The Alumni Magazine of American International College
PROFESSOR PATRICK CARLEY HAS A REPUTATION
125th Year Anniversary Issue
Fa l l 2 0 1 0 | Vo l u m e 3 | I s s u e 2
still transforming With the new school year underway, it is only fitting that we look back and celebrate our 125 year history. It has been an honor and a privilege to host and participate in a number of events during this year-long celebration, including a parade at the Big E, a proclamation by the City of Springfield, a salute at the Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, and a dinner dance and silent auction at the Longmeadow Country Club, where we raised money to help our students study abroad.
Alumni, staff and faculty also gathered in the West Wing of the Sprague Cultural Arts Center for a champagne reception to celebrate the college’s 125th anniversary. On display in the West Wing was a historic exhibit, which featured images and other memorabilia dating back to the college’s founding in 1885. As you read this edition of Lucent, you’ll see the timeline of the college history throughout the publication. While much has changed over the past 125 years, the mission has remained the same: cater to the individual, prepare the whole student and transform their lives.
As we begin our next 125 years, we face tough challenges, but have high expectations, and look forward to continued growth in enrollment, retention and graduation rates. As alumni, you are what made this institution the success it is today, and continued involvement with your alma mater will help sustain our growth. Vince Maniaci President
Fall 2010 | Volume 3 | Issue 2
EDITORIAL BOARD Heather Cahill Craig Greenberg Karolina Kilfeather Mary Ellen Lowney Kristina Porth Luke Quijano-West Lynn Saunders CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Craig Greenberg Karolina Kilfeather Mary Ellen Lowney Lorrie Macy Jaclyn Stevenson
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Luke Quijano-West GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ PROJECT MANAGER Lynn Saunders PHOTOGRAPHERS Craig Greenberg Karolina Kilfeather Luke Quijano-West Lynn Saunders
in this issue cover story 10 Pat carly story AIC professor teaches students the importance of
ergonomics in the workplace.
regular features 2 CAMPUS UPDATE
24 CLASS NOTES
News from the quad and beyond. Find out about the latest developments, on campus and off.
18 STATS
Check on your fellow alumni and see what they’re up to. And while you’re at it, why not send us your story?
29 IN MEMORIAM
See a profile of a star player, a great coach, a former AIC athlete, or an entire team.
A listing of alumni and friends who are no longer with us.
in this issue
6 Success Central
AIC’s Center for Academic Success is where student can get on the track to success. 8 Intrepid Entrepreneur
A hockey scholarship orignially brought this successful alum to AIC.
14 An Education Without Borders
AIC sophomore gets an education beyond the walls of the classroom.
16 125th Anniversary Celebration
Photos from the weekend-long events
18 Rugby Strikes Back Rugby makes a reappearance on
the fields of AIC.
Fall 2010
1
campus update Greek Life is Back After a 15-year hiatus, brotherhood and sisterhood are making a big-time comeback at AIC. This academic year, the campus boasts five fraternities and four sororities. “It’s grown very quickly, and we’re seeing a lot of new students wanting to get involved every semester,” said Keshawn Dodds ’01, the Director of Greek Life at AIC, a new position, created to meet the needs of a growing area of campus life. “All of our fraternities and sororities have the same goals – it’s a strong focus on education, with a brotherhood or sisterhood they can attach to. There’s also a big focus on service, which is what I like to stress,” said Dodds, himself a member of Omega Psi Phi.
With the revival in full swing, leaders of each organization meet every Wednesday in the Bradley Room of the Schwartz Campus Center. Activities have included a mentor program with students at the nearby Homer Street Elementary
School, a Big Brother/Big Sister program, a men’s appreciation night, a Relay for Life fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society, and a recent Step-Off Challenge that filled the Griswold Theatre with footstomping fraternity and sorority teams and several hundred enthusiastic fans. Being in a fraternity or a sorority is a commitment that comes with rules, Dodds noted. Members must volunteer, do community service, keep their grades up and commit to fund-raising.
The plan to welcome Greek life back onto campus came with the support of President Vincent Maniaci, who noticed Greek alumni at annual AIC Homecoming Weekend events, and saw the value in their traditions and bonds. Dodds said there is no question of those benefits. Dodds said he believes Greek life is here to stay at AIC – and that’s a good thing.
“It’s the brotherhood and the sisterhood, along with the support they give to help students complete their education, and go on to do good things in the world, professionally and personally. They pursue careers, and they stay connected,” Dodds said. n
2 Lucent
AIC 125 YEAR
1885 Oct. 27, French Protestant College officially opens in Lowell, MA.
1885 the Rev. John M. Greene of Lowell named first president.
Post tenebras lux
campus update Faculty Lecture Series Returns to AIC An old favorite is returning to campus. The AIC Faculty Lecture Series, founded by former alumni director John DeBonville, is starting back up. DeBonville, now campus chaplain and international student advisor, helped re-launch the series with an inaugural lecture on the politicizing of religion.
DeBonville was the keynote speaker for the event. DeBonville discussed how religion has been politicized starting with President John Kennedy’s 1960 speech to ministers in Houston, and included six major changes that have taken place since then.
“There has been a major impact of cable television, assertiveness of the Catholic Church on social issues, growth of pseudo-religious groups such as the Moral Majority, the lack of knowledge Americans have about their own faith and other faiths, the growth of civil religion, and intolerance towards those who differ from us,” he said. The lecture series was coordinated by the Alumni Office. Director Heather Cahill said the event was a huge success. Cahill was excited about bringing alumni back to campus to mingle with current students and faculty. “What a great discussion on a really interesting topic. I thought the intergenerational dynamic was amazing. The alumni I spoke with after the event were all looking forward to our next one,” she said. Next on the list of speaking faculty is Gary Lefort, chair of international business at AIC. Local news
programs often seek his expert opinion, and he brings a wealth of knowledge earned through years of travel and research into his classrooms.
The lectures are open to students and alumni and are free of charge. Keep checking the online events calendar on our website www.aic. edu/alumni/calendar to see new lectures as they are posted. n
Reverend John DeBonville kicks off the Faculty Lecture Series.
Recently Published In his recently published article, Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness John Rogers, Ph.D, uncovers the story of Reverend Calvin Elijah Amaron, the visionary and founder of the French Protestant College (now American International College). Dr. Rogers trails Amaron through the formative years of the College and his eight-year presidency. How did Amaron set the tone for AIC so many years ago, and how did he ensure that his mission of transforming lives would carry through 125 years into the present? To find out, read the full article online at www.aic.edu/aic3/pub/birth_of_a_mission.pdf n
Fall 2010 3
1888 College moves to Springfield, MA.
1889 Owen Street Hall completed. First building constructed for college purposes.
1889 The Rev. Calvin E. Amaron becomes 2nd president of the College.
Post tenebras lux
1890 Name officially changed to:
French Protestant College of Springfield
campus update Learn as if No One Were Watching Learn as if no one were watching! The School of Continuing Education invites alumni and spouses to register for courses specially designed for those over the age of 50. Classes take place during Intersession 2011 (January 3-14). AIC is initiating the College for Lifelong Learning in January and we plan to offer the program year round.
No papers, tests, quizzes, or grades—just learning for the joy of learning! Taught by both regular and adjunct AIC faculty, courses will run for 12 hours, either two or three hours per day during Intersession, tuition is only $80 per course. More information will follow later this fall. n
AIC Celebrates 125 Years A birthday cake, a barbecue and a parade at the Big E is how American International College celebrated its 125th birthday. Springfield mayor Dominic Sarno was on hand for the festivities as he proclaimed Friday, September 17, AIC Day in Springfield.
