Assumption Assumption College Magazine • Volume 11, Number 3 • Summer 2013
GREYHOUND ACHIEVERS: PAST AND PRESENT PLUS
Faculty tenure and promotions
Commencement and Reunion
Magazine
Brian Kelly ’83
A look back at going co-ed
fROm THE PRESIDENT
The spirit and value of intercollegiate athletics rior to assuming the presidency of Assumption, I paid little attention to athletics. In fact, the first football game I ever attended in my life was shortly after arriving at Assumption. I have attended more sporting events in the last six years however than all the previous years combined. While I cannot say that I have an understanding of all the rules and plays associated with the various sports sponsored at the College, I better appreciate the importance of athletics, both for the student-athletes themselves as well as the institution as a whole. Clearly there are obvious benefits associated with an athletics program. It is an important recruitment tool, with student-athletes comprising more than 25 percent of the undergraduate population. Athletics also generates a contagious school spirit that brings life and incomparable enthusiasm to a college campus. But beyond these tangible consequences of athletics, I have come to understand the enormous value that results from athletics as a manifestation of the overall mission of the College that espouses a holistic approach to education. The formation of the person is one of the hallmarks of a liberal arts education. Participation in athletics contributes to that formation as the student-athlete exercises the body, the intellect, and the will each time he or she practices or engages in competition. Athletics does not merely involve the exercise of one’s physical abilities but rather something that regards the entire person. As a result, even the most demanding sports need to be rooted in a holistic view of the human person, recognizing the dignity of the individual and favoring the overall development and full maturity of the student-athlete. Ultimately, participation in athletics helps student-athletes come to a realization of their own talents and abilities as gifts from God. A transmission of values also results from involvement in athletics: the student-athlete comes to learn something about how to live. As a team member, the student-athlete integrates his or her individual talents in service of the entire team. Teammates are united in a common goal, recognizing that the success or failure of each student-athlete leads to the success or failure of the entire group. Athletic competition fosters a team spirit of shared responsibility contributing toward a common good, which teaches the important values of honesty, solidarity and fraternity. Consequently, the various varsity teams unite student-athletes from diverse backgrounds which allows the sport to become an opportunity for dialogue, understanding, and reciprocal respect that can contribute toward the development of a campus community, as well as a world, characterized by unity and love, rather than hatred and dissension. While student-athletes are driven by a love and passion for their particular sport, participation in the sport requires sacrifice, perseverance, discipline, determination, and hard work, values that will lead to success. Every student-athlete knows that without strenuous training, positive results become difficult to attain. Excellence on the field requires sacrifice. The integration of these values into all aspects of daily life will result in academic success as well as personal and professional success after the student-athlete completes his or her collegiate athletics career. Our student-athletes have repeatedly demonstrated how the values that lead to their success on the field also contribute to their success off
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the field. Assumption College has had the highest number of Northeast-10 Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award recipients among all 16 institutions in the Conference. Our student-athletes have earned the most NCAA postgraduate scholarships in our Conference, ranking the College eighth among all Division II programs and among the top 10 in New England, which includes Harvard, MIT, and Boston College. The College received an Academic Success Rate, which measures graduation rates, of 95 percent, the seventh highest nationally in Division II out of more than 300 institutions. The Northeast-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll at the end of the Fall 2012 semester included 235 Assumption student-athletes, the second highest total in the Conference. The College was also recently awarded the Division II Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence, one of only 26 Division II institutions to be selected. This success carries over into the careers of our student-athletes, whose ability to take what they learned at the College on and off the field is demonstrated by the profiles highlighted in this issue. Assumption College has a long tradition and impressive history in athletics of which we should be proud. As important as success in competition is, equally important is the formation that occurs among our student-athletes through the dedication and commitment of the coaches and athletics staff who transmit life-long lessons and values. Blessed Pope John Paul II, an athlete himself, said athletics “contributes to the love of life, teaches sacrifice, respect and responsibility, leading to the full development of the human person.” This is the mission of Assumption College in the classroom and on the field of athletic competition.
Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D. President
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Contents We encourage your feedback. Please address your letters, class notes and story ideas to: Assumption College Magazine Assumption College 500 Salisbury Street Worcester, MA 01609-1296 e-mail: twatkins@assumption.edu ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Assumption College Magazine Assumption College ISSN 1089-3903 Summer 2013 Editor Troy Watkins Contributing Writers Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A. ’69 Ken Johnson Lorraine U. Martinelle Elizabeth Walker
Summer 2013 PHOTO: COURTESY Of THE mINNESOTA TwINS
Assumption College Magazine • Volume 11, Number 3 www.assumption.edu/magazine
features 4 16 18 20 25 28
96th Commencement exercises Developing leaders through intercollegiate athletics Assumption sports legends Greyhound achievers—past Greyhound achievers—present The 40th anniversary of the first co-ed class
Departments
Art Direction/Design Centuria Inc., Boston, MA Printing The Lane Press, Burlington, VT Assumption College Magazine is published four times a year (winter, spring, summer, fall) by the office of Institutional Advancement, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609-1296. Telephone: 508-767-7175. Periodical Postage Paid at Worcester, Massachusetts, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Forwarding address and correction requested. Send address changes to: Office of Institutional Advancement, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609-1296. Printed in the U.S.A., Assumption College Magazine is distributed free of charge to alumni, friends, faculty, staff, administration and parents of undergraduate students.
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EDITOR’S PAGE
Sports rewards PHOTO: DAN VAIllANCOURT
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hile coaching my son’s soccer team a few years ago, I watched as one of the kids on our team struggled all season to keep up with the other players. Though a bit discouraged, he kept trying and improving. In the last game of the season, with the clock ticking down, he scored a goal, and his reaction would have led you to believe that he had just won the World Cup. Even I let out a scream and fought back tears of joy, because I knew how much one goal meant to him and his parents. It was a day, and a lesson, that I’ll never forget. Aside from the benefits of exercise, discipline and teamwork, sports participation also provide a social network for the players, coaches and fans; an event that others can rally around, and a venue for individuals and teams to develop, both physically and mentally, in pursuit of a common goal. In this issue, you’ll read about our athletics program at Assumption, how some current student-athletes are becoming leaders and how some former student-athletes are blazing trails. We’re also fortunate to share
an Assumption story similar to that of the young soccer player mentioned above, as Chris Colabello ’05, after seven years of playing baseball in the independent leagues, was called up and played for the Minnesota Twins this season. He’s a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance and believing in yourself – no matter if it’s in the classroom, the board room or on the playing field; eventually, it pays off.
Athletics Department unveils new Greyhounds logo The Department of Athletics introduced a redesign of the Assumption athletics logo in July as part of a branding and marketing initiative beginning in the 2013–14 season. “We're excited about this announcement of our new graphic identity program, which combines a modern look with something that fits within
the Assumption College tradition,” said Nick Smith, director of athletics. The new logo is a reflection of comments by coaches, staff and studentathletes who participated in reviewing the branding and logos used by the Department of Athletics. Assumption partnered with Phoenix Design Works of New Jersey for its development.
Remember when you’d just stop by the store for the newest gear?
Stay home.
Updated. Online. http://bookstore.assumption.edu Your Assumption Bookstore, wherever you call home.
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Stained-glass windows dedicated On June 1 during Reunion Weekend, Assumption College dedicated three stained-glass windows that were once part of the College and Preparatory School’s Greendale campus chapel, which was damaged 60 years ago by a tornado. One of the restored windows is called “The Tornado Window,” in remembrance of the three Assumption community members who perished in the June 9, 1953, storm. Joining Assumption College President Francesco Cesareo at the June 1 unveiling was the Most Rev. Bishop Robert McManus of Worcester and Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) President Gail Carberry. (The Greendale campus is now home to QCC.) The ceremony began on the first-floor landing of the Testa Science Center overlooking the Atrium for the first window’s unveiling and shifted to Testa’s north entrance for the second window’s unveiling. The ceremony later moved to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit for the dedication of “The Tornado Window.” Bishop McManus blessed all three windows. The (Worcester) Telegram & Gazette and the Catholic Free Press covered the event. “These windows represent an important part of Assumption’s history,” said President Cesareo. “The repair and installation of these unique pieces of art, with their intricate detail and luminous beauty, establishes a fitting memorial to the faculty and students of Assumption Prep throughout the Assumption College campus. Displaying these beautiful windows reminds us of the history of our college and our close connection with Assumption Prep. The past intersects with the present as we reflect upon the spiritual truths embodied in these windows and which continue to be central to the life of Assumption College.” The Christ the King window is displayed in the Testa Science Center Atrium. Its restoration is a gift of Fred Shea ’73 and his wife, Susan. Entrance of Christ to Jerusalem is stationed in Testa’s north entrance and is a gift of the W.E. Aubuchon Co. family. “The Tornado Window,” Christ Calming the Sea, is in the south entrance of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit and is a gift of Assumption Prep’s classes of 1953 and 1954. “The Tornado Window” is dedicated to Assumption’s tornado victims, Father Engelbert Devincq, A.A.; and two members of the Antonian Sisters of Mercy, Sister Marie St. Jean de Dieu Martel, S.A.M., and Sister Marie Ste. Hélène Simard, S.A.M. In 1950, 12 stained-glass windows were installed in Christ the King Chapel on Assumption’s Greendale campus to commemorate the centennial of the Augustinians of the Assumption, the order founded by Fr. Emmanuel d’Alzon. The 15’ x 6’ windows were crafted in Paris by artist Raphael Lardeur. Each of the leaded glass windows is comprised of up to 18 panels placed in a metal frame, and prominently features the figure of Christ. The 1953 tornado destroyed not only the windows but also the
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Campus news Christ the King Entrance of Christ to Jerusalum
The past intersects with the present as we reflect upon the spiritual truths embodied in these windows...
Christ Calming the Sea
campus. The College was relocated in 1956 to its current home at 500 Salisbury St., but the Prep School remained in Greendale. Lardeur created a second set of windows, following the original sketches, and those were reinstalled in the mid-1950s in Christ the King Chapel. They remained there after the Prep School closed in 1970. QCC was later established on the property. The College is raising funds to restore the remaining nine windows and plans to incorporate them into existing campus structures or future construction. Assumption College Magazine
Summer 2013
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Richard Deslauriers ’82 delivers keynote address to 605 graduates at 96th Commencement exercises
PHOTOS: ROBERT CARlIN
By Lorraine U. Martinelle
Richard Deslauriers ’82
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n his Commencement address on May 11 to the 605 students graduating from Assumption College, Richard DesLauriers ’82, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Boston Field Division, said that his own Assumption education furnished him with skills that have helped him become the leader he is today. “The liberal arts education I received at Assumption prepared me very well for a career as an FBI agent,” said DesLauriers. He identified specific skills – thinking logically and in a reasoned, analytical manner; writing; and possessing a moral compass – that have proven vital to his success. “In the FBI, [thinking logically and in a reasoned, analytical manner] has allowed me to form well-founded conclusions culled from the analysis of complex fact patterns, so that the FBI agents under my command can undertake the most effective investigative actions possible to mitigate the numerous national security and criminal threats faced by our nation on a daily basis here in the post-9/11 world.” At Assumption’s 96th Commencement ceremony, held on the campus’s H.L. Rocheleau Field, 402 Bachelor of Arts degrees; 161 graduate studies degrees and certificates; and 42 Continuing and Career Education degrees were awarded. Thousands of students, their families and friends, trustees, and other special guests were on hand to experience the inspirational messages delivered by keynote speaker DesLauriers, Assumption College President Francesco Cesareo, and valedictorian Hannah Lee-Hilsman of North Attleboro. “As you prepare to go forth from Assumption, where your education has fostered a nobility of character, a mind open to infinite beauty, and a heart that banishes selfishness, I congratulate you on all that you have accomplished,” President Cesareo said in his remarks, “and I challenge you to take what you have learned to lead a life beyond the self by contributing your time and talent in service to the community so as to create a better world for future generations.” DesLauriers, who joined the FBI in 1987, leads more than 500
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FBI agents, intelligence analysts and professional support personnel responsible for the investigation of terrorism, espionage and criminal matters in New England. He earned a B.A. in politics from Assumption College and a J.D. degree from The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law. In his remarks, he told the students of his father, a 1950 Assumption alumnus, who was convinced that only through pursuing a liberal arts education would one develop the intellectual skills to succeed as a person and who could make sound, values-based decisions. “It was this pathway which led me to Assumption College in the autumn of 1978, and over the ensuing four years, I received what I today consider to be one of the finest and most personal liberal arts educations available in this part of the country,” DesLauriers said. During the ceremony, honorary degrees were conferred upon DesLauriers, Stephen F. Knott, Ph.D. ’79, professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College; and long-time Assumption College friend and benefactor Raymond Lauring, retired president of Worcester-based Lauring Construction. Hilsman, a psychology and woman’s studies double major, told her fellow graduates, “Times may be hard, and life beyond campus may be daunting, but we have gained something special: We have received an Assumption College education, an education that has shaped us into a community of contemplative, informed individuals with the skills and knowledge to work together to change the world.” In her introduction of DesLauriers, salutatorian Amanda Guy, an accounting major from Lakeville, said, “As he relies on his moral compass to guide him in his service to his fellow citizens, Richard DesLauriers exemplifies and embodies what it means to be an Assumption College graduate.”
Valedictorian Hannah lee-Hilsman ’13
President Cesareo (in red) with honorary degree recipients Richard Deslauriers ’82, Ray lauring and Stephen Knott, Ph.D. ’79
meg Evangelista ’13
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Honors Convocation recognizes student achievements
2013 Augustine Scholars (l-R): Nicole Riel ’15, Samantha williams ’14, Katie Jankun ’14, Julia Jacques ’14, Abby Heroth ’15, melanie freitas ’14, Carly finegan ’14, Katelyn Colburn ’14, Andrea Clapp ’14, mike Carpentier ’14, mike Bates ’14, lea Rossi ’15 and Kathleen wilbur ’15. missing: Joelle DiDomenico ’14, mary Guinee ’14 and Katerina Reilly ’14. These merit scholarships are awarded to juniors and seniors who have been nominated by faculty and administrators for their good character, high academic achievement, initiative and creativity in academic and co-curricular activities. It is the premier scholarship award granted by the College.
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James Rutledge ’74
President Cesareo and Ashley Januszewski ’13
James Rutledge ’74, president/vice chair/CFO of Clean Harbors Inc., shared his thoughts on the value of a liberal arts education as guest speaker at the 29th Annual Honors Convocation on April 22 at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. Each year, the achievements of the College’s top students are recognized at Honors Convocation, as faculty from the 15 academic departments present award recipients for each major. Thirty-five students were honored with departmental awards, prizes and scholarships for their outstanding academic achievement.
Congratulations to Ashley Januszewski ’13, recipient of the Donec Formetur Christus Presidential Award, which recognizes a junior or senior who embodies in his/her life the ideals of an Assumption education. Actively involved in Campus Ministry during her four years on campus, Ashley was a member of the Honors Program and graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in psychology. She will serve as a graduate resident assistant in Desautels Hall in 2013–14 and a graduate assistant in the school counseling department while pursuing a M.A. in that area at the College.
