Assumption Assumption College Magazine • Volume 15, Number 1 • Spring 2017
Magazine
INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE PLUS
100 years of Commencements
New grad program to serve those with autism
Men’s Hockey wins NE-10 title
FROM THE PRESIDENT
An education accessible to all
As we approach our 100th commencement this May, in our 113th year, Assumption College continues to fulfill its mission of providing an education to first-generation students as it did when the College first opened. Those students have come from many diverse ethnic and racial groups whose lives have been transformed through the strength of our curriculum. As the College slowly grew, it expanded the curriculum to include what would be the equivalent of the junior and senior years of college in 1916. Not yet officially recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the College sought that recognition and the authority to confer degrees, which was granted by the State Legislature in 1917. Two students were awarded the first bachelor’s degrees from Assumption College the following year. As we approach our 100th commencement this May, in our 113th year, Assumption College continues to fulfill its mission of providing an education to first-generation students as it did when
PHOTO: MICHAEL DOYLE ’17
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n today’s discourse regarding higher education, there is a great deal of focus on college accessibility, especially for firstgeneration students. This concern must be taken seriously since education has always provided the means by which immigrants and their children have been able to take advantage of the opportunities to improve their lives and assimilate into American society and culture. This was especially true of Catholic colleges and universities, indeed the entire Catholic school system, that developed in the United States. Many of these institutions were founded to provide access to students who otherwise would not have had the opportunity for a post-secondary education. Assumption College represents one such institution. Founded in 1904 first as an alumnate to foster priestly vocations and shortly thereafter evolving into a college along the model of Canadian colleges, the Augustinians of the Assumption who founded the school did so to provide access to the sons of French-Canadian immigrants who were seeking an education in their new home. Offering a six-year classical curriculum, which was equivalent to four years of high school and the first two years of college, the cost to attend at the time ($120 per year) was still a challenge for many immigrant families who desired to send their sons to Assumption. Ways were found, however, to assist students in accessing an Assumption education.
President Cesareo walks with students in front of the Tsotsis Family Academic Center, scheduled to open this fall.
the College first opened. Throughout our history those first-generation students have come from many diverse ethnic and racial groups whose lives have been transformed through the strength of our curriculum in the liberal arts and sciences, as well as our professional programs. Opportunities for internships, study abroad—especially at our nationally ranked Rome campus—service opportunities, and spiritual formation, all enrich the educational experience of our students, allowing Assumption to continue the Venerable Emmanuel d’Alzon’s desire to “regenerate society” through education. Not only does the College continue to welcome first-generation students, but it has also begun to serve international students from across the globe – China, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America – who are seeking an education that forms the mind, heart and soul. All of our students, whether first-generation, international, or multi-generational from New England and across the United States, enrich our community as we learn with and from one another. Our ability to maintain Assumption’s accessibility rests on the generosity of our alumni and benefactors who through their establishment of endowed scholarships or support of the Assumption Fund, provide the College with the resources we need to allow all of our students, but especially our first-generation students, with an Assumption education. In this way, we continue the mission of those first Assumptionists who sought to offer an education to the sons of French-Canadian immigrants, opening the doors of hope and opportunity that otherwise would remain closed. As we welcome the sons and daughters of our new immigrants and first-generation students of non-immigrant families, we are confident that they, too, as those who came before them, will become leaders and contributing members of society who will make a difference as they join the ranks of countless successful alumni.
Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D. President
12 Contents Spring 2017 We encourage your feedback.
Assumption College Magazine • Volume 15, Number 1 www.assumption.edu/magazine
Please address your letters, class notes and story ideas to: Assumption College Magazine 500 Salisbury Street Worcester, MA 01609-1296 e-mail: twatkins@assumption.edu
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Assumption College Magazine Assumption College ISSN 1089-3903 Spring 2017 Editor Troy Watkins Executive Director of Communications Michael K. Guilfoyle
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Zero degrees of separation (from Kevin Bacon) New graduate program to serve those with autism A Century of Commencements International students find a path to success Five inducted to Athletics Hall of Fame
Contributing Writers Kimberly Dunbar Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A. ’69 Alan Harrington ’17 Marissa Smith ’17
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Art Direction/Design Centuria Inc., Cambridge, MA Printing The Lane Press, Burlington, VT Assumption College Magazine is published three times a year (spring, summer, fall) by the office of Communications, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609-1296. Tel.: 508-767-7175. 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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Campus news Hounds watch Alumni news Class Notes In memoriam
Visit us online at: www.assumption.edu/magazine
ON THE COVER: (L-R, from top): Assumption international students Muyuan “Sparrow” Li ’20 of China, Sanna Hussain ’20 of Saudi Arabia, David Rojas Tavares ’20 of the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia native Rahyana Abraha ’17, Harrison Eden ’19 of New Zealand, Morgan Nicholls ’19 of South Africa and Brazil native Jason Lages ’20. COVER PHOTOS BY DAN VAILLANCOURT
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Class Notes submissions guidelines Assumption College Magazine publishes Class Notes in each issue. This section provides an opportunity for alumni (undergrad, graduate and Prep) to share their news. Engagement notices are not published. Please submit Class Notes via email (alumni@assumption.edu) or mail. Alumni news also may be reproduced from print and online clipping services. Class Notes may include photos of small alumni gatherings. Group photos of Assumption graduates at a wedding reception are posted online at www.assumption.edu/ weddings. An icon will be placed by the wedding announcement in Class Notes indicating an online photo. The editorial staff makes every effort to print announcements accurately, but cannot always verify the accuracy of information submitted for publication. Additionally, the publication of information is undertaken as a service to our alumni and does not reflect any opinion or endorsement on the part of the editorial staff or the College.
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Campus news John L. Allen Jr., named Commencement speaker John L. Allen Jr., editor of Crux, a publication providing news of the Vatican and Catholic Church, will deliver the address at the College’s 100th Commencement exercises on May 14 at the DCU Center. Honorary degrees will be conferred upon Allen, Mary Lou Jennings, executive director of the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Educational Foundation, and Roberta Schaefer, Ph.D., founder and former president of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau. Each will be recognized for their dedicated work to community service and living lives that reflect the values of the College’s mission. Allen, a senior Vatican analyst for CNN and National Catholic Reporter correspondent, has authored nine books about the Holy See and Catholic affairs and is a popular worldwide speaker about Catholicism. “John Allen is a prolific journalist and the College is proud to welcome an internationally renowned writer to address the candidates for graduation,” said President Francesco Cesareo. “Through his work as editor at Crux, Mr. Allen has worked to soften what he calls ‘the Catholic divide.’ Having Mr. Allen deliver his message is a reminder of our duty to continue to ‘Light the Way’ for others.” Allen received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Fort Hays State University and an M.A. in religious studies from the University of Kansas. He has received honorary doctorates from the Lewis University, St. Michael’s College, the University of Dallas and the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto. Jennings serves as executive director of the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization that empowers African-Americans to pursue their dream of a college degree. Under Jennings’ stewardship, the Foundation has provided scholarship assistance to approximately 200 African-American students to attend a Catholic college or university, including some who have attended Assumption. The Foundation also supports single mothers who are managing the demands of motherhood and college classes. Jennings, who was raised in a family that was taught to give back to and work for those in need, began her career as a nurse in Florida before meeting Sr. Bowman in 1984. The two shared a passion for education and believed that a Catholic education was a way out of poverty for African Americans. Together they created a foundation that reflected that mission and ministry and would carry forward Sr. Bowman’s legacy. Jennings holds a B.S. in nursing from Georgetown University and a B.A. in French from Michigan State University. She also completed post-graduate studies at Michigan State, Fordham University and St. John’s universities. Roberta Schaefer, Ph.D., is the founder and first executive director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, a center for
John L. Allen Jr., senior CNN Vatican analyst, will deliver the Commencement address.
“John Allen is a prolific journalist and the College is proud to welcome an internationally renowned writer to address the candidates for graduation.” –President Cesareo information and expertise on public policy in Central Massachusetts. Under her direction, The Research Bureau grew from one-person who studied city and town matters to a five-person operation that examined pressing public policy issues throughout the region. During her three decades at The Research Bureau, the organization dedicated itself to keeping the community informed. The Research Bureau is located on the Assumption campus and has been housed in one of the College’s buildings on Old English Road since 2012. Outside of her work with The Research Bureau, she served as an adjunct political science professor at Assumption on two occasions. Schaefer was a Massachusetts Board of Education member (1996–2007); has co-edited two books; and is the author of numerous articles, including a recent op-ed in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette in regard to school board governance. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Queens College and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Chicago.
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PHOTOS: MICHAEL DOYLE ’17
CAMPUS NEWS
Raymond Arroyo and Archbishop Edward Kurtz share their perspectives.
Delving into Pope Francis’s Amoris Laetitia National Catholic scholars and Church leaders discuss Holy Father’s exhortation on the family
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n October, the College hosted a unique discussion on Pope Francis’s Apostolic Exhortation on the family, Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), featuring renowned Catholic scholars and Church leaders. Eternal Word Television Network News Director and Anchor Raymond Arroyo, who moderated the lively panel discussion, included highlights of a December episode on the global Catholic network’s show, The World Over. Amoris Laetitia was released in April 2016 and encourages a comprehensive examination of the family and the many challenges posed to family life in contemporary society. Many have debated whether Pope Francis’s teaching in this Apostolic Exhortation is a radical break from long-standing teachings on the family and marriage or a reflection of authentic Church teachings. “Pope Francis’s statements and writings are often misunderstood when observers apply their own interpretation of what the Holy Father is attempting to communicate,” said President Francesco Cesareo,
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Ph.D., a Papal scholar. “The College was pleased to host this thought-provoking discussion to provide a greater understanding of the messages contained in Amoris Laetitia.” The panel represented a wide breadth of Catholic thought and perspectives. It included Archbishop Edward Kurtz, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Diocese of Worcester Bishop Robert McManus; Margaret Harper McCarthy, assistant professor of theological anthropology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for the Studies on Marriage and Family at Catholic University and Robert Royal, Ph.D., president of the Faith and Reason Institute. Panelists explored a number of aspects in regard to Amoris Laetitia, specifically the key arguments offered in regard to family and marriage. Additionally, the panel discussed some of the controversial issues raised in the Apostolic Exhortation within the context of Church teaching.
Health sciences major to begin this fall Interdisciplinary coursework, fieldwork and research opportunities cornerstones of unique program A new major field of study in health sciences will be added to College’s academic options this fall. This interdisciplinary program will prepare students for a broad range of career options in the health care field, with applications to clinical practice, administration policy development and research. “The health sciences program creates a clear pathway for students with aspirations of contributing to the health care industry,” said Robert Caron, Sc.D., assistant professor and one of several architects of the College’s health sciences program. The College’s program draws from coursework in the natural sciences, disease and disability, and health care delivery and care models, as well as the economics, ethics and policies that drive global health care systems. Health sciences students will be encouraged to customize their education by adding a concentration. According to Associate Provost Kimberly Schandel, Ph.D., “students interested in becoming physicians, dentists, or physician assistants should pursue the health sciences major with a concentration in pre-clinical health professions, which will prepare them for admission to the relevant graduate and professional programs. Concentrations in pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy and communication sciences and disorders are aligned with requirements for graduate programs in those specialties. Concentrations in public health and patient advocacy are in development.”
