lucent The Alumni Magazine of American International College
Winter 2016 | Volume 8 | Issue 2
lucent EDITORIAL BOARD
Joel Anderson Heather Cahill Heather Gawron Candy Lash Michael Reid
From the President While discovery, debate, and innovation have always thrived at AIC, one of the hallmarks of college life is the comfort of its consistency. Our long-serving faculty, coaches, and staff help shepherd generations of students toward intellectual and social maturity, campus traditions are handed down from class to class, and our buildings and grounds remain near-sacred reminders of the journeys that so many AIC students embark upon here. Most importantly, our steadfast dedication to our values means that, even as time passes, who we are and what we do remains constant. On the other hand, well-timed developments ensure that we continue to carry out our mission for the generations of AIC students yet to come. These types of changes can also be a whole lot of fun. To that end, I hope you will be pleased to know that construction is officially complete on our beautiful dining commons. This new building will not only be a major center of campus life and source of AIC pride for years to come, but it also sets the tone for the type of modern campus we strive to be and are slowly becoming—class by class, student by student, literal brick by literal brick. Other types of change are less tangible but equally important. For instance, you may have noticed that AIC recently unveiled a new website, a new logo, and a new rallying cry: “Higher Dedication.” At first blush these changes may appear to be largely cosmetic; I assure you they are not. Rather, they are powerful tools that will help us continue to tell the world about the great things happening at AIC and the impact our alumni have on the world. I sincerely hope that these developments inspire you as they do me. They are sure signs of progress and purposeful next steps in our long and proud history—a history that would not exist without people like you. So thank you, for all you have done and for the dedication you exemplify. It inspires and sustains our own. I wish you all the best in 2016. Sincerely,
Vince Maniaci President
CONTRIBUTors
Thomas Friedmann Candy Lash Abe Loomis Lorrie Macy Scott Whitney EDITOR
Joel Anderson ART DIRECTOR
Bill Cunningham ON THE COVER
AIC’s new rallying cry
inside
this issue Winter 2015 | Volume 8 | Issue 2
features
8 Black and White and Sore All Over Tony Sericolo ’91 and the Hazardous Life of an NHL Linesman
12
Higher Dedication
AIC Has a New logo, a New Website, and a New Rallying Cry
departments 2 Campus Update
The latest AIC news, on campus and off
22 Class Notes
Check up on your fellow alumni and see what they’re up to
27 In Memoriam 35 Lucent Survey Results
16 A Man for All Saisons Ray Berry ’92 Crafts Hometown Brew with a Purpose
20 Live, Learn, Lunch!
AIC’s New Dining Commons Sets the Table for Change
What have you been up to? Join AIC’s Alumni Facebook and LinkedIn pages, and follow us on Twitter. Feel free to email us at alumni@aic.edu. Please send any comments or suggestions about this publication to editor@aic.edu. We’d love to hear from you!
| campus update |
163 student-athletes were honored at this fall’s 3.0 Club induction ceremony.
AIC Honors 163 Student-athletes There was a whole lot of hootin’, hollerin’, and standing room only as more than 500 athletic team members and their coaches packed AIC’s Griswold Theatre to attend the AIC Athletic Director’s 3.0 Club Induction. The annual ceremony, held at the beginning of the fall semester, recognizes those student-athletes who achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher after attending AIC for one year or more. At this year’s ceremony, 163 returning studentathletes were inducted, translating to more than 47% of the returning athletes. “I think this speaks to the importance that AIC places not only on athletic accomplishments but on academic success as well,” says AIC Athletic Director Matt Johnson. “For many of our students, being able to maintain that balance of achievements in dual areas of 2 | Lucent
their college life is important to helping them reach their full potential. They appreciate that sports and study are not mutually exclusive. Each requires dedication and perseverance.” The purpose of the Athletic Director’s 3.0 Club is to recognize the student in student-athlete by saluting academic achievement with the hope that these young men and women will, in turn, be recognized as academic role models for all student-athletes, especially those new to AIC. Cheering and team spirit abounded as every student-athlete was called by name. Additional recognition included announcing the highest GPAs on each team and the top ten cumulative grade point averages. n
| campus update |
AIC Remembers On September 11, students belonging to the AIC Lions Club and P.O.W.E.R. (a non-partisan political activism organization) woke at dawn to place 2,977 American flags in the AIC quad as tribute to those who lost their lives on that tragic day fourteen years ago. n
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| campus update |
sponsored by
Just a few of the nearly 150 AIC students who volunteered to help residents in the Mason Square neighborhood clean up their lawns for Action in the Community Day.
aic’s facilities service provider
Dedicated To Our Community Each of the last three years, AIC students have volunteered their services in conjunction with the College’s Office of Diversity & Community Engagement to help members of the Upper Hill/ Bay area neighborhood with fall cleanup. This year saw the biggest turnout yet, as nearly 150 students teamed up to work in nine different locations throughout the area to help homeowners
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who needed assistance. They collected over 500 bags of yard waste across twenty streets. AIC’s Office of Diversity & Community Engagement seeks to unite the College with the community by engaging in outreach efforts that promote communication, foster understanding, and address area needs. n
| campus update |
Honoring an AIC Legend On Saturday morning of Homecoming 2015, the College dedicated a bench in memory of Esther Frary Hansen ’38. The bench was a gift from her son Richard and provides a lasting tribute to a woman who touched so many lives at AIC over the decades. Former faculty, staff, and many alumni were on hand to celebrate her life and legacy. In her long tenure at AIC, Hansen served as director of women’s athletics, an advisor to numerous student groups, and was the longtime registrar. But many alumni will remember her most for her role as director of admissions. It was in that position that she counseled hundreds of prospective students who went on to become AIC alumni. Hansen passed away in May 2015. Memorial gifts may be made to her scholarship fund and sent to the AIC Office of Development and Alumni Relations. If you have a fond memory of Esther you’d like to share with us, please send it our way at alumni@aic.edu. n Esther Frary Hansen ’38 touched so many lives in her time at AIC.
AIC Named Among Fastest Growing Colleges and Universities The Chronicle of Higher Education recently named AIC one of the fastest growing colleges in the United States for the fourth time. Among private, nonprofit master’s institutions, AIC placed among the top twenty colleges and universities in the country with a 131.5% growth rate, more than doubling its enrollment over a ten-year span, 2003–2013. “We are extremely proud to have been recognized for our efforts,” says President Vince Maniaci. “We’re very student-centric here and believe that a college education is more than academic and intellectual growth. It includes personal, spiritual, and professional development—building a sense of community and
trust between faculty, staff and students. These ideals coupled with the College’s commitment to identify future trends as we develop programs, give our students a solid foundation on which they can build to reach their full potential, paving the way for them to compete successfully in a rapidly changing world.” The Chronicle of Higher Education based its data on fall enrollments of full-time and part-time students and included all U.S. degree-granting programs with a minimum of a 500-student enrollment in 2003. n
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| campus update |
AIC Nursing Student Saves Her Father’s Life
Nursing student Bonnie Shalbetter and her father, John.
