MBA Business Unit Manager Information Technology
Scott Michael Lupo, BS Assistant Supervisor, Public Safety Officer Public Safety
Phani C. Papachristos, MS Instructor Mathematics
Keith Tucker, BA Student Loan & Financial Literacy Advisor Student Financial Assistance

25 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
James Castonguay, Ph.D. Professor Communication Studies
Gregory Joseph Golda, M.Ed., MA Instructor Media & Performing Arts
Robert M. Hardy, MA Vice President for Human Resources Human Resources
Matthew Keogh Shift Supervisor, Public Safety Officer Public Safety
Mark J. Mascia, Ph.D. Associate Professor Languages & Literature
Robert C. McCloud, Ed.D. Professor Computer Science & Engineering
Cori L. Nevers, M.Ed. Executive Director of International Admissions International Admissions
Bryan V. Palmer, BS Director of IT Operations & AV Systems Information Technology
Sheila A. Sullivan, MBA Executive Director of FInancial Analysis & Planning Business Office
Sandra G. Young, Ph.D. Associate Professor Languages & Literature

20 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Barbara J. Pierce, Ph.D. Professor Biology
Judy Ann Riccio, MBA Executive Director of Athletics Athletics
Ivy L. Sailer, BA Program Assistant Occupational Therapy

15 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Jeffrey J. Barrett, MA Director of Risk Management & Compliance University Legal Counsel
Bronwyn Cross-Denny, Ph.D. Associate Professor Health Science
Heidi L. Foster-Cho, BS Executive Director for Faculty Affairs Provost's Office
Andy Kolar, MM Associate Director of Band Orchestra Pioneer Band
Dawn K. Melzer, Ph.D. Professor Psychology
John J. Petillo, Ph.D. President & CEO Sacred Heart University
Kristina M. Puzzo, BA Assistant Locksmith Public Safety
Michelle Elizabeth Wormley, Ph.D., MPT Associate Professor Physical Therapy

60th Anniversary Curtis Medal Recipients

  • Rachel Bowman
  • Bridget Lyons
  • Jack Fernandez
  • Lucjan Orlowski
  • Dom Pinto
  • Julie Savino

50 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Michelle C. Loris, Ph.D., Psy.D. Professor Languages & Literature

45 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Sheryl Madison Office Manager & Assistant to Director Athletics

40 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Dhia A. Habboush, Ph.D. Professor Chemistry
Lucjan T. Orlowski, Ph.D. Professor Finance
Danny A. Pannese, MST Associate Professor Accounting & Information Systems

35 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Allie H. DuBose Administrative Assistant Student Union
Stephen Lilley, Ph.D. Professor Sociology, Criminology & Criminal Justice
Lori-Jo McEwan Maisano, MBA Sr. System Analyst Information Technology
Gerald F. Reid, Ph.D. Professor Sociology, Criminology & Criminal Justice

30 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Michael Denysenko, BA Manager of Technical Resources Art & Design
Linda Farber, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Chemistry
Jack Fernandez Director of Public Safety Public Safety

25 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Michael J. Boyles HVAC Technician Campus Operations
Matilde Renata Cioffi, MBA Director of Library Information & Budget Library
Susan M. DeNisco, DNP Professor Graduate Nursing
Susan Jean Esposito Systems & Work Study Coordinator Student Financial Assistance
Diana M. Fitzsimons, MAT, MS Systems & Communications Manager College of Education & Human Development
Mike Giarratano, Sixth-Year Cert. Clinical Assistant Professor Teacher Education
Cameron A. LiDestri, MS Director of Individual Giving WSHU
Peter Loth, Ph.D. Professor Mathematics
Mark A. Nofri, MAT Head Coach Football Athletics
Nancy Jane Olofson University Switchboard Operator Information Technology
Richard L. Pate, JD Associate Professor Management
Brian Stiltner, Ph.D. Professor Theology & Religious Studies

20 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Funda Alp, MBA Executive Director Research & Sponsored Programs
Valerie L. Christian, MBA Clinical Assistant Professor Management
Michele M. Ellis, BS HR & Special Projects Coordinator Human Resources
Keith Johnston, M.Mus. Director Performing Arts Band & Orchestra Pioneer Band
Richard M. Magee, Ph.D. Professor Languages & Literature
Jennifer Petrafesa McLaughlin, MA Executive Director for Student Advising & Success Provost's Office
Thomas Patrick O'Malley, BA Head Coach Women's Ice Hockey Athletics
Stephen D. Rubb, Ph.D. Professor Economics
Rodney B. Sadler Shift Supervisor Public Safety Officer Public Safety