Health sciences students will be afforded numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful research with professors in the natural sciences and human services and rehabilitation studies. Assumption is home to the Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences (MARS) Laboratory, one of the few motion capture laboratories in Central Massachusetts, where Caron and his students study human gait patterns. “Our students will emerge from this program will real world experience, an excellent diversity of course work and a sense of purpose to serve our communities’ health needs,” Caron contended.
Digital marketing program ranked among top 15 in the nation The digital marketing certificate program offered at Assumption has been ranked among the best in the nation for 2017 by Value Colleges, an online guide to the best values in undergraduate and graduate education. “Several studies have demonstrated that Internet-based advertising could outpace that of television by 2018, creating a demand for qualified talent in this rapidly growing field,” said Dennis Braun, director of Continuing and Career Education. “Employers strive to fill their technology teams with well-trained and educated talent with a strong acumen in this emerging field. This independent recognition by Value Colleges is a testament to the quality of Assumption’s program that helps train individuals to succeed and excel in the present, and future, advertising market.” The online certificate program in digital marketing, which
was ranked 14th in the nation by Value Colleges, is designed to launch graduates’ careers after completing eight highly-focused courses. The 24-credit curriculum, developed by leading professionals and educators in the field, provides practical working knowledge in the crucial areas of search engine optimization and marketing, social media marketing, online analytics, content creation and marketing, and more. It can be completed as a standalone certificate or as a concentration in the bachelor of business administration degree program. Assumption joins MIT as the only other college from Massachusetts to make the list, along with prestigious institutions including Duke University, Loyola University Chicago, Rutgers University and the University of Notre Dame. The Value Colleges ranking is based on the following metrics: reputability (based on U.S. News & World Report overall score); return on investment (according to data from College Scorecard); and cost (online per-credit-rate as sourced from the college).
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Mission Accomplished: 100 Years of Commencement Exercises BY FR. DENNIS GALLAGHER, A.A.’69, VICE PRESIDENT FOR MISSION
have a friend who hates perfect liturgies. Slip-ups, faux pas, mishaps are somehow comforting to her. An odd predilection, perhaps, but a family wedding a number of years back helped me understand this a little better. The parish had hired a consultant to oversee the details of everything related to the wedding, including the liturgy. A decidedly type-A personality, she was bound and determined to wring every ounce of perfection out of the service. And sure enough, everything went swimmingly until the very end, as the attendants were matching up to process down the aisle, when one of them fell to the floor, thuddingly, in a faint. The groomsman was quickly enough revived, but despite myself I could not resist casting a glance at the horrified face of the drill sergeant, er, consultant. My most enduring Assumption commencement memory involves physical humor of a sort. It was 1985, I believe, and inclement weather had forced the exercises inside. The faculty lined up to walk together into the Laska Gym. To the formal strains of the academic overture, they marched toward the reserved seating in front of the stage, only to discover that there were no reserved seats, and no seats left at all. Their
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The Mission mace-bearing leader had the presence of mind to keep the line moving by leading his troops back down the side aisle and out of the gym. I was reminded of an old Soviet May Day celebration in Red Square, where the faculty were marched in, and out, as a show of force. So, is this all I can give you after 100 years of commencement exercises? Truth be said, the memory of hundreds of students crossing the stage, one by one, year after year, has a way of numbing the brain. But, alas, there is a story behind every one of those “walks,” of promises fulfilled, opportunities seized, futures set in motion, accompanied sometimes by an almost incredulous “I did it!” whoop of survival and celebration. For those of us who have had the privilege of playing some role, however modest, in their achievement, it’s probably good not to dwell on it. Do your job, as one famous coach likes to put it, and together some really wonderful things can happen, slip-ups and mishaps included.
Faculty scholarship: new publications Native Wills from the Colonial Americas: Dead giveaways in a new world Edited by Mark Christensen, Ph.D., associate professor of history and Jonathan Truitt In Native Wills from the Colonial Americas (2016, University of Utah Press), new testamentary sources from the 16th to 18th centuries are showcased. Readers are provided with translations and analyses of wills written in K’iche’ Maya, Mixtec, Nahuati, Spanish, Wampanoag and Yucatec Maya. The book provides insights and details that further understanding of indigenous life in the Americas under colonial rule.
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The Spark of Learning: Energizing the College Classroom with the Science of Emotion By Sarah Rose Cavanagh, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology The Spark of Learning (2016, West Virginia University Press) points out that the field of education is awakening to the potential power of emotions to fuel learning, informed by contributions from psychology and neuroscience. The author argues that capturing a student’s attention requires consideration of the emotional impact of one’s teaching style and course design.
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Law & Economics (Property, Contracts, Torts) By Demetrius Kantarelis, Ph.D., professor of economics Law & Economics (2017, B&ESI) describes the Coasean underpinnings of basic property law as it relates to externalities and pollution permits. It uses various concepts to justify why the profit-making firm may be viewed as a nexus of contracts in conjunction with managerial efforts in banking to minimize both borrowing and lending risks. It also analyzes torts as they apply to safety, workers’ compensation, and occupational stress issues.
“I learned to serve through SEND” B Y M ARISSA S MITH ’17 Prior to this past winter break, I had never used a table saw. I had also never been to Alabama, never attended a service at a historic Baptist church. I had never been on a trip to work with Habitat for Humanity, helping families whose homes were devastated six years ago by tornadoes and were still in desperate need of repairs. Service is deeply ingrained within the Assumption community. From the moment I arrived on campus there were always opportunities to serve, from SEND trips to volunteering at the Reach Out Center, but I hesitated. Despite the constant reminders, I hadn’t pursued a community service opportunity until I participated in my first SEND trip last January, traveling to Baltimore during winter break. Immediately after that experience, I embraced the sense of service that is woven into the Assumption community. After my first, immersive volunteer trip, spending a week of my winter break this year in Tuscaloosa, AL, was an easy decision. While Assumption annually offers around five trips to different parts of the country, and one to Ecuador, most of the winter trips are based around indoor activities due to the winter weather. But Alabama offered a Habitat for Humanity trip that included working outside and provided me with the opportunity to do something I had never done before. The moment I arrived on the work site in Tuscaloosa, I knew that the trip would push me outside of my comfort zone. The other 12 members of the group and I spent our days replacing the windows, paneling and flooring of the home of Garel, a child who has been blind since birth. Her siblings and family have been making sure she had everything she needed, but her home had fallen into disrepair. Poor insulation, old paneling and rusty windows all needed to be replaced. What was particularly special about the experience was how a SEND trip can bring together a group of mere acquaintances. A group of students and professionals literally pack themselves together for a week and suddenly become the closest of friends. Personally, I knew very few people before I boarded the plane to Alabama, but the moment I returned to Boston I was sad to say goodbye and return to college life. Through this service trip, I discovered a new purpose in my life – one in which I was empowered to use my gifts and talents in service of those in the greatest of need. While every member of our group had come from different teams, organizations, clubs and majors, we all left for Alabama with the same intention: to fulfill the College’s “Mission to Serve.” (This principle clearly persists after students leave Assumption’s gates: in addition to faculty and staff joining us on the trip, the volunteer at the Tuscaloosa Habitat for Humanity was alumna Julianna Molloy ’16, who had participated in the SEND trip two years ago.) As a college student, it is sometimes difficult to see exactly how I
Marissa Smith ’17, front row, third from left, with her SEND group in Alabama.
“The moment I arrived on the work site, I knew that the trip would push me outside of my comfort zone.” can make an impact in the world. On some of the more difficult days, my mistakes were the result of a first-time panel installer or table saw operator. But that was the beauty of being in a small group of passionate students united behind a single purpose; every time I was feeling like I did more wrong than right, they lifted me back on my feet. On the last day at the site, Garel’s relatives came to see our progress. The moment I saw their faces, I knew we had done something good. Her sister thanked us and I experienced that feeling that has no real description but can only come from doing something for another human being. It was the feeling I had gotten from my previous SEND trip … the one that made me wish I wasn’t graduating in May so I could come back again next year. Since returning, I find myself missing Tuscaloosa and the methodical work that I experienced that week. Naturally, I offered my services as a trip leader for next year, just in case they need another chaperone. I am also actively looking for another opportunity to engage on a build site and use all the new skills I have so that I can take the experience beyond that week and back to the Worcester community. At least once a week I tell any of my friends who are not graduating that they need to take a SEND trip before they leave Assumption because it is an important part of the College experience. Tuscaloosa is a city I will never forget and Alabama will always have a place in my heart, as will my SEND trips and the people with whom I forged a unique bond and new, lifelong friendships.
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CAMPUS NEWS
Big Apple networking Ten students, accompanied by Major Gifts Officer Linda Rosenlund ’82 and Professors Cary LeBlanc and Dan Jones HA’12, met with alumni in New York City during a spring break week-long networking experience focusing on career exploration. The group visited Bank of America (Joe Manning ’83), CNN (Fr. Edward Beck, C.P. ’80), Highbridge Capital Management (Greg Kaminsky ’87), Initiative (Don Morrison ’77), JP Morgan (Patrick
Folan ’85, Max Iori ’94, Kristin Flatekval ’14), Live Nation (Bryan Dockett ’91), Morgan Stanley (Nick Veltri ’07), Omnicom Media (Tyla Wade ’15 and Ken Corriveau ’92 pictured holding Assumption pennant with students). In addition, Matt Bagley ’91 graciously hosted an evening reception for alumni, friends and parents in the NYC metropolitan area.
Graduate Addiction Counseling program begins this fall One-year certificate program to raise the standard of counselor preparation Beginning this fall, Assumption will offer a new Certificate in Graduate Studies (CGS) in addiction counseling, which aims to raise the standard for the educational preparation of addiction counselors. The certificate program is a one-year, six-course curriculum consisting of four content courses and two addiction counseling internships. “In Massachusetts and elsewhere, addiction has become a public health crisis that destroys lives and families,” said Leonard Doerfler, Ph.D., professor and director of Assumption’s counseling psychology program. “Assumption will train individuals to provide effective treatment to those who have succumbed to addiction to help them regain control of their lives and make meaningful contributions to their communities. “The curriculum was developed in collaboration with community partners who are treating those struggling with addiction. In order to create the best program that fills the needs of well-trained addiction counselors, the courses and syllabi were shaped, revised and endorsed by leaders of four non-profit substance abuse and behavioral health agencies in Worcester.” In addition to the community-endorsed curriculum, there are three defining aspects of Assumption’s Addiction Counseling certificate: • The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based interventions. Currently, the most common treatments of substance abuse have not
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met the minimum scientific evaluation, however, the new CGS breaks that mold; interventions students will learn to use are based on research that has examined what is likely to be helpful or effective.
“Assumption will train individuals to provide effective treatment to those who have succumbed to addiction to help them regain control of their lives and make meaningful contributions to their communities.” –Leonard A. Doerfler, Ph.D.