Life changed dramatically for AIC nursing student Bonnie Shallbetter ’16 and her dad, John Shallbetter, on April 25, 2015. Arriving home late that evening, Bonnie responded to her mother Mary’s urgent call for help. She raced upstairs to find her father unconscious and unresponsive in his recliner, breathing abnormally. Bonnie knew her dad was in trouble. At that moment, Bonnie went from daughter to nurse and her training kicked in. She performed a sternal rub (a medical intervention test for consciousness) to try and bring her dad around. He regained consciousness briefly, which allowed her time to call 911. Confused and dazed, John replied, “Bonnie, I was just sleeping,” but within seconds he tensed up and turned purple. While Bonnie knew that CPR is best done with the patient on the floor, at 112 pounds she found it impossible to move her 6 foot 2 inch, 240 pound 6 | Lucent
father, even with her mother’s assistance. Unable to find a pulse, she began chest compressions in the recliner. Bonnie could hear Assistant Professor of Nursing Dina Ditmar’s voice in her head saying, “Lock your arms. Use your body. [There is] no time to get upset. Just keep going!” Bonnie performed three rounds of CPR while waiting for the ambulance, which arrived within minutes. When paramedics arrived, Bonnie stayed at her dad’s head to ensure his airway remained open. Defibrillated eight times, paramedics ultimately got a regular heartbeat but John remained unconscious. “All I could do was say, ‘Daddy, I’m here. Stay with me.’” Once at the hospital, her father was wheeled away. Bonnie recalled, “The situation was now out of my control which was the hardest part. I call my dad Superman. He’s a big dude, muscular. He’s always outside doing yard work and building stuff. He’s never sick.”
| campus update |
It was impossibly hard for Bonnie to grasp that her father’s life hung in the balance as each hour passed. He was unconscious, pale, intubated, and wrapped in a cooling blanket to preserve brain function. Meanwhile, she fretted that she had done something wrong while trying to help her dad initially. On the contrary. The doctors assured Bonnie that CPR administered within the first three minutes of his heart attack was critical to saving her father’s life. Without early intervention, getting her dad back might not have been a possibility. A cardiac catheter revealed four blockages. Later that week, John received bypass surgery. Following his hospital recovery and a brief stay in cardiac rehab, John went home – remarkably within just two weeks. “This experience confirmed this is what I am supposed to be doing,” says Bonnie. She credits her medical-surgical rotation in the 2014 fall semester with helping put her classroom experience to real life use. Looking ahead to spring semester 2016, Bonnie will be studying cardiac rhythms. As Assistant Professor of Nursing Ellen Furman quipped, “She’ll be teaching the class!”
In reflecting back on the event and her relationship with her father, Bonnie says, “My dad has been my rock through nursing school. I would never have thought my super active, superman of a dad would go down like that. “That Saturday night, I bolted out of the house without saying anything. Now, I can’t leave the house without saying ‘I love you.’” Very early in her career, Bonnie gained firsthand experience in the profoundly gratifying work of the nursing profession. Looking forward, she envisions a career in the pediatric intensive care unit. “I love kids. The work will be intense but rewarding.” In the few months that have passed, Bonnie’s mother took a CPR course through the Red Cross, saying that she never wants to feel that helpless again. Her dad’s priorities shifted and he got a jump start on his retirement. John and Mary recently moved to Florida. Bonnie remains committed to completing her nursing degree while she gets ready to care for little lives who will soon be in her caring hands. n
Men’s Rugby Reaches New Heights It has been an amazing few months for the AIC men’s rugby squad. They finished the season undefeated and ranked number one in the country, and along the way Head Coach Josh Macy notched his fiftieth career win. AIC is a division-one rugby program and defeated the likes of Dartmouth, UConn, UMass, Boston College, and Clemson this season. Their average margin of victory was 69 points. n Corey Momsen ’16 in a 72–19 win over Boston College on November 7 at Abdow Field. Winter 2016 | 7
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s ’ t a Wh
e f i L s u o d r a az H e h t d n a 1 9 ’ o l ico esman r e S Tony NHL Lin of ans Friedmann By T
homa
Winter 2016 | 9
ocus is critical for Tony Sericolo the moment he clocks into work. Crushing impacts, sharpened skates, high sticks, and fists are his occupational hazards. Though life can be demanding and at times dangerous for officials in the National Hockey League, Sericolo says that tension is exactly what he enjoys about hockey. “What draws me to the game now is the speed and intensity. I have a job that keeps me in great shape, both mentally and physically, as I never know what to expect when the whistle blows.” Sericolo first learned a hockey stop when he was eight years old, and since then he’s been at the rink nearly every day. After serving as captain of the men’s hockey team at AIC, Sericolo pursued a career as a linesman and quickly became one of the highest-ranking officials in the nation. In 2006, he was chosen out of a large pool of contenders to officiate at the Olympic Winter Games in 10 | Lucent
Italy, and most recently he was selected for the 2015 National Hockey League All-Star game in Ohio. Last year, Sericolo chalked up his 1,000th game officiating as a linesman for the NHL—no small feat. Sericolo admits he had some lessons to learn about hockey, and himself, when he first started playing at AIC. “I certainly wasn’t the easiest player to coach my freshman year. I found myself watching a few games from the press box.” Head Coach Gary Wright played Sericolo on the defensive line, and by Sericolo’s junior year the Yellow Jackets had captured the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division II Championship. “Under Coach Wright’s guidance, I developed a respect for the game and the people involved in it. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the lessons he was trying to teach me back then were lessons that would last me a lifetime.”
