Accompanying Frank to the award presentation was former student, Jeanie Subach ’84, ’89 M.A., who is currently a full-time faculty member of West Chester University. Subach had written a letter of support for the award nomination, as had former student Constance Thompson ’12 and current graduate student Joy Saudargas.

The group that recognized Frank as the Outstanding Dietetic Educator represents dietetics professionals who teach and mentor students who are fulfilling the academic and internship requirements for becoming registered dietitians.  The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is also the accrediting organization for Immaculata’s Nutrition and Dietetics programs.

In addition to this award, Frank has also been awarded Outstanding Dietetic Educator for a Dietetic Internship by the Pennsylvania Dietetic Association.

Earning her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of California at Los Angeles and a master’s and doctoral degree from Temple University, Frank is also a registered/licensed dietitian, a PA-licensed psychologist, and a certified rehabilitation counselor. She is a member of several professional organizations including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a number of its practice groups, and the PA and Philadelphia Dietetics Associations.  Frank has been a full-time faculty member at Immaculata University since 1998.

“There is nothing that could make me happier than being recognized for excellence as an educator and mentor—that is my life’s work.  It’s even better receiving these awards surrounded by my students who are also being recognized for their own achievements.  Certainly, the academic excellence of Immaculata’s faculty, students, and programs is on full display,” commented Frank regarding these awards.

Immaculata’s Nutrition and Dietetics program offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as a dietetic internship.

L to R: Duane Milne, Ph.D.; Melanie Kisthardt, Ph.D.; Courtney Gambrell, Sister Susan Cronin, IHM, Ph.D.

Immaculata University’s Courtney Gambrell of Newtown Square, PA, presented her poster “Demystifying Charles Chesnutt’s Tales of Conjure” at the Undergraduate Research at the recent Capitol Conference in Harrisburg.

Gambrell was one of 36 students representing 17 colleges and universities from across the state who gathered with faculty and Pennsylvania legislators and staff to share their research. The goal of the conference was to demonstrate that research is important to the educational development of college students and that they can make valuable contributions that enrich the knowledge, cultural heritage, and economic well-being of Pennsylvania.

Charles Chesnutt was a 19^th-century author who was the first African-American writer to be published in The Atlantic Monthly. Chesnutt wrote many of his stories in regional dialect, and Melanie Kisthardt, Ph.D., chair of Immaculata’s English/Communication Department, noticed that her students were struggling to understand the unfamiliar language and phonetic spellings. Wishing to honor Chesnutt’s literary achievements and to extend the longevity of the literature so that its meaning would not be misunderstood, Gambrell began translating the stories into modern English.

Under Kisthardt’s direction, Gambrell spent two years working on four of Chesnutt’s “conjure” short stories. In them, ex-slave Julius McAdoo describes incidents in which slaves turned to “conjure,” or voodoo, to endure the inhumanity of slavery. This emphasis on voodoo made the slaves feel empowered and linked them to their African roots.  In addition to the close reading necessary for her translations, Gambrell researched “local color” literature, Chesnutt’s diaries and letters, and the presence of voodoo in America and the Caribbean as a result of the African diaspora.

Immaculata University is a Catholic, comprehensive, coeducational institution of higher education, located on the Main Line between Malvern and Exton, 20 miles west of Philadelphia.

The Commencement speaker will be Jamie Moyer, former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, who will also receive the honorary doctor of laws degree.  Moyer played 25 years in Major League Baseball and helped the Phillies win a World Series Championship in 2008.  In 2012, he became the oldest pitcher to record a win. In 2000, Moyer and his wife, Karen, established the Moyer Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering children in distress through education and support, helping them to lead healthy and inspired lives.

During the ceremony, Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D.  will receive The Immaculata Medal, which is awarded to an individual who has publicly exercised creative leadership, demonstrated sound scholarship in their field, or served the University in an extraordinary way.  Pacholczyk, director of education for the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, writes a monthly column that is syndicated in the U.S. to diocesan newspapers and to international newspapers as well.  As a world renowned expert on contemporary bioethics, he often appears on national television news shows.

Immaculata University is a Catholic, comprehensive, coeducational institution of higher education, located on the Main Line between Malvern and Exton, 20 miles west of Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Art Alliance celebrates cultural life in Philadelphia at its annual Wetherill Ball.  The event celebrated the jewel of Rittenhouse Square, the Wetherill Mansion, home to the Philadelphia Art Alliance.  The evening included cocktails, dinner and dancing and a silent auction.  Proceeds from the event benefited the preservation and restoration of the Wetherill Mansion.

