March 2007
| A Monthly Publication Serving Arcadia Alumni | March 2007 |
Alum to Release Debut Novel Arcadia
Alum L.Y. Marlow ’95 is releasing her debut novel, Color
Me Butterfly, this April. Based on the experiences of Marlow and her
family, Color Me Butterfly tells the story of four generations
of women who embrace a legacy of unconditional love, old-fashioned family
values and faith, to triumph over a life plagued with unspeakable abuse
and pain. Continued.
alumni snapshot
Sonia Sanchez: Pushups for Peace Arcadia
University is excited to welcome Sonia Sanchez, the second
guest in this year's Distinguished Speaker Series, on March 28 for
her talk Pushups for Peace. Sanchez is a prolific
author whose focus is on the Black Arts Movement and the historical and
contemporary social issues that have impacted both the African American
experience and American society in general. Continued
Upcoming EventsBiennial Faculty Exhibit Faculty from the Fine Arts deparment exhibit their finest work in the University Art Gallery. World Premiere Production of Hearsay Don't miss this never before seen production written especially for the Arcadia Theatre. Alumni Association Meeting Join President Greiner to hear all the latest campus news followed by a delicious luncheon. |
Bringing Wheelchairs to Peru In
August of 2006, Jodee Fortner ’97, ’99M and
six other PT alumni and students joined a team of 15 physical therapists,
students, helpers and translators and traveled to Arequipa, Peru, to deliver
wheelchairs and treat disabled children. The project was conducted through
Medical Ministry International in conjunction with Reach Out and Care (ROC).
Jodee shares her experiences of the trip.
Connect with Alumni Today The
Alumni Office is preparing to publish a new alumni directory called, Alumni
Today. Many of you have commented that it’s about time
we update the last directory—published in 1999—and we couldn’t
agree with you more! Continued
campus snapshot
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Find
out how others are living the Arcadia Promise. |
global perspective
 “It was humbling to help so many children in Peru,” says Alexandra Gonzalez Rivera ’07. With other Doctor of Physical Therapy students, she spent two weeks providing pro bono pediatric physical therapy services to disabled children and their families. “I am thankful to have been blessed with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Read More |
Integrative learning
 “Working in the clinic with patients with Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis gives students a better understanding of how patients and their families cope with chronic disease,” says Matt Stapleton ’08. He and other Doctor of Physical Therapy students get hands-on experience in the Dan Aaron Stay Fit exercise program on campus. Read More |
Personal attention
 Physician Assistant student Kearra Wagner ’08 learns to diagnose a wide range of health problems during Clinical Simulations. “We work closely with students to give them a chance to ask questions and to integrate and test their knowledge,” says Christopher Sim, M.P.A.S., PA–C, Associate Director of the Physician Assistant Program. Read More |
Alum to Release Debut Novel (Cont'd) Marlow, a 1995 graduate of Arcadia University with a degree focused in Management Information Systems (MIS) didn't expect to become an author. "It was because of a creative writing/poetry class that I'd taken one semester that really gave me the encouragement and desire to someday be an author." "I can still remember the comments I received from the professor that he felt I 'had a gift'; and that I should consider submitting my poetry and short stories to various contests. Although I never won any of those contests, nonethelss, it was his words that stuck with me and propelled me to follow my dreams. I will forever be grateful for the preparation and inspiration that I received at Arcadia." Marlow is the third generation of her family to have been a victim and survivor of domestic violence. In her debut novel, she recounts the real-life experiences of her grandmother, her mother, herself and her daughter; examining the impact of intergenerational domestic abuse present in her family for over 60 years. However, Marlow’s story is not one of despair but of hope, courage and prevailing love: “If my story can touch one person’s life, inspire one family, then my job has been done.” An active campaigner for domestic violence awareness, Marlow founded the ‘Saving Grace’ organization, which aims to educate both young and old, male and female, about the dangers of domestic violence. She recently launched a website and blog which provides unlimited access to domestic violence programs, support, advocacy and discussion. Marlow will promote both the book and the ‘Saving Grace’ campaign around the Philadelphia area and in other major cities in the coming months. More Information: VISIT the Color Me Butterfly site to learn more about Marlow, the novel and domestic violence issues.
