The Alumni Magazine of American International College
The Distinguished Career of Special Agent James Myers S p r i n g 2 0 1 1 | Vo l u m e 4 | I s s u e 1
still transforming As another academic year comes to a close and another class prepares for graduation, it is a good time to look back. During the last six years we made real progress in improving campus facilities, as well as campus life. Students are able to enjoy the newly reopened Stinger, the new athletic stadium and track, as well as the outside patio and living room addition to the Campus Center. A new Center of Academic Success was unveiled in the Shea Library, and the Communications Department has a new and improved facility, which houses faculty, a television studio, WAIC, and the Yellow Jacket Newspaper. Much of this was made possible by the generosity of you, our alumni and friends of AIC.
AIC students continue to make us proud with their devotion to community. When disaster struck in Haiti, they were there to lend a helping hand. When food was needed at area shelters, they took up a collection and delivered. When Big Brothers were needed at the Homer St. School, they volunteered. When you return to campus, and we hope you will come back often, you will continue to see changes and improvements to every aspect of the college - in academic programs, housing, student activities and athletics. I hope your AIC experience was positive and that you use it to make a contribution to your community, your family and the world. Vince Maniaci President
Spring 2011 | Volume 4 | Issue 1
EDITORIAL BOARD Heather Cahill Craig Greenberg Mary Ellen Lowney Luke Quijano-West Lynn Saunders CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Craig Greenberg Lea Johnson Mary Ellen Lowney Lorrie Macy Jaclyn Stevenson
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Luke Quijano-West
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ PROJECT MANAGER Lynn Saunders PHOTOGRAPHERS Craig Greenberg Luke Quijano-West Lynn Saunders
in this issue cover story 10 James myers
James Myers’ career reads like a movie script.
regular features 2 CAMPUS UPDATE
27 IN MEMORIAM
News from the quad and beyond. Find out about the latest developments, on campus and off.
A listing of alumni and friends who are no longer with us.
23 CLASS NOTES
Check on your fellow alumni and see what they’re up to. And while you’re at it, why not send us your story?
articles 6 Baptism by Fire
Internship for AIC student turns into perfect job at WGGB ABC40/Fox 6 News.
8 Motivating the Senses
Communications professor brings inpiration in to the classroom.
14 A Streamlined MBA
AIC makes history with two new cohort based MBA programs.
18 Together They Succeed
The Women’s Soccer team finds success on and off the field.
Spring 2011 1
campus update Marketing for the Real World There’s nothing like a real-world project to drive classroom learning home for students. In the case of Public Relations, or COM306, the fall 2010 project linked 16 high-level communication students with the Springfield Public Forum, a longstanding lecture series offered each fall in downtown Springfield. For Mary Ellen Lowney’s students, it was a taste of what real-life marketers and public relations specialists deal with in their quest to draw in the public.
The project began with a query last summer by Meghan Lynch, a member of the Board of Directors of the Springfield Public Forum and a managing partner at Six-Point Creative, a local marketing firm. Meghan wanted to know if AIC had a class that might be a good fit as a partner in promoting a forum event. Immediately, Lowney thought of the Public Relations class, and jumped at the chance to work with Meghan. Together, they chose the forum’s final event – a late November match-up between noted journalists and political commentators David Brooks and Mark Shields. Meghan visited for the first time just after classes began, doing a ‘SWOT analysis’ of the Forum: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Students learned that, among several things, the annual program needed to attract a younger, and more diverse crowd.
Students then went to work in teams, tackling the issues of drawing a younger audience, increasing diversity, becoming more engaging, attracting more corporate sponsors, and raising average event attendance. Students then created and delivered presentations to illustrate their marketing strategies. Meghan returned in October to see the fruits of their labors. She called the work outstanding, promising that it would help drive the marketing strategy for the next Forum and beyond.
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“The AIC students delivered much more than we expected,” she said. “There were some great ideas, they also had clearly done some research above
and beyond. They came up with specific businesses for us to approach, and places for us to go to meet directly with the public in our outreach. They definitely helped us look at things more broadly, and more specifically. ” For their part, students also said they appreciated the chance to work on a project that meant something more than a grade.
“We got to see how a non-profit operates, and the goals of a marketing campaign today,” said senior Justin Roberts, who is the student body president at AIC. “Marketing is so different than it was 10 years ago – there’s social networking, for one – and this was a chance for us to put that into action. Any time you go outside of the classroom or bring things from the outside in, it takes learning to a new level.” And as a bonus, there was a stimulating event to attend! n
Did you know AIC Alumni is on LinkedIn? Rob Loeffler, AIC MBA class of 2009, created our LinkedIn group in early 2010 as a way to empower alumni globally and expand the greater reach of our network through social media. Rob currently works in the healthcare IT industry as a healthcare consultant assistsing hospitals nationwide with their electronic medical records implementation.
Please join to share stories, network with alumni, connect with colleagues, or share useful information. linkedin.com/groups?gid=155027&mostPopular=
campus update Cairo Connection Admissions Coordinator for Extended Campus Programs Kerry Reiter traveled to Cairo, Egypt in October to meet with former, current, and potential students in American International College’s Master’s of International Education program. Reiter, who serves as the lead coordinator between the Cairo and Springfield campuses, was making her second visit since the program’s inception in 2007. The primary reason for her visit was to recruit new students and to connect with the 50 or so former students at their first-ever Cairo alumni event. Reiter has enjoyed playing a part in linking AIC Springfield to AIC Cairo. She is extremely passionate about the program and is optimistic about its future, saying, “AIC’s Cairo program is integral to our presence in the international realm. I’m lucky to have been able to spend time with our students and faculty there who have shown me nothing but kindness and warmth.” One of Cairo’s faculty, Amina Ali, is a 2008 graduate from AIC’s Springfield campus. Traveling with Reiter, was Adjunct Faculty member Patrice Dardenne. Dardenne, who authored a book on standards-based education, gave a presentation
to owners, administrators, and teachers of American schools in Egypt that compared the American Instructional model to the traditional Egyptian model. Those present, most of whom have gone through AIC’s Cario program, experienced the differences in educational philosophies first- Patrice and Kerry explore the Egyptian landscape. hand. Dardenne said he was, “very impressed with the passion that they have, not only regarding education, but also about how education can influence and impact their way of life, their country, and the politics within their country. They see education as a way to influence their culture.” n
Veterans’ Resource Center Opens Memorial. Geromini, an Army veteran, stressed the importance of remembering those who sacrifice and serve behind the lines of duty, including medical, food service, and clerical personnel. Davis, a freshman from Rescue, California, encouraged all to recognize that “freedom is not free.”
U.S. Marines stand guard at AIC’s Veterans’ Day ceremony.