With a doctorate in piano and a master’s in international business relations from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Carr uses his unique training in both disciplines to offer corporate seminars on creativity to schools of business and to Fortune 500 companies. He has given these seminars at Columbia University, Dartmouth College, the Wharton School, and at more than 30 corporations in the U.S. and abroad. He has also presented at the American Society for Training and Development, the world’s largest association dedicated to workplace learning and performance professionals, and at the American Creativity Association, a forum that promotes creativity and innovation in a wide range of industries and disciplines.

Carr studied piano at the Juilliard School with Adele Marcus as well as at Temple University, and he earned his doctorate in piano at the Catholic University of America with Marcus. He continued his studies in Vienna and at the Munich Conservatory and the Liszt Conservatory in Germany.  In 2005 he was named a Steinway Artist, a prestigious title that recognizes the most exceptional music performers in the world. He has taught at Immaculata for 20 years, and in 1998, he was honored as the first recipient of the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award. For more information about Carr, visit www.williambcarr.com.

Immaculata University is a Catholic, comprehensive, coeducational institution of higher education, located on the Main Line between Malvern and Exton, 20 miles west of Philadelphia.

Immaculata’s Ed.D. in Higher Education program is designed for higher education administrators and faculty who are seeking to advance their careers by expanding their knowledge of higher education and developing strategic leadership skills. The program is also ideal for individuals working in related fields who are seeking a career change.

The program features a cohort model that builds a learning community among students; a blended course delivery model that combines online instruction with face-to-face interaction; and a practicum experience that enables doctoral students to demonstrate and apply their knowledge while networking in their field.

“Immaculata is very excited to be able to serve the Harrisburg community by offering our dynamic, innovative program to meet the needs of educators in higher education in the region,” said Janet Kane, Ed.D., assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the College of Graduate Studies at Immaculata.

Dixon University Center offers adult learners convenient access to academic programs provided by a variety of educational partners. Dixon University Center’s state-of-the-art facilities are just minutes off I-81 along Harrisburg’s riverfront and are easily accessible from most points throughout the region.

Please contact Mark Hammons at mhammons@immaculata.edu or 610-647-4400 ext. 3213 to learn more about Immaculata’s off-site cohort programs, including locations, admissions and registration.

Immaculata University is a Catholic, comprehensive, coeducational institution of higher education, located on the Main Line between Malvern and Exton, 20 miles west of Philadelphia.

As a Catholic university, the Fashion Merchandising program at Immaculata incorporates core values and business dynamics into the program to support the rising trend of “fashion with a conscience.”  The program offers a hands-on learning experience and seeks to provide students with a background in fashion, business, and liberal arts.

In honor of the University’s mission, core values, and a belief that fashion should make a positive impact on the world, Immaculata’s 2013 Fashion Show featured several components that supported the community and the environment including creations using recycled or repurposed items. Immaculata students and local high school students showcased their fashion designs for judging and prizes.

A local Chester County boutique, Kiki of West Chester, as well as two designers from Philadelphia, Lobo Mau and Laundrea, promoted some of their spring fashions during the show.

Emcees for the Fashion Show were WPVI-6’s Alicia Vitarelli and Melissa Magee.  Vitarelli is the co-anchor of Action News at 4 p.m. and has been with Channel 6 since October 2010.  Magee is a meteorologist for WPVI’s AccuWeather and has been with the station since spring 2010.

Immaculata University is a Catholic, comprehensive, coeducational institution of higher education, located on the Main Line between Malvern and Exton, 20 miles west of Philadelphia.

Members of the 2013 Enactus Team who won the League Championship, from left to right -- Front Row: Charlene Fitzwater, Ph.D. (advisor), Brandi Santaniello, Kristin Schorn, Peter Kotula, Elizabeth Faunce, Ph.D. (advisor). Back Row: Nick Ridolfi, Jared Poindexter, Dan Burns, Todd Boisvert, and Dan Klodarska.

Immaculata University’s Enactus team emerged as the League Champion at the Enactus Regional Championship held in Baltimore recently.  They are invited to the National Championship held in Kansas City, MO in mid-May.

The Immaculata Enactus team demonstrated the meaning of entrepreneurship in action through its outstanding work organizing three projects: contributing to Campbell’s “Let’s Can Hunger” projects, assisting Wings for Success with gathering donations of professional clothing for economically disadvantaged women, and supporting HumanKind Water through various marketing initiatives.

“They have made a sustainable difference in the world by using their entrepreneurship in action and were recognized for this success by the business representatives who are the judges and who come from businesses including Home Depot, Campbell Soup, Walmart, Bimbo Bakeries, and others,” commented Charlene Fitzwater, Ph.D., chair of the Business and Accounting Department and an advisor for the IU Enactus team.

