2008 Woodie Awards
Prof. killed in tragic accident
Jaclyn Hirsch
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: Campus News
Professor Donna Festa sustained fatal injuries in a five-car collision in Trumbull on Saturday morning, Feb. 2nd.
Festa, 42, was an adjunct professor of education at Quinnipiac, but her role in the community as a mentor was integral.
"She has mentored student teachers and provided help and guidance to our juniors and seniors," said Professor Cynthia Dubea, Dean of the Division of Education at Quinnipiac University.
Festa was a first grade teacher at West Woods Elementary School in Hamden, which she attended as a child. At West Woods, where she taught for 21 years, she mentored many Quinnipiac student teachers in the education program during their field study work.
Barbara Nana, Principal at West Woods Elementary, is also a member of the Quinnipiac faculty.
"To have to sit with that little group of 1st graders and tell them that their teacher isn't coming back is very very hard," Professor Dubea said.
"Times like this show us what is different about Quinnipiac. We not only talk about valuing community on paper, but we actually live it through our behavior."
This was Festa's first semester teaching at the University. She taught a field study course in the elementary program.
"What struck me most about Donna was her nervous excitement about teaching college students," Director of Elementary Education and Assistant Professor of Eduacation Dr. Kevin Basmadjian said.
"Having taught only 5 and 6 year olds, she wasn't sure what to expect from college students. I assured her she would be great, and when the beginning of the semester rolled around, she could hardly contain her excitement and enthusiasm."
Festa's father, Frederic D'Ambrose, is a part-time faculty member at Quinnipiac. He supervises student teachers in the secondary education program.
"We lost a colleague, and another one of our colleagues lost a daughter," Professor Dubea said. "It's hard to lose someone who has been a part of your community, whether the person is a part of a department, division, or the University as a whole."
Festa, 42, was an adjunct professor of education at Quinnipiac, but her role in the community as a mentor was integral.
"She has mentored student teachers and provided help and guidance to our juniors and seniors," said Professor Cynthia Dubea, Dean of the Division of Education at Quinnipiac University.
Festa was a first grade teacher at West Woods Elementary School in Hamden, which she attended as a child. At West Woods, where she taught for 21 years, she mentored many Quinnipiac student teachers in the education program during their field study work.
Barbara Nana, Principal at West Woods Elementary, is also a member of the Quinnipiac faculty.
"To have to sit with that little group of 1st graders and tell them that their teacher isn't coming back is very very hard," Professor Dubea said.
"Times like this show us what is different about Quinnipiac. We not only talk about valuing community on paper, but we actually live it through our behavior."
This was Festa's first semester teaching at the University. She taught a field study course in the elementary program.
"What struck me most about Donna was her nervous excitement about teaching college students," Director of Elementary Education and Assistant Professor of Eduacation Dr. Kevin Basmadjian said.
"Having taught only 5 and 6 year olds, she wasn't sure what to expect from college students. I assured her she would be great, and when the beginning of the semester rolled around, she could hardly contain her excitement and enthusiasm."
Festa's father, Frederic D'Ambrose, is a part-time faculty member at Quinnipiac. He supervises student teachers in the secondary education program.
"We lost a colleague, and another one of our colleagues lost a daughter," Professor Dubea said. "It's hard to lose someone who has been a part of your community, whether the person is a part of a department, division, or the University as a whole."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Carolyn Dorn
posted 2/15/08 @ 1:01 PM EST
Great article, well written. Good all-around journalism. Is Hirsch a college student? or a professional journalist?
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