2017 Spring Lucent

LUCENT The Magazine of American International College TheAlumni Alumni Magazine of American International

TIME TO TALK

Crystal Mallett ‘17 has made it her mission to keep the AIC community talking.

Now the MBA student takes time to reflect on the art of conversation.

College

Spring 2017 | Volume 9 | Issue 1

From the President The past several years have seen a number of significant trends affecting higher education throughout the United States, but particularly in the northeast. While the complexity of these issues are too great to discuss here, the results are clear: demographic and migratory changes are lowering student demand for higher education and putting a growing strain on enrollment.

This is one of the key reasons why AIC has doubled its efforts at focusing our resources where they count—back into our campus and our student body.

As you know, American International College is a unique place, offering a oneof-a-kind education to men and women who, I believe, are more dedicated, resourceful, and driven than your typical college student. This is what makes AIC such a remarkable institution, and is why we have successfully evolved and adapted to the countless changes that have affected our society and higher education for over 130 years.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bob Cole EDITOR/SENIOR WRITER Michael Reid CONTRIBUTORS Candy Lash Seth Kaye Scott Whitney WEB/SOCIAL MEDIA Dan Surdyka ON THE COVER Crystal Mallet ’17 Written by Michael Reid Photo by Michael Reid

AIC has always been at the forefront of educational issues. Long before opportunities were open to all, AIC admitted women for the first time in 1892, making us the first coeducational college in the region. Prior to World War I, our students came from forty-two different nations, showing a commitment to diversity that has not wavered to this day. From working to create educational opportunities for returning veterans to expanding our curriculum in thoughtful, innovative ways, we were preparing for the challenges of the 21st century long before it arrived.

Which is why this issue, more than any other in recent memory, is about the people who continue to make our campus and our community a place like no other. They are personal stories, ones of triumph, perseverance, and empathy—stories that represent who we are and who we will strive to be in the years ahead.

Colleges and universities across the nation will be facing some challenging times over the next decade and beyond, but AIC will meet these challenges the same way we have met others: with courage and conviction. I truly believe that our best years are ahead of us.

Sincerely,

Vince Maniaci President

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Feel free to email us at alumni@aic.edu or call us at 413.205.3520. Please send any comments or suggestions about this publication to editor@ aic.edu. We’d love to hear from you!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Spring 2017 | Volume 9 | Issue 1

Features 8

Sweating the Details

10

Two Institutions, One Cause

14

The Long Road Back Home

20

The Center of Safety

26

The Home and the Heart

36

The Art of Conversation

42

Pet Project

Departments 2

Campus Update

48

Go Yellow Jackets!

60

Class Notes

62

In Memoriam

Right: AIC’s men’s lacrosse team served as handlers for the College’s balloon in the Spirit of Springfield’s Parade of the Big Balloons Photo courtesy of The Spirit of Springfield

American International College | 1

| CAMPUS UPDATE |

A Continued Commitment to Those Who Serve American International College has always prided itself on honoring the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve in our nation’s armed forces, a commitment recently recognized by Victory Media with a 2017 Military Friendly® School designation.

First published in 2009, the Military Friendly Schools’ directory allows service members and their families to more easily identify colleges, universities, and trade schools that meet the unique needs of military veterans returning to civilian life and pursuing civilian careers.

“American International College is proud to assist those men and women who serve our country,” says AIC President Vince Maniaci. “The College recognizes the value of the many educational and leadership experiences that occur in the armed forces, and the excellent foundation that military experience provides. In turn, we give veteran students transfer credits for service in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, helping service members and veterans get a head start on earning their degrees.”

Victory Media compiles their yearly list using both public data sources and responses from their own custom survey.

More than 1,700 schools participated in the 2017 survey, with 1,273 awarded the Military Friendly Schools designation.

Each institution’s survey scores, along with an assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates, particularly for student veterans, determined the final ratings.

“Our ability to apply a clear, consistent standard to the majority of colleges gives veterans a comprehensive view of which schools are striving to provide the best opportunities and conditions for our nation’s student veterans,” says Daniel Nichols, a Navy Reserve veteran and chief product officer at Victory Media. “Military Friendly helps military families make the best use of the Post-9/11 GI Bill and other federal benefits while allowing us to further our goal of assisting them in finding success in their chosen career fields.” n

New Articulation Agreements Pave the Way to AIC American International College recently signed agreements with three local community colleges that will make it easier for students to seamlessly transfer into one of AIC’s four-year degree programs.

The agreements, which AIC signed with Springfield Technical Community College in Springfield, Massachusetts, Holyoke Community College in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and Capital Community College in Hartford, Connecticut, provide students with a smoother and more cost-efficient transfer process, as all three community colleges will offer courses and programs that align with programs at AIC. “We are very pleased to have entered into partnerships with HCC, STCC, and CCC,” said AIC President Vince Maniaci. “It is a benefit to students to know that the courses they take at the community college level can be transferred to our four-year institution. These partnerships also benefit

2 | Higher Dedication

our institution, knowing that when we accept students from these three community colleges, they have already proven they can meet the requirements of college level programs.”

The program, which is referred to as Direct Connect at AIC, provides transfer students with an automatic $4,000 scholarship in addition to their earned merit scholarship before receiving any need-based aid. This allows Direct Connect transfer students the opportunity to earn up to $17,000 per year in financial gift aid—not loans—before being evaluated for additional aid.

“I am pleased to see this expansion of transfer opportunities to American International College,” said Capital Community College President Wilfredo Nieves.

“The agreement will benefit enrollment and retention at both Capital and AIC.” n

| CAMPUS UPDATE |

AIC Announces 100% Pass Rate for OT Program The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT®) recently announced that American International College’s master’s level occupational therapy pass rate for 2016 was 100%.

NBCOT, a not-for-profit credentialing agency that provides certification for the occupational therapy profession, works with state regulatory authorities and employers, providing information on credentials and professional conduct. The Board also develops, administers, and continually reviews its certification process based on current and valid standards that provide reliable indicators of competence for the practice of occupational therapy.

AIC’s Dean of the School of Health Sciences Cesarina Thompson, PhD, RN, ANEF acknowledges that the perfect

pass rate is significant due to the growth and increasing complexity of the field.

“We are extremely proud of this accomplishment at American International College,” says Thompson.

“Employment for occupational therapists is projected to grow by 29% through 2022, a much faster growth than the average for all other occupations. With the growing demand for rehabilitation and disabilities services, there is a need to prepare occupational therapists who will be equipped to practice in an evolving and complex health care system and advocate for the profession. As 2017 marks the 100th year of the existence of occupational therapy, this achievement underscores the centennial vision for the practice.” n

Forensic Psychology Program Recognized Online Psychology Degrees, a web-based organization that produces comprehensive psychology degree guides, recently named American International College’s graduate program in forensic psychology as one of the top programs in the country.

The organization based their rankings on a number of criteria, including cost of attendance, the number of degree and specialization options offered, accreditation, and acknowledgement by other national ranking bodies.

The ranking is significant, as careers in psychology and other mental health-related professions are rapidly growing

throughout the country. The Occupational Outlook Handbook, a publication of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics that tracks a number of employment metrics, predicts that psychology-related professions will see an increase of at least twelve percent between 2012 and 2022.

AIC’s master’s degree program in forensic psychology emphasizes an academic concentration of psychology and law, as well as the psychology behind police work, corrections, probation, and parole. n

AIC Announces Top Nursing Pass Rate of Four-Year Colleges in Western Massachusetts The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its 2016 performance summary for nursing education in Massachusetts, with American International College exceeding pass rates for all other registered nurse programs at four-year colleges in Western Massachusetts.

AIC’s 90% pass rate also surpassed the state average pass rate of 83.6% and the national pass rate of 84.5%.

The National Council for Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a nationwide examination for the licensing of

registered nurses in the United States and Canada. Each board of nursing requires candidates for licensure to pass the appropriate NCLEX examination. NCLEX examinations are designed to test the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry-level.

According to Director of Nursing Karen Rousseau, PhD, RN, “We are very proud of the dedication, motivation, commitment, and diversity of our nursing students who strive to be the very best.” n American International College | 3

| CAMPUS UPDATE |

AIC Hosts 77th Annual Joint Session Model Congress American International College staged its 77th annual Model Congress this past January, with United States Congressman Richard E. Neal serving as the event’s keynote speaker.

Founded in 1940, AIC’s Model Congress is the longest running continuous congress of its type in the nation, and one of the College’s oldest traditions. Held on AIC’s campus in the Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center and the Griswold Theatre, the event took place January 6 and 7, bringing together high school students from throughout the northeast to write, debate, and pass legislation in a setting that simulates a United States congressional session.

The program is completely student run—from program development, coordination, and hospitality to the organization and facilitation of the legislative sessions. With support from faculty and staff, AIC student leaders have kept the program thriving and secured its place as an educational opportunity for high school students for more than seven decades.

Congressman Neal addressed students on the second day of the event, stressing the importance of academic excellence, hard work, and clear thinking, both in politics and in life. “Don’t confuse opinion with fact,” Congressman Neal said when speaking to students. “There’s a wide difference between the two, and you must understand that opinions are important, but should always be based upon facts.”

Raised in Springfield, Neal received his bachelor’s degree from AIC in 1972, followed by a master’s degree from the University of Hartford. He served as a member of the Springfield City Council and as Mayor of Springfield before being elected to the House of Representatives in 1989. Congressman Neal recently ascended to the top position for the Democratic Party on the House Ways and Means Committee, which handles taxes for the U.S. House of Representatives and is in charge of social security, Medicare, unemployment benefits, and other federal initiatives.

“I happen to believe very strongly that when you look across the room today, these are the kids that will be running for office tomorrow,” Congressman Neal said after the event, “and spending the time to tell them why it’s worthwhile certainly made my day.”

AIC’s Model Congress awards scholarship opportunities each year to four delegates. This year’s top delegate, Agawam High School’s Alyssa Gravel from Agawam, Massachusetts, received the Kathryn Mauke Scholarship, a full four-year tuition scholarship to AIC. Christopher Carey, from Pope 4 | Higher Dedication

| CAMPUS UPDATE |

Francis High School in Springfield, Massachusetts, was this year’s second place delegate, receiving a four-year scholarship to cover half of tuition at AIC. Third and fourth place delegates were, respectively, Althea Brennan from Chatham High School in Chatham, Massachusetts, and Jada Ficarra from SABIS International Charter School in Springfield, Massachusetts. Both third and fourth place delegates received four-year scholarships to cover a quarter of tuition at AIC.

