Mary Lou DiPaola ’72 is the recipient of this year’s Alumni of the Year Award, presented to a member of the Association who has attained preeminence in his/her life through outstanding professional, scholarly, and artistic achievement; who is devoted to serving others through volunteer/community service work; or who has manifested extraordinary loyalty and dedication to the College. Mary Lou has been the President of the Albertus Alumni Association and served on several committees at Albertus. She has worked with international students, Squash Haven (a youth development program in New Haven), IRIS (Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services), and programs that assist the homeless. Mary Lou recently retired after many years in education. She studied Spanish and Italian and was involved in teaching ESL in grades K-12. in urban districts of New Haven, West Haven, Hamden, and Meriden. Mary Lou developed the first middle school program for ESL students in Meriden. She is also a member of Commissioner of Education Ad Hoc Committee for Secondary School Reform in CT., and a member of the Commissioner of Education Roundtable for Family and Community Engagement in CT. Mary Lou also implemented the Teach UNICEF Program with international students to promote global awareness in schools, and was a New Haven Foundation Grant recipient: “Children in Conflict”, a global awareness program.