Lucent spring summer 2013 by American International College

lucent The Alumni Magazine of American International College

American International College 1000 State Street Springfield, Massachusetts 01109 www.aic.edu

Spring/Summer 2013 | Volume 6 | Issue 1

Sometimes, the best way to get ahead... is to go back. Your grad degree

@ AIC

You thrived here once—let us serve you again. Your alma mater is proud to offer graduate programs in many fields, including: • Business • Education • Health Science • Psychology Whether you need a master's degree, a certificate of advanced graduate study (CAGS), or a doctorate, we'll help you get the degree you need so you can have the rewarding career you want. For more information, call our Graduate Admissions office at 413.205.3700.

Charting a Course Daniel Warwick’s Strategies for Saving Springfield Schools

The Light of Spring

Winter lingered longer than usual this year, but the extra wind and cold did nothing to hinder the AIC spirit as we moved through a triumphant spring. It was with much pride and happiness that we watched nearly 290 undergraduate and 790 graduate students receive their diplomas at commencement. The tradition of commencement is unlike any other celebration I know of, capturing as it does the moment between learning and living, between preparation and the journey that follows. Congratulations to the Class of 2013! We know you will achieve great things on your journey. Our recent graduates have bright futures indeed, and you—our established and more experienced alumni—can play a key role in helping them achieve success. Whether by networking with Yellow Jackets who are about to enter the workforce, aiding them in their hunt for jobs or internships, or by providing career advice or a good reference, there is much you can do to help new alums in their transition from students to proud professionals. Every act of generosity on your part helps us grow and strengthen the AIC family name. It was my great honor to celebrate at commencement two remarkable members of the AIC family, the recipients of this year’s honorary degrees: A. Craig Brown, an attorney and treasurer of the AIC Board of Trustees; and Mary Raissi Stewart ’42, a career educator and former AIC staff member. For all that they have done and for all that their lives stand for, we thank and celebrate them.

lucent EDITORIAL BOARD Joel Anderson Heather Cahill Danielle Goldaper Timothy Grader Craig Greenberg Lynn Saunders CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Andrea Boczon ’16 Thomas Friedmann Craig Greenberg Samantha Stephens ’11 Scott Whitney SENIOR WRITER/EDITOR Joel Anderson ART DIRECTOR/ PROJECT MANAGER Lynn Saunders

Play together. Stay together. The AIC family. Whether you're 22 or 92, whether you live near or far, whether you've been back a lot or not even once... you always have a special place in the AIC family. So come home again, or for the first time, to see what we've been up to.

PHOTOGRAPHY Chattman Photography Craig Greenberg Leonard Underwood '05

Congratulations are also in order to all who helped make this an excellent year for the College. We have seen promising academic growth with the addition of new majors in theater and public health, as well as a new master of fine arts in creative writing. We have also reconfigured our academic blueprint, as the School of Arts and Sciences is now the School of Business, Arts, and Sciences. We have seen key infrastructure improvements, notably to Breck Hall, and our plans for redevelopment of the Indian Motocycle building continue to move forward. We have upheld traditions, such as the Desmond Tutu Lecture Series and the Run for Education, and we are actively seeking out ways to make AIC even more dynamic in the future. As always, I thank you for your support and commitment to your alma mater and our important mission of transforming lives.

Vince Maniaci, president

AIC Homecoming weekend October 25 & 26

inside this issue

Spring/Summer 2013 | Volume 6 | Issue 1

Admit One

departments

features

Campus Update

Off the Record

Class Notes

Find out about the latest developments, on campus and off

An Uncommon Community: AIC's Communications Department

Check on your fellow alumni and see what they’re up to

In Memoriam

Interning, Serving, and Learning AIC senior brings dedication to high-profile internship and community engagement

The New Age of Admissions

AIC’s undergraduate admissions team works smarter — and harder

Charting a Course

AIC's Student Ambassadors

Superintendent Daniel Warwick’s data-driven strategies for saving Springfield schools AIC puts its best foot forward with student representatives

What have you been up to? Join AIC’s Alumni Facebook and LinkedIn pages, and follow us on Twitter. Feel free to e-mail us at alumni@aic.edu. Please send any comments or suggestions about this publication to editor@aic.edu. We’d love to hear from you!

Spring/Summer 2013

| campus update |

Working for Workers Physical therapy students help prevent injuries Physical therapy majors at AIC have been busy with a project they hope will help American workers compete globally, and more healthily. The students are studying the possibility of using exoskeletal assisting arms for workers in manufacturing settings. The students are working on the device for the toy and game maker Hasbro and Equipois, a Los Angeles company that manufactures patented exoskeletal arm technology that helps reduce injuries, increase productivity, and decrease costs in the workplace. Physical therapy student Michael Srokowski ’13 said the device helps workers work better and more safely. “It's an anti-gravity exoskeletal device that enables you to keep your arm upright and use less muscle in the trapezius area, thereby reducing risk of injury and increasing productivity.”

AIC physical therapy professor Patrick Carley said the students were asked to evaluate the level of muscle activity, using a process called electromyography, to assess the difference in effort from workers and, more importantly, to determine the settings that most benefit those working on production lines. “The major problem that arose was the arm attachment. It was coming loose and disengaged from the workers. It was actually one of the students, Kate Olson ’13, in the PT program that came up with the solution. It took a month for the company to modify according to Kate's suggestions, but the outcome is easy to see ... it was a success!” Carley explained. Carley said he will talk with Hasbro again to formalize a cost-benefit study of using the new equipment in a number of different settings. n

A Learning Legacy AIC runs in the family Ethan Prentiss knew a little about his grandfather’s vaunted reputation at American International College, but seeing E. Russell Sprague's portrait on the wall of the board of trustees room was still a shock. Prentiss, a senior psychology major, and his sister, Olivia, a sophomore psychology Ethan and Olivia Prentiss stand next to the portrait of their grandfather, E. Russell Sprague. and criminal justice major, recently revisited the boardroom in Courniotes Hall for a second look at the portrait. “I knew my grandfather was on the board of trustees a long time ago, but when I went into the boardroom 2 | Lucent

recently and saw his picture up there, well, I was speechless,” he said. For Olivia, the feeling was mutual. “It's quite impressive,” she said. Sprague, a former chairman and chief executive of Tambrands Inc., served as chairman of the AIC Board of Trustees in the 1980s. In 1984, through the generosity of Sprague and Tambrands executive Earle A. Griswold, the college opened the Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center and the Esther B. Griswold Theatre for the Performing Arts. In 1988, the E. Russell Sprague Endowed Chair for International Business and Economics was established to help give momentum to the international business program and aid in the development of global awareness. n

| campus update |

From Our Faculty AIC Registrar Publishes Article

Dr. Young Pens Two Children's Books

AIC Registrar Diane Furtek ’08 MS authored an article in the most recent edition of College and University Magazine. Her timely piece, “Using Successorship to Build Leadership Capacity in Higher Education,” addresses the issue of how colleges can prepare for the future in an ever-changing landscape. Furtek said investing current resources and cultivating both leadership and organizational effectiveness build resilience in colleges and universities, helping to ready them for whatever the future holds.