Veterans’ Day 2010 was marked by ceremony, solemnity, and celebration. Addresses from keynote speaker Kenneth Geromini ’68 and winning student essayist Jess Davis ’14 highlighted the event, which took place on the quadrangle near the Veterans’
Following the close of the ceremony guests were invited to the grand opening celebration of AIC’s Veterans’ Resource Center. The Resource Center, located in the lower level of the Schwartz Campus Center, was created to honor and assist current and former servicemen and women of the AIC family, so that they might make the most of their academic experience. For more information on the Resource Center visit www.aic.edu/veterans or call Diane Furtek at (413) 205-3211. n
Spring 2011 3
campus update Cheerleading makes a Comeback AIC Cheerleaders have been shouting out Yellow Jacket pride for more than 70 years. The program, though steadfast, has been one of change and varying popularity. The cheerleading program was arguably strongest in the 1980s, but had become non-existent by 2000. Today, however, it is back in participation and visibility. And, with a squad of 17, they are a powerful presence.
Much of the team’s success in recent years can be attributed to the dedication of coach and former Yellow Jacket cheerleader, Kimberly Thurlow ’09. Thurlow started coaching the team in 2007, and has made great strides with it since.
AIC cheerleaders perform at the Big E.
The team meets for practices two to three times a week, goes to every football game and often puts together a halftime performance. The squad also supports the basketball team on a regular basis and has stepped out of their typical role and into a broader spotlight by performing at the Big E parade, a Springfield Armor basketball game, and at the Mayor’s Cup Rugby match (AIC vs. Springfield College).
This year’s team is captained by Caitlin Connolly ’11 and Jessica Crampton ’13. “As an AIC cheerleader I have developed leadership skills and self confidence that I will carry with me long after I graduate. I have also formed valued friendships with my teammates and coach. Cheerleading has also opened up other opportunities and learning experiences such as fundraising and teaching aspiring youth cheerleaders, " noted Connolly. n
Spring Events Looking towards spring, AIC has many exciting upcoming events so mark your calendars.
April 16 our Boston Alumni will gather at the AIC Rugby vs. Harvard game. The AIC men are currently undefeated, however Harvard has been a top 25 team in Division 1 so this game will be the biggest challenge the men have faced. Please join your area alum and cheer AIC on. More information can be found at www.aic.edu/alumni/calendar. Directions can be found at www.gocrimson.com/directions/ index. May 20 marks the date for the 34th Annual Chipman Golf Tournament which will be held at Oak Ridge Country Club in Agawam, MA. This tournament raises scholarship money for a junior or senior hockey or golf team member. Sign up your foursome now at www.aic.edu/alumni/calendar 4
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On June 16 Alumni will host its fourth annual President’s Cup Golf Outing at the Ranch Golf Club in Westfield, MA. Proceeds from this event support athletic team travel and the facilities our student athletes need to succeed. Register on line aic.edu/alumni/ calendar n
campus update New from our Faculty from Associate Professor Julie Walsh Dog may be man’s best friend, but our canine companion is causing quite a stir in the political arena. Julie Walsh, an associate professor of political science, said the question of whether dogs should be allowed off the leash in public places has become a major political issue in cities and suburbs across the United States.
In her new book “Unleashed Fury: The Political Struggle for Dog-friendly Parks,” Walsh looks at and evaluates the handling of three leash-law disputes, all of which were exceedingly divisive and emotionally intense. Two of the cases took place in San Francisco, a city with a reputation as one of the most dog-friendly in the United States until 2001–2002, when officials curtailed off-leash walking. The other case study occurred in 1998 in Avon—a wealthy suburb of Hartford, Connecticut—when
town officials unilaterally imposed a leash law at a popular off-leash park. Her book investigates what has changed in American community life, social mores, and the relationship between humans and dogs to provoke such passionate responses. It is not only a revealing study of Americans’ conflicted attitudes toward animals and the difficult balance between individual rights and the public good in our communities, it is also a useful source of information for both dog owners and local government officials who are faced with leash-law disagreements.
Walsh, a Bloomfield, CT resident, has previously published an academic work, “The Intellectual Origins of Mass Parties and Mass Schools in the Jacksonian Period,” which drew heavily on democratic theory, and has written several reference pieces on political parties and elections. n
from Professor Thomas Maulucci, Jr. Professor Thomas W. Maulucci, Jr. was one of several historians and researchers called together for a genealogical research project. The assignment was commissioned by the German government after controversy arose in the foreign office. The group was asked to clarify relationships between German diplomats and the Third Reich. Maulucci said that the tendency among the German people is to propagate a clean picture of the Third Reich. Their study set out to determine if that was a deserved and accurate depiction. In October 2010, after several years of research and writing, the project was published in German with a title which translates to, “The Office and the
Past: German Diplomats in the Third Reich and in the Federal Republic.” Almost immediately, their findings began to stir conversation and interest among the public. And now, only a few months after its release, the book has been categorized as both a best seller and as a work of revenge.
Maulucci was called in to work on the project based on the research that he had done for his dissertation in 1997. He currently teaches for the History Department, directs the Honors Program, and chairs the History and International Studies Departments at AIC. n Spring 2011 5
By Jaclyn C. Stevenson 6 Lucent
By Mary Ellen Lowney
It wasn’t long after Jim Holben ’11 began studying at American International College that he was bitten by the news bug – and the senior freely admits he was bitten badly. Luckily, the 22 year-old Springfield resident has found the perfect job, an assignment desk editor and production assistant at WGGB abc40/FOX 6 News, where he manages behind-the-scenes news production, all while completing his work at AIC. Holben will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in Communication. He came to the college in early 2010 as a junior, and admits that, at that time, he was unsure of his goals after attending two area colleges. But at AIC, he said, he quickly found his niche.
“I was torn about what to do. I was a good student, but I wasn’t sure about where I wanted to go,” said Holben. “That all changed at AIC. The college has worked out really well for me. I’ve definitely become a better student, and I’ve figured out that I love working with news,” he said. Holben grew up in Springfield, the son of Cheryl Holben, a pension consultant and Jim Holben, a postal worker. His father, also a U.S. Marine veteran of the Vietnam War, is retired.
After graduating from Central High School in 2006, Holben attended a four-year college in Connecticut, where he was a pitcher on the baseball team. The sport was his major focus. But two serious elbow injuries and subsequent surgeries sidelined him, eventually prompting a decision to stop
Baptism by Fire continued on page 14
Spring 2011 7
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motivating
the
senses By Jaclyn C. Stevenson
Communications professor Jennifer Osbourne loves all things that stir the senses, be they visual, aural, sensory, or any combination thereof. She brings this excitement for the creative world to her classes at AIC, inspiring her students through mentoring, motivation, and sharing her own work – a colorful blend of photography and graphic design that often takes on a vintage look and feel. However, Osbourne is also imparting key lessons in the practical skills necessary for students to stay current in a digital world that is ever-evolving. In an interview with Lucent magazine, Osbourne talks about her passions, her philosophies, and how she translates them into the classroom. Lucent: What courses do you teach at AIC, and how do your personal interests and professional experiences color your teaching?
