DEPARTMENT PAGES:

Dr. Walsh's Pages

Late Breaking Stories~2004-2005

Phone: 401.341.3120
e-mail:walsh@salve.edu

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May 20, 2005, Newport, RI : Dr. Walsh has just learned today from Laura Valcourt(2002) that she has completed her comprehensive exams in the psychology master's program at Rhode Island College and will receive her degree this month. Laura, who works for Academic Management Services in Swansea, MA also informed him that she is engaged to Peter Cyr and will be wed in Bermuda on November 5th of this year. Laura and Peter have a web site where friends and well-wishers may contact them. Congratulations Laura and Peter from all of us here at Salve.

May 16, 2005, Newport, RI : On May 15, 2005 the university held its 55th Commencement on the McAuley lawn in the largest tent ever used there to date. It is fitting that psychology had its largest graduating class EVER as well. Thirty-nine students earned their BA in psychology that day. Furthermore, of all those graduating Summa Cum Laude from the university this year, 27% were psychology majors. They were Deanna Lyn D'Amato, Aïda Mira O'Brien, and Andrea Theresa Tuliano. Three psychology majors graduated Magna Cum Laude, viz., Matthew Richard Dussault, Marlena Danielle Giordano, and Ashley Jay Jutras;and, four graduated Cum Laude ~ Michelle Lee Carme, Bryce Beal DuBois, Jennifer Marie Fiasconaro, and Elizabeth Vagnini Tontini. The remaining members of this year's graduating class were: Leann Marie Alessandro, Richard Louis Andrade, Christen Lee Bailey, Elizabeth Cary Barrett, Deidre Elizabeth Barry, Lisa Marie Buro, Maureen Patricia Carlin, Rachel Miryam Carraway, Antonio Costantino, Jr., Cynthia De Oliveira, Jamie Lynn Evans, Samantha Lynn Henry, Jennifer Anne Higgins, Rizu Inoue, Gina Marie Liguori, Sokhom May, Erin Caitlin McMahon, Ryan Michael McMahon, Sayaka Miyashita, Naoko Murakami, Heather Anne Osterberg, Brian M. Piazza, Katherine A. Ricciardi, Allison McVie Smith, Brett Laurene Stenger, Jaclyn Julia Svensson, Amy Kathleen Welch, and Christine Marie Wenthen. At the Honors and Awards Ceremony held on May 14th, Andrea Theresa Tuliano received the Psychology Student Organization Award. Andrea also shared the Helene Kelly Burrell Psychology Award with her good friend and fellow Psychology Club and Psi Chi Honor Society officer, Gina Marie Liguori, in recognition of their wonderful conjoint efforts in managing those organizations for the past three years. In addition to the official university award gift presented to the two by university Vice President Dr. Theresa I. Madonna, Dr. Walsh presented Gina and Andrea with a Sigmund Freud Bobblehead Figure as a souvenir. [ Read his remarks on this occasion here. ] It is also important to note that Andrea Theresa Tuliano and Michele Lee Carme were among the first graduates to have completed the university's VIA honors program. Bryce Beal DuBois and Aïda Mira O'Brien, furthermore, were among the first graduates to have completed the university's Pell Scholars Honors Program. Pamela Warner de Montoya(Summa Cum Laude, 2001), recipient of the 2001 Helene Kelly Burrell Award in Psychology, and MA in Holistic Counseling in 2004, was awarded her CAGS degree this year in Mental Health with Concentration in Holistic Counseling. Pamela is a student intern counselor at the Newport County Community Mental Health Center in Middletown, RI. To learn some of the many other honors our graduates received this year including the list of graduating members of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology, view the university public relations office announcement here. Students whose names are highlighted in yellow are psychology major graduates this year. The department faculty extend their best wishes to all.

May 16, 2005, Newport, RI : The department learned on Saturday, May 14, 2005, that Marlena Danielle Giordano(2005), Treasurer of Psi Chi for 2004~2005 and Magna cum laude academic honors student, has been accepted into the Masters Degree in General Psychology (MA) program at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. beginning in the Fall, 2005 term. According to the department web site, "The M.A. in General Psychology is a non-thesis terminal degree awarded after 30 hours of coursework, approval of a major literature review of an approved topic area, and completion of a written comprehensive examination. The coursework requirements are designed to provide training in statistics and research methodology and breadth of coverage in several content areas of psychology." Congratulations Marlena.