• The CGS curriculum is a skills-based model. Students will develop practical skills to provide treatment to assist individuals who struggle with alcohol or drug abuse problems. • The curriculum is designed to prepare students to “treat the whole person.” Individuals battling substance abuse often struggle with several challenges including anxiety, communication difficulties and depression. The CGS curriculum will prepare students to recognize these challenges so that they can assist individuals in overcoming issues connected to alcohol or drug use. For more information, visit graduate.assumption.edu
PHOTO: JOHN SCIULLI
Zero degrees of separation
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ssumption Magazine recently interviewed Rick DesLauriers ’82, former Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston division and lead investigator of the Boston Marathon bombing, about Kevin Bacon’s portrayal of him in the CBS feature film, Patriots Day.
In your opinion, what message will movie-goers have after seeing the film? Considering the current political environment in America, I think Patriots Day arrived at a particularly good time when our nation needs to be brought together. When the bombs went off, law enforcement officers were working to prevent more bombs from going off in Boston and to arrest the terrorists. We have a lot of political polarization in our nation now. I think Patriots Day is a movie which focuses upon the strength and determination of the human spirit characterized by the victims and their families, and what they went through and strove to overcome as a result of the tragedies which befell them that week. That is the focus of the movie. What were your impressions of the film? I thought Patriots Day turned out exceptionally well. First and foremost, it portrayed the victims in a highly respectful manner, and that was so important. What they went through was horrific. The movie is based upon true life events, but it is not meant to be a documentary. It is not meant to be a precise recitation of fact. There is a bit of artistic license Hollywood is granted in a story like this. But the manner in which it presents the critical decisions we had to make under immense pressure about releasing the video evidence, and some of the spirited discussions and debate we had on that topic, are very realistic.
How was your experience in meeting the producers and how were you consulted? CBS Films worked very closely with the real-life people portrayed in the film, including myself. Early in the movie’s production process, I met the film’s Director, Peter Berg, and his producers in Boston. In talking for more than three hours I could tell by Peter’s many insightful questions that he had significantly researched what law enforcement experienced during the first week of the bombing investigation. CBS Films later shared a script for my part. I read it and made the necessary edits to ensure that my part of the movie was fundamentally accurate. CBS Films went through this process with each character portrayed in the movie, which enabled Patriots Day to be a highly authentic depiction of the events we experienced that tragic week. How were your interactions with Kevin Bacon? Did he study you to make your character authentic? I met with Kevin just as movie filming started. He could not have been more gracious and personable. He told me that whenever he portrays a real-life person in his films, he meets with them to get to know their personality, their family and educational history, and to listen to their voice and observe their mannerisms. As a result, I thought Kevin did a magnificent job portraying me … the same hairstyle, eyeglasses, dress clothing and even my walk, he nailed that in the movie! Prior to the movie’s release, I met Mark Wahlberg, and he was as equally friendly and personable as Kevin … two fantastic actors and unpretentious gentlemen. What are your final thoughts about the film and your experience with it? Patriots Day very well depicts the multiple tragedies which the cities of Boston, Cambridge, Watertown and many other surrounding communities endured that week, and with a high degree of accuracy it portrayed the challenges and critical decisions which law enforcement had to make that week under tremendous pressure. It is a film I am truly humbled and honored to be associated with. DesLauriers looks forward to celebrating his 35th Reunion with classmates in June.
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CAMPUS NEWS
New graduate program to serve those with autism Applied Behavior Analysis program trains students to become behavior therapists BY TROY WATKINS
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he numbers are staggering. One in 68 school-aged American children have autism, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2000, the prevalence was estimated at 1 in 150. The steady increase in diagnoses has created a rising need for services, according to Karen Lionello-DeNolf, Ph.D., director of Assumption’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program, which offers a Master of Arts degree and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study. “The increase in the diagnosis of autism makes people more aware of autism and its impact on people,” she said. “It’s impacting schools more than it used to in addition to impacting service providers who assist those who have more severe cases of autism. As that’s happened, the need for services has grown.”
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PHOTO: DAN VAILLANCOURT
Stephen Blaisdell ’11, special education teacher at Crossroads School in Natick, is among the first group of ABA students. Here he works with a student at Crossroads.
People diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, a neurodevelopmental disorder, have difficulty in the areas of verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. The severity of the symptoms in these three areas can vary widely across individuals and extend past childhood and adolescence into adulthood, thus having a strong impact on the individual’s social relationships and ability to live independently.
Responding to a growing need “There is an acute need for services in central and western Massachusetts, as a majority of behavior analysts are concentrated in eastern Massachusetts,” Lionello-DeNolf said. “Agencies have looked to train college students as behavior therapists.” Behavior therapists provide interventions based on ABA, which are widely considered to be among the most effective and evidence-based treatments for autism. “Assumption faculty members in the psychology, education, and human services and rehabilitation studies departments recognized the growing need in the Worcester community for individuals trained to provide behavioral services based on student internship placements and inquiries from local organizations looking for assistance,” said Lionello-DeNolf. This encouraged the College to research, plan and create an ABA program, one that draws students from the three majors into a field congruent with the College’s mission to form graduates known for compassionate service and complements its other graduate programs related to the helping professions.
Fascinating work Many of the students in the new ABA program already have experience providing behavioral services. They are pursuing a graduate degree to advance their careers while expanding their abilities to serve clients with autism and their families. A special education teacher at Crossroads School in Natick, Stephen Blaisdell ’11 is among the College’s first group of ABA students. Blaisdell earned a degree in psychology from Assumption and has worked with children with autism for four years. Crossroads is a private day school that provides individualized programs based on ABA principles. “This organization exemplifies the
compassion and understanding that it takes to work in this field, and it has provided me with an excellent platform to grow and develop as a behavior analyst,” he said. He credits his undergraduate experiences at the College with the mindset he relies upon daily. “Assumption taught me to think critically about everyday problems,” he said. “I learned valuable skills that allowed me to adapt more easily to changing contingencies in the environment.” For these reasons, he chose to return to Assumption for his graduate degree. “Through one semester in the ABA program I feel that this is the type of well-thought out coursework that develops creative thought as it pertains to scientific material … something I believe will truly benefit me in the future.”
“Assumption’s ABA program is aimed toward teaching students the concepts and theories of the science of behavior as they are applied to individuals and problems of social significance.” –Stephen Blaisdell ’11
The ABA program “Assumption’s ABA program is aimed toward teaching students the concepts and theories of the science of behavior as they are applied to individuals and problems of social significance,” Blaisdell said. “The science of behavior applies to all living organisms and as a result, this degree does not limit a person to a specific domain, but instead prepares them to work in any setting they choose.” Lionello-DeNolf echoes the value and opportunities an ABA degree from Assumption will afford each student. “The program’s comprehensive education strives to illustrate how behavioral principles can be applied to improve people’s lives across many areas, including autism treatment. In addition, the program includes a practicum experience to provide students with quality training and fieldwork experience,” she explained. Assumption’s ABA course sequence and practicum courses meet the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Examination®.
This credential is internationally recognized and essential for individuals who wish to provide behavioral services in clinical settings. Both the master’s and CAGS programs also meet requirements for students to apply for licensure as an applied behavior analyst in Massachusetts. Students have the opportunity to gain experience in the field through the College’s affiliations with Seven Hills Foundation and the Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative (CMSEC), among other organizations. “This partnership will provide students a unique field-work placement in a large human service organization working with adults across a number of community settings,” said Trisha Rodricks O’Connell ’98, G’01, a BCBA and assistant director of clinical services at Seven Hills Community Services, an affiliate of its Foundation. ABA students—such as Ashley Perry, a shared living case manager with Seven Hills—are excited about what they hope to learn through the program. “I hope to gain the proper skills to go into the field and work with young children or adults to help reduce problem behaviors for struggling families,” said Perry. Cynthia Rielley, an ABA student and an instructional assistant in CMSEC’s THRIVE program, has a similar goal. “I want to play a more active role in developing ways to help my clients achieve the most independent and fulfilling life possible,” said Rielley. “I see firsthand how much ABA can help individuals live higher quality lives.” Blaisdell is intrigued by how the ABA program will help him advance toward his career aspirations. “I hope to strengthen my understanding of how the science affects children and young adults with autism,” he said. “Understanding the theories and practices is important to realizing how they can be applied, and that is what you get from this program. “By the end of the program I want to develop behavior programs based on scientific principles and feel confident that the work I am doing is individualized and targets the behavior I want to change. I also would like to become a BCBA, and I know this program will prepare me well.” For more information, contact k.lionellodenolf@assumption.edu or visit graduate.assumption.edu.
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A Century of
Commencements By Troy Watkins
On May 14, Assumption College’s 100th commencement ceremony will be celebrated at the DCU Center in downtown Worcester. The event has evolved and grown tremendously, from two graduates in the Class of 1918 to nearly 700 who will receive either a bachelor’s or master’s degree this spring. Here’s a glimpse into the history of the culminating event of the academic year.
1904
Assumption College opens in the Greendale section of Worcester.
1918
Romauld Crispo ’18 and Anatole Desmarais ’18 become the first two students to earn a bachelor’s degree. Desmarais became a priest and Crispo a lawyer.
1917
The College receives state’s authorization to grant bachelor’s degrees.
1918 1918 While Assumption College welcomed its first students in 1904, it was not until 1918— the year that Moscow became the capital of the Soviet Union and while Word War I raged across the European continent—that two individuals would comprise the College’s first graduating class.
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On May 14, Assumption College will celebrate its 100th commencement ceremony. The annual event of passage for graduating students has grown to nearly 700 students who will soon receive either an associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree or a certificate of advanced graduate study. During its first year of operation, enrollment fluctuated between four and nine students at the Franco-American institution, where
Senator John F. Kennedy HD’55
1950
1954
2
The College’s state charter was revised to allow the conferral of graduate degrees.
Honorable Edward J. Lampron ’31, associate justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court, is the first alumnus to serve as commencement speaker.
Two: The number of Assumption graduates in 1918.
courses were taught in French. By 1917, enrollment had risen to 175 students participating in a six-year curriculum. The 15 French Assumptionist professors, remaining from those who hadn’t left to fight in World War I, worked without pay. This enabled the College to keep its tuition costs low, just $80, while the room and board fee stood at $140. Students finishing their studies moved on to either seminaries or novitiates, while others furthered their education at
“As graduates of this college during the years of its greatest crisis, when the struggle for survival seeming crushing, you have found a clear example of what charity, hope and faith, especially faith, can do in overcoming all obstacles. The cause for which we struggle needs reaffirmation. Its true meaning and significance can be found at Assumption, and you who have studied here can be the vanguard in giving direction and purpose to our lives and to our time.” —excerpt from the 1955 address of Mass. Senator John F. Kennedy HD’55 (two years after the Worcester tornado devastated the campus)
1957
Commencement is held on the Salisbury St. campus for the first time; Hon. Robert F. Kennedy is the speaker and an honorary degree recipient.
1961
Virginia “Gina” Halloran CE’61 becomes the first female to earn an undergraduate degree (through the St. Augustine Institute, the College’s first continuing education program). 2011 photo
other institutions. In 1917, Assumption College was authorized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to award the bachelor’s degree. On June 14, 1918, the first two bachelor’s degrees were conferred upon Anatole Desmarais ’18 and Romuald Crispo ’18. Fourteen would graduate the following year, nine of whom were bound for the seminary. The College and Prep School grew steadily through the years, with the Prep enrollment increasing dramatically during World >>>
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1973
The College’s first co-educational class graduates
Valedictorian & Salutatorian The top 12 seniors (academic excellence, leadership, service/ character) are invited to apply; the recipients are chosen by committee after an interview. Nineteen of the last 25 valedictorians have been females, and 23 of 38 since the College became coeducational. The valedictorian speaks on behalf of the graduating class. The salutatorian introduces the Commencement speaker.