President Maniaci speaks at the 125th birthday barbecue.
President Maniaci and Frank Colacinno, chairman of the AIC Board of Trustees, helped Justin Roberts, Student Government President, cut the birthday cake as students, staff and faculty enjoyed a lunchtime barbecue on on the Dining Commons Quad.
The celebration continued on Sunday with a parade at New England’s Great State Fair, the Big E. Students, alumni, staff, and faculty marched in the parade behind the AIC truck, driven by David Adams, and led by parade marshall Rich Bedard. The crowd was treated to AIC souvenirs handed out by the marchers and a stellar performance by the AIC Cheerleaders. The 125th Celebration continued with a black-tie affair on October 15 at the Longmeadow Country Club and the annual Homecoming Football Game and after party on Saturday, October 16. n
4 Lucent
1892 First female students admitted to the College.
1892 Gymnasium Hall completed.
1893 The Rev. Samual H Lee becomes College’s third president.
Post tenebras lux
1894 Name changed to:
French~American College
campus update Bright Pair American International College is proud to recognize Lynn Saunders and Luke Quijano-West, of the AIC marketing department, for their roles in designing the Bright Nights 15 Years of Pure Magic anniversary book, which recently earned a Gold Pinnacle Award from the International Festival & Events Association (IFEA). This project, done in collaboration with the private nonprofit Spirit of Springfield, and written by AIC alum Keith O’Connor (1975), brought together 15 years of amazing photography and history into one, hardcover coffee Luke and Lynn attend the Bright Nights Ball, 2009. table book.
The Bright Nights Anniversary book was in the category of “Best Miscellaneous Printed Materials (multiple page)” with a budget under $250,000. In the next budget levels, it was Daegaya Experience Festival Committee (Korea) that took the gold, followed by Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association (Laredo, Texas) and Rotterdam Festivals (The Netherlands) which had a $1.5 million plus budget. Congratulations to the design team on this welldeserved accolade. “The hours they spent on the book were tremendous and their designs were incredible,” gloated Spirit of Springfield President Judith A. Matt, “They paid attention to every detail.” n
College Treasures on Display During the month of October, within the West Wing Gallery an installation piece and various college memorabilia were available for public viewing. Curated and installed by the marketing department with the help of the alumni office and maintenance this display spanned the 125-year history of AIC with an enlarged version of the timeline found at the bottom of this issue.
For the first time, prints, photographs, documents, furnishings and other college treasures were brought together in one cohesive presentation. n
An Alvin Paige sculpture in the foreground was part of the gallery display.
Fall 2010 5
1899 Women’s Hall completed; subsequently renamed Lee Hall and currently oldest extant building on campus.
1905 Name officially changed to:
1908 The Rev. R. Dewitt Mallary becomes fourth president.
1911 Dr. Chester Stowe McGown becomes fifth president.
Post tenebras lux
Success Central
The Writing Center
By Jaclyn C. Stevenson
Developmental Education
ACE Program Academic Resource Center
Tutoring Program
6
AIC’s Center for Academic Success is the terminal where students can get on the track to success.
Lucent
1924 J. Frank Adams Memorial Library completed; subsequently renovated for administration purposes in 1949.
1925 D.A.R Dormitory for women completed.
1932
College admitted to membership in the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; added to the list of colleges approved by the American Council of Education, Office of Education in Washington, D.C., and American Medical Association.
1933 First Student Government begins to function.
Students gather to study in the new, brightly lit tutoring room.
S
tepping into the bright, open space of the Center for Academic Success at American International College, it’s hard to imagine that it was once the dark, dusty home of overflow stacks and resource materials. But the lower level of the Shea Library has been transformed. No longer filled with books, the halls buzz with vibrant student activity.
Carol Sitterly, director of academic success, explained that some of the center’s services have existed on campus for several years, but the recent addition of a dedicated space for all of them is the culmination of a long-held goal.
“It was our dream to bring these services together,” Sitterly said, “and the results have been fantastic.
The best result, though, is that other students are starting to tell their friends to come here.”
Ashley Witson is just such a student proponent. She started using CAS services, once scattered throughout various AIC buildings, as a freshman. Now, as a junior, she’s a CAS tutor who still uses the space to complete her own work. She said the center has become a unique place on campus where students can feel free to connect with peers, staff, and faculty in an environment that is nevertheless fueled by academics. “This is a dedicated space for studying, as well as a quiet place to interact,” she said. “There’s a bigger lab, and bigger tutoring rooms, plus a lounge area. Overall, it’s more student-oriented, and it makes me
Success Central continued on page 22
Fall 2010 7
1934 The Yellow Jacket, student newspaper, established by Zeta Chi Fraternity.
1936 First edition, college yearbook, The Taper, is published.
1938
College invited to join the National Collegiate Athletic Association, its excellence in small college athletics is recognized.
1938 New Student union is officially opened in Wright Hall.
1939 Pilot Training Program begins.
1940 Evening Division established.
1941 First Annual Model Congress is held.
1942 Summer Division established.
1946 Feb., Mrs. Edith Magna becomes Acting President.
1946 May 20, Dr. William Gellermann becomes sixth president.
Post tenebras lux
6
By Karolina Kilfeather
A
merican International College is in the dream fulfillment business, and Bryon Lewis’s one-time dream has become a successful business. Lewis ’90, MBA ’93, deserves most of the credit.
After growing up in remote Milton, VT, Lewis was in for a culture shock when going to college in Springfield. A hockey scholarship and interest in business brought him to AIC, where he intended to learn how to make his dream business a success. “I came from a really small town. It was a huge change, but a good change,” he said.
Today, Lewis is the owner of BLTees, a successful t-shirt printing company in Palmer, MA, as well as a sugar shack in his current hometown of Wilbraham, a backup goalie for the Springfield Falcons, and a competitive cyclist, racking up about 3,000 miles per year. The intrepid entrepreneur has been bringing his A-game since his first days as a marketing major at AIC, making a lasting impression as a hard worker. Marketing Department Chair and Professor Marshall Epstein remembered Lewis vividly. “What impressed me the most, was his creativity,” Epstein
said, “and his willingness to keep putting in whatever it took to get to the next level. You could see he had that entrepreneurial spirit.”
In fact, Lewis got into business while studying it. While in high school, he had taken a vocational printing class, where he learned about the silk screening process. Going on to college to learn how to build a business out of his newfound interest seemed like a natural fit, and while at AIC, Lewis bought the necessary equipment to begin printing and selling shirts out of his dorm. Epstein was one of his first customers. Fraternities, clubs, and athletic teams approached Lewis about designing custom shirts. What had started as a summer project made Lewis step back and ask “Wow, I can make money doing this?” And he did. The company Lewis built has expanded to include six employees, and he remains involved in all aspects of production, especially relishing design and creative direction. With virtually no advertising, Lewis has built a client base over the last 16 years by delivering more than just t-shirts to his clients. Using his marketing expertise, learned at AIC and honed over the years, he acts as a consultant to his clients. “It’s about having a purpose, knowing the
Intrepid Entrepreneur continued on page 20
FALL 2009 9
1948 The Rev. Dr. John Homer Miller becomes Acting President.
Post tenebras lux
1949 McGown Memorial Library completed.
1949 Reed Estate, later renamed Edgewood Gardens, purchased.
1950 Dr. Spencer Miller becomes seventh president. Post tenebras lux
1950 College radio station WAIC begins broadcasting operations.
By Karolina Kilfeather
Professor Patrick Carley has a reputation. Since first joining American International College’s physical therapy faculty in 1996, he’s positioned himself, and his students, as problem solvers to the corporate world—long before graduation. AIC physical therapy students have had opportunities to research and provide solutions for problems encountered in several industries. Their most recent clients were Hasbro and Boeing.
