Albertus Magnus College Celebrates Founders’ Day 2024

New Haven, Conn., September 18, 2024 – The Archbishop of Hartford, the Most Reverend Christopher Coyne, will join the leadership, faculty, students, and staff of Albertus Magnus College as it marks Founders’ Day 2024. Just one year out  from the College’s historic 100th anniversary celebration, the energy and excitement is already building — beginning  with this annual event filled with traditions, purposeful discussions, and personal reflections — and will include the  customary Veritas Award.  

Founders’ Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 25 and this year’s theme is Becoming a Hispanic Serving  College. Here are a few notable highlights of the day:  

9:30 a.m.: Sr. Ana Gonzalez, O.P., a member of the Dominican Sisters of Peace and former Albertus staff member, will  offer the morning keynote address, Forward: Together Towards a Beautiful Tomorrow, in the Behan Community Room  (BCR) of the award-winning Hubert Campus Center.  

11:15 a.m.: Convocation Candlelight Ceremony for the College’s newest students with special guest Archbishop  Christopher J. Coyne. This is one of the oldest and most visual traditions at Albertus and will also take place in the BCR.  

3:15 p.m.: The presentation of the Veritas Award — given to an individual or group whose dedication complements and  supports the College’s Mission. It is presented to those who meet the following criteria: Gives service to the College and  the community; promotes the pursuit of truth (VERITAS); exemplifies the Dominican values of Study, Prayer, Community,  and Service; values holistic education; witnesses to a life of integrity based a life of integrity; and embraces principles of  social justice in promoting the common good.  

About the recipients:  

Mr. Vin Petrini  

Petrini faithfully served Albertus with dedication and distinction as member of the Board of Trustees for 10 years and  served as Chair from 2019-2024. In his role, he embraced and promoted the Mission, Catholic Identity, and Dominican  tradition of the College. Through his leadership, Petrini demonstrated his commitment to the Four Pillars of the College:  Study, Prayer, Community, and Service.  

Before his retirement, Petrini served as the senior vice president of public affairs at the Yale New Haven Health System  (YNHHS). Prior to that, he served as chief public affairs officer for Brigham and Women’s Hospital In Boston. He is the  author of his first book, Abbington Cove. Petrini earned his Master and Bachelor degrees in Communications from  Northwestern University.  

St. Francis Church (Patroness - Our Lady of Guadalupe)  

This community of faith serves the Hispanic population of Fair Haven. A vibrant community that builds on a rich history  of serving immigrant communities, the church provides many ministries to serve the needs of its members.  

St. Francis Church was established in 1868. Irish immigrants, mostly impoverished laborers, settled in Fair Haven in the  mid-19th century. In 1881, a school opened, staffed by the Sisters of Mercy until 1985. In 2020, the school merged into  All Saints Catholic Academy, led by the Apostles of the Sacred Heart. In 2017, St. Francis Church merged with St. Rose of  Lima Church to form Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, home to a thriving Hispanic community. Now St. Francis Church is  part of Blessed Michael McGivney Parish.  

The former St. Rose of Lima Church rectory houses the Springs Learning Center, a tutoring center working with  immigrants and specializing in ESL. It was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Peace and is a a former Veritas Award  recipient. 

Rev. Hector Rangel Guerrero, Pastor  

Father Hector, originally from San Gil, San Santander, Colombia, arrived in the United States in 2013 and was ordained a  priest for the Archdiocese of Hartford on May 21, 2016. 

Appointed to St. Francis Church in 2021, Father Hector ministers to both English and Spanish speaking communities at St. Francis and to the Spanish speaking community at St. Anthony Church. He is one of three pastors serving in solidum at  Blessed Michael McGivney Parish.

St. Francis Church and Father Hector Rangel Guerrero align with the values of Albertus Magnus College, a designated  Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), by supporting and empowering its parishioners in their faith, education, and life  journey.