Suffolk University

Managing change on site

Kira LaFosse-Baker Features , , , , , , , ,

BOSTON — “It didn’t take long before he wanted to come home with me,” said Kelly Furtado, site manager for Jumpstart at Suffolk University, who met four-year-old Kevin in Rochester, N.Y. “He would cling to my legs and I would try to explain, ‘I live in a dorm, I don’t have any toys.’ He said he didn’t care. He told me he would sleep in my bathtub.” It was then that Furtado realized the rest of her life would be spent helping children, and trying to make a change.

Furtado, now 27, was majoring in English at the University of Rochester in N.Y. when she began working as a corps member for Jumpstart, a national early childhood education organization for at-risk preschool students. Here, she began working with Kevin, who had been taken away from his abusive mother. “He needed someone that he could trust,” said Furtado. “It took awhile but eventually I became that someone for Kevin.” Continue reading →

Carroll awes audience with “Constantine’s Sword”

Zach Haber Community , , , ,

 BOSTON–James Carroll spoke to Suffolk University students Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2008, about his newly released movie, Constantine’s Sword.  Students and faculty filled the C. Walsh Theatre to see Carroll and his film.

The film touches upon The Roman Emperor Constantine’s conversion to the Christian faith. The film proceeds to illustrate why the Jewish people are held responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus.

The movie projected graphic images at times, but the aspects of faith and politics were apparent.  As it opens in Colorado, Mikey Weinstein, an alumnus of the U.S. Air Force Academy, portrays the pestering that his son Casey, a Jewish cadet, experienced by several evangelical Christians.  Other scenes included the Catholic Priest Carroll tracking down the trail of blood that takes him from Crusades to America’s current foreign policy in the Middle East. Continue reading →

Diversity in campus activities: Suffolk University attends the NACA conference

Alison Mulholland Entertainment , , ,

HARTFORD, Conn.–Suffolk University’s Program Council spent last weekend at the National Association for Campus Activities regional conference (NACA) held at the Connecticut Convention Center.  Campus activity groups from hundreds of universities all across New England attended the conference to gain ideas and opportunities for booking entertainers to come to their schools.

n1239660106_30070991_4548.jpgStudents gathered in a comfortable, enjoyable atmosphere to learn from each other, meet new friends from other schools and grow deeper bonds with their fellow students.  Musicians, spoken word artists, comedians, magicians, celebrities, lecturers and more had the opportunity to showcase their talents for the students attending. Continue reading →

S.O.U.L.S. captures homelessness realities

Katlyn Murray Community , , , ,

BOSTON — Suffolk’s Organization for Uplifting Lives through Service (S.O.U.L.S.) held a photo exhibit for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness month on Nov. 6 at Suffolk University to help change common misperceptions students have about the homeless.

For the seventh year in a row, S.O.U.L.S. has been sponsoring a clothing and food drive for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month at Suffolk University.  Each year, an exhibit of photos taken by homeless people themselves is presented to the Suffolk community.  This year, the exhibit was called Perspectives: From One Lens to Mind’s Eye.  S.O.U.L.S. worked with Neighborhood Action, an organization offering several programs, such as food and clothing donations to those in need.  Together, S.O.U.L.S. and Neighborhood Action gave cameras to 10 homeless people in the Boston area to capture different aspects of their lives. Continue reading →

Students, Bruins, fans raise money for kids

Kira LaFosse-Baker Community , , , , , ,

BOSTON­ — While many Boston-area college students likely spent Nov. 1 supporting the Boston Bruins as they faced the Dallas Stars at TD Banknorth Garden, one group decided to support a different kind of cause. Throughout that night’s game, 20 student volunteers raised money and awareness for Jumpstart, a national early childhood education organization that helps at-risk preschool students gain language, literacy and social skills to succeed in future schooling.

“The Boston Bruins Foundation has been a supporter of Jumpstart and Jumpstart’s Read for the Record for the past three years,” said Mark Green, director of development for Jumpstart’s northeast region. “We are in constant contact with them about ways that we can partner to support their work as well as our work. Because of their recent participation in Read for the Record on Oct. 2, 2008, they wanted to do something with us.” Continue reading →

Renowned women’s health scholar lectures on media falsities

Alison Mulholland Health & Science , ,

4913.jpgBOSTON–Judy Norsigian, a prominent women’s health scholar, visited Suffolk University on Oct. 30, 2008, to present a Lowell Lecture, “The Media and Women’s Health: Sorting Fact from Fiction,” exploring numerous women’s health topics from childbirth to cosmetic surgery.  Norsigian has been an advocate for the education of factual information dealing with women’s health.