Dr. Nicholas Young ’90 MS, ’93 EdD, ’95 MA, ’06 MPA, Associate Dean of the EdD. Program, has, impressively, just released two more books that are part of a larger series designed for children who are struggling with learning disabilities. I am Full of Possibilities: Oliver Attends His First Special Education Meeting and I am Full of Possibilities: Oliver Learns How to Deal with School Bullies are books two and three in the series, respectively. (See last summer’s Lucent for an overview of Dr. Young’s prolific career both in and outside the field of education.) n

by the

numbers

Admissions

“Successful institutions have in place the infrastructure to build leaders at all levels. Many benefits can derive from this infrastructure, including increasing student learning, faculty engagement, and financial stability,” she said. n

89 564 504

applications received to become an Office of Admissions Student Ambassador, a group of current AIC students who give tours and provide the student perspective to AIC applicants

(and counting!) twitter followers (help us break 600: #AIConcampus)

hours spent providing student counseling on the campus of Springfield Technical Community College, just one of AIC's transfer partner colleges Spring/Summer 2013

| campus update |

Speaking Up For Women’s Health Tutu lecture series enters fourth year Since 2010, American International College has hosted distinguished speakers in its annual Desmond Tutu Public Health Lecture Series. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the world-renowned human rights activist, served as the series’ inaugural speaker and its namesake. Dr. Peter Bittel ’10 HON, vice chair of AIC’s board of trustees, is one of the series’ originators and a strong advocate for its mission. “The function of the lecture series is to bring attention to issues of public health in the college community,” said Bittel. He noted that, according to a recent study, Hampden County has the highest incidence of public health issues in the commonwealth, underscoring the need for local public awareness campaigns. A woman's right to choose and the need for access to birth control were the major themes of this year’s lecture on April 4 in the Griswold Theatre. Leslie Tarr Laurie, president and chief executive officer of Tapestry Health in Florence, Massachusetts told the audience that providing comprehensive birth control services has been a priority of hers throughout her professional career. "We must stay united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant women, encourage healthy relationships, and promote adoption. It is essential that we continue our efforts so that our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons," she said. Laurie has dedicated herself to health and human services since 1969. Under her leadership, spanning the existence of Tapestry Health, more than 100,000 people have been served in the 3,000-square-mile region of Western Massachusetts. Founded as the Family Planning Council of Massachusetts in 1973, Tapestry Health remains the only non-profit organization in the region to offer family planning and reproductive health care to often marginalized individuals—such as young people, women living in poverty, recent immigrants, uninsured and 4 | Lucent

Dr. Peter Bittel and Leslie Tarr Laurie

underinsured persons, injection drug users, the homeless, and men and women with HIV/AIDS—regardless of their ability to pay. "Urban areas of Massachusetts continue to have some of the highest rates of teen pregnancy. About onethird of teens have no formal instruction on birth control, and while the government has spent nearly $1.5 billion since 1997 on abstinence education, abstinence-only programs just do not work," she said. Laurie said there are also economic benefits of contraception. "For every dollar spent on birth control, four dollars are saved the next year in health care costs," she said. Laurie worked as the director of education and outreach at Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania from 1969 to 1971, and then as the Western Massachusetts doordinator at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts until 1973. In the latter position, she held responsibility for assessing, designing, organizing, and implementing a family planning program. Her efforts culminated in the establishment of the Family Planning Council of Western Massachusetts in 1973, renamed Tapestry Health in 1998. Laurie has also taken her passion for reproductive health abroad by working in Ghana, and continued her involvement in international development as a trustee of World Education. She has received many awards, including the Mass Women’s Political Caucus Abigail Adams award in recognition of her efforts toward achieving equality for women. n

| campus update |

Breck-ing Ground Science building gets a new look What do Cybil Shepard, Brooke Shields, Cheryl Tiegs, and Farrah Fawcett have in common with American International College? They all owe a bit of gratitude to the Breck family. John H. Breck, the founder of Breck Shampoo, featured the famous models as “Breck Girls” in his shampoo advertising from the 1930s to the 1980s, but he also made possible the construction of the Breck Hall of Science at AIC in 1969. John H. Breck, III, grandson of the founder of the innovative company, returned to the AIC campus for the grand reopening of the Breck Hall of Science on Wednesday, March 27. Thanks to another generous gift from the Breck family, and the help of Congressman Richard E. Neal ’72, ’90 HON in securing federal funding, the first floor of Breck Hall has now been completely renovated. “As an AIC graduate, I am thrilled that the Breck Hall of Science has been completely renovated and has reopened on the main campus,” Neal said. “For more than a century, the college has helped transform the lives of thousands of students, and Breck Hall has been an important part of that history. Through the generosity of the Breck family, this 40-year-old facility has been reborn with a new entrance and state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories. Today's announcement is truly a celebration of AIC's historic past and exciting future.” The generous gift was made possible in part by the foundation established by Mr. Breck's son, the late John H. Breck, Jr., and daughter-in-law, Barbara N.

Breck of Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Both graduated in the AIC class of 1940. AIC Provost Todd G. Fritch said of the renovations, “Continued reinvestment in our instructional facilities and infrastructure is important for the continued success of our college, and critical to ensuring that our students receive the very best academic experience during their time at AIC. We are very grateful not only for the continued commitment by the Breck family to helping meet our students’ needs, but also to Congressman Neal's office for his continued support in securing federal funds for these academic reinvestments.” Work on Breck began last summer, including the main entrance, corridors, and the first floor. Three actively used classrooms received a transformation from an old, tired appearance with limited technology to a vibrant color, new flooring, freshly painted walls throughout the first floor and classrooms, and art-filled entrance and corridors. Classroom renovations include all new stadium seating, state-of-the-art technology, and most importantly, a vastly enhanced teaching and learning environment. The improvements, which totaled more than $600,000, were made possible through a 2005 HUD Special Project Grant that addressed the infrastructure/mechanical improvements, a 2006 HUD Special Projects Grant secured by Congressman Richard Neal, and the gift from the Breck family. n

Spring/Summer 2013

Interning, Serving, and Learning AIC senior brings dedication to high-profile internship and community engagement By Samantha Stephens'11

6 | Lucent

Many college students dream about mak-

ing a difference in their communities and in the world at large. They imagine what it might be like to rub elbows with leading politicians, celebrities, and other notables. For Dana Murray ’13, this dream became a reality. Last summer, Murray began working with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick through the 2012 Governor’s Western Massachusetts Intra-Agency Summer Internship Program. The program provides college students with the opportunity to learn about and engage in state government, while also providing them with a practicum that will enhance their academic and professional development. Murray was one of 10 students from the Western Massachusetts area to complete the program this year. As an intern in the Massachusetts Department of Revenue’s division for child support enforcement, Murray said his internship allowed him to acquire a better understanding of how state agencies work, as well as actively engage with state residents. “With the help of my fellow interns, I organized and hosted civic engagement events with constituents from Western Massachusetts to [inform] them about my experience working in the Department of Revenue,” he said. With what he describes as “major interest” in public service work, Murray was thrilled to learn that the regional director for the governor’s Western Massachusetts office, Elizabeth Cardona, decided to keep him on as a senior intern. And as they say, the rest is history. Describing himself as a giver, his enthusiasm for reaching into the community doesn’t stop when he leaves the governor’s office. He is also a volunteer with the Springfield Boys and Girls Club, an organization he became involved with in the fall of 2012. “It Spring/Summer 2013