15 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Dino F. Cassone, AS Public Safety Officer Public Safety
Tracy A. Deer-Mirek, BS Associate Director, Visual Communications & Photography Marketing & Communications
Jason K. Grimes, Ph.D. Associate Professor Physical Therapy
Christina B. Gunther, Ed.D. Assistant Professor Health Science
Kelley L. Hayes, AS Accounts Payable Manager Business Office
Jaclyn M. Hongo, AS Academic Department Assistant Art & Design
Christopher J. Kelly, Ph.D. Associate Professor Theology & Religious Studies
Chrystyne K. Maloney, BA Administrative Assistant Exercise Science
Tracey E. Mauro Academic Department Assistant College of Arts & Sciences
Enda F. McGovern, Ph.D. Professor Marketing
Raymond E. Mencio, MBA Executive Director, Health & Recreation Center and Club Athletics Athletics
Matthew F. Moran, Ph.D. Professor Exercise Science
Julia E. Nofri, BA Executive Director Human Resources
Pam Pillo, MBA Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions Student Affairs & Athletics
Eric P. Scibek, MS Clinical Associate Professor Exercise Science
Peter J. Ward, BS Vice President of Finance Business Office
Deirdre B. Yeater, Ph.D. Professor Psychology
Corey D. Zygmont General Maintenance Campus Operations

40 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Gary L. Rose, Ph.D. Professor Government

35 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
John  "Jack" deGraffenried, MFA Associate Professor Art & Design

30 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Claire Anne Marrone, Ph.D. Professor Languages & Literature
Linda Lee Strong, Ed.D., RN Associate Professor Nursing

25 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Joseph S. Beleznay, BA Manager of Academic Space Scheduling Registrar
Donna M. Bowers, MPH, DPT Clinical Professor Physical Therapy
Benoit Boyer, Ph.D. Chair & Professor Accounting & Information Systems
Antoinette P. Bruciati, Ph.D. Associate Professor Teacher Education
Patricia H. Carl-Stannard, MSW Clinical Associate Professor Social Work
Janet L. Cascio, AS Office Manager Campus Operations Construction
Maureen A. Conard, Ph.D. Professor Psychologys
Debbie Danowski, Ph.D. Associate Professor Communication Studies
Deanna Fiorentino, BA Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management & Career Development Student Affairs & Athletics
Ruth M. Grant, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Psychology
Marian Leal, MS Instructor Biology
Lori Michelle Miller, BS Corporate Underwriting Director WSHU
Robert C. Tullonge, MBA Associate Vice President for Information Technology Information Technology
Linda J. Vagvolgyi Administrative Associate to Senior Vice President Student Affairs & Athletics

20 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Rachel E. Bowman, Ph.D. Professor Psychology
Daria L. Corey, BA Administrative Assistant Teacher Education
Elizabeth T. Cross, BA Program Manager Physician Assistant Studies
Mark I. Jareb, Ph.D. Associate Professor Biology
Mary-Ellen Johnson, OTD Clinical Assistant Professor Occupational Therapy
Elizabeth A. Knapik, MBA, MS Director of Instructional Library Services Academic Affairs
Catherine M. LaFrance-Lopez Communications Coordinator, Admissions Operations Student Affairs & Athletics
Maria Lizano-DiMare, Ed.D. Associate Professor Teacher Education
Steven Michels, Ph.D. Professor Political Science
Joshua A. Shuart, Ph.D. Professor Sport Management
Joseph W. Sokoloski, BS Manager, Network Infrastructure Information Technology
Jonathan J. Walker, MFA Associate Professor Art & Design
Frances E. Wasilnak, BA Assistant to the Dean College of Arts & Sciences