Norsigian graduated from Radcliffe College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970.  In 1971, she wrote the book Our Bodies, Ourselves with a group of liberated women destined to raise the awareness of women’s health.  The rise of this book led to the creation of Our Bodies Ourselves, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education, advocacy and awareness of women’s well being.  Continue reading →

Suffolk University students enjoy a night on the town

Jennifer Hoare Community , , ,

BOSTON — Suffolk University students attended a night of dinner and performance on Sept. 19, sponsored by Program Council, an on-campus organization that coordinates many University events for students.Blue Man Group at Charles Playhouse. Boston, Mass.

Dinner was held at the Hard Rock Café, located in Boston’s downtown Faneuil Hall, followed by a Blue Man Group show at the Charles Playhouse in the Theater District.

Program Council coordinated this yearly event; purchasing 100 tickets for dinner and a show with their own club budget, charging each student $20. In his second year of organizing the program, Brian Martineau, one of Program Council’s executive board members, expressed his dedication to the occasion. Continue reading →

Tuition increase does not go unnoticed

Ted Karczewski Opinion , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

BOSTON — Suffolk University recently increased its tuition and dorm rates in order to compete with other Boston institutions. Students were notified on Feb. 14, 2008 via e-mail by the university’s president David J. Sargent. The increase will be instituted for the 2008-2009 school year.

Undergraduate students will pay $25,850 a year due to the 7% increase in tuition, according to an e-mail sent out by Sargent, Suffolk’s president. Law students’ tuition also inflated from the 7% increase in tuition. Students who attend the law school during the day will be charged $38,070, and night students will be charged $28,552. Continue reading →

Fenton building maintains historic look

Amber Owens Community , ,

BOSTON — The Fenton building, located at 32 Derne St. in Boston, Mass., is in need of renovations, according to Suffolk University students. This historic building, named after Suffolk University Law School alumnus Judge John E. Fenton, had its last complete renovation in 1975 upon the buildings’ purchase by Suffolk University, according to Suffolk University Archives.Suffolk University Fenton Bulding

The six-story commercial space directly across from the north end of the State House was originally built in 1913.

In the early 70s, the building was purchased by Suffolk University in order to make room for the growing Colleges of Liberal Arts and Business Administration.

Prior to the renovation and dedication of the Fenton building in 1975, many of the undergraduate classes were held in different small properties that were scattered across the North Slope of Beacon Hill. The new expansion allowed Suffolk University to create more classrooms and office spaces.

Judge John E. Fenton, a native of Lawrence, Mass., graduated from Suffolk University Law School in 1924 and then he served on the Massachusetts Land Court for many years while maintaining a watch over Suffolk University as a member of the Board of Trustees. In 1965, Fenton was appointed President of Suffolk University. Fenton remained the University’s president until 1970. Continue reading →

Best Buddies Togetherness Dinner hopes to open eyes

Amber Owens Fashion, Art & Culture , ,

BOSTON — On April 1, 2008 from 6-9 p.m., Donahue’s 4th floor was alive with laughter and the smell of great food, as Best Buddies held the Togetherness Dinner in combination with Unity Week 2008 at Suffolk University on Tuesday. Including a free family-style dinner for all that attended, along with dancing, arts & crafts, games, and most importantly stories from the buddies, the event was eye opening for many who attended, and proved to be another great memory for best buddies members and buddies alike.

Best Buddies is a non-profit organization on the Suffolk University campus that enhances the lives of those with mental disabilities. Run by volunteers, the dedicated members of Best Buddies host many events, like the Togetherness Dinner, where students and buddies can build friendships and become important parts of each other’s lives. Continue reading →

Students gain valuable experience from studying abroad

Amber Owens Fashion, Art & Culture , ,

BOSTON — Students at universities all over the United States are choosing to study in other countries across the globe. Most students who have studied abroad view it as a unique learning opportunity that they benefited from greatly.

“It is a constant learning experience,” said Suffolk University sophomore Ashley Parisa Sadrnoori, about her current studies in Madrid, Spain. Sadrnoori says she is having a more “hands on experience” learning in Madrid verses learning in Boston. “We have traveled to so many different places around Spain for different classes and it has been so exciting.” Continue reading →

Ruthie Alcaide provides ‘Unity Week’ clarity

Brooks Barnard Entertainment , , , , ,

BOSTON — Most know Ruthie Alcaide from MTV’s Real World: Hawaii as the binge drinking, trouble-making Filipino, but most are unaware of the woman behind the televised persona.

Alcaide, 21, is currently on MTV’s College Road Trip, sharing her experiences behind the scenes on the Real World to teach young adults about the entertainment industry, prejudice, drug/alcohol awareness, diversity, sexuality, and racism. As part of this tour, Alcaide visited Suffolk University on Tuesday, March 25 and gave a presentation, “Discussing Diversity with Ruthie” to support the university’s ‘Unity Week.’ Nearly 30 students came to the Donahue Café to hear her speak. Continue reading →