Joe Kessler ’89, MBA ’96 is senior project engineer at the East Longmeadow-based toymaker Hasbro, concentrating on production line ergonomics. In the late 1980s he first met Carley, who was working for a physical therapy practice brought in to work with the production line employees to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and work on “getting people healed” so they could return to work. Their first collaborative project involving AIC students provided specially designed insoles for Hasbro employees to reduce strain from standing on a concrete production floor. Three years later, a new group of students followed up the first study and proved that the rave reviews from Hasbro employees could be confirmed with objective testing—validating the success of the project.
The most recent endeavor focused on redesigning production lines to minimize stress injuries from repetitive motions. AIC students came into the factory to study the flow of the line, analyze different positioning options, and test muscle activity using electromyography (EMG) tests. By adjusting the way workers faced the line and also tilting the line itself based on Carley’s students’ recommendations, Hasbro saw not only a reduction in stress injuries, but also a 10 percent productivity increase.
“It’s a win-win for us,” Kessler said. “Based on their findings and recommendations, management gave us the money to proceed with these changes that helped the comfort of
Corporate Therapy continued on page 12
12 Lucent 10
1953 John F Hines becomes eighth president. Post tenebras lux
1953
Establishment of MBA Program (Executive Development Program); first graduate business program in the area.
1953 College receives nationally prestigious Freedom Award for Model Congress from Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.
1956 First science building completed.
FALL 2010 13 11
1960
1961 College selected to give college courses for credit to military personnel at Westover Air Reserve Base.
College begins it’s 75th year; announcement of long-range development plan to include Campus Center, classroom building, two men’s dormitories, gymnasium and field house.
1962 Campus Center completed.
1963 Helena R. Pouch Hall, women’s dorm, completed; DAR Hall discontinued as women’s dorm.
Corporate Therapy continued from page 10 standing workers.” AIC physical therapy students are also a welcome presence on the floor. “The people on the assembly line love talking to them,” Kessler said. The opportunity to interact with patients is crucial to preparing students for successful physical therapy practice. “It’s not very often you can get [student physical therapists] out of the lab and into the setting where the injuries happen,” he said.
The research project conducted for Boeing took place in a classroom lab, with AIC students recruiting their own test subjects. Carley is a somewhat regular presenter at the National Ergonomics Conference and Exposition, and was approached by a Boeing representative after presenting a research paper in 2008. With a workforce of over 175,000, the jet maker was seeking a solution for employees who spend hours at a time standing on foot. They had been experimenting with mats and shoe insoles, but wanted two independent researchers to find the right combination and make recommendations. New York-based United States Ergonomics (USE) and AIC students, under Carley’s supervision, would run parallel studies to determine the best combination.
“Boeing sent us three different kinds of mats—hard, soft, and middle. It was a ‘Goldilocks study,’” Carley said. A small group of physical therapy students designed the study, formulated theories, found test subjects, performed the tests, and collected and analyzed the data. For Jeziel Gonzalez ’11, the project was a challenge and a treat. “Dr. Carley is an innovator in balance research. My classmates and I learned so much from this opportunity. It was difficult, but also fun putting in [such] long hours,” he said, concluding that “ultimately, we are … improving working environments so that workers can remain productive, but most importantly healthy and safe.”
Professor Carley in action.
A view inside Hasbro’s production warehouse.
A student helps conduct research for Boeing.
12 Lucent
1964 New Owen Street Hall completed; Amaron Hall (incorporating D.A.R. Hall) completed.
10
1965 Butova Gymnasium completed; Magna Hall completed.
1966 Dining Commons completed.
1968 U.S. Congressman Gerald Ford speaks at 28th Annual Model Congress.
Terri Moccio ’11 added “it was interesting how at the beginning of the study we had our own theories… only to find that the data showed something rather surprising.” Using an electronic plate donated by the Baystate Medical Center, the students performed over 100 trials, testing a diverse population of people to see how they would perform different tasks using different mat and insole pairings. The study found the combination of a soft mat and soft insole provided the greatest comfort and movement efficiency, and the USE parallel study confirmed their findings.
Carley is a Brooklyn, NY native, who had never heard of physical therapy while growing up in Bay Ridge. His career began in naval intelligence, where he held a top-secret clearance, but wondered whether there might be more to life. He began college studies, and, thanks to a newly flexible schedule, had the time to bring a friend, injured in a car accident, to his physical therapy appointments.
The students who choose AIC’s physical therapy major are bright, but also socially engaging, he added. “Our kids are well equipped on both sides, the clinical, and also the social and empathy side. Our graduates are prized by their employers because they do well on multiple levels, and people who interact well with patients get good feedback and love their jobs,” he said.
The passion Carley holds for his craft has greatly benefited the students in AIC’s physical therapy program, which is among the college’s most popular majors. And the opportunity to perform purposeful studies adds more value and preparation to the physical therapy program. “Since we’re a small school, research is not usually a focus, which is typical. There is a stigma that only big schools and universities do research,” said Gonzalez.
Bringing his students into a research setting is also rewarding for Carley. “They’re overwhelmed, and they’re so excited. It rounds out their education.” The chance to engage in research and engage with clients helps develop their confidence and professionalism,” he said.
The flexibility of a physical therapy degree is also a plus, he explained. “They have a lot of options, and they never have to go back to school because [with a doctoral degree] they’re prepared for all specialties.” The ongoing high demand for well-prepared physical therapists is also encouraging to students about to enter the job market,” he said.
While watching the physical therapists work on his friend, Carley developed an increasing interest, and gradually began to volunteer his time so he could learn more. He was hooked. At the time, the University of Buffalo had the best physical therapy program. “I went there and never looked back,” Carley said. During his graduate studies at Northeastern University, Carley delved more deeply into research, and discovered that he also had a love for studies and teaching.
“Dr. Carley was the first professor to introduce me to clinical research, and he has ignited a passion in me regarding this area of our field that not many are interested in. It will help make a well rounded future clinician,” Moccio said. n
Fall 2010 13
1969 Breck Hall and Hines Hall completed.
1969 Dr. Harry Courniotes becomes ninth president.
1971 Establishment of Afro-American Cultural Center.
1972 College joins in establishing “Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield.”
Post tenebras lux
Improved State continued on page 15 11
an
Education without
Borders By Karolina Kilfeather
14 Lucent 8 Lucent
1974 Curtis Blake Child Development Center built.
1977 Earle A. Griswold Chair of Free Enterprise established.
1977 Division of Nursing accepts first class of students.
1978 Garret Art Gallery created in attic of Lee Hall.
A
Freya brings with her strength, beauty, “ intelligence and overall the desire to be the most helpful and skilled at anything she attempts. ”
fter just a few minutes with junior nursing major Freya Baez, it’s hard to imagine that, even for one moment, she could be anything but the smiling, charming, and very chatty young woman she is today. But the Commerce High School graduate first came to American International College uncertain about her talents and self-conscious about her limited English.
Today she is confident, outgoing, and quick to adapt to any situation—from dorm life to delivering babies in the Dominican Republic.