"Programs such as career services and AIC Core Education (ACE) have offered me the essentials to achieve success after college through academic support and career counseling."

gives me joy to have the opportunity to use my ideas to help serve a developing community like Springfield,” Murray said. Murray said the biggest reason he chose to get involved with the Boys and Girls Club is because of the opportunity for personal growth that the organization creates for Springfield’s youth. “It provides young people, especially those who are at risk, with the fundamental tools to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens,” Murray said. Similar to his role as an intern for the governor, Murray’s key responsibilities with the Boys and Girls Club include facilitating workshops for young people in the area. “The purpose of the workshop is to help participants build social skills through a theoretical perspective,” he said. The workshop is held every Thursday and partners with the teen-night program. With a passion for social issues that has taken him outside the classroom, there’s little question as to why Murray chose sociology as his major at AIC. “I chose this major because it’s about understanding the big picture of social phenomena, issues, and problems through both a narrow and broad lens,” Murray said. Although he is already applying the skills he has acquired in the classroom in his professional life beyond college, Murray said AIC has also offered him tremendous academic support. “Programs such as career services and AIC Core Education (ACE) have offered me the essentials to achieve success after college through academic support and career counseling,” he said.

8 | Lucent

“I used AIC resources such as Greek organizations, AIC alumni, and professors to educate the participants of my workshop as to how great the opportunities they receive through higher education are,” Murray said. He also demonstrates how one student can grow beyond the classroom and be well on their way in realizing their dreams and potential — even before graduation. “The most rewarding aspect of my college experience has been the involvement of civic engagement alongside Governor Deval Patrick and Lt. Governor Timothy P. Murray and other political leaders of the Commonwealth,” Murray said. However, the biggest challenge Murray has faced lies in balancing his academics, philanthropy, internship, and all other academic responsibilities that come with being a college student. Murray noted that the most difficult aspect of his educational experience has been “trying not to get overwhelmed with stress from juggling so many jobs at the same time.” Nonetheless, he concedes that the ability to handle stress is part of the growing process. And while his attention is primarily focused on the world of possibilities at his fingertips, Murray said AIC has helped him grow as a both a person and a scholar. “AIC has a strong connection between the students and instructors, a rich campus life, great diversity, and a wide choice of sports and cocurricular activities that build skills and team work,” Murray said. Undoubtedly, the lessons he has learned in the classroom and on Beacon Hill will travel with him long after he graduates. n

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Victory! On April 28, AIC’s second annual Run For Education continued the success of last year’s inaugural 5k race. This year’s event boasted 186 registered runners and 23 teams, with participants running on behalf of 35 different K–12 schools. Overall, $4,150 was awarded to schools that were represented in the race. A hearty “thank you” and “congratulations” are in order to the runners who made the day so special!

Winners Teams 1st: Team "WMDP" running for Chester Academy 2nd: Team "Hamp High Harriers" running for Northampton High 3rd: Team "Granger Team 1" running for Clifford Granger Elementary Men 1st: Gustaf Lidfeldt, running for Suffield Academy 2nd: Jacob Brewer, running for Chester Academy 3rd: Joseph Cecchi, running for Clifford Granger Elementary Women 1st: Floriane Chevalier, running for South Hadley High School 2nd: Abby Mahoney, ’10 MA running for Northampton High School 3rd: Beth Kraseman, running for Suffield Academy

Spring/Summer 2013

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AIC’s undergraduate admissions team works smarter — and harder By Scott Whitney

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Varsity sports Men’s baseball Women’s softball Men’s and women’s basketball Men’s and women’s cross country Women’s field hockey Women’s volleyball Men’s football Men’s golf Men’s ice hockey Men’s and women’s lacrosse Men’s and women’s soccer Men’s and women’s tennis Men’s and women’s track and field Men’s wrestling Non-NCAA sports Cheerleading Men’s and women’s rugby Club and Intramural Sports Baseball Flag Football

nd Association of Schools and Colleges, Incorporated | Scholarships: athletic and academic | Mascot: Yellow Jacket

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$17,000 highest merit scholarship

Admit One

Magnifying glass designed by Hafizh from the Noun Project, Binoculars designed by Paul IJsendoorn from the Noun Project, car designed by Mathieu Crémazy from the Noun Project.

Spring/Summer 2013

a stereotype exists for an undergraduate admissions officer, it is obsolete. Gone are the days of bow-tied counselors, trolling through admissions essays in search of which student’s story of summer vacation makes them worthy of fall acceptance. Recent years have seen a simultaneous increase in college applicants and in the choices available to them. The result is a savvy consumer: casting their net wide and looking for a college that is just the right fit, just as undergraduate admissions are doing the same to applicants. As a result, the admissions process has changed dramatically from generations past, and American International College has positioned itself at the head of the curve. Heading into the Fall 2012 recruitment cycle, the institution recognized that it needed to create a team that had both professional expertise and flexibility, as well as an understanding of diversity. Over the past two years, both new and seasoned faces have contributed to making that team a reality. When Janelle Holmboe, dean of admissions, joined AIC in the fall of 2011, she knew that she was coming to a college that was delivering a quality product to a unique student population. “AIC is unique in that, in addition to the applicant with a strong college prep curriculum, we actively recruit students with high financial need and a diverse background. We offer a four-year experience, which may not otherwise be afforded to them,” said Holmboe. “And we’re staying true to this mission at the same time that more and more institutions are moving away from this demographic. That integrity was important to me.” However, Holmboe acknowledges that AIC faced a challenge in communicating the reality of the College to prospective students, and in keeping in step with recruitment methodology. College recruitment now operates from a nexus of data, smart communications, 12 | Lucent

and thoughtful counseling, and the College needed to reposition itself in its recruitment efforts. “Our communications efforts needed work,” she admitted. For Holmboe and her undergraduate admissions team, the new focus was on developing the tools necessary to reach out to future students. This would require a far more active effort than in years past. “At one time, there was the expectation that we’d sit and wait for the phone to ring — and when it rang, we’d provide great service. But, that really flies in the face of what we’re trying to do now, which is to provide outreach and actively recruit great students,” she noted.

Stocking the Toolbox Though Holmboe is succinct in her summary of her office’s mission, in practice this becomes a high-tech game of strategy. Enter Rebecca Capuano. One month after Holmboe’s arrival on the AIC campus, Capuano was named as the College’s data management support specialist. Don’t let the dry title fool you: Capuano is in charge of the technology war room. Armed with a new, state-of-the-art consumer

resource management (CRM) tool, Capuano and Holmboe set out to create a comprehensive means of reaching out to prospective students via e-mail, direct mail, phone calls, and compelling print materials. “Prior to our new CRM, we weren’t able to deliver the way that we needed to in the market,” acknowledged Capuano. “But our administration was more than willing to invest in that, which was compelling to me. Now we can pull reports concerning prospective students and where they’re at in the admissions process; we can analyze data to strategize and evaluate our own recruitment efforts.” Holmboe echoes Capuano’s belief that data is the core of any effective recruitment strategy. “Recruitment and enrollment are increasingly dependent on access to real-time data. The implementation of an information system that provides direct access to important data indicators is critical to our success. Over the past year, Rebecca has led an effort that literally built a data infrastructure from the ground up, which informs much of our strategic decision-making and planning.”