After graduation, Sericolo tried his hand at officiating—first as a linesman, working youth games for USA Hockey. He quickly moved up to the American Hockey League, working with a fellow AIC alumnus, Kevin Collins ’72. While working with the AHL, Sericolo officiated for two Calder Cup Finals. After only eight years as a linesman, Sericolo was inducted into the National Hockey League Officials’ Association in 1998. Sericolo fondly remembers his first playoff game—Boston Bruins vs. Montréal Canadiens. “Every official’s first game is always an exciting one. I realized that all the hard work I had put into achieving this goal had finally paid off. During warm-ups, Ray Bourque shook my hand and welcomed me to the NHL. He wished me good luck and then skated away.” The New York Times recently published an article in which Sericolo was praised; it also declared that linesman are the “most anonymous men on the ice.” The primary role of a linesman is to identify offside players, call major penalties, and generally assist the referees in their overall duties. You will also see linesmen as the first ones to swarm in when a scuffle or full-on brawl breaks out. “According to the rulebook, linesmen are not responsible for breaking up the fights,” Sericolo says, “but we consider it a courtesy we provide to the players.” Fighting is, of course, a main aspect of the hockey experience, and to some degree fans expect and revel in momentary or long-standing grudges becoming physical. There is the beloved fan joke about a person who goes to a fight and a hockey game breaks out. For anyone who pays attention to the theatrical aspect of the fighting, there is an interesting relationship between the veteran players and the linesmen who interfere on their behalf. “They have the most respect for us because they know that down the road, they might need us to break up a fight early if they are on the losing side. A player who rarely fights and is just reacting to the
situation is very hard to control in a fight because they are not familiar with the process.” However, that doesn’t mean that he can let his guard down. Back in 2009, while pulling apart a fight, Sericolo caught a punch to the chest from a known brawler, and was bent over with pain. “I’ve had about a half dozen injuries over the years but fortunately nothing that sidelined me. I even worked with those three broken ribs.” As a part of his daily routine, Sericolo spends two hours in the gym preparing his body to better avoid injury. Unlike a lot of popular sports, hockey is very physically demanding on its officials. Each September, officials go to training camp alongside the players. Physical fitness is measured through a number of drills and tests, including a rigorous VO2 bicycle test that measures your body’s oxygen consumption. To keep officials precise in their judgments, the NHLOA also quizzes officials using video scenarios. W hen he’s not working or training for work, Sericolo enjoys being with his wife JoAnne and three children, Isabella, Anthony, and Sophia. The NHLOA aside, Sericolo jokes that his favorite critics might just be his own kids. “I’ve been doing this since before they were born, so they aren’t particularly impressed to see me on TV. They do however tell me when I’ve made a mistake and their friends are talking about it at school the following day.” Three days after Sericolo was inducted into the NHL, his daughter Isabella was born. Sericolo chose the number “84” for his jersey number, signifying her birth month and day. Today, Sericolo is proud to say that Isabella has verbally agreed to play field hockey for the University of Vermont upon her graduation from high school. One of Sericolo’s great joys is to watch his kids as a fan on the sidelines. “My children are all heavily involved in sports so I spend a lot of time at the fields and in the rinks. I’m yelling at officials, of course.” n
“Under Coach Wright’s guidance, I developed a respect for the game.”
Winter 2016 | 11
brand / new AIC has a new website, a new logo, and a new rallying cry, but we remain as dedicated as ever to our values, to our mission, and to the students who demand the very best from us.
For 130 years, American International College has nurtured, challenged, and prepared
members of the Springfield community. We
the students who find their way to our doors.
asked for all this input because we wanted a
That’s a tradition that will never change.
real understanding of what people think about
While we remain firm in our commitment to who we are and what we stand for, we
when they think of AIC. What we learned could not have been
must never stop searching for better, more
more uplifting: When people think of AIC, they
interesting, and more engaging ways to share
think of the supportive community that exists
the AIC story with the world. And we must
here.
ensure that what we say about ourselves—and
We were thrilled with that finding because
how we say it—remains vital and relevant to
it means that regardless of what our students
the generations of students who have yet to
hope for in their lives, we give them the
find us.
support they need to achieve it. We match their
But writing the next chapter is a big undertaking. To make sure we got it just right, we solicited feedback from thousands of AIC constituencies, including: prospective students,
12 | Lucent
current students, faculty, staff, alumni, and
drive with our higher dedication to make a difference.
And that is where our new rallying cry—Higher Dedication—comes from. This small phrase contains a very big idea. An idea that serves as our north star, our compass. An idea that reminds us that every single college in the world offers students some form of higher education, but at AIC, we stand for Higher Dedication. It’s a profound statement, a declaration, of what our students need from us, every year, every semester, every day, every class, every practice.
Winter 2016 | 13
you might be asking, “what does all this really mean?” Well, a few things have changed. In addition to our new rallying cry, which
We also have a new logo that features our
you will start to see more frequently in all our
bold “A” — an arrow that literally points up and
communications, we also have a beautiful new
forward—a constant reminder of where our
website that helps us share our mission with the
students need us to take them.
world. Head over to www.aic.edu to check it out!
This bold new look is certainly quite a
This new site gives us more opportunites to
departure from our most recent logo, but we
share stories, pictures, and videos—all things that
think it fits quite nicely with how our visual
prospective students are looking for.
identity has changed over the decades.
Our logo over the years...
14 | Lucent
Of course, many things remain the same: We are still the Yellow Jackets. Our colors are still gold and white. Our motto remains Post tenebras lux. Most importantly, we are as dedicated as ever to ensuring the success of AIC students.
now
Winter 2016 | 15
A Man for all Saisons
Ray Berry ’92 Crafts Hometown Brew with a Purpose By Scott Whitney
16 | Lucent
Dear Lucent readers,
I’ve been writing articles about AIC alumni and AIC happenings for going on four years now, but this story is the one I’ve been waiting for. You see, I began this article as I would any other: staring at a blank screen for far too long, waiting for inspiration to strike. I need a hook. I need a lead. Then it strikes me— I need research. And this time, “research” brings me to the bar of the Student Prince in downtown Springfield. I text a friend and ask if he’d be willing to meet up; there’s a pint in it for him. And in that gesture, I have entirely fulfilled Ray Berry’s mission. Winter 2016 | 17
“If a stranger next to you orders a White Lion beer, it might spark a conversation. If you pop open a White Lion at a barbeque with friends, you’re sharing something together,” says Berry ’92, founder of Springfield’s White Lion Brewing Company. “It’s about having a common experience.” This message of unity is one that has run throughout Berry’s career in nonprofits, and now as a member of the regional craft beer movement. Malt with a Mission Ray Berry uses the same language to describe the craft brew company he launched in 2014 as he does in talking about his lifelong work with nonprofits; the words “community,” “conversation,” and “change” come up often. But for him, the worlds of brewing and civic engagement are not that disparate. In fact, according to Berry, community is fundamental to the White Lion story. Berry first discovered his interest in giving back when he was an undergraduate at American International College. As a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, he volunteered with neighborhood organizations such as the Dunbar Community Center and the MLK Community Center, making lifelong connections in the neighborhoods around the college. “Through AIC and my fraternal organization, I took the first step to becoming a part of the community. And I learned that I enjoy making a difference,” he says.
