ACES Gala 2023

Community Honoree

Joseph Bertolino

In July 2016, Joe Bertolino, Ed.D., was named the 12th President of Southern Connecticut State University, a public institution of 9,000 students in New Haven, CT. President Joe, as he is affectionately known, has been a social justice educator for almost 30 years and is passionate about student success and access to higher education.

During his six-plus years at the helm, he has successfully pursued several key priorities: raising the University's profile; establishing Southern as Connecticut's public university for social justice; expanding community outreach and partnerships, building strategic enrollment (through both recruitment and retention) and streamlining students' paths to earning a degree.

Initiatives include a major branding campaign that reintroduced the University to the region and beyond; the University's first comprehensive enrollment management plan and the creation of a range of workforce needs-driven degree programs, including a palate of accelerated graduate offerings and the first Doctorate of Social Work program in New England. Additionally, the University has partnered with area community colleges to provide smoother entry into a four-year institution and initiated new community partnerships at multiple levels to establish Southern as a good neighbor.

Recently, for example, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and the city's renowned Long Wharf Theater established residency at Southern, featuring on-campus concerts, classroom visits, hands-on learning experiences and internships. The Barack H. Obama Magnet University School opened on campus-the result of a signature academic partnership with the New Haven Public School System that will provide expansive experiential learning opportunities for Southern's teachers-in-training. The University also entered into a multi-million dollar partnership with the Yale New Haven Health System that will see the School of Nursing double the number of its nursing majors by 2026, helping to address a critical nursing shortage in Connecticut heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under President Bertolino's stewardship, alumni philanthropy and engagement have expanded dramatically, with record philanthropy levels established in each of the last three annual Days of Caring. Faculty grants have also reached record levels, with several national awards enhancing public health in greater New Haven and supporting initiatives to increase the ranks of teachers of color in city and suburban schools.

In 2020, Dr. Bertolino established the university's first Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, with a goal of advancing Southern's social justice mission, eliminating systemic bias and racism on campus and building a safe, welcoming environment for all members of the community.

Administrative leadership in higher education has long been Dr. Bertolino's passion. From 2012-16, he served as President of Lyndon State College in Lyndonville, Vermont, where he instituted a plan of "Moving Forward," reintroducing Lyndon State as "the College" of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Previously, he served as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Queens College/City University of New York from 2004-2012.

Business Honoree

Silver, Petrucelli & Associates

L to R: Christopher Nardi, David Stein, Amanda Cleveland, Dean Petrucelli & Bob Banning

In 1991, Bill Silver and Dean Petrucelli partnered to form Silver, Petrucelli & Associates.  Rooted in Hamden, the firm focused on the principles of practical architecture. Adding mechanical, electrical, plumbing & fire protection engineers in 2006 was a natural next step and by 2009, the FF&E component of so many projects commanded the addition of a dedicated interior design department to bridge the client's vision with fixtures, finishes and equipment.  A construction administration division was also soon designated to provide a more focused effort on the most critical stages of the building process and to be a liaison between contractors and owners. 

In 2018, the firm opened a new office in New London to meet the design needs of southeastern Connecticut which was recently relocated downtown to be closer to the City's rich history and vibrant downtown scene.

Over the course of 32+ years, Silver, Petrucelli & Associates has evolved into an award-winning, multi-disciplined firm with a diverse portfolio of projects in nearly every Connecticut community.  They are one of the only "integrated" design firms in Connecticut with an in-house team of architects, engineers, interior designers, specifications writers and construction administrators.

At the end of 2022, Bill Silver announced his retirement after more than 30 happy and productive years, leaving a highly qualified team to carry on the success of the firm.  They are principals: Dean Petrucelli, David Stein, Bob Banning, Amanda Cleveland and Christopher Nardi.

