Southern mourns loss of former VP

Brittany Galla
News Editor

Just before this past Christmas, Dean of Student Affairs Richard Farricielli called David Pedersen, the former vice president for student and university affairs, and told him he had to come see the university’s new Michael J. Adanti Student Center.

Pedersen, who worked at Southern from 1983 to 2004, played a vital role in the creation and planning of the new student center, which opened in Spring 2005.

But Pederson told Farricielli he couldn’t drive or walk up to the building because of his medical problems, including diabetes. 

“So we met him with a scooter at his car and he spent a good amount of time here,” said Farricielli. “He really got a chance to see the building. He was very happy with it.”

Now, six months later, Farricielli and the rest of the Southern community are mourning Pedersen’s death.

According to an e-mail sent out by Joe Musante, Pedersen died on Friday, May 4.

Pedersen was a resident a Hamden and served as vice president for four years at Southern before retiring in 2004. He had previously been the dean of students here.

Farricielli, who called Pedersen’s death “a big loss,” found out on Saturday from Pedersen’s son, who married the late Southern president Michael J. Adanti’s daughter.

“I was very close to Dave,” said Farricielli, who had worked with Pedersen since his start in ’83. “He was the best dean of students—he was unbelievable. He was a student advocate all the way and a very unselfish man. He was a really a nice man who cared about students.”

Christopher Piscitelli, interim director of housing and director of student judicial affairs, also worked closely with Pedersen.

“He was one of the friendliest people here,” he said. “He always went out of his way to talk to students and faculty; we learned a lot from him. I feel privileged to have a chance to work with him and know him.”

Piscitelli recalled how Pedersen would sit and tell stories for hours.

“He was a well-liked, personable guy,” said Piscitelli. “When you were with him, he never pushed you out the door.”

Perhaps what was most amazing to Farricielli was the close relationships students had with Pedersen, as he always made himself available to talk to.

“He was the most likeable man--students loved him,” he said. “He was very down-to-earth. He always told students: ‘To forget about the sign on the door and just come in—I was once a student before too.’”

Farricielli said he learned a lot from Pedersen and his ways of dealing with situations.

“He was always, always smiling,” he said. “He was an amazing man; he would calm people down when they were upset. He had more understanding and compassion than I have ever seen.”

In student affairs, it’s common to sometimes hear that the faculty doesn’t agree with some of their decisions, but Farricielli said Pedersen was always well liked.

“I don’t know one person who didn’t like him—never did I hear anyone say anything bad about him,” he said. “He was the best role model I had in student affairs. He was probably the greatest dean we ever had here.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Mr. Pedersen's name to:

Southern Connecticut State University General Fund
501 Crescent St.
New Haven, Connecticut 06515.