Meet Michael Fanelli

Thornton Donovan class of 2016 Alum

Barbara: Hi Michael, how are you? Thank you so much for your time and your generosity. Are you ready to start?

Michael: Hi Barbara, nice to meet you. Of Course!

Barbara: Great! Michael, what was your "Year of Graduation”?

Michael: My year of Graduation was 2016, and I started and finished my school career in T-D (kindergarten to 12th grade).

Barbara: Where did you go to college or university?

Michael: I studied at Providence College in Rhode Island, a private Catholic University. The choice to study outside the State of New York was to try a new experience in another city and in other environments. At the same time, I didn't want to be too far from home anyway.

Barbara: What was your major in the College or University?

Michael: My BA was in History and American Studies

Barbara: What is your goal and career or what are you doing now?

Michael: Now I am Academic Advisor in Iona University, and I really like working at the University. I work with freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Being in contact with students and the academic world gives me a lot of satisfaction. I still don't have in mind what my goal could be because I graduated 4 years ago, and I would still like to understand whether to become a lawyer or something else.

Barbara: What are three adjectives with which you would describe your experience at T-D?

Michael: Simply: open, unique, instrumental.

Barbara: Who were the teachers who were helpful to you and of whom you have fond memories?

Barbara: Who were the teachers who were helpful to you and of whom you have fond memories?

Michael: Without a doubt: Mr. Griffin, an extraordinary man. He gave me confidence and knowledge. The passion he had for teaching history led me to choose the major in History. His classes were fascinating, he wasn't just the history teacher, he was Mr. Griffin, the man. Dr. VanLesberghe, he watched me grow up from kindergarten. Other teachers I remember affection: Mr. Chapin, Mrs. Pugliese, Mr. Schlitten and Mrs. Vasendin.

Barbara: What were the T-D courses that helped you in College or University? 

Michael: The religion course with Dr. VanLesberghe because in the class there were students from different countries, cultures and religions of the world. This led me to have other perspectives.

Barbara: Which trip did you take with T-D and which country was your favorite?

Michael: I have done many trips with T-D, in order of preference: UK, Portugal, South Africa, Argentina, Italy, Brazil and Cuba (my senior’s year to L’Havana). They were very important trips, because they helped us students to see the world from different perspectives.

Barbara: Who from T-D are you in contact with now?

Michael: I am in contact with some T-D students, including Andrew and Dominique Telesco, Nikki D'Annunzio and John Ventrasca. 

Barbara: Have you recommended k-12 students to T-D? If yes, who? 

Michael: I haven't had a chance yet, because none of my friends are married or have children. I will. I am grateful to Mr. Fleming, an extraordinary and unique person. Thank you, Mr. Fleming!