Heartwarming Holidays from ChathamU
Happy holidays from Chatham University! We’re celebrating the season this year by sharing Pulse@ChathamU stories about some of the people and programs that make Chatham great.
From big moments like Commencement to the everyday connections that help our community thrive, these stories warm our hearts and make us proud to be at ChathamU. We hope they bring you some holiday cheer too!
“I did not know for sure what I wanted to do until I took that class with Dr. S and it honestly changed my life.”
Senior to Senior Series: Hannah Perry
See how one class— and one impassioned professor— changed it all for Psychology and Criminology student Hannah Perry.
“So many people don’t have access to food, and what we want to do here... is ensure everyone has access to food, ensure that people enjoy food, and understand the pleasures associated with food, eating, and preparation.”
Alumni Profile: Toni Simpson, MAFS ’21
Alumni Toni Simpson on how her work at Community Kitchen Pittsburgh strives to ignite a passion for food in her students and help raise awareness and find solutions to food insecurity within our communities.
“I wanted to make my parents and grandparents extra proud since I was given the amazing opportunity of higher education when it was not an option for them. ”
The First Generation Student Experience with Emele Cammisa
First generation student Emele Cammisa shares her experiences at Chatham as the first in her family to attend a university.
“Every single person there was so proud to be Jewish, proud to be representing their country, and proud to be playing their sport... Going there and being with everyone who is the same as me opened my eyes. I’m very proud to be Jewish after going to the Maccabiah Games.”
Representing Country & Culture at the Maccabiah Games: Tori Bevan & Abi Fuzaylov
Chatham Women’s Hockey player Abi Fuzaylov, who once expressed ambivalence about sharing her Jewish heritage, shifted her worldview after attending the Maccabiah games in Israel with fellow student Tori Bevan and Chatham Men’s Hockey coach Michael Gershon.
“It has made me more effective [at communicating] how things like mobility improvements, food access, air quality, and storm-water management can positively impact a person.”
Recent Grad 101: Mayor of Sharpsburg, Brittany Reno, MSUS ’22
How Sharpsburg Mayor Brittany Reno, MSUS ’22’s Chatham experience grounded her work in theory and community development history, and helps her advocate for her borough every day.
“I matched with Dr. Charity, and it was destiny... We laughed so much during our first encounter, and I realized how blessed I had been to be paired with such a wonderful mentor.”
The Welcome Aboard Advantage with Dr. Lynette Charity ‘74 and Ashley Pesarick
A mentorship meet-cute at a Welcome Aboard session over Zoom matched student Ashley Pesarick and Dr. Lynette Charity ’74, to the benefit of them both.
“I remember calling my mom that night in Orchard Hall and saying something like, “I just met the most incredible woman ever. I want to be just like her.”
Fostering Leadership with the Women of the World Retreat
Inspiration abounds at the Women of the World retreat, a beloved Chatham tradition. Learn more about the retreat and attendee Morgan Williams ’22’s experience there.
“it is a radical act of resistance for people of color, and queer folks to be out, visible and thriving at our higher education institutions. For people for whom the social, political, and even legal odds have been stacked against them, graduating isn’t just about academics, it’s about social life and finding a way to survive in a space that was not designed for you. That’s a huge accomplishment in and of itself.”
Celebrating Diversity with Multicultural & Lavender Graduation
April 2022 marked the fourth and fifth year of Chatham holding Lavender and Multicultural Graduation ceremonies, respectively. See why it matters for LGBTQIA+ and multicultural students to have a dedicated celebration in this interview with associate director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Juan Mendizabal.
“It is never too late to jump into something new. There is never going to a perfect time or a perfect opportunity, sometimes it’s out of necessity and sometimes it’s just luck, but never be afraid to try something new.”