The 2017 Model Congress had 13 participating schools including Agawam High School, Chatham High School, East Longmeadow High School, East Windsor High School, Kingswood Regional High School, Minnechaug Regional High School, Mohawk Trail Regional High School, Pioneer Valley Regional School, Pope Francis High School, Poultney High School, SABIS International Charter School, Southwick Regional School, and St. Joseph Central High School. n

Preceding page and below: Delegates participate in the 77th Model Congress in January

American International College | 5

Looking Back on 77 Years

Congresswoman Barbara Kennelly with a delegate at the 1986 Model Congress

Above: The letter written by Dr. Chester Stowe McGown welcoming all delegates to AIC in 1941 Right, top to bottom: Award recipient at the 49th Model Congress with former AIC President Harry Courniotes; Congressman Richard E. Neal, regular keynote speaker at the Congress; (left to right) Robert Markel, professor of political science and mayor of Springfield, Congressman Barney Frank, former AIC President Harry Courniotes, and an AIC administrator at the 1988 Model Congress

6 | Higher Dedication

Since 1940, nearly 14,000 high school students have participated in American International College’s Model Congress, each one crafting bills and constitutional amendments with their inspiration stemming from current world events.

To supplement the experience, several notable politicians have spoken to the students about their experience with public service, including such notable men and women as former President Gerald Ford, former Vice President Joseph Biden, Congressman Richard E. Neal, Senator Elizabeth Warren, former Congresswoman Barbara Kennelly, and former Secretary of State John Kerry.

Probably the most remarkable aspect of the Model Congress is the seriousness that all participants feel—to them, this exercise is the real thing. They debate bills with a knowledge and expertise that would be a credit to any bona fide legislature. At AIC, we are very proud of Model Congress’ long-standing history at our College and within the Springfield community. n

Former President Gerald Ford speaking to delegates in 1968, when he was also presented with an honorary degree

Above: The 28th Model Congress program Right: A 1980 letter from former Senator Edward M. Kennedy

Above: Robert Markel and Joe Biden in 1973.

Markel, a former Springfield mayor and AIC faculty member, was a prep school roommate of Biden’s at Archmere Academy in Claymore, Delaware Right: Former Secretary of State John Kerry speaking to delegates Far right: Senator Elizabeth Warren speaking to delegates via video in 2015

American International College | 7

Sweating the Details

By Michael Reid Photography by Michael Reid

If you live in the Springfield,

Massachusetts area, or if you recently visited the city, you probably noticed a feature on its skyline that has been missing for decades—large construction cranes hard at work on a major building project. That project is MGM Springfield, a $950 million entertainment complex and casino set to open in the city’s south end in 2018.

Jill McCarthy Payne on the campus of AIC

8 | Higher Dedication

Like many large-scale construction efforts (particularly ones involving casinos), MGM Springfield’s plans have met with some opposition, but many local residents may not fully understand the extent of planning, consideration, and research that has gone into the project, or into Massachusetts’ gaming measures in general.

One person who does understand the complexities of these matters is American International College criminal justice professor Jill McCarthy Payne, MEd, JD. Her involvement with the Springfield project dates back to its earliest stages, and as plans have progressed over the past several years, she’s continued to bring the same tireless energy and impeccable diligence to the issues surrounding gaming that her students have seen in the classroom for years.

“I’m a lifelong Springfield resident,” McCarthy Payne begins. “I have been involved in politics on and off over the years, and I know Mayor [Domenic] Sarno. When the city was in the planning stages of going after a casino license, Mayor Sarno formed a review committee that I served on with four other local residents. We worked for months meeting with consultants and reviewing proposals, really going over the details of how this would all impact the city.

And I was impressed—both with Springfield’s approach and with the proposals presented.”

In April 2013, Springfield selected the proposal from MGM Resorts International, but as local residents are aware, the process was far from over. “We all agreed that MGM was the best, so they were awarded the license, but then there was the referendum question, which is part of the process.

So they came back to me and said that they needed a city resident to be treasurer of the referendum. I really believe that this project is best for the economic health of the city, so I accepted. Anything that MGM spent in order to win the referendum, I reviewed and signed off on. MGM was very thorough and I came away even more impressed with this entertainment company.”

Local officials were also impressed with McCarthy Payne. As gaming has become a more prominent economic and political issue—both locally and across the state—the need for committees overseeing the impact of such undertakings has grown. Early in 2015, officials asked McCarthy Payne to join the Local Community Mitigation Advisory Committee for the Springfield region, for which she has since been elected chair.

The committee’s purpose is to review any unforeseen negative financial impacts that the construction and finished

complex are having on local communities, and to then make recommendations to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for financial compensation. A recent example, explains McCarthy Payne, was when Caring Health Center, a primary care facility next to the MGM site, was awarded funds for a valet parking service to offset parking difficulties caused by the construction.

It’s important work, primarily due to that fact that projects of MGM Springfield’s scope are always evolving. “An issue may come up that wasn’t anticipated a year, two years, ten years from now,” says McCarthy Payne. “That’s why local mitigation is so important—local communities need to have a mechanism to help alleviate these issues.”

All of this work has led to McCarthy Payne’s latest position, a two-year appointment by Governor Charles Baker to the statewide Gaming Policy Advisory Committee, which she began in July 2016. This committee, which makes recommendations directly to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, will oversee local mitigation, the annual research agenda, and addiction services and public safety.

For McCarthy Payne, it’s a chance to further her understanding of the steps being taken to address some of the most vital issues surrounding the impacts of gaming.

These steps include a multi-year study being conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst that will explore the social and economic impacts of casino gambling in the state, as well as GameSense, an educational and budgeting program that will be available in all Massachusetts casinos.

These initiatives have helped strengthen McCarthy Payne’s opinion that the decision to build the MGM complex in downtown Springfield was the best one for the area’s economy and growth.

“I know some people have a negative view of casinos, and I can understand their point,” she says. “Are there questions surrounding the impact that this will have on the area? Yes. Do some people go into debt over gaming? Yes. But that’s why we have committees to look at these issues.

That’s why we have preventative services and education programs in place. One of the things that all AIC professors are encouraged to do is actively participate in their fields of discipline. We get out into the community and engage the issues that are important to our citizens. Springfield is my home, and I’m confident that I’ve done everything I can to help ensure that we’re making the best decisions we can for the city.” n

“That’s why local mitigation is so important—local communities need to have a mechanism to help alleviate these issues.”

American International College | 9

Two Institutions, One Cause

By Michael Reid

Since its founding in 1885, American International College has proudly stated its mission to the world: to prepare students for personal fulfillment, professional achievement, and civic engagement through educational experiences that transform lives. But what of the countless steps a child needs to take—and lessons he or she needs to learn—in order to arrive at an institution of higher education?

10 | Higher Dedication

Above: AIC men’s hockey freshman forward Marc Dubeau takes time after breakfast to play with children at Square One in Springfield, MA (Dave Roback / The Republican) Left: Pre-schooler Mason Colon chats with men’s hockey freshman forward Marc Dubeau at Square One in Springfield, MA (Dave Roback / The Republican)

American International College | 11

Left: AIC men’s hockey defenseman Carson Grolla sitting down to have breakfast with Rhyon Branch at Square One in Springfield, MA (Dave Roback / The Republican) Right: Pre-schoolers Mason Colon and Semaja Harris chat with AIC men’s hockey Head Coach Eric Lang during breakfast at Square One in Springfield, MA (Dave Roback / The Republican) Below: AIC men’s hockey forward Bryant Christian pours orange juice for breakfast at Square One in Springfield, MA (Dave Roback / The Republican)

The answer to that question is just as much at the heart of AIC’s mission as the work our faculty, staff, and students do on campus every day. This is one of the reasons AIC has partnered with Square One in Springfield, Massachusetts, a private nonprofit organization that provides early education and support services for children and families that help them make smart, healthy choices for their future.

“We are so fortunate to have the number of institutes of higher education in our community that see the benefits of what we’re doing,” says Kristine Allard, Square One’s chief development and communications officer. “They understand that if we provide a high-quality, effective early-learning experience for these kids, they’re much more likely to graduate high school and go on to attend college or a trade school than kids who are denied those opportunities. That’s why partners like AIC make so much sense—we don’t need to sell them on the benefits of that type of engagement.”

AIC’s partnership with Square One began in December 2016 when the College’s men’s hockey team helped support Square One’s annual toy drive before the team’s match against the University of Arizona. Attendees who donated a gift before the game received free admission and a ticket to another men’s hockey game.

AIC followed that event by pledging to fund breakfast for four Square One classrooms each month for a full year as part of the national #GivingTuesday campaign. #GivingTuesday, a social media-driven movement that began in 2012, is an international day of charitable giving that takes place on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

The team’s first breakfast took place in January, when players, along with Head Coach Eric Lang, visited the Square One facility to both serve breakfast as well as to read and play with the children after the meal.

12 | Higher Dedication

Allard stresses the importance of that support. “We serve 700 children a day at our facility, and have 1,500 families enrolled in our family services programming, so community support is huge to our success. What’s more, many of our children struggle because they don’t have a positive male role model in their lives. So when these huge hockey players come in and sit in these itty-bitty chairs to have breakfast and play with these three- and four-year-old children, it’s really something special.”

Head Coach Eric Lang says that it was equally rewarding for him and his team. “We had an amazing experience at Square One,” says Lang. “One thing is for certain, we got way more out of that relationship than they ever will. For us to give back in a small capacity and to impact children of need was quite amazing. We definitely look forward to furthering our partnership.”

Square One, which first opened in 1883 (just two years before the founding of AIC) as the Springfield Day Nursery, is eager to see the partnership blossom.

“There’s so much reward that comes with taking a few minutes out of your day to help someone in need,” says Allard. “You just never know what conversation or what small experience is going to be the one that sets that one child on a different track.” n American International College | 13

The

Long Road Back Home

By Michael Reid | Photography by Michael Reid

Shanetia Chapman began her academic career at American International College in the fall of 1993. This May, 24 years later, she will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. The following is her story—one of perseverance, commitment, and an unwavering belief that anything is possible.

14 | Higher Dedication

American International College | 15

If you attend American International College’s 2017 Commencement in May, you will see a scene of uniformity: hundreds of men and women wearing the same black caps and gowns, walking with the same measured steps, and arriving at the same moment of achievement. What that scene largely obscures, however, are the vastly different roads that many of those graduates took to arrive at that day.

This is especially true for Shanetia Chapman, a 41-year-old mother of seven who will, after a long and somewhat complicated journey, be receiving her bachelor of science degree in criminal justice.

In order to tell a story as expansive and intricate as Shanetia Chapman’s, it is best to start at the very beginning and unpack each detail carefully one at a time. Born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, Chapman grew up in the John J. Duggan Park housing projects, located in the city’s Indian Orchard neighborhood. It was an upbringing that she admits had its fair share of challenges.