“White Lion Brewing is about bringing people together.” Shortly after his graduation from AIC, Berry joined the Mason Square Development Corporation, a group dedicated to building up a neighborhood at the heart of the city. “That experience allowed me to cut my teeth and understand the moving parts in Springfield,” he says. “There was definitely value in meeting folks who were emerging leaders and stakeholders in the community.” Berry focused his efforts on local business development, helping Springfield residents turn their aspirations into workable plans. But several years later, when he was asked to serve on Springfield’s Liquor License Commission, Berry employed the same skills to launch his own dream. “I did a lot of inspections at local stores and restaurants for the liquor commission, and I started hearing a common theme. Folks were coming from outside the city and asking, ‘What’s the local beer?’ And there really wasn’t one for people to rally around.” In this need, Berry saw an opportunity to both fulfill his entrepreneurial aspirations and contribute to a more economically prosperous city. Equipped with decades worth of connections, Berry started taking stock of what he would need to bring his dream of a Springfield-based brewing company to fruition. “I knew
18 | Lucent
I could frame out the business model,” he recalls, “but I’m not a home brewer. I needed someone who knew the ins and outs of craft brewing.” Through a mutual friend, Berry met Mike Yates, a celebrity in Western Massachusetts brewing circles. Together, Berry and Yates assembled an initial portfolio and began brewing test batches. Solid, but nothing fancy to start: a cream ale, IPA (India pale ale), pale ale, and red amber ale. Before launching his new line, Berry invited a group of friends and stakeholders to tastings in Springfield. Years of planning were about to be put to the test. “Nervous!” he recalls of that day. “To me, our test batches were good. But everyone has a different palate, so you just don’t know.” The tastings were a resounding success, yielding minor suggestions and subsequent tweaks to the recipe. And just over a year later, White Lion has a seat at the Western Mass brewer’s table, steadily expanding the list of bars and stores where their beer is served. Berry’s dream of contributing to a vibrant local economy has decidedly taken shape. Pitching a Big (Beer) Tent This past summer, White Lion launched Valley Beer Fest, a large-scale beer festival in downtown Springfield, bringing together more than fifty local, regional, and national brewers. Why would Berry invite his competitors just as he was working to get his own brand on sure footing? The answer
to that question lies at the heart of his corporate vision, one that is best illustrated by the company name. In South African culture, a white lion is a symbol of goodwill and prosperity to anyone fortunate to spot the rare beast. For Berry, this lore captures what he hopes his company will achieve locally, beyond just becoming a viable brand. “I relate the white lion to the city of Springfield,” says Berry. “As a gateway city, we’re part of an economic, ethnic, and cultural region in the commonwealth. And White Lion Brewing is about bringing people together to be part of something greater than self.” To that end, Berry’s strategy for his first beer festival became clear: he intends for White Lion to grow, not as a competitor to his peers, but as a partner in creating economic prosperity within the region. If the recent explosion of brewers in Western Mass is any indicator, Berry is on to something. But has he succeeded in turning White Lion into a beer icon that Springfield can be proud of? I pull my stool closer to the Student Prince’s marble bar and decide to run a quick test. “What’s the local beer?” I ask the bartender. He taps his fingers for a moment, and then gestures to a white bar tap behind him in the shape of a lion’s maned head. I ask for a pint; my friend orders the same. Ray’s gonna like this, I think to myself. n
Winter 2016 | 19
live, learn,
20 | Lucent
lunch! AIC’s New Dining Commons Sets the Table for Change By Abe Loomis On Sept. 2, the day the new AIC Dining Commons opened for business, sophomore Zach Bednarczyk and several of his friends woke up early.
Winter 2016 | 21
“It was hard to believe it was the same building.” “We wanted to be the first ones there,” the secondary-education major says, “and we actually were.” The revamped facility surpassed their expectations. “It was hard to believe it was the same building,” Bednarczyk says. “It’s a very modern setup. Personally, I love it.” The reimagining of AIC’s dining space—its first full renovation since 1966—has been in the works for some time, according to Floyd Young, vice president for campus services. But it was input from students that finally moved plans for an update to the front burner. “The administration has been looking at upgrades to student spaces for a few years,” Young says, “but actually it was the feedback from student surveys and focus groups that really brought this to light as something that was needed to improve students’ time at college and their experience here.” 22 | Lucent
Innovations include a wider array of food options, customized meal preparation, an emphasis on interaction between students and dining staff, and a “Mongolian Grill” that also serves as an exhibition kitchen. There is also a wood-fired pizza oven, high-top and grill-side seating, and a new layout designed to be both more efficient and more inviting. “The new dining commons is a place to eat, share, relax, and come together as the AIC family in a more comfortable and modern setting,” Young says. “It’s a state-of-the-art facility designed to serve the needs and expectations of today’s students.” According to Young, goals for the new space include greater transparency—allowing students to see food being prepared—and features designed to encourage greater awareness and healthier choices.
“We wanted to get students more involved and more conscious of the food they’re eating and healthy lifestyles,” Young says, “so we have a ‘live, learn’ station where they can talk to chefs about the foods they’re selecting and the choices they’re making.” Students have taken note. “Personalizing the stations is a nice touch,” says junior Stephanie Cady, a nursing major, “and it’s nice to have the signs that say ‘local’ and ‘organic.’ It stands out because there’s so much controversy about genetically modified food these days. I think it makes a big difference, especially in our age group.” Cady’s classmate and fellow nursing student Nicole Paquette agrees: “It’s more organized now and easier to navigate,” she says, “and we love the salad bar!” Connecticut builders Orlando Annulli and Sons broke ground on the $9.4 million project in
December 2014, working from plans by architects at Phase Zero Design. As work progressed, staff from Chartwells, AIC’s dining-services vendor, completed food preparation and cooking in trailers, and set up a temporary dining area in the Schwartz Campus Center. The Bradley Room became a food-service line, with seating in the auditorium. Now that the new commons is up and running, students enjoy salads, burgers, sandwiches, and meals made to order and prepared in front of them in a spacious, multi-level hall flooded with natural light. The new facility comes equipped with an environmentally friendly waste-processing system and updated wiring to allow for further expansion and the use of generators in case of a power outage. The bottom line? According to Bednarczyk, “There’s no more crowding. And the pizza is absolutely delicious.” n
Winter 2016 | 23
m co me
ho in g
Homecoming 2015 was a blast.
15 20
We celebrated each other’s successes, honored fellow alums, and reminisced about the way things were and marveled at how things have changed. Most importantly, we reveled in the opportunity to come together as one huge AIC family. If you couldn’t make it, please know that you were missed, and we hope to see you next year!