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PHOTO: DAN VAIllANCOURT
(l-R) Amanda Guy ’13, Ben Parker ’13, Sean Ryan ’14, Alison Bruder ’14 and matt martino ’13
Entrepreneurship contest winners announced Assumption College’s “Small Business and Entrepreneurship” course (offered through the Department of Business) held its annual business plan competition at the end of spring semester. Twenty-four students, representing a variety of majors and divided into five teams, presented their proposals for innovative new businesses before a judging panel of five industry and academic experts. The winning business plan was for
Muncheez LLC, a late night take-out and delivery service focusing on a “fat sandwich” menu. (Editor’s Note: This class and the group were featured in the spring 2013 issue of Assumption Magazine.) Finishing second in the judges’ voting was the business plan for In Motion, a gym/exercise facility that would focus on childhood obesity. The Muncheez team was comprised of Amanda Guy ’13 of Lakeville; junior Allison
Bruder of Salt Lake City, UT; Matt Martino ’13 of Lincroft, NJ; Ben Parker ’13 of Lancaster; and junior Sean Ryan of Troy, NY. “The Muncheez plan was rated positively for its completeness, detail and chance for success,” said David Hoyle, visiting assistant professor of marketing, who teaches the course with Frances Skypeck ’83, visiting assistant professor of accounting and taxation. “The judges also commented on how the plan’s financials seemed to tie together and that the group members were professional in their presentations of the plan components.” Presenting before the judges was intense for the students, according to Hoyle. “The judges were impressed by the Muncheez team’s ability to succinctly answer tough questions asked from panel members,” he said. The popular course aims to prepare students to become confident entrepreneurs and teaches students the details of building a business. Teams of students are responsible for developing the business concept, building a comprehensive business plan and financial model and presenting the plan to outside experts. Alumni interested in serving on the spring 2014 judging panel should contact Professor Hoyle at dhoyle@assumption.edu or Professor Skypeck at fskypeck@assumption.edu.
2013 Crown and Shield Award recipients Thirteen members of the Class of 2013 received Crown and Shield awards at a may 9 ceremony. Nominated by faculty, staff and administration members, award recipients have furthered (crown) and protected (shield) the interests of the student body and College in various areas of leadership and community service. (Sitting, l-R) Hannah-lee Hilsman, Amanda Carchedi, President francesco Cesareo, meg Evangelista, Jillian Orabone and Nicole Carpenter. (Standing, l-R) Ashley Januszewski, Diana Henderson, liliana Jorge, mikaela Porter, John williams, molly Kessler, Rachel Hedge and Jessica Casolino. Assumption College Magazine
Summer 2013
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Faculty update
2013 promotions and tenure announced
Elizabeth Colby Davie
J. Bart morrison
Bryan Carella
Georgi Georgiev
Daniel Jones
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David Crowley
Regina Kuersten-Hogan
michele lemons
Irina mukhina
Tenured David Crowley, Ph.D., associate professor of biology Dr. Crowley has championed the importance of students collaborating on research projects with faculty members. He holds a B.A. from College of the Holy Cross, a M.A. from Anna Maria College and a Ph.D. from Stanford University. Elizabeth Colby Davie, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry A faculty member since 2007, Dr. Colby Davie received a $50,000 “New Investigator” grant from the American Chemical Societymanaged Petroleum Research Fund in 2008, supporting student research. She earned a B.A. from Macalester College and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. J. Bart Morrison, Ed.M., D.M., associate professor of management and director of the MBA Program A former dean of the University of Charleston’s Graduate School of Business, Dr. Morrison returned to Assumption after teaching on campus in the 2000s to become the MBA Program’s director in 2011. He holds a B.A. from Fordham University, an Ed.M. from Harvard University and a Doctor of Management from Case Western Reserve University.
Tenured and promoted to associate professor Bryan Carella, Ph.D., associate professor of English A member of the faculty since 2007, Dr. Carella earned a B.A. and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina and a M.A. from Indiana University. Georgi Georgiev, Ph.D., associate professor of physics Dr. Georgiev has served as a faculty member since 2007. He holds a B.A. and M.S. from Sofia University in Bulgaria and a M.S. and Ph.D. from Tufts University.
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Edward Dix
Brian Niece
Daniel Jones, associate professor of accounting The 2012 recipient of the Honorary Alumnus Award from the Alumni Association, Prof. Jones joined the faculty in 2005 and has been a member of the College’s President’s Council since 2009. He holds a B.A. and B.S. from the University of Notre Dame, a M.S. from Bentley College and a M.B.A. from Harvard University. Regina Kuersten-Hogan, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology A faculty member since 2000, Dr. Kuersten-Hogan holds a B.A. from UMass-Boston and a M.A. and a Ph.D. from Clark University. Michele Lemons, Ph.D., associate professor of biology Dr. Lemons joined the faculty in 2007. She has made several public presentations of her research and earned a B.S. from the College of William and Mary and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida. Irina Mukhina, Ph.D., associate professor of history A faculty member since 2007, Dr. Mukhina has authored two books and is working on two more. She has published and presented extensively and taught a range of history courses. She holds a B.A. from UMass-Dartmouth, and a M.A. and Ph.D. from Boston College.
Promoted to professor Edward Dix, Ph.D., professor of chemistry Dr. Dix began teaching at Assumption in 1994. His research interests lie in the organic photochemistry of bicyclonanones. He holds a B.S. from Clarkson University and a M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Rochester. Brian Niece, Ph.D., professor of chemistry Dr. Niece joined the faculty in 1997. He has published and presented widely in his field and teaches a variety of chemistry courses. He earned a B.S. from Georgia Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.
Michael Sleeper appointed to Board of Trustees
Elisabeth Howe
Longtime Assumption friend and President’s Council member Michael Sleeper was appointed to the College’s Board of Trustees in May. Sleeper is chairman, president and CEO of Imperial Distributors, Inc., an Auburn, MA-based distributor of health and beauty care products and general nonfood merchandise to more than 2,000 food stores in New England and the mid-Atlantic region. Sleeper joined the company in 1964. He became CEO in 1969 and president in 1976. He has supported and served local organizations such as the United Way of Central Mass and Jewish Family Services of Worcester. Sleeper earned a B.A. in business administration from Babson College.
Tom Slavkovsky
Professors Elisabeth Howe and Tom Slavkovsky retire Elisabeth Howe, Ph.D., joined the Assumption faculty in 1991. A French professor, Dr. Howe published three books, including Close Reading: An Introduction to Literature in 2009 and earning a NEMLA/Ohio University Press Book Award for Stages of Self: The Dramatic Monologues of Laforgue, Mallarmé and Valéry in 1989. Fluent in French, Russian and Polish, she distinguished herself through many years of service on several College committees and professional organizations and authored numerous papers and articles and presented at various conferences.
She earned a B.A. from University College, London; and a M.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard University. Tom Slavkovsky, Ph.D., served the College as a faculty member since 1978. An assistant professor of physics and mathematics, he specialized in physics courses during his 35-year tenure at Assumption. He served the College on various committees and made several public presentations of papers and articles at professional conferences. Dr. Slavkovsky holds a B.S. and M.S. from John Carroll University and a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts.
michael Sleeper
J. Brian Benestad ’63 appointed D’Amour Chair in Catholic Thought J. Brian Benestad, Ph.D. ’63 was welcomed back to Assumption as the College’s first Donald and Michele D’Amour Chair in Catholic Thought this summer. A professor of theology/ religious studies at the University of Scranton since 1976, he previously served as Assumption’s D’Alzon Chair of Liberal Studies (1997–2000). Benestad has supplemented his teaching with a continuous record of publication for 30 years, including two books and four edited books. His books, articles and reviews have made a contribution to the part of the
Catholic intellectual tradition know as Catholic social doctrine. As the D’Amour Chair, Benestad will teach courses in theology, social justice and ethics while organizing and guiding a biennial faculty seminar on a topic related to Catholic thought. The D’Amour Chair was funded as part of the historic $4.2 million gift from Donald ’64 and Michele D’Amour in 2008. A 1963 Assumption alumnus, Benestad holds a S.T.L. from Gregorian University in Rome and a Ph.D. from Boston College.
J. Brian Benestad ’63 Assumption College Magazine
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Approximately 1,000 students, faculty, staff, friends and guests packed Laska Gymasium to hear Hall of Fame Coach Geno Auriemma give the 11th annual Business Lecture on Ethics in April. “Today’s students are just like I was in college, but you’re smarter,” he said. “With the internet and television, you have access to the world, which we didn’t have.” The parent of Assumption alumnus Mike ’13, Coach Auriemma joked that today’s students need to learn how to have a face-to-face conversation, rather than relying on texting or Twitter. In his 29 seasons as head women’s basketball coach at the University of Connecticut, Auriemma has won a recordtying eight national championships, including this year’s title, and has the highest winning percentage (.863) among all active NCAA Division I coaches. “I’m lucky enough to have a great staff,” he said. “I have an excellent community around me that has helped me become successful, and I hope that you are doing the same for yourself here.” Auriemma expects much from the student-athletes he coaches, in order to play, he noted. They need to go to class, come to study hall, get good grades, and interact with other
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Geno Auriemma delivers 11th annual Business Lecture on Ethics
Geno Auriemma was introduced by Dennis House ’85, TV news co-anchor of Hartford’s CBS affiliate.
students. They improve each season through a program built on structure, discipline, teamwork and accountability. Good actions are rewarded and poor actions reprimanded. “If you don’t have a vision for what you want, you’re never going to get it,” he said. “Our philosophy is, if you want to win championships, come to Connecticut. If you want it to be all about you, don’t come to UConn. It’s about us, not about you. We want you to become an All-American, but we want you to do it within the team framework.” “When I started the program, I looked for assistants who were great communicators, people I could trust and would be loyal to me and the program,” he said. “I believe that the people that you associate with should be better
Geno Auriemma
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than you, or you’re not going to get better. My colleagues challenge me, and that’s been a huge part of our success.” Another key is the selflessness of the players. “At UConn, everyone needs to buy into the program, back each other up, help each other out and become an excellent teammate. “The great players, they don’t practice until they get it right,” he said. “They practice until they can’t get it wrong.” A six-time Naismith National Coach of the Year, Auriemma has coached 10 multiple All-Americans, and was at the helm of the U.S. gold medal-winning team at the 2012 Olympics. “There are so many great athletes around the world, the Olympics make you realize how small a part of it all you are … It’s humbling.”
PHOTOS: mIKE NYmAN
Little Shop of Horrors at Hanover Theatre The Assumption College Theatre’s production of Little Shop of Horrors delighted audiences with three April performances at the Worcester’s Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts. Little Shop tells the story of Seymour, a skid row floral assistant who discovers Audrey II an exotic plant with a craving for fresh blood. As Seymour gains fame by feeding Audrey II’s appetite the plant admits it is an alien creature pursuing global domination. The entertaining musical highlights the importance of staying true to one’s ethics in pursuit of fame and fortune. The lyrics and book by Howard Ashman are brought to life by the music of Alan Menken. Directed by Brian Tivnan, visiting instructor of theatre arts, the cast and crew included more than 20 Assumption students, led by Jonathan Souza ’15, Nicole Gamberale ’15, Jenna DeMasi ’15 and Patrick Donlin ’13.
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l–R: mary Bianchini ’78, Krista Jewers Sequeira ’93, Elizabeth Penta merritt ’05, Elizabeth Gagne P’13 and Elaine Nedder ’77
WLF hosts “What did you do with your degree?” The Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) hosted a panel discussion titled “What did you do with your degree?” in April. Approximately 50 alumni, students, faculty, parents and friends attended the session, where four professionals shared stories of how their success was gained as a result of their college degree. Moderated by Elaine Nedder ’77, manager of supply chain system design for Staples, panelists were Mary Bianchini ’78, director of human resources, BOSE Corporation; Elizabeth Penta Merrittt ’05, attorney, Taylor Duane Barton & Gilman LLP; Elizabeth Gagne P’13, VP/CAO of business insurance, Travelers Insurance; and
Krista Jewers Sequeira ’93, senior executive recruiting consultant, EMC Corporation. A collaboration among Institutional Advancement, and the Business Studies and Career Services departments, the WLF promotes professional networking and educational opportunities to advance leadership roles of women. On Sept. 23, the WLF welcomes U.S. Department of State rep Lorraine Hariton for “Entrepreneurship from a Global Perspective,” at 5:30 pm in Hagan Hall. To learn more, contact WLF co-founder Linda Rosenlund ’82 at 508-767-7104, or email womensforum@assumption.edu.
President’s Lecture Series
Evelyn Birge Vitz, professor of french at New York University, delivered a lecture titled “Catholic writers: The Past Century – and Prospects for the future” in february.
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In April, John Rist, the father Kurt Pritzl, O.P. Chair of Philosophy at Catholic University of America, presented the annual Augustine lecture, titled “Can Augustine’s City of God Help Us Deconstruct multiculturalism?”
Students create and produce music video On March 20, Assumption joined other local schools in observing the 6th annual Central Massachusetts White Ribbon Day, which was held at Clark University. White Ribbon is the world’s largest movement of men and boys working to end violence against women and girls and promote gender equity and healthy relationships, as well as a new vision of masculinity. Founded in 1991, the organization asks men to wear white ribbons as a pledge to never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women and girls. Since then, White Ribbon has spread to more than 60 countries. A group of Assumption students – Felix Afranie ’14, Nick Haag ’13, Nicholas Krasco ’15, Vanessa Arroyo ’15 and former student Nicholas Ward ’15 – directed, produced, sang, and acted in a music video that was created specifically for Central Massachusetts White Ribbon Day. Ward wrote and performed the song, “Inexcusable.” The students are members of the Assumption group PALMS (Positively Achieving Leadership by Men in Society), which is advised by Dean of Campus Life Conway Campbell. PALMS was established two years ago, and its members meet twice a month to discuss their experiences on campus as men; and how they could improve their experience, other students’ experience and the perception of men in society. PALMS members also distributed white ribbons (the campaign’s symbol) and helped coordinate the on-campus signing of a banner that was displayed at Clark. President Francesco Cesareo was one of many community members to sign Assumption’s banner. In addition, the College’s peer education group PAWS (Peer Advocating Wellness for Students) attended and participated. Elizabeth Drexler-Hines, PAWS advisor and director of Assumption’s Student Health Services, helped facilitate banner signings at other Consortium colleges and universities. View Assumption’s video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXe017AuG-0
Glory days BY FR. DENNIS GALLAGHER, A.A.’69, VICE PRESIDENT FOR MISSION
I
n the fall of 1965, our freshman year, Fr. John Franck ’70 and I fancied ourselves Johnny Unitas and Raymond Berry, reenacting quite nicely, I must say, their classic down-and-out pattern for our intramural flag football team. Later that season, in the championship game, our upstart squad “shocked the world” by playing a juggernaut team of upperclassmen, anchored by lineman/ pianist extraordinaire, Al Jesue ’67, to a 0-0 tie in a driving rainstorm. The bragging rights did not last long. When the sun came out, the order of things was restored, and in the rematch the heavily favored upperclassmen took home the prize. That was 48 years ago. On any given day in the Plourde, a group of aging but game faculty and staff lace up the sneakers to compete in pick-up basketball, surely one of the most enduring “voluntary associations” at the College. The democratizing character of intramural and pick-up games is very much in evidence, not only in the differences of ability, but also in the cast of characters themselves. Where else on the campus will you find philosophy professors, as many as four of them, sweating alongside assistant coaches, Plourde recreation directors and student affairs staff ? (How many alumni of a certain age remember being hip-checked by the late, great Fred Barakat ’61 in the “friendly” pick-up games of the 1960s and early ’70s?) One errant pass away from winning the intramural basketball championship as a sophomore, I recall the following moment of embarrassment. The next year I told my roommate, who, in the spirit of the late ’60s had become wary of the competitive impulse, that I was dropping down to the “B” division in order to enjoy playing the game without the heated passions at the higher level. When I encouraged him to come watch our team play, it happened to be the night when I got into early foul trouble. With a few minutes left in a tight game, I was whistled for a very questionable fifth foul from the other end of the court by a student referee. Altogether forgetting that
PHOTO: DAN VAIllANCOURT
White Ribbon Day seeks end of violence against women
The mission Assumption’s intramural sports program plays its own part in our students’ progress toward wholeness. I was playing for the fun of it, I raced the length of the court to go jaw to jaw with the offending ref. It was with more than a little sheepishness that I returned to my room that night. In our peaceable regime, the spirited part of the soul continues to be viewed with suspicion. Its permanent place in the human constitution, however, does not allow for suppression without damaging effects. It needs an outlet. Enter the world of athletic competition at every level, where such passions find expression in the context of the game, whose artifice belies the seriousness with which it is pursued. If education at its best aims at the proper ordering of the soul, then Assumption’s intramural sports program plays its own part in our students’ progress toward wholeness. That, plus the evocation of glory days: no wonder it is the stuff of shared memory at Alumni reunions.