Putting AIC’s Spirit in Print Holmboe, in collaboration with AIC’s marketing team, made changes not just to how often prospective students received communication, but in the content that would be most helpful to them. “Our admissions counselors have always been great at walking students through the process and being incredibly friendly, and we’ve tried to keep our communications in the same vein,” she said. One of the core principles of the admissions office is to place special emphasis on serving as a guide for students unfamiliar with the application process. To that end, marketing and admissions collaborated to create a 25-point checklist for prospective students that spoke directly to satisfying that goal. The eye-catching piece featured timely reminders such as “Still haven’t registered for the SAT or ACT? Register today” to more generic pointers: “Watch for college fairs! (Like county fairs, but more informative. And less sheep.)” Since its creation, many high school guidance counselors have requested additional copies of the checklist to provide students with a road map for applying to college.

For Holmboe, employing the power of an effective CRM was integral to allowing her team to be targeted in their communications and communicate with students who might truly find AIC to be a great academic fit. “That’s really where the fun is, in taking best practices and applying them in a new way, which is like a puzzle,” she said. Applying best practices has meant that AIC’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions has dramatically stepped up their game. “Previously, from the point where [high school] students requested information about AIC to where we no longer communicated with them at all, we had just a handful of communications,” recalled Holmboe. “Now they get at least eight to 10 mailed items, at least 30 e-mails, two phone calls, and additional communications as they get further along in the admissions process. It’s a much more complex communications process.” She further noted that the goal of this comprehensive outreach program was to build relationships with future students, to engage them in their own recruitment, and to explore the mutually beneficial relationship that can emerge between school and student.

Rebecca and Janelle keep close watch on the metrics.

Holmboe asserts that a collaborative working relationship between the admissions and marketing offices is essential to successful recruitment. From the beginning of her tenure with the College, the development of a strong relationship between the creative marketing team and the recruitment effort has been one of Holmboe’s primary goals. “Having a strong Spring/Summer 2013

creative team like the one we experience here at AIC makes the process of developing impactful materials much more likely. From the beginning, I have been impressed and excited by the marketing department’s willingness to understand the intended goals of our recruitment materials, and to find cost-effective and creative ways to deliver what we need. The ability of the marketing team to use the data admissions provides to inform their creative process means that our recruitment materials are truly influential.” Developing admissions materials that are both helpful and fun is not just a happy accident — it creates an effective strategy in positioning AIC as an institution. “We try to do the value-add by giving prospective students relevant information for all schools that they’re applying to, not just AIC. That’s in keeping with our commitment to them as an institution,” Holmboe said. “But the materials that we send them are also more engaging than those of other schools. So, often students just want to see what our content

Capuano agrees that the push for authenticity has been a strategically important one. “We need to be honest about who we are and the great culture that we have here,” she said. “We have our eyes on the prize, in terms of getting people to visit campus, because then they actually see for themselves who we are.” For all intents and purposes, the push for an authentic communication style began with the creation of last year’s Viewbook, a print piece that most colleges use to convey their overall programs and philosophy to prospective students. “The Viewbook was our first major attempt to ask, ‘Ok, who are we?’ and identify what we stand for,” said Holmboe. “We tried to highlight the truth of what we do well in a way that resonates with students, and that required us to always err on the side of authenticity.” The response to the content and tone of AIC’s new message has been encouraging. This past spring, the

"We have our eyes on the prize, in terms of getting people to visit campus, because then they actually see for themselves who we are." is when we mail them a piece.” Capuano agrees that AIC’s mission to help prospective students achieve college success is a message that resonates. “We monitor a variety of data points, including e-mail–open rates and the percentage of students who ‘opt out’ of our communication. All of these reflect a tremendous engagement by prospective students. Our positive indicators are significantly higher than national averages, and demonstrate the fact that relatable, playful communication campaigns that genuinely address the needs of a prospective family will be successful.” In addition to creating a useful set of materials to send to students, the team worked to develop a message of authenticity that students would respond to. “Springfield is an urban environment and that affords us a tremendous opportunity for students to get involved in the community,” noted Holmboe. “But in the past, instead of talking about that in our materials, we worried too much about showing a traditional New England experience. Frankly, what students really want is to know what to expect when they come to campus.” 14 | Lucent

Counsel for Advancement and Support of Education recognized AIC’s Viewbook with a gold award for excellence in concept, copy, and design. In April, the new marketing materials were recognized again, this time by the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts at their annual awards banquet, winning a gold, two silvers, and a judge’s choice award. “When focused, collaborative, and creative teams do good work, other people eventually take notice," Holmboe says of the recent accolades. As an overarching strategy, the admissions team has also seen data to support that they are on the right track. “Our search response for students has been significantly higher this year than the previous year,” noted Holmboe. “Our inquiry application yield is running about 3 percent higher, which is very significant because our goal this year was to have a 1.3 percent increase.” Dean Holmboe’s technical response yields a more basic truth: AIC is getting the word out — and it’s working. 

commencement

2013

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Congratulations, Graduates! On May 19, over 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students received a diploma at AIC commencement ceremonies at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. Commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient Craig Brown—treasurer of the AIC Board of Trustees and a partner at the law firm of Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy in Springfield—congratulated students and offered

words of wisdom. “Be focused on first impression," he advised the graduates. "Value your luck, seize your opportunities and help the unlucky. Be a passionate volunteer, maintain an even disposition through the highs and the lows. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Enjoy the passage of time and make your lives shine." 

Spring/Summer 2013

Charting a Course: Superintendent Daniel Warwickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Data-driven Strategies for Saving Springfield Schools By Thomas Friedmann

16 | Lucent

Spring/Summer 2013

When Daniel Warwick graduated from American International College with a master’s degree in education in 1981, he knew that he wanted to someday affect real change in Springfield’s public schools. In 2012, just over 30 years later, and amidst a time of great challenges for Springfield schools, Warwick got that opportunity when he was appointed to the position of superintendent. In the wake of harsh mandates from the state, the office of the superintendent was under continued pressure to deliver improved student outcomes—something Warwick has become known for over the course of his career. To usher in positive new change, Warwick is now working with teachers, administrators, and the private sector to bring bold and modern strategies to Springfield Public Schools.

for schools that have not performed well enough on certain standardized tests—to one of the highest performing in the state. Warwick credits his staff for the outstanding academic progress. “When you look at school performance, it’s highly correlated to poverty rates, and we were the highest-performing high-poverty school in Massachusetts. I put a tremendous staff of quality teachers together that worked effectively to make a difference for the kids at Glenwood.” This remarkable turnaround in student achievement earned Warwick the honorable Blue Ribbon Award from the Department of Education in 2004. In that same year he accepted the role of assistant superintendent, under Alan Ingram. In the seven years that he worked closely with Ingram, he increased the academic gains of the 21 schools by twice the district’s average.