Left: Bill Leslie ’55, Ted Shore ’55 and James Nadeau ’55 celebrated their 60th reunion.
Past and present members of the Athletic Hall of Fame honored the Class of 2015 at Homecoming. Inducted were: the 2006 Women’s Basketball Team, Bob Burke ’74 MEd, Dan Della-Giustina ’52, ’55 MA, ’04 HON, Major Jennings ’80, Stephanie Laskey ’09, Ted Pinkerman ’84, Vezio Sacratini ’90, Jack Slomback ’65, and Michael Smith ’78.
Members of the Class of 1965 gathered for their 50th reunion. Front row from left to right: Peter Chabin, Beryl Barber, Joanne Cesarz Carlisle, Fred Schwartz. Second row: Dick Fraser, Larry Duffany, Bruce Ledoux. Top row: Al King and Brian Saunders.
Winter 2016 | 25
class notes
Drop us a line... We love staying in touch with the AIC family, so let us know what’s new with you. Did you start a new job? Get married? Is your family growing? Did you recently reconnect with AIC friends? Tell us all about it! Whatever your news is, we’d love to share it with your fellow AIC alumni. Send updates and pictures to alumni@aic.edu, or give us a quick call at 413.205.3520.
| class notes |
1930s
John “Cal” Conniff ’58 was honored by the New England Ski Museum with the “Spirit of Skiing Award.” The award is given to honor a skiing notable who manifests the motto, Skiing is not just a sport, it is a way of life.
Clara Swan ’39 A new apartment complex being built near Husson University in Bangor, ME is named after a pioneer of Maine women’s basketball who played, taught, and coached at the school. Clara Swan ’39, who celebrated her 103rd birthday at the university in April, took part in the ceremonial groundbreaking of the future home of Swan Village.
1940s Lt. Col. Alfonso Albano ’48 celebrated his 100th birthday on July 13 at a party attended by more than 100 people at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Northampton, MA where he now lives.
1950s Martin Badoian MEd ’56 is officially retired but still teaches math and coaches the Math Team at Canton (MA) High School. He has been there for more than 55 years.
seven months at their home in Port Charlotte, FL. The rest of the year they are at their second home in Cape Cod and visiting their three children. They are passionate tennis players. Victor has written a book about his struggles and successes as an Italian immigrant, My Life, from Italy to America. Paul Chaput ’68 has fond memories of AIC. He says, “My entire experience was terrific. Especially, I am grateful to Coach Callahan, Dr. Samra, Dr. Davis, Dr. Kim & the entire staff. Many thanks.”
John “Cal” Conniff ’58 on the slopes with Ted Kennedy. Arthur LaMirande ’59 will perform an organ recital at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, NY on Sunday, April 10, 2016, at 3:15 p.m.
1960s Joanne Cesarz Carlisle ’65 is currently living in Wilbraham, MA. She has served on the board of directors of Community Enterprises for 20 years and on the executive committee for most of that time. Sheila Smart Nehring ’65 is enjoying the sunny life in Bradenton, FL. Victor Granaudo ’67 taught high school in Wilbraham, MA for 33 years. He is retired, and he and his wife Barbara spend
Brandeis University men’s soccer coach Michael Coven ’68 became the sixth coach in Division III history and 11 NCAA coach overall with 500 career wins when the Brandeis Judges defeated their top rival, Babson College, in dramatic fashion, 1-0 in double overtime. James Miele ’68 was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame at a ceremony at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA in August. At AIC, Miele averaged 25 points per game his first year and led the freshman team in scoring. He averaged double figures through his sophomore, junior, and senior years, and finished his career as a 1,000-point scorer. Miele went on to coach at Naugatuck High School and then as an assistant with Mattatuck before taking over as head coach. During his 25-year teaching career at Great Oak Middle School in Oxford, Jim Winter 2016 | 27
| class notes |
coached the boys basketball team for seven years. Paul Procopio ’68 was ainducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in August. Paul received a full basketball scholarship to AIC where he played basketball and baseball. He was president of his class, among numerous other activities. He was listed in ‘Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities’ in 1968. Paul received his MEd from North Adams State College. Over his career, Coach Procopio’s teams amassed 13 league championships, 9 county championships, 13 Western Massachusetts finalists, 6 Western Massachusetts finalists, 5 Central-Western Championships, 3 state finalists, and one state championship in 1988. Paul’s teams participated in 21 state tournaments and won the last University of Massachusetts Sportsmanship Invitational Tournament in 1975. His overall record was 381-150.
1970s Glenn Dumont ’70 from Winslow, ME was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame for his accomplishments playing football at Winslow High School and American International College this past May. The induction took place at the Augusta Civic Center. Glenn still works full time and resides in Winslow with his wife, Carla. 28 | Lucent
Glenn Dumont ’70 James W. Hall III ’70 is extraordinary professor in the department of communication pathology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa and adjunct professor in the department of audiology at Nova Southeastern University and at Salus University. He’s also president of James W. Hall III Audiology Consulting LLC. He is the author of over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles, monographs, or book chapters. He has also authored or co-authored seven textbooks, including the most recent Introduction to Audiology Today. John Leary Jr. MST ’70 is the author of General William Shepard – An American Patriot. The book is available on a authorhouse.com On August 8, 2015, Tom Doyle ’71 was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. During his tenure at AIC, Tom was an integral player on two New England championship teams (1968-69 and 1969-70). AIC participated in the National Basketball Championships in Evansville, IN during these two years. The 1968-69 team finished third in the nation.