15 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Deanna C. Bradshaw, BS Administrative Assistant College of Arts & Sciences
Tara L. Chudy, MA Executive Director Graduate Admissions Student Affairs & Athletics
Cynthia L. Conte Supervisor, Event Marketing, Promotions & Digital Signage Marketing & Communications
Richard Falco, BA Clinical Instructor, Media & Performing Arts School of Communication, Media & the Arts
Constance H. Glenn, DNP, APRN Clinical Assistant Professor, Nursing College of Nursing
Sean Lewis Heffron, MA, MBA Executive Director of the Welch Experience & Student Success College of Business & Technology
Nathan Lewis, MFA Professor, Art & Design School of Communication, Media & the Arts
Beverly B. Lysobey, MLS Scholarly Publication & Metadata Services Librarian Library
Robert Machan, MS Head Coach, Women's Volleyball Athletics
Matthew J. McGreevy, AS Head Coach, Men & Women's Golf Athletics
Eric C. McGuirk General Maintenance Campus Operations
Robert M. Memmesheimer, MS Director of Institutional Data Information Technology
Loudon C. Page, Jr., AS Chief Engineer, Sunday Baroque WSHU
Arlete Perez Paez, BS Office & Program Manager Service Learning & Volunteer Programs
Angela M. Pitcher, MS University Registrar Registrar
Caitlin Robles, BS Director of Web Operations Marketing & Communications
Nicole Marie Roy, Ph.D. Professor Biology
Deana Santoro-Dillon, MA, MS Library Scholarly Publication & Metadata Assistant Library
Margaret D. Smith, MA Associate Registrar Registrar
Lauren E. Steffann Music Announcer/Host WSHU
Jing'an Tang, Ph.D. Associate Professor Management
Brian R. Thorne, BS Graduate Instructor Communication Studies
Tavares Jermaine Tuck Athletic & Rec Setup Ops Tech Athletics
Gregory F. Viggiano, Ph.D. Associate Professor History
Keith M. Zdrojowy, MA Studio Manager, Martire Broadcast Center School of Communication, Media & the Arts

View photogallery

45 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Sidney P. Gottlieb, Ph.D. Professor Media & Theater Arts
Domenick J. Pinto, MA, MS Associate Professor School of Computer Science & Engineering

35 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Shirley Canaan, MBA Vice President Information Technology
Linda A. Patrick Resources Management Assistant Library
Deborah C. Samilenko, BS Director, IT Administrative Services Information Technology

30 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Denise M. Tiberio, MAT Senior Associate Dean of Students Student Life
Jody C. Weldon Administrative Associate to President President's Office

25 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Pamela A. Barnum, AS Director of International & Immigration Services Immigration Support Services
David A. Cameron, Ph.D. Clinical Associate Professor Physical Therapy
Lawrence J. Wielk, MA Dean of Students Student Affairs

20 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Kirk A. Bartholomew, Ph.D. Associate Professor Biology
Karen Bauco Systems Support Manager Graduate Admissions
Jill A. Benedetto, AA Manager-Office Services Campus Operations
Jimi Dennis Sr. Tech. Services Specialist Information Technology
Suzanne M. Deschenes, Ph.D. Associate Professor Biology
Heather A. Ferrillo-Dilulio, Ph.D. Assistant Professor College of Nursing
Leonidas G. Katsetos, M.S.Ed. Senior Associate Athletic Director, Head Athletic Trainer Athletics
Rebecca A. Kregling, BA Head Coach Womens Bowling Athletics
Kimberly A. Macomber, MLS Education Reference & User Services Librarian Library
Robert F. Marsh, Ph.D. Associate Professor Management
Philip J. McCabe, MS Senior Vice President for Finance Finance & Administration
Elizabeth A. McGreevy, MBA Assistant Director Pitt Center/Intramurals William Pitt Health & Recreation Center
Jason J. Molitierno, Ph.D. Professor Mathematics
Michael F. Moylan, MBA Director Student Union Student Union
Katherine R. Roberts, BA Music Director WSHU
Eugene L. Sullivan Public Safety Security Officer Public Safety
Michael J. Ventimiglia, Ph.D. Associate Professor Philosophy
Charles L. Work, MA Senior Data Base Administrator Information Technology
Michael Jijin Zhang, Ph.D. Professor Management

15 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Jeanine K. Andreassi, Ph.D. Professor Management
Shari A. Baron, JD Library Data & Building Manager Library
Benson C. Batchelder, MS Associate Head Athletic Trainer Athletics
Gavin Ferriby, Ph.D. University Librarian Library
Kimberly A. Foito, MSN Clinical Assistant Professor College of Nursing
Beau K. Greer, Ph.D. Professor Exercise Science
Catherine S. Hatrick, AA Director Payroll Operations Human Resources
William F. Mayer, Ph.D. Senior Lecturer Psychology
James E. McCabe, Ph.D. Associate Professor Government
Sara A. Ross, Ph.D. Associate Professor Media & Theater Arts
Donna L. Stern, MBA Director of Purchasing Business Office
Barbara E. Tarasovich, DPS Associate Professor Accounting & Information Systems
Thomas Terleph, Ph.D. Professor Biology