With nearly 40 years of experience in teaching and administration in the city, Warwick brings to the table a special affection for all that Springfield has to offer. He was born and raised here, and he has devoted his entire career to the Springfield schools. “I grew up here and I’ve lived here all my life—I love this city, I have a deep commitment to Springfield,” he says. While serving as a teacher in the district, Warwick realized that he wanted to go back to school to increase his skills as an educator. American International College was the obvious choice for him. “What I appreciated about AIC is the personal attention that you receive. The advisors and the teachers were simply terrific, and I loved my experience there,” he says. Recognizing him as a strong ally in the Springfield community, AIC tapped Warwick to join the board of trustees, bringing his connection to the College full circle.

While serving as assistant superintendent in 2010, Warwick faced an exciting and daunting undertak-

In addition to the master’s degree he earned at AIC, Warwick also holds a certificate of advanced graduate studies in educational administration, and he has won fellowships from Harvard University, the University of Pittsburgh, and AIC. This mix of education and experience helped Warwick prepare for the challenges his new position poses. Not just anyone would be capable of revitalizing Springfield’s school system in such a serious time of need, but Warwick had already begun achieving victories for the district before he entered the role of superintendent. Over his 11 years as principal of Glenwood Elementary, Warwick raised the school from “underperforming, Level 4”—a designation 18 | Lucent

"I grew up here and I’ve lived here all my life— I love this city, I have a deep commitment to Springfield." ing—the negotiation and implementation of an entirely new administrative and curricular plans for Springfield Public Schools. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) identified 10 Springfield schools to be among 35 of the lowest-performing schools in the state, with test scores that were described as “unacceptably low.” The report was associated with an education reform bill calling for immediate actions to improve school performance in a period of three years, or the state would takeover the district. Included in the bill was a mandate for principals in underperforming schools to be replaced or transferred if they had served two or more years. To aid with this wholesale redevelopment, federal funds would be available through a series of grants under the new “Race to the Top” program. To qualify, schools needed to submit intervention plans to ESE that would for the first time require collaboration between teachers and administration to solve underperformance issues. Warwick was tasked with the responsibility of negotiating the new intervention plans with the administrative and teachers’ unions.

One thing became immediately obvious to Warwick—more transparent data would be necessary to empower teachers. Digital records, or “dashboards,” had been created in previous years to track student achievement scores, but these were limited to administrators. Warwick’s team expanded on the technology, adding more student data indicators, and began releasing the dashboards to educators. “Everyone has real-time access to current data on every child. Four or five years ago, we just didn’t have this kind of information tied to technology. You would get test results once a year. Now we have updated information not just for assessment data, but now also fluency, attendance, course/failure trends, at everyone’s fingertips right away, to make decisions on for kids.” Teachers will also be coached about how to critically assess the student data to improve teaching methods based on what the numbers demonstrate. The crux of the redesign that Warwick delivered to the district was the Springfield Effective Educator Development System (SEEDS) program, a complete overhaul of the outmoded teacher evaluation system. SEEDS aims to help students become more successful by making teachers more successful in their teaching practices. This is accomplished by providing a regular schedule of planning, goal setting, and evaluation. One key aspect of SEEDS is the provision for school administrators to conduct unannounced observations, which provides regular and honest data. “The program is a radical change in the way that we do business,” Warwick explains. “At the end of the day, the principal will have the opportunity make a comprehensive evaluation of the teachers. This is all about improving practice and providing support to teachers to improve their practice, which will result in better student outcomes.” The program has already been established in the underperforming schools, which have seen gains since the implementation. Soon, the program will be implemented in the rest of the Springfield schools. To assist with the most challenging schools in

the district—the ones that have not responded to SEEDS—Warwick has enlisted the Education Innovation Laboratory (EdLabs), a cutting-edge research and development group out of Harvard University. “We looked at partners that we could bring in to help with those schools and provide extra resources for the students. EdLabs has a track record of tremendous success,” explains Warwick. Describing itself as an assortment of “scientists, administrators, and implementers,” EdLabs believes that lasting education reform comes from facing facts, and acting boldly to create solutions to improve student outcomes. To this end, EdLabs has extracted a number of teachers from the schools, after making assessments. To address Springfield’s particular needs, EdLabs will focus strongly on mentoring in math and reading skills, promising to greatly improve schools’ MCAS scores. The educational phase of the EdLabs program will take full effect in four Springfield schools in the fall of 2013. With all the work that’s being done under Warwick’s leadership, positive growth has started to emerge. The latest data show that graduation rates in Springfield have gone up 4.5% and the dropout rate has decreased 1.7% in the past year. “These gains were three times the amount seen in the rest of the commonwealth,” Warwick says. “It’s a community effort, and there’s still much more work to be done.” Making lasting progress in the quality of schools can be slow, patient work, but Warwick seems to consistently make the right choices, being careful to include teachers and administrators along the way. And he appears genuinely unbothered by the scope of the project, which is a testament to his perseverance. After all, his post-AIC career has prepared him well for where he is now, and he hardly seems the type to let a little more time and effort get in the way of doing the work necessary to save the school system he cares so deeply about.  Spring/Summer 2013

AIC's Student Ambassadors Our Best Feet Forward

Andrea Boczon '16, Student Ambassador From: Monson, MA Year: Freshman Major: Occupational Therapy Minor: Psychology Sport: Track & Field (Indoor & Outdoor) Andrea Boczon is one of 20 student ambassadors currently working for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Student ambassadors perform a very important function at AIC as theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re often the first current students that prospective students (and their parents) get to meet when they visit campus. The ambassadors have to not only make these visitors feel welcome but also be prepared to answer any questions that arise about the application process and academic and campus life. In Andreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s words, here is what being an ambassador is all about. Student ambassadors are the face of the college and the student body. With the job come plenty of responsibilities. But to be honest, they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel like responsibilities because of how much fun we have.

I have a lot on my plate with track practice twice a day most of the week, work, and school assignments. The daily tasks of a student ambassador consists of giving tours, entering student information in the databases, handling mail, answering phone calls, working the front desk, organizing and filing paperwork, and even making coffee.

20 | Lucent

We work a lot of events, like open houses, Accepted Students’ Day, and Scholars’ Day. We work together with the admissions counselors to make sure everything runs smoothly. We also do calling hours on weeknights where we call students who have applied or sent their transcripts here. We ask if they have any questions or concerns and remind them if they haven’t sent in their full application. I always have to be on my toes and prepared for any situation, especially when it involves prospective students that are looking at AIC.

My first time giving a tour was unplanned and unexpected. There was a two-person party—an aunt and an uncle. They were from Africa and their niece was still over there. No one was available to give them the tour—we’d missed the last one. I let them know that I don’t usually give tours, but I’d shadowed tours before so I knew the basics. It was my first official tour. I was thrilled to do it. I’m pretty certain their niece is going to come here.