Tom went on to captain the Yellow Jackets in his senior year. Tom became a teacher and basketball coach at Robert E. Fitch High School in Groton, CT for 35 years, retiring in 2006. He and his wife, Lillie Fowler ’72, braised three children and have been blessed with four grandsons. Tom and Lillie reside in Mystic, CT. Henry Thomas III ’71, MA ’73 was recognized by the Springfield Museums (MA) with the 24th annual Ubora Award in September. Jo-Anne (Rouillard) WilsonKeenan ’71, ’75 has written From Small Places: Toward the Realization of Literacy as a Human Right. It is published by Sense Publishers from Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Boston, MA; and Taipei, China. To learn more about or purchase the book, please visit http://tinyurl.com/nghbqs8. Bob Stowers ’72, MEd ’76 recently published his first novel Lost in a Cornfield: Never Losing Faith. The book has been on the NY Times best sellers list and has received some heartwarming reviews. Bob says Lost in a Corn Field is a simple story with deep meaning and a remarkably strong message—in this case about spirit and conviction as well as faith. It is available in soft and hard covers and just became available as a Nook Book and on Kindle. Mark Bousquet ’73, known for his role as Andre “Poodle”
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Lussier in the cult classic movie Slap Shot, was part of the celebrity list at the Springfield Hockey Heritage Society’s Hockeyday. The event was held at the Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition. Mike Jacobs ’73 is currently on tour with comedian Richard Lewis from Curb Your Enthusiasm. He performed at Zanies Comedy Club in Chicago in May. Lucie Thomas Lewis ’73 wrote I Am: Renewal From Within the Garden available on Amazon. Lucie is a freelance technical and creative writer and the owner/founder of Creative Futures, LLC. Her writing has appeared in the Afro American Point of View Community Newspaper, Executive Forum Magazine, Western Mass Women’s Magazine and on UnityFirst.com. The Nashua Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America selected Suzanne Farias ’75 for its Distinguished Citizen Award for 2015. Suzanne is currently the General Manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton. For eight years running, Paul Nicolai ’75 has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America® in commercial litigation. The Best Lawyers in America is now in its 20th edition. The reference work is considered a definitive, unbiased guide to legal excellence in North America. Paul founded Nicolai Law
Group in 1988 after serving as company counsel and assistant clerk for Friendly Ice Cream Corporation. He was named a Fellow in the American Bar Foundation in 2007. He serves on multiple committees of the ABA Business Law Section and the Center for Professional Responsibility. Wilma Davidson CAGS ’77 has written the third edition of Business Writing: What Works, What Won’t, published by St. Martins Press/Macmillan. The book makes a tough subject easy--and is filled with numerous and humorous examples. Paul Coleman ’77 recently published his 12th book Finding Peace When Your Heart Is in Pieces (Adams Media). It is available in bookstores and through Amazon. John Gibbons ’78, MEd ’86, HON ’11 was the 2015 Henry A. Butova Award winner. The Western MA chapter of the National Football Foundation annually selects an individual who strongly supports athletics through distinguished activities or career after his playing days are over to receive the Butova Award.
1980s Luisa Franco Breen ’81 is the assistant director of social services for the Town of North Branford, CT. She runs a program to assist families in
need through food for a holiday dinner as well as toys/gifts for children. Luisa reached out through social media to inform friends and acquaintances of this need. Diane O’Hearn ’83, Alpha Upsilon sister, was the first to express her desire to contribute. Bill Heaphy ’81, MA ’92 was inducted into The New England Basketball Hall of Fame as a player for both St. Joseph Central High and AIC, and as a coach at Taconic High School (boys) for the past 15 years. Among his many accomplishments, he was the MVP of the St. Joe’s team. At AIC he was the two-time winner of the AIC Christopher Ellis Award for Outstanding Play and Hustle. As a coach at Taconic High School he has won 8 City titles, 6 League titles, and qualified for Western Mass tournament 11 out of 14 years. Bill is currently working in the Pittsfield Public Schools as the supervisor of attendance services for the district. John J. Leahy Jr. ’84 retired on July 31, 2015 after more than 30 years as a special agent with the IRS Criminal Investigation. John spent the past six years in Frankfurt, Germany as the IRS Criminal Investigation attache. Prior to his assignment overseas, John was the supervisor of the IRS Criminal Investigation office in Springfield, MA. John is currently practicing law in Springfield, MA. Mario Elie ’85 is an assistant Winter 2016 | 29
| class notes |
coach with the Orlando Magic. Elie spent nine seasons as an assistant coach in the NBA, most recently with Brooklyn for two seasons (2011-13). Before joining the Nets, he spent two seasons as an assistant coach with Sacramento. Elie also served as an assistant coach with Dallas, Golden State and San Antonio. Thomas “Lee” Hodsden ’87 was named head football coach at Mt. Abraham Union High School in Bristol, VT. Lee retired from the Vermont State Police last year. Matthew Walsh ’87 is an adjunct professor with the International Language Center at Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University in Chachoengsao, Thailand. He enjoys Thailand and says, “It is called ‘the land of smiles’ for a reason.” He hopes to travel to Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam and the Philippines. Eric Emet ’89 was recently appointed as director of retention, recreation and athletics at Goodwin College in East Hartford, CT. He previously served as the director of operations for financial aid, and director of community engagement at the College.
1990s
Michael Sugrue ’90 PeoplesBank has announced the promotion of Michael Sugrue ’90 to Vice President, Compliance. Michael possesses close to two decades of banking and auditing experience. He joined the bank in 2009. Tonia McCown ’91 was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in Worcester, MA in August. McCown was one of the first elite women’s basketball players at the College. She was twice selected to the Northeast-10 AllConference team and finished as the program’s career leader in points with 1,567—she now ranks third—and ranks second in career boards with 1,041. Christina Ratkieweicz ’91 received the 2015 Pioneer Valley (MA) Excellence in Teaching Award. Raymond Berry ’92 founded White Lion Brewing Company, the first craft brewing company in the city of Springfield, MA. Ray is a Springfield resident and the Senior Vice President
30 | Lucent
& CFO at the United Way of Pioneer Valley, a regional nonprofit. In 2014 Ray received the Affiliated Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership award. Orlando Vandross ’92 is the University of Virginia’s new Director of Recruiting/ Player Development for Men’s Basketball. Vandross brings 18 years of Division I coaching experience to head coach Tony Bennett’s staff. Vandross spent the previous five seasons as an assistant coach for Charlotte after serving 13 seasons at Boston University as an assistant, including three as associate head coach. Rachel Dionne ’93 was named to the Florence Bank President’s Club. The President’s Club affords employees opportunities to nominate their peers for the honor, which recognizes superior performance, customer service and overall contribution to Florence Bank. Dionne is a commercial credit analyst and has been with the Bank since 2011. Stacie Kinney Humphries ’93 was a recent recipient of the 2015 Harold Grinspoon Foundation Excellence in Teaching Awards. She was selected for the award by her peers, and her nomination had to meet certain criteria of excellence in the classroom, beyond the classroom, connecting with students and their families, and in the community. Stacie is in her
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23rd year of teaching, currently at Meadow Brook Elementary School in East Longmeadow, MA as a kindergarten–2nd grade special needs teacher.
Michael Fortin ’00, a police officer at the U.S. Supreme Court. Also pictured is the Honorable John M. Payne Jr. ’75.