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HOUNDS wATCH
PHOTOS: GIl TAlBOT
Spring sports roundup
Taylor Days-merrill ’16
TRACK AND FIELD The track and field teams enjoyed a recordbreaking spring, establishing 16 school records during the outdoor season. At the New England Championships sophomore Tony Fierimonte and freshman Taylor DaysMerrill each captured All-New England honors – Fierimonte in the 3000-meter steeplechase and Days-Merrill in the 10,000meter run. The Greyhounds opened the season with a pair of school records at the Bridgewater State Invitational. Fierimonte placed second at the Northeast-10 Championship and re-established his school record in the steeplechase with a sixth-place finish at New England’s. On the women’s side, senior Molly Kessler set the school record in the 800-meter run at the NE-10 Championship with a time of 2:16.65. Kessler had previously captured the Northeast-10 800-meter indoor championship, also setting a school record in the process.
WOMEN’S LACROSSE The women’s lacrosse team posted its first winning season in 11 years at 9-8. Sophomore Amy McNeil earned NE-10 Second Team accolades after setting school records for goals in a game (10) and season (66), as well as points in a game (12) and season (76). Fellow
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sophomore Allison Tivnan became the first Greyhound defender to be named to an AllConference team. The Second Team selection ranked fourth in the NE-10 with 27 caused turnovers and among the top 10 with 43 ground balls while starting all 17 games. Senior Steph O’Rourke became just the eighth player in school history to reach 100 career points.
BASEBALL The baseball team totaled 13 wins, as senior Shane Keddy gained Northeast-10 Conference honors for the second consecutive season. He batted .307 with 29 RBI and 34 runs to make the NE-10 Second Team. Freshman Tomas Paine batted a team-best .315 to earn NE-10 All-Rookie accolades.
SOFTBALL Junior Tanya Robidoux led the softball team with a .350 average, taking NE-10 Second Team honors as the Greyhounds recorded 15 victories. The center fielder tallied 48 hits, 27 runs and 11 doubles. Robidoux was named to the Capital One/CoSIDA Academic AllDistrict Team. Senior second baseman Lauren Medeiros and senior left fielder Melissa Jalbert tied for second on the team with a .304 batting average. Medeiros finished her
Summer 2013
career with 26 home runs, ranking her second in College history. Jalbert led the Hounds with 28 runs and 14 doubles. Junior pitcher Jenn Lattal led the Hounds with seven wins while senior Rachel Hedge and freshman Jess Underwood each picked up four victories.
MEN’S LACROSSE First-year head coach Keith Loftis kept the team’s focus on track as the men’s lacrosse team won its final three home games to finish 3-10. The team, which faced six nationallyranked opponents during the season, was led in scoring by sophomore attack Garrett Smith (31 goals, two assists). Junior Ian Mack netted 10 goals and a team-best 20 assists, while sophomore Ty Martina had 17 goals and three assists. Freshman Nick Guarino was named to the Northeast-10 All-Rookie Team and was a one-time NE-10 Player of the Week as he won a team-best 98 faceoffs.
WOMEN’S TENNIS The women’s tennis team posted six wins, led by sophomore Melanie McCauley and her team-best seven wins. Senior Erica Micciche earned four victories at number one singles as the Greyhounds closed the season with triumphs in three of their final five matches, with two recorded against NE-10 foes.
Tanya Robidoux ’14
WOMEN’S ROWING
women’s rowing
Under the direction of first-year head coach Erick Thiemke, the women’s rowing team showed dramatic improvement during the spring season. Regionally-ranked in the NCAA East Region this season, the varsity four boat placed sixth in the finals at the New England Rowing Championship at Lake Quinsigamond. The varsity four boat claimed first place in a four-team regatta with Brandeis, Mass Maritime and Roger Williams, while the varsity eight boat defeated Bryant in a head-to-head race. The team was again captained by senior Lisa Gagne.
GOLF The golf team placed eighth out of 11 teams at the Northeast-10 Conference Championship, one of the team’s 15 matches this season. Sophomore Adam Bourque led the Greyhounds
Garrett Smith ’15
at the NE-10 Championship with a 156 over the two-round tournament. He shot a team-best 77 on the first day of action. The team also enjoyed a fifth place finish at the Assumption College shootout, a tournament
Erica micciche ’13
Shane Keddy ’13
hosted by the Greyhounds at the Heritage Country Club in Charlton. Senior Peter Duckett led the team with a 76 as part of the one-round event.
Amy mcNeil ’15
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Developing leaders through intercollegiate athletics
NICK SMITH knows that the athletics program at Assumption boasts a strong tradition of success in the competitiveness of its teams and the accomplishments of its student-athletes, and, in his first year as director of athletics, he’s worked hard to ensure that this tradition continues. In the College’s early days of athletic competition, future Hall-of-Famer Jesse Burkett directed the baseball team. Through the developing years in the 1950s and ’60s and the glory days of the ’70s to mid-’80s Andy Laska HD’90 and Joe O’Brien ’57 coached outstanding basketball teams that helped Assumption grow its reputation. Recently, the softball team captured the 2012 Northeast-10 title and the consistent academic excellence of the student-athletes has been highlighted by individuals such as this year’s NE-10 Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year, swimmer Amanda Guy ’13. The Greyhounds have proudly and ably represented their school.
PHOTOS: DAN VAIllANCOURT
B Y T ROY WATKINS
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oday, Assumption offers 22 Northeast-10 sports (tied for most offered) and 23 intercollegiate sports overall – the most among the 15 Northeast-10 Conference member institutions – and continues to distinguish itself among peers. “The athletics program provides a comprehensive experience for student-athletes while teaching them lessons outside the classroom,” said Smith. “The aspects of teamwork, decision-making, adversity, time management, working with others, and respect for authority – those are the most important areas we can teach in athletics.” When Smith arrived last summer, he and his staff established a philosophy of “One team. One goal. Excellence.” with three defining components: athletic excellence, academic achievement and community involvement.
“The aspects of teamwork, decision-making, adversity, time management, working with others, and respect for authority – those are the most important areas we can teach in athletics.” –Nick Smith “We want to improve our standings in the Northeast-10 Conference’s President’s Cup, which is how we measure our success athletically as a department,” he said, adding, “We also want the student-athletes’ combined GPA to be equal to or greater than the GPA of the student body. In addition, we encourage each team to strive to increase their overall GPA and measure those each semester. Next year, we hope to implement an award for each male and female team that has had the greatest increase to its GPA from the previous season.” Assumption has long been a leader among Northeast-10 institutions in the academic accomplishments of its student-athletes. Sixteen students have received NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships, tops in the NE-10 and eighth among all NCAA Division II colleges. “Our student-athletes are academically focused, and our coaches realize that academics are the most important aspect of being a student-athlete,” Smith said. “We partner with Assumption’s Academic Support Center and have a designated coach serving as the athletics academic coordinator.” The athletics program also incorporates an element of service. Smith explained that each Assumption team participates in community service initiatives, such as the “Wounded Warriors” project,
events for cancer awareness and research, and Team IMPACT (Inspire, Motivate, Play Against Challenges Together) – a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses by matching them with college athletic teams. Relationships are established and cultivated to provide an extended support network for the children. Engaging with the campus community is emphasized as well. “We are creating an atmosphere of family,” said Smith. “Our studentathletes support each other, they understand how to give back, and realize the importance. We also expect our student-athletes to be leaders on campus, to respect staff and policies, and if they witness something that is wrong, to stand up and do what is right.” The Greyhounds help student athletes foster leadership skills through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. This board, made up of representatives from each team, brings student-athletes’ issues to the athletics department’s administration and works with them to improve the overall athletic experience. “It is great training for the students to speak up and be an advocate for positive change when something is not right,” Smith said. “The way you advance yourself in your career is to correct the measures that need to be corrected. It’s a perfect opportunity to apply what they have learned into practice.” With 25 percent of the student body involved in intercollegiate athletics, student-athletes are well represented at Assumption. That percentage may grow this year, as student-athletes so far comprise 33 percent of the Class of 2017. Popularity in Assumption sports among fans is also increasing. Last year, Assumption led NCAA Division II attendance at field hockey, and averaged a College-record attendance of 1,982 at its football games. This level of interest and success can be difficult to maintain, though. Despite recent improvements – the Multi-Sport Stadium was built in 2005 and renovations were recently made to the softball and baseball fields and parts of Laska Gymnasium – the College athletics program is in need of several facility upgrades. The track/cross country team does not have a track, and six teams utilize the MultiSport Stadium’s lone field. NE-10 institutions average two or three rectangular fields, according to Smith. Constructed in 1963, only the basketball/volleyball court has been upgraded in Laska Gymnasium. The locker rooms, however, have not been updated. “We are challenged by a lack of space and lockers,” Smith noted. “Our NE-10 opponents are making changes, and we need to keep up with them.” Two Assumption-sponsored annual golf tournaments – the Father Bissonnette Invitational and the Friends of Athletics – raise money to support, in part, the Athletics Department. Despite these initiatives, however, additional funding is needed. There are many other ways for alumni to help. “I’d like to hear from those who want to be involved with Assumption athletics,” said Smith. “We welcome them and their input to be part of what we’re trying to build. Support of the College is not just financial; it’s also attending games, emailing us with an idea or an inquiry, and/or helping a student secure an internship. We want participation, to expand our base, and to create a welcoming, family-like environment. We want our alumni and the entire Assumption College community to be involved and proud of its past, present, and future Hounds.”
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A SSUMPTION G REYHOUND
Legends Andrew Laska HD’90, director of athletics emeritus His name is synonymous with Assumption athletics, as the department makes its home and the basketball and volleyball teams host games in a building bearing his moniker, the Andrew Laska Gymnasium (dedicated in 1975). He amassed a 224-96 record and two New England Coach of the Year awards in 17 years at the helm of the basketball team, and also coached the golf team for 17 seasons. The first director of Assumption athletics, Laska helped the College gain admission to the NCAA, was involved in the implementation of Title IX (including adding scholarship aid for female athletes), and was instrumental in the formation of the Northeast-10 Conference, which has grown to 15 institutions. He was elected to several Athletic Halls of Fame including Assumption, New England Basketball and Holy Cross,
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where he was a member of the 1947 NCAA basketball championship team. In 1968 he was the first recipient of the Honorary Alumnus Award from the Assumption Alumni Association. And in 1990 he received an honorary degree from Assumption for his three decades of dedicated service and achievements. Affectionately known as “coach,” Laska’s former players flock to him at home basketball games and reunion celebrations to thank him for his leadership and support during their formative years. His wife of 53 years, Ruth, passed away in 2001. Among their five children are Michael AP’66, Kim ’81 and Diane ’76, Assumption’s director of alumni relations, as well as his granddaughter, Jessie ’10.
GREYHOUND ACHIEVERS
PAST
Joe O’Brien ’57, former president/CEO, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame A standout basketball player for the Greyhounds under Andy Laska, Joe O’Brien ’57 served as his assistant coach for nine years before taking the reins of the team. In 17 seasons (1967–85), 12 teams reached the NCAA Tournament, including five consecutive NCAA regional champions (1971–75). He totaled a 321-173 record, earning three New England College Division Coach of the Year Awards. O’Brien also coached the Greyhounds’ baseball (15 seasons) and cross country teams (10 years) and was assistant director of athletics. He was elected to both the Assumption Alumni-Athletics and New England Basketball Halls of Fame. O’Brien served as president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches from 1983-84 before becoming involved with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. O’Brien, who sat on the Hall’s board of directors, would go on to become the Hall’s executive director from 1985 to 1993 and serve as its president and CEO until his retirement in 2001. During his tenure, the Hall experienced tremendous growth in visitation. O’Brien spearheaded dramatic improvements in the Hall’s exhibits, computerization and staffing. He played an integral role in its $100 million expansion and construction of the new facility. O’Brien received the John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hall, awarded annually to a one person who has contributed greatly to the game of basketball. O’Brien passed away in 2003. Among his children are AC alumni Eileen ’82 and Roberta ’86.
Fred Barakat ’61, former associate commissioner for men’s basketball, Atlantic Coast Conference A two-time All-American basketball and baseball player at Assumption, Fred Barakat ’61 was drafted by the New York Knicks and tried out for the San Francisco Giants. For five years he played in the Eastern Basketball pro league while also working as a teacher and coach in New Jersey. He was recruited by Andy Laska back to Assumption, where held numerous coaching, teaching and administrative duties. After a stint as an assistant basketball coach at UConn, he coached the Fairfield University basketball team for 11 seasons before serving the Atlantic Coast Conference for 26 years until his retirement in 2007. Barakat supervised basketball officials, oversaw scheduling for televised games, directed men’s basketball operations and later managed the prestigious ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament for 16 years. He was inducted to the Hudson County (NJ), Assumption, Fairfield University and New England Basketball Halls of Fame. ACC Commissioner John Swofford remarked upon Barakat’s retirement, “Fred has served this league with distinction … his leadership has been exemplary. He has done an outstanding job for our league in a very challenging capacity.” Barakat himself once said, “My definition of success is based on three things: 1) to get the most out of your potential; 2) to gain the respect of your peers; 3) to make a contribution to society. I hope, under this definition, that I’ve been successful.” Barakat passed away in 2010. He and wife Florence had four children.