“Not all of us made it out of there,” she says when describing her childhood neighborhood. “Some of us died, some of us went to jail. I was lucky that I had the structure I had.”

That structure came from her mother, Doris Chapman, a Springfield police officer, and her father, William Chapman, a martial arts expert who began training his daughter in karate at the age of four. After her father’s passing, her mother remarried Charles Youmans, a fellow police officer in Springfield who was also a martial arts expert and who continued his stepdaughter’s training.

For Chapman, a career in law enforcement seemed a natural career path. “I definitely wanted to follow in my mom’s footsteps, and I knew AIC was a perfect fit.” Looking back, though, she admits that life is almost never that straightforward.

A Balancing Act “I graduated from the High School of Commerce in Springfield in May of 1993, had my first child a few months later in June, and started at AIC in September,” she recalls.

“Plus I was working full time. I had a lot on my plate for such a young age. It was a hectic pace.”

The pace, though, never stopped Chapman from relentlessly pursuing new goals. By October of 1996, she had given birth to her second child, was a cadet with the Springfield Police Department, and was still attending AIC. She was also attending ministry school at the Lighthouse Church in Springfield under the guidance of Bishop James Brown.

For Chapman, who loved taking on and meeting challenges, it was a matter of balancing the constantly shifting priorities of her life.

16 | Higher Dedication

“I continued at AIC on and off over the next decade,” she explains. “It was always a priority, but I had a lot of student loans, so I would try to complete a few classes here and there and keep up on my payments. As the years passed, though, and I had more kids, I had to drop a few semesters because I was so sick when I was pregnant. All of my babies were nine pounds or bigger, so it was never easy.”

The fact that Chapman already had a successful career in law enforcement put further distance between her goals and her education. She served as a patrol officer in Springfield from 1996–2003 before becoming an undercover narcotics officer for the Webster Police Department in Webster, Massachusetts. She worked narcotics until 2005 before moving to cases of sexual assault. It was important work that she remains proud of to this day, but the intensity of those assignments was beginning to take its toll.

“I adopted my oldest daughter in 1997 when she was nine,” says Chapman, “so by the time I was working sexual assault, I had five girls. Seeing what I was seeing and trying to raise them…it just became too much. That was part of my decision to resign—I knew I had to take time out and spend more time with my girls. I had to talk to them, let them know what was going on out there.

“So I filled out the financial aid immediately and the very next day they got back to me and I was approved.

Just like that. I had to come.”

“So I decided to just concentrate on paying off my student loans, which were still significant, be done with school, and make some big changes in my life. I had completed everything but fifteen credits, but it just never dawned on me to finish.

There were more important issues that needed my attention.”

Building a New Life Chapman’s big change would lead her to North Carolina, where her grandfather had taken her and her siblings on summer vacations as children. She eventually settled in Indian Land, South Carolina, a small town on the state’s north border less than an hour south of Charlotte. It was there that she began working as an asset recovery manager for Sears Holding Corporation (the parent company for Sears retail stores), and completed a two-year course at Liberty Home Bible Institute, allowing her to teach bible classes at her local church.

“I definitely wanted to follow in my mom’s footsteps, and I knew AIC was a perfect fit.”

Shanetia and her daughter Tymahariah Chapman

She also fell into a new business venture. By that time, Chapman was a second-degree black belt in kenpo martial arts, and began instructing her children as her father and stepfather had instructed her.

“I didn’t start teaching my kids karate with any broader goals in mind,” says Chapman. “But then I started entering them into tournaments and they started winning. Four of my kids are fighters and they are all number one in their age groups in the southeast region. That’s when I started thinking that I could start teaching others.”

That idea led Chapman to open ABSurd Pro Fitness, a martial arts studio and gym in the neighboring town of Fort Mill, South Carolina that not only teaches karate, but also specializes in women’s self-defense and anti-bullying education.

For most people, having a career in law enforcement, being a successful businesswoman, a prominent member of their church community, and raising a family would be the end of their story. Shanetia Chapman, however, is not the type of person to pass up an opportunity to finish something she started.

Seizing the Moment “It all started with a fast,” Chapman begins. “Sometimes when you’re going and going and going, you start to lose focus and you need something to help you get that focus back. So I decided to go on this short, three-day fast last year.

I think denying yourself a few things—food, television— helps you see things a little differently. It was really just an experiment. I didn’t have any agenda at all.”

An email on the second day of her fast, though, would prove too coincidental for Chapman to ignore.

“On that second day, I got an email from Professor [Jill McCarthy] Payne at AIC, and it read: Why aren’t you coming back to school? After all of these years, this message came to me out of the blue. So I started wondering if it was something I could do. Could I really go back to school? We emailed back and forth a few times and she said I only needed fifteen credits, which I could do in one semester.

“The funny thing was, I had finally paid off the last $6,000 of my student loans in February 2016. So I was clear of that, and when I contacted AIC to check if I had any academic or financial holds, they told me I was good to go.

So I filled out the financial aid immediately and the very American International College | 17

“Because of my twenty years of criminal justice experience, I sort of became a go-to person in class for real-world knowledge. It was challenging, but it was also fun, and more rewarding than I could have imagined.”

next day they got back to me and I was approved. Just like that. I had to come.”

Chapman stresses that there were some significant hurdles to overcome, including having to quit her job due to the fact that they could not provide her with enough leave to cover the four-month semester from September through December. A more significant issue was the fact that she would have to come back to Springfield without her children.

It was a decision she struggled with, but their reaction to her news only strengthened her resolve.

“I said to them, ‘Guys, this is going to be a big change.

We may be eating fried baloney for a few months.’ They told me not to worry about it, that if they had to eat fried baloney, they’d eat fried baloney. They just wanted me to go for it.

“But the moment I really knew they meant that was when I left on my last day of work. I went straight to karate class and walked into the gym. All of the lights were off so I flicked them on and there was a huge, ‘Surprise!’ Everyone was there—my kids, my students, my friends—and they all told me that they were so proud of me. They all thanked me for showing them that anything is possible. At that moment, I knew I had made the right decision.”

Chapman began her final semester in September 2016, and from the beginning she found the experience extraordinary.

“It was strange,” she says. “I was leaving home, having to learn a lot of new technology, going to class with students younger than some of my kids. I mean, even one of my professors was only 28! But because of my twenty years of criminal justice experience, I sort of became a go-to person in class for real-world knowledge. It was challenging, but it was also fun, and more rewarding than I could have ever imagined.”

Living with a cousin in the Springfield area, Chapman worked at a UPS facility on the overnight third shift and took 18 | Higher Dedication

classes during the day. Not one to shy away from keeping busy, she also managed to open a second martial arts gym in Springfield in December 2016, and always made sure to travel back to South Carolina for special occasions, such as birthdays and Thanksgiving. It was a schedule that might have posed an insurmountable challenge to someone less accustomed to balancing such work-life demands, and the results speak for themselves.

“I got straight A’s,” she says with a smile. “It’s funny, when I first thought of doing this, I figured I was just coming up here to get a piece of paper. But when I got here I started to understand that it was so much more personal than that.

Getting straight A’s, doing this on my time, in my way—it’s one of the greatest feelings I’ve ever felt.”

The feeling is so great, in fact, that she wants other former students who find themselves in her position to experience it, as well. “For someone who didn’t finish school, I would tell them to just go ahead and dive in. You never know how it actually feels until you’re on the other side of that bridge. I would have probably been content with my life if I hadn’t come back, but it would have always been in the back of mind that I was leaving something unfinished. When you actually cross that bridge and finish what you started—I can’t even describe the feeling. It’s unreal.”

Shanetia Chapman takes the final step across that bridge in May. So if you do attend American International College’s 2017 Commencement, take a closer look at the sea of graduates in attendance. Among the scores of young men and women getting set to start their lives after four years of classes and sports and parties, you may also notice a woman who is a bit older and a lot wiser. She will be smiling and cheering like everyone else, of course, but she will most likely seem more contemplative than the other students as she reflects on the long, twisting road she traveled to arrive at her destination. n

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The

Center Safety

of

By Michael Reid | Photography by Seth Kaye

Chris Dion ’80, public safety manager for Springfield’s MassMutual Center, is the man you never think about. When you attend an event at the MassMutual Center, though, he is definitely thinking about you.

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Imagine the last concert, sporting event, or show that you attended in a large arena. When you picture it, the first image that most likely comes to mind is a sea of people— thousands of them—packed tightly together and filling a vast, open space.

Now consider the men and women responsible for ensuring the safety of each of those individuals. What’s the most efficient way to move that crowd into and out of the arena? How do you ensure that everyone is following the venue’s rules? What happens if something suddenly goes wrong?

Chris Dion, public safety manager for the MassMutual Center, located in the heart of downtown Springfield, Massachusetts, spends a lot of time thinking about those questions.

And when you meet him, you realize that he’s exactly the type of person—calm, confident, organized, and supremely competent—that you want behind the scenes of an event you are attending.

A Commitment to Safety If there is one simple fact that helps explain why Chris Dion is so good at what he does, it would be this: he retired eight years ago after working for twenty-eight years with the Connecticut Department of Correction. In other words, Dion doesn’t work because he has to, but rather because he simply

A concert in the MassMutual Center’s main arena Photo courtesy of the MassMutual Center

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enjoys what he does, which is a common theme running through his life story.

A self-described “local kid,” Dion is a native of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, the city where he has always been a resident. Though unsure of a career path, he applied to Springfield College, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and AIC, ultimately choosing AIC due to its superb reputation in business, the sciences, and, especially for an aspiring high school baseball player, athletics.

“Growing up as a kid in the Pioneer Valley, AIC was a real stalwart in regards to local collegiate athletics,” says Dion. “I was aware of the great teams of the past, and Milt Piepul, who was the athletic director for many, many years, being captain of the 1940 Notre Dame football team. He was the real genuine article for an athletic director at a college.”

While Dion didn’t get much playing time on the baseball diamond (“I was a member of the team as a freshman and sophomore, but pretty much only shagged fly balls in practice.”), he speaks fondly of his time with the program, especially playing under head coach (and future AIC athletic director) Richard Bedard.

“Richie was a really good mentor for young kids. He allowed me to stay with the program for two years, even though I didn’t have many prospects for playing. But he was great with handling situations like that. He could have easily

“Those years gave me a wonderful opportunity to work with a number of really fine men and women. The teamwork, the sense of pulling together and doing the job, doing the mission, that was all very satisfying to me.�

American International College | 23

said that I was never going to play and just be done with me, but he never did that. That was a big part of who I was then.”

Dion left the program after two years, but the qualities he learned there—teamwork, dedication, composure—would continue to serve him both academically and in his career.

