Charlie Cangelosi does not wear a cape, or fly in the sky, but he has earned the title of hero after saving the life of a 20-year-old pregnant woman during an armed robbery on the early morning of Sunday, Nov. 7.

Cangelosi, a junior general studies major and native of East Baton Rouge, was outside the Stadium Square apartment complex located in Baton Rouge, when he heard a woman screaming. As he ran to help her, he discovered an unidentified assailant was robbing the woman at gunpoint. When he tried to intervene, Cangelosi was shot in the abdomen.

Described as a “hero,” “a good Samaritan” and “a quiet giant” by the local media, Cangelosi is an honor student at Southeastern, member of Kappa Alpha Order and was named to the President’s List for summer 2010.

“[Charlie’s] a most polite young adult who was excited about attending college,” said Christine Bentley, assistant athletic director for academic success and Cangelosi’s academic advisor. “I just think of him as a sweet guy with a big smile and a sparkle in his eyes.”

According to Bentley, Cangelosi was a student who gained excitement from class lectures and readings about the Louisiana wetlands, and expressed how much he enjoyed his classes during their advising appointment in October.

“He is the kind of student you really enjoy teaching and advising because he has a true interest in gaining knowledge and being a productive part of society,” said Bentley, who also taught Cangelosi’s Leadership 301 class this past summer.

Along with his love for his studies, Cangelosi is also a lover of the outdoors, with his interests lying in football, traveling, water skiing, hunting, fly fishing, snow skiing and gardening.

“Charlie told me just a few weeks ago how much he loved being a student at Southeastern and was excited about a horticulture class he was going to take this spring semester,” said Bentley. “He recently planted a small row of fall vegetables, and we discussed how productive his first endeavor at growing vegetables was coming along.”

According to his father, David Cangelosi, owner of the construction firm Cangelosi and Ward, Charlie is doing well after a week filled with surgeries, and his mother has never left his side. As of Monday, Nov. 15, his ventilator has been turned off and his tube removed. He is also slowly beginning to walk again.

“He’s going in the right direction,” said his father. “He’s progressing everyday.”

Cangelosi, proud of his son’s heroic deed, implores for others to become more proactive in helping people who are in need.

“We need more people to step up and get involved in helping others,” said Cangelosi.

For those who wish to help Cangelosi, blood donations can be made by letting local Blood Centers know the donation is in honor of Charlie Cangelosi at Our Lady of The Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, La. 70808.