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GREYHOUND ACHIEVERS
PHOTO: JON ROEmER
PAST
Jake Jones ’71 Only Assumption alumnus to play in the NBA
B Y T ROY WATKINS J AKE J ONES ’71 TuRNED DoWN ATHlETIC SCHolAR SHIPS FRoM 25 CollEGES To ATTEND A SSuMPTIoN C ollEGE AND PlAY oN THE BASkETBAll TEAM . H E WAS THE oNlY A FRICAN A MERICAN RESIDENT STuDENT WHEN HE ARRIvED oN THE All - MAlE CAMPuS IN THE FAll oF 1967. “I WAS IN A DIFFER ENT WoRlD ,” SAID J oNES , WHo HAD GRADuATED FRoM N EPTuNE H IGH S CHool IN N EW J ER SEY. “Being so far away from home, I felt strange at first, but my professors helped me adapt and I was treated pretty well overall.” Among several mentors was English Professor John Burke, who once gave Jones a ride home to New Jersey. “That’s an example of the type of relationships I developed,” he said. “Assumption laid the foundation for my career,” said the foreign affairs major. “What my degree has done for me is immeasurable.” For the last 20 years, Jones has served as director of community and economic development for the city of Long Branch, NJ. At Assumption, Jones led the Greyhounds to a 25-2 record and the NCAA Regional championship as a senior and was a two-time, firstteam All-American. Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, Jones played for one year in the NBA before beginning his post-basketball career. He was a teacher, basketball coach, human services administrator, retail salesman and insurance adjuster before settling into his current position. NEARlY
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Now Jones writes grants and facilitates programs to update Long Branch’s infrastructure, improving parks, housing production and rehabilitation. “It’s a blessing to be in a position to help people and allocate funding to support local development,” he explained. “I couldn’t ask for a more rewarding situation.” He and wife Geraldine have three children – Godwin, Paul and Jacob Jr. Jones is proud to also serve as a deacon at the Good Samaritan Bright Star Church, which his father built years ago. Before graduating Assumption, Jones was asked by his basketball coach, Joe O’Brien ’57, if he would be helping his father out at the church. “Absolutely not,” said Jones. “I had been forced to go to church all my life and wanted a break.” After his father died, Jones found himself gravitating back to the church. All 10 of his brothers and sisters are involved – his sister Ann is pastor and four of his siblings serve as ministers. “It’s a major part of my life and always will be, because it brings balance.” Inducted to the Assumption Alumni-Athletics Hall of Fame in 1977, the humble Jones has earned numerous awards for his community involvement, but credits his parents, mentors and staff for their contributions to his accomplishments. “For me, Assumption was a major catalyst in helping me find happiness and contentment in my life.”
GREYHOUND ACHIEVERS
PHOTO: COURTESY Of UNIVERSITY Of NOTRE DAmE
PAST
Brian Kelly ’83 2012 AP College Football Coach of the Year Head football coach, University of Notre Dame
B Y T ROY WATKINS T HE
MAN AT THE HElM oF THE MoST PoPulAR CollEGE
FooTBAll TEAM IN THE CouNTRY,
B RIAN K ELLy ’83,
HAS
NoT FoRGoTTEN WHERE HE CAME FRoM oR WHAT HElPED HIM BECoME THE HEAD FooTBAll CoACH AT THE
N oTRE D AME . H IS
u NIvER SITY
oF
STEADY ASCENT To THE PINNAClE oF HIS
A SSuMPTIoN C ollEGE . “The intellectual and spiritual environment at Assumption was critical to my development,” said Kelly. “The close-knit community I experienced at that beautiful campus on Salisbury Street allowed me to grow. The Assumptionists such as Bro. Armand Lemaire, A.A. ’48, and the many other people who touched my life while I was a student helped shape who I am.” In 2012, Kelly served as the Commencement speaker at his alma mater, and received an honorary doctorate of education. During the address, Kelly spoke intimately about the impact of an Assumption education. “What I’ve done for the past 20 years is motivate and develop student-athletes,” said Kelly. “You are ready, prepared and have what is necessary to be successful … You will have adversity, but I’m confident in your ability to handle it because of your Assumption education. … Decide to do what is best for you. Be good at what you do. Be consistent in what you do, because that will pave the way for great things later.” Kelly was a political science major and a star linebacker for PRoFESSIoN BEGAN AT
the Greyhounds’ club football team during his four years here. As captain, Kelly amassed more than 300 tackles during his college career, and led the team to two of their most successful seasons in the College’s history. After graduation he dabbled briefly in the political arena, but returned to Assumption as a resident director, softball coach and assistant football coach. He moved on to Grand Valley State University in Michigan and won two NCAA Division II national championships. Three years at Central Michigan and three years at the University of Cincinnati – where he won three Big East Coach of the Year awards and led the team to a 12-0 record and a top 10 finish in 2009 – preceded his current position at Notre Dame. In the fall of 2012, Kelly coached the Fighting Irish to a 12-0 regular season, a #1 ranking and a berth in the BCS National Championship game, before falling to defending champion, Alabama. It was a year of accolades, as Kelly was the consensus 2012 College Football Coach of the Year. Through it all Kelly fondly remembers his formative years and demonstrated his commitment to his alma mater by endowing a $250,000 scholarship for football players, which was matched by the College to benefit female student-athletes. “I love Assumption College and what it did for me and continues to do each day.”
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PHOTO: DAN VAIllANCOURT
PAST
Derek Mohamed ’98 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient Crossfit Games championship team member
B Y T ROY WATKINS WHEN A FATAl HEART ATTACk ClAIMED DEREK M OHAMED’S ’98 FATHER DuRING THE FAll oF HIS FIR ST YEAR oF CollEGE ,
W oRCESTER NATIvE AND oNlY CHIlD TRANSFERRED To A SSuMPTIoN To BE CloSER To HIS MoTHER . “W HIlE THE PASSING oF MY FATHER WAS A TRAGIC EvENT IN MY lIFE , I BElIEvE THAT G oD HAS A PlAN FoR uS ,” HE SAID . At Assumption, Mohamed joined the hockey team, found his passion for economics and finance, and met his wife, who was studying nursing at Worcester State at the time. Today, Mohamed is senior vice president of the Mohamed-Penta Wealth Management Group at UBS Financial Services, Inc., in Wellesley, and remains active through CrossFit training and competitions. It was Professor Demitri Kantarelis who helped Mohamed find his calling. “Prof. Kantarelis is an inspiring, engaging professor and encouraged me to pursue economics and finance,” Mohamed said. He excelled in the classroom, earning the George A. Doyle Merit Award. His academic prowess and his four years of hockey earned him an NCAA postgraduate scholarship. He pursued a Ph.D. in economics at Clark University for a year, before deciding to build a wealth management practice. “I knew I wanted to do something where I could help people,” said Mohamed. “What I do combines my passion for economics and finance with my desire to make a difference in people’s lives.” THE
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As a wealth advisor, he serves clients primarily in and around greater Boston. “We help simplify and organize our clients’ financial lives, many of whom are busy, successful entrepreneurs,” Mohamed explained. “We act as the family’s personal CFO, helping integrate their advisors (accountants, attorneys, insurance agents, etc.) into a team so the family can make informed financial decisions—about investments and advanced planning issues like wealth enhancement, wealth protection and transfer, as well as charitable giving.” Mohamed, wife Nicole and children David (12), Bella (9) and Zach (3), reside in Westboro. Derek and Nicole were involved in bringing a before-school activity and fitness program called BOKs (Build Our Kids’ Success), to two of the town’s elementary schools. About 100 children participate twice a week, playing games, exercising and learning about healthy lifestyles. He also coaches his son’s hockey team. Mohamed has continued his athletic career by competing in the growing sport of CrossFit, which is labeled as “the ultimate test of fitness.” He has competed in the world CrossFit Games since its inception in 2009, winning the world championship with his team, CrossFit New England, in 2011. “I have truly been blessed in so many ways in my life, and my Assumption College experience was a critical part of my development,” said Mohamed. His father would be proud.
GREYHOUND ACHIEVERS
PHOTO: COURTESY Of mINNESOTA TwINS
PAST
Chris Colabello ’05 Major League Baseball player, Minnesota Twins
B Y T ROY WATKINS AT
M AY 22, 2013, C HRIS C OLABELLO ’05 … R oCHESTER R ED W INGS M ANAGER G ENE G lYNN INFoRMED HIS FIR ST BASEMAN THAT HE HAD BEEN CAllED uP To PlAY FoR THE M INNESoTA T WINS . ACCoRDING To A USA TODAY SToRY, THE BuS ERuPTED IN CHEERS . “l ITTlE BIT oF SHoCk , lITTlE BIT oF TEARS , lITTlE BIT oF lAuGHTER ,” C olABEllo TolD REPoRTER S IN ATlANTA , WHERE HE PlAYED IN HIS FIR ST GAME , ABouT FINAllY REACH ING THE MAJoR S . “I T ’ S SoMETHING I’ vE WISHED FoR FoR SEvEN YEAR S . A S MuCH AS I ENJoYED PlAYING THE GAME IN INDY BAll I AlWAYS WANTED To SEE IF I CoulD Do IT HERE .” It took longer than he had hoped, but Colabello became a Major League Baseball player. He collected his first hit, a single, against the Tigers’ Doug Fister in Detroit. An honorable mention all-America performer at Assumption, Colabello signed a contract with the independent Worcester Tornadoes and received a non-roster invitation to the Detroit Tigers Minor League camp in 2006, but was released before the season started. He spent seven seasons playing for Worcester in the CanadianAmerican League, where he hit .317 with 86 home runs, before the Minnesota Twins called. Colabello batted .348 for the Tornadoes in 2011 with 20 home runs, earning League MVP honors and Baseball ABouT
1 A .M.
oN
GoT THE NEWS HAD BEEN WAITING FoR
America’s Independent League Player of the Year accolades. He hit .284 with 19 HR and a team record 98 RBI for the New Britain Rock Cats last season, to finish second in the Eastern League’s MVP balloting. This year, he was a non-roster invite to the Minnesota Twins spring training, with his locker stationed between former American League MVPs Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer. Despite a solid performance, Colabello started the season with the Twins’ AAA International League affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings, where he took the league’s lead in several statistical categories and collected the most votes to play in the AAA All-Star game. Born in Framingham, Colabello grew up in Milford and played for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic last spring, following in the footsteps of his father, Lou, who pitched for Italy in the 1984 Olympics. Chris helped Italy reach the second round of the tournament by hitting .333 with seven RBI in 18 at-bats. His strong performance helped to strengthen his baseball résumé and convince himself he could make it to the major leagues. “I promised myself three things,” he said in a MLB.com interview. “If I was having fun, if it was feasible financially and physically, and if I was getting better I’d keep playing. I always thought I belonged and if I didn’t believe that, I think I would’ve stopping playing.”
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PHOTO: DAN VAIllANCOURT
PAST
Lauren Matysiak ’08 Three-time Northeast -10 soccer goalie of the year
B Y T ROY WATKINS “I FElT lIkE I HAD 25 SISTERS WITH ME WHo WERE All ExPERI AND TRIuMPHS ,” SAID FoRMER STANDouT SoCCER GoAlkEEPER L AuREN M ATySIAK ’08. “T HEY ENCING THE SAME STRuGGlES
All HAD AN IMPACT oN ME AND A FEW HAvE BECoME MY DEAREST FRIENDS .
I SPEAk To THEM EvERY DAY AND CAN ’ T IMAGINE WHAT T oDAY, M ATYSIAk IS MEMBER oF A DIFFERENT TEAM ; THE CoRPoRATE ACCouNTING DEPARTMENT IN THE RETAIl DIvISIoN oF S TAPlES CoRPoRATIoN , WHERE SHE PRovIDES SuPPoRT FoR MoRE THAN 1,500 u.S. SToRES. A Holden native, Matysiak was sold on Assumption during an overnight stay with the soccer team and drawn to its strong liberal arts reputation. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but explored many areas of study, she remembers. “Assumption provided me with an amazing liberal arts, value-based education with a whole person approach.” Matysiak discovered accounting through an introductory course and made it her major. “I forged relationships with the outstanding faculty, as they took a genuine interest in my success as a student and an athlete.” A three-time Northeast-10 Goalie of the Year, Matysiak set several Greyhound goaltending career records, with 39 wins, 31 shutouts, and a 0.93 goals against average. The team enjoyed two of its most successIT WoulD BE lIkE IF WE HADN ’ T MET.”
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ful seasons with Matysiak in net in 2004 and ’05, winning two NE-10 titles and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. “We had a strong core of veteran players that demonstrated what it took to be a championship team,” she explained. “We worked hard toward a common goal and truly believed in each another.” Matysiak learned a lot from her coach, Neil Stafford. “I grew as a person from playing soccer at Assumption, and I gained self-confidence in myself which has really helped me in my professional career. She earned a MS in accounting from Northeastern University while working at Grant Thornton, an international accounting firm, where she rose to become a senior accountant before moving to Staples. “I’m making a transition from straight accounting and want to stay with a large, well-known corporation that is publicly traded,” she said. Last summer, she accepted an offer to serve as assistant coach for AC’s women’s soccer team, a position she has enjoyed. “I realized how much I’ve missed soccer and I have been lucky to have an opportunity to pursue my passions beyond the office doors. I enjoy my relationships with co-workers and being a part of a team. It has been rewarding to learn from and work with some wonderful people as I’ve started my career.”
GREYHOUND ACHIEVERS
PRESENT
PHOTOS: GIl TAlBOT
A
men’s soccer , 4 ’1 o k to r o Michael Agb
native of Beau, Cameroon, Michael Agbortoko ’15 is an aspiring entrepreneur and a key member of the men’s soccer team. A graduate of Southbridge High School (MA), Agbortoko is majoring in organizational communication with a minor in graphic design. For the past two years, he has been developing DuAfrica, which aims to digitize African entertainment, lifestyle and talent. “Many people think of Africa in a negative way,” he said. “I want to educate others about the many creations and achievements of Africans.” A recipient of the National Susan and Michael Dell Scholarship, his childhood in Cameroon has helped him appreciate the benefits of working hard. “I realized at an early age that nothing comes easy,” he said. “Being a student-athlete is like a full-time job. I want to work for myself and I’ve learned much from my professors to help me achieve that.” Steadily improving each soccer season, Agbortoko scored four goals last year, including a game winner against New Haven. This fall, he is among three classmates who will anchor the Greyhounds defense. “Our team is like a family within the larger Assumption family,” he said. Agbortoko enjoys participating in many campus activities, including the ALANA network and Campus Ministry and he also helped to create a campus dance night during his freshman year … just the sort of thing you’d expect from someone with an entrepreneurial spirit.