While his original aim was to be a medical technologist, Dion was increasingly drawn to the social sciences, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in psychology. Not wanting to pursue graduate school, a chance conversation with a neighbor who worked with the Connecticut Department of Correction spurred his interest in counseling.

“I thought, they have counseling in the prisons and I have a psychology degree, so maybe I can qualify for that,” Dion remembers. “In those days they didn’t hire counselors off the street, you had to take the test and become a correctional officer first and then gain the experience to get promoted into various positions. So that was the route I took.”

While Dion did eventually become a counselor, he discovered that his interests lay more in operations. Over the years, he was promoted to various administrative positions, including lieutenant, captain, training officer, assistant warden, and finally, deputy warden, a title he held for nineteen years at a number of facilities throughout the state.

Dion retired in July of 2009 with a solid background in safety and security, custody, and protecting the public, but when he speaks of those years, what stands out most is the relationships he built with his staff and the pride he took in the everyday tasks of his position. “Those years gave me a wonderful opportunity to work with a number of really fine men and women. The teamwork, the sense of pulling together and doing the job, doing the mission, that was all very satisfying to me.”

A Full-Time Retirement “There’s only so many times you can mow the lawn,” Dion says with a laugh when discussing life as a retiree. “When you become retired, it sounds great, and it is, but you tend to put things off. You say, ‘I’ll get to that later, I have plenty of time.’

And the next thing you know, you have ten things to do. When you’re working full time, you’re on a schedule. It’s not fluid. I think that suits my personality a bit better.”

Dion’s path to his current position was born of a connection to his community. His uncle served as an off-ice official for the American Hockey League for almost fiftyfive years, and Dion asked if he could join his crew at the MassMutual Center for the 2002–03 season of the thentenant Springfield Falcons. It was a self-described hobby that Dion has kept up for fifteen years, first as a penalty timekeeper and then, for the last few years, as the official responsible for video review.

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Other opportunities have kept him active in local area sports. He became the assistant baseball coach at Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts in 2007, coached baseball at Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham, Massachusetts from 2008–09, and then spent five years as an assistant baseball coach at the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, Massachusetts starting in 2011. He even serves as a member of the chain crew for AIC football, a role he took on in 2003 and continues to this day.

That commitment to the Springfield community helps explain why Dion decided to “throw his hat in the ring and see what happens” when the position of public safety manager for the MassMutual Center came up in 2013.

Though not initially hired, he landed the position in 2015 when it opened up again.

Dion says that his decision to accept the job was, in large part, made easy by the support his family has always provided.

“Any success I have experienced professionally is really due to Nora, my wife of over thirty-three years, and my daughters Kathleen, Mary, and Claire. Anyone working in public safety, or involved in collegiate athletics, must have someone in their life that is very patient, supportive, and loyal. It can be a tough business, and without Nora and the girls, I’m certain circumstances would have turned out much differently.”

Concerts, Commencements, and AIC Hockey Understandably, Dion is somewhat reserved when speaking of the intricacies and logistics of what he and his crew do before and during an event, instead choosing to describe the scope in broader, more general strokes.

“My job is to oversee the preparation for the events, supervise them, and help deal with issues professionally,” he explains. “But it’s really a team effort, especially if there are multiple events going on in different areas of the complex.

We plan with our event managers and the operations folks, manage the events with our security officers and event staff, many of whom are part-time employees, work with the city police and fire, and EMTs for certain events. There are a lot of moving parts, but everyone involved does such a phenomenal job.”

There are challenges, though, specifically when it comes to crowd size. Dion points to two recent events at the Center— shows for comedians Amy Schumer and Louis C.K.—that had large and, because they were one-time events, unpredictable crowds. The same can be said for commencement ceremonies: MassMutual Center hosts the commencements for a number of area high schools and colleges—including AIC’s—over the span of two weeks in May. Continued on page 64

“Any success I have experienced professionally is really due to Nora, my wife of over thirty-three years, and my daughters Kathleen, Mary, and Claire.”

The exterior of the MassMutual Center’s convention space Photo courtesyAmerican of the MassMutual Center International College

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The Home and the Heart

a

By Michael Reid Photography by Michael Reid

Elle (Łoś) Englander ’91 was forced from her home two months shy of her sixteenth birthday, arriving in America without knowing English and uncertain of what her future held. But as her story shows, being open to life’s possibilities is sometimes all a person needs to persevere through the tides of history.

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Some examples of Polish pottery being sold at Janelle Imports’ headquarters in Enfield, Connecticut

When Elle Englander sits down to recount the roads she traveled to arrive at the person she is today, you quickly realize that there are a number of themes at play. There are politics, of course, along with history, family, and sacrifice, but at its heart, Englander’s story centers around the idea of home—leaving it, rediscovering it, and finding peace with the places that have come to define her, as well as the people and the culture she loves.

Englander was born Elle Łoś in Bolesławiec, a picturesque town of 40,000 located on the Bóbr River in southwestern Poland. Known as the “Town of Ceramics” for its long history of pottery making, Bolesławiec is everything people imagine when they think of a venerable European city: narrow streets, a wide market square, a mix of ancient and modern architecture, and scenic countryside just beyond the city’s limits. Englander speaks of growing up there with unreserved affection.

“My childhood was wonderful,” she says. “Bolesławiec is a very concentrated city, so we walked to school, rode our bikes everywhere. It was such a livable community. Both sets 28 | Higher Dedication

of my grandparents had farms just outside the city, and there were always aunts and uncles and cousins all over the place, so we had this huge network of support. I was very lucky.”

She pauses. “It was wonderful until it all changed and crashed. That happened all at once—at midnight on December 13, 1981.”

Lives Forever Changed For those not familiar with the significance of that date, some history will be helpful. After World War II, Poland fell under the direct influence of the Soviet Union as part of the Eastern Bloc, the group of communist states in Central and Eastern Europe brought together under the Warsaw Pact in 1955. Beginning at that time, an uneasy balance of power existed in the country; though persecution of anti-communist groups was prevalent and the Soviet Union controlled the country’s official ideology, Poland was considered one of the least oppressive communist states in Eastern Europe.

That began to change, however, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, as rising food prices, stagnant wages, and a

shrinking economy led to the formation of Solidarity, a Polish trade union founded in September 1980 that advocated for non-violent resistance to communist influence in the country. In an attempt to break the union and crush political opposition, Poland’s communist government, acting in concert with the Soviet Union, introduced martial law on December 13, 1981. Over the course of one night, all national borders were sealed, airports were closed, telephone lines were disconnected, and thousands of members of Solidarity, including Englander’s father, Ryszard Łoś, were jailed.

“It was that sudden,” she says, remembering that night.

“Of course, I knew what was happening in Poland growing up because of my father. His first loves were history and politics, so he was careful to teach us the correct history as opposed to the propaganda being taught in schools. We also heard a lot of political discussion in church because the priests were not afraid of the government and took really activist stances.

“And there were always rumors of this or that particular priest or teacher disappearing and no one knowing what happened, but that was just a way of life, so you never really questioned it. You went on and lived your life. When martial law went into effect, though, that all changed. They swept through our house with German Shepherds and they took my father, and just like that, he was gone.”

Englander would not know the whereabouts of her father—or even if he was still alive—for the next nine months, but she was keenly aware of the attention the world was paying to Poland’s situation. The recent elections of leaders with strong anti-communist worldviews, particularly Ronald Reagan of the United States and Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom, were beginning a wave of support that was threatening the strength of Soviet influence throughout the world. Added to that was the support of Pope John Paul II, former Archbishop of Kraków, Poland.

“We knew that there were too many people watching, so the government couldn’t just ship all of the prisoners off to Russia,” says Englander. “And when we listened to Radio Free Europe on the shortwave radio, we could hear that people knew what was happening. We knew things would get resolved.”

That resolution came in the form of a deal between the Polish government and several western countries: imprisoned members of Solidarity would be allowed to leave Poland on a one-way passport by themselves or with members of their families to various countries in the west that offered political asylum, including the United States, Great Britain, France, West Germany, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

For Englander’s family, the former option was ruled out, as remaining family members of Solidarity participants who

Manufaktura’s “Handmade in Poland” seal on the bottom of each Polish pottery piece sold at Janelle Imports

"They swept through our house with German Shepherds and they took my father, and just like that, he was gone."

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Janelle Imports’ warehouse in Enfield, Connecticut

left the country were almost always persecuted by the communist government. Choosing which country to begin their new life, however, created its own tension.

“My mother didn’t want to move too far from home, and I spoke German, so I wanted to go to West Germany, but America was the only option for my father,” explains Englander. “He said, ‘If I’m getting kicked out of my own country, I’m going to a country that stands for freedom.’

My father had read the U.S. Constitution and knew of Polish generals, such as Kazimierz Pułaski, who fought with Washington in the American Revolution. For him, America was the only place he felt he could truly be free.”

After a vetting process that lasted nine months, and an additional one-month health screening in West Germany, Englander and her family would leave for America from Frankfurt, arriving in New York City just two months shy of her sixteenth birthday.

“My parents, who were just turning 40, were tremendously heartbroken,” says Englander. “I never saw my father cry until the day he had to sell his books. He had this huge library of beautifully bound volumes of world literature, and watching him have to give them away was very emotional.

But that’s what you had to do—you just packed a few suitcases and that was it. You left everything else behind.”

Between Two Worlds When Englander describes her first several years as a teenager in America, she admits to feeling anger, and even some self-pity, over her situation, but says that she never dwelt on the course her life had taken. In fact, only recently has she started looking back and considering her experiences; before then, she simply became determined to adapt to the new path her life had taken and move forward.

After a brief time in New Jersey, her family settled in Lowell, Massachusetts, where she continued her education at Lowell High School. While in Poland, Englander had been on a mathematics and physics track with the hopes of one day attending a medical academy. These skills translated well in her American education, but learning English came more gradually. The same was true of her parents—in Poland her father was an accountant, but because of his lack of English, both he and his wife could only find minimum-wage work.

The resulting financial challenges were one of the reasons that Englander chose American International College after graduating from high school.

“I needed quite a bit of financial aid, but then AIC gave me the best additional financial package, and that’s how I got here,” she explains. “But more importantly, Professor [Mahmud] Awan had just begun the international business American International College | 31

major, and that’s what really sold me. I knew nothing about the area or the school—it just seemed like the perfect fit for a bilingual student interested in international trade and politics.”

Englander entered college in 1986 just as the changes that her father helped bring about in Poland were beginning to take shape. By 1989, the country held its first democratic parliamentary elections since the end of World War II, and in 1990 elected Lech Wałęsa, a Solidarity candidate and Nobel Peace Prize winner, to the presidency. The Solidarity movement that her father and family had sacrificed for was now helping to bring about the collapse of communist regimes across Europe, but with Englander and her family watching from a great distance.

