Albertus Magnus College Welcomes New Board Members, Chair
Leaders Reflect Growth Mindset of College
As Albertus Magnus College begins its countdown to its 95th anniversary in 2020 and its Centennial Celebration thereafter, one word that resonates with the College is growth. The latest example of forward thinking is with its distinguished, dedicated Board of Trustees. In January 2020, a new Board Chair, Vin Petrini, will assume the Board’s leadership role, following the distinguished tenure of current Board Chair, Jeanne M. Dennison ’78. In addition, three new members have been elected to serve on the Albertus Board, effective with the Board’s recent October meeting: Bishop Theodore L. Brooks, Sr.; Thomas F. Flynn, Ph.D.; and Kerry Alys Robinson.
"We are blessed to have these new Board members join us,” said President Marc M. Camille, Ed.D. “At a time when students have so many choices for higher education and competing priorities, what continues to differentiate Albertus is our Catholic identity and Dominican tradition - the core of the values- and liberal arts-based education that for nine decades has prepared graduates for a lifetime of career success and civic engagement. It is that commitment to service and positive community impact that continues to drive us and define us - from our board leaders to our student and alumni leaders."
Jeanne Dennison ‘78 has served her alma mater with distinction as a member of the Board of Trustees since 1999 and most recently as its Chair since 2015. Under her leadership as Chair, the Board successfully conducted a presidential search, of which she chaired the committee, resulting in the selection of Dr. Camille. In reflecting on her Board service, Dennison remarked, “It has been my personal and professional privilege to serve my alma mater as a Board member, and the group of Board colleagues who have served with me have demonstrated unwavering passion and vision in always focusing on how Albertus can best fulfill its distinctive, Dominican mission. I am so pleased with the College’s recent growth and am filled with pride, as an alumna, as I look forward to its bright future.”
Vin Petrini is the newly elected Chair of the Board of Trustees and has served on the board since 2014. Petrini is the senior vice president of public affairs at Yale New Haven Health System. He joined Yale-New Haven Hospital in 2003 with extensive experience in hospital communications as well as public affairs, government relations, and marketing. He now has responsibility for media relations, marketing communications, government, and community relations for Yale New Haven Health. Prior to joining YNHH, he served as chief public affairs officer for Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston where he managed the external and internal communications programs for the Harvard-affiliated, academic medical center. Petrini serves on a number of community boards and observed, “Albertus Magnus College is at a moment in time in its distinguished history where an inclusive growth mindset and spirit of innovation are palpable. I am honored to serve as the new Chair, following in the footsteps of Jeanne Dennison, who has served her alma mater with distinction and great passion. I look forward to working with my Board colleagues and Dr. Camille and his leadership team as the College moves boldly toward its centennial in 2025.”
A highly respected spiritual leader in New Haven, Connecticut, Bishop Brooks serves as the Senior Pastor of Beulah Heights First Pentecostal Church in New Haven and as the Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. (P.A.W.). An Honorary Doctorate recipient from the College in 2003, for more than a decade Bishop Brooks has delivered a passionate and inspirational Charge and Benediction to Albertus graduates during the College’s annual Commencement Exercises.
Dr. Flynn is President Emeritus of Alvernia University in Pennsylvania, where during his 14-year tenure, he led the development of new strategic and campus master plans, including the one that led to the achievement of university status. Under his leadership, Alvernia launched “Values and Vision:” The Fiftieth Anniversary Campaign. Dr. Flynn has written and spoken extensively on contemporary higher education, is a national expert in board governance, and is a sought-after thought-leader among Catholic higher education.
Like Bishop Brooks, Kerry Robinson is a familiar face in the Albertus community. She is the founding executive director and global ambassador of Leadership Roundtable, dedicated to promoting excellence and best practices in management, finances, and human resource development of the Catholic Church. Ms. Robinson also served alongside the late Rev. Robert Beloin, also an Honorary Doctorate recipient from Albertus, raising money for Yale University’s St. Thomas More Catholic Center and Chapel. Ms. Robinson received an Honorary Doctorate and was Commencement Speaker at this past spring’s Albertus ceremonies, and she observed that Albertus Magnus College prepares students, “for the sweet spot of meaningful work: the perfect combination of what you are passionate about, combined with what you are good at, coupled with being paid for it, in response to what the world needs.”
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.
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