C
en’s lacrosse m o w , 5 ’1 e e Mary Guin
aptain-elect of the women’s lacrosse team and a top student, Mary Guinee ’15 is also a highly active member of the Assumption community who believes in giving back. From Topsfield, she volunteers at the Friendly House, has worked as a tutor and served as an orientation leader this summer. Last December she helped build houses in Tuscaloosa, AL, during a SEND mission trip through Campus Ministry. In February, she organized a “Spin-A-Thon” for her team, which raised more than $2,000 to benefit the United Way. A history major with a concentration in education, Guinee praises her professors who “set you up to succeed.” She has received the Assumption Student-Athlete Director’s Citation all four semesters, as well as an award given to the student-athlete that is deemed as the “most coachable.” “My teammates, coaches and the athletics staff are incredibly supportive.” said Guinee. Her head coach, Abbey Capobiano describes her as “a bona fide leader who understands the meaning of commitment, integrity and faith.” Upon graduation, Guinee hopes to teach either history or special education at the high school level or work with disadvantaged children, and she has also been inspired to coach. “After the incredible experiences I’ve had here I want to provide younger student-athletes with that opportunity.”
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GREYHOUND ACHIEVERS
PRESENT
K
ice hockey , 3 ’1 n a h e e Keven M
even Meehan ’13 led by example both on and off the ice, as captain of the ice hockey team. The Melrose native organized a fundraising event at a hockey game vs. Southern New Hampshire to benefit the “Wounded Warrior Project,” which provides support to injured military members and their families. Meehan was inspired by his brother, Kyle, a sergeant serving in the 82nd Airborne. “I thought it would be the best way to show support for everything that Kyle and the other soldiers do to protect this nation,” he said. Ticket proceeds from the event were donated to the cause, along with the proceeds from the sale of camouflaged Assumption hockey t-shirts, sweatshirts and numerous raffle items. An international business major, Meehan was named to the Northeast-10 Conference Second Team after leading the Greyhounds with 23 points on seven goals and a team-high 16 assists. A four-time selection to the Assumption Student-Athlete Honor Roll, he finished his career with 86 points. “I learned a lot from my experience as a captain,” said Meehan, “we rallied around each other when things weren’t going well. The strong community also helped me. Teammates, coaches, administrators and professors were always so supportive.” Meehan is an account manager with Barton Associates in its Peabody office, where he works with recruiters to place physicians and nurse practitioners into open positions at health care facilities and hospitals.
A
ll
a on ’14, footb Scott Simons
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native of Red Bank, NJ, Scott Simonson ’14 was a Don Hansen’s Football Gazette Second Team All-American and a Daktronics First Team All-Region selection after leading the Hounds with 558 receiving yards on 36 receptions and six TDs last season. The sociology major enjoys the small classes and the personal attention Assumption provides its students. “My professors have taken the time to get to know me and my coaches have offered advice about how to become a better football player and a better person,” said Simonson, who will serve as a team captain this fall. The second highest rated tight end in Division II, the 6-5, 240pound standout has had NFL scouts from the Arizona Cardinals and the Washington Redskins to conduct work outs with him on campus. Several players from Northeast-10 Conference teams signed free agent contracts following the 2013 NFL Draft, so getting a chance to realize his dream of playing professionally is not far-fetched. Simonson’s position coach, Matt Sidebottom ’11, speaks highly of Simonson’s chances. “Scott works constantly to make himself better on the football field, in the classroom and in the community,” said Sidebottom. “With his drive and determination he will continue to improve as a player and a student. He will be successful after college in whatever he does because of his drive to be the best he can be.”
GREYHOUND ACHIEVERS
PRESENT
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’s swimming n e m o w , 5 ’1 n Elyse Prayso
Northeast-10 Academic All-Conference selection as a sophomore, Elise Prayson ’15 was a key part of a record-setting season for the women’s swimming and diving team. The Hounds placed a program-best third at the Northeast-10 Championship and Prayson had a trio of top-10 finishes in the championship. She also holds a pair of school records and has also been a part of a remarkable six school-record relay teams during her career. The team featured student-athletes from nine different states, including Dayton, OH, native Prayson, a biotechnology & molecular biology major. “As a student-athlete I’m required to stay focused and dedicated to everything I do in the pool or the classroom,” said Prayson. “These characteristics have helped me be successful and I hope they will follow me as I pursuit a career in medicine. “Elise is an excellent all-around scholar-athlete who has tremendous versatility and swims a number of events,” said head coach Stuart Cromarty. “She has a quiet confidence and calmly performs at a very high level and that spills over to her teammates.” Prayson and the rest of the team showed their spirit this year by participating in the Relay for Life event in April, raising money to support research through the American Cancer Society. Now a veteran entering her junior year, she will undoubtedly play a role in the continued improvement of the program next season.
O
ne of just five Northeast-10 student-athletes to be named as an SGI/National Field Hockey Coaches Association “Scholar of Distinction” for maintaining a grade point average above a 3.9, Abigail Heroth ’15 is one of the Greyhounds top student-athletes. The Johnstown, NY, native is a Northeast-10 Academic All-Conference selection and has earned the Assumption Student-Athlete Director’s Citation for achieving a GPA of 3.5 or higher in each of her four semesters. The biology/pre-optometry major has played a key role on defense for the Greyhounds. Head Coach Annie Lahey, the Northeast-10 Coach of the Year, will continue to rely on Heroth’s impact on and off the field. “Abbi is one of the most reliable players I have ever coached,” notes Lahey. “She is dedicated, skilled and enthusiastic. She is an incredibly bright and thoughtful person and it is rare to find an athlete that is so gifted athletically and academically. Abbi is a role model for all of our student-athletes to emulate.” Heroth has gained much from her Assumption experience. “I’ve learned how to manage my time as well as how valuable dedication, perseverance, teamwork, commitment and a positive outlook is in being successful in both academics and athletics,” she said. “I know I’ll benefit greatly in the future from this experience.”
, field hockey 5 ’1 th o r e H Abigail
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Going Co C ELEBRATING
THE 40 TH ANNIVER SARY OF THE GRADUATION OF OUR FIR ST CO - EDUCATIONAL CLASS
WE WANT 100 PIONEERS IN SKIRTS THE KIND OF WOMEN WHO SETTLED THE WEST, WON THE VOTE AND ARE WORKING IN COUNTLESS WAYS TO IMPROVE THE WORLD.
ARE YOU WITH IT ? (ASSuMPTIoN RECRuITMENT AD TExT - 1968)
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-ed
PHOTOS: ASSU mPTION
COllEGE ARCH IVES
B Y E LIZABETH WALKER
MoRE THAN 100 YouNG WoMEN WERE WIllING To TAkE THAT CHAllENGE IN 1969, BuT THEY WoRE JEANS, NoT SkIRTS, AND WERE AS SERIouS ABouT THEIR EDuCATIoN AS THEY WERE ABouT BRINGING PoSITIvE CHANGE To THE WoRlD.
THEY STIll ARE. Members of the Class of 1973, the first class in the then-65-year history of the College to include female undergraduates, gathered on campus for their 40th reunion in June. About three dozen classmates, male and female, and several of their professors, attended a special brunch during Reunion Weekend to commemorate four decades of co-education at Assumption. They reflected on their experiences as “trailblazers,” the lifelong friendships they made, and the significant effect their time at Assumption had on their lives.
Coordinate College Thoughtfully planned and quickly implemented, the co-education plan for Assumption was realized in fall 1969 with the establishment of the Coordinate College for Women at Assumption College. The “coordinate college” plan worked in theory, but not in practice at
Assumption. It was dismantled within the first two years. “The coordinate college plan was intended for all the extras – such as clubs and student government,” said Claire Quintal HD’98, the first full-time female member to join the Assumption faculty in 1968. “It didn’t include academics. But the girls in the Class of 1973 didn’t come to Assumption to be set apart. Many came from coed and public high schools and saw no reason to start parallel clubs and student government activities. They wanted to be mainstreamed on campus. These young women were confident and sure of themselves.”
Met with roses and reluctance The Class of 1973, which included 125 women and 198 men, arrived on campus against a backdrop of political unrest, social tumult and campus protests, in which the Vietnam War took center stage. The women were met on campus with some reluctance that seemed to quickly dissipate. “When the first class of women arrived on campus, we were greeted by upperclassmen, and they offered each of us a rose,” said
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Maureen Ryan Doyle ’73. “The summer before we entered Assumption, we received a letter from the dean of women, telling us what our dress code would be. Pants would not be allowed, only dresses and skirts were acceptable. We entered college at a rebellious time, so everyone showed up in jeans. All the rules went out the window because everyone just ignored them.” The academic dean described the women as “more independent and outspoken than expected.” Today, women receive nearly 60 percent of all bachelor of arts degrees awarded at co-ed colleges and universities in the United States. But in 1969, the women in the Class of 1973 were pioneers, as was Quintal, an emerita professor of French and former dean of graduate studies. She also directed the French Institute on campus. “The Assumptionist religious order, like the College, was founded by men for men,” said Quintal. “With women coming to campus, the Assumptionists knew they needed to prepare. They had plans to build three new residence halls.” Quintal, who had lived and taught in Paris for 10 years, had spent several summers on campus teaching graduate students. “In fall 1968, I taught intermediate French to an all-male class of undergraduates,” she said. “There was only one other woman teaching at Assumption. She taught Russian, but she was part-time. When I walked into my first class, I think jaws dropped. The students were not used to seeing a woman professor.”
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Quintal sensed that some of her students were not excited about the College going co-ed. “They didn’t know what to expect, nor did some of the faculty. I remember one longtime faculty member saying, ‘I guess I’ll have to come up with new jokes.’”
A badge of honor “The rose that each female member of the Class of ’69 received was a badge of honor for those young women,” Quintal said. “They came in alone because there were no female upperclassmen. They were bright, confident and enthusiastic.” A small rose garden on the west side of Bishop Wright Hall dedicated at their 25th Reunion commemorates the occasion of those first roses and the women who received them. It was especially meaningful for many in attendance during the Class of 1973’s 40th Reunion Weekend in June to see more than 100 roses in bloom. Patti Field Verderese ’73 shared her reflections at the anniversary brunch. “As the first class of women, we were given the opportunity to shine,” she said. “No one else from my high school came to Assumption. I knew I could change, not in my character, but how I was. I was very shy. I felt like a trailblazer because I went to Assumption – somewhere no one in my family or my friends had been before.” Verderese came to Assumption from Virginia because her dream was to be a high school French teacher and she knew the College had a strong French language department. She was also attracted by the
“The College pulled out the stops to make the women feel welcome…the women were the game changers and the livesavers for the College.” – Bob Carroll ’73
opportunity to be in the first class of women and considered the 7-to-1 male-to-female ratio a “bonus.” Verderese went on to earn her bachelor’s degree and became a high school French teacher. Later, she served as director of religious education for the Diocese of Worcester for 15 years. She and her husband, Paul ’72, named their oldest son, John, after Brother John Lesage, A.A., whom Patti got to know when she was a resident advisor.
The game changers “Women arriving on campus was the best thing that ever happened to Assumption,” said Professor Emeritus of English Michael True, who joined the faculty in 1965 and retired more than three decades later. “It was an outstanding class. They had the courage to take on an allmale college.” Kathy Robinson Sachs ’73, G’75 said the biggest selling point for her as a high school senior was that Assumption was located about 90 miles from her parents. Being in the first class of women had a significant impact on her in ways she never would have imagined. “I studied psychology and stayed on for a fifth year to get a master’s in psychology and counseling,” Sachs said. “In 1986, I transitioned from a career in counseling to become a financial planner. I believe I was able to make that transition, where I was one of only three women in an agency of 100 people, because of what I learned at Assumption. What matters is competence, not gender.”
Bob Carroll ’73, today a training specialist with Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, followed his brother, Bill ’71, to campus. Bob said it was “in the wind” when he applied that Assumption was going to admit women. “We had the co-ed experience from the beginning,” he said. “Freshman year was a laboratory of change management for the College.” Carroll likened the freshmen men in his class to the groom at a wedding. “You need him there to have a wedding, but all the eyes are on the woman in the white dress. The College pulled out the stops to make the women feel welcome. There was grumbling among the freshmen men who wanted to say, ‘Hey, we’re here, too.’ But the women were the game changers – and the lifesavers for the College.” John Laracy ’73, president of The Bagel Inn, Inc., in Holden spent his first few months on campus, like many of the men, shoehorned into a triple room in Desautels Hall. The new residence halls were not completed until November 1969. The women were housed in Alumni Hall. “It seemed like forever, but I didn’t really mind,” Laracy said, “I come from a big family, so I was used to crowded conditions. Having women on campus didn’t have much effect on me. I was shy. The one thing I noticed is that at Assumption, you’re always surrounded by good people.”
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“we were young women in search of knowledge and all that college could offer us.” – maureen Ryan Doyle ’73
Doyle had strong connections to the Assumption community before she arrived on campus. “I come from an Assumption family,” she said, following one of her older brothers, James ’65, to Salisbury Street. Doyle was unsure of her career path, but knew she had a passion for writing. Today, the former director of public affairs at Assumption is an author and co-chair of the Worcester Women’s Oral History Project. “History Professor John McClymer, Ph.D., guided and challenged me,” she said. “I grew a lot at Assumption. I can’t think of my college years without thinking about the Vietnam War. I remember my best friend in college, who is still my best friend, arriving on campus the morning after the draft lottery took place. She was crying uncontrollably. Her fiancé was number 7. Going to Vietnam was inevitable for him. We bonded very quickly over that. That was the reality of those days.” Those ties continued to strengthen after graduation through her husband, Frank ’80, father-in-law George, who chaired the economics department, and sister-in-law Monique ’80, among others.
Women’s issues Growing interest in women’s issues also sparked conversations and spurred academic change, as more women – both students and faculty – joined the Assumption community. “At the time I didn’t think much about being one of only two full-time women faculty at the College,” said Psychology Professor
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Arlene Vadum, Ph.D., who joined the faculty in 1971. “When I first came to campus, my colleagues were all male. That didn’t seem like a problem at the time, since I had several male friends at the College. As more women joined the faculty, I came to appreciate how much I had been missing.” Until those numbers significantly increased, Vadum felt it was her responsibility to represent women at Assumption. “Given the small number of women on campus, I thought it was important to be a mentor and role model for the women students and younger women faculty,” she said. “Gradually, more women were hired as fulltime faculty. Eventually, we started a women’s support group.” The young women challenged the faculty to make their education relevant to their lives, Vadum pointed out. “They were challenging what they were being taught in their courses, asking why they weren’t reading women authors and studying women’s history. The faculty responded positively. We changed our courses and in the process were transformed by the wealth of ideas we encountered in women’s works.” Regina Edmonds, emerita professor of psychology, joined the faculty in 1976. It was her first academic position. “I may have been the fourth or fifth woman hired as full-time faculty,” she recalled. I joined the psychology department, which was one of the few departments on campus to be chaired by a woman, Arlene Vadum. Arlene was instrumental in mentoring me.”