1994 1975
Dale Novak Newton ’75 is the first female valedictorian.
Michelle Graveline, DMA, at the 2016 Commencement
>>> War II, while the College’s class sizes diminished. Two days after the 1953 ceremony, the historic and rare Worcester tornado devastated the original campus, claiming three lives and causing millions of dollars in damage. As a result, few images or mementos remain from the first 35 years of commencements. The ceremony was held on the Greendale campus until 1957, when the College separated from Assumption Prep School (which
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The Mace was designed and given to the College by Paul Cavanagh in 1994. This symbol of authority is carried by the chair of the faculty senate as the leader of the academic procession.
Spring 2017
later closed in 1970) and opened its Salisbury Street campus, a decision precipitated by the tornado. For the next 60 years, the ceremony culminating a student’s years of study and hard work was held on the College’s Salisbury Street campus, with few exceptions. The Father John Power Center and Chandler Street Junior High Auditorium (1958–62) were used and the Worcester Memorial Auditorium hosted the 1968 ceremony to
“An old friend once told me that God gave me two important parts of the body … one is to think with and the other is to sit with. And life has one important rule: heads you win and tails you lose.”
Honors Cords Worn by graduates who achieve Latin honors, a gold cord indicates summa cum laude (3.9 GPA), blue is magna (3.75) and white denotes cum laude (3.5).
—excerpt from the 2002 address of Russell Quaglia, Ph.D. ’80, HD’02
2009
Russell Quaglia, Ph.D. ’80, HD’02
Anne Lynam Goddard ’77 becomes the first alumna speaker.
2005
Wood quads: The first and only family of Assumption quadruplets graduated in 2005. (L-R) John, Katie, valedictorian Mary and Mike Wood.
2016
Ceremony is held at Worcester’s DCU Center for the first time.
President’s Medallion Designed and given to the College by Paul Cavanagh in 1994, it is worn by the president at events accompanied by the donning of regalia, such as Commencement.
accommodate larger classes and guests. As the class sizes grew, a tent was erected on the baseball/ football field to better accommodate graduates and attendees. Commencements on the outdoor fields became a beloved tradition among alumni, however the College outgrew the space and in 2016, the ceremony was moved to the DCU Center in downtown Worcester, which accommodates some 8,000 guests and provides
advantages for parking, safety, restrooms and concessions, as well as protection from inclement weather. Sources: Assumption College: A Centennial History, 1904–2004 by Kenneth J. Moynihan and the Assumption College Archives. Photos by Robert Carlin, Dan Vaillancourt and courtesy of the Assumption Archives.
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International
David Rojas Taveras ’20 of the Dominican Republic, Sanna Hussain ’20 of Saudi Arabia and Muyuan “Sparrow” Li ’20 of China are among the founders of the AC Greyhound Robotics club, one of the many contributions international students have made to the Assumption community.
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Influence Last fall, three members of the men’s soccer team hailed from foreign countries. The trio were among a record number of international students enrolled at Assumption, a trend that has risen steadily over the past five years. In 2012, five first-year students were among 14 coming to Salisbury Street from abroad. Last fall, those numbers increased to 16 freshmen among a total of 48 international students.
Welcoming community Whether a student comes to Assumption from countries near or far, a welcoming community and feeling of family are consistently revealed as reasons many international students choose to enroll here. “When I arrived from Uganda, someone from the dean’s office was waiting for me at the airport, holding a sign with my name on it,” said Mildred Lubega Mukasa ’88. “That was my first experience in America. And I realized, ‘I’m going to be OK.’” Ukeme Esiet ’09 of Nigeria, echoed that sentiment. “I chose Assumption after my visit, when I spoke to students and some administrators,” Esiet explained. “I toured several New England schools, but when I received such an enthusiastic reception, Assumption was the only college I wanted to attend.”
Students find a path to success through boundless support BY TROY WATKINS
Support services and engagement options Due to the successful recruitment and steady increase in international students in recent years, the College has expanded its resources to support them. Abigail Nolan, director of English as a Second Language (ESL) and academic support for international students, helps students acclimate to both the classroom and community. ESL classes are paired with an English Composition course in the fall and Introduction to Literature in the spring. Nolan explained, “These courses enable students to adjust to college life in the United States in a safe and welcoming atmosphere that also focuses on their specific needs as international students.” A comprehensive orientation program for international students includes a social component which introduces the students to campus options. The student- run African,
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Brazilian soccer player Jason Lages ’20 at Testa Science Center
A comprehensive orientation program for international students includes a social component which introduces the students to campus options.
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Latino/ Hispanic, Asian and Native American (ALANA) Network fosters an inclusive environment and awareness of diversity. Open to all students, ALANA has risen in popularity, especially among those from foreign countries. It strives to educate and engage the community through activities such as multicultural events, panel discussions, weekly meetings, lectures and performances. This group has helped many students find their way and make connections. “The ALANA Network allowed me to get involved in serving the campus community and beyond and really enriched my experience,” said Esiet. “Serving as an executive also gave me the opportunity to attend conferences and learn leadership and teamwork skills that I didn’t have previously.” ALANA is supported by the College’s Cross-Cultural Center (CCC), established in 2002 to support efforts to attract, recruit and serve both students of color and international students. An inclusive space, it aims to promote multicultural awareness and help community members explore their own identities and learn about other races, cultures and religions. During orientation, students are introduced to the CCC and ALANA student executives through meals and small group activities. Bea Patino G’07, director of the CCC, collaborates with Nolan. “We organize activities and outings for the international students including movies, meals, pumpkin-carving and ice skating, to name a few,” said Patino. “We’ve also supported students to form new clubs on campus.” These new clubs aren’t limited to culture-specific activities. For example, a trio of first-year students— Muyuan “Sparrow” Li ’20 of China, David Rojas Taveras ’20 of the Dominican Republic and Sanna Hussain ’20 of Saudi Arabia—have developed AC Greyhound Robotics, a new club which aims to
Assumption College Magazine
Spring 2017
participate in a local competition this fall. Earlier this year, China natives Tianfeng “Brady” Su ’19 and Zhenxi “Sarah” Jin ’18 formed the Chinese Students and Friends Club to help fellow Chinese students and those from other countries to make connections. Club members celebrate some traditional Chinese festivals, learn about history and share traditional food. Furthermore, the international students have been integral in the success of ALANA’s annual Multicultural Day, where students are invited to showcase their cultures through food. This year, the international students hosted tables from China, Vietnam, Albania, and Pakistan. Through these activities, all Assumption students learn about other countries and cultures, through the contributions of the international students. Assistance toward career goals is also available. Nolan teamed with the Career Development and Internship Center to create and offer a set of career-related workshops geared specifically for international students during the spring semester, due to the different process required to obtain internships and employment. These included resume writing, interviewing skills and searching for internships. In addition to services, administrators and faculty members often take extra time to counsel and support international students. The efforts of administrators in the Office of Student Affairs are consistently applauded by international students and alumni. “The Student Affairs staff really got me out of my shell,” said Esiet. “They constantly checked on me to see how I was doing, knowing that I was so far from home.” Mukasa is thankful for the individual attention she received, especially from faculty members. “My professors knew my name and they were available to meet whenever I needed some extra help,” she said. “That ability to look for and accept assistance is something that I learned at Assumption and I have continued to value throughout my career.”
A special place for student-athletes For some student-athletes, Assumption provides an opportunity to continue competitive play of a sport they love while pursuing a distinctive liberal arts education. Such is the case for soccer players Jason Lages ’20 from Brazil, Simon Trcka ’20 of Czech Republic and New Zealand native Harrison Eden ’19. Back home, they were faced with a choice to either play soccer professionally or abandon it. Playing soccer as a college student was not an option in their home countries; at Assumption, they could play while earning a degree. “Here I have an opportunity to get a great education and play soccer at a high level. In Brazil, you can’t,” said Lages. Eden agreed and explained, “In New Zealand the structure does not exist to go to college and play soccer. For me, Assumption was the best place to do that.”
Head Men’s Soccer Coach DJ Corrao enjoys the contributions the international students make to the campus community and teams. “For all of our student/ athletes, we emphasize that they are students first,” said Corrao. “Our international students all do really well in the classroom and they fit our culture while adding a bit of their culture to our team and to the campus overall to create a more global atmosphere.” Each member of the soccer team extolled the benefits of friendship and support they receive from their teammates. “Being part of the soccer team made me feel like home,” said Hector Sola ’17, a native of Puerto Rico. After graduation, he will join Alexander Aronson Finning, an accounting firm in Boston. “Assumption helped me get out of my comfort zone and I learned how to develop skills and how to compete and work hard for what I want. Looking back, without the soccer program, I don’t think I would be where I am today, with a job waiting for me.”
Expanding international connections The College has increased its international connections in recent years. Assumption partnered with EduBoston, a global company with a network of partner high schools and offices in China, Vietnam, Korea and the U.S., to expand its international student programs. Last summer it hosted a group of students from China through this program. In addition, a summer enrichment program with Assumptionist- sponsored high schools in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and another in Japan was established in 2014. The English Language Learning and American cultural immersion program enables high school students to take courses on the Worcester campus and engage in cultural experiences in the area for up to one month. This summer, the College will host 45 students from Argentina and 10 from Colegio Emmanuel d’Alzon in Bogota, Colombia. It is hoped that this program will be expanded soon to host students from other countries in both Latin America and South America. The College is also developing relationships with other Assumptionist high schools around the world following the successful Education Congress held on the Worcester campus last summer, in hope that some of those students may matriculate. Among the recruitment trips made by the Admissions staff within the past year were locations in China and the Dominican Republic, as well as Puerto Rico, where the College has held an annual reception for several years. There, the largest contingent of alumni residing outside the contiguous 48 states make their home.
A path to success Alumni have lauded the wide-ranging support, foundation, essential skills and compassion they developed during their time at Assumption. Esiet, a summa cum laude graduate with a B.A. in management learned much on the Salisbury
Street campus about a desire to live a life of meaning. “Assumption helped to broaden my worldview and the Assumptionists continued the spiritual and moral formation I received from the Jesuits in secondary school,” said Esiet. “Assumption gave me many opportunities to meet people from different parts of the United States and the world. Additionally, I learned that I wanted to pursue a career that would have meaningful global impact. I won’t be satisfied with just collecting a paycheck when there are real challenges to address in making the world healthier, more equitable and more peaceful,” he added. Esiet will complete a master’s degree in urban affairs from Boston University in May. Currently in Nigeria, he has worked in the non-profit sector there with the National Youth Service Corps and with a community development service focused on environmental sustainability. Mukasa holds an M.A. in information systems from Bentley University and is an underwriter for Mass Housing, an affordable housing agency in Boston, where she has worked for more than 25 years. She started in asset management at Mass Housing. “Although I was an accounting major and a numbers person, my liberal arts education really taught me how to write well. I did not appreciate that much at the time, but the ability to write has helped me advance and transition throughout my career. The balanced education has served me really well and continues to help me,” Mukasa said. Perhaps one of the more interesting perspectives of an international student comes from Shanell Cartagena ’16 of the Dominican Republic. For her, the experience has come full circle as the former student is now a mentor. After earning a B.A. in economics and international business, Cartagena now serves as an Assumption admissions counselor working with international students from the Western Hemisphere, with an emphasis on Latin America. On the job since last September, she recently completed her M.B.A. from the College and brings experiences gained from a service trip to Ecuador and an internship in London to the position. “I went through this experience and I can empathize with them,” she explained of helping prospective parents and students with navigating a foreign application process. “I left my home and family to pursue a greater education. To be able to relate to them in that way and help them through the process is very rewarding to me.” Cartagena champions her Assumption education and is thrilled to pass that opportunity along to fellow international students. “Assumption has expanded my horizons in ways I could never imagine,” she said. “The campus community challenged me to become who I am and who I want to be in the future … not only as a successful professional in my field, but also as a person.”