“That was challenging, not being there,” she admits, “but I tried to have fun with it. In 1989, as communism was falling, I was part of a group of international students at AIC who started the International Club. We worked with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce to contact the embassies of Hungary, East Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic and organized a forum of newly liberated countries. Each of the embassies sent their consultants and we had a wonderful discussion about these new free markets. We were on television and in the newspapers. It was definitely a great way to connect.”

Englander graduated in 1991, the same year her father made the decision to return to Poland, both to continue his political activism and to help start-up companies in the new free-market economy. Her brother soon followed, but Englander stayed in America and took a position at MassMutual underwriting insurance, both as a way to pay off her school loans and to forge her own path.

She married her husband, Mark, soon after and began having children, but after several years she found that the long and unpredictable hours were making the balance between work and home increasingly difficult. She decided to take a break from work after the birth of her second child in 1998.

“I walked away on good terms thinking that I would return in a few years, but during that time I had a third child and just never found the right time to go back,” says Englander. “So one day my dad called. Two of his friends had left the government-owned pottery plant in Bolesławiec and my father had helped them start their own pottery-making business, called Manufactura. Now they were looking to enter the U.S. market. He said, ‘You have an international business degree and you’re bilingual, why don’t you talk with them?’ That was in 2003, and that’s how my company, Janelle Imports, got started.”

A Sort of Homecoming Seeing Polish pottery (also known as Polish stoneware) for the first time invariably brings a smile to people’s faces. Bowls, plates, teapots, and platters are intricately decorated with vibrant, almost surreal colors that create pieces with a fairy-tale appearance. When you walk into a warehouse filled with such products, you are immediately taken aback, a reaction that Englander relishes.

“This is my heritage,” she says. “These pieces are home to me, and I want to get them into as many people’s hands as possible.”

The challenge of doing so, she admits, is the expense. Given the fact that each piece of pottery is handcrafted and painstakingly hand decorated using delicate sea sponges (not to mention the added expense of shipping the products to America), means that the final price can be significant. Keeping prices as low as possible was one reason why Janelle Imports began as a wholesale distributor to major accounts, such as HomeGoods and TJX, and small boutique stores. When the financial 32 | Higher Dedication

The intricate designs of a Polish pottery teapot

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y “I’m starting to get an appreciation for the fact that I had a wonderful journey.

It didn’t always feel like it, and yet now, I wouldn’t change one thing.”

y crisis of 2008–09 impacted that business model, though, Englander had to switch gears and open her own retail shop, selling products to customers directly at wholesale prices.

“In 2015, we sold 65,000 pieces of pottery just out of this location,” she says, gesturing around the small, barn-like warehouse in Enfield, Connecticut that serves as her store.

“And now we’re in the process of rebuilding our Internet business and electronic bridal registry. It’s obviously still a luxury item when you compare it to something like toilet paper, but there’s also a real demand for products like these—beautifully made, extremely durable, something special but also practical. I want everyone to have a chance to buy these products, so we’ve done everything we can to hit the lowest possible price point.”

That strategy has worked. While 2016 was a down year due to Manufactura’s installation of updated firing kilns, which meant an interruption in production, Englander is in talks to distribute for another company in the near future, and plans to import 80,000 pieces in 2018. This second company, Zaklady Ceramiczne Boleslawiec, is not only the largest and oldest manufacturer of Polish pottery, but also the company where her mother and father worked before being forced to leave their home. The cyclical nature of where she came from to what she’s doing now is not lost on Englander.

“The name of the company, Janelle Imports, is a mix of my mother’s name, Janina, and mine, Elle,” she says.

“My mom is the one who really convinced me to start this company. She said, ‘You have a foot in both countries, so try 34 | Higher Dedication

it. What do you have to lose?’ That was my inspiration. And when the business really started to take off, she retired early and came to Suffield to help care for her grandkids. I couldn’t have started this without her.”

When Englander’s mother decided to move back to Poland in 2010, it was a pivotal moment—they had come to America as a family almost thirty years earlier, but now she was the only one left. She began asking herself some challenging questions and assessing the measure of her life.

“When my mother—who my kids call Babi—when she left, my daughter came to me and asked, ‘Are you going to leave someday like Babi is leaving you?’ And I told her, ‘No, honey, I’m never going to leave.’ Because I realized that I have two homes, and just because I’m here doesn’t mean that I’m not there. My heart will always belong in Poland.

That’s my home. But my family is here, and my life is here, and I love my life.

“I think that’s what my story is really about,” says Englander with a smile. “You can plan a life, and all of us should have a plan, but you also have to be open to life’s possibilities. How are you making the most out of where you are right now so that you don’t look back with regret?

There are always possibilities; we just don’t see them as such. I’m starting to get an appreciation for the fact that I had a wonderful journey. It didn’t always feel like it, and yet now, I wouldn’t change one thing. That inner peace took a long time to find, but I have found it. And now all I can say is, How lucky am I?” n

Four bowls support the weight of a worktable in Janelle Import’s warehouse—a testament to each piece’s strength and durability.

The history of pottery making in the southern region of modern Poland dates back to the seventh century, with current pottery techniques being developed in the early part of the eighteenth century.

Today, each piece is crafted using clay indigenous to southern Poland, with only natural and ecological materials being used throughout the production process, making the pieces cadmium- and lead-free.

The pottery gets its strength from the firing process: a special glaze and firing temperatures of 1,250 degrees Celsius produce final pieces that are both extremely durable and resistant to chipping and scratching.

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The Art of Conversation

By Michael Reid Photography by Michael Reid

In the age of the smartphone, Crystal Mallett ’17 wants the students of AIC to look up every now and then to notice each other—and start the conversations that really matter.

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We all love our smartphones—there is no way around that simple fact—and Crystal Mallett will be the first to admit that she is no exception. Yet the MBA student, who will be receiving both her bachelor of science degree in sports management and master of business administration degree as part of AIC’s 4+1 accelerated program this May, has noticed a somewhat disconcerting trend emerge over her years at American International College.

“The biggest change I’ve seen at AIC since my freshman year has been with the way students interact with each other,” says Mallett. “Actually, I can see it with the way they engage with the administration, too. Students are much more distant now. It’s becoming much more difficult to get people to come out of their rooms and look up from their phones and start a dialogue in the real world.”

Mallett has spent a great deal of her time at AIC trying to reverse that trend. A native of Albany, New York, she came to the College because of the campus’ diversity and the friendliness of the students. She also chose AIC because of its Division II women’s basketball program, of which Mallett was a member for three years.

Above: Applying paint to a student’s hand Right: A student’s hand after he applied his handprint to a canvas

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“Students are much more distant now.

It’s becoming much more difficult to get people to come out of their rooms and look up from their phones and

start a dialogue in the real world.”

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The challenges of her first year (the culture shock of college life, homesickness) were difficult, but as a sophomore, Mallett became active in both student government and PRIDE (Persons Ready in Defense of Ebony), a student organization focused on promoting the welfare of all students of African, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American heritage academically, culturally, and socially. That’s when Mallett began to discover that she had a talent for starting the conversations that need to take place on a college campus.

Giving A Voice to Students

“One of things we always tried to do with PRIDE was to promote dialogue,” explains Mallett. “We brought speakers onto campus and arranged for public forums, but we realized we were only really speaking to students. We wanted to find a way to actually give students the chance to voice their concerns. That’s how our whiteboard project began.”

Like many ingenious ideas, the whiteboard project (as it would come to be referred to by students) sprang from a simple idea: place whiteboards addressed to various AIC administrators around AIC’s campus and let students write whatever they wanted. Students could offer suggestions, criticisms, compliments, or even say thank you to someone who had made a difference in their education.

There were a few rules, of course (no one was allowed to use profanity, threaten others, or use real names), but for the most part, Mallett was surprised at just how unnecessary those restrictions were.

“Some of the student engagement staff were a little worried beforehand, but it all turned out fine,” she says.

“Students just wanted a chance to have their voices heard, to be a part of a larger conversation on campus. To be honest, the one thing that surprised us the most was the reaction we got from departments and administration. They were amazed at the idea and the feedback we were getting. We were like, ‘Really? It’s just a whiteboard!’ But when I thought about it more, I realized that it was a lot more than that. It was really its own platform.”

The feedback PRIDE participants received ranged from suggestions to improve residence life to concerns regarding tuition to compliments on food in the new dining commons.

But the more important takeaway was that people were talking—and listening.

“Everyone came to us for the feedback we had and to see what we were learning. We talked with professors, we talked with President Maniaci. It really felt great to help bridge that gap between two groups that hadn’t been talking as much as they could have been.”

Mallett’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed. As a senior last year, not only was she listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges, but she also received the Naomi White-Inniss Award at the College’s Division of Student Affairs’ Co-Curricular Leadership and Involvement awards ceremony. The latter, given to a student for outstanding on-campus engagement and leadership, was particularly meaningful for Mallett.

“What Naomi White-Inniss [AIC’s long-time director of multicultural affairs until her retirement in 2012] meant to AIC and everything that she did over her forty years here...”

She pauses. “It was just such an honor to receive that award and feel as though I was following in her footsteps.”

Keeping the Conversation Going

Now a resident advisor (RA) finishing her master’s degree, Mallett continues to look for ways to engage the students both under direct supervision as well as across campus. Her latest effort is part of her identity project, one in a series of outreach programs that RAs produce every semester. Like the whiteboard project before, the idea was to provide a blank canvas that would help facilitate conversation.

“There’s something so personal about your handprint,” explains Mallett. “And painting on a large canvas is so creative and collegiate. So I decided to place large canvases in the student union and paint people’s hands so that they could add their handprints to a canvas along with a word that best describes them.”

A student applying his handprint to a canvas

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Continued on page 64

“It excites me because I know this is what students really want. Once you

open up opportunities for real-world communication, people of any age will respond.�

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By Scott Whitney | Photography by Seth Kaye

When Woody Lash arrives on the American International College campus, the visiting therapist makes his way to his small office at 1020 State Street, which he shares with a coworker. According to his officemate, Candy, Woody carries himself as you might expect of someone in his profession: neat, considerate, and quiet— mostly. “Really, the only time he disrupts me is when he snores,” she admitted.

Snores? Should someone notify HR?

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Not exactly. Here’s a key detail to know about Woody: he’s a dog. And a therapist. For the past few semesters, the golden retriever mix has visited the AIC campus during exam time as a licensed pet therapy dog, bringing with him joy and calm, just as he was trained to do, without once requesting a copay. (Treats notwithstanding.)