Born in Santiago, Dominican Republic, and the oldest of three girls, Baez never expected to move to the United States. When Baez’s mother was in need of an operation that was not available in their home country, she moved to Newark, NJ. Within four years, the rest of the family followed, and Baez began eighth grade in America. The promise of lower living costs lured the Baez family to Western Massachusetts, where Baez’s father found work as a truck driver, and her mother as a home health aide. “I had English classes before moving,” Baez said “but all I could really say was ‘hi’ and ‘ABC.’” Until her graduation from Commerce, she was in a bilingual classroom, and never had an English-only class. Her commitment to schoolwork, volunteer work with UNICEF and the Red Cross, and sense of purpose led
to several academic distinctions, the most fruitful of which was winning the Student of Character award sponsored by AIC, ABC News 40, and the Republican newspaper. The article she penned for the Republican showed a greater command of English than she would give herself credit for, and painted a picture of a young woman who was articulate, in touch with her roots, and passionate about her education. Baez knew she wanted to pursue nursing and later become a midwife. Her grandmother was a nurse, and Baez recalls going to the hospital with her as a child to watch her work. After watching a video of a birth in high school, she knew instantly what she wanted to do. American International College made the decision on where to go very easy. The Student of Character award came with a full tuition scholarship, and AIC also had the support system Baez knew she would need. “AIC has ESL, the writing center, and I never had
Freya accepts the Student of Character Award
an Education without Borders continued on page 32 Fall 2010 15
1980 James J. Shea, Sr. Memorial Library (incorporating McGown Memorial Library Wing) completed.
1981 Curtis Blake Day School, school for learning disabled children, established.
1983
1984 The Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center and The Esther B. Griswold Theater for the Performing Arts completed.
First doctoral program, in Educational Psychology (with a specialty in learning disabilities), accepts first class.
a Gala Affair
Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of American International College celebrated its 125th anniversary at a formal gala held October 15 at the Longmeadow Country Club.
The college recognized several donors for their commitment to supporting AIC and their long-standing friendship to the college. They were: Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Frank Colaccino and his wife Norma, Trustee Kevin Saremi and his wife Debbie, Vice Chairman of the Board, Ron Abdow, Nick Fitralakis of MassMutual, and FuturesHealth, which is led by Trustee Peter Bittel.
AIC President, Vincent Maniaci thanked donors and attendees, and said “tonight we celebrate the changes we have gone through, the challenges we have overcome, and the dreams we have helped to fulfill. I am honored to steward AIC through this milestone year as its president.�
This special event opened the 2010 Homecoming Weekend. The guests were entertained by Jus Us, and a silent auction raised funds for a scholarship to be awarded to students in upcoming short-term study abroad programs. n
16 Lucent
1984 Berkshire Ballet becomes resident ballet company at College.
1984 New program in International Business established.
1984 Doctoral program in Educational Psychology offered.
1985 New program in computer science established.
Fall 2010 17
1985 Nursing program gets maximum eight-year accreditation from National League of Nursing.
1985 May 26, College holds Centennial Commencement.
1985 AIC celebrates 100 years of transforming lives.
1990 50th anniversary of Model Congress.
16 Lucent
1990 Dexter Health and Counseling Center established.
1992
AIC welcomes 17 Russian students, who are studying graduate business as part of a collaboration with the Russian government.
1993 AIC established the Bureau of Business Research.
1993 Alumnus James King sworn in as President Clinton’s Director of OPM.
1993 Physical Therapy program offered.
By Lorrie Macy
S
ummer vacation is over, classes have resumed, residence halls are full and the athletic fields are swarming with activity. And, after nearly 115 years, rugby has also made its way back to American International College. Not only has the program been revived, but it has come and taken the campus—and its competition—by storm.
Most people don’t realize that rugby was once a competitive sport at AIC and was actually a part of the college long before football, basketball, or hockey. Rugby, which some call “football’s older brother,” first came to Springfield and to AIC sometime in the late 19th century. Though there is little documentation about the early years of AIC rugby, several pictures remain in circulation, giving proof of a team from 1890 and from 1897. While AIC was not one of the first colleges in the nation to adopt the English game, it wasn’t far behind those that were. Having seen rugby’s success at his alma mater, University of California at Berkley, President Maniaci was eager to see if rugby could provide a new av-
enue through which students may be attracted to AIC.
First, he needed to hire someone to build the program from the ground up. In August of 2009, Joshua Macy was brought on board as the head rugby coach and coordinator of club sports. Coach Macy brought with him an impressive resume that includes playing, coaching, developing, as well as officiating rugby in the United States and abroad. His one goal: to help players develop personally while growing the sport professionally. With raw talent found around campus, Coach Macy brought together a group of athletes who were interested in playing the sport. They trained hard and learned the unfamiliar game. And, by May 2010, the AIC men’s team had closed the books on their first (unofficial) season, undefeated. The core of the women’s team continued to train as they waited for the fall recruiting class to come and round out their numbers. Freshman Jess Davis came from California to do just that. “I know we can
Rugby Strikes Back continued on page 20
Fall 2010 19
1994 Dedication of Sokolowski Tower.
1994 AIC starts Occupational Therapy program
1994 First nursing students inducted into honor society.
1995 Partners Program with Homer St. School begins.
1995 Dedication of the Bradley Room in the Campus Center.
Rugby Strikes Back continued from page 19 and will be great, even beyond great, and I know that all of us will be better athletes and people overall because of this team. If I didn’t have confidence in this team and in the Coaches I wouldn’t have moved 3,000 miles for it,” Davis said. Her sentiments have been echoed by Coach Josh Macy dozens of others who have decided, because of AIC rugby, to call Springfield, Massachusetts home. Because AIC rugby is a club sport, it is not regulated by the NCAA. Like most college teams in the US, the teams are governed by the International Rugby Board (IRB) and local unions. AIC is part of the New England Rugby Football Union (NERFU), Division IV West. Given the Yellow Jackets’ undefeated start, the
team fully expects to climb to a new rung of the division ladder.
At present, it is plain to see that President Maniaci was right in predicting that adding the sport would be a magnet for applicants. In its first official year, the Yellow Jacket rugby program is nearly 60 athletes strong. The strength of that number is largely due to the intense recruiting effort by Coach Macy. With diligence, travel, and numerous emails, he was able to gather applications from all over the world. On August 26, 2010, athletes representing 10 different states and eight different countries came together to create the first formalized rugby program at AIC in more than a century.
Macy partially attributes the success of his teams to the variety of cultures and backgrounds from which his players come. “We are an excellent representation of what makes AIC a great school—its diversity both domestic and international. Diversity is an asset to our team because most other teams are very homogenous; they have a single way of thinking,” said Macy. n
Intrepid Entrepreneur continued from page 9 end user,” he explained. “[I ask] what is the purpose of this shirt? Who’s going to wear it? Is it going to be sold?” Working with clients to provide creative designs and marketing solutions, Lewis knows he’s offering something unique. “Our competitors don’t do this, and I know that better design will sell more shirts, and make me more money,” he said. Lewis’s willingness to add value and stay ahead of the competition has earned him a loyal client base,
and he is always experimenting with new materials and printing media to satisfy the market’s need for creative innovation. “There’s more to it than price,” he said, adding “and there’s much more integrity to a good product versus the cheap stuff.”
Lewis’s hockey coach is as impressed as his professors and clients. AIC Head Hockey Coach Gary Wright said “Bryon had a wonderful career at AIC, both on and off the ice, and his accomplishments
20 Lucent
1995 Artist in Residence Alvin Paige opens nationally acclaimed Children of Sorrow display.
1998
AIC named employer of the year for its commitment to employ people with disabilities.