“The Student Affairs staff really got me out of my shell. They constantly checked on me to see how I was doing, knowing that I was so far from home.” –Ukeme Esiet ’09
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Champions! Ice hockey wins first NE-10 title The Greyhounds won their first Northeast-10 Ice Hockey Championship in program history with a dramatic, comeback 3-2 overtime win at St. Michael’s. Goalie Nick Commesso ’17 made 65 saves to earn Tournament MVP. Seeded fourth in the playoffs, Assumption defeated top-seeded St. Anselm, 4-3, in the semifinals as Cam Laughlin ’18 netted two goals and Commesso totaled 40 saves.
PHOTO: JAMES BUCK
HOUNDS WATCH
Fall & Winter sports highlights Football team advances to second straight NCAA Tournament For the second consecutive season, Assumption advanced to the NCAA Tournament, where they fell at Shepherd University, ranked third nationally. The Greyhounds also appeared in their second straight NE-10 Championship game on the way to a 9-3 record. Several team members gained accolades for their performance this season. Senior running back Alex Shain was selected to the Academic All-America Second Team by College Sports Information Directors of America. Three hounds—senior safety Andrew Benson, junior receiver Ashton Grant, and sophomore return specialist Deonte Harris— were named to the New England Football Writers Division II/III All-New England team.
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Golf
Cross country
Senior A.J. Cooney shot a 78-74-152 to finish in a tie for the individual title at the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association Championship among nine teams competing.
Both the men’s and women’s teams earned All-Academic honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, while five Hounds collected individual All-Academic accolades. Sophomores Andrew Mongiat of the men’s team, and Sara Amato, Jacqueline Ryan, senior Rachel Avard and junior Megan Corbeil of the women’s team were recognized for posting a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher while also finishing among the top 30 percent of total eligible runners at the regional championship or in the top half of the field at the NCAA Championships.
Women’s cross country Three runners placed among the top 10 to earn All-Region accolades and lead the Greyhounds to a second place finish among 28 teams at the New England Regionals. Their strong showing helped earn the team its first trip to the NCAA Championships. Junior Antonia Pagliuca placed fifth among 191 competitors at the Regionals, with a time of 22:02. She was followed by classmate Courtney Fisher and freshman Kialeigh Marston who tied for seventh in 22:05.
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Field hockey Senior midfielder Andrea Koslowski was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches
For complete coverage of the Greyhounds, visit www.assumptiongreyhounds.com Association Division II All-America Second Team as the Greyhounds compiled a 10-8 record.
Women’s soccer Junior forward Amanda Arnold was placed on the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-East Region Second Team, after netting a career-high 12 goals with four assists for 28 points, placing her third in the Northeast-10 Conference in both goals and points.
Shannon Quirk ’19 became the first swimmer in Assumption history to qualify for the NCAA Championship meet, with one of the top 28 times nationwide in the 1,650 freestyle. Unfortunately she was unable to compete at the national event. Overall, the women’s swimming and diving team, despite an impressive comeback on the last of the four-day Northeast-10 Tournament Championship, fell by a narrow score of 861-851 to Southern Connecticut State, breaking the Greyhounds’ streak of three consecutive NE-10 titles. Assumption collected two gold medals, four silvers and five bronze. Quirk, in the 1,650 freestyle, and the 200 freestyle relay team won golds while Kelsey Johnstone ’20 totaled two silvers and a bronze.
Women’s basketball The Hounds earned the seventh seed in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament, where they fell to second-seeded Queens College to finish 19-9. The team was led by seniors Jo Impellizeri and Allison Stoddard, who earned second and third team All-NE-10 honors, respectively.
PHOTO: JOE MACELVEEN
Swimmer Shannon Quirk ’19 qualifies for NCAAs; team is NE-10 runner up
Four former student-athletes and a former coach were inducted to the College’s Athletics Hall of Fame at a campus ceremony held in November. Jeff Blanchard ’81 earned All-American honors for one season and was a two-time All-Conference selection as a member of the club football team. Blanchard captained the team for two seasons, played defensive end and running back and finished with 1,192 rushing yards. Caitlyn Clark Germain ’06 was the first runner in Assumption history to qualify for the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championship. A standout for the cross country and track and field teams, Clark was also the first Assumption runner to earn a spot in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championship with a time of 5:09 in the mile. Ralph DeLucia served for 18 seasons as head coach of the softball team. He retired in 2015 with a record of 412-384-6. DeLucia earned more wins than any other Assumption coach and led his team to three conference championships and a trio of NCAA Tournament appearances. Sandy Norton ’74 was a two-sport star. A defensive back for the Greyhounds club
PHOTO: GIL TALBOT
Five inducted to Athletics Hall of Fame
Jeff Blanchard, former Men’s Tennis Coach and NE-10 Hall of Fame inductee John Ippolito, Ralph DeLucia, President Cesareo, Caitlyn Clark Germain, Ryan Richert and Sandy Norton at the Hall of Fame ceremony.
football team, Norton also excelled on the ice as a standout forward on the hockey team. He totaled 125 points on 68 goals and 57 assists during his collegiate career, including a 34-point effort as a senior with 17 goals and 17 assists. Ryan Richert ’03 was a vital member
of the men’s tennis team as it dominated conference play. A four-time Northeast-10 All-Conference performer and the 1999 NE-10 Conference Player of the Year he helped the team win four straight Northeast-10 Championships. Richert posted career records of 66-6 in singles and a 73-5 in doubles.
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Alumni news From the Alumni Association President Bob Knittle ’85
C
ommencement marks a new beginning; yet, it is also a time to reflect upon the past. After two years, this is my last letter as the alumni board president. It has been an honor to serve the College in this capacity. Since taking office, your Alumni Board has actively lived out its mission: to further enhance the pride of being a Greyhound, and building pride in our community. We have engaged with fellow alumni, through regional events and social media connections. The Class Agent program has expanded with a collection of Alumni Networks, bringing communities of alumni together throughout the country. We’ve worked during students’ Move-In Day events, where several Board members lugged suitcases, distributed water bottles and provided a
Events
Washington, DC reception The Army and Navy Club
MAY 16
Hartford, CT reception Wampanoag Country Club
JUNE 2-4
Reunion All alumni are invited back to campus!
JUNE 30
Athletics Golf Outing Highfields Golf Club, Grafton, MA
AUGUST 26
Prep Reunion
SEPTEMBER 18
FBI Golf Tournament Worcester Country Club
OCTOBER 20
Tsotsis Family Academic Center ribbon cutting
OCTOBER 28
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Watch for Alumni e-Newsletters and visit the Alumni Events web page at www.assumption.edu/alumni/events for updates and online event registration.
APRIL 26
OCTOBER 21
comforting smile. Parents took special note of the welcoming enhanced by the alumni. We have also sold shirts and water bottles at the Step and Dance competitions to support students and the community. Finally, through Homecoming, we engaged with student clubs and organizations and lent a supportive ear about their campus concerns and future aspirations. Further, we have strengthened our relationships with faculty members and helped to assist their desire to reconnect with past students. Finally, we have also supported campus ministry efforts, established an alumni Mass at Homecoming and an alumni social event at a Sunday Mass, and welcomed Assumptionist members back to the Board. We humbly ask for your assistance in continuing this progress. Through your input and efforts we can enhance both the Assumption, and our own, communities. If interested in sharing your ideas or serving on the Alumni Board, please contact us through the alumni web page. I eagerly anticipate our continued progress under the direction of our next president, Michela D’Eramo ’06. Michela is a phenomenal person and I wish her the very best. Thank you for your prayers and support. Peace to all.
• President’s Council Dinner • Football’s Golden Anniversary celebration Homecoming
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June 2-4
April 26
September 18
ALUMNI NETWORKS To better serve our alumni, Regional Club programs have been restructured into ALUMNI NETWORKS, with 14 established regions to date. If you wish to start a Network in your area, please let us know! Instrumental in maintaining the groups, Network Ambassadors will plan and implement a variety of programs to enhance your engagement with the College and other alumni. Visit www.assumption.edu/alumni to get involved.
Providing
for
Assumption’s future Providing for Assumption’s future Beth and Paul Tesik ’72
PHOTO: JEN CYPRESS
“The most important things I gained from my Assumption education were the ability to think, to be able to ask the proper questions to approach a problem and find a reasonable solution,” said Paul Tesik ’72, a retiree with 35 years of management experience in the commercial woodworking industry, which he entered with no experience. “Due to my liberal arts education, I was prepared for the challenge of becoming proficient in an unfamiliar subject.” This appreciation was a catalyst for Paul to make a bequest to the College as a portion of his estate to assist a student in pursuit of a liberal arts degree. He also appreciated those who made his degree a reality. “As one of six children, I am most thankful for the financial assistance provided to me by Assumption. I want to offer other students the same opportunity which was offered to me,” he said. Beth and Paul are members of The 1904 Society, a group which has made deferred gifts to Assumption in their estate plans. For more information, contact Melanie Demarais, executive director for Institutional Advancement at 508-767-7332.
The 1904 Society
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ALUMNI NEWS More than 80 employers participated in February’s annual Career Fair.
