Molloy University School of Arts & Sciences

Art as Research: Three of our Molloy Art Faculty worked with our Art students this Spring semester taking different approaches submitting their art as research in the Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference 2026 (MURC 2026)
Six art students mentored by Dr. Hwa Young Caruso, Professor of Art, applied their studio art making as a research project and submitted it for the MURC conference. This innovative form of expression combined research, creative art making, reflection and presentation skills. For two students, the fine art object-based research was part of their internships in the Molloy University Gallery where they helped to prepare for the Kellenberg Gallery Summer 2026 exhibition. Four students focused on their personal choices of themes such as landscape, self-portraits, and a 3D cityscape. Students were Julia Ferreira, “Fine Art Object Based Research for the Kellenberg Gallery” Tuana Yuksel, “Research on Joys of Summer Exhibition in the Kellenberg Gallery”, Martha Brooks, “Self Portrait: Scents That Trigger Memories”, Madison Manfredo, “Landscape: Seasons of Life”, Grace Passerello, “Self-Portrait: The Mind, The Body, The Spirit” and Rophnaica Desruisseaux, “Three-dimensional Diorama of a Tsunami-resistant Coastal Bridge and City.”
Dr. Jenny LaMonica had her students using the Kellenberg Art Gallery as a learning lab. Students selected works from the Molloy art collection, researched the history of their selections and curated an exhibition in the Kellenberg Gallery and Larini Room. Student curators were Melanie Arvanitis, Kristien Koppe, Nicoletta Esposito, Callie Todd, Vincent-Guida Feguson, and Renyia Tolliver.
Professor Rosa Berland had students create poster boards and 1 of her students presented in front of the entire group. Students were Patricia Suna Brito, MURC presentation on Eduardo Kingman on identity, art and labor and Faith Nenty, presentation at MURC on the intersection of identity and gender in the work of Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun. An audience of students, parents, faculty mentors, and staff gathered in Hays theatre to view the creative artworks.

Dr. Hwa Young Caruso, Art Department, Professor of Art, represented Molloy University for a celebration of the AAPI Heritage Month 2026. The art exhibition entitled “AAPI 2026-Best of Both Worlds: AAPI Asian American Heritage Month”, was sponsored and hosted by The United Asian American Alliance (UAAA), President Lucie M. Kwon, Suffolk County Deputy District Attorney, Chair AAPI Board of Directors and Curator Joan Kim Suzuki from May 07-May 31, 2026 in the Cinema Arts Center, Huntington, New York.

Dr. Hwa Young Caruso received a “Certificate of Appreciation” from the United Asian American Alliance (UAAA), from President Lucie M. Kwon, a “New York State Assembly Citation” from Assemblyman Kwani B. O’ Pharrow, and a “New York State Assembly Citation” from Assemblyman Steve Stern. Congratulations Dr. Hwa Young Caruso!

🧑‍🎓Today is Commencement Day and we’re wishing the Class of 2026 all the best in their future! Congratulations to Molloy University Salutatorian, Grace Wilson ’26 from the School of Arts & Sciences. Grace is graduating with a B.A. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in both Philosophy and Theology & Religious Studies. 👏🎉Congrats to all the graduates! 🎓

The School of Arts & Sciences recognized our Adjunct faculty for their years of service at a ceremony on May 7th. We are grateful to our adjuncts for their dedication and service to our students for the past, 10, 20, 25, 30 and 40 years!

🎉Thank you to Richard Schiller from our Mathematics and Computer Science department for his 40 years of service!

🎉Thank you to Barbara Novack from our English department for her 30 years of service!

🎉Thank you to Kevin J. Sullivan from our History and Political Science department for his 25 years of service!

🎉Thank you to Joy Delliquanti from our Languages & Cultures department, Lisa Gibbons from our Criminal Justice & Legal Studies department, James C. Prego from our Biology, Chemistry & Environmental Sciences department, Kristin F. Sloan from our English department for their 20 years of service!

🎉Thank you to Jillian Carucci, Daniel Corica, Marilyn D’Honau, Sean M. Dougherty, Lori R. Leshner, Robert M. Rokicki from our CAP21 Musical Theatre department, Richard Romeo from our Mathematics & Computer Science department, Robert Von Werne from our Criminal Justice & Legal Studies department and Diana M. Langone from our Theology & Religious Studies department for their 10 years of service!

👏 Congratulations to all!

Congratulations to our art department students whose work was featured in the “ Self-Mapping” exhibition curated by Professor Hwa Young-Caruso. These students were freshman, sophomores and juniors who stand at different crossroads preparing and planning for futures still taking shape. Some students expressed their identity, memories, cultures, locations and personal narratives in art styles including realism, abstraction, and surrealism using individual aesthetic approaches. Congratulations to the art students who participated in this beautiful exhibition; Austin Barone, Martha Brooks, Valeria DeCastro, Julia Ferreira, Adriana Hernandez, Gabriella Kouletsis, Madison Manfredo, Isabella Mascetti, Grace Paserello, Ava Randazzo, Catherine Sasso, Lauren Schmitz, and Anna Stone.

The winners of the 2025/26 Patricia Sullivan Common Reading Program Inspired Works Contest were recently awarded their certificates and prizes by School of Arts & Sciences Associate Dean, Dr. Matthew Applegate and Common Read Committee member, Dr. Jennifer Elliott. Victoria Antulov won first place for her artwork and Lyn Gauck won second place for her essay.

Each year the committee sponsors the Inspired Works contest which is open to all students and invites them to submit creative work in the medium of their choice, inspired by the common read book which this year was Advocate authored by Eddie Ahn. Congratulations Victoria and Lyn!