1998 AIC dining facility named tops in country.
1999 NASA brings new technology to AIC.
1999 MTV’s Real World comes to AIC.
since graduation have been quite remarkable. He’s a bit of a Renaissance man with all of his diverse interests and talents, as evidenced by his athleticism, artistic ability and entrepreneurial endeavors. I think all of us can be proud that he’s an alumnus of our college and hockey program.”
After an impressive career at AIC, Lewis knew he could pursue hockey professionally, but Blaine Stevens, the dean of students at AIC, made him an offer he could not refuse. Stevens invited Lewis, who had already worked for him as a resident assistant and was very active on campus, to work for the Office of Student Affairs as a graduate assistant—and earn his MBA for free as an employee. The entrepreneurial drive was hard for Lewis to resist, and he remained at AIC to earn his MBA in 1993, and incorporating BLTees the following year.
Although Hockey took a back seat to the business, Lewis continued to play with a league based in Enfield, CT, which landed him on the radar of the Springfield Falcons. In the late 1990s he was invited to practice with the team and train as an emergency goalie. Eventually the Falcons began offering him short term one to four-game contracts, giving him the chance to play professionally.
ing approached by interested neighbors. “We entertain the neighborhood for a month every spring. We have a Maplefest breakfast for our friends that drew over 175 people last year. The whole maple sugaring has become a community effort and a catalyst for tightening for our neighborhood bond,” he said. Clearly busy, Lewis still makes time to race competitively with the Colavita New England Cycling Team and coach his daughter’s hockey team. He has also started an AIC Hockey Alumni group to raise money for the current team, which last year received a $1,000 from the group. “This year, we hope to triple that,” Lewis said. The man Blaine Stevens recalls as a “great guy” and “very creative and hard working” appears to be living up to the high expectations of his past educators, and having a great time doing it. n
“It’s so much fun,” Lewis said, adding that he loved that “at 42, to still be down for this and be able to compete with players in their 20s. But as soon as embarrass myself, I’m done.” Looking back, Lewis said he knows he made the right decision, but that getting back on the rink is “sort of a dream fulfillment.” One of Lewis’s latest ventures is a maple sugar shack he set up in his back yard. He tapped over 150 trees on his streets after starting in his own yard and be-
Bryon, riding for Colavita and tending goal for the Falcons. Work never ends at BLTees.
Fall 2010 21
1999 New school adjustment counselor program starts at AIC.
2000 Dedication of Metcalf Gymnasium.
2001 Supportive Learning Services celebrates 25th anniversary.
2003 Groundbreaking for Edgewood Gardens residence.
Success Central continued from page 7 Branching Out Creation of CAS was made possible by a Davis Family Foundation grant received by AIC in 2008, and now it’s home to several academic assistance programs. ACE (AIC Core Education), for instance, is a federally funded program for first generation college students that were once more of a free-floating entity. But now, the center serves as its home base, as well as for the college’s first-year seminar, the writing center, and the Academic Resource Center (ARC). It also has several private tutoring rooms, common areas, and a state-of-the-art computer lab for student use. What’s more, traditional classes aren’t held in the center, creating less disruption and a more welcoming environment for students looking to study. Sitterly noted that partnerships with other campus services and departments have also added to the quick pace at which CAS has become an important part of the AIC experience, and an important part of its mission.
“There’s been a huge cross collaboration across campus – we’ve been connecting students with summer orientation programs, students in residence, alumni affairs, and student life,” she said. “We’ve also created a great connection with first-year advising and career services, so at all steps, CAS is very holistic and focused on student retention.” Stacking the Odds
Nick Callini, director of the Academic Resource Center, agreed. He said ARC’s strength is addressing the needs of the individual student, and centralizing academic support services has made this endeavor more effective.
“We work with the student who needs better grades as well as the student who wants better grades,” said Callini. “But there are different reasons for every student’s circumstance. Everyone is a puzzle, so we try to figure out what’s going on with our students. We develop relationships, and that allows us to offer feedback, advice, and solutions.”
Specifically, ARC offers tutoring services, including in the areas of note taking, test taking, studying, and time management. But like many other campus services, helping to forge pathways across AIC that will remain clear throughout a student’s college career is intrinsic to ARC’s success.
“Finding resources in different areas used to be uncomfortable for students,” Callini said. “This center curbs that, and as we grow and help more students find the right fit, more people see we’re a good program.” Checking In, Stepping Out
Similarly, ACE assistant director April Kearse said helping students make connections is a major aspect of her job, too. She explained that she sees this as part of AIC’s overall effort to personalize the college experience; it’s also an initiative she calls “smart thinking.”
“We work diligently to let students know what services exist campus-wide,” said Kearse, returning to the theme of a holistic college experience. “College is an emotional transition for everyone, and constantly integrating other departments makes for a much more comfortable transition.” In her position, Kearse supervises the center’s academic mentors and helps shape programs that offer
22 Lucent
2004 AIC offers graduate nursing program.
2004
AIC named to Super 60 list by the Chamber of Commerce.
2004 Archbishop of Philippines visits AIC.
2005 Vince Maniaci becomes 10th president at AIC. Post tenebras lux
2005 Big E recognizes AIC on its 120th birthday.
Waiting for an appointment in the Center’s lobby and checking in at the front desk; class in the computer lab.
tools for success. These workshops, seminars, and services fall under the moniker “AIC 101,” and cover topics ranging from mid-term exam prep to stress relief to financial literacy. She noted that, like other programs based at CAS, the centralization of services has made this endeavor easier as well.
that moves easily through its hallways, the staff at CAS say the work will continue through the addition of new services, outreach to students through emerging channels, and ongoing attention to existing services, to ensure they remain relevant and helpful to the student body.
“We’re not pointing students toward a building anymore – instead, we’re introducing them to people, and walking them through a process,” she said. “There’s a culture to college, and to most, it’s inherently unfamiliar. It’s our responsibility to engage students and connect them to resources. CAS is this theory in practice.”
To Carol Sitterly, this is a dream come true. To Nick Callini, it’s the answer to an issue, and to April Kearse, it’s smart thinking. But perhaps it’s Ashley Witson, one of those students who has seen the worth of CAS at her college firsthand, who best puts it into perspective.
With the stacks cleared and the bookshelves of Shea Library’s basement level moved elsewhere, one might assume the task of creating a dynamic Center for Academic Success at the heart of the AIC campus is done. But despite the natural flow of information
And with that, she closed her binder, exited one of the CAS study rooms, and moved on to face her next challenge. n
Textbook Success
“I feel like AIC is being proactive for our well-being,” she said.
Fall 2010 23
2005 Gubernatorial candidate Patrick speaks at AIC.
2005
Community Engagement announcement for Bay area scholarships.
2005 Testimonial dinner honors former AIC president Courniotes.
2005
Inaugural class inducted into AIC Hall of Fame.
2005 AIC offers first Student of Character Scholarship.
2005 AIC offers doctoral degree in Physical Therapy.
class notes
Dear Alumni,
anniversaries
In the Alumni Relations Office, we continue to look for ways to reach out and serve our alumni. I would like to tell you about two exciting projects we are working on. The first is the 125th Anniversary Alumni Directory. AIC graduates change emails, jobs, and locations so often that it is hard to keep track. American International College has contracted with Harris Connect to update contact information for all alumni around the world so that you can keep up to date on news and activities from campus. Harris will also help produce a beautiful hard cover directory that will allow AIC graduates find old friends and to network both personally and professionally. Be on the lookout for a postcard asking you to call and update your information. You can learn more about this project at www.aic.edu/alumni. We are also looking for your feedback. As a way to provide you with more personalized services, better events and opportunities to advance professionally AIC is conducting an alumni survey. If you are contacted, please take a few minutes to fill out your customized survey.