Enactus is a community of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to enable human progress. Enactus students apply business concepts to develop community outreach projects, transform lives, and shape a better, more sustainable world. By using their entrepreneurial knowledge to help others, students develop stronger business and leadership skills; a sense of service and responsibility; and an understanding of how business can have a positive economic, social and environmental impact.

Immaculata University is a Catholic, comprehensive, coeducational institution of higher education, located on the Main Line between Malvern and Exton, 20 miles west of Philadelphia.

Enactus U.S. Contact:

Sharina Smith, Vice President, Marketing | 417.575.3582 | ssmith@enactus.org |

Twitter @Enactus_USA | Facebook: Enactus USA | www.enactusunitedstates.org

Immaculata University Contacts:

Charlene Fitzwater, Enactus Advisor | cfitzwater@immaculata.edu

Dr. Karen Stout and Sister R. Patricia Fadden, IHM, Ed.D.

Immaculata University has joined Montgomery County Community College’s (MCCC) University Center initiative and will soon offer its Doctor of Education in Higher Education (Ed.D.) program at MCCC’s Central Campus in Blue Bell.

First introduced in 2006, MCCC’s University Center offers an entrepreneurial approach to expanding higher education opportunities for residents of Montgomery County and surrounding areas. Through partnerships with four-year institutions, students can choose from eight bachelor’s degrees, two master’s degrees, one graduate certificate, and now – for the first time – a doctorate.

“These partnerships are so important in higher education, and they show a great deal of entrepreneurship,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, MCCC president. “Before we introduced the University Center model, our graduates had to travel to the greater Reading and Philadelphia areas to continue their education in baccalaureate and graduate degree programs. However, for many of our students and community members in the Tri-County region, this commute simply isn’t possible.”

While the institutions have enjoyed a long-standing and popular transfer agreement that paves the way for MCCC associate’s degree graduates to seamlessly transfer into bachelor’s degree programs at Immaculata, this is the first time Immaculata will have a physical presence in Blue Bell.

“This agreement with MCCC is really what we were hoping for when we developed the new degree in Higher Education,” said Sr. R. Patricia Fadden, IHM, Ed.D., president of Immaculata University. “MCCC is our first partner in this program, and we’re very excited to bring it to the Montgomery County community.”

Immaculata’s Ed.D. in Higher Education program is designed for higher education administrators and faculty who are seeking to advance their career opportunities by expanding their knowledge of current trends in higher education and developing leadership skills. The program is also ideal for individuals working in related fields who are seeking a career change.

The program features a hybrid course model that blends online with face-to-face interaction; a cohort model that builds a learning community among students; and a practicum experience that enables doctoral students to demonstrate and apply their knowledge while networking in their field.

Immaculata University joins four existing University Center partners — Albright College, which offers courses at MCCC’s campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown, and Chestnut Hill College, Temple University and Villanova University, which offer courses at MCCC’s West Campus in Pottstown.

To learn more about MCCC’s University Center initiative, visit www.mc3.edu/academics/university-center.aspx.

To learn more about Immaculata University’s Doctor of Education program, visit www.immaculata.edu/academics/departments/highered.

Immaculata University is a Catholic , comprehensive, coeducational institution of higher education, located on the Main Line between Malvern and Exton, 20 miles west of Philadelphia.

The State of New Jersey approved initial licensure to operate at four sites: Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden; Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County in Willingboro; St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton; and St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark. These sites offer the opportunity for all registered nurses in the State of New Jersey to have access to an Immaculata degree program at one of these four locations. In collaboration with the Catholic Health East System, the second largest provider of health care in New Jersey, the University will begin offering programs in January at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Camden.

Beginning in spring 2013, through an official educational collaboration with Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing and Camden County College, Immaculata will offer the R.N. to B.S.N. degree at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.  For years, Lourdes has had a strong educational partnership with Camden County College (CCC) through its Cooperative Program.  This program enables all Lourdes School of Nursing applicants to concurrently earn an associate degree in science from CCC.  Upon graduation from both schools, applicants are now eligible to be admitted to Immaculata’s R.N. to B.S.N. program.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Catholic Health East by offering our accredited nursing programs to students in New Jersey,” said Sister Ann Heath, IHM, Ph.D., Immaculata’s vice president for Academic Affairs. “We look forward to helping nurses achieve their educational and career goals through our relevant curriculum, which places a unique emphasis on holistic care and compassionate service.”

The Division of Nursing at Immaculata, whose 10-year accreditation was recently renewed by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), is one of the largest nursing programs in Pennsylvania. The Division of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which includes a pre-licensure program and an R.N. to B.S.N. program. CCNE’s accreditation provides an unbiased confirmation that Immaculata’s nursing programs meet expectations to adequately prepare individuals for professional practice, lifelong learning, and graduate education.