May 4, 2005, Newport, RI : Two more graduates have informed the department of their acceptance into graduate school. Maureen Carlin(below left) has been accepted in the School and Community Psychology Ed.S. Program at Seton Hall's post-graduate College of Education and Community Services in South Orange, NJ. According to the program's website, the program "...trains psychologists to address the psycho-social and educational needs of school age children and adolescents... Students are provided with professional and academic training to address the individual, contextual, and systemic needs of children and adolescents as well as those who nurture and support them." Allison Smith(above right) has been accepted in the combined MS/CAS ~ Psy.D. program in school psychology at Alfred University in Alfred, NY. The MS/CAS "... program in School Psychology satisfies the academic portion of the New York State Education Department requirements for permanent certification and is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists. [Their]... graduates ... also receive... certification in other states and the program satisfies requirements for National Certification as a school psychologist... The Psy.D. program in school psychology at Alfred University is designed to prepare psychologists who will practice advanced skills in schools and other child and family settings and to prepare graduates to fill positions in applied research, administration and supervision, mental health agencies, hospitals, higher education, and private practice. The program leads to eligibility for licensing as a psychologist as well as certification as a school psychologist at the state and national level. The program involves three years of full time coursework and practica, a full-year, full time doctoral internship, and the completion of an acceptable doctoral dissertation by the end of the first post-internship year. The program consists of two years of full-time study followed by a full year internship." CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM BOTH ON THIS ACHIEVEMENT!!

May 2, 2005, Newport, RI : On Sunday, May 1, 2005, a brunch for graduating seniors was held at the Atlantic Beach Club in Middletown, RI. In attendance for the event were Drs. Frankel, Martasian, Quinn, and Walsh and seniors Gina Liguori, Andrea Tuliano, Aida O'Brien, Maureen Carlin, and Amy Welch.

April 30, 2005, Newport, RI : On Friday, April 29th, the Psychology Club held its annual alfresco diner party on the patio of Wakehurst. Through arrangements made by Gina Liguori(2005) and Andrea Tuliano(2005), Panera Bread of Long Wharf, Newport, catered the event and served up a variety of sandwichs, chips, and salad for all. Students presented department faculty with boxes of chocolates with tulips attached as an expression of graitude for their help and support over the year and Dr. Martasian presented club officers gifts, each personalized, in recognition of their efforts as well. Photos for this story were provided by Matthew Dussault(2005), a member of the psychology club.

April 18, 2005, Newport, RI : Following the induction of new Psi Chi members at a ceremony held on Thursday, April 14, 2005, the club membership elected officers for the 2005-2006 academic year. They are, left to right above, Matthew O"Reilly, Secretary, Kate Grenci, VP~Service, Spencer Philp, Treasurer, Katelyn McGuire, President, and Heidi Whitney-Sarles, VP~Research.

April 18, 2005, Newport, RI :On Thursday, April 14, 2005, fourteen psychology majors were inducted into the SRU chapter of Psi Chi~The National Honor Society in Psychology. The ceremony began with opening remarks from Dr. Paula Martasian, Faculty Advisor, and Gina Liguori(2005), the current Psi Chi President. Also participating in the induction ceremony and in the awarding of certificates were Dr. Sheila O'Brien Quinn, Co-Advisor, Aida O'Brien(2005), Vice-President, Research, Andrea Tuliano(2005), Vice-President, Service, and Ashley Jutras(2005), Secretary. View a collage of images from the ceremony here.

Inducted at this ceremony(from left to right in the photo above were: Heather Smith(2007), Amanda Welch(2007), Kera Bisson(2007), Lauren Sebastianelli(2006), Spencer Philp(2007), Kate Grenci(2007), Amy Fowler)2007), Matther O'Reilly(2007), Adam DiBona(2006), Christen Bailey(2005), and Rachel Possoco(2006). Joanna Angeloni(2007), Dana Plouffe(2007), and Jessica Ross(2007) were also inducted but were unable to attend. Congratulations to them all from all us in psychology and WELCOME TO PSI CHI.