Berkshire Bank announced the promotion of Michael Grandfield MBA ’94 to senior vice president, commercial relationship manager in Berkshire’s Pioneer Valley Region. He will continue his role as a commercial relationship manager in the region. Dana Levangie ’94 was promoted from bullpen coach to interim bench coach for the Boston Red Sox. Juana Garcia ’96 was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in Worcester, MA in August. Garcia is regarded as one of the best Yellow Jackets players of all time. She set the bar as the programs all-time leading scorer with 2,189 career points and a record 18.6 points per game; both have yet to be broken. Garcia has also remained atop the rebounds list since 1996 with 1,223 boards. Howard Barber ’97 a certified public accountant and former school business manager for Auburn Public Schools is the new Greenfield (MA) Public Schools’ business manager.
Professor Jill McCarthy Payne, Michael Fortin ’00, and the Honorable John M Payne Jr. ’75. Mike Mitchell ’00, MBA ’03 married Terri “Leigh” Mitchell in June. Joe Narvaez ’97, Joe Herits ’03, Kevin Sullivan ’00, Rafael Calixto ’99, David Cruze, Daniel V. Graulau, and Joseph Pistone ’00 were all in attendance.
Mike Mitchell ’00 and Terri “Leigh” Mitchell
2000s
Criminal justice professor Jill McCarthy Payne visited
Wrestlers reunite for Mitchell wedding.
Michael Salemi ’01 and friends successfully raised money for a bench in memory of Andrew Desjardins ’01. Andrew lost his battle with Cystic Fibrosis in 2014. The bench on AIC’s campus will keep Andrew’s memory alive.
Michael Salemi ’01 FutureWorks Career Center has named Kevin Lynn MPA ’06 as its new executive director. Kevin had been acting executive director at FutureWorks since last year when the previous executive director retired. A longtime Springfield, MA resident, Kevin has been employed at FutureWorks since 2000, serving as manager of business services, IT, youth services before assuming the role of acting executive director. Kris ’01 and Uwe Porth ’10 MEd have just moved to a fiveacre farm in Mykka City, FL. Mike Field ’08 is the associate head coach for the Arizona State Sun Devils Hockey team. He was previously with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL where he served as the assistant coach and director of scouting. Winter 2016 | 31
| class notes |
Joel Flecha ’08, MPT ’10 is the co-owner of Integrated Orthopedic Physical Therapy, which opened in Amherst, MA in August. Colleen Calvanese ’09, MSPT of Springfield, MA was promoted to clinic manager of the Springfield location of ProEx, a private practice specializing in orthopedics, spine, and sports medicine. Colleen has been a staff physical therapist with ProEx for the past five years. Jason Leonard, RN, BSN ’09 has been promoted PICU/PPU manager at Baystate Hospital. Jason began his career at Baystate in 2004 working full-time nights as a PCT on Wesson 4 while attending nursing school. In 2007, he was accepted into the summer PICU nurse externship program, where he excelled. After being deployed to Iraq his senior year, Jason graduated from American International College in 2009 and was hired as a new grad in PICU. Since June 2014, Jason has been the assistant nurse manager for PICU and PPU.
2010s Frank Cipolla CAGS ’10 is the special education supervisor at Glastonbury (CT) High School. He also served as Glastonbury’s baseball coach last season.
32 | Lucent
Bernadette Coelho MEd ’10 has been named headmaster of New Bedford (MA) High School.
professionalism and positive attitudes were noticed by all, and you made me proud to say that I graduated from AIC.”
Matthew Collins MEd ’10 is the new assistant principal at Hampshire (MA) Regional High School.
Janine Iacolo CAGS ’12 was chosen by the General Federation of Women’s Club for the 2015 Marilyn Perry Leadership Award for work as a GFWC Agawam Junior Women’s Club member and for volunteer work outside the community. She has served as chair for the Relay For Life of Agawam for the past 4 years; volunteers as her school’s PTO as treasurer; volunteers time to Dana Farber; and is a member of the Springfield Education Association Scholarship Committee.
Filmmaker Mark Anthony Del Negro MBA ’10 is the president and CEO of MAD Chaos Productions. He has made the films Blood Reservoir, which just premiered, and The Undead (coming soon). Elaine Mount MEd ’11 is the new principal at JFK Middle School in Northampton, MA. Nielsson Arcibal ’12 represented the United States at the 2015 IIHF Inline World Championships. The native of Vista, CA will be making his third appearance as a defenseman for the nation’s squad.
Sarah Calgreen ’12 and AIC criminal justice students. Sarah Calgreen ’12, recruited current AIC criminal justice students for a United States Marshall Service drill. The drill assessed how people respond to an active shooter, both civilian and law enforcement. Sarah told the students, “Your
Ashlee Salvador MBA ’12 joined Porchlight VNA/Home Care as the new associate director of human resources. She has more than nine years of experience in human resources. Her expertise lies in talent recruitment, organizational training and development, and leadership coaching. Joanne Blier MEd ’13 is director of business and operations for the Gill-Montague Regional School District (MA). This year she is also the president-elect and conference chairperson of the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials. Nick Grasso ’13 was re-signed as a forward/defensemen by the Quad City Mallards in Moline, IL. The Mallards are the ECHL affiliate of the
| class notes |
National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League’s Iowa Wild.
Shaina Squires CAGS ’13 was selected by the Cadillac, MI school board as the new high school principal.
Christie Harvey CAGS ’13 is the principal of Claypit Hill School in Wayland MA. She is also currently enrolled in AIC’s EdD program in educational leadership and supervision.
Felicia Wettstone CAGS ’13 is the new principal at Health Brook Elementary School in Tewksbury, MA. Wettstone has more than 14 years of experience in education. She is currently licensed as an elementary school teacher, a reading specialist and a school principal.
Lauren Hobin MEd ’13 was selected by the Salem (MA) School Committee and Mayor Kim Driscoll for the Salem Teachers Cabinet. The cabinet will advise city officials and the committee on key issues facing Salem Public Schools. The Massachusetts-based teacher leadership nonprofit Teach Plus selected 10 outstanding teachers to participate in this six-month teacher leadership opportunity. Dale R. Hoyt EdD ’13 is the superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Hartford (CT). Christine Kelley MEd ’13 is the interim Winchester High School (MA) principal. Kelley spent five years working as the principal of Lynch Elementary School, also located in Winchester. She has also worked as an elementary and secondary level teacher and principal since 1988, and taught at Vinson-Owen School for 15 years. Additionally, Kelley is licensed as a principal at all levels of education, an assistant superintendent, superintendent, and is an adjunct professor at AIC.
