The Spectrum

Issue date: 9/14/06 Section: News

Dr. Cernera speaking at the IFCU forum in Bangkok, Thailand.

Media Credit: Contributed Photo Dr. Cernera is the new president of the IFCU.

Globetrotter and man of honor.

From Fairfield to Bangkok, Sacred Heart University's President, Dr. Anthony J. Cernera has been catching attention across the world.

Last month at the 22nd International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) forum in Bangkok, Thailand, Cernera was elected president of the foremost Catholic college coalition in the world. Representatives from over 200 Catholic universities worldwide attended the summit and participated in the free and open election.

"The recognition that Dr. Cernera has received at the IFCU forum in August is something all of Sacred Heart should be aware of," said Lea Sofio, senior, New York, N.Y. "I think Dr. Cernera's new position as president will instill a new sense of pride within the academic and spiritual aspects of the university."

Previously the vice president of the IFCU, Cernera's role as president of a Catholic university met the statutes for his nomination in the race against a university president from Colombia.

As the second layman to be voted president in the IFCU, Cernera is presented with a world of new and exciting opportunities that bring a new sense of notoriety and distinction to Sacred Heart.

"As president of the IFCU, I am extremely honored to represent Sacred Heart in an international realm of Catholic universities," said Cernera. "As president, I am given the responsibility of chairing the admissions board and board of directors and overseeing good management within the federation.

"Also, the one duty that I am looking forward to working on and mapping out the necessary steps is the proposal of a strategic plan, approved by the board, which will be implemented into the IFCU over the next three to five years."

Improving living conditions across the world is another important obligation of the IFCU that Cernera is excited to be a part of. With over 60 different projects associated with living conditions and Catholic universities from Asia to Africa and Latin America, Cernera will be quite the busy man.

"Dr. Cernera's new position as president of the IFCU really brings Sacred Heart to the forefront of international Catholic universities," said Matthew Morici, senior, Baldwin, N.Y. "I believe that the ties Dr. Cernera is creating with fellow Catholic universities will benefit the university here in Fairfield and outside the United States.

"With all of the positive changes Dr. Cernera has made at SHU, his presidency in the IFCU is the culmination of his hard work and lays the foundation for Sacred Heart as a 'powerhouse' in the top tier of Catholic universities.

Though the IFCU headquarters is in Paris and various locales across the world, Cernera is confident that each university in the federation will not only be connected by email and their common religion, but will exemplify the Catholic identity which is essential in establishing a unity between all members.

The good will of the IFCU is reflected by university presidents involved in the federation and students who attend the universities.

"My duties as president in the IFCU will be evident within the student body and various aspects within the Sacred Heart community," said Cernera. "The connections that I, and Sacred Heart, establish within the IFCU will enable this university and its students to interact in a new way with fellow universities and students across the world.

"Most of the programs involve regional activities at Catholic universities associated with the IFCU, in places such as Africa and Asia, which will enable international students to create closer ties with one another, making the IFCU a realistic force on campus.

Over 1500 colleges are connected through the federation. Associations with these diverse institutions will open new doors for student and faculty research programs.

As the president of the first Catholic university founded by a layman and an individual whose role in the Catholic Church and federation as a layman is prominent, Cernera believes that the appropriate role of the layman is an emerging reality within the church.

"A layman in his position within the Catholic Church and a religious university is the wave of the future and is an example in how Catholicism can grow," said Morici.

Cernera believes that the growing role of the lay leader is an important identity associated with himself and Sacred Heart, revealing a new sense of strength and recognition that he will incorporate into the IFCU.

In his role as president, Cernera states that he is interested in continuing the good work of the federation and the development of the roles of lay leaders. Studying inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and working towards globalization to aid Catholic universities in preparing their students is also part of Cernera's game plan.

Morici and Sofio agreed that the three central ideals Cernera plans to work on while being a part of the IFCU are important to international relations.

"The concept of globalization that Dr. Cernera plans on putting into action during his reign is a new type of positive international connection, especially during a time when so many places in the world are torn apart due to conflicting issues," said Sofio. "Religion, faith and in this case, Catholicism, is what we need to bridge this growing gap."

Cernera's work in the federation is not only discussed every three years at the international summit, but he meets with the three IFCU vice presidents and secretary general twice a year. They will meet next month in one of the headquarters in Paris. The full board meets once a year in the spring and the general assembly takes place every three years in a different location.

"In 2009, the IFCU forum will take place in Honduras," said Cernera. "In 2003, the summit took place in Uganda and before that, Australia. Being able to meet with everyone in the federation really exemplifies a unity that reaches to the farthest corners of the globe."

"Humbled" and "excited" are the two words that Cernera used to describe his presidency. He wants to assure the Sacred Heart community that his role in the IFCU will not change his unwavering commitment to SHU and that this position is extremely beneficial to the university.

"It is important that Dr. Cernera is aware of the priority of his commitments here at SHU and with the IFCU," said Morici. "His ability to keep this balance shows his strength within his personal life and the university."

With the application in for a new university chapel and a plan to break ground at the end of this month, Cernera's position is only one part of the numerous positive changes that Sacred Heart will experience in the near future.

"I find my presidency to be a wonderful testament of the values that the Sacred Heart community employs and what makes a Catholic university unique," said Cernera. "I am more than proud to be your president and the president of the federation."

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