Alum now a prof at Villanova speaks at Fall Commencement Dec. 15

Helen K. (Lamb) Lafferty, an award-winning teacher now the College Professor of the Liberal Arts and Sciences at Villanova University, gives the keynote address at Youngstown State University’s Fall Commencement 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, in Beeghly Center on the YSU campus.

Rochelle D. Richardson, who graduates with a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Mental Health, is the student speaker.

More information on commencement here.

Richardson is a licensed social worker and practicing clinician for the IFAST program at Psycare Inc. in Struthers. She assists family units with establishing order in the home and stabilizing problematic behaviors by utilizing Strategic Family Therapy. Richardson says her goal is to be a renowned writer, life coach and future business owner. What she values most in life: “Making sure my children are proud to call me mom and, most importantly, leaving a legacy for them instead of bills.”

Lafferty, a native of Youngstown and graduate of Ursuline High School, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from YSU and a PhD from the University of Pittsburgh, followed by post-doctoral work at t the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University and the National University of Ireland-Galway. Her husband Jim, graduated from YSU with a degree in Business Administration.

For nearly four decades, Lafferty has been an administrator and a faculty member at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. Among her positions: Academic Counselor in the University Counseling Center, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, interim vice president for Academic Affairs, and the first University Vice President, a position she held for 16 years. Currently, she is College Professor of the Liberal Arts and Sciences and is a full-time faculty member of the Department of Education and Counseling. She has received the Villanova University Earl Bader Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching and the recently inaugurated Lafferty Award, awarded to a faculty member who excels in both teaching and counseling students.

She has also served as a trustee at Gwynedd Mercy University and Iona College. Recently, she was elected to the Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor of the province of St. Thomas of Villanova, which builds bridges between providers, recipients and community leaders across economic, political and religious groups impacted by today’s social issues.