April 11, 2005, Newport, RI :Dr. Anthony Walsh, Department Chairman, attended the recent Southeastern Psychological Association(SEPA) annual conference held this year in Nashville, Tennessee. SEPA is a regional psychological association affiliated with the American Psychological Association (APA) and is represented by the southeastern states including: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,

Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Nashville, aka "Music City," aka the "Athens of the South," has many distinctions including possessing the only full scale reproduction of the Parthenon(photos at link not by aaw) containing the largest indoor statue on the planet, that of Athena @ 42 feet, the The Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry.

April 4, 2005, Newport, RI : At the Dean's List Ceremony held on Sunday, April 3, 2005 for the Fall, 2004 Semester, thirteen psychology majors were recipients of certificates. They were Shelby Bernier, Kera Bisson, Deanna D'Amato, Adam Debona, Bryce Dubois, Matthew Dussault, Amy Fowler, Marlena Giordano, Ashley Jutras, Katelyn McGuire, Aida O'Brien, Elizabeth Tontini, and Adrea Tuliano. CONGRATULATIONS to them all on this wonderful accomplishment.

April 2, 2005, Newport, RI : Action photos from the recent Salve Psychology Department "invasion" of the Eastern Psychological Association Annual Convention in Boston, MA March 11th and 12th have been just recently revealed. Selective photos reveal Dr. Martasian helping Gina Liguori setting up her poster, Gina, Katelyn McGuire, and Dr. Quinn watching Gina explain her research to interested conventioneers, Aida O'Brien very happy about something or other, and some of the action at dinner one evening at the no name restaurant. Several other students from psychology at Salve also attended the convention to lend support to Gina, Heidi, and Katelyn who did a bang up job presenting, explaining, and defending their research findings. [ Photos courtesy of Aida O'Brien and Dr. Sheila O'Brien Quinn.]

Several participants from Salve were able get away from the convention for a time and enjoy some gorgeous scenery as well as spend some quality time on the high seas.

April 1, 2005, Newport, RI : The department has just received word from Amy Welch(2005) that she has been accepted into the master's graduate program in art therapy at Lesley University in Boston. Amy will begin her studies in the fall. The department has also just learned that Maureen Carlin(2005) has been accepted to the graduate program in school and community psychology at Seton Hall in South Orange, NJ. CONGRATULATIONS to both of these fine young women from all of us in psychology.

March 16, 2005, Newport, RI : On Monday evening, March 14th, department faculty and students gathered once again at Sardella's Italian restaurant, 30 Memorial Boulevard West, for their annual spring dinner. Both faculty and students were guests of the Psychology Club. Good conversation, good food, and lots of laughs made for a wonderful evening.

March 14, 2005, Newport, RI : Aida O'Brien(2005) has just notified the department that she has been accepted into the graduate program at American University in Washington, D.C. In particular, Aida has been accepted into their masters degree in psychology program for the fall. She still has a few other applications in the works and will decide later which offer to accept. Congratulations Aida!

February 23, 2005, Newport, RI :Brian Becker(2002) contacted the department recently with some good news. He is beginning to make his mark on the field of psychology in several ways. For one thing he has just had his co-authored review of the four volume J. Harold Ellens work entitled The Destructive Power of Religion: Violence in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam( Westport, CT:Paraeger, 2004. ISBN0-275-97958-X). His review has been published by the American Psychological Association on their PsycCRITIQUES web site. You may read his review in its entirety off line here. Brian also wrote that there were "...two other bits of news...[he] won the Lee Travis Award of the Lee Travis Institute for best paper submitted on a topic integrating theology and psychology....[which, he continued,] has recently brought ...[him] a lot of attention from faculty and students. Included in the award is a $1000 scholarship." Brian also added that he got accepted for a clerkship at the University of Southern California Medical Center, doing neuro-psychological assessment. Keep up the good work Brian!

February 23, 2005, Newport, RI : The department has just learned that Andrea Tuliano(2005) has been accepted to the Ralph R. Papitto School of Law at Roger Williams University for its Fall, 2005 class. She has also just been hired to be a contributing writer to the Newport Daily News soon to be published young Rhode Island adult oriented publication called "The Mercury." Way to go Andrea!