Osbourne: I teach all of the photography courses as well as many of the film and photography history courses. I have also developed several new courses such as Visual Communications and the History of Photojournalism. I love teaching the history courses; I am a history buff in general, but being able to pass on the ‘whos’ and ‘whys’ of important times – that many of our students have never thought about – is wonderful. L: Do you continue to practice your trade outside of academia?
O: I am a photographer and graphic designer as well as a visual artist, so that means like most artists, I wear a lot of hats to pay the bills. This could mean submitting freelance assignments to magazines or being hired for a specific job. My graphic design work could be anything from CD covers to band promo materials, flyers, labels, and light web design. I also use those skills, combined with my photography, to create pieces of art that I sell. L: Photography and graphic design are both very hands-on, learn-as-you-go skills; does this idea of practical learning factor into your teaching philosophy?
Motivating the Senses continued on page 15
Call to Educate continued on page 23 The images on this spread are examples of Jennifer Osbourne’s work. Spring 2011 9
By Mary Ellen Lowney James Myers ’80 is having the kind of career that reads like a movie script.
Since earning a master’s degree in Criminal Justice at American International College, Myers, better known as Jim, has criss-crossed the country many times over, tackling weighty national troubles such as gang violence, urban organized crime and bribery and theft at the highest levels of government and business. Now 54, Myers has worked the past 23 years for the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, in a variety of roles. His current position is special agent in charge of the Intelligence Division and Field Intelligence Group at the Los Angeles field office. Myers said his job has been far from glamorous, though he appreciates the challenging assignments he’s tackled, and the travel that has gone along with that. “I’ve travelled all over the United States and elsewhere, and I’ve met and worked with people from all walks of life. I’ve been very fortunate,” he said.
One highlight of his career was nearly a decadelong investigation which culminated in dozens of indictments against gang members in Los Angeles. It was the first of its kind, in the Central District of California, government use of RICO statutes against the Mexican Mafia (EME). Another longrunning assignment of government agencies in 10 Lucent
and around Virginia brought convictions of bribery and theft.
For Myers, the work is a matter of putting the pieces together, bit by bit, and making solid cases to get criminals – whether dealing drugs on the streets or in prestigious white-collar jobs – behind bars. He grew up in the Sixteen Acres area of Springfield, attending the former Our Lady of Sacred Heart School and graduating from Cathedral High School in 1974. He began at Western New England College with a plan to study accounting, but switched to law enforcement to take advantage of available financial assistance. The decision to switch majors was serendipitous, leading Myers on a trajectory that even he couldn’t see at the time.
“I always had it in the back of my mind to work for the FBI, but my idea was to work as an accountant. When I was at WNEC, I heard that the FBI was hiring accountants. I liked that idea,” he said. That wasn’t meant to be. As an undergraduate, Myers signed up as a cadet at the Springfield Police Department, working his way through school and in 1977, joining the force as a patrolman. It was a job that lasted 10 years, and included patrolling city streets on the dogwatch, and desk work in the records division. During that time Myers decided to enroll in a master’s degree program at AIC. Two
A Distinguished Career continued on page 12
Improved State continued on page 15 Spring 2011
A Distinguished Career continued from page 10 In 1993, Myers was transferred to the Los Angeles Field Office, where he worked in the Safe Streets Task Force squad and was assigned as a case agent for the Mexican Mafia prison gang. It was another successful run, with convictions sending dozens to prison. He was promoted to a supervisory special agent position in 1997, overseeing the SSTF Squad, which conducted criminal enterprise investigations specifically targeting the EME and Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13.
Left to right: Director of the FBI Robert Mueller with Special Agent James Myers.
years later, in 1980, he graduated with his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
“There was a lot to like about AIC,” Myers said. “The college had the master’s program that I was looking for, and there was the flexibility I needed in terms of the days and times I took my classes.” Criminal Justice Professor Thomas Fitzgerald was a police captain and deputy chief when Myers was on the force in Springfield. He remembers Myers as a good guy and a solid police officer. “Jimmy Myers was a good worker, and a great kid,” said Fitzgerald, who was later promoted to chief. “I remember him primarily as a street cop. He was a good guy, well respected by his peers. He was a team player. Everybody liked him,” he added. Myers stayed on the police force for another seven years, querying the FBI periodically about openings. In 1987, he was called in for a series of qualifying tests, followed by interviews, and was hired that September as a special agent assigned to the Norfolk, Virginia Field Office.
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There, he worked on a variety of investigations and was a SWAT team member. One of his assignments put him on a team investigating white-collar crime and public corruption, specifically in the area of naval supply. It was that work that lead to several convictions involving public officials and private business people on charges including bribery and theft. In the late 1980s to the early 1990s he investigated a heroin-dealing ring, another long investigation that lead to many convictions.
He was assigned in 1998 as coordinator of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Task Force on violent crimes, and was a recipient of the Director’s Award for Excellence in Investigation and the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for his efforts on the EME gang investigation. Promotions continued when in 2003 he became the intelligence program manager for the LA Field Office, establishing the Field Intelligence Group. Three years later he was assigned to FBI Headquarters and named assistant director and operations chief of the MS-13 National Gang Task Force.
Myers said the FBI changed as a result of the devastation caused by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. In 2007 he became an integral part of that change when he returned to the Norfolk, Virginia office as assistant special agent in charge of overseeing criminal, administrative and intelligence operations. He was later assigned inspector in charge at FBI headquarters in 2009.
“I was part of a team that re-engineered the intelligence program of the FBI,” he explained. “We’ve always collected intelligence, but now we are more into intelligence sharing. For the FBI, it’s been a win-win situation. Intelligence sharing is extremely important for what we do.” He returned to the LA office in 2009, and continues working on revamping intelligence information systems. He has moved into a more administrative role, which requires less travel. Myers occasionally returns to the Springfield area with his wife, Deborah, to visit family, remarking that AIC has grown a lot since he took classes. n
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Baptism by Fire continued from page 7 playing. Holben left the college and picked up more credits, along with an associate degree, at a twoyear college.
While a good student, he felt aimless academically. “Without baseball, I just wasn’t sure what to do,” he said. He came to AIC at the urging of his parents who thought a bachelor’s degree would serve him well through his life and as it turned out, his parents were right. “I started taking classes here last year and realized that I love journalism, I love news,” he said. “I love taking information that you gather yourself, and turning it into something that other people can use to find out what’s going on. The journalism classes at AIC definitely helped me.”
Another big help was the Communication Department’s internship requirement. The program, run by Professor Michelle Hook, requires each student within the major to work in the field for 126 hours during a semester while earning three credits.