As always, we want to hear from you. Email any time at alumni@aic.edu. We’d love to hear what you are up to. Best wishes,
25 years Ron ’83 and Karen (Arduino) ’82 Flaherty
50 years Roger ’50 and Shirley Dudeck Don ’63 and Judy Evans Judy (Hoffman) ’60 and Joseph Willis 60 years Raymond ’51 and Frances (Burns) ’55 Johnson
weddings
Christopher Johnson ‘98 to
Jennifer Telesco
Sharon King’00 to Christopher Remsen
Alex Matsakanov ’99 to Innessa Levina Corey Robert Pelkey ’04 to
Kristen Erin Melville
engagements
Amanda Lengieza ’03 to David Spafford
new arrivals
Chris ’02 and Heather Duval Abatelli ’02, welcomed Tyler William Nicole Mantovani-Percy ’91
and Douglas Percy, twins Dominic Edward and Gianna Nicole
Michael ’98 and Theresa Ravosa welcomed Gabriella Faith
Heather Cahill Director of Alumni Relations 24 Lucent
2006 AIC hosts rally for gubernatorial candidate Tom Reilly.
2006 AIC offers city scholarships.
2006
Gubernatorial candidates debate at AIC.
2006 Upper Hill scholarship program announced.
2006 AIC creates Marketing Dept., which establishes new branding for the college.
1940s
Steve Johnson is still active,
splitting wood with a wedge and hammer.
Ernie Hanford ’43, was present-
ed the 2010 Cornerstone Award by the United Way of Moore County (NC). The Cornerstone Award is the highest award for volunteerism given by the United Way.
Marcia Fieldstein Goldberg ’49,
is enjoying retirement with her daughter, son & daughter-in-law and grandchildren Evan, 20 and Hannah, 19.
1950s
Jerry Radding ’50, was inducted
into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2009. He was honored in the news media category.
Edward P. Pratt ’52, who passed
away in July 2008, was honored with a plaque that will hang in the Longmeadow High School computer lab for his contributions to science and his influence in bringing computers to the school.
Ed Borucki ’54, and a group of
Massachusetts Pacific theater veterans of WWII were invited to Washington, DC to take part in commemorative events at the World War II Memorial. The ceremonies coincided with the debut of the new World War II miniseries on HBO, “The Pacific” from executive producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. Paul O’Day ’58, President of the
American Fiber Manufacturers Association, was awarded the coveted Leadership Award of the National Association of Manufacturers Council of Manufacturing Assocation.
1960s
Roger Dudeck ’60, was named
the 2010 William Coniff Award for meritorious service to the Alumni Varsity Club
David Fitzgerald ’61, has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of ArthroCare Corp. It is a highly innovative, multi-business medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets minimally invasive surgical products.
Ed Borucki ’54 at the World War II Memorial
Constance Kapinos Lacowitcz ’65, and husband Tony, along
with golden retriever, Ella, have relocated to California to be near family. They are enjoying the good life in Sonoma County wine country. Phil Smith ’65, retired after a
34-year career as a teacher and administrator in public schools. He and Kathy live in Lee, MA. Phil served most recently for 3 years as Executive Director of the Lee Chamber of Commerce. He is also author and publisher of Love the Berkshires Quiz Game, a 2,300 plus trivia game of the Berkshire region. The game was offered for sale in 27 Berkshire County locations this summer. For a full list of vendors, go to leechamber.org.
Fall 2010 25
2007 AIC campus goes wireless.
2007 AIC hosts first city wide clean up.
Keep Springeld Beautiful
2007 PALS news conference to announce public access to AIC library.
2007 Arts at AIC launched.
2007 AIC launches Upward Bound program.
class notes Steven Seher’s ’68, newest book
“The Secret Service of Alan Kahn” has been published by Xlibris, the leading print-on-demand self-publishing services provider. Ed Maturo ’69, retired after 33 years as the Yale equipment manger.
1970s John F. Bolduc ’71, CEO of the
Eastern Connecticut Association of Realtors, was interviewed by the Norwich Bulletin about the state of real estate market.
Irene Coulson LivintstoneMann ’71 had a reunion picnic at her home, Among those attending were Pauline Coulson Sample ’45, widow of William C. Sample, ’48. Irene is the widow of Gordon A. Livingstone, ’47. Also attending were Irene’s three sons, Alan, Navy Veteran, David ’76 and John ’78. David, a C.P.A, owns his own business in East Longmeadow. John is the Director of Nutrition for Hillsborough CT which covers Tampa, Florida. Another AIC grad attending was Michael Wray ’04. Michael is married to Irene’s grandaughter and they will be making Irene a great gradmother and David a grandpa. Their first child is expected in December.
Darnell Williams ’72, President/CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, delivered the keynote address at the 63rd annual dinner of the Somerville Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Alan D. Barry ’73, was appointed Town of Greenwich Commissioner of Social Services. Ed Polewarczyk ’73, retired NASA engineer, presented an inside view of a space shuttle flight at the Skidompha Library. Claudette Turcotte Burque ’74, has published a book, “Lessons and Memories: Teachable Moments of a Lifetime,” through Xilbris. The book is available through the publisher, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com. Claudette and Rene ’61, retired to Alabama and love it! They have 11 grandchildren scattered from coast to coast presenting many travel opportunities.
Mike Saliba ’74, and his company Hastie Fence were recently honored by the CertainTeed Corp.
Paul Nicolai, Esq. ’75, For the third year in a row, peer review of the nation’s top attorneys selected Paul for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®, now in its 16th edition for 2010. The international publication cites him in the specialty of commercial litigation. He also has been reappointed as co-chair of the fee arbitration board committee by the Massachusetts Bar Association. Paul has also been published in the Intellectual Property Law Review. Paul has also been re-elected to the Executive Committee for the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts. Shawn Harrington ’76, has been appointed vice president for finance and administration at Saint Joseph College in West Hartford, CT.
Dr. Ginny Austin ’77, has retired after 25 years in education. Since 1995 she was principal at Wells Road Intermediate School in Granby, CT.
Ken Borque ’77, was inducted into the Enfield (CT) Athletic Hall of Fame.
26 Lucent
2007 The Arts at AIC opens an exhibit featuring the AIDS quilt.
2008 AIC teams up with Square One to offer child care program.
2008 Press Conference to announce workforce development initiative (TCI).
The Career Institute
2008 AIC summer concert series begins.
Mary Ellen Hogan ’77, was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Elms College at commencement exercises on May 16. Mary Ellen retired as guidance director from the High School of Commerce in Springfield after 36 years. Sylvia Rosen ’77, was honored for her 20 years of dedication to The New Horizons: A Jewish Cultural Experience program.
1980s Barbara Capizzo ’81, won the
2010 Alumnae Heritage Award from Georgia College & State University Alumni Association. She currently owns an art gallery on Nantucket.
Jim Casagrande ’81, the head golf professional at Northampton Country Club, was honored for his contributions to golf April 29 as the guest of honor at the 65th Western Massachusetts Tee Party. The Tee Party, the unofficial kickoff to the local golf season, features golf and dinner.
Christopher C. Johnson ’82, was elected vice chair of the Springfield Technical Community College trustees. He is a partner in the West Springfield law firm Johnson & Sclafani.