In recent decades, dogs have significantly augmented our workforce and proven to be more than just a pal who loves catch. When properly trained, working dogs have shown tremendous aptitude for diabetes monitoring, cancer detection, cadaver recovery, and as therapy dogs for stress, anxiety, PTSD, and a host of other emotional challenges. To meet Woody, it is no mystery why he is well-suited for his assigned profession—and that AIC is just a little better for it.

He Won’t Eat Your Homework (But He Might Help You Do It) Woody and his handler, AIC Senior Public Relations Specialist Candy Lash, share their campus offices with the College’s Supportive Learning Services (SLS) program. This one-on-one tutoring program allows students to receive extra academic support—and, as for many students, the stress of test taking can become all consuming. Recently, Marianne Merritt, assistant director of SLS, worked with a student in the program who was struggling to overcome a crippling bout of anxiety and finish his final exam. After making little headway, Merritt made an unconventional move: she called Lash and asked if Woody could come over for a brief visit.

“The student had reached a point of anxiety where fight or flight kicked in and his critical thinking skills were just frozen,” recalled Merritt. “In comes Woody wagging his tail, and it changed the student’s focus for a few minutes.

Just enough so that he could go back to his test and be productive,” recalled Merritt. Having watched Woody at work, she reflected on what transpired between the student and his would-be pet therapist. “The dog comes in without judgment. He doesn’t know what stresses you’re experiencing and doesn’t care what you do or don’t know—and that really gives students a sense of calm. It helps them reset.”

That pets can provide a moment of welcomed distraction and calm may be an easy sell to animal lovers, but the emotional impact of dogs goes well beyond anecdotal evidence. According to the National Center for Health Research, even temporary contact with a pet can result in reduced pain and anxiety in hospitalized children and adults, as well as increased focus and socialization for children with autism or other developmental disorders.1 For many years, 1

http://center4research.org/healthy-living-prevention/petsand-health-the-impact-of-companion-animals/

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“ doesn’t know what stresses you’re experiencing and doesn’t care what you do or don’t know—and that really gives students a sense of calm. It helps them reset.”

American International College | 45

hospitals, libraries, funeral homes, and nursing homes have employed skilled pet therapy dogs to provide comfort and stress-relief during challenging times.

More recently, colleges and universities have been added to the list of institutions making pet therapy dogs available to their students, including Harvard, Yale, and Auburn University. Woody follows proudly in this tradition at AIC. “College can be stressful, especially during mid-terms and finals,” said Lash. “So when I came to work at AIC in 2014, I thought this would be a great place for me to share him with students.” Judging by the amount of appearance requests Woody fields when he’s on campus, Lash was onto something meaningful. But his journey to AIC started well before his first walk around the Quad. First, he had to graduate from a school of his own.

The College-Bound Hound Before becoming a life-saver to students managing test anxiety, it was Woody who needed saving. Born among thousands of unwanted “Dixie Dogs” in southern states, he spent his early years running loose as a stray in Texas and eventually landed in a high-kill shelter, a common last stop in areas of the country without aggressive spay and neutering programs. For Woody, his deus ex machina came in the form 46 | Higher Dedication

of a dog rescue program that swept him out of his kennel and into foster care. Within weeks, he was put on a transport headed to the northeast, and into Candy Lash’s life.

At the time, Lash handled media relations for the local humane society, featuring pets in need of a home on television and radio. Woody wasn’t quite ready for primetime, being a new arrival with an inconclusive heartworm test, but Lash brought him along anyway for a preview on the local talk show, Mass Appeal. Within hours, she had a potential adopter on her hands, won over by Woody’s charm—namely, herself.

A lifelong dog owner, Lash knows a great dog when she sees one. And shortly after bringing Woody into her home and her life, she realized that this particular mutt had gifts to share. “He’s so gentle, so easy to train and eager to please.

I thought, he deserves to be shared, so we went for training,” she said. The two began training courses that ultimately led them to a four-week course for pet therapy certification, allowing Woody to bring stress relief to populations where stress or anxiety are common. To pass the course, Woody had to demonstrate that he could remain calm in a variety of circumstances, including in the presence of walkers, wheelchairs, and young children. In short, Woody needed to be nearly unflappable, and he passed with flying colors.

“

’

so gentle,

so easy to train and eager to please. I thought, he deserves to be shared...”

In 2014, Lash began working in the marketing department at American International College, where she started reflecting on the challenges students face during test time. Two semesters ago, Woody made his debut during finals week, making the rounds on the Quad with Lash and sporting his official pet therapy vest. As passing students’ faces lit up, Lash encouraged them to take a two-minute break and say hello to Woody. Needless to say, the collegebound hound had a fan base in no time. Last semester, he responded to an invite from several groups of health science students, who requested a pet therapy visit during their independent C-block—just a brief break from the study grind.

For those who need a little extra pup time, Lash makes her office available for drop-ins. “On a bad day, it’s really nice to stop in and see Woody,” said nursing student Dante Raggio ’18. “The dog doesn’t judge and is always happy to see you. Interacting with him lets me step out of my bubble for a minute, and get a reminder that life is more than just the exam I have tomorrow. And then you go back to it.”

By any definition, that is simply good therapy. n

American International College | 47

| GO YELLOW JACKETS! |

Corey Momsen in action for AIC’s men’s rugby team.

48 | Higher Dedication

| GO YELLOW JACKETS! |

Beating [the nearly] impossible odds Two AIC men’s rugby standouts achieve what only a select few scholar-athletes ever will: they get to take their talents to the professional level.

American International College | 49

| GO YELLOW JACKETS! |

A

ccording to the NCAA, the likelihood of a college athlete becoming a professional athlete is almost nonexistent: as few as 1.6% of collegiate football players make the leap to the NFL, 6.6% of hockey players to the NHL, and only 1.1% of basketball players to the NBA. Which is why having two scholar-athletes from the same college and the same program take that next step is truly something to note.

After graduating mid-year at the end of 2016, former AIC men’s rugby players Corey Momsen, originally from Wales, Wisconsin, and Anthony Wonenberg, from Sacramento, California, recently signed professional contracts with top U.S. clubs. The signings continue a commitment to success set by the Yellow Jackets men’s rugby squad in recent years.

Momsen, an All-American lock, signed with the Austin Huns, out of Austin, Texas, where he will be reunited with former AIC men’s rugby strength coach Christian “CJ” Dewitt, who is currently serving as the Huns’ technical video analyst and skills coach.

In his five seasons at AIC, Momsen was a regular starter and consistent standout on the team, earning four selections to the East Coast Rugby Conference 1st team all-conference select side and helping lead the Yellow Jackets to three consecutive East Coast Rugby Championships, two of which were undefeated seasons. His talents earned him a 2015 all-American honorable mention.

“The opportunity to play rugby at a high level after college has always been a dream of mine,” says Momsen. “The experience has been humbling and my body continues to push its limits and my mind continues to grow as I learn more about the game of rugby. I am excited to be a part of the growing popularity of rugby here in the U.S.” Wonenburg, who transitioned to prop from eight-man after returning from a major knee reconstruction surgery, signed with the Glendale Raptors out of Denver, Colorado. Unable to play his final semester of college due to age restrictions, Wonenberg was grateful that he got an opportunity to extend his playing career.

“I wasn’t sure if rugby was going to continue for me,” he admits, “but then I found myself with the Glendale Raptors. It’s been a dream come true and just another step in my rugby career.”

The connection between the two AIC alums has not stopped, as the Huns and Raptors faced off on Saturday, February 25 at Infinity Park Stadium in Glendale, Colorado in a Major Rugby Championship match. Despite a low-scoring first half, the Raptors eventually pulled away for the 41-10 victory.

“It will be fun to see Corey on the other side of the ball after playing together for three years,” Wonenberg said before the game.

“I can’t wait to see how we’ve grown through this next step into professional rugby.” n Anthony Wonenberg before the 2016 men’s rugby season

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Men’s Rugby Wins Heart of America 7s, Qualifies for the Collegiate Rugby Championship

Freshman Michele Magistrali in action for the Yellow Jackets

The American International College men’s rugby team reached another milestone this March by taking home the 2017 Heart of America 7s tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. The win earned the Yellow Jackets a top spot in the Collegiate Rugby Championship 7s invitational, which will take place June 3-4 at Talen Energy Stadium in Philadelphia.

The Yellow Jackets squad swept their two-pool play games in the Heart of America tournament by beating the University of North Texas 12-7 and then dominating the University of Minnesota 31-0.

Advancing to the knockout round, AIC needed three wins to earn the automatic qualifier, but they didn’t come without a scare.

First up were the University of Oklahoma Sooners. Down by seven with just a minute left, AIC rallied back to take the game 29-24. They then took on Davenport University, handing the Panthers a 10-5 defeat.

The Yellow Jackets faced Ohio State University in the championship game and had little trouble with the Buckeyes, as they rolled to a 31-0 victory for the title.

The Collegiate Rugby Championship is one of the highest profile rugby competitions in the country, and another step in the program’s rise to national prominence. n NBC and the NBC Sports Network will televise the June 3-4 games.

AIC Women’s Soccer Recognized with Sportsmanship Award The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) recently named American International College’s women’s soccer team to its list of Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award recipients for the 2016 college season.

NSCAA, who recognized only two Northeast-10 schools, awarded AIC at the bronze level.

Teams honored at the platinum level went an entire season without a player or coach receiving a yellow card or red card. Teams honored at the gold (1-10%), silver (11-30%) and bronze (31-50%) levels are based on a percentage calculated by the total number of cards received by players/ coaches divided by the team’s total number of games played.

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“This award recognizes our team for exhibiting fair play, sporting behavior and adherence to the laws of the game, which is exactly what we want our student-athletes to do,” says Head Coach Kevon Isa. The Yellow Jackets accumulated just nine cards, all cautions, in their twenty-one games played, with only one player earning two yellow cards.

In the three seasons that Isa has been at the helm of the program, the Yellow Jackets have never reached double digits in yellow cards for a campaign. Additionally, the team has not been issued a red card at any point in his tenure. n

| GO YELLOW JACKETS! |

AIC’s Director of Compliance for Athletics Appointed to NCAA Management Council American International College’s Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance and Senior Woman Administrator, Jessica Chapin, has been appointed to the NCAA Division II Management Council through January 2021. As part of her commitment, Chapin will serve on two committees: the NCAA Research Committee and the Committee on Infractions.

The Division II Management Council handles the day-today affairs of the division and serves as the primary advisory group to the Presidents Council, which is the division’s top policy-making and strategy group. Furthermore, the Council sponsors legislative proposals, makes interpretations of Division II’s bylaws, and handles resolution of Division II issues and recommendations from other committees and working groups throughout the division’s substructure.