Holben was looking for an internship that would be a good fit when he met WGGB abc40/FOX 6 News anchor and managing editor Dave Madsen, who was the keynote speaker at last years AIC’s Scholastic Press Forum where Holben was volunteering. The day-long forum draws aspiring journalists from high schools across New England, New York and New Jersey for workshops and awards. Holben introduced himself to Madsen, who is coordinator of the internship program at WGGB abc40/ FOX 6 News. After formally applying, Holben began his internship last summer. When that ended in the fall, he was hired on to manage news coverage on weekends. Since then, he has received additional duties in news production.
Madsen said that besides being smart and a nice guy, Holben has a few strong factors in his favor. “He’s fit into the newsroom atmosphere very easily,” Madsen said. “He works well with his fellow employees on every front. As weekend assignment editor, he is a manager, dealing with our news crews and with the public.” Madsen went a step further. “Jim gets it. He’s a pleasure to have with us in the newsroom. He’s very 14 Lucent
Jim Holben at work.
good, and he’s getting better. His first real baptism by fire came right after Thanksgiving. He was on the desk when a car crashed through a convenience store in Chicopee, and he managed our coverage. He did the same when a UMass bus crashed on I-91 in Vermont,” he said.
Dave Baer, news director at WGGB abc40/FOX 6 News, works closely with Holben, and called him “excellent” on the job. “He’s personable, intelligent, thorough, well-organized, and he has a strong work ethic,” Baer said.
Professor Hook said Holben has shown a similar talent and willingness to work hard in the classroom, where she had him as a student in her Writing for Media and TV News Production classes. “He’s a great student. He’s a hard worker, and he’s got real news sense,” said Hook, herself a veteran TV news anchor before coming to AIC.
“He’ll be very good in that business whether he’s in front of the camera or not. He’s good with the camera, he knows how to write for broadcast, he knows how to shoot and edit very well. He picks things up very quickly, which is to his benefit,” Hook said. Holben credits the teaching and learning style in the AIC Communication Department in part for his success to date. “I like the focus on current events and breaking news. I like that the classes are small, and that you know the other students in your major. You feel a connection with the professors. They know you and they take the time to make sure you understand,” he said.
Baptism by Fire continued on page 15
Baptism by Fire continued from page 14 I really like the fact that the professos have worked in the field - it’s not just theory for them. At other colleges you get lectures and theories. At AIC you get hands-on learning,” he added. Holben’s future plans? After graduation, he’d like to continue his work WGGB abc40/FOX6 News, learning as much as he can in the industry. He also hopes to write news one day, possibly for a newspaper, magazine, or website. Graduate school may also be in his future.
For now, Hoben said, he has to be grateful for the good things that have come his way, especially at a time when the economy is sturggling, and jobs in the news industry are hard to find. “This job has been great. I’m definitely lucky - I tell everybody that,” he said. n
Motivating the Senses continued from page 9
O: I like to teach my students the way I would want to be taught. I like to make my classes approachable, because I believe we learn better that way. I tell my students that they have to be able to laugh at themselves, and that Jennifer Osbourne when I make a mistake, I do just that! The hands-on component is especially crucial when learning photography. I show students my work often, and tell them that there are no hard feelings if they don’t like it. It’s about creating a rapport, and in fact, that’s something I learned here at AIC.
The key is to teach the use of things like Facebook, flickr, and other networks responsibly. I try to impart the understanding that our whole lives can be out there online, and that needs to be managed. I also want students to see them as tools, not crutches. I have students who are so used to instant gratification with things like Facebook and texting that it makes it very difficult some days to hold on to their attention. I also see a somewhat lackadaisical approach to anything that appears to be ‘difficult.’
L: In terms of changing with the times, how is ‘World 2.0’ – social media, new technology, etc. affecting your courses in terms of content, focus, teaching, or learning?
L: Have you seen the same blending of communications and art skills in your own career?
L: Conversely, what do you think students are most eager to learn, and moreover where they may be headed career-wise?
As an instructor, I also think it’s key to take a step back to evaluate the students you are working with. That can mean taking anything from major, age, interest, ability, or even their background into consideration. All of this affects the way a person learns.
O: Right now, I feel there is a big shift in communication. We used to hear ‘I want to be a writer, a VJ, a DJ, or a photographer.’ Now, though, students almost have to be prepared to be all of the above. I often find myself trying to motivate and inspire before I begin the actual ‘teaching;’ once I give them a little direction and students gain confidence, classes tend to take off.
O: I am a firm believer you have to modify your teaching style with the times. Students don’t need another best friend, but they do need a leader who knows their subject matter, who can teach it in a way they understand and is relevant to them. If they connect, they ingest, and then they apply.
O: Yes, I really believe my greatest strength is my diverse background. I never thought I would end up teaching. One thing I’ve learned is that inspiration and people skills outweigh specific knowledge about art. Communications fields are very competitive, but I find myself advising a lot about the future and what needs to be in order. It proves that often, teaching is much more than lecturing at the front of the class. n Spring 2011 15
A
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When Wendy Vowell leaves home on Saturday mornings, she travels to American International College to join a group of corporate managers and executives for the first high performance MBA program in the Pioneer Valley. By June she will have completed her MBA course work in management, marketing, economics, and accounting, and will be making preparations for her graduate comparative study trip to South America. “I applied to the HP MBA program because it was a Saturday program for adults. I had spent over three years going to school on Saturday. I structured my life and my job around Saturday school. The AIC MBA Saturday program made graduate school possible for me.” Back in the early 1950s, American International College made local history as the first college in Western Massachusetts to offer the MBA degree. Fast forward to 2011, and AIC has made history once again – this time with their new cohort-based MBA programs: the High Performance MBA for corporate management, and the Traditional MBA for recent college graduates. Both programs provide a rich learning environment that allows students to complete their MBA degree in less than two years.
As explained by Johnson, the old MBA program had numerous options, and because of that, students rarely felt part of a cohesive group. Since courses were offered year round, stateside students did not follow a prescribed sequence, and many were taking up to six years to complete their degree program. “The revision of the MBA programs took many months and required extensive research and a dedicated faculty team to consider all our options,” said Johnson. “Professors Robert Khoury, Tammy Campson, Jason Ogrin, and Michael Jiles spent many hours researching best practices and potential specialties. Michael Russell, a School of Business graduate assistant and participant in the London International MBA program, made a major contribution to the effort, sharing his international MBA experience and researching formats and MBA specialties throughout New England.”
YOU WILL BE HERE
YOU ARE HERE
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Over the past five years, AIC had been pushing their MBA in new directions – adding concentrations, developing an international MBA program in London and Bangkok, and offering a blended degree format. When she became Dean of the School of Business Administration in 2009, Lea Johnson decided it was time to study the results of each MBA offering, and to incorporate student feedback and best practices into a highly focused direction for the program. Although the various versions of the MBA had been very successful with over 170 students enrolled, it seemed an opportune time to take a serious look at the program strengths, consumer needs, and to plan for the future.