“In Arequipa, a clinic was set up by our team of physical therapists, issuing wheelchairs, foot braces, walkers and other vital equipment to disabled children. Parents also were given training on how to do exercises with their children, according to their disability. This was the first wheelchair distribution organized by Reach Out and Care (ROC) in Arequipa and the surrounding area, an area where access to wheelchairs, pediatric wheelchairs in particular, is severely limited. Children are often placed in ill-fitting adult-sized chairs, carried in their parents’ arms or on their backs, or left in bed all day. It was a blessing to see children, who had entered the clinic being carried by their parents, leave sitting upright, pushing themselves independently for the first time of their lives. During our time in Peru, the team distributed over 100 wheelchairs and adaptive strollers to disabled children and adults. “The story of one little girl summarizes the impact a wheelchair can make. Claudia told us that she could not keep up with her peers at school because she couldn’t walk. This broke our hearts. However, after Claudia received an ROC chair, her teacher e-mailed me a video of Claudia wheeling herself down the street with her peers during a school parade! She also sent us a photo of Claudia smiling and sitting in her chair while surrounded by her classmates! What a privilege it is to be a part of that. Being able to share with others just a small taste of the blessings we have in this great country with others in need. “Upon returning to the United States from Peru, I am more grateful than ever for the resources we have. I strive to continue my education in order to better serve my patients here, as well as overseas. The need for physical therapy training and wheelchairs in Arequipa is very great—we already have a waiting list for children and adults currently needing wheelchairs. We are working to improve the teaching of local therapists, so that they can better treat their patients, and also want to expand our distribution to surrounding areas, such as Mollendo, Lima and possibly the jungle.” Get Involved: “The next project in Peru is scheduled for Aug.t 11-25. We are aiming to distribute 200 wheelchairs to those in need. If you would like to help us reach our goal, send donations to ROC labeled for Peru. We are also looking for participants, in particular Spanish-speaking translators and physical, occupational and speech therapists.” For More Information Contact Jodee Fortner, or visit Reach Out and Care and Medical Ministry International.
Connect with Alumni Today (Cont’d) Our new directory will be filled with valuable information to help you connect to Arcadia University and to each other. When you thumb through the pages, you will find a photo gallery of the memorable pictures and stories that you have submitted and nostalgic and current photos of the campus. In addition, there will be a career networking information section, an alumni distribution map, and an historical list of Alumni Association and Annual Fund Award recipients. Included in the alumni biographical section you will find alumni names, addresses, e-mail and phone numbers, job titles, and the names of spouses, partners and children. Alumni Today is more than just another directory. It will be a volume filled with reconnections, resources and memories. Please fill out and return the letter you received from Harris Connect asking you to “Verify Your Arcadia University Alumni Data.” So that we wouldn’t miss anyone, we sent this form to your home and e-mail addresses. If you already replied online, there is no need to do it again by mail. Verifying your information helps us update your records and ensures that you receive all of the important information that keeps us connected. Get Involved: Alumni Today is your directory! Please be part of the process. For more information call the Alumni Office at 215-572-2160 or email alumni@arcadia.edu.
Sonia Sanchez: Pushups for Peace (Cont'd) Sanchez an internationally recognized poet and author, was described by Maya Angelou as “a lion in literature's forest.” She is best known for her poetry, but has also published plays, children's books and literary anthologies. Sanchez is the author of more than a dozen books of poetry, including most recently, Shake Loose My Skin: New and Selected Poems. Her book Does Your House Have Lions? was nominated for a National Book Critics Circle Award, and Homegirls & Handgrenades won an American Book Award. Her published plays include Malcolm/Man Don't Live Here No Mo', The Bronx Is Next, and Sister Son/ji. A Professor at Temple University from 1977 to 1999, Sanchez was the first Presidential Fellow and held the Laura Carnell Chair in English there until her retirement. She has lectured at more than 500 universities and colleges in the United States and has traveled extensively, reading her poetry in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. She is the recipient of the Community Service Award from the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, the Lucretia Mott Award and the Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Excellence in the Humanities. Event Information: Wednesday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Stiteler Auditorium, Murphy Hall. For more information on the event, visit Arcadia's Cultural Events Calendar, call 215-572-2900 or email speakers@arcadia.edu. |
Arcadia Chronicles is a monthly e-newsletter published by the Offices of Alumni Relations Writing: Georgene Pilling, Lori Bauer, Matthew Wolf, Alice Quigley, Jennifer Cardinale ’10
Office of Alumni Relations • 215-572-2160 • alumni@arcadia.edu Removal Instructions: Please {{$USER_UNSUB_LINK TEXT='Click Here'$}} to remove yourself from future mailings. Thank you. |
Bill and Sue
Burnison Burrows '53 join President Jerry
Greiner and Terry Greiner in Naples
for a special luncheon during the President's tour through Florida. 
Seniors
Chadd Balbi, Danielle Fanelli, Kelly Morgan, and Kristin
Gribbin at the 87 Reception sponsored by the Student
Alumni Ambassadors on February 20. 