As with all NCAA divisions, volunteers serve on committees to develop and implement policies and procedures that guide how Division II institutions operate their athletics programs. Council members include athletics directors, conference commissioners, faculty members and student-athlete representatives. Currently 29 members strong, Chapin joins the Council as a senior woman administrator.

“Not only am I honored to have been appointed, through my appointment to the Council, AIC will now be featured on a national level. I look forward to being part of positive change in Division II as the NCAA looks to further enhance the student-athlete experience,” says Chapin.

The role will be an extension of Chapin’s current position at AIC where she works directly with all 22 NCAA varsity programs as well as men’s and women’s rugby to ensure that the athletics department is in compliance with all NCAA, Northeast-10, and Atlantic Hockey rules, bylaws, and regulations.

A native of Mendon, New York, Chapin graduated in 2010 with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and health, science, and social policy from Brandeis University, where she was an All-American women’s basketball player. She earned her master of science degree in athletic administration from Springfield College in 2013.

Chapin completed her internship in the AIC athletics department in 2012 under the direction of then director of compliance Andy Burkholder. n

Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance and Senior Woman Administrator Jessica Chapin

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| GO YELLOW JACKETS! |

N O S A E S IC R O T IS H REFLECTING ON A

Jana Potic (left) and Lauren Pires (right) celebrate with teammates Photo by Bob Blanchard, RJB Sports

By Michael Reid One of the most challenging tasks for any athletic program is to achieve something for the very first time.

Doing so is not only a mark of excellence, but a statement that a program has risen to another level and set a new standard for all future teams to meet.

Put another way, for a team to earn their best record in team history (28-7) is an extraordinary accomplishment, as is notching its first ever NCAA tournament win (and two more on top of that), capturing its first regional tournament championship, advancing to the tournament’s quarterfinals for the first time, and having its first All-American selection.

The fact that the American International College’s 2016 women’s volleyball team achieved all of this in the same season is what makes them so remarkable.

The Yellow Jackets’ season began with their best start (9-1) since 1997, and they never let up as they opened Northeast-10 conference play at 12-2. Key wins against conference rivals University of New Haven, Pace University, Franklin Pierce University, and Bentley University kept the momentum going throughout the season and earned them a fourth seed in the East Region of the Division II Women’s Volleyball Championship tournament.

The fact that the program had never won more than one set in the NCAA tournament—let alone a tournament game—didn’t faze the Yellow Jackets, nor did being matched against Le Moyne College, winners of the Northeast-10 regular season title, in the first round: AIC took the match in three straight sets by scores of 25-23, 25-12, and 26-24.

54 | Higher Dedication

“At the end of the day, when it gets down to tournament time, it’s about grit and hustle, a little bit of luck, and playing as tough as you can,” said Head Coach Matt Cribbin after the win. It was a mindset that proved invaluable in their next two matches, first against regional top seed New York Institute of Technology, and next against regional host team Daemen College. The Yellow Jackets won the matches 3-1 and 3-2 respectively, punching their way to the tournament’s quarterfinal round. The fact that it took Concordia University, St. Paul, the eventual national champions, to end the Yellow Jackets’ season is a testament to how well they played.

The Yellow Jackets’ individual talent also received recognition this year. Sophomore Diva Rivas-Reyes was named a 2016 Division II All-America Honorable Mention, the first in team history, received Player of the Year honors for the Northeast-10 Conference, and was named to both the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Region team and the NCAA All-East Region Tournament team.

Five team members received NE-10 All-Conference Honors, with Rivas-Reyes, junior Mercy Rivera (who was also awarded Libero and Defensive Player of the Year), and sophomore Dolores Kopren all being named to the first team, freshman Jana Potic being placed on the second team and All-Rookie team, as well as winning Rookie of the Year honors, and senior Lauren Pires being named to the third team.

Consider the bar raised. n

| GO YELLOW JACKETS! |

Above, from left to right: Annie Boele, Caitlin Sobolewski, and Jana Potic in action against Bentley University in the Northeast-10 championship Photo by Chelsea Lombardo

Below: The AIC women’s volleyball team before their quarterfinal matchup Photo by Thomas G. Pool

American International College | 55

| GO YELLOW JACKETS! |

AIC Hockey Standout Austin Orszulak ’17 Going Pro American International College men’s ice hockey team captain, senior Austin Orszulak, has signed a standard-player contract with the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL, an affiliate of the Calgary Flames.

“I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to play professional hockey,” Orszulak said.

“I want to thank AIC and all of my coaches for helping me get this far. I am looking forward to beginning my professional career.”

The forward completed his AIC career with 45 goals and 36 assists in 131 games played. He ranks fifth all-time in the Yellow Jackets’ Division I history in career goals and seventh all-time in career points.

For the 2016–17 campaign, Orszulak posted nine goals and five assists for 14 points. During his sophomore season, he broke AIC’s all-time singleseason goals record with 22 and tied the singleseason points record with 35.

The Springfield, Massachusetts native was first a standout player for Cathedral High School (now Pope Francis High School), where he captained the team during his junior and senior seasons and was an All-State selection in 2010.

“What Austin means to this program, it’s almost immeasurable,” says Head Coach Eric Lang. “He cares so much about this program. He’s a perfect captain for a first-year head coach like me who’s feeling his way around. I get a guy like that, that knows how to lead, loves the program, and is a really good player.” n

Above: Photo by Chelsea Lombardo Left: Photo courtesy of RJB Sports

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THE 2017 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CALL FOR NOMINEES

The American International College Athletic Hall of Fame, established in 2005, is now accepting nominations for the induction Class of 2017.

Nominations may be made by submitting the name of an alumnus for consideration online at www.aicyellowjackets.com/hof or by sending a letter of nomination and the résumé of the nominee to the Department of Alumni Relations at American International College, American International College | 57 1000 State Street, Box 3B, Springfield, Massachusetts, 01109.

Remembering an Extraordinary Life:

AIC Alumna Clara Swan ’39

By Michael Reid Photo provided courtesy of Husson University

191 2 .

It was the year that saw the opening of Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, the founding of the Girl Scouts, and the sinking of the RMS Titanic. It was three years before the official end of World War I, eight years before women were given the right to vote in the United States, and fifty-seven years before man landed on the moon.

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It was also the year that Clara Swan ’39, American International College’s oldest living graduate until her passing on January 7, was born.

To say that Swan, who passed away at a nursing facility in Bangor, Maine, saw unprecedented change in society over the course of her 104-year life is an obvious observation. Yet it is almost impossible to not look at her accomplishments through that lens.

Swan was born in Princeton, Maine, a small town in the eastern part of the state close to the Canadian border, weighing only one pound and one ounce; the doctor told her mother to take her home and keep her warm, but that she would not live long.

As she did throughout her life, though, Swan defied the odds and graduated as class valedictorian from Brewer High School in Brewer, Maine in 1930. It was there that Swan developed into a true “scholar-athlete” decades before it would become a common term for either men or women.

While at Brewer, Swan played three-court basketball (a modified version of the game with a court divided into three areas and nine players per team), which was the only interscholastic team sport available to young women at the time.

As a guard, she lettered all three years she played, and was a significant factor in leading the Brewer girls’ team to their first winning season in school history during her senior year.

Blazing A Trail In a time when less than four percent of women in the United States held a college degree, Swan went on to attend the Maine School of Commerce (today known as Husson University), a decision that would shape the rest of her life.

Women’s basketball coach (and school namesake) Chesley Husson recruited Swan straight away, and for good reason— she was team captain for three years, quickly developing the leadership qualities that would serve her in numerous roles throughout her adult life.

After finishing her studies at Husson (the school did not grant bachelor degrees at the time), Swan taught for five years in the small Maine towns of Mexico and Dover-Foxcroft before completing her bachelor’s degree at American International College in 1939.

That same year, Chesley Husson offered Swan a position teaching business and coaching women’s basketball back at Husson University—an opportunity to return home and build a legacy that continues to this day. The number of students she would influence over her next thirty-four years as a teacher and administrator, nineteen of which she served as the head coach for the women’s basketball team, are immeasurable.

“I enjoy it,” said Swan in a 2013 interview when speaking of seeing the people she influenced come back to the Husson campus. “I enjoy seeing everybody and remembering all the things we did, ya know, and my relationship with all the students when I was here and they were here.

We had good times.”

A Quiet Hero Swan achieved a remarkable 240-34-7 record— including two undefeated seasons—during her coaching career at Husson, a mark that earned her a number of honors later in her life. These include induction into the Bangor Daily News Sports Hall of Fame, the Husson College Sports Hall of Fame, the Maine Sports Legends Hall of Honors, and finally, induction into the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame in August 2014.

It was her contributions away from the court, however, that cemented Swan’s legacy. She went on to earn her master’s of education degree from the University of Maine at Orono in 1951 and continued to take on significant roles at Husson over the years, including director of the secretarial studies department, assistant principal, assistant to the president, academic dean, registrar, corporate officer, and finally, vice president of the university.

In tribute to her contributions, Husson named its fitness and performance testing center the Clara Swan Center in her honor in 2002. Swan then saw the groundbreaking of Swan Village, a housing complex close to Husson’s campus, named in her honor in 2015.

Emily Ellis, the real estate broker behind Swan Village and a standout basketball player for the University of Maine in the 1980s, named the complex after Swan in recognition of all she had done in her career at Husson, but also for the work she did after her retirement, including volunteering at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bangor, delivering meals for Meals on Wheels, and teaching exercise classes to seniors.

The complex, designed into a swan-shaped “S” with a basketball in its logo, pays homage to a life that will continue to inspire young people, particularly female athletes, for generations.

“It makes me feel great, very honored,” Swan said at the groundbreaking ceremony in 2015. “It means a lot to me. I never expected anything like this.” n

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CLASS NOTES

| CLASS NOTES |

The Veterans Alumni Committee from left to right: Henry Benjamin ’59, MEd ’62, professor emeritus; Ken Geromini ’68, ’72, Veterans Alumni Committee chair; Gary Lefort associate professor and chair, Department of International Business; event speaker Adele Hill, Colonel (Retired), U.S. Air Force Reserves, Nurse Corps; Edward W. Shore, Jr. ’55; Earl Bonnett, Retired U.S. Navy The AIC Veterans Alumni Committee would like to thank Adele Hill, Colonel (Retired) for speaking at our inaugural Information Question and Answer Session on Thursday, February 23, 2017.

The event, which centered on the topic, “The U.S. Military Today: Challenges Facing It’s Men and Women Around the World,” was open to the public and attended by students, faculty, and staff. We appreciate Colonel Hill’s considerable insight and sharing of how today’s military challenges impacted her career.

A panel of alumni came to campus to share with current students their experiences at AIC and their career paths since graduation.