Last fall, among the 149 full-time faculty at Assumption were 62 women. Female students account for 60 percent of the undergraduate student body, a vast increase since 1969, when those 120 confident women took their rightful place among the members of the Class of 1973. “We were kind of an oddity for the first month or two, and then we settled in,” Doyle said. “The Assumptionists were especially welcoming. Many of us remember the one professor who had the audacity to say he was convinced that the women were not at the College to earn our BA’s, but to collect our “Mrs.” degrees. In every other course, however, I felt that my voice was welcome and my perspective was heard. Mostly, we were young women in search of knowledge and all that college could offer us. That’s what we found at Assumption.”
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Alumni news From the Alumni Association President Katie Hall CE’04
G
AlUmNI EVENTS
reetings, As the torch passes from outgoing Alumni Board President Suzanne Rice Simoncini ’78, let me thank Suzanne for her dedication and leadership these past two years. I can only hope to serve nearly as well. It has been a pleasure working with Suzanne on the Board. Welcome to our newest alumni, the Class of 2013. If you enjoyed attending Assumption College, you are going to love being a graduate … all the fun and none of the studying! We go to Red Sox games (most recently a June 9 win vs. LA Angels). We take trips (most
recently to Rome and Florence, Italy, last March). We have reunion weekends ( June 1-2) when we chauffeur you around to your favorite Park Avenue haunts and entertain you with food, fun and music. We have VIP appearances by the Easter Bunny and Santa and Mrs. Claus (for real!). We host many regional receptions (like Cape Cod on July 20). We honor our alumni, especially those that have given so much back to the college (at the Alumni Awards Ceremony during Reunion Weekend). We have networking and job postings on our website (www.assumption.edu/acconnect) and alumni networking on LinkedIn and Facebook. And we have two dedicated alumnae serving you in Director of Alumni Relations Diane Laska-Nixon ’76 and Assistant Director Amy Logue ’01. I encourage all alumni … please don’t be strangers. You have a lot to offer—and we have a lot to offer you! I look forward to all the next year holds for us.
SEPTEMBER 14
OCTOBER 26
• Assumption Prep Reunion
• President Council Dinner, mechanics Hall
SEPTEMBER 23
NOVEMBER 20
• women’s leadership forum presents “Entrepreneurship from a Global Perspective”
• west Hartford reception, fleming’s
SEPTEMBER 28
• Breakfast with Santa
• Associate President’s Council Event, worcester Club
OCTOBER 18
DECEMBER 8 DECEMBER 9 • Boston reception, location TBA
• Alumni-Athletics Hall of fame
OCTOBER 19
SAVE THE DATE: • Reunion Weekend – June 14–15, 2014
• Admissions Open House • fall Homecoming
Please provide us with your current e-mail address to receive information about events, which also appear on the website. You are welcome to join fellow alumni at any regional event. Join our growing numbers on our ACConnect page, the Assumption College Alumni Relations group on linkedIn; and “like” us on facebook.
QUESTIONS? Contact Alumni Relations 508-767-7223 or email alumni@assumption.edu
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PHOTO: TAmmY wOODARD
2013 alumni award recipients Ryan murphy ’02, Allen Bruehl, maureen Ryan-Doyle ’73 and Hon. Timothy J. Savage ’68
Four honored with alumni awards Three alumni and a dedicated College administrator received alumni awards at a ceremony held during Reunion Weekend in June. Ryan Murphy ’02, G’10 received the Young Alumnus Award. A class agent since 2003, Ryan is a member of the Alumni Board and Athletics Golf Tournament Committee. He and wife Ali (Reyell) ’03 have faithfully supported the College, and are members of the President’s Council. “I heard that you should always give back to the three C’s with the three T’s,” Murphy shared. “Church, college and community all need your time, treasure and talent. I try to follow that.” Ryan is a distributor beer merchant for MillerCoors - Tenth and Blake. He manages sales and marketing for four of New England’s largest distributors. He earned an MBA from Assumption and a master of organizational leadership from Nichols College. Holden residents, he and Ali have three sons. Allen Bruehl was named an Honorary Alumnus for his dedication to academic excellence as director of the Academic Support Center (ASC) since 1992. He oversees more than 50 student tutors offering peer-to-peer tutoring in most every academic discipline. “The College’s support has allowed me to create an environment where students learn and grow,” said Bruehl. “My work at Assumption can only be recognized in the context of all the work of others because without these people believing in my vision, my work would not be possible.” One of the few support centers with tutors nationally certified at all three levels (basic, advanced and master’s), the ASC assists more than 800 students annually. Allen has also served the College as its disability service officer, and a long-time member of both the academic policy board and the writing emphasis committee. He also co-founded the first-year program and has made many friends and admirers for his dedication to his craft. He, wife Conni and son Noah live in Westborough.
Maureen Ryan Doyle ’73 was humbled to receive the Jack L. Bresciani ’72 Outstanding Alumna Award, named for the former AC alumni director. “To be selected as the recipient of this award is meaningful to me on an incredibly deep level,” Doyle said. Maureen has served the College in numerous capacities. President of the Central Mass. Regional Club, she is a member and former president of the Alumni Board and a class agent. She and husband Frank ’80 are long-time members of the President’s Council, the College’s leadership society of donors. A freelance writer for many years, she co-chairs the Worcester Women’s Oral History Project with Charlene Longhi Martin ’78 and co-authored Voices of Worcester Women: 160 Years after the First National Women’s Rights Convention in 2011. Maureen owns a property management company in Central Mass. She and Frank have two children and reside in Holden. Hon. Timothy J. Savage ’68 is this year’s recipient of the Fr. Louis Dion, A.A. ’35 Outstanding Achievement Award. A highly-respected and accomplished judge for the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, PA, since 2002, Tim earned a juris doctor from the Temple University School of Law. He began his legal career at a Philadelphia firm in 1971, formed Savage and Ciccone with a partner in 1974, and established his own firm in 1976, specializing in criminal defense. Prior to his judicial appointment he was a member of the local Democratic Executive Committees and served as counsel and on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Boys & Girls Clubs. “Assumption taught me to be prepared, thorough and passionate while maintaining a moral compass,” said Savage. “Assumption prepared me to seize the opportunities that were presented to me. I would not have accomplished what I’ve done in my life had I not seized the opportunity to be educated at Assumption.” Tim and wife Linda have three sons and three grandchildren. Assumption College Magazine
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AlUmNI NEwS
Anne-marie Kenney ’98, michelle micari filiault ’98 and monica Albert Potter ’98
2013
PHOTOS: TAmmY wOODARD
Reunion More than 300 alumni, family and friends returned to campus for Reunion weekend June 1–2. Saturday’s events included the Alumni Awards Ceremony (see article on p. 35), a family barbecue at Charlie’s, the dedication of three stained glass windows from Assumption Prep School (see article on p. 3) and the Reunion Mass. That evening, special celebrations were held for all the Reunion classes, from the Class of 1963 to 2008. On Sunday, the annual Golden Greyhounds brunch was held for alumni who graduated 50 years ago or more and a commemorative brunch was held for the Class of ’73, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the graduation of the first coeducational class. Visit www.assumption.edu/ alumniphotos to view photos from Reunion and other alumni events.
fran Anthes ’73, Paulette Roy ’73 and Denise Bissonette Oswald ’73 Class of 2003
Class of ’78 Class of ’08
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Class of ’83 Andrew mercurio ’03, Jessica Anderson ’03, Katie Beane ’03 and Joe DiCarlo ’03 Class of ’88
Bob Charpentier ’63 and George Rice ’63 share a laugh
Class of ’68
Class of ’63
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AlUmNI NEwS / ASSUmPTION AUTHORS
Gettysburg Lessons In The Digital Age By Paul Lloyd Hemphill ’68 Published in 2010 under the title Why You’re Already A Leader, the retitled Gettysburg Lessons In The Digital Age (2013, One White’s Pond Press) uses 88 short stories, with more than 220 lifelessons that instruct the reader on how to be successful in everyday situations. The dominant theme of the book is leadership and how it’s already alive and pumping in our DNA. It is this inherent quality, says the author, which provides us the motivation and inspiration to succeed every day. Hemphill also released a companion DVD of the book, becoming the first author to do so. A retired advertising and marketing specialist, Hemphill also authored How to Win the College Game: Proven Strategies to Get into College and Afford It in 2008.
The One Fifteen to Penn Station By Kevin Carey ’80 The collection of poems shared by the author in The One Fifteen to Penn Station (CavanKerry, 2012) take the reader from an urban beachfront in the shadow of the Boston skyline to the halls of a private prep school, from the corner drugstore to the playground basketball court. The author covers a wide range of topics, including recollections of family, friendships, lost love, the joy of sports, the fear of uncertainty and the salvation of having gotten successfully from one station in life to the other. An assistant professor of English at Salem State University, Carey has had his work recognized with an Allen Ginsburg Poetry Award.
Growing Up With Literature By Walter Sawyer, Ed.D. ’71 In the sixth addition of Growing Up With Literature (2012, Wadsworth/Cengage Publishing), Dr. Sawyer includes 200 of the best new children’s picture book titles, along with suggestions and strategies for sharing them with young children. This book also includes numerous new features such as an increased focus on cultures and families, controversial topics now appearing in children’s books, the history of children’s literature, and involving parents and community members in the storytelling experience. A new section discusses conducting formative and summative evaluation in the story sharing experience. The overriding philosophy of the book is to help children experience the beauty and relevance of literature in their lives. Currently an administrator for the Waterford-Halfmoon School District in upstate New York, Dr. Sawyer is certified in and has worked at all levels of education from nursery school through graduate school.
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Hiccups by Amy Hague Sacco ’98, illustrated by Jessie Nixon ’10
The Brother in Me by Amy Hague Sacco ’98, illustrated by Amanda Bollacker ’13 The first of two children’s books by this new author, Hiccups tells the story of a young boy afflicted with a troublesome case of the hiccups. He seeks advice from many and makes several attempts to find an elusive cure. The Brother in Me shares the story of a young boy and the many ways he admires his older brother. A true Assumption collaboration, both were published by Lakshmi Books, owned by Liz Steele G’03. Visit www.amysaccobooks.com for more information. Sacco is Assumption’s director of research in the office of institutional advancement.
Make Every Vote Equal: What a Novel Idea By Rich Rubino ’01 Supporting The National Popular Vote Plan developed by Dr. John Koza, Make Every Vote Equal (2013) makes the case for how to improve The Electoral College so that every vote cast in a Presidential election will count. In a series of essays, Rubino explains why reforming the presidential electoral system will ensure a system in which no voters will be ignored or taken for granted and each election will result in a true indication of the collective opinion of the voting population. The presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote will be guaranteed to become President of the United States. Rubino gained notice after authoring The Political Bible of Little Known Facts in American Politics, appearing on several national TV news and political shows. He is also a consultant for the National Popular Vote movement and writes for The Huffington Post.
Decisions Matter: Using a Decision-Making Framework with Contemporary Student Affairs Case Studies By Brian McCoy, Ed.D. G’88; Annmarie Vaccaro, Delight Champagne and Michael Siegel Decisions Matter (NASPA, 2013) is an innovative guide designed to help novice student affairs professionals develop effective decision-making skills. Written by seasoned student affairs educators and practitioners, this book contains a systematic method for solving a wide range of complex problems. Thirty diverse case studies that reflect real-life scenarios faced by student affairs professionals are shared to prepare readers to make decisions. The book has been praised by faculty and administrators across the country. University of North Dakota VP for Student Affairs Lori Reesor advised, “This book is an excellent tool for classroom discussions, staff meetings, and professional development programs. A professor of psychology at Nichols College, McCoy served as VP and dean of students at Nichols for 15 years and has taught psychology in Assumption’s Career & Continuing Education Program since 1992.
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Class notes ASSUmPTION COllEGE
Gerry Brault survived a scare when he suffered cardiac arrest while swimming laps in a community pool in June. e quick reaction of three lifeguards helped save his life, as CPR was administered and an AED was used before he was taken to the hospital and received a pacemaker and a defibrillator.
Citizens for Juvenile Justice in November 2012 for his many years of service. Paul Mahon, AC professor of biology emeritus, was named director of WISE (Worcester Institute for Senior Education) in June. WISE celebrated its 20th anniversary over the summer and reinforced its relationship with Assumption, which sponsors the program. WISE has 425 energetic participants. Geoff Smith and wife Erika sold their Connecticut home and now reside full-time in Naples, FL.
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Fr. Norman Meikeljohn, A.A. is a docent at the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton.
Paul Hemphill published Gettysburg Lessons In e Digital Age in 2013, in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. He also has DVD of the same name available. Paul has authored several books.
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’60 Hon. Andre A. Gelinas was named to the Board of Trustees for the Massachusetts Bar Foundation in February. Appointed associate justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court in 1999, Judge Gelinas retired in 2008.
’62 Louis Maynard became a proud, first-time grandfather in October 2012.
’64
50th
Reunion
Jack Barnosky, a partner with Farrell Fritz, Long Island, NY, was selected for inclusion in e Best Lawyers in America 2013.
’66 Moe Boisvert, retired president and CEO of Youth Opportunities Upheld, Inc., in Worcester, was the 2012 recipient of the Visions Public Service Award from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette in March and was also honored by the
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The deadline for winter 2014 is November 4.
Assumption College Magazine
’71 Paul Bonneau was featured in the November 2012 issue of Maine Home & Design. A talented artist, Paul was awarded first place in the impressionism landscape category by the jurors of the American Art Award in 2011. He has been juried into numerous shows throughout Maine. Lou D’Abramo, an aquaculture specialist, was named a fellow of the World Aquaculture Society in February for his contributions to the advancement of global aquaculture. Lou is the dean of the Graduate School at Mississippi State University. Serge DeBari received the Paul N. Johnson Award for his contributions to Worcester area basketball in April. Recognized by the Worcester Area College Basketball Association, Serge’s coaching career spanned 30 years, including nine as head coach of the Greyhounds before his 2011 retirement.
’72 e late Steve “Merc” Morris was posthumously inducted to the Northeast-10 Conference Hall of Fame in June. Steve served as AC’s sports
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information director for nearly 40 years before his passing in January 2011.
’75 John Grochowalski had his jersey, No. 24, retired in the renovated Laska Gymnasium aer a basketball game in March. It’s the only retired men’s basketball jersey. e leading scorer (2,430 career points) in Greyhounds history, “Groch” was draed by the Chicago Bulls in the 7th round of the 1975 NBA Dra. He instead played pro basketball in Italy for nine seasons.
’76 Jeff Lagarce and wife Sue (Daley) ’80 will relocate to London in September, where Jeff has accepted a 2 ½-year assignment with Fidelity Investments.
’78 Donna Girouard Omanoff recently coauthored an ebook titled e 2013 Guide to Reggae and New Jamaican Music. Donna is a photographer and technologist. Visit www.reggaemusicguide.com for more information.
’80 Carol Nozzolillo Geary has worked in the library field for many years and recently earned a master’s degree in library and information science from Southern Connecticut State University.
’81 Brad Jackson, was named executive director of FirstPark, an Oakland (CA) area business park supported by 24 area communities. He is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army, from which he retired as a lieutenant colonel.