February 7, 2005, Newport, RI : Amanda Hebert(2003) has just contacted Dr. Walsh and Dr. Martasian with news about how well she is doing working toward the completion of her master's degree in school psychology. She writes: "I just thought I would write you a quick note to give you an update on what I am doing. I hope, first, that you and your family are doing well and that life at Salve Regina University is going well. I have just begun my final semester in graduate school at Towson University!! In May I will have earned my master's degree in School Psychology. I have started applying and interviewing for internship positions for the 2005-2006 school year. I have been on 2 interviews so far and have been offered 1 position... I have 3 more interviews lined up in February and March. It is an intense process but I know at the end I will finally be able to use the skills and techniques I have learned in the past year and a half. I am currently spending one day a week working with a school psychologist in an elementary school. I have my own cases and have completed two full assessments, both for learning disability concerns. To complete these cases I used a multitude of assessment measures, which I could go into but I won't bore you. I am currently working on two more cases one for Autism and the other for Speech/Language concerns. I also spend one day a week in the high school setting primarily working in group counseling sessions. I have begun one case at that location looking at possible Emotional Disturbance. I am so happy with the choices I made at Salve and where I have ended up. I know that I am in the right place doing what I am supposed to be doing with my life. I cannot wait until next year when I am in the school setting full time and will be able to really see what life is like as a school psychologist!! Thank you both for your support throughout the four years I spent in Rhode Island. [Signed:]Amanda Hebert '03" How good it is to learn such good news. All of us here in Psychology, of course, wish her continued success as she embarks on her new career as professional applied psychologist in a schools system somewhere. [aaw]

January 27, 2005, Newport, RI : Katelyn McGuire(2006, senior author)has received notification that her research entitled "HOW CHILDREN ARE PORTRAYED IN THE MEDIA" conducted with Jamie Fields and Heidi Whitney-Sarles was accepted to be on the program of the 2005 annual convention of the Eastern Psychological Association to be held in Boston March 11th to 12th. Their poster session is scheduled for 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM on March 12th in the "Back Bay C D" Room of the Boston Sheraton Hotel located at 39 Dalton Street(map). Read the text of their results which was instrumental in swaying the judges to accepted the research for the program here.

Source: Proceedings and Abstracts of the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association • Volume 76, 2005, p. 104

January 12, 2005, Newport, RI : The department faculty have just heard from Brian Becker(2002) who married his sweetheart last summer, Kiyoko Koganei(2003). Both Brian and Kiyo are attending graduate school at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Both are doing well in graduate school and managing to stay dry in the current deluge hitting California. Brian also wrote: "...there is much light at the end of this[graduate school] tunnel. I feel that the education I am receiving is truly high quality and will prepare me well for life outside of this institution. I hope to continue to share with you the ups and down of this incredible journey I've been on. And I hope you are all doing well. I am still hit with a sense of nostalgia looking back at my time at Salve, my time with all of you. And as I've worked with the faculty at my current school, I grow an even greater appreciation at the warmth, approachability, and kindness that you have shown me and other students. What I thought was the norm, has become the exception. I am eternally grateful for having you all as the model of what I hope to be myself someday." You can read about Brian and Kiyo's accomplishments while they were psychology majors at Salve on the earlier news pages accessible below.

January 12, 2005, Newport, RI :At the end of the fall semester, Gina Liguori(2005, senior author)received notification that her research entitled "ACCURACY OF THE DEPICTION OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND RECOMMENDED THERAPIES IN POPULAR TELEVISION SERIES" conducted with Brian Piazza and Eileen Carroll was accepted to be on the program of the 2005 annual convention of the Eastern Psychological Association to be held in Boston March 11th to 12th. Their poster session is scheduled for 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM on March 11th in the "Back Bay C D" Room of the Boston Sheraton Hotel located at 39 Dalton Street(map). Read the text of their results which was instrumental in swaying the judges to accepted the research for the program here.

Source: Proceedings and Abstracts of the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association • Volume 76, 2005, p. 64

November 5, 2004, Newport, RI :Following the mesmeric clairvoyance demonstration last evening(see below) many of the attendees were treated to one of Gina Liguori's famous "pasta and gravy" dinners. Guests contributed to the pot luck event by bringing a variety of side dishes and beverages etc. to round out the wonderful pasta meal. Missing from the photo below are Drs. Frankel and Martasian and Dr. Martasian's children, Samantha and Andrew. A wonderful time was had by all.

