Lynn University

The entire group poses on bags of rice at a Food for the Poor feeding station: L to R: (front row - sitting) Paul Tyska, Lindsay Doran, Nikki Fantauzzi, Richard Bruno, Christine Gianacaci, Daniela Montealegre, Britney Gengel, Stephanie Crispinelli (back row - standing) Patrick Hartwick, Michael DeMatteo, Courtney Hayes, Julie Prudhomme, Thomas Schloemer and Melissa Elliott

Students

• Stephanie Crispinelli, 19, sophomore, Katonah, NY*
• Michael DeMatteo, 21, junior, Southlake, TX
• Lindsay Doran, 19, sophomore, Clearwater, FL
• Melissa Elliott, 20, sophomore, Hartland, WI
• Nikki Fantauzzi, 26, senior, Simsbury, CT
• Britney Gengel, 19, sophomore, Rutland, MA*
• Christine Gianacaci, 22, sophomore, Hopewell, NJ*
• Courtney Hayes, 23, junior, Douglas, GA*
• Daniela Montealegre, 21, junior, Managua, Nicaragua
• Julie Prudhomme, 21, senior, East Greenwich, RI
• Thomas Schloemer, 20, sophomore, Fox Point, WI
• Paul Tyska, 24, senior, Wilmette, IL

Faculty

• Dr. Richard Bruno*
• Dr. Patrick Hartwick*

*Deceased

January Term

Lynn University’s January Term (J-term) lasts about 2 weeks and is based on experiential learning opportunities – learning by doing. J-term is required of all traditional undergraduate students. Students can select a course outside of the focus of their majors and opt for any J-Term course.

Course Description

Prior to departure, the students met on campus for two lead-up sessions that investigated countries in need, the humanitarian organizations in place to help those countries, and what individuals can do to support the humanitarian organizations. During the trip to Haiti with Food for the Poor, students were scheduled to visit and provide activities to orphans and handicapped children, adults and the elderly. They also were to paint houses. Students were to explore this complex country during a trip that was designed to examine economic and cultural diversity only experienced by seeing it firsthand. Students were told, “Surrounded by the hungriest and poorest people in the world, you will experience kindness and beauty that will make you question everything you believe in and appreciate everything you take for granted.”

Planned Course Times/Travel Itinerary

*Upon return, the students were to put together an action plan on what they can do to serve others both domestically and abroad with definable, realistic goals that require thought and action beyond the J-term experience.