Albertus Magnus College Founders’ Day 2022

Falcons’ Pledge to Our Planet

New Haven, Conn., September 21, 2022 Albertus Magnus College marks its Founders’ Day this year with a two-day celebration  on September 22 and September 23. This year’s theme is Falcons’ Pledge to Our Planet. In October 2021, Albertus signed on  to the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, an international effort for Catholic institutions to build cultures of sustainability and  environmental justice. As part of this initiative, the Meister Eckhart Center and the Laudato Si’ Team are launching the Falcon  Bike Share for students. 

Albertus first opened its doors on September 24, 1925 as a Catholic College in the Dominican tradition – the first Catholic College  in New England for women. The Dominican tradition, and the College’s mission, is based on the Four Pillars of Study, Prayer, Community, and Service. 

Thursday, September 22 
Pre-Founders’ Day Art Show 
Walsh Hall and Basketball Court (Mural Viewing) 
4:30 – 6:00 pm 
Friday, September 23 
Beyond Laudato Si’ 
Presentation by Sr. Jane Belanger, O.P., Director Heartland Farm, Kansas 
Behan Community Room, Hubert Campus Center 
11:00 am 
Blessing of the Bikes 
Outside Hubert Campus Center 
12:00 pm 
The bicycles will be blessed at Founders’ Day and will be made available for borrowing by students starting Monday,  September 26. Students will be able to join the bike share after taking bike safety class. Dates and times for these classes will  be announced soon. For more information, check out our blog post
All Campus Picnic and Sustainability Fair 
Aquinas Lawn 
12:15 – 1:30 pm 
Featured event is the Warm Their Soles warm socks collection to benefit clients of Columbus House. Please bring donations to the fair to the Dominican Ministries Office in the Hubert Campus Center. 
Breakout Sessions: Living Laudato Si’ – Care for Our Common Home 
Tagliatela Center 
1:45 – 3:15 pm 
Presentation of the VERITAS Awards 
Behan Community Room 
3:30 – 4:30 pm

This award is given to an individual or group whose dedication complements and supports the College’s Mission. It is  presented to those who meet the following criteria: Gives service to the College and the community; promotes the pursuit of  truth (VERITAS); exemplifies the Dominican values of Study, Prayer, Community, and Service; values holistic education;  witnesses to a life of integrity based on Judeo-Christian tradition; and embraces principles of social justice in promoting the  common good. 

About the recipients: 

Sean P. O’Connell, Ph.D. 

Dr. O’Connell has faithfully served Albertus Magnus College since 1987 as a faculty member, mentor, and administrator.  Throughout his more than three decade tenure, Dr. O’Connell has positively impacted the College, its students, and his faculty  and staff colleagues in myriad ways, among them this sampling: 

  • Overseen licensure or accreditation of eight academic programs; 
  • Launched the Division of Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS); 
  • Established the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence; 
  • Spearheaded the development of the PGS flex program format; 
  • Led the successful application of many federal grants, such as those from the National Science Foundation and Davis  Educational Foundation; 
  • Developed online program assessment and a faculty resource center; 
  • Provided leadership and inspiration in developing numerous new academic programs at the undergraduate and  graduate levels. 

As a faculty member, Dr. O’Connell has been acknowledged and celebrated for his teaching excellence and scholarship. Dr.  O’Connell has been a passionate advocate for the faculty and the academic enterprise, and he has served in key leadership  roles for initiatives such as strategic planning and NECHE reaccreditation. 

The Springs Learning Center 

As an Albertus sister ministry sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Peace, The Springs Learning Center is celebrating its 20th anniversary of serving the educational needs of underserved adult students in New Haven, especially among the Latino  community in the Fair Haven section.  

The Center’s mission calls it to “provide a holistic literacy program for underserved adult learners” and its goals include: Providing individual tutoring in basic literacy skills in English as a second language; 

  • Assisting learners on their path to citizenship; 
  • Building job readiness with adult learners; 
  • Helping learners grow their self-confidence. 

Albertus students volunteer throughout the year at the Center as tutors and computer assistants for learners, and during the  College’s Annual Day of Service, members of the College community assist the Center with different projects. 

“I am filled with anticipation for Founder’s Day and the VERITAS Award Ceremony. Through honoring Dr. O’Connell and The  Springs Learning Center, we celebrate the far-reaching impact of the Dominican Sisters of Peace and their ministerial  commitments. I am sure you will share in my excitement and admiration,” said Albertus President Dr. Marc M. Camille. 

View Founders' Day Website >

About Albertus Magnus College

About Albertus Magnus College: Albertus Magnus College, founded in 1925, is a Catholic College in the Dominican tradition. It is recognized by external rankings such as US News & World Report Best Colleges, Money Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education. The College has an enrollment of 1,500 students in its traditional undergraduate program, accelerated adult degree programs, and 12 graduate programs, including a new Master of Public Administration and the only Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program in Connecticut. In the last year, the College received two significant Federal grants in support of student success and well-being: a $300,000 grant from the Department of Justice and a $1.9 million Title III grant from the Department of Education.