Networking: Alumni and local employers assist students B Y A LAN H ARRINGTON ’17 Scores of alumni and local companies carried on the tradition of assisting students with future employment plans through a pair of annual events co-hosted by the Career Development and Internship Center (CDIC) and the Office of Alumni Relations. In November, 40 alumni and 117 students attended the Alumni Career Networking Night, where students met with alumni from a variety of professional backgrounds, inquired about their occupations and their career journeys. Keynote speaker Andrew Viens ’94, executive vice president and global head of operations at Bain Capital, LP, engaged students with some personal anecdotes and offered sincere advice about the road to a successful career. “Look for every opportunity to interview,” he advised. “Learn as much as you can about the company that you are interviewing at and the people that you will be meeting with; be prepared and don’t be afraid to reach out and ask someone to make an introduction on your behalf; be persistent.” Students in attendance engaged in speed networking, rotating among tables of alumni on a timed schedule, as alumni provided career and networking advice. Following that session, students networked with alumni at their discretion. “In addition to networking, interactions with alumni help showcase to students that your career options are not limited to your major,” said Shannon Curtis, the CDIC’s interim director. “Your liberal arts degree yields transferable skills that apply to other fields.” Students such as Isabella Camasura ’18, appreciated the networking opportunity. “I'm grateful the CDIC offers these sorts of programs,” she said. “Networking is a skill that everyone needs to be familiar with, no matter what field they’re interested in, and making those connections is a valuable life lesson.” In February, the CDIC hosted a record-high of more than 80 employers at its annual Career Fair, where an excess of 400 students
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“In addition to networking, interactions with alumni help showcase to students that your career options are not limited to your major.” –Shannon Curtis, CDIC interim director circulated around Laska Gymnasium to visit with representatives from businesses including Hanover Insurance Group, Meditech, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Unum and Y.O.U., Inc. A free professional head shot photo of each student in attendance was offered as an incentive to participate. “We received excellent feedback from our visiting employers about the increase in the quantity and the quality of the students who participated,” said Curtis. “We hope to refine, expand and increase involvement in future events.” For more information: visit career.assumption.edu
Class notes ASSUMPTION COLLEGE:
’65 Robert DeMott recently authored Angling Days: A Fly Fisher’s Journal, a book of essays published by Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. e Edwin and Ruth Kennedy Distinguished Professor of English at Ohio University, Bob has authored and/or edited many books.
The deadline for the summer issue is June 1.
’77
’71
Melanie Paradis, OSF, was elected provincial directress of the United States province of the international congregation of Franciscan Sisters and Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. She began her four-year term in June 2016.
Classmates Joe Araby, Jim Cuccaro, Rich Giannino, Artie Lindberg, Wayne Sheppard, Frank Szivos and Mike Wilbur gathered for an annual golf trip in September. Rain limited their play but increased their TV viewership of the U.S.A.’s win in the Ryder Cup. (L-R: Szivos, Giannino, Cuccaro, Valade, Lindberg and Araby)
’66 Moe Boisvert, retired president of Youth Opportunities Upheld, Inc., and wife Pamela, were the recipients of the Strong Fuel Her Fire Award from Girls, Inc., recognizing their contributions as lifetime community leaders.
’68 Paul Hemphill’s ebook version of his 2nd edition paperback, Planning for College: Easiest Ways to Get in and Pay Less, is being distributed through national and international channels, including Apple, Barnes & Noble and OverDrive.
’69 David Fredette retired from his position as principal of Worcester’s Venerini Academy in December. He previously spent a long and distinguished career of more than 35 years in the Westborough School System.
’70 Larry Baillargeon retired in January aer 17 years at Swi Energy Company in Houston and 43
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’78 Peggy Sheehan Flood earned a doctorate of education in mathematics education from Montclair (NJ) State University. Her dissertation is titled “Adult Learners, Learning Disabilities and Mathematics: A Case Study.”
’73 Tom Pelosi retired from Wolcott (CT) High School, where he served as head of its world language department for many years, as well as principal of its summer studies program.
’74
Tom Bartholomew ’79 Top Financial Advisor
Tom Walsh, Ph.D., was one of three Cornell University faculty members to be elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society. One of 391 new AAAS fellows, Tom received his official honors at an annual meeting in February. He serves as professor of medicine, medicine in pediatrics, and microbiology and immunology.
’75 James Ragonese and wife Priscilla have moved from Massachusetts and are splitting time between Harpswell, ME, and Naples, FL, as he prepares for retirement.
Tom Bartholomew ’79, president of Worcesterbased financial services firm Bartholomew & Company, inc., (B&C) was named to Barron’s list of America’s Top 1,200 financial Advisors for 2017. ranked among other advisors named to the list within Massachusetts, Tom is twelfth of 30, his fourth consecutive year among the top 20 advisors in the Commonwealth. Tom founded B&C in 1994, after gaining more than two decades of investment and banking industry experience. Today, B&C employs 24, boasts more than $1.5 billion in client accounts under advisement and offers a range of comprehensive planning services with a conservative investment philosophy to clients’ financial goals. A West Boylston resident, he and wife Lynora have three children.
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Christina Rutter Williams was installed as pastor of the First Congregational Church of Hadley in October, where she had been serving the Church since January.
’80 Frank Doyle is senior vice president of AAA Insurance, which earned Brand of the Year status in the auto insurance category, by Harris Poll EquiTrend. Leigh Gray recently authored Tales of Woe and Whoa!: True Stories That Will Make You Laugh, Cry, and Sigh, available on amazon.com.
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Cynthia Chick Causbie, president of CC Well-Being, Inc. is a Wellcoaches® certified health and wellness coach and a certified wellness practitioner from the National Wellness Institute. e founder of the Greater Merrimack Valley Human Resource Wellness Committee, she was recently part of a panel discussion highlighting her signature program, Wellness Cultural Audits and spoke at the NH Bar Association Employment and Labor Section on the topic “Worksite Wellness: A New Tool for Risk Management.” Joe Pagano’s media production company, Pagano Media, was recognized in the Worcester Business Journal’s Best of Business winners, garnering accolades for best web design firm (repeat winner) and best video production. e company also won two Davey Awards, a pair of Communicator Awards and a couple W3 Awards for its work in 2016.
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Kevin Kelly was re-elected to the Connecticut State Senate, representing District 21. He was first elected in 2010. Harold “Hank” Naughton Jr. won re-election to his 12th Worcester District seat, a Massachusetts Senate post he has held for more than two decades. e district consists of Berlin, Boylston, Clinton and Lancaster, as well as portions of Northborough and Sterling. Greg Ugalde, a Connecticut-based builder and developer with more than 25 years of experience in the home building industry, was elected as the 2017 second vice chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. Greg is president and chief legal officer of Torrington-based T&M Building Co., Inc.
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Robert Melia was appointed in February as executive director of the Institutional Retirement Income Council, a nonprofit think tank for the retirement income planning community. Robert previously spent 23 years at Lincoln Financial Group, most recently as vice president of product development for Retirement Plan Services. Sandra Merlini, a Marlborough-based artist, had a solo exhibit of her work, titled “Autumnal Art,” at Sudbury’s Goodnow Library in November. e 10 framed works included acrylics, watercolors and photographs, and featured a watercolor collage of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Gathering in Washington, DC, in October for their annual girls’ weekend were Class of ’83 members Beth Waldron Boothe, Ellen Moynihan Long, Caroline Boyle DeWyngaert, Lisa L’Ecuyer Baroody, Ruth Gorman Haines, Beth Pullen Soederberg, Sharon Devine Raden and Paula Carey Berg.
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Robert Smith was recently promoted to managing director at CBIZ Tofias, the nation’s 10th largest accounting and tax provider. He holds an M.S. in taxation from Bentley University and works out of the Boston and Providence offices.
’85 Julie Jenkins is senior vice president and director of operations for Northeast Bank.
’86 Dan Mastrototaro has been promoted to assistant regional president – Pacific region for Hanover Insurance Group, based in Santa Ana, CA. Steven Millette is executive director of the Center for Dependency, Addiction and Rehabilitation, a substance abuse and co-occurring disorders provider of residential and outpatient treatment integrated into the University of Colorado Hospital.
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James Trainor has retired aer 20 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he most recently served as assistant director of the Cyber Division. Jim is now senior vice president for the Cyber Solutions Group at Aon plc, the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services, with 72,000 employees working in more than 120 countries.
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Paul Cronan was nominated by Governor Charlie Baker and appointed in January to a seat on the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court. Paul has operated his own legal practice in North Attleborough since 1997, focusing on domestic relations, criminal defense, estate planning and residential real estate cases. A Suffolk Law School graduate, he began practicing law in 1988 at the law office of Michael J. Duggan, where he was named partner in 1991.
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Marie Aselton Morse was appointed as Worcester Public Schools’ manager for instruction and school leadership in July. She works with several Worcester school administrators and staff to support and strengthen teaching and learning outcomes for students. Marie previously served as principal of Union Hill School in Worcester. Michael Sacco is the owner of Sacco & Associates, LLC, a Massachusetts tax consulting
Submit your Class Notes online at www.assumption.edu/classnotes firm which was awarded the 2016 Best of Central Massachusetts Award by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Sacco is a CPA with 28 years of experience.
He later won a Project Runway contest and had his shoes critiqued by fashion design mentor Tim Gunn. Chris Donovan Footwear is run out of a studio in his home.
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Melissa Dufficy Paulsen was appointed in November as associate director of the University of Notre Dame Initiative for Global Development within the Keough School of Global Affairs. ere, she leads the Education and Training Program, working with faculty to develop interdisciplinary approaches to education and training programs related to global development needs. She previously served as assistant director and concurrent instructor of Notre Dame’s Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship and the Mendoza College of Business.
John Giordano, DMD was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, where he serves as the State Dental Officer. He continues to maintain his general dental practice and forensic odontology practice in Worcester. Jeffrey Kirk joined Richard’s Paint Manufacturer in 2016 as its national director of sales. He has relocated from Denver, CO, to Melbourne, FL, with wife Susan and sons Will (16), Ben (16) and Jack (10).
’90 Jeffrey Clifford was inducted into the St. Bernard’s High School Athletic Hall of Fame in October. A three-sport standout in high school, Clifford played baseball at Assumption and was draed by the Oakland Athletics. Rob Gibbons retired three years ago as lieutenant, detective commander of the 32nd Detective Squad in the New York City Police Department. He works in security management at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, overseeing the Cornell Weill Hospital Campus. Rob also manages Secure Advantage Consulting, which offers services in security, investigating and crisis management. Patricia Dumphy MacIsaac was appointed in December as an associate attorney at the law firm of St. Pierre & St. Pierre in Shrewsbury. She brought 16 years of experience to the firm, all in the area of residential real estate law. She is a graduate of Suffolk University Law School.
’91 Chris Donovan CE’91 was featured on Boston’s WCVB-TV’s Chronicle program about fashion made in New England. Aer a scare with cancer, he quit his job as a telephone technician and pursued his passion to design women’s shoes at the Polimoda Fashion Institute in Florence, Italy.
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’93 Mark Cafferty is president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation. He holds certification from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and designs systems to support career advancement and economic opportunity for American workers. Lea Graner Kennedy is the recipient of the 2016 National Association of District Supervisors
of Foreign Languages Supervisor of the Year award. She was instrumental in establishing LangTalks.org, a project underway to provide a digital repository of publicly available videos that provide free and research-based professional development for all world language educators. Lea is the humanities coordinator and a French and Spanish teacher at Stonington (CT) High School. Kristi Reale was promoted from senior management to partnership at Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., in Holyoke, where she has worked since 2001 and focuses on business valuations, review and compilation financial statements as well as business and individual taxes for a wide range of industries.