30 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
James M. Barquinero, MS  Senior Vice President  Student Affairs & Athletics 
Sharon Lynn Fedak, BS  Lab Coordinator  Chemistry
Alberto Fernandez  Public Safety Supervisor  Public Safety 
Charlotte M. Gradie, Ph.D.  Professor  History
Thomas G. Kuser, BS  Senior Director Programs & Infrastructure  WSHU 
John B. Roney, Ph.D.  Professor  History
Penny A. Snetsinger, Ph.D. Associate Professor Chemistry

25 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Karen S. Christensen, Ph.D. Clinical Associate Professor Teacher Education
Kathy Dilks, Ed.D. Director of Graduate Student Services Student Affairs
Beverly D. Fein, Ed.D. Clinical Associate Professor Physical Therapy
Julie A. Freddino, BS Production Director WSHU
June-Ann T. Greeley, Ph.D. Associate Professor Languages & Literature
Bridget M. Lyons, DPS Professor Finance
Christel J. Manning, Ph.D. Professor Theology & Religious Studies
Jennifer H. Mattei, Ph.D. Professor Biology
Christian J. Morrison, JD Head Coach Track & Field, Cross Country Athletics
Marlina Slamet, Ph.D.  Professor Physics

20 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Jose L. Barroso, BA  Head Coach Men's Soccer  Athletics 
Wendy S. Bjerke, Ph.D.  Clinical Professor  Exercise Science
Laura A. Cook, BS  Head Coach Women's Lacrosse  Athletics 
Paul S. Donahue  Lead Duplicating Technician  Mail & Duplicating Services 
Hema  Gopalakrishnan, Ph.D.  Associate Professor  Mathematics
Sotirios A. Gountas  Mailroom Clerk  Mail & Duplicating Services 
Andrew C. Miller, Ph.D.  Associate Professor  Communication & Media Studies
William G. Mumper  Chief Information Security Officer  Information Technology 
Mary Ellen  Peloso  Administrative Assistant  University Advancement 
Janice M. Portentoso, MA Senior Director Strategy & Communications WSHU
Sally K. Schettino Director of Employee Relations & Wellness Human Resources
Salvatore  Siconolfi Locksmith Public Safety
Bonnie L. Signore, AS Coordinator of Pitt Center & Athletics Schedule William Pitt Health & Recreation Center
Saburo Usami, BS Executive Director of IT Infrastructure Information Technology

15 Years of Service

Employee Title Department/School/College
Joseph H. Audie, Ph.D.  Professor  Chemistry
Mark A. Beekey, Ph.D.  Acting Dean  College of Arts & Sciences 
Philip B. Brenha, BA  Public Safety Officer  Public Safety 
Paulo De Oliveira, M.Ed.  Assistant Coach Men's & Women's Soccer  Athletics 
Gerald A. Goehring, BS  Executive Director of the Performing Arts  Performing Arts 
Michael L. Iannazzi, M.Div.  Chief of Staff, Vice President for Marketing & Communications  Marketing & Communications 
Kittipong  Laosethakul, Ph.D.  Associate Professor  Accounting & Information Systems
Anthony L. Latina, M.Ed.  Head Coach Men's Basketball  Athletics 
Avery M. Lee  Public Safety Officer  Public Safety 
Carmen T. Lloyd Public Safety Security Officer Public Safety 
Pamela J. London, BS Head Coach Softball Athletics
Khawaja A. Mamun, Ph.D. Associate Professor Economics
Ami R. Neville Administrative Assistant Mission Integration & Ministry
Amy K. Novak, MBA Associate Director Student Engagement Career & Professional Development Career Development
Betsy H. Perrelli Student Accounts Financial Analyst  Student Accounts
Salvatore Ragone Public Safety Officer Public Safety
James L. Randall, MS Public Safety Officer Public Safety
Stephen A. Scarpati, MBA Associate Professor Accounting & Information Systems
Raymond E. Spagone Public Safety Security Officer Public Safety
Mary L. Treschitta, MAT Associate Professor Art & Design
Patricia A. Yacik, AA Senior Payroll Specialist Human Resources
Luis M. Yanez Public Safety Security Officer Public Safety