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soccer
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By Jaclyn Stevenson
On a snow-covered winter day in Western Massachusetts, AIC Women’s Soccer Coach Matt Johnson had the green grass of the soccer field on his mind.
Later that evening, he’d meet his team in the gym for their first practice of the season, months before their first game, to begin conditioning and drills. “As soon as the season ends in November, students go into crunch-time for academics, so they get a couple of months away,” said Johnson. “And honestly, at this point, I think they can’t wait to get going again.” This is the rhythm the team has fallen into: a busy fall semester filled with games and classes, a break just before finals to concentrate on exams, and a slow return to training that nevertheless is planned to give the women plenty of time to practice, strengthen, and bond before they face their first opponent of the season.
Samantha Larson, a senior who transferred to AIC two years ago to join the soccer team, said the opportunity to form close ties with her teammates was one of her deciding factors when joining the team. “What attracted me most to the program was the coaching, the potential I saw in the team, and the atmosphere,” said Larson. “Even though we play in an extremely competitive environment, it has the feel of a club team. We are truly a family on and off the field, and we have come to demand the most from our teammates. I believe that reflects in our accomplishments.”
Kicking it Up a Notch Judging by the numbers the team is posting, Larson is right. Last year, the team posted its highest cumulative grade point average in the history of the program with a 3.48, and logged 14 wins, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Championship Tournament for the first time since 1998. Johnson said the formula AIC athletics has adopted to achieve this success is simple but intrinsic to the college’s overall philosophy. “There’s a deliberate plan in place when we’re recruiting players,” said Johnson. “One, we focus on students who do well academically; two, we look for kids who are coachable and get along with a team, and three, we see if they can play soccer. We don’t get to number three without one and two.”
Since 2005, when Johnson took over coaching of the team, this holistic approach to recruiting has created a team of strong players with equally strong academic records. Moreover, the team looks good for seasons to come. “Through recruiting, we’ve brought in better players in the last five years, and we’ve upped the academic standards of the kids we’re bringing in,” he said. “We didn’t spend all of our recruiting money in one year, and it’s tempting to do that when you’re trying to recruit the right players.”
Succeed continued on page 21 Spring 2011 19
Streamlined MBA continued from page 17 The new MBA marks a dramatic change in both the curriculum and in the way the Master’s of Business Administration is delivered. Students apply for one of two MBA cohort programs – based on their years of One of the sites visited on the last trip, work experience. EMS Sigms Pharma in Brazil. Those students with less than five years of work experience apply for the “Traditional MBA” program. This lock-step program is offered during the evening hours to accommodate student work schedules. Students take a different course every eight weeks. “Taking one course at a time allows for total immersion instead of juggling our time between two to three courses, explained Traditional MBA student Steve Koenig. Taking all our classes together also means that we get to know our classmates quickly and this makes for a great learning environment.” For those students with five or more years of work experience, the “High Performance MBA” provides an executive level degree program that was designed to fit with the heavy work schedules of corporate management. Classes meet every other Saturday, and the streamlined curriculum provides students with a strong MBA foundation in addition to several unique opportunities.
20 Lucent
One of the major features in the new MBA curriculum is the international comparative study trip. In previous years, AIC had worked in concert with the Mountbatten Institute to offer an international MBA program where students traveled to London and Thailand for their global education. “An international experience is key to today’s well-rounded MBA experience,” said Johnson. “However, our last international class experienced more than expected. The class became stranded when the volcano in Iceland erupted, cancelling international flights for many days. Then Bangkok’s Red Coat revolt resulted in our moving the entire program 100 miles south of the city for weeks, and we had to relocate once again after the revolt ended. Although everyone took the disruption well, it was not the
experience we wanted for our students. I feel we now have a much better solution – the short-term learning trip allows AIC faculty to control the learning experience and we’ve put the logistics into the hands of an experienced MBA travel company that currently handles the international study trips for a number of highly regarded MBA programs in the United States.”
This year the entire High Performance MBA class will be traveling to Brazil and Argentina for a business study trip during the month of July. While optional for the Traditional MBA class, a number of students from that group have also elected to take the study trip. All students will be taking their MBA course in international business prior to leaving for South America. Professor Gary Lefort will be leading the international study, building on his international business class lectures. “This international field trip will provide the students with a great opportunity to experience first-hand how companies operate in an international setting, and will reinforce what the students have learned in the classroom,” said Lefort. Lea Johnson agrees, “According to our schedule, the students will be visiting eight to ten major corporations and this program provides an executive level briefing at each firm in addition to the o p p o r t u n i t y Professor Gary LeFort at the Metropolitan Design Center in Buenos Aires. to explore various operational aspects in a variety of industries. The schedule for visits includes a major hospital, an entrepreneurial start-up center, and a number of multinational corporations. Called the International Comparative Study, all students will be required to write a comparative business paper upon completion of their South American experience.”
Streamlined MBA continued on page 21
Streamlined MBA continued from page 20 In addition to the International Comparative study, students in the High Performance MBA also complete a concentration in one of seven areas, and these may be offered in an online format depending on interest and enrollment. Students have agreed that as managers, anything discussed in class remains confidential, thus a supportive community of trust and openness has evolved. Perhaps Wendy Vowell best describes the High Performance MBA experience. “In just one semester we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I’ve taken the opportunity to learn from my classmates
in addition to my professors. The depth of knowledge represented by my classmates is at times intimidating. However I believe each of us has a specialty to share. By working together, we raise the bar for ourselves and for each other. We encourage each other, we push, we pull and we motivate each other. If we cannot work with our classmates, then we cannot expect to succeed in business leadership positions. This program is about people and leadership skills.” n
Succeed continued from page 19 Instead, Johnson added, a careful strategy was plotted to recruit players over the course of five years, in order to stagger the rate at which seniors would graduate.
“We looked at the big picture, spread out our recruiting money, and outlined a plan,” he said. “We wanted a balanced team with staying power; we lose three good players this year, but we have good freshmen and sophomores. Plus, this was another great recruiting year.” Forward Thinking
Larson echoed Johnson’s sentiments from the player’s perspective, adding that the program’s six-person coaching staff is another facet of the program that aids in attracting players who create a cohesive team.
“Having numerous coaches with a diverse playing and coaching experience allows all of us to develop not only as individuals but as a team,” she said. “Along with their coaching, their strong character shows through, which has allowed them to recruit quality players.” Indeed, with 25 players on the current roster, Johnson is expecting a surplus in next year’s pre-season, and therefore a competitive round of try-outs for the team. The timing couldn’t be better, though, he noted; the team is facing a challenging season.
“We’re looking at the hardest schedule this team has ever seen,” he said. “There are more schools competing, and many of them are power-houses.”