In high school I was terrified of speaking in public until I joined the debate team. That experienced helped me a lot. So when I started this job I had more confidence in talking to people, which is a huge part of what we do. Helping people on the phone was scary at first, especially because I’m a freshman and haven’t learned everything about the school yet. Sometimes people ask questions you don’t know the answer to, so you have to be patient with yourself and answer all the questions you can and then transfer them to somebody else who can help them with everything they need to know. You need to sympathize. Be polite. Relate to them. Show them that you know what you’re talking about and that you understand where they’re coming from. Sometimes we get really vague phone calls, where people just say they want to know more about AIC. Then you have to figure out what they’re interests are, like sports or a major. Pretty much you have to sell the school and tell them why they should come here.

One reason why I love working in admissions is that it feels like an actual job. It prepares me for my future career. I have gained a deeper understanding of how to work with others. The people I work with are so helpful, warm, and accepting. But this is also my first office job, and I feel like I’ve learned how to be more professional and to work in a new environment. I absolutely think other students should apply to be an ambassador. It opens up a lot of different opportunities, and it’s a great opportunity to meet different people. Our team is more of a family, and it’s really good to be surrounded by people like that. 

Spring/Summer 2013

Communit

n Uncommon 22 | Lucent

AIC's Communications Department By Samantha Stephens '11

| off the record |

Clockwise from top left: Frank Borrelli, John Nordell, Marty Langford, Mary Ellen Lowney and Jamina Scippio-McFadden

Spring/Summer 2013

an Uncommon

Commu

In this issue of Lucent, we continue our Q&A series, “Off the Record,” featuring a conversation with five members of AIC’s communications department. While the discussion will begin in the pages of this magazine, you will find it continued on the AIC website at the link cited below. We encourage you to be a part of the conversation and reach out to your former professors via the alumni Facebook page. We will be closely watching for your comments and will see to it that you are put in touch with the faculty, coaches, and staff that made a difference during your time at AIC. A discussion with department members Mary Ellen Lowney (MEL), Marty Langford (ML), Frank Borrelli (FB), John Nordell ( JN), and Jamina Scippio-McFadden ( JSM).

Lucent: What is your background in the communications field?

a staff photographer, photo editor, and writer at the Christian Science Monitor for nine years.

ML: I have an AA in liberal arts through Holyoke Community College and a BA from Boston University—the major was broadcasting and film, and my concentration was in screenwriting. I have 15 years experience in corporate and commercial video production and over 10 years experience in filmmaking, as a writer, producer, director, and editor. I was an adjunct professor at HCC and Westfield State for many years.

JSM: I started off doing radio in the eighth grade, doing production and announcing on a weekend program for an AM station in my hometown. I’ve also worked in newspaper as a reporter, but most of my time was spent in television as special projects reporter and news producer at the CBS affiliate in Tallahassee.

MEL: I worked for 30 years as a reporter at what is now the Republican (formerly the Daily News, then the Union-News), covering all manner of beats, including general assignment, town reporting, regional reporting, courts, education, government, politics and many, many feature stories. I have also worked as a freelance writer, and dabbled in public relations. I am getting to be an all-around communications person!

24 | Lucent

Lucent: How did you get your start? (Let's talk about first jobs!) ML: I had a summer internship with a production company in my hometown during my senior year at BU. They hired me shortly after the internship ended.

FB: My background is in theater arts. I have worked professionally as a performer, director, designer, teacher, and theater administrator.

MEL: My first job, just out of college, was at The Daily News. I applied and got a job as a summer intern, then was happy to land a full-time job when that ended. I was lucky as this was during a time when journalism jobs were hard to get -- much like today.

JN: I have over twenty years as an internationally traveled and published photojournalist. I have worked for magazines such as Time and Newsweek, and was

FB: I did a lot of work in summer stock theatres around the country. I also adjunct taught for many colleges in the area.

unity

JN: I started off working as a freelance photographer. I made the most of connections—family and friends. I worked hard, for long hours. I created portfolios tailored to the clients I was targeting. That impressed my prospects and they hired me. JSM: My first real job—where I actually got paid—was in Tallahassee starting out as an assistant producer on the morning show. Prior to that I had all these internships and non-pay jobs to get the experience I needed. Lucent: How did you hear about the job at AIC? What attracted to you about it? ML: Through the classifieds in the Sunday paper. With my practical experience in the communications field and my interest in communications-based technologies, it seemed a perfect fit. I had been teaching as an adjunct for nearly ten years and the fit seemed right. MEL: I was covering higher education/local colleges for the newspaper and working on my master's degree at the same time. I came to know AIC President Vincent Maniaci on the beat, and he asked me whether I would be interested in teaching a journalism course as an adjunct. I said yes, and I loved it! During that semester an opening came up in the Communication Department. I applied and got the job. The rest is history! I love teaching and feel I have found yet another really fun job. I have been blessed.

JN: My wife found the listing on the AIC website. I was taking my last course for my master's of education in arts education. The class was on curriculum leadership and I was writing a digital photography curriculum. So I was excited to see a job teaching digital photography. JSM: The students [are what attracted me]. It’s a small college with a family atmosphere, but especially the students. Once I made the switch to higher education, I go wherever I can work with a good group of students. Lucent: What are the benefits of working in a department that has undergone many changes in the past couple years? ML: Though challenging, it allows us the luxury of re-examining our entire program from top to bottom and allowing us the opportunity to make changes where we see fit. MEL: A good question! It's a chance to rebuild and renew. I love seeing our 'new' department growing and evolving into a new iteration. We're incorporating much more technology and new media into our classes and extra activities. FB: Well, we appreciate each other more. We welcome each others thoughts an opinions and we look for ways to work together in the classroom and beyond. JN: I have just started, so only have heard about the changes. Looking forward, it is so exciting. The college administration seems very open to our ideas for building and expanding the department. JSM: I like getting involved at the ground floor. This is exciting—it’s something new and something different. Just the whole idea of recreating a program that’s relevant to a field that’s changing every day. We can make sure our students are knowledgeable about these changes.

FB: I saw the job posted on the college web site and I thought hmmmm. This sounds like a great opportunity for me to make a difference. (Continue our discussion at www.aic.edu/offtherecord) Spring/Summer 2013

| class notes | Dear Alumni, In the fall 2012 edition of Lucent, we asked you to please tell us about the photo below. The response we received from Kimberly Mortara Kaplanis ’78 is printed below the photo. We invite you to respond to our new installment of “Tell us about this photo” shown to the right. We look forward to hearing your story.

Danielle Goldaper Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving

Tell us about this photo! We would love to know who is in it, what they were doing, and where they are now. Tell your story to Danielle Goldaper at danielle.goldaper@aic.edu. We will draw a name from the responses and send that person a gift from AIC.