Jeffrey Vuocolo ’85, was promoted to Audit Supervisor for the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. His wife Tammy Thompson Vuocolo ‘86 is the Assistant Vice President of Finance for the Hartford Financial Group. The couple have two daughters Erica, 12 and Olivia, 8.
Lloyd U. Nolan, Jr. ’88, has been installed as a Magistrate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He received his Juris Doctorate from The George Washington University School of Law.
1990s Nicholas D. Young ’90, super-
intendent of the Hadley school district, was named Massachusetts Superintendent of the Year by the state Association of School Superintendents. Young and the other state winners were honored at the National Conference on Education in Phoenix, AZ. Lisa Connell ’90, has been promoted to editor of the Country Journal.
Ray Berry ’92 has been named vice president of finance and administration for the United Way of Pioneer Valley.
Ray Berry ’92, has been named vice president of finance and administration for the United Way of Pioneer Valley. He is responsible for directing and monitoring the UWPV’s internal financial system. His position includes oversight of all of the finance, human resource, technology and administration functions of the organization. Bernadette Conte ’92, was awarded Outstanding Alumni, sponsored by Springfield Technical Community College. The event was the School of Business and Information Technologies Alumni reunion. Sal Morello ’92, was named head coach of the football program at Middletown High School in Middletown, CT.
Fall 2010 27
2008 Senator Kerry visits AIC as a guest speaker for Model Congress.
2008 Governor Patrick visits AIC as part of his campaign for Obama.
2008 Obama inauguration event held at AIC.
2008 Alvin Paige honored.
class notes Jose Aguiar ’98, has joined the law firm of Doherty Wallace Pillsbury and Murphy as a litigation associate.
2000s Robert Davidson ’00, joined
Rockville Bank as vice president/ commercial banking officer and team leader. Joseph Pistone ’00, head wrestling coach at the University of Southern Maine, was nominated Vice President of the NCAA Division III New England Wrestling Association. He is also the all time winningest coach in the history of the wrestling program at the University of Southern Maine.
Jahann Blake ’01, has been hired by the Chicago Cubs as the club’s director of fan experiences. Sonya Lamonakis ’01, teaches humanities to seventh-graders in Harlem. She is also a professional boxer. After a very successful amateur career, she won her debut bout with a TKO 2 minutes and 20 seconds into the second round.
Kristen Patterson ’02, head coach of the AIC women’s basketball team, has been named to the Northeast-10 Hall of Fame Class of 2010.
Eva Sheridan ’02, vice president of Human Resources at MountainOne Financial Partners, recently graduated from the American Bankers Association Stonier National Graduate School of Banking in Philadelphia.
Freedom or Enduring Freedom respectively. Joseph is assigned to the 206th Military Police Company (Army National Guard).
Melissa Doten ’04, was featured in “On the Job” in the Springfield Sunday Republican. She is the director of physical therapy at the Enfield Health and Wellness Center.
Colleen Calvanese ’09, has joined the physical therapy staff of ProEx, a physical therapist owned private practice specializing in orthopedics, spine and sports medicine.
Dmitry Voloshinov ’03, opened Vantage Sports & Rehab in Palmer with his wife Kristi.
Michael J. Richard ’04, has been appointed principal of West Springfield High School. Bob Bardwell ’06, is the director of guidance and student support services at Monson High School. He writes a counseling blog at hscounselor-bardwell. blogspot.com. Ricardo Funch ’06, made his UFC debut in December. He trains with Team Link out of Ludlow.
Sarah Mead ’07, was inducted into the CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame.
Joseph W. Beins ’08, has returned to the U.S. after a deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan in support of Operations Iraqi
Caitlin Mooney ’08, a physical therapist at Performance Rehabilitation, mentored fellow Minnechaug Regional High School Falcon Nick Cebula, during his internship at the facility.
Joshua Class ’09, was featured in the Baystate Health Annual Report. He has been accepted to Howard University Medical School as a member of the class of 2014.
Pattye Griffin ’09, was appointed principal of the Tracy Elementary School in Lynn, MA. Jeff Rustico ’09, former American International College catcher has signed to play professional baseball for the Worcester Tornados of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball. Cathy Stickney ’09, has been appointed curriculum director of the Ashland (MA) school district.
28 Lucent
2008 New doctoral program offered in education.
2009 Groundbreaking for new athletic facilities.
2009 Taj Majhal honored at commencement.
2009 Congressman Neal announces Title III grant for AIC.
Dr. Alvin Paige Former Artist in Residence has left his mark on AIC.
Paige was well known throughout the greater Springfield, MA community, having served on boards for a variety of organizations, including the Spirit of Springfield and Stage West.
A
lvin Paige ’80 former artist in residence at American International College died October 8 following a three-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The LaGrange, Ga. native, left a permanent mark on the AIC campus, employees and students, as well as the public, both locally and internationally.
The AIC campus contains numerous pieces of historic regional architecture, salvaged, transported and re-introduced into the campus landscape by Paige. Some of Paige’s restoration work includes the Stage of Dionysus, the pillars in front of the Cultural Arts Center, taken from the old Masonic Temple in Boston; the Sokolowski Tower columns, salvaged from the Shiners’ Hospital; the 500 seats in the Esther B. Griswold Theatre, taken from the Strand Theatre in Holyoke; and the balcony railing in the Cultural Arts Center, designed in the early 1900s for the Colony Club in Springfield.
Paige was very well known for his “installation art” including “Children of Sorrow” which was exhibited at the Quadrangle in Springfield and the 200 clay faces he installed on the Rhode Island shoreline, an exhibit he called “At the End of Our Journey We Will Arrive Where We Began and Know the Place for the First Time” named from the poetry of T. S. Eliot.
Paige traveled around the world to show his art, as well as to receive and present awards. In 1993, Paige was invited to an international symposium on art and nature in Langeland, Denmark. In 1994, he was chosen to serve as guest speaker and award presenter at the Belfast Young Contemporaries Exhibition in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in administrative management from AIC. He has also studied at the University of Texas, Harvard University, Cambridge College, Antioch University, the Monson Proctor Institute and the Art Institute of Chicago. n
Fall 2010 29
2009 Abdow honored with naming of field.
2009 IRS agents visit AIC for Project Adrian.
2010 PT students conduct research for Boeing.
2010 Desmond Tutu speaks at AIC.
in memorium Class of 1931
Class of 1948
Class of 1954
Libby Gutfarb Behar
William T. Wells
Barbara Crampton Fousek Kenneth Jacobs Eleanor Baily Lemoine Edson Rock Richard B. Sellars
William James Harry N. Malfas Arthur S. Morse Arthur H. Pike, Jr. George W. St. Martin Gerald Tarozzi Clarence Tourville, Jr. Priscilla R. Weatherwax
Edwin Carruthers Nicholas Harhigh, Jr. Frederick Molinari Dr. Lawrence Sisitsky Donald I. Small Herman S. Wolk
Class of 1937
Class of 1939 Miriam Russell Pratt Robert S. Bidwell
Class of 1940 Helen Gramse Becker Paul Cavicchia Margaret Leete Godfrey
Class of 1941
Solomon T. Burke, Esq.