But Johnson, like Larson, said the team’s chemistry is strong. They plan their off-season workouts together, and play in a community indoor soccer league on their own on days off from practice. “The dynamic is not all about work though,” Larson noted. “We have quite a few traditions that are far from serious…the ‘Waka Waka Dance’ is soon to be legendary.” Locker room shenanigans notwithstanding, Larson added that the team also has a motto they recite together before each game. “It’s Together We Play, Together We Succeed,” and it seems to be working well thus far.” Johnson agreed.
“I really feel that the future of our program couldn’t be brighter.” n
Johnson coaching from the sidelines. Spring 2011 21
Please 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 Heather Cahill at heather.cahill@aic.edu. From the responses, we will draw a name and send that person a gift from AIC.
Dear Alumni,
Celebrating the 125th anniversary of AIC has been a wonderfully nostalgic experience. I have had the opportunity to go through hundreds of photographs. Alumni have shared their memorabilia but more importantly they have shared their stories. Individual stories make up the rich history of AIC. We plan to publish an interesting photo in each issue and ask
22 Lucent
the readers to tell us the story. Then we’ll share it in the next Lucent. I am looking forward to getting to know more of you as we look at pictures from our past. Best wishes, Heather Cahill Director of Alumni Relations
class notes 1930s
Class of 1937 Scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year
was awarded to Lachelle TaylorBoyd. She is a Junior at AIC majoring in Criminal Justice.
George Francis Fisher ’37,
has his paintings in 39 states, Ontario, the Philippines, New Zealand, and Brazil. He lives and paints today at Riverwoods, a life care retirement community in Exeter, NH. Ester Sandstrom-Lambert ’37,
turned ninety-five in December and is now living in a retirement home in Baltimore, MD. Class of 1938 Scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year
was awarded to Suad Swaray. She is a Junior at AIC majoring in Nursing. This scholarship was also awarded to to Jessica Torres, a Sophomore at AIC majoring in Nursing.
1950s
Mr. Herbert Maier ’50, credits
his enriched life to his years spent at AIC.
Dr. John Nash ’50, was a profes-
sor of Psychology at Worcester State University for many years and retired in 1993. He remains active in various community organizations and enjoys spending time with his wife and six grandchildren.
Mr. Richard A. Cooper ’53,
retired from CITI Group/Travelers in 1993.
Nelson Ockerbloom ’53, is currently living in a long-term care facility by Long Wood Garden’s in South Pennsylvania.
Fred Scyocurka ’53, played
four years of football at AIC and became one of our assistant football coaches from 1956 until 1995. He was also head coach of Springfield Technical High School’s wrestling team from 1966 to 1979. He was inducted as a coach into the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his coaching of Springfield Technical High School’s team.
Charles Bristol ’56, is married to Cynthia Tricinella ’61. He started at AIC in 1949. However, he joined the Air Force during the Korean War (1950-1953) and made eighteen jumps from airplanes during his time there. He then graduated in 1956 Wallace Gitberg ’59, sold his
business in May 2010. Unfortunately his wife passed away June 15th, 2010.
Mr. William M. Morrissey ’59,
is retired in the Pittsburgh area and has 10 grandchildren. He spends his time fly fishing, golfing, and traveling.
Richard S. Murphy ’59 & Lorna MacKay Murphy ’60, are both
retired and living in Washington state.
1960s
Arlene Shapiro Sagers ’60, is a
retired teacher volunteering in American Fork, Utah’s Humanitarian Program. Her husband, also retired, is enjoying his Advance Master Gardner program. They are celebrating the arrival of their first granddaughter after six boys.
Richard Simons ’60, just retired
and is enjoying it.
Judy Willis ’60, celebrated
her 50th anniversary with her husband Joseph with a trip to Ogunquit, ME and a party with family members.
Robert A. Coburn ’63, retired from the faculty at Franklin Pierce College and his second career as Administrator of the Office of the Sheriff in Hillsborough County, NH. He is now living at Villages in Florida.
Paul Desrosiers ’63 is enjoying retirement as much as possible with hobbies such as golf and tennis. He works part-time in a community corrections program. Gary L. Fialky ’64, is chairman
of Bacon Wilson, P.C.’s Corporate Department. He was recently distinguished as a New England “SuperLawyer” in the November 2010 issue of Boston Magazine. His practice is concentrated in business and banking law, with an emphasis on business formations, mergers and acquisitions.
Joan Cole ’65 is a plein air artist who loves painting outdoors. She is thrilled to be represented by Maple & Main Gallery of Fine Art in Chester, CT and hopes that you go and see her work. Allen Freshler ’65, recently had a one-man art show at Duncaster in Bloomfield, CT. He winters in Ft. Lauderdale where he is a resident artist at the historic Bonnet House. Harvey A. Pevzner ’66, has been married to his wife, Holly, for 14 years. He is retired from Inglewood High School in California where he taught math and coached basketball. He now volunteers as a coach at San Juan Hills High School.
Spring 2011 23
class notes William Davis ’67, was inducted
into the Chicopee High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a strikeout pitcher for Chicopee High’s 21-0 state championship team of 1962 and went onto a long career as a coach of soccer and track at Chicopee Comprehensive High School.
Sandra Haracz Gil ’67 & ’70, is
an Adjunct Professor at Holyoke Community College and Westfield State University. She had a lab named after her at Westfield in 2008.
Tom Montemagni ’67, placed 15th at the Triathlon World Championship in the master division, held in Budapest, Hungary. He competed against 2,500 athletes from over sixty countries. He will represent Team USA for the third time at the World Championship being held September 2011 in Beijing, China.
Richard Sirvint ’67, is retired after a forty year teaching career. He is a book reviewer for MultiCultural Review magazine and lives on a lake in New Hampshire with his wife Roberta, a retired Elms College Spanish professor. Kenneth Geromini ’68, was the
keynote speaker at the annual Veteran’s Day ceremony at A.I.C. He served as a member of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and Vietnam service ribbon as an Army sergeant, and also served as a tank commander at Fort Lewis in Washington.
Colette Poirier Yeich ’68, is retired after 21 years at The Hartford Courant, News in Education Department as an education specialist. She has two grandchildren. 24 Lucent
Richard Moore ’69, is retired after working forty years for Eastern Bank/Eastern Wealth Management and being named Trustee of the largest independent bank in Massachusetts. He enjoys spending every February in Marco Island, FL and having time with his four grandchildren.
Richard Noble ’69 is retired from Lenox School System as a school social worker. He remains active with Habitat for Humanity, First Church of Christ, and the Berkshire Mountain Men. He just celebrated his 41st wedding anniversary with his wife, Dana. Mary Lou Savage Page ’69,
married Raymond J. Page on June 14, 2008.
Tim Walts-Gilmore ’69, is
retired from the State of Connecticut Services for the Blind. He is doing some job development work assisting people with disabilities and is trying to fit in some time for travel between wedding celebrations for their grown children, chores and keeping up with “old age.”
Marilyn Feyereisen ’71, is
enjoying her retirement with her husband, Chuck. They spend summers in Minnesota and winters in Arizona. This year is their 25th anniversary!
