A PIRATE FROM BIRTH, FRANK JOSEPH CONTINUES ‘TRUE BLUE’ LEGACY

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ (July 15, 2014) — Stillman graduate, Frank Joseph DeVito, had a bittersweet beginning at Seton Hall University. His father, Seton Hall graduate and avid Pirates basketball fan, Frank Daniel DeVito, died two weeks before classes began. His expectations – bonding with his father over basketball and life at The Hall – were dashed. However, their shared passion for the sport would soon point Frank Joseph in a new direction where he would find mentors, support, and a true blue home.

A Pirate from birth, Frank Joseph’s family virtually bleeds blue. He was born to two Seton Hall alumni, Frank and Josephine, after whom he is named. One of his sisters is also a graduate. Josephine DeVito is a College of Nursing professor. Frank Joseph recalls traveling to campus with his mother on his days off from middle school to enjoy the green and absorb the Catholic spirituality that is evident on campus.

“All of my life, I attended Catholic school,” said Frank Joseph. “I was able to expand upon my core Christian values.”

During this difficult time in his life, Frank Joseph also benefited by having “two moms” on campus, his own whom he would meet for lunch in the dining hall or get a bite to eat at Dunkin Donuts, and College of Nursing Dean Phyllis Hansell, whom Frank Joseph calls a “second mom.” He says Hansell was always ready and available to lend a helping hand whenever he needed it.

This strong support system coupled with his love for the basketball team provided Frank Joseph with the way to lift the emotional weight of his father’s passing.

He found a new home, a true blue home, in the Seton Hall basketball program. He traveled with the team as a manager, and received mentoring from Men’s Basketball coaches Kevin Willard and Ryan Whalen.

“Over the last four years, Frank was a tremendous asset to our program, given the unrelenting work ethic and high level of energy he displayed on a daily basis,” said Willard. “Frank’s leadership skills and commitment to success will enable him to thrive in his professional career as well.”

With two degrees under his belt, a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Management, Frank Joseph currently works at National Securities in Middletown, N.J. He is also studying for the Series 7 Exam to become a licensed stockbroker and hopes one day to start his own business.

“I try not to be too hesitant about anything,” said Frank Joseph. “Rather, I try to be confident in all aspects of life.”

ABOUT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

One of the country’s leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall University has been a catalyst for leadership — developing students in mind, heart and spirit — since 1856.  Home to nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 80 rigorous majors, Seton Hall’s academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, US News & World Report and Bloomberg BusinessWeek. 

Seton Hall, which embraces students of all religions, prepares its graduates to be exemplary servant leaders and caring global citizens. Its attractive main campus is located in suburban South Orange, New Jersey, and is only 14 miles by train, bus or car to New York City, offering a wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities. The university’s nationally recognized School of Law is prominently located in downtown Newark.

For more information, visit www.shu.edu.