Hi Danielle, WOW, what a crew we were! Just have to tell you about the memories that photo in the Fall 2012 edition of the Lucent brought back to me and probably so many others. The man sitting on the floor in the middle left was Magna Hall's Head Resident and I (directly above his head) was the 4th floor Resident Assistant. All those females lived on that floor 1977-1978. Magna was a co-ed dorm but only by floors...no mixing of genders on the floors. Yes, we were the best of the best! The most united, caring group of gals on campus. We always and easily came together for laughs just as seen in this picture. Some of those in the picture are Barbara (Barbie) Mead (center middle with a Santa hat), Lauren (left, center back), Maureen (Mo), front far left, Debbie, Cathy and many more...unfortunately unable to remember their names. Yes, this pic made me smile and I am certain it has done the same for so many others. The Lucent has been my connection to news back at AIC so special thanks for all the fine work and dedication that is apparent in keeping graduates connected...my best to everyone there! Kimberly Mortara Kaplanis Class of 1978 MA 1981 26 | Lucent

Alumni profile

| class notes | Paige Thompson Westcott '00 Major: Elementary Education Career: Owner of Playful Minds Learning Center Alumni Director: Have you stayed in touch with your AIC network? Paige: Ever since graduation I have been on the move creating my career and gaining work experience in my field. Because I have been so busy I have counted on social media to stay in touch with most of my AIC friends. I am always surprised to see that other professionals I meet have an AIC degree. My AIC alumni network is much bigger than I ever realized when I was a student! Alumni Director: What is your favorite book that you have read in the last year? Paige: A few months ago I read a book by Barbara Walters called Auditions. I hated to put the book down. Alumni Director: If you could go back to college, what single thing might you do differently? Paige: If I could go back to college, the two things I would have done differently are live on campus and study abroad. I feel like those two experiences would have matured my outlook on the world. Alumni Director: How do you reward yourself when you reach a goal that you’ve been working towards? Paige: When I have completed a goal I have set for myself I mark it off on my bucket list and continue to challenge myself. There is always something more that I can do if I can find the time and the energy. Alumni Director: How would you complete this sentence: “YOU KNOW YOU WENT TO AIC IF...” Paige: You have hung out at the Yellow Jackets pub, The Stinger.

Seine River Cruise

Paris & Highlights of Normandy

May 16 - June 6, 2014 Starting at $3199 www.aic.edu/alumni/calendar for more information

Spring/Summer 2013

| class notes | Annette Morris ’41 continues

to support the Girl Scouts as the organization celebrates its 101st year of existence. Annette became active with the Girl Scouts when she was in grade school. When Annette was an AIC student, the College would make sandwiches for her troop to take on hikes. She still stays in touch with people she met at Girl Scout encampments. Annette was joined by a local troop to celebrate the Girl Scouts’ anniversary at Sunrise Assisted Living in Leominster, MA.

Harry Aizenstat '36 presents Gail Stern, director and professor of physical therapy, with a copy of Innovation with Information Technologies in Healthcare by Chris McCarthy and Lyle Berkowitz, MD. The copy is signed by McCarthy who is the director of Kaiser Permanente's Innovation Learning Network.

1930s

Class of 1937 Scholarship was

awarded to Kaila Barnett. Kaila is studying nursing and playing on the women’s rugby team.

Class of 1938 Scholarship was

awarded to Kyla Bivins. Kyla is in the liberal studies program at AIC.

Class of 1939 Scholarship

Class of 1940 Scholarship was

awarded to Marisa Figueroa, a nursing student.

28 | Lucent

retirement in the New Orleans, Louisiana area. He has called New Orleans home for sixty-three years. Class of 1949 Scholarship was

awarded to Kenneth Drayton, a business major.

1950s

Glendora Buell Folsom ’50

finally entered the last of the top twenty cities in the USA with her public access television show, A Chat with Glendora. She entered San Jose, CA this fall making sixty-eight television stations nationwide. Fred Zanetti ’50 celebrated his

91st birthday in May.

Annette Morris '41 and girl scout Jennifer Cote. Photo courtesy of the Leominister Champion

Mary Raissi Stewart ’42 of Enfield, Connecticut received an honorary degree at the American International College commencement ceremony in May. Mary spent five decades teaching. Most of the year she resides in St. Croix, but she returns to Connecticut in the summer.

was awarded to Megan Mason. Megan is a nursing major.

1940s

Fredrick Todt ’42 is enjoying

Fred Zanetti '50

Donald Cotnoir ’54 volunteers

his time delivering donated computers to students at five area schools. The computers are for students to keep personally. In four years, Donald has delivered more than 360 computers to stu-

70th Reunion Idea

Mary Raissi Stewart ’42 stopped in to visit the alumni office.

She asked if we had plans to host a reunion for classes from the early 40s. We thought that was a great idea! We are inviting members of the Classes of 1942, 1943, and 1944 to come to campus next June to celebrate. Send us your ideas to make it a success at alumni@aic.edu. Look for an invitation early next year.

| class notes | dents in his community. Donald and his wife live in the Hilton Head area of South Carolina and are always happy to see his classmates from 1954! John Ptaszek Jr. ’57 serves as a volunteer for the Valley Radio Reading Service. He reads local, national, and international news to the blind and sight impaired. Those who receive the service have special radio receivers to listen to the readings. Chuck Lupien ’59 is retired from

his vice presidency at Trinova Corp. He lives in Stafford, VA with his wife, Janice.

1960s

Robert Triggs ’60 and his wife,

Patricia, celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary last August.

Class of 1964 Scholarship was

awarded to Sarah Zachary. Sarah is studying nursing.

Eleanor Cook Huston ’67 is

a retired teacher. She enjoys her seven grandchildren, traveling, and substitute teaching.

Peter Szatkowski ’67 and his

wife, Carole, have recently become the proud grandparents of twins.

Alan Sandstrom ’68 and his wife Pamela visited the AIC campus recently and spent time with Lani Lowrie Kretschmar ’77, executive assistant to the president, and Bill Seretta ’69, former chief information officer. While exploring campus they rediscovered Indian artifacts that had been stored in the attic of DAR Hall since the 1960s. The artifacts came from local digs conducted by Robert Lowrie, professor of anthropology from 1964 to 1996. As an anthropology student, Alan had participated in numerous digs alongside Prof. Lowrie. Mike Coven ’69 has been

selected as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) 2012 New England Division III Coach of the Year. Mike is the Brandeis University men’s soccer coach. He was named the University Athletic Association (UAA) Coach of the Year for the second time earlier this year. He guided Brandeis to a 16-2-1 record in the regular season, including an 11-0-1 start that helped establish a school-record 17-match unbeaten streak, dating to the end of the 2011 season.

Robert Delisle ’69 retired from his position as the principal of West Springfield High School in 2004. After eight years as administrator of the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Administrators Association Leadership Licensure Program, he has entered his second retirement. David Hammer ’69 is the man-

aging partner at Hammer Asset Management in Auburn, CA. He and his wife, Karen, are proud of

and enjoy their four children and four grandchildren. Richard Moore ’69 retired from

a forty-year career at Eastern Bank in 2008. He continues to act as a trustee for the bank. He and his wife, Judith, spend winters together in Marco Island, Florida.

1970s

Class of 1971 Scholarship was

awarded to Kenneth Drayton. Kenneth is studying business.