Frederick C. Rathbone, Jr. ’71,
is retired from purchasing after being a buyer at Hamilton Sunstrand Space & Sea Department in Windsor Locks, CT for over twenty years.
Boyd Richardson, Jr. ’71, re-
tired in May 2010.
Class of 1971 Scholarship for
the 2009-2010 academic year was awarded to Daniel Ramirez. He is a Junior at AIC majoring in Criminal Justice. This scholarship was also awarded to Alyssa Robinson, a Junior at AIC majoring in Management.
James Rosati ’72, is celebrating 25 years with Lorillard Tobacco Company as a Sales Representative in Central Mass.
1970s
Lynn Cybulski Pasco ’70, is
married to Jerry L. Pasco. She is the Vice President Strategic Technical Manager for Bank of America’s Business Initiatives Management with the added perk of working from home.
Judith Glazer Suher ’70, wel-
comed the birth of her second grandson in June, Noah Lee to join big brother Landon Storm, who turned 2 in January 2011.
James Rosati ’72
Charles Eliopoulos ’72, is retir-
ing from his post as judicial case manager after almost 39 years at the Hampden Probate & Family Court. He is looking forward to his retirement and spending more time with his wife Marcia and son Tommy.
class notes Valerie Porowski ’72, is enjoying retirement after a successful and fulfilling career as AVP in the transportation field. Ed Polewarczyk ’73, retired
NASA engineer, presented an inside view of a space shuttle flight at the Skidompha Library.
Frank Smist ’73, is currently a
full-time writer and is working on the third edition of Congress Oversees the United States Intelligence Community, as well as a biography of University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren. Previously, he taught at Rockhurst University for 18 years and served as the Director of Global Studies.
Mike Saliba ’74, and his company Hastie Fence were recently honored by the CertainTeed Corp.
Paul Nicolai ’75, has been listed
in The Best Lawyers in America publication for the fourth year in a row. Nicolia is cited for his expertise in commercial litigation.
Diana Crowell ’79, has taught
nursing students at all levels and also worked in health care administration. This extensive background has given her the necessary experience to publish a book, Complexity Leadership: Nursing’s Role in Healthcare Delivery, coming out in 2011.
Michael Comer ’79, moved to Ohio and is the Marketing Manager for McGraw Hill. He is responsible for Elementary Science Program Development. Phil Roberts ’79, has retired
from the Camden Police after 36 years of service, the most recent as Chief. He plans to travel the country with his wife Cheryl in their new RV.
1980s
Mark O’Connell ’80, has joined
SAVO as its President and Chief Executive Officer. SAVO is the industry’s leading provider of Sales Enablement technology and consulting solutions.
Deborah St. Jacques ’81, has
moved back to Massachusetts after 15 years in Florida. “Great to be home!”
Paul Gregory ’83, is now work-
ing as a Guidance Counselor with Pittsfield Public Schools in Pittsfield, MA.
Paul Nicolai ’75
M. Theresa Cote ’76, is an
author of children’s books.
Francis Siska, Jr. ’78, retired from Hasbro Inc. in 2008. He spends his time traveling, golfing, fishing, and reading. He is Treasurer of the Westfield River Watershed and a committee member of the Greater Westfield YMCA.
Dr. Michael LaValley ’84, is do-
ing well.
Photo: John Giustina
You may have noticed Jerry Azzinaro ’81, on the sidelines during this year’s BCS Championship Game. Azzinaro is the defensive line coach for the Oregon Ducks. A former linebacker at AIC who led the Yellow Jackets in tackles his senior year, Azzinaro received his undergraduate degree in psychology in 1981 and his master’s in educational psychology in 1985. Arriving at Oregon in 2009, Azzinaro quickly made an impact. Faced with the unenviable task of replacing all but one player in the position group with starting experience, “Coach Az” molded an aggressive fortress along the defensive line that was tops in the Pac-10 against the run in league play (118.6 avg.). Azzinaro’s charges were also the best in the conference at rushing the passer in 2009, helping UO lead the Pac-10 and rank 14th nationally with 2.77 quarterback sacks per game. The 28-year coaching veteran’s career includes 10 seasons as a defensive coordinator and one year as a head coach.
Randall Weeks, Jr. ’85, was recently appointed as a board member for The Center for Marketing Research at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Antonio Scibelli, Esq. ’87, was
recently promoted to Assistant Vice President & Counsel, MassMutual Law Division.
Spring 2011 25
class notes 1990s
MarDelle Barnett ’90, is in her
sixth year as a high school math teacher.
Mark Wilson ’90, was featured
in Sports Illustrated on October 25, 2010. He lives with his wife Amy ’90 and his son Wil in Holden, MA.
Georgia Goutzinopoulou ’91, is
currently working and living in Thessaloniki (Northern Greece) as a Senior Associate in the Banking Division.
Lisa Connell ’92, has been pro-
moted to editor of the Country Journal.
Karie Carpenito ’95, is a Science Coordinator at the Beebe School in Malden, MA. Dr. Lillian Ortiz ’97, was an-
nounced as the Interim Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs for Middlesex Community College.
Photo: Getty Images
Tom Fenton ’09, former AIC
hockey goalie, had the opportunity of a lifetime this past Decem26 Lucent
Eric Bratten ’99, was married to
Emily Schnure on October 1st, 2010. He is currently an advertising manager for The New York Times.
2000s
Christopher Plasse ’01, wrote a book, The Secret Life of Alex Stone, that follows a teenager’s adventure while he rescues his grandfather and recovers a special artifact from an evil General. This classic good versus evil story, coupled with fun writing, sparks children’s love of reading. Nate Ziegler ’02, was appointed
the Director of Special Education for Northampton Public Schools in May of 2010.
Anthony Rufrano ’05, once a hockey player at AIC has opened The Hockey Factory in Ontario to use his hockey knowledge, experience and leadership to train future hockey stars.
ber. When with AIC, Fenton won 14 of 81 games with a 3.87 goalsagainst average, including a 1-121 mark with a 3.60 GAA in the 2008-09 season. On Thursday, December 16, Fenton was getting a pre-Christmas haircut and little did he know that the Phoenix Coyotes were short a goalie, as Ilylova Bryzga, their number one goalie, was sick with the flu. That afternoon a call from Steve Ketchabaw, a hockey connection Fenton had through coaching in Manhattanville, NY asked him if
Margaret A. Cohn ’06, is now
a licensed and certified History and Biology teacher (8-12).
Thomas Patrick Morrill ’07,
married Maria Anna Cardaropoli on June 5th 2010. He is a middle school math teacher with Chicopee Public Schools and she is an admissions coordinator with Redstone Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in East Longmeadow.
2010s
Julie DeRoche ’10, is the Eng-
lish Language Arts Coordinator in the Haverhill Public Schools.
Martina Hauser ’10, is now teaching German at Westfield High School.