Send us your Class Notes online at www.assumption.edu/classnotes
30th
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Carolyn Denzel Banach was appointed in May as principal of Milford High School, where she had served as assistant principal for the past five years. Rick DesLauriers was appointed vice president of corporate security for Penske Corporation in Bloomfield Hill, MI, in July, aer 26 years of service as a special agent for the FBI. He delivered the 2013 Assumption Commencement address and received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in May. Hank Naughton, a state representative of the 12th Worcester District and house chair of the legislature’s Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, working to continue the conversation about guns since the Newtown, CT, shootings last December, hosted five planned hearings on guns across the state, including one at Assumption College in July.
Jay Coury is president of Premier World Discovery, a successful group travel organizing company with 40 employees, based in Redondo Beach, CA.
’83 William Bilow was ordained as a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Worcester on June 1. He serves his ministry at St. Anne’s Church in Shrewsbury. Sandra Merlini read her sonnet, “El Khoban – the Avenger” at the May meeting of e Longfellow Poetry Society in Sudbury. Rosa Perez was named assistant principal at Plainville (CT) High School in April. She previously served as assistant principal at Suffield High School. For eight years prior she supervised the World Language Department in the Rocky Hill school system. Anthony Schiavi will retire in September aer 30 years of military service in the Air Force, where he attained the rank of colonel. He was appointed as town manager in Ashland in April, partly on the strength of his experience as executive director of the Massachusetts Military Reservation.
News to share? E-mail www.assumption.edu/classnotes. Include photos with names and graduation years of alumni pictured.
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Reunion
’85 Dennis House, Eyewitness News anchor for Hartford’s CBS affiliate, was named one of the “12 Most Influential People” by Hartford Magazine. An Emmy-award winning journalist, Dennis returned to campus in April to introduce guest lecturer Geno Auriemma, head coach of the 2013 NCAA champion UConn women’s basketball team. Bruce Quigley was promoted to director of customer service at BTU International Inc., a leading supplier of advanced thermal processing equipment for the electronics manufacturing and alternative energy markets.
Dan Mastrototaro was appointed in August 2012 to the national board of InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom-to-career education program. Dan is vice president of business development at e Hanover Insurance Group in Worcester. Terry Murphy is a sales associate for the Boston Lobsters tennis team, which plays its home summer matches at Manchester (NH) Athletic Club. Terry is responsible for ticket and advertising sales and partner sponsorships.
A recent gathering of Joan Johnson’s former work study students: l-R: Rose martin ’88, Judy Jacques Bleau ’88, Brenda litchfield ’90, Celeste michaud ’89 and Patricia Dumphy macIsaac ’90. Joan was administrative assistant to the dean of students.
Capt. Andrew loiselle ’88 Aircraft Carrier Commander only 10 people in the world are in charge of a Navy aircraft carrier. At a June ceremony at the Navy base in Norfolk, vA, Capt. Andrew Loiselle ’88 became one of them, assuming control of the 1,092-foot-long nuclearpowered aircraft carrier, the George H.W. Bush, home to more than 5,000 Navy personnel. The Cranston, RI, native went to Assumption on an RoTC scholarship, where he was a member of the track & field team and graduated with a degree in mathematics. He became a fighter pilot, logging more than 3,400 mishap-free flight hours and later served as a flight instructor of the Navy’s Blue Diamonds flight Squadron. loiselle earned a MBA through a Navy post-graduate program and later became a nuclear engineer. After serving as second-in-command of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt he commanded the Gunston Hall, an amphibious landing ship, last year. In a June 20 Providence Journal article, loiselle characterized the Bush aircraft carrier as “essentially a floating city and air base that never sleeps.” A pair of nuclear reactors power the ship, which boasts a 4.5-acre flight deck and rises 20 stories above the waterline. The carrier is deployed “whenever the Navy tells us,” said loiselle, and can be at sea for months. loiselle had lunch with the ship’s namesake and former president at his family compound in kennebunkport, ME. “Since he was a pilot, too, he’s very much a kindred spirit,” loiselle said. Andrew and wife Alexis have six children and reside in virginia.
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THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESENTS
Fall Homecoming October 18–19, 2013
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
Hall of Fame Reception Hall of Fame Dinner/Induction Ceremony Inductees: • Susan Dailey malanga ’84 (basketball) • Steve Connolly ’91 (hockey) • Demetri Beekman ’93 (basketball) • Anne mingolelli Burgholzer ’00 (field hockey) • John Ippolito (tennis coach)
Register online at www.assumptiongreyhounds.com or call 508-767-7559. Tickets are $40 per person (children age 12 and under $15).
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 Alumni softball and baseball games, home fields Alumni men’s lacrosse game, multi-Sport Stadium 9:30 a.m. Admissions Open House, Testa Science Center (RSVP: kpuntillo@assumption.edu) 11:00 a.m. Alumni men’s and women’s tennis matches, tennis courts Noon Men’s soccer vs. SNHU, multi-Sport Stadium 2:00 p.m. Private reception, Testa Science Center Atrium Alumni who attended the Admissions Open House with a prospective student are invited to a private reception with President Cesareo and senior Admissons staff. ( RSVP: cn.lazaros@assumption.edu) 3:00 p.m. Class agents/Reunion committee members social, Hagan (RSVP: cn.lazaros@assumption.edu) 4:00 p.m. Football alumni reunion, multi-Sport Stadium Pavilion – meet Head Coach Bob Chesney 4:30 p.m. Alumni Pavilion pre-game tailgate, multi-Sport Stadium Pavilion ($25 in advance; $35 at door – RSVP: cn.lazarus@assumption.edu) 6:00 p.m. Football vs. Southern Connecticut, multi-Sport Stadium Game tickets may be purchased at the gate. ($7 per person; $4 students & seniors; children 12 and under free.) Bookstore open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20 Mass, Chapel of the Holy Spirit Alumni Women’s Lacrosse Game, multi-Sport Stadium Bookstore open from noon to 6:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Homecoming Package Special Discounted game ticket, pre-game tailgate food (grinders, chili, chips and desserts), a beverage coupon, and an Assumption souvenir. IN ADVANCE until 10/16: $30 per person; $15 for children age 12 and under. AT THE DOOR: $40 per person; $20 for children age 12 and under. RSVP: cn.lazaros@assumption.edu or call 508-767-7205 to reserve your discounted package
Send us your Class Notes online at www.assumption.edu/classnotes
’89
25th
Reunion
Eric Buckley was appointed principal of Peabody Veterans Memorial High School in July. He has spent almost his entire career at PVMHS as a teacher and administrator, and had served as assistant principal since 2007. Christine Picard Sawicki was promoted to senior manager of retail pharmacy operations and new product development with CVS Pharmacy. She resides in Marlborough. Greg Post is a partner at Bowerman Associates, Inc., an industrial and commercial building company based in Providence, RI. Richard Turcott is the CEO of Mill33, a highvolume email marketing service provider based in Manchester, NH. He authored a column titled “Ask the Expert: What if you built it – and they didn’t come?” which was published in the Manchester Union Leader in May.
’90 Gerald Lemire was appointed as associate justice of Uxbridge District Court (UDC) in July. A New England School of Law graduate, Lemire began his career as assistant district attorney in Worcester and most recently served as clerk-magistrate of UDC. Kevin Murray, vice president of Office Resources, the Knoll Boston Furniture Dealer, has joined the Boston chapter of the International Facilities Management Association.
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Reunion
Kristen St. Germain, was appointed associate principal at Wheeler High School/Middle School in July. She has taught for 19 years, most recently English language arts at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School.
’95 Veronica Boyle Gonzalez and husband David welcomed Olivia Rose on 5/31/12. She joins James (2). e couple resides in Tucson, AZ, where Veronica is an adult education instructor for Pima Community College.
’96 Val Brown Ackley was inducted into the Auburn-Lewiston (ME) Sports Hall of Fame in April. A three-sport standout athlete at Edward Little High School (ELHS) in Auburn, Ackley was Miss Maine Basketball in 1992 and was the Maine Player of the Year in both soccer and basketball. e former Greyhounds basketball player currently chairs the Mathematics Department at ELHS, where she has taught for 15 years. BIRTHS: Alethea Gryiuk Lauhon and husband Tom recently welcomed twins Henry omas and Penny Helen on 1/14/13. ey join sisters Zoey (4) and Lucy (2). e family resides in Bellevue, NE.
Amy Hague Sacco authored and published two children’s books, titled Hiccups and e Brother in Me, in May. Visit www.amysaccobooks.com for more information. AC’s director of research, Amy and husband Anthony have three sons and reside in Brimfield. BIRTHS: Craig & Erin O’Leary Smith welcomed Damian August on 2/4/13. He joins twins Summer and Sydney (2). Erin is a teacher at Ipswich Middle School. Craig is employed at Genzyme in Allston. e family resides in Haverhill.
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15th
Reunion
Drew Cooper was appointed head men’s basketball coach at omas More College in Crestview Hills, KY, in June. He previously served for six years as an assistant coach at Bellarmine University, where the Knights compiled a 128-33 record during his tenure, won the national championship in 2011 and returned to the Final Four in 2012. Andrea Svagdys-Gumbrell is a personal bridal and event assistant, operating her own business, “Blue Perfection,” out of Worcester. Visit www.blueperfection.com for more info. BIRTHS: Ted and Jill Anderson Zito announce the birth of Joseph Gary on 3/28/13. He joins sister Avery (2).
’91 Michael Phillips retired from the Connecticut Department of Corrections in October 2012.
’92 Margaret Melo Sullivan was promoted to executive vice president at Avidia Bank. An Avidia employee since 1995, she had held various positions in accounting and finance, most recently serving as chief financial officer. BIRTHS: Will Waldron and wife Mary welcomed their eighth child, Benjamin Joseph, on 2/18/13.
START II Retreat Reunion; renamed Horizon Retreat Thirty alumni gathered with a group of students on April 13 to celebrate 10 years of the START 2 retreat program and revealed its new name, the Horizon Retreat. START 2 was created by a group of students in 2001 as a second-level version of the START 1 retreat which began in 1999. START 2 allows students to explore their faith on a deeper level through reflection and prayer. Each year, approximately 100 students participate in START Retreats through Campus ministry.
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ClASS NOTES
’00 John Barata is general manager of the Real Boston Rams soccer club in the Premier Development League. e Rams played an exhibition game against the New England Revolution in June to raise money for the Newtown Parent Connection. ey hope to help finance a wellness, prevention and recovery support infrastructure for the Newtown community affected by the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in December.
’01 Rich Rubino, a consultant for the National Popular Vote movement, recently published his second book, titled Make Every Vote Equal: What a Novel Idea. BIRTHS: Nick Cafaro and wife Monica announce the birth of Juliana Rose on 3/30/13. Melissa Park Dekker and husband Brian welcomed Sean Elliott on 4/14/13. He joins Brenden (3).
’02 Brian MacKinnon married Lynn Coyle on weblink Alumni in the 12/15/12 in Sandwich. wedding party included best man Tim MacKinnon ’05, bridesmaid Jillian MacKinnon ’10 and groomsmen Nick Dube, Dan Holland and Pete Mlynarski. Brian is a second vice president and financial advisor at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, where he is a partner with his brother, Tim, in the Greater Boston Group. Paul Moran and wife Purvi welcomed daughter Leena Ann on 6/5/13. Ester Schiano and Trevor Brown were married on 8/13/12 in Boston. Many of the couple’s Assumption friends attended. BIRTHS: Amy Beadle LaCroix and husband Jay ’00 announce the birth of son Caden Anderson on 6/9/13. Michelle Stockel Lewin and husband Ben announce the birth of Nathaniel on 4/24/13. He joins sister Hannah.
Brendan Donovan was promoted from manager to director at CBIZ Tofias, the 7th largest accounting and tax provider. He was previously a
Assumption College Magazine
’04
10th
Reunion
Caitlyn Collins married Tom Lewis on 10/22/12 in CT. They met in 2001 while in Florence, Italy with Assumption’s Foundations Program. Alumni in attendance were: Chris Angelli ’03, Melissa Blais, Katie Farrow Corsini, Mary Dow, eresa Nolan Dowling, Jennifer Genovevo, Dan George ’03, Traci Haddock ’03, John ’03 & Jen Parent Herberger ’03, Lindsay Libby ’03, Lora Narey Madden ’03, Jack ’03 & Bridget Marvel Mulvaney, Jenna Cushing Palmer ’03, Joe Perrelli ’03 and Patricia Lambirth Santilli. BIRTHS: Jessica Metcalf and fiancé Michael Dunn welcomed Kellsey Ann on 4/6/11. She joins sister Braelyn (5).
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member of the accounting and auditing group in the Providence, RI, office. Jennifer Gottlieb Ganley is a clinical specialist 2 – neuromodulation at St. Jude Medical. She previously worked as a cardio vascular sales rep and neuroscience/psychiatry sales consultant with Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Meredith King joined Cresa Boston in April. Cresa LLC is North America’s largest corporate real estate advisory firm specializing in tenant representation. Oriola Koci CE’03 and husband/chef Enton opened Livia’s Dish, a casual dining breakfast/ lunch restaurant in Worcester last summer. Visit www.liviasdish.com for more info. Chanel Prunier was elected by the Massachusetts Republican Assembly as the next Republican National Committewoman representing the Massachusetts Republican Party in May. Chanel has been an advocate and activist. Luke Soojian recently purchased reddumpster.com, an online addition to his trucking company, Soojian Services, which has been in business since 2008. BIRTHS: om McNamara and wife Kristin announce the birth of Grace Leigh on 12/31/12. She joins sister Brynlee. Katharine eroux Murphy and husband Paul ’02 welcomed Johnnie Michael on 9/29/12.
Ryan Bonnyman married Courtney Clain on 3/23/13. Alumni in attendance were Peggy Randall Avakian ’03, Kristyn Bonnyman ’03, Dan Boyle ’04, Christopher Brennan and Michael Britt.
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Ryan Brennan was recently appointed manager, corporate learning and development at WPI. Rita Campbell is an assistant director with Bay State Community Services, Inc., which provides social, mental health, addiction and correctional services to the South Shore and Metrowest communities. Tim MacKinnon is a vice president and financial advisor for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, where he and brother Brian ’02 are partners in the Greater Boston Group. Meaghan Montani married Daniel Bolger in Boston on 10/29/11. Alumni in attendance were J.P. Cormio, Ashley Kunberger, Jen Martin, Matthew Montani ’12, Katie Nester Pugliese, Lisa Ryan, Julie Severance and Melanie Silva. e couple resides in Melrose. Ivy Linton Stabell received a Ph.D. in English from the University of Connecticut in May. She is an assistant professor of English, specializing in young adult and early American literature, at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY. Elizabeth Penta Merritt was featured among the Providence Business News “40 Under Forty” for 2013, recognizing young professionals with a successful career and community involvement who have committed to making a difference on a local, national or international scale. She is an attorney with Taylor Duane Barton & Gilman LLP. Amy Walkins married Andrew LeRoy on 10/19/12 in Norwood. Alumni in attendance were Ryan Ames ’06, Brett & Allie Onorato Bouley ’07, Conor ’04 & Siobhan Skowronek Brosnan, Stephen Congdon ’04, Kristin Costello, bridesmaids Amanda Cudmore and Lindsey Hodgens, Katelyn Holbrook, Adam & Kali DeCouto Knight, Erin Marshall ’06, Kelli Neville, Katie Perry and Melanie Taylor. BIRTHS: Erin Ahearn Burns and husband Roger announce the birth of Avery Elizabeth on 1/8/13. Erin earned a M.A. in school counseling from Assumption in 2007 and is a guidance counselor at North Johnston High School in Smithfield, NC. e family resides in Kenly, NC. Kevin & Nicole Beausejour Noyes welcomed Jackson David on 11/12/12. Tim & Jennifer Heylin O’Brien announce the birth of Eleanor Belle on 3/1/13.