Muriel Appram ’14 is the president of the Connecticut Black Nurses Association. Kasey Carley DPT ’14 was named to a list of 22 top physical therapists in the Boston area. Kasey practices at the West End branch of Blue Hills Sports and Spine. The daughter of two physical therapists, she’s a born PT whose clinical experience includes outpatient sports and orthopedic physical therapy as well as some in-patient acute care. Ike Ekwueme ’14 published his first book. He says, “After graduation, I strongly desired to give back to my generation and empower other students.” Switch On and Stand Out: 17 Spiritual Truths That Transformed My Life is available through Amazon.
Glarius Rop ’14 is the new men’s champion at the Deary Memorial 5-Mile Road Race. He beat the previous threetime winner. He also won the Holyoke (MA) Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day 5K.
These pages shouldn’t be the only place you hear about the exciting things going on at AIC. You can follow us on Facebook to see pictures of campus, get news about campus life, and learn about the exciting things your fellow alumni are up to.
/aicalumni
/aicalumni
Winter 2016 | 33
| in memoriam |
1930s
George F. Fisher ’37 Esther Frary Hansen ’38 Alfea Neri Schwanda ’38 Poppy Raissi Fowler ’39
1940s
Gladys L. Ruggles ’42 Mildred Carmel Wuinee ’43 Donald W. Armstrong Hatch ’44 Phyllis T. Pava Nussbaum ’45 Ruth S. Stebbins Lamb ’46 Edwina C. Crawley Wright ’46 Herbert D. Eldert Jr. ’47 Edwin H. Humphrey ’49 Zadig Y. Setian ’49
Faculty/Staff
Professor Robert MacLachlan
1950s
Lloyd J. Piccin ’50 Kenneth Gordon Abrahams ’51 Mason Goldberg ’51 Albin C. Slesinski ’51 John L. Hanlon ’52 William T. O’Brien ’52 Blair M. Steele Jr. ’52 Harold R. Collins ’53 Betty Bowling-Leigh ’53 John G. Pack ’53 Edward F. Borucki ’54 Joseph Augustus Della‑Giustina ’54 Roland A. Barbe ’55 Leonard H. Landry ’55 Janice Wood Williams ’56 Michael S. Fendell ’58 Naseer H. Thomas Aruri ’59 Earl R. Gregory ’59 Martin Paul Jablonka ’59 Richard R. Malek ’59 Annette Theresa Gleason-Sette ’59 Arthur R. Norley ’59 Thomas David Shea ’59
1960s
William R. Parker CLU ’60 Edmund R. Dooley ’61 Elinor Mary Hartshorn PhD ’61 Donald O. Notman ’61 Joseph J. Picucci ’61 Robert J. Jolicoeur ’62 Alice Isabelle Champagne‑Littlejohn ’62 Bernard J. Heavey Jr. ’63 Richard E. White ’63 William Clark ’64 John A. Ryan ’65 Paul J. Grosso ’66 James J. Haggerty ’68
1970s
Thomas P. Moriarty, Jr. ’70 Mary Ellen Harbeck ’71 Catherine Leary ’71 Paul E. Burkhardt ’72 William S. Guite ’72 Jeffrey I. Luftman ’72 Alyce E. Winter ’74 Ann C. Flanagan ’75 Joseph D. Garcia ’75 Joan Powell-Goodwine ’75 Sallyann Chapman ’77 Francis J. C. Gay Jr. ’77
1980s
Joseph M. Kazalski ’80 Cathleen M. Moriarty ’82
Honoring a Fellow Alumnus On October 21, 2015, Congressman Richard E. Neal ’72 addressed the United States Congress in order to eulogize Edward Borucki ’54, a World War II veteran and survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Neal recounted Borucki’s years of active military service as well as his lifelong commitment to veterans, which included helping them access available services and honoring their sacrifices whenever possible. In the early 2000s, Borucki led the effort to rename the Route 5 bridge over the Manhan River. It is now called the Pearl Harbor Veterans Memorial Bridge. 34 | Lucent
| Lucent readership survey | How many of your AIC updates come from Lucent?
83% said that Lucent reminds you of experiences at AIC some
most
28%
40%
ALL 27%
no opinion 1%
none 4%
It is our goal in the American International College Alumni Office to encourage and foster lifelong alumni participation, involvement, and commitment. We strive as an office to constantly improve and strengthen the bond between AIC and our alumni. In order to help attain this goal we wanted to know what our readers think of Lucent, so we sent out an email survey and asked your opinion. This is what you said… • 67% of you said that Lucent is how you get all or most of your updates and information about AIC. Most of the responses made it clear you like to read your Lucent as a hard copy. For those of you interested in an online version, check our Alumni page for the latest issue (aic.edu/alumni/stay-connected/). • Because of this survey we now know that most of you said you want more: >> Photography >> More athletics stories >> More updates on faculty and their accomplishments • We also discovered that most of you are not interested in:
52% Agree that Lucent strengthens your personal connection to AIC 80% prefer to read Lucent in print 74% of respondents read every issue What was the most important for us to learn was that almost everyone who responded made it very clear that Lucent is an alumni publication, and, as such, you want more information about your classmates and updates about their accomplishments. You read Lucent to learn about AIC happenings but also to see who has written a book, gotten married, traveled abroad, been recognized in their community, been promoted, or who retired. In order to accomplish this we need to hear from you! Email us (alumni@aic.edu), send us a letter, or call us (413.205.3520) to share your news and updates. The entire Lucent editorial board is grateful to all of those who took the time to fill out the survey. Your answers will help us shape our decision making and assist us as we craft a publication that shares everything AIC and engages you as readers. We will use these results to help write stories that align your interests and needs; to maintain and build upon the positive relationships we have already created; to increase the communication with our younger alumni; and to continue to serve as the primary communications link between AIC and you. Thank you again for your feedback.
>> Campus controversies >> Faith-based or community issues Winter 2016 | 35
rn. today. bsn... sooner than you think.
15 months. 30 credits. A convenient hybrid program for all the dedicated registered nurses who make our lives happier and healthier. Learn more at aic.edu/rntobsn 36 | Lucent
39th Annual AIC Alumni
Bob Chipman Memorial Golf Tournament May 20, 2016 For more information or to discuss a donation to our prize table, please contact Heather Gawron at heather.gawron@aic.edu or 413.205.3004. All proceeds support the Bob Chipman Memorial Scholarship at Oak Ridge Golf Club, Feeding Hills, MA.
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american international college 1000 State Street Springfield, Massachusetts 01109 www.aic.edu
TAKE THE NEXT STEP. A graduate degree from aic is closer than you think. Join us at our next info session to meet with an admissions counselor and learn about programs designed to fit your goals, your life, and your future.
February 20, 2016 at 9 AM Can’t make it? Just give us a call at 413.205.3700.
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