November 5, 2004, Newport, RI :Last evening in O'Hare Academic Center's Room 210 psychology students, faculty, and friends were treated to an extraordinary demonstration of psychic powers. Gina Liguori(2005), taking on the "spirit" of a 19th century female mesmeric clairvoyant, was "mesmerized" by Dr. Sheila Quinn and then dazzled those in attendance by exercising her clairvoyant powers while entranced to "read" the words or messages they had written on paper and placed in sealed envelopes. She correctly read over a half dozen messages before her psychic powers waned and exhausted her and she had to stop. However, part of her exhaustion may have been due to the fact that she had also been cooking all day preparing to have the entire audience over to her home for a home cooked Italian dinner. Bryce Dubois(2005) played the glass harmonica during Gina's

psychic reading session to add to the eerie mood her extraordinary demonstration of mind power was creating. A three minute AVI video clip of her demonstration may be viewed by right-clicking on the following link, downloading it since it is a large file, and then playing it: Gina-as-Psychic ~THE MOVIE. Photos by Dr. Anthony A. Walsh.

November 1, 2004, Newport, RI : Student members from Psi Chi and the Psychology Club once again this year decorated Halloween pumpkins to cheer the residents of Heatherwood Nursing Home in Newport. A good time was had by all as their artistic talents took flight creating pumpkins that were quite wonderful to behold. The residents of the home were delighted to receive them. Read the thank you note dated November 1st, 2004 here. Photo courtesy of Gina Liguori(2005).

October 6, 2004, Newport, RI : On September 28th Dr. Sheila Quinn received word from the current president of the New England Psychological Association, Dr. Paul F. Cunningham of Rivier College, that she had been elected president of the organization commencing in the fall, 2005. During the 2004-2005 year Dr. Quinn will be NEPA's President-Elect in which capacity, among many responsibilities, she will plan the 2005 fall annual conference. The 2004 NEPA Conference will be held at Rhode Island College the weekend of October 15th and 16th. Dr. Quinn chaired the selection committee reviewing submitted papers for this year's convention as well as the "Liaison" committee, is listed in the official

program as being in charge of exhibitors, served on the workshops committee, will chair the NEPA Liaison Lunch, and is conducting a Psi Chi session for undergraduates focused on what they should do to get into graduate school.

October 6, 2004, Newport, RI : The Department of Psychology was represented again this year on the list of recipients of Regina Scholarships. Andrea Tuliano(2005), an officer in both Psi Chi and our Psychology Club was one of 5 juniors with the highest GPAs in their class so honored at this year's "University Convocation" on September 22nd. The cash award may be applied in any of several ways by the student to help defray their educational expenses. Andrea, one of the most civic-minded and extraordinarily active students on campus, has also just been elected to her fourth term as an On Campus Senator in Salve's Student Government.

October 6, 2004, Newport, RI : Gina Liguori, President of Psi Chi, spearheaded a food drive by Psi Chi and the Psychology Club over the past two weeks gathering donations to ship to Hurricane Ivan storm victims in Jamaica. Over 100 pounds of non-perishable canned and dry food in seven cartons were delivered to Tina's Caribbean Restaurant II located at 109 Broadway in Newport on Monday, October 4th for shipment. Dr. Quinn assisted Gina with the delivery and took the accompanying photo to the left. Additional images depicting the extensive damage to that beautiful island nation may be viewed here.

October 4, 2004, Newport, RI : On Saturday, October 2nd, fourteen psychology majors were honored for having achieved the necessary GPAs to be on the Dean's List for the spring semester, 2004. They were: Shelby Bernier Ashley Jutras Michelle Carme Aida O'Brien Deanna D'Amato Alison Philbrick Bryce Dubois Jennifer Sousa Jennifer Fiasconaro Andrea Tuliano Marlena Giordano Christine Wenthen Kristin Gworek Heidi Whitney-Sarles Congratulations to them all for a job well done.

September 8, 2004 Newport, RI : During the last part of the spring semester, 2004, both the Psychology Club and our psychology honor society, Psi Chi, elected officers for this academic year. Their names appear below with links to their e-mails should you need to contact one of them.
Psychology Club	Psi Chi
Andrea Tuliano, President	Gina Liguori, President
Ashley Jutras, Vice President	Andrea Tuliano, VP, Service
Kristen Gworek, Public Relations	Aida O'Brien, VP, Research
Gina Liguori, Secretary	Ashley Jutras, Secretary
Katelyn McGuire, Treasurer	Marlena Giordano, Treasurer