’94 Brian Cayon was promoted in January to vice president - manager of investment services at Prairie Financial Group in Wisconsin. Brian started with Prairie, a division of Waukesha State Bank, last July aer gaining 20 years of investment experience. Susan Posterro, founder and executive director of Binkeez for Comfort, published a children’s book, e ABCs of Love: A Love Story, by Lampion Press, in September. All proceeds benefit Binkeez for Comfort with a percentage donated to childhood cancer research through Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation. A Shrewbury-based
Kristen Rozanski Skerry ’93 Raising Autism Awareness Kristen Rozanski Skerry ’93 and husband Pat, men’s basketball coach at Towson University, teamed with former Marshall men’s basketball coach Tom Herrion to create Coaches Powering forward for Autism in 2014. The effort benefits Autism Speaks, a nonprofit organization which promotes solutions for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Each coach has a son with autism. They asked fellow coaches to wear the royal blue Autism Speaks puzzle-piece pin during a february game to raise awareness. This year, nearly 300 college basketball coaches, their staffs and announcers participated to support individuals living with autism. in addition, their efforts have multiplied, as numerous collegiate and professional sports teams have hosted Autism Awareness night events over the past few years in hopes to raise awareness and money for programs around the country to support the one in 68 children on the autism spectrum. in an interview with Sports Illustrated, when asked about his son, owen, who lives with autism, Pat said, “i don’t know if he’s ever going to be on a team, i hope so. i hope he can hold a job and get married. in some ways, i’m just the assistant. My wife is the CEo of this.” Kristen and Pat reside in the Washington, dC, area with their sons, ryan and owen.
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CLASS NOTES
Greyhound Rowing Club One shell of a good time Steve McKiernan ’95 had a dream … to row again competitively, as he did at Assumption. So, last summer, he reached out to former Assumption crew team members from the 1990s and recruited four others to train and compete in the Head of the Schuykill rowing race in Philadelphia last october. Steve procured a boat and Will Waldron ’92 had team shirts made. With George Lange ’93 stroking the boat, Will and Rob Stone ’97 in the “engine room,” Steve (rowing coach at Boston College High School) in the bow and Laura Douillard Ochs ’96 steering, the greyhound rowing Club alumni team surprised themselves and earned a third place medal in their race category. rob shared, “We were in various states of disarray with regard to fitness levels and recent rowing experience. We enjoyed the camaraderie and rehashing the adventures we had as Assumption crew team members. Laura inspired us to push our bodies to their limits. While our mid-sections were larger, our hair grayer and our breathing heavier, we lumbered along as we had on Lake Quinsigamond many years ago.” After the race, the team enjoyed a meal together and spent a few hours updating one another on the details of their lives before parting ways to return to their families.
nonprofit, Binkeez supports pediatric communities of babies and children struggling to survive life threatening illnesses and acute developmental disorders through handmade blankets made from certified fabrics.
’95 Jennie Caissie was re-elected to the Governor’s Council from the 7th Worcester District. e Council provides advice and consult to the governor on such matters as judicial nominations, pardons and commutations. Jennie is a lawyer in a private practice and a special prosecutor for the Worcester County district attorney’s office.
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Michael Ferraresso was appointed vice president of commercial operations of Verastem, Inc., in January. Based in Needham, Verastem is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing medications to treat patients with cancer. Michael previously served in a similar position at Infinity Pharmaceuticals.
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’99 Kevin Cusack married Jodi Siegelman on 8/20/16 in Hull. Kevin holds a master’s degree from Springfield College, specializing in eduction. He is a middle school teacher in the Fall River school system. e couple resides in East Providence, RI. Stephen Hess was elected to an at-large position on the Cumberland (RI) School Committee. Hess is the network administrator for Johnson & Wales University. John Leonard is an asset manager with Mathworks in Natick. Jeff Logee and Tanya Hanke were married WEBLINK on 10/2/15 in Brooklyn, CT. Alumni in attendance were Charles Langevin ’68, Tom St. John G’98 and Leanne Griffin ’03. Jeff and Tanya reside in Bar Harbor, ME, while Jeff works for the Maine Community Foundation in Ellsworth, ME. Renata Patterson works for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), a branch of the United States government, on its team in Norway. e NGA delivers world-class geospatial intelligence that provides a decisive advantage to
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policymakers, warfighters, intelligence professionals and first responders. Jon Short is a local blues artist who was featured in a Worcester Telegram & Gazette article in December. Known as “Big Jon Short,” he has taught fourth and sixth grades since 1999 and currently teaches music education at Quinsigamond School and performs at local venues at night and on weekends. BIRTH: Danielle Weaver Horvath and husband Glenn welcomed son Beckett on 6/1/16. He joins Parker (4) and twins Trevor and Finleigh (3).
’00 Brian Jacobs was promoted to senior superintendent at Landry/French Construction Co. in Scarborough, ME. Brian has 15 years of construction experience. Julie Phipps Morancy became the first female inducted into the Ashland High School Athletic Hall of Fame in the fall. A three-sport athlete in high school, Julie transferred to Assumption for her last two years of college and led the NCAA Division II in hitting with a .576 average for the Greyhounds soball team in 1999. She earned an M.A. in counseling from Assumption in 2002 and is a guidance counselor at Robert E. Melican Middle School in Northborough. Joe Stafford wrote to share that “on May 19, a foundation created by the family of our late classmate Marissa Federico will host an event at the Quincy Marriott. Marissa’s Mission will help families struggling with both breast cancer and pediatric cancer.” Steven ebodo was admitted in November as a shareholder in the accounting firm of O’Connor, Maloney & Co. in Worcester. A CPA, Steven has been with the firm for 15 years.
’01 Melanie Morel-Ferris was appointed in January as interim chief financial officer at InVivo erapeutics Holdings Corp. in Cambridge. She has served as the company’s comptroller since last May. InVivo is a research and clinical-stage biomaterials and biotechnology company with a focus on treatment of spinal cord injuries. BIRTH: Jeff Rawson and wife Jessica welcomed Grace Madeline on 1/9/17. She joins her two brothers.
Submit your Class Notes online at www.assumption.edu/classnotes
’02
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Christine Kane Hochstein will be inducted into the East Greenwich High School (EGHS) Hall of Fame April 30. An All-State performer in soccer, basketball and soball at EGHS, she starred for the Greyhounds basketball team for four years and was inducted to Assumption Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011. BIRTHS: Trevor Brown and Ester Schiano-Brown announced the birth of their first child, Severiano Costantini, on 10/6/16. Brendan McStay and wife Kate welcomed Erin Mary on 8/13/16. She joins Tommy (3). Stephanie Fleming Montessi and husband Mike announced the birth of Madison Ann on 8/29/16. She joins Tyler (3). ey have moved back to California, where Stephanie is a senior human resources business partner for the Alexa and AppStore division of Amazon.
’03 Brendan Donovan was recently promoted to managing director at CBIZ Tofias, an accounting and tax provider. He holds an M.S. in accounting from Suffolk University and works out of the Boston and Providence offices. Mackenzie Shea was appointed as associate general counsel in January for Gordon Brothers, the Boston-based global advisory, restructuring and investment firm. Mackenzie earned a J.D. from Suffolk University and previously served as a partner at the global law firm, K&L Gates LLP. In 2012 she was named one of the 40 up-and-coming bankruptcy lawyers in the country by the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges.
’04 BIRTH: Meg Abrams Kennedy and husband Matt welcomed Nolan on 5/11/16. Meg earned an M.A. in rehabilitation counseling from Assumption in 2005 and worked at the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission for eight years. She switched careers, became a registered nurse in 2012 and now works as a fertility nurse at Boston IVF.
’05 Chris Colabello signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians in late December and was a non-roster invitee to spring training. In March he played for Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Tim Dolan was featured in a February Worcester Telegram & Gazette article. He serves as events manager at Mount Snow in West Dover, VT, and mentioned in the article that he put his computer science degree to work, devising advanced spreadsheets for scoring at the resort’s snowboard and freestyle ski competitions. He makes time to ski for about an hour a day. Justin Richards was honored as the 2016 New England Regional High School Baseball Coach of the Year by the National High School Baseball Coaches Association. A math teacher at Westborough High School, Justin has compiled a record of 126-48 in eight seasons as head varsity baseball coach at Oxford High School. e team finished 21-6 in 2015, losing by one run in the MIAA State Division 4 final. BIRTH: Lindsey Prior Hodgens and husband Matt welcomed Madelyn Rose on 9/9/16. She joins sister Grace.
’06 Tim Finnegan was promoted to operations manager for the Global Regional School System of the Archdiocese of New York, where he oversees operations of a system that includes 94 elementary schools. Steve Pagios was promoted to director of student activities at Brandeis University, following three years of service as associate director. BIRTH: Liz Swider Sherman and husband Keith announced the birth of Peter James “PJ” on 10/29/16.
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Jim Coletti is a project manager with Tishman Construction Corp., a subsidiary of AECOM, a premier fully integrated global infrastructure firm based in New York City. e company oversaw the construction of the 1,776-foot tall One World Trade Center, among other high-profile projects. Dan Doenges was featured in a Rutland (VT)
Time Argus article in December. Dan and wife Leslie are the new owners of Vermont Sport & Fitness, where Dan has worked for several years. BIRTH: Jessica Albanese Jannace and husband Matthew welcomed Mikayla in November. She joins Rebecca (2). Jessica is a special education teacher in Lexington and Matthew is a lead soware engineer at Bose Corporation.
’08 Kara Snyder-Gerardi married Ronnie Schneider on 5/16/15. Alumni in attendance included maid of honor Monica Cadime, bridesmaids Lauren King and Stephanie Lipka G’06 and mistress of ceremonies Alexandra DiPietro Szabo ’06. Kara recently earned an M.A. in forensic psychology from Roger Williams University.
’09 Michael Farrell runs Farrell Funeral Home with his father in New Britain, CT. Founded by his grandfather and celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, the Home was featured in a New Britain Herald article in November. Shannon Plasski and Benjamin Perkins were married on 9/8/16 in Newport, RI. Shannon is a senior writer, customer communications for Medical Information Technology, Inc., commonly known as MEDITECH, in Foxborough. BIRTH: Heidi Lukas Baj and husband Steven announced the birth of Celestine Mira Sophie on 12/13/16. Heidi is a school counselor at White Brook Middle School in Easthampton. e family resides in Hadley.
’10 Courtney Jae is a special education preschool teacher in Burlington. She earned an M.A. in special education from Assumption in 2011. Matthew Lane and wife Lindsay (Schoen) moved to Charleston, SC, in 2016, where they are both employed by Blackbaud, the world’s leading cloud soware company. Kristin Quinn married Scott Maxwell on WEBLINK 8/13/16 in Rye, NH. Alumni in attendance were Dan Anastas, Chrissy Winske
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CLASS NOTES Costa, Max Ebacher, Jill Foley ’11, Denise Gotta, Erica Henrickson ’12, Shannon Murtagh Hulton, Matt & Allie Orlando Jose ’11, Holly Kalinski, Martine Krzeminski, Matt & Lindsay Schoen Lane, Matt Owens, Greg Sebastiao, Mark omas and Chantal Zeh. ey reside in Plaistow, NH. Kristin recently earned her CAGS in reading from American International College and is a special education teacher in Topsfield. Gayle Renfew married Peter Melko on 10/15/16 at Assumption’s Chapel of the Holy Spirit. Gayle earned an M.Ed. from University of Vermont in 2014 and is a secondary mathematics teacher at Franklin (MA) High School. Peter completed an M.S. from New York Institute of Technology in 2012 and is a soware engineer at UpToDate, Inc., in Waltham. BIRTH: Kate Bucklin Moore and husband Nathaniel welcomed their first child, Grace Elizabeth, on 5/17/16. ey were married on 8/8/15 in Pomfret, CT. Kate is the public relations manager at the Crabtree & Evelyn corporate headquarters in Woodstock, CT. e couple resides in Eastford, CT.