’06 Lisa Castillo is an assistant coach for the Methuen High School girls’ soball team. Dennis Leamy was named to the Providence
Business News “40 Under Forty” for 2013, recognizing young professionals with a successful career and community involvement who have committed to making a difference on a local, national or international scale. He is a representative with Amica Mutual Insurance Co. Jamie Tucker was named head football coach at Nashoba Regional High School in May. He has been a NRHS assistant coach for four seasons and served as AC’s quarterback coach last year.
’07 Kristen Kelliher married Matthew Kent on weblink 7/7/12 in Warwick, RI. Alumni in attendance included bridesmaids Katherine Cawly and Kristyn Primo.
’08 Tanya Breault earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Michigan in 2013. Joe Drain is the owner of Hub City Cycle & Training, where he works with 10- to 20-year-olds, coaching and mentoring them in and out of the weight room. A personal trainer and coach, Joe was featured in an article published in the weekly newspaper Canton Journal in April. Charde Floyd received a M.A. in rehabilitation counseling from Assumption in May. She is a clinical intervention specialist at the YOU, Inc. Educational Day Academy high school. Jessica Kingston was promoted to senior email designer at EF Education, where she has worked since 2011. Liz Papp was promoted to social media specialist at AAA in March.
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5th
Reunion
Michael Andrews married Erin Doherty on weblink Alumni in atten6/1/13 in Rockport. dance included groomsmen Brian Caccavale ’08 and Jon Dupont ’08, Tara Fountain and Kerry O’Rourke. Mike and Erin reside in South Boston, while Mike teaches in the Boston public school system. Kristina Boidi earned a Pharm.D. from Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in May. She is employed by Rite Aid in the Mystic, CT, area. Kailyn Getchell and Chris Martino were marweblink Alumni in attendance ried on 8/14/12.
were Aubrey Andreozzi, Courtney Adams, Keith Bates ’11, Katie Burgess, Sheila Cawle, Matt Cerins ’08, Nick DiAntonio ’12, Emily D’Errico ’10, Elizabeth Getchell Drews ’02, Brittany Gorham, Dan Hickey, Lucas Kelliher ’11, Jared Kelly ’08, Liz Lahiff, Jake Longenecker ’08, Ethan Maxfield ’11, Erynn McDavitt, Mike Milone, Greg Moore, Mike Paglione ’10, Meghan Ray, Tony Savarese ’08, Mike Senella ’08, Billy Silva, Alex Scouras ’10, Ashley Waterman, Mitchell Welch and Dustin Zitzmann ’10. Marissa Howard married Anthony Nguyen on weblink 12/23/12 in Framingham. Alumni in attendance were bridesmaids Elizabeth Dickinson ’08, Kim Ricciardone and Cecilia Santos; Trish Domings, Elizabeth Dowdle ’10, Jon Dupont ’08, Megan Kellett, groomsman Matthew Kisil ’10, current student Cody Ritchotte ’16, Dylan Ritchotte ’10, Sue Ritchotte CE’99, Courtney Smith and bridesman Matthew Wright ’10. Amy Laurendeau is enjoying her job as an English teacher at the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro. Utilizing the theater skills she learned at Assumption, Amy has helped to expand the Academy’s theater curriculum aer pioneering a fall drama production of “e Odd Couple,” and assisting with the spring musical, “e Little Mermaid.” Steve Scannell was promoted in May to audit senior at Stowe & Degon, LLC, where he has worked for three years.
’10 Dan Anastas is a compensation specialist at the National Fire Protection Agency in Quincy, where he is working with Lisa Yarussi ’91. Jenna McGrath earned a MS in speech-language pathology from Syracuse University in 2012 and teaches in the Syracuse city school district. Joshua Moore CE’10 and Katie Douglas were married on 7/7/12 in Rochester, NH. Josh is the assistant general manager of the Malkin Athletic Center at Harvard University. e couple resides in Boxford. Jessie Nixon recently illustrated Hiccups, a children’s book authored by Amy Sacco ’98. Kayla Parker is the junior varsity girls’ basketball coach at Sanford (ME) High School. Daniel Sargent was promoted to audit senior by Stowe & Degon, LLC, in May. Dan is pursuing an MBA at Assumption and has worked at Stowe & Degon for three years.
Andrea marcoccio ’06 Democratic leader In Montana much is riding on the shoulders of Andrea Marcoccio ’06, who is the first female appointed executive director of the Montana Democratic Party since the 1990s. Marcoccio previously ran Forward Montana, where she helped organize a voter registration effort that some believe helped to increase the amount of youth voters. The organization also tries to recruit and train young leaders. Marcoccio starred on the women’s soccer team at Assumption, totaling 26 assists and 40 goals, including a record 18 game-winners, while captaining the team to a pair of NCAA regional finals and earning the Desautels Award in 2006 as one of the College’s top student-athletes. A Warwick, RI,-native, she briefly played semi-pro soccer and admits that she “doesn’t like losing” and hopes that she can help the party make more gains. For President Barack obama’s 2008 campaign, she worked in the far northwestern portion of Montana, trying to gain democratic ground in an area that regularly votes Republican. “She had an incredible experience in working with Montanans across the board, urban and rural, young and old, and everything inbetween,” said state Rep. Bryce Bennett of Missoula, who sits on the party’s executive board and works at Forward Montana. “I think she is exactly what we need moving forward in 2014.”
Amanda Sheehy was appointed head coach of the Needham High School girls’ basketball team in June. A behavior therapist in the Newton Public Schools, Sheehy was an assistant coach at Newton North High School and earned a M.Ed. from California State University San Marcos.
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ClASS NOTES / IN mEmORIAm
’11 Mike Baldarelli is a professional basketball player for the Durham (UK) Wildcats. He is also pursuing an M.Sc. in management at Durham University Business School. Courtney Boisvert is employed by Bollus Lynch in Worcester. She earned a MS in accounting from Northeastern University and is pursuing a CPA. Anthony Dowd earned a MBA from Bryant University in 2012 and is a member of the management team at Stop & Shop. Brett Murphy completed a MA in English composition from UMass-Boston in May. Earlier this year, Brett presented a paper titled “Sulphurous and Tormenting Flames: An Analysis of How to Understand the Ghost in Hamlet” at the Ohio Valley Shakespeare Conference, where she appeared on a panel beside Richard Dutton, an acclaimed Shakespearean scholar from Ohio State University.
’13 Amanda Bollacker illustrated e Brother in Me, a children’s book authored by Amy Sacco ’98. Alyson Catalan joined Teach for America for a two-year commitment in June and will be stationed in Rio Grande Valley, TX. Amanda Guy was named women’s co-scholar athlete of the year by the Northeast-10 Conference. A top swimmer for four years, Guy
became the third-leading point scorer in Assumption history, graduated summa cum laude and served as class salutatorian. Erica Micciche self-published a book of family recipes, titled Delightful Desserts, which she had created as a senior seminar course project. e graphic design major baked the desserts, took the photos, created the layout and design of the book and had it published. weblink indicates that a wedding photo is Note: available online at www.assumption.edu/weddings
GRADUATE STUDIES
oir writing group while she writes her own life story. Donna Lanza retired in June aer 35 years of teaching English, 23 at Nashoba Regional High and the last 12 at the Bromfield school in Harvard, MA.
G’88 Brian McCoy, a former Dean of Students at Nichols College, recently co-authored a book titled Decisions Matter: Using a Decision-Making Framework with Contemporary Student Affairs Case Studies.
G’99
G’78 Margarita Dempsey, a French and Spanish teacher at Smithfield (RI) High School was named the 2013 Regional Language Teacher of the Year by the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. e awardee is selected from submissions of state teachers of the year throughout the Northeast.
G’84 Sister Judith Kappenman, retired from her position as director of the Irish Cultural Center at Elms College in December 2012. She is teaching a mem-
John Donohue was appointed in February as vice president and head of institutional cash management services (ICMS) for the newly formed ICMS unit of Eaton Vance Management, a subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp.
G’08 Shelley Mangan is the director of finance and development at the McAuley Nazareth Home for Boys in Leicester, where AC’s MBA Program Director Bart Morrison was recently appointed to the Board of Directors.
2013 inductees to New England Basketball Hall of Fame Five Assumption alumni were inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in June. Stephen Romasco ’69 (posthumously) – Steve taught history and coached the Sutton High School boys’ team to 435 wins, 13 Dual Valley Conference titles, seven Clark Tournament victories and three Central Mass. championships before his sudden death at the age of 57 in 2005. e Sutton HS gymnasium was renamed in his honor. Bill Wurm ’77 – Bill served as team captain as a junior and senior, totaling 1,126 career points and earning induction to the College’s Alumni-Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985. Dave Hankins ’80 – Dave was an All-New England performer and honorable mention All-American. He finished his three-year career as the third-leading scorer in Greyhounds history with 1,677 points and had the second highest career scoring average (21.1). He was inducted to Assumption’s Hall of Fame in 1986.
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Assumption College Magazine
Summer 2013
Jim Best ’88 – A two-time All-American, Jim le the College as the fourthleading scorer (1,620 points) and seventh-leading rebounder (852) in Greyhounds’ history. Assumption’s Hall of Fame welcomed Jim in 1996. Ann McInerney ’89 – e first Greyhound to be name to the Northeast-10 All-Conference First Team, Ann was the NE-10 Player of the Year in 1989 and totaled 1,406 points and 1,076 rebounds in a career that earned her an Assumption Hall of Fame induction in 1997. She was also the starting catcher on the first Assumption softball team to capture the conference championship.
IN mEmORIAm Links to obituaries of departed members of the Assumption College family are available at www.assumption.edu/obituaries Henry Prunier AP’40, ’46 died March 17, 2013 Alfred J. leBlanc AP’46, ’50 died May 2, 2013 A. Raymond Bessette AP’48 died February 17, 2013
Carol J. Paul CE’95 died February 25, 2013 Brian P. Sullivan ’95 died March 3, 2103 louis J. Castiglione Jr., Ph.D. ’67 died June 8, 2013 Arthur J. Gillam Jr. G’74 died June 8, 2013 Paul Mathis ’74 died June 17, 2013 Eleanor M. Poirier G’84 died June 25, 2013
William F. Paquin AP’53 died February 9, 2013 Alfred Ronald Trudeau AP’54 died January 5, 2013 Courtney l. Duso ’55 died February 3, 2013 John F. McGrath ’74 died March 13, 2013 Barbara Glanville Schultz G’75 died April 12, 2013 Richard T. Burch Heffernan ’87 died February 24, 2013
Albert G. Nault, Jr., M.D. AP’54, ’58 Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, died June 10, 2013 Born in Worcester, Al graduated from Assumption Prep in 1954 and Assumption College in 1958, where he established the Albert G. Nault Sr. Scholarships in memory of his father, a 1926 alumnus. He earned a M.D. from the University of Montreal and served in the U.S. Army for two years. Dr. Nault became a highly respected OB/GYN, serving the Detroit area for more than 40 years. He was a President’s Council member and major benefactor of the College. Al’s father and his uncle, Norman ’23 were the principal architects for Nault Architects in Worcester, which designed the College’s first five buildings on Salisbury Street. He leaves his wife of 47 years, Carol; four children and two grandchildren. Al will be remembered at the Assumption Prep Reunion Mass on September 14.
Angela G. Dorenkamp, Ph.D. HD’95 Worcester, MA, died April 20, 2013 The College was deeply saddened by the passing of beloved Professor Emerita of English Angela Dorenkamp in April. Dr. Dorenkamp taught English, writing and women’s studies courses during her 20plus years at Assumption. She received numerous awards, including the Sears Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching and an honorary degree from Assumption in 1995. She held a B.A. from Webster College (MO), a M.A. from St. Louis University and a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Dorenkamp also served on several local committees and boards, including as a trustee at Quinsigamond Community College, the Worcester Vocational Schools and Worcester Public Library. Her legacy is preserved through the Angela G. Dorenkamp Scholarship, established by her brother, Robert Donati. She leaves four children and two grandchildren.
Alumni Directory to be published in 2014 e Office of Alumni Relations is partnering with Harris Connect Publishing Co. to publish an updated Assumption Alumni Directory in
2014. e last alumni directory was published in 2007. Harris will be contacting all alumni over the coming months via email, mail and phone calls to verify information. All alumni will be listed in the directory, but no one is obligated to purchase a directory.
Assumption College Magazine
Summer 2013
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MeeTingS
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MulTi-DAy eVenTS
Assumption meeting facility rentals • Large meeting/banquet hall seats up to 400 people • Fully appointed meeting rooms seat up to 115 people • Three-story glass atrium accommodates 80 at tables or 120 at standing reception • Classrooms with enhanced media capabilities seat 25-50 people • Handicapped-accessible facilities
Receive high grades for your next event Full-service catering • Delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner choices • Summer outdoor cookouts and other special event menus are available • Freshly prepared brown-bag lunches
Summer lodging for multi-day programs • Air-conditioned apartments • Beautiful grounds to stroll • Intramural sports field
Technology • Audiovisual media support available • Wireless capabilities in the meeting facilities
C oMPETITIvE
RATES
C ENTRAl loCATIoN : 5 MINuTES To DoWNToWN W oRCESTER 45 MINuTES FRoM B oSToN AND P RovIDENCE C oNvENIENT
TRAIN AND BuS SERvICE
FOR inFORMATiOn & ReSeRVATiOnS, CAll 508-767-7045
YOUR GIFT MATTERS ~ THE ASSUMPTION FUND ~ - financial Aid & Scholarships - Academic Programs - Academic Support Center - Campus ministry - Intercollegiate Sports -
The Assumption Fund provides the funding for important student programs and services. - Reach Out Center - D’Alzon library - Honors Program - Intramural Sports - Information Technology -
YOUR GIFT WILL HELP STUDENTS ON THE JOURNEY THAT WILL TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES.
THE ASSUMPTION FUND USE THE ATTACHED ENVELOPE OR VISIT WWW.ASSuMPTIoN.EDu/DoNATE TO MAKE YOUR GIFT
500 Salisbury Street Worcester, MA 01609-1296 www.assumption.edu
A warm welcome Assumption’s front entrance was repositioned and reconstructed to improve sight lines and traffic flow in the fall of 2012.