Karoline Kells ’10, has been ap-
pointed interim Vice Principal at Juniper Park School in Westfield, MA.
Richard Lacina ’10 is a Vice
Principal at Marlborough Middle School. n
he’d be interested in playing as the backup goalie for the Coyotes that evening. Convinced it was a practical joke, Fenton was reluctant to bite however, Ketchabaw was able to assuage Fenton’s fears, and Fenton was on his way to Madison Square Garden to prepare for a 5 p.m. game Fenton never made it onto the ice during the game, but he has, officially, played for the Coyotes. He now has the story of a lifetime, and perhaps a taste of what it’s like to be a real NHLer.
anniversaries
Marilyn ’71 and Charles Feyereisen,
25 years.
Dana and Richard Noble’69, 41 years.
weddings
R. William Barber ’73, and Sheri Damon. Eric Bratten’99, and Emily Schnure
Thomas P. Morrill ’07, and Maria Anna
Cardaropoli
in memorium
Class of 1935
Class of 1956
Class of 1976
Alba L. Hotkowski
Paul D. Wolf
Stanley P. Grzywna
Carlo G. Prestileo
S. Joseph Ciccia, Esq.
Frances M. O’Brien
Thomas Boyajy
Stuart M. Cowles
Patricia Moorman
Robert A. Brigockas
Sr. Patricia Rumse, SSJ Ruth Feldman
Eleanor R. Smith Krahmer
Violet A. Southard
George D. Wood
Leroy W. LaFlesh James N. White
Class of 1937 Class of 1940 Class of 1942 Class of 1943 Class of 1947 Class of 1948 Edward E. McCarthy Jeanne M. Secor
Class of 1950 Rev. G. David White
Class of 1951 James G. McKay
Class of 1954 Rev. Sherwood A. Treadwell
Class of 1955 James R. Lertora
Class of 1957 Class of 1960 Class of 1965 Class of 1967 Class of 1969 Class of 1970 Kenneth E. Doerpholz, Sr.
Class of 1972 Jed Golinsky Robert F. Ulm
Class of 1973
Class of 1977 Class of 1979 Class of 1980 Alvin Paige Irene M. Collier
Class of 1982 Joan S. Heywood
Class of 1991 Vina M. Richardson
Class of 1992 Linda W. Berard
Class of 1993 Shirley Stanton
Faculty and Staff
Francis J. Maloney, Jr
Marion Gorham
Martha O. Coles
Ersilia Galluzzo
Class of 1975
Friends
Spring 2011 27
AIC mourns the death of former President Courniotes Dr. Harry. J. Courniotes, long time president of American International College, has died. Courniotes one of the longest-serving college presidents in the United States, retired as president of American International College in 2005, after serving as AIC president for 35 years.
When announcing his retirement, Courniotes said, “AIC has been an integral part of my life for 58 years, since I was hired as an instructor in 1946,” Courniotes told the trustees.
Courniotes joined the AIC faculty in 1946, having ranked first in his graduating class at Boston University and earned his IA (Industrial Administration) and his MBA “with high distinction” from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration, where he was a Baker Scholar. He had served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946, as a first lieutenant, prior to joining the faculty at AIC. In 1958, he became the youngest full-time professor in AIC’s history. He became dean of the school of business administration in 1960 and vice president of the College in 1964. Courniotes received honorary doctoral degrees from Western New England College and Holyoke Community College.
28 Lucent
Dr. Courniotes also had a distinguished professional career. He was a certified Public Accountant and a member of the Massachusetts and American Institute Societies of CPAs. Active in community affairs, he had served as a corporator for the Springfield Boys and Girls Club, and the Springfield Library and Museums Association. He was also on the Regional Board of Advisors for the New England Congressional Institute and served as an Executive Committee
member of the Springfield Adult Education Council. He was also a past Advisory Board member for the World Affairs Council.
He received special recognition from many different organizations for his outstanding service to the college and the community including: Outstanding Educator of the year Award by the Massachusetts Society of CPAs; the Henry Butova Memorial Award from the Western Massachusetts Chapter Football Foundation and Hall of Fame; the National Human Relations Award from the Western Massachusetts chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews; and the Tree of Life Award from the Jewish National Fund; and the Boys Scouts Distinguished Citizen Award. During Courniotes’ tenure as president, the physical plant of the college expanded eastward by many city blocks. Many new buildings were constructed, including the James J. Shea Library; the Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center and the Esther B. Griswold Theatre for the Performing Arts; an expanded and fully renovated Schwartz Campus Center and Sokolowski Tower; the Curtis Blake Child Development Center and Courniotes Hall, the health science complex named to honor Harry Courniotes and his wife Annette. On the Edgewood Gardens campus on Roosevelt Avenue, a new gymnasium and a new residence hall complex were constructed during the Courniotes administration. He noted that the college had been quick to adapt to society’s changing needs to offer courses in emerging academic disciplines, such as nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, criminal justice, forensic psychology and a doctoral program in educational psychology with a concentration in learning disabilities. “There is a great sense of loyalty among our alumni, and I am happy to see the sons and daughters of some of my former students now enrolled at the college,” Courniotes said. n
give opportunity “Ever since my freshman year at AIC in 1932 I have associated the word ‘opportunity’ with American International College. It was the era of the Great Depression and my hopes of attending college were dismal until I was told about AIC. For the past 70 years I have shown my gratitude to the College through contributions to the Annual Fund, participation in alumni activities, and inclusion of AIC in my will. I fervently urge all alumni to contribute to the Annual Fund in gratitude for the “opportunity” we have all received at AIC.” Harry Aizenstat Class of 1936
For more information on how to make your gift to AIC, please contact the Office of Alumni and Development at 413.205.3520 or visit www.aic.edu/alumni/giving
American International College 1000 State Street Springfield, Massachusetts 01109 www.aic.edu
Much Ado About Will A Celebration of the Words of Shakespeare
AIC Theater and Garret Players present “Much Ado About Will: A Celebration of the Words of Shakespeare,” by Robert Johanson. The author cuts and shapes scenes and monologues for the show, which has been designed to keep actors moving and talking and tech support staff on the go. The production, directed by Fred Sokol, will demonstrate William Shakespeare’s extraordinary versatility. The script begins and concludes with dialogue from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Some of the great playwright’s most familiar characters such as Romeo, Juliet, Hamlet, Cleopatra, and Puck are featured. Lesser known, perhaps, is Launce and his dog, Crab. Some might recognize a certain trio of witches! In all, this will be a full course smorgasbord of Shakespeare: no pauses between scenes.
Three performances only • FREE ADMISSION April 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. and April 10 at 1 p.m., Griswold Theatre, Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center. For more information call: Patty Scagliarini at 413.205.3264
www.a i c.e du/ a r t s
Non Profit Org. U. S. Postage PA I D Permit No. 675 Springfield, MA 01109