’11 Brigit Catalanotti was featured in a Community Advocate article in January, highlighting her work as a dance movement therapist through Enlightened Interventions, LLC, in Worcester. She earned an M.A. in dance movement therapy from Antioch University New England and also teaches classes part-time at Dance It Up in Graon. Michael Cram and Christie Malanga were WEBLINK married on 7/3/16 in Madison, CT. Alumni in attendance were Courtney Beliveau, Julia Brough, Stephanie Burns, Jack Casey, Patrick Donlin, Greg ’83 & erese Reynolds Gauthier ’84, Brittany Grosse, Laura Brannon Halloran, Deborah Ovian Hopper ’84, Patrick Jergel, Maureen Bailey Kelly ’84, Carol Ann Krupa ’85, Susan Dailey Malanga ’84, Katie Greenwood O’Connell ’84, Lisa McCarthy O’Keefe ’83, Dave Paradise and Christine Roach. Mike Webber and Cindy Gill were married on WEBLINK 8/26/16 in Concord.
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Federico Chalas and Leslie Carriveau were married on 10/8/16 at the Chapel of the Holy
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WEBLINK Spirit. Alumni in attendance included wedding party members Jaclyn Daniels ’07, Hannah Donovan, Vanessa Myette, Leanna Hartnack and John Landsvik, as well as Kirsten Chirichetti, Mark Daniels ’06, Pete DeSisto, Tom Guido, Jonas Halley ’07, Jill Hanley ’11, Liz Penta ’11, Alejandro Ruiz, Erynn Sweeney and Amanda Carelli Wrenn ’08. Federico is in paramedic school and Leslie is a charity event planner. e couple resides in Boca Raton, FL. Meaghan Daly married William Ferguson on WEBLINK 10/8/16 in Chatham. Alumni in attendance were Janessa Barrett ’14, Ryan Gilles ’13, Erich Grosse ’15, Christina Hitchins, Dan Hoogasian, Mary King, Nicole Lillie, Chris Palermo ’87, Jack Palermo ’15, Kevin Petersen and Laura Strelis. Meaghan is a registered dental hygienist. e couple resides in Norton. Cristina DeFabritiis is a first grade teacher for the Watertown Public Schools and a camp administrator for Buckingham Brown and Nichols Summer Day Camp. She holds a master’s degree as a reading specialist from Lesley University. Jessica Petrangelo writes that she purchased her first home with fiancé Justin Moses in September. ey reside in Cranston, RI. Anna Jean Russell is a business development representative at QGenda, LLC, in Atlanta, where she also resides. Men’s Basketball Alumni Game: Former members of the men’s basketball program returned WEBLINK in February for an alumni game. Alumni in attendance included Mike Auriemma ’13, Mike Baldarelli ’11, Tim Beinert ’12, Jim Best ’88, Larry Bornheimer ’89, Jason Chavoor ’99, Kevin Donahue ’12, John Grochowalski ’75, Akil Hodge ’13, Jeff Miller ’79, Jim Mullen ’78, Gary O’Leary ’77, Patrick Shea ’09, Jeff Stewart ’12, Greg Twomey ’08 and David Walsh ’79.
’13 Bro. Daniele Caglioni, A.A. completed his novitiate, professed his vows and is a religious brother of the Augustinians of the Assumption, the founding order of the College. In a January online interview he shared, “I find it both daunting and exciting to grow in self-confidence through prayer, study, formation experiences and sharing ministry with the laity … joining the Assumptionists has been an adventure and opportunity to truly embrace my life.” Catherine Doherty married Gabriel Homiski
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WEBLINK in November 2016. Alumni in attendance included Michelle Eaton Barkson ’08, Sean Daigle, Anita Dossabhoy, Robert Eaton ’05, omas Effler, Lauren Forest, Courtney Iococca, Molly Kessler, Pat LaCivita, David Littlefield, Kerrian Lusk ’14, Matthew Martino, Kyle McCarthy and Stephanie O’Rourke. Meg Evangelista is college program manager for university relations with Dell Global Talent Acquisition. Lindsay Veillette earned a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University in May. She is a clinical social worker at Bournewood Hospital in Brookline. Women’s Basketball Alumni Game: Alumnae and former women’s basketball players returned to WEBLINK campus in January for an alumni game. Alumni in attendance were Kelly Conley ’16, Meg Cook ’10, Sara Czarnecki ’08, Katelyn Dwyer ’04, Tricie Gardner ’09, Gabrielle Gibson ’13, Molly Griffiths ’11, Ann Marie Idusuyi ’16, Christine Kane Hochstein ’02, Nicole LePrevost ’12, Shannon Ray ’14, Sabrina Siciliano ’13 and Marissa Velez ’13.
’14 Maura Looney is project leader of the “Students for Higher” program within Horace Mann Educational Associates, a nonprofit that serves people with autism and their families. She was featured in a Worcester Telegram & Gazette article in January. Students for Higher recruits, trains and places local college students as behavior therapists and respite care specialists. Zach Triner signed a reserve/future contract with the NFL’s New York Jets in January. A former defensive lineman and long snapper for the Greyhounds football team, Zach will compete for a spot as a long snapper with the Jets for the 2017 season. Nabil Tueme is pursuing a Ph.D. in sociology at the University of Connecticut. She is a graduate research assistant on a National Science Foundation – Partners for International Research and Education project, which seeks to understand the interplay between regional politics and the dissemination and adoption of innovations in watershed management in the Blue Nile Basin in Ethiopia. Mike Uva received the Mississippi’s Best TV Sportscaster Award for 2016 from the Associated Press. In July, he accepted the weekend sports
Submit your Class Notes online at www.assumption.edu/classnotes anchor position at WACH, a FOX affiliate in Columbia, SC. Mike previously held a similar position at WXVT in Greenville, MS.
’15 Jenna Connors is pursuing a J.D. at Suffolk University Law School. She expects to graduate in 2019. Ethel McGinn expects to complete an M.S. in education from Johns Hopkins University in May. She is in her second and final year of Teach for America, teaching high school mathematics in Newark, NJ. Alix Rudzinski is a staff assistant to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).
’16 Erin Auger is a sixth grade English language arts teacher at Stacy Middle School in Milford. She is also pursuing an M.Ed. at Worcester State University. Hannah Coombs is an assistant editor with Products Finishing Magazine, a subsidiary of
Gardner Business Media, Inc. in Cincinnati, OH. Kaelin Jenkins-Brown was profiled in a “Feature-A-Teacher” on Wicked Local Plymouth online in November. Kaelin teaches Spanish at Plymouth North High School WEBLINK Note: indicates that photos are available online at either www.assumption.edu/ weddings or www.assumption.edu/events
GRADUATE STUDIES Cynthia Bioteau G’77, president and CEO of Florida State College at Jacksonville, was appointed to the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Jacksonville branch. Sharon Smith Viles G’83 is an art instructor at Worcester Art Museum, where she has taught for 18 years, and the convenor of the Silk Road Art Guild, a small group of artists who work primarily in the arts of the Middle and Far East. e Guild held its first exhibit, “An Open Studio,” at the Worcester Public Library throughout the month of October 2016. Matthew D’Errico G’96 was appointed vice president of information technology at Joslin
Diabetes Center in November. He has 25 years of IT experience and serves as Joslin’s chief information security officer. Marco Rodrigues G’97 is the chief academic officer of Worcester Public Schools. Pamela Mowry Guild G’98 was named program manager in January of Jericho Road Worcester, an organization dedicated to supporting Worcester area nonprofits through providing board training and professionally skilled volunteers. Julie Fitton G’99 was appointed managing director of information security at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island in November. She previously served a vice president of cloud security at Dell-EMC. Beth McCloskey Barto G’00 was named in December as chief executive officer of LUK, Inc., in Fitchburg. Employed by LUK since 2006, she most recently served as director of quality assurance and director of trauma services. LUK is a nonprofit multiservice agency focused on improving the safety, health and emotional well-being of youth, families and adults.
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CLASS NOTES
IN MEMORIAM Robert D. Ouellette, M.D. AP’48, ’52, HD’75 Worcester, MA (1929–2017) e College mourned the passing of honorary trustee and loyal alumnus Robert “Bob” Ouellette in January. Born in Fall River, he graduated from Assumption Prep and the College, as well as Laval University Medical School. He served his country as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves (1958–64), followed by a medical career that spanned nearly 40 years and included 11 as chief of anesthesia at Worcester’s St. Vincent Hospital. Bob was an active alumnus, supported numerous projects and served for 25 years as a member of Assumption’s Board of Trustees. An avid wine collector and founder of the Worcester Wine Tasters, he educated many on the subject, including several events held on campus. He leaves his wife of 60 years, Lucille; sons Paul, Ronald, Peter and Michael; daughters Jeannine, Ann and Patti; 14 grandchildren and a great grandson.
Kathleen M. Picard Murphy G’76 Holden, MA (1952-2016) e Assumption community was deeply saddened by the loss of long-time Dean of Admissions Kathy Murphy in November. Born in Springfield, she was the eldest of five children. Kathy graduated from St. Joseph’s College in Maine and earned a M.A. in psychology and counseling from Assumption. She served the College in its admissions office for 43 years and became one of its longest-tenured employees. Kathy served on numerous committees and initiatives and received the President’s Award for Excellence in contribution to the mission last fall, honoring her consistent demonstration of love, humility and excellence throughout her career. She is survived by her husband, Patrick; children Kerry and Tim; two grandchildren; and siblings Susan, Laura ’78, Joseph ’81 and Robert.
Charles J. Beauchamp, M.D. AP’46, ’50 October 11, 2016 Robert D. Ouellette, M.D. AP’48, ’52 January 21, 2017 Denis R. Charpentier AP’49, ’53 November 21, 2016 Leo P. Miller AP’55 December 14, 2016 Alban L. Bernard ’56 November 26, 2015 Sister Marily Archer, OSF G’60 February 8, 2017 John J. Corazzini ’64, G’66 December 6, 2016 John A. Bloom G’67 November 2, 2016 John “Jack” F. Kenney AP’69 October 30, 2016
Maj. John N. Lyonnais (USMC Ret.) ’69 June 26, 2016 Daniel G. Trudeau ’70 September 3, 2016 Robert P. McCaffrey, Ph.D. G’73 November 2016 Kathleen M. O’Day ’74 November 28, 2016 Michael J. Santora II, Esq. ’75 December 24, 2016 Kevin V. Collins ’77 November 28, 2016 Mary M. Doyle G’77 October 13, 2016 Ira Munn Boardman III ’81 November 27, 2106 Michael E. Faulstich ’82 June 23, 2016
Sister Irene Leblanc, SSA G’82 February 1, 2017 Jane Riggle VanAken G’82 October 22, 2016 Shelagh K. Ricker ’89, G’90 January 6, 2017 Lynn Hoxie Brothers G’91 December 3, 2016 Gail M. O’Connell CE’92 September 25, 2016 Gregory A. Keil ’94 October 30, 2016 Paul E. Zurek ’02 October 2, 2016
For an updated list of dearly departed alumni, faculty and staff, with links to online obituaries, visit www.assumption.edu/obituaries.
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Assumption College Magazine
Spring 2017
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