The presenters were: JONELLE GURLEY ’11, chemistry lab technician (University of Connecticut); NICHOLAS MATAS ’86, cardiologist (University of Massachusetts Medical School, private practice); NIKITA MATSUNAGA ’87, professor of chemistry (Long Island University); NELSON RETICENCE ’15, microbiologist analyst (Avista Pharma Solutions); PAUL ROXO ’89, pharmacist (CVS); JESS DAVIS ’15, teacher (Teach for America), MEd candidate (Johns Hopkins University), candidate USN Nuclear Propulsion Program; CHRIS RILEY ’10, MS candidate (University of Massachusetts Dartmouth), associate scientist (Ocean Spray Cranberries); DYLAN LAFERRIERE ’16, MS candidate (Sacred Heart University) 60 | Higher Dedication

| CLASS NOTES |

1950s TED SHORE ’55 was selected by the Eastern States Exposition to serve as Host of the Day to open the 100th Big E celebration last fall.

1970s After 40 years in ordained ministry, the REV. LANCE C. DALLAIRE ’73 and wife, Gretchen, have retired, purchased a home, and are living in Haverhill, MA. Baystate Wing Hospital announced that ED NOONAN ’74 and ELLEN REIM NOONAN ’99, ’05 MA will serve as co-chairs for the Baystate Wing Emergency Department Campaign. The goal of the project, which is scheduled to begin construction in 2017, will right-size the Emergency Department at the Palmer, MA campus to better serve current patient demands.

Award-winning fine art photographer MICHAEL PETRIZZO ’75 displayed his work at the Maser Gallery at Falmouth Community Television.

Michael is adept at the marriage of traditional photography and digital techniques using the latest technology to create beautiful works of art.

Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Arizona are his favorite places to shoot.

MELISSA BROWN ’76 has been accepted to BayPath University to pursue her MFA. DONNA DEBARROS ’78 is the owner and consultant of De Barros Consulting and Interiors by Joy, a web-based education design library management business.

1980s JERRY AZZINARO ’81 has agreed to become the University of California Golden Bears’ defensive line coach. Azzinaro has coached for 35 seasons at the collegiate and professional levels.

JIM CASAGRANDE ’81 and his wife, Christine Casagrande, are the new owners of the Northampton Country Club in Leeds, MA. JOHN DOWNS ’86 is the new vice president and commercial loan officer at North Brookfield Savings Bank. Downs will be responsible for business customer outreach and the development of commercial loan relationships with NBSB. New England Public Radio has named ANGLIKA MELIEN ’88 MBA president of the New England Public Radio Foundation, Inc.

1990s TODD MCFADDEN ’91 served as an honorary captain for Platt High School’s 59th annual Stoddard Bowl on Thanksgiving. McFadden was among the state’s top running backs during his playing days at Platt. He has been employed for more than 18 years as a correction officer for the State of Connecticut and resides in Meriden, CT. Connecticut’s treasury department has appointed LAURIE MARTIN ’92 as deputy CIO of the state’s $30 billion retirement system. Laurie had been at Baystate Health where she was director of treasury services overseeing endowment, pension, insurance, and operating funds.

SEAN FITZGERALD ’93 was named manager of the South Hadley Electric Light Department.

GINA NOBLIT ’93 MA joined Freedom Credit Union as director of human resources managing HR activities for the credit union, which employs a staff of about 130. Noblit has more than 31 years of HR experience in both healthcare and manufacturing. She comes to Freedom from Baystate Health, where she was a senior human resources consultant. She earned her master’s degree in human resource technology from American International College.

2010s With a mission to “suit as many soles as possible,” LEONARD UNDERWOOD ’09 has officially launched his new dress sock clothing line, Upscale Socks.

Artist STEPHANIE PEREZ’S ’09 artwork reflects her Mexican heritage and she is reaching new audiences through Vida, a site that takes your paintings and designs and transfers them to clothing. Vida is a create-on-demand company featuring the work of artists from around the world.

Martin Luther King Family Services, Inc. announced the promotion of SAMANTHA HAMILTON ’11 to the position of the director of operations.

Samantha has been part of the MLK Family Services team for over 14 years.

American International College | 61

| CLASS NOTES | ProEx, a physical therapist-owned private practice specializing in orthopedics, spine and sports medicine, announced that ROGER ST. ONGE ’14 has been named a staff physical therapist in the Springfield location.

Rob Parent ’11 Coach of the Year Westfield High School coach ROB PARENT ’11 was named MassLive’s Western Mass Football Coach of the Year. This was his third season with the team. Parent led the team to its first Western Mass title since 2008.

Suit Up Springfield founder JUSTIN ROBERTS ’11 designed and launched the first Young Gentlemen Association Program at Central High School in Springfield, MA. The program provides personal and professional mentorship to 100 young men over the course of four months. The program participants received professional attire along with the knowledge of how to use it. The program was run in partnership with the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and the Institute of Abilities.

SEAN ROSE ’14 MED has been named the executive director of the child trauma care service provider JRI’s Connecticut division. JRI, which is based in Needham, operates 10 centers in Connecticut to help children who’ve dealt with trauma, mental illness or cognitive impairment.

SONIA BASMA ’15 is the head women’s soccer coach for Nicholas College in Dudley, MA. The Mississippi RiverKings, members of the Southern Professional Hockey League, picked up second-year defenseman STEVEN HOSHAW ’15.

CHRIS PORTER ’16 returns to the Fayetteville (NC) FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League. He is joined by one of his former AIC teammates, defenseman Mitchell Mueller.

The Young Gentlemen Association at Central High School

IN MEMORIAM 1930s

Clara Lincoln Swan ’39

1940s

Rollin P. Baldwin, PhD ’44 Marilyn G. (Carlson) Childs ’45 Charles W. Humes Jr. ’47

1950s

Vincent D. Ciancotti ’55 June E. (Ekengren) Davis ’51 Gideon T. Miles Jr. ’55 Joseph A. Fitzgerald ’54 Robert T. Churchill ’57 Theodore P. Hayes ’53

1960s

John J. O’Neil Jr. ’60 George J. Lawrence ’64 John T. Conniff ’64 Phyllis M. (Brodeur) Britton ’66 Roger M. Martindale ’64 62 | Higher Dedication

1970s

David W. Matyseck ’70 Thomas E. Triggs ’71 Edwin C. Johnson ’71 David B. Crosier ’73

1980s

William A. King ’88 John E. Starzic ’81 Marie M. Bastarache ’80 Malcolm W. Winkley ’80

2000s

Valantein V. Burson ’08

| CLASS NOTES |

American International College alumni Kevin Anagnostou and Maureen (Richards) Anagnostou celebrated their wedding on September 3, 2016 at the West Mountain Inn in Arlington, Vermont, with a reception at the same location.

The bride and groom met each other in their hometown of Enfield, Connecticut and both attended American International College, graduating in 2012. Kevin majored in business management and also played on the men’s rugby team. Maureen majored in liberal studies and worked for the campus recreation department in the fitness center.

The couple have resided in Rhode Island for the past five years, where Kevin is employed at PepsiCo and Maureen at MOO Inc.

Alexandra Roberts captured what was (so far) the best day of their lives together. Participants included (from left to right): James Worrall-Turgeon (née Worrall); Thomas Verico (Fez); Martine Worrall-Turgeon (née Turgeon); Drew LeDoux; Brian O'Shaughnessy; Kevin Anagnostou; Chris Mercurio; Maureen Anagnostou (née Richards); Nicholas Tinnirella; Diana Wanner; Josh Macy; Alyssa Jones; Jana Dideriksen (née Gleason); Johnni Dideriksen

American International College | 63

Cyrstal Mallett continued from page 40

Above: Crystal Mallett receiving AIC’s Naomi White-Inniss Award in April 2016

As more students passed by and participated, the canvases became an increasingly colorful (and beautiful) mosaic of different-sized handprints, but what was truly noteworthy is what took place around the artwork, as students, professors, and staff stopped and lingered, and eventually began talking.

“It excites me because I know this is what students really want. Once you open up opportunities for real-world communication, people of all ages will respond. We had students stop by, we had staff members, Professor [John] Rogers and his wife even gave it a try. And everyone who did, took the time to talk to someone, to make a connection.”

Mallett is continuing running campus events right up until graduation, including open forums discussing diversity in advertising and on social media, but with her time at AIC coming to an end, she has some advice for the next generation of AIC students.

“Don’t hold back. As a freshman, I stayed in my room most of the time, and that was a huge mistake. People need to connect and ideas need to be shared. There’s so much out there to do and try and see, and there’s a way to do it. You just need to actually get out there and make it happen.”

She pauses, and adds, “And look up from your phone every now and then.” n

Chris Dion continued from page 24

“Those two weeks are probably our most challenging,” says Dion. “We sometimes do multiple commencements on the same day. We’re dealing with students and families and friends who are all excited. Then there are a lot of older people who may need special accommodations. That’s why one-time events are so tricky, so unpredictable. When you’re dealing with repeat crowds, like for the Springfield Thunderbirds [MassMutual Center’s current American Hockey League tenant], it’s easier because you’re dealing mostly with regulars who know the building and know the routine.”

That last point leads to a topic that Dion is particularly excited to discuss. Beginning with the 2016–17 season, the AIC Division I men’s hockey team is playing its entire home schedule at the MassMutual Center, a partnership that Dion says has been a win-win.

“It’s just been awesome,” says Dion. “Part of that is pride as an alum, of course, but it’s also the team itself. I’ve seen them come in here every day, and how they conduct themselves off and on the ice has been incredible. It’s a great group of athletes, and as a former college coach, I know that doesn’t just happen. That has to do with recruitment, with 64 | Higher Dedication

coaching, with setting the image and the persona that you want that team to be.”

For Dion, one particular incident stands out.

“Hockey players like to warm up by kicking a soccer ball around. They’ll do it in the loading dock or up in the concourse just to get loose. Some time ago, one of the AIC players broke an exit sign, and the player involved wrote a lengthy letter to the building. It was wonderful.

He took ownership of the incident, apologized, offered reimbursement, and made it known how much the team appreciates the people who work at the arena. The sincerity of what he wrote was beyond impressive.”

For Dion, the opportunity to be supporting AIC athletics in such a fundamental way has been the perfect second career.

“This year has been such a great first step for AIC hockey. The direction that Coach [Eric] Lang and [AIC athletics director] Matt Johnson are taking that team and those athletes has really been something to watch. To be in a position where I can be part of that in some small way has been amazing.”

Sounds like the perfect way to spend a retirement. n

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

HOMECOMING

2017

1000 State Street Springfield, Massachusetts 01109 www.aic.edu

September 29–31, 2017

SAVE THE DATE