Alumni Honoree

Carlos Pagan-Cruz

Carlos Pagan-Cruz was a student for many years at ACES. He graduated from Whitney Academy CREATE in April 2022. A description of Carlos includes attributes such as: friendly, loyal, hard worker and dependable. He enjoyed coming to school, learning and being an active participant in many school activities. He was active in our drama club and acted in several performances. In his last performance, he did a fantastic job playing Peter Pan. He developed his work skills at several community jobsites and at Whitney Academy's Job Center. One of his school jobsites, was working at Chartwells at Albertus Magnus College. He was taught to do the tasks to run the commercial dishwasher. He was well liked by the Chartwells' employees because of his outgoing personality and ability to get the job done! The manager expressed a desire to hire him as soon as a position was open. Through his perseverance and with the assistance of ACES staff and his BRS counselor, Carlos completed the steps to apply for the job. He was hired in July 2022 and is proud to be a Chartwell's employee.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Gold

 Thomas Danehy & Maria Malfa

Louis & Cheryl Saloom

Silver

Acorn Investors, LLC

Carol & Tom Bunk

Peter & Judith Young

Bronze

 Shipman & Goodwin

Judith Terrill

Vancord

Friend of the Foundation Plus

Southern New England Electrical Testing LLC

Friend of the Foundation

Aetna

Lynn Campo

Sue Cohen

Curtin Livery

Gina & James Drury

Envoy Solutions-Swish White River

Emily Freel

Mary Gillette & Karl Insogna

Carolyn McNally

Jennifer Santarcangelo

Sean & Janice Saunders

Elaine Sein

Olga Simoes

Virginia Tagliatela

Robert & Wendy Tatham

Wanda Wagner

Thank You to our Donors!

In Honor of...

Cheryl S. Saloom & Peter C. Young, retired ACES Executive Directors

Donation by: Barbara & Ted Sergi

Cheryl S. Saloom retired ACES Executive Director

Donation by: M. Stephen & Maschia Kaplan

In Memory of...

Barbara Walsh, retired ACES administrator

Donations by: Gina Drury, Cheryl S. Saloom, Judy Terrill & Peter C. Young

Frank & Marie Arnone

Donation by: Karen Sportino

Thank you to our Auction Sponsors

ACES at Chase

ACES Educational Technology

ACES Mead

ACES Mill

ACES North

ACES PCY

ACES PDSI

ACES PPS

ACES SAILS

ACES Village

ACES Wintergreen

Alisa's House of Salsa

Amarante's Sea Cliff

American Girl

Arnold's Jeweler's

Audacy Inc.

Dennis Volpe, Auto Parts & Service

Avelo Airlines

Bob's Discount Furniture

BodySpeake

Boston Bruins

Boston Duck Tours

Boston Red Sox

Bottle Stop Wine & Spirit Superstore

Carol & Tom Bunk

Camp Homework

Carol's Creations

Cast Iron Chef

Chowder Pot

City Winery

Costco

Discovery Science Center & Planetarium

Gina Drury

Elements Massage-Meriden

El Segundo

Laura Evangelist

Dr. Gene & Jayne Frank

Gusto Restaurant

Karen Habegger

Hartford Athletic

Haynes Group

Norman Hicks

International Hall of Fame

Ivoryton Playhouse

Jazzy's Cabaret

John's Crazy Socks

Kevin Keating

Key Bank
John Klecha, USI

Pam Koss

Kumo Restaurant

La Lupa

Lenny & Joe's

Libero Jewelers

David Litvinoff

Live Nation

Long Wharf Theatre

Lyman Orchards

Mystic Seaport

NBC CT

New Haven Symphony Orchestra

New York Knicks

New York Islanders

New York Rangers

New York Yankees

North of Havana Cigar & Lounge

Femi Olowosoyo

Palace Theatre

Payrailz

Popeye Fishing Charter

Ranfone Training System

Red Lobster

Priscilla Remington

Cheryl & Louis Saloom

Janice Saunders

Elaine Sein

Shell & Hones Oyster Bar & Grill

Shubert Theatre

Six Flags

SOPHLA

Stanley Golf-New Britain Parks & Rec

Sunrise Travel NY

Swan Boats

Tata's Restaurant

The Library Wine Bar & Bistro

The Maids of North Haven

Tata's Restaurant

Judith Terrill

Thimble Island Bed & Breakfast

Total Wine & More

Two Roads Brewery

Urban Air

Viron Rondo

Wood n Tap

Michael Zitelli