Gordon Axtman ’74 is enjoying

semi-retirement after 10 years as a special education teacher and twenty-five years as a guidance counselor.

Michael Krasner ’74 is an account executive with Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America. Paul Nicolai ’75 has been

named—for six years running—one of the Best Lawyers in America in commercial litigation. He has acted as an arbitrator or mediator in more than 900 cases.

Class of 1977 Scholarship was

awarded to Sarah Zachary. Sarah is a junior nursing major.

Lani Lowrie Kretschmar ’77

recently returned to campus in the role of executive assistant to the president of American International College. Lani is a second generation staff member at AIC. Her father, Prof. Robert Lowrie, taught anthropology and sociology at the College for more than three decades and retired in 1996.

Paul J. Provost '68, Alan R. Sandstrom '68, Prof. Robert E. Lowrie

Spring/Summer 2013

| class notes |

Darnell Williams ’79 has been elected to an executive post on the National Urban League, putting him in a national role with the civil rights organization. Darnell is still the president of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.

1980s

Jerry Azzinaro ’81 will coach

the defensive line of the Philadelphia Eagles after serving in the same role on Chip Kelly's staff at Oregon from 2009–12. During that span, the Ducks defensive line compiled a total of 76 sacks. Prior to joining the coaching staff at Oregon, Azzinaro was the defensive line coach at Marshall University in 2008 and at the University of New Hampshire in 2007. The Brooklyn, NY, native also had stints with Duke, Syracuse, Maine, UMass, Boston College, Western New England, and his alma mater, American International College (1987-91). Rheo Brouillard ’82 MBA

was named chairman of Bankers’ Bank Northeast. He is a long-time Bankers’ board member who sits on its marketing and personnel committees. Brouillard remains president and CEO of SI Financial Group, Inc. Edward Danek, Jr. ’83 has

been chosen to join the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s First District Community De-

30 | Lucent

pository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC). He was nominated for the three-year term by the president and CEO of the Credit Union League of Connecticut. Ed is the Hartford Federal Credit Union president and CEO. Todd Farnsworth ’84 serves as a minister at the Belchertown United Church of Christ. He has just published his first book, Characters Welcome: Old Testament Edition. It is a collection of short meditations on significant characters found in the Old Testament of the Bible. Ali Mehdi ’84 is the vice presi-

dent of human resources at Warid Telecom in Islamabad, Pakistan. He is married with two children. Ali is looking to reconnect with his former teammates from the men’s tennis team.

Diane Troderman ’84 MBA

was honored at a New York City gala held by the Jewish Education Service of North America for her years of work in the area of education and support for Jewish services. Troderman, along with her husband, Harold Grinspoon, have established the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation that has funded educational awards and other projects as far away as Cambodia.

1990s

Dana Levangie ’94 has been named as the new bullpen coach for the Boston Red Sox. Dana is not giving up his old job fully and will continue to assist with advance scouting for the team. Dana has more than two decades in the Red Sox system.

2000s

Brian Cameron ’00 MEd

has been appointed as the new assistant superintendent for teaching and learning by the Belchertown School Committee. Brian has served as the principal at the Chestnut Hill Community School for the last six years. Lucy Soto-Abbe ’05 MS has

been nominated by Governor Patrick for another term on the Massachusetts Parole Board. Prior to her experience on the board, she worked for 17 years as a victim/witness advocate in the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office.

Cynthia Armand Gibbs ’08

was married to Steven Gibbs in October of 2012. 2012 was a very exciting year for Cynthia, as she also completed her MBA at Endicott College with a 3.9 overall GPA.

| class notes |

2010s

Lisa M. Garcia ’10, ’12 DPT

joined the staff of Connecticut Physical Therapy Specialists in Granby. Lisa and her husband, Chris, live in Windsor Locks with their puggle, Haley. Jeremy Casey ’11 MBA

has been named vice president of commercial services at Westfield Bank. He previously served as a commercial services officer.

Jeff E. Haddad ’11, ’12 MOT

was featured in an article by The American Occupational Therapy Association for his training of a mixed martial arts champion. Jeff is himself a professional mixed martial arts fighter with four wins, zero losses, and a national bantam weight title. Jeff uses the scientific principles of OT training to help MMA fighters understand the anatomy and science behind the methods of combat. Justin Roberts ’11 recently returned to campus in the role of development officer at American International College.

Spring/Summer 2013

| in memoriam | 1937

Alice Nutter Durphey

1938

Cecil C. Durphey Aniela W. Wizert Noniewicz

1945

Helen Miazga Sambor

1946

Theodore M. Kellogg Jr.

1948

Kent B. Smith

1949

Raymond L. Crosier Walter J. Pacosa Merritt C. Rowley

1950

Frederic J. Kwapien Andre T. Lareau Stanley F. Matras Lawrence L. Pomerantz Robert L. St. Pierre

1951

John W. Allen Ralph A. Fiore Charles J. Maniscalchi Catherine Shaylor

Richard P. Bailey Cornelius P. Bresnahan Jr. Jean Easton Erb Thomas E. Landers

1957

Robert A. Young

1958

Marion Fontaine Meaney Edward K. Plata

Barbara M. Kelly

2003

1963

Friends of the College

Ruth E. Raynor Donald A. Nadeau

1966

Samuel C. Genovese

1968

Phyllis Kozyra Vanasse

1971

Irene D. Coulson Livingstone-Mann Christie Serino, Jr.

1975

Gary D. Berman Richard J. Kalnok Michael E. Sadak

1976

1979

Jere Sheehan

1996

1962

1953

1956

Shirley Stanton

2000

James P. Saxe

Pasquale Albano Constantine G. Arvanitis Louis A. Ferreira Richard J. Wiatrowski

1993

1961

Mary Ann Enright Ebnet Louise F. Hansen Joseph L. Harris Edward M. Lundrigan Patricia A. Nelen

1952

32 | Lucent

1959

Gerda M. Trzeciak

1980

Carol M. Manuele John W. Murray

1983

Paul S. Thompson

1985

Vito R. Aversa

1988

Avis M. Smith

Michael J. Pepin Stanislaw R. Rozwadowski Francis E. Bellizia Jr. (Faculty)

James J. Shea, Jr. (HON â&#x20AC;&#x2122;80) died January 12 in Rancho Mirage, CA. He was 87. Shea was the former chairman, president, and CEO of Milton Bradley. He was the son of James J. Shea Sr. (H â&#x20AC;&#x2122;71), after whom the AIC Shea Library is named. Shea succeeded his father as head of Milton Bradley in 1967 and retired to California after Milton Bradley sold to Hasbro for $360 million in May 1984.

The Light of Spring

PHOTOGRAPHY Chattman Photography Craig Greenberg Leonard Underwood '05

Vince Maniaci, president

AIC Homecoming weekend October 25 & 26

lucent The Alumni Magazine of American International College

American International College 1000 State Street Springfield, Massachusetts 01109 www.aic.edu

Spring/Summer 2013 | Volume 6 | Issue 1

Sometimes, the best way to get ahead... is to go back. Your grad degree

@ AIC

Charting a Course Daniel Warwick’s Strategies for Saving Springfield Schools