Class of 1942 Benjamin E. Sleeper
Class of 1943 Elizabeth LaFrance Edmond W. Lapine Lawrence Felper William G. Vincent
Class of 1944 Silvio Cappiello Arthur W. Duncan Harriet Bearg Morris Grayson Prentice
Class of 1946 Al Cavicchioli Rita Fogel Dr. Gerald E. Odentz
Class of 1947
30 Lucent
Elaine M. Bellico Miriam Pfeifer Robert C. Pratt Mary Lou Hylan Ransom Phyllis Seiffert Mary Skelly
Class of 1949
Class of 1950 William Arvanitis Albert F. Cameron Agnes M. O’Flaherty Karyl Shaw Perry
Class of 1951 Charles W. Allen John R. Craig William F. Dolan John M. Dunn William A. Helming Arthur J. Riberdy
Class of 1952 George Bregianes Joseph Buchholz John McMahon, Jr. Kenneth Miller William Rodimon Avrom Siegel
Class of 1953 Rev. Stephen D. Howard John R. Lyman Donald C. Keavany Dwight Pepin Gerald Washburn
Class of 1955 William Korkosz Edmund Kuznicki Eleanor Papadakis Francis X. Smith Alan Torrff
Class of 1956 Gerald A. Asselin Gladys Goldberg Joseph P. Mell
Class of 1957 John J. Bacharz Frank A. Ball, Jr. Joseph P. Moriarty Randall L. Rogers
Class of 1958 Rudolph D. Basilone Ira J. Bylow Gerald C. Cavanaugh George W. Hamel
Class of 1959 Richard Covault Orton Cushman, Jr. Edward J. Foley Victor E. Zancan
Class of 1960 Reverend Richard L. Dean Donald Gagnon Ernest M. Noddin Margaret Pannitto Roy G. Pearson Anthony W. Ravosa, Esq. Harry T. Savas Stanley Wnuk
Class of 1961
Class of 1972
Class of 1984
Vernon “Skip” Agen Leo Kleciak John C. Smith
Truman W. Cahill
Jane Farrell-Smith Robert J. Gibbings John P. Gonzalez
Class of 1962 Klaus Kroner James Lawrence Richard Lech James Saloio
Class of 1963 Ann Butova John Stirling Crosbie Rev. Canon David P. Thomas
Class of 1964 Dorothy Allard Leonard A. Kantor Joseph P. McMurray
Class of 1966 Albert A. Fagan Francis J. Fitzpatrick Edward Anson Robbins, Sr.
Class of 1967
Josephine Daniels Fullilove William Jones
Class of 1968
Gerald A. Guild Francis J. Lafayette Phoebe Stettner Robinson Alan W. Robson
Class of 1969
Elizabeth Quirk Campion Leslie S. Reynolds
Class of 1970
Kathy Ann Ceckowski John M. Harrington Josephy J. Ryan William F. Staples
Class of 1971 James M. Higgins Floyd Narcisse
Class of 1973 Donna L. Berthiaume Kenneth N. Drake James Ross Smith, Jr. Joseph F. Witek
Class of 1974 Robert S. Tara
Class of 1975 Louis D. Gray Roger Reopel Alison Fettes Rokosz
Class of 1976 Susan Arbour
Class of 1977 Mark Lines Priscilla Shields
Class of 1978
Class of 1985 Gary Mackey
Class of 1987 Vivian Alker
Class of 1989 Deborah M. Ferriter Barbara Swiszcz Peltier
Class of 1992 Carol A. Penney
Class of 1993 Dr. Pamela J. Redfern
Class of 1995 Michael J. Balch
Class of 2005
Constance P. Hutton Craig Mullarkey
Patricia Lynn Butler Ladayah Hubbard-Mann Copeland
Edwin Adams Lucy Dickerson French Lorie Ann Davis Milbier Alan L. Provencher
Sally Ann Zimowski
Class of 1979
Class of 1980 Etel Paksi Leslie Smith Roy John F. Sullivan Charlotte Tilson
Class of 1981 Joseph D. Barroso Margaret Miller Springer
Class of 1983 Kathleen Loveland
Class of 2010
Faculty and Staff Norine B. K. Branch Louis M. Conlin Frank McInerney Michael P. Szwed Fayette Osgood White, Jr.
Friends
Jean Fearon-Hickton Esther Lennon Nellie Leocopoulos Edward Mantovani John E. McHugh Irving Quimby
Fall 2010 31
an Education without Borders continued from page 15 an all English class before,” Baez said, admitting she knew she would need extra help. “It’s little,” she added, “and I’m really close to my mom,” so AIC seemed like a natural fit. “Even though I’m in Springfield, I can still feel like it’s Dominican Republic in my house,” she said.
Director of Freshman Admissions, Kim LaBlanc was quick to recognize Baez’s potential and employed her in the admissions office as a student tour guide. Giving tours to prospective students forced Baez to use her English and come out of her shell. Now she considers the admissions team her family on campus. Sometimes doing as many as 3 or 4 campus tours in a day, Baez doesn’t remember everyone she meets, but loves when new students see her on campus and say “hey, you gave my tour!” LaBlanc said “Freya is the most sincere and hardworking student I have ever had the privilege to work with. She has such a quiet and yet helpful way in which she assists to help others around her. For Freya is it all about teamwork. She will make an excellent mid-wife in the future. Freya brings with her strength, beauty, intelligence and overall the desire to be the most helpful and skilled at anything she attempts.”
She gushes about the helpfulness of her professors. “They really encourage you, and they bring their personal experience,” she said. But it’s her Pouch Hall dorm mates who really have her heart. “Living on campus, you get to know everybody.” Baez calls other Pouch residents her sisters. “We all help each other. I don’t know how to do my makeup, so when I needed to go out they all helped me. I do their hair. Next week we’re getting henna (temporary tattoos). We cook together.” She was also excited at the international community she can be part of on campus. “I have a friend from Poland! I have a friend from China and we listen to Chinese music and make Chinese food. I learn about so many countries. I learned belly dancing from my Indian friends,” she explained, adding that she learned to cook while living on campus. During a recent two-week trip back to Santiago, Baez volunteered at the Jose Maria Cabral y Baez hospital, where she had to quickly jump into performing tasks she had never practiced before. Diving right into a maternity ward, she attended births, attend32 Lucent
ed mothers, and cleaned and cared for newborns. “The first time I saw a real birth, I couldn’t eat meat for a week. But I thought, this is what I want to do, I better overcome that.”
Putting her nursing skills to practice on the ground was very different from classroom study. She said “I took a pharmacology class here, and you learn a lot, but you forget. After two weeks there, I [administered] so many drugs, and I Images from Freya’s work in the still remember all of Dominican Republic. them and what they do.” The quick pace and expectation to step in was stressful, but the excitement of constant challenges and learning was exhilarating for Baez. “I didn’t want to go back to regular class!” she laughed.
Baez is excited for her upcoming clinical at Baystate Medical Center and graduating in 2012, but hopes to go beyond being a local nurse. She expressed interest in Doctors without Borders, and traveling to South America to help rural women prepare for childbirth and motherhood, and is excited about combining modern medicine with plant-based treatments based in older cultures. Her main concern is helping bring good treatment and nutrition to impoverished areas. “A lot of babies and a lot of moms die. I can try to help and change that.”
AIC gets the credit for helping Baez grow up and approach life more confidently, she said. “I used to ask my mom ‘How am I gonna learn everything in four years? How am I gonna learn to be a nurse in four years? Now I feel like I’m getting there.” n
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www.aic.edu/mba
American International College
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1000 State Street Springfield, Massachusetts 01109 www.aic.edu
Scheduled Events Back Story
November 19 and 20 at 7 p.m. and November 21 at 1 p.m., Griswold Theatre, Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center
Student Art Exhibition
November 1 to 30, West Wing Gallery, Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center
Student Photography Exhibition
December 1 to January 31, West Wing Gallery, Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center For more information, please visit us at:
w ww. a i c. e d u /ar ts