A BRYANT UNIVERSITY RESOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS
SUMMER 2019
BIG DATA
DRIVES INSIGHT
THE
DISRUPTORS
Bryant University's mission is to educate and inspire students to discover their passion and become innovative leaders with character around the world. SUMMER 2019, VOLUME 25, NUMBER 3
2
12
FEATURES
2 6 12 16
Data - It’s Everywhere! It’s Everywhere! But, Why? Innovative Disruption Starts Early at Bryant Building on the Strategic Expansion of Data Science Programs
Bryant’s distinctive brand is founded on the University’s four key pillars: Academic Excellence; Education of the Whole Person; Inspiring, Purposeful, and Collegial Community; and Global and Diverse Perspectives.
30 GLOBAL AND DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES
18 PHILANTHROPY
programs that expand their global
friends, faculty, staff, students,
all aspects of the Bryant experience.
University’s national profile while
accomplished teachers, scholars,
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PUBLISHING DIREC TOR
ART DIREC TION
Elizabeth O’Neil
Jennifer Zevon
EDITOR
DESIGN/PRODUC TION
Karen Maguire P ’18
BizHelm
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Maria Caliri Sarah Garnsey Denise Kelley Nancy Kirsch Stephen Kostrzewa Alex Lippa Tina Senecal '95, '08 MBA Patricia S. Vieira
Bravo Charlie Delta Josh Backer Cole Hollis Stew Milne Pam Murray Santina Musumeci Aldieri '82 Patrick O'Connor Glenn Osmundson David Silverman
rallying the entire Bulldog community.
Rita Colburn Donna Harris P ’03 Tina Senecal '95, '08 MBA
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34 COLLEGIAL COMMUNITY
26 INNOVATION
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perspectives.
32 BULLDOG PRIDE
22 ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
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PROJEC T COORDINATOR
Leslie Bucci ’77
CL ASS NOTES
Anticipating Disruption to Thrive
1 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
PUBLISHER
Bryant University Office of University Advancement David C. Wegrzyn ’86, Vice President for University Advancement
alumni throughout the world.
38 ACCOMPLISHED ALUMNI
Bryant alumni are making a difference in their fields and in their communities.
44 IN MEMORIAM
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
INSPIRED TO EXCEL At the 156th Bryant Commencement exercises held last month, 890 undergraduate and 125 graduate student members of the Class of 2019 were awarded a Bryant degree that has more value now than at any time in our history. These new alumni are prepared with skills that our next generation of leaders need and ready for the technology-driven world of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. As members of the Class of 2019 moved on to take their next step in life’s journey, we welcomed the incoming Class of 2023 for Orientation. This incoming class was selected from the largest and most highly qualified applicant pool in Bryant history, and has outstanding academic credentials that will allow the new students to benefit from the exceptional educational experience we deliver. More than a decade ago, Bryant launched a bold international strategy that included creation of a school in China. With the hard work and expertise of many,
As you may already know, this spring I announced my intention to retire from my position as Bryant University president after next year’s Commencement. As I shared in my letter to the Board of Trustees that was sent the following day to the Bryant community, it has been such an honor and privilege to serve Bryant for the past 23 years. During that time Kati and I have seen more than 15,000 graduates whose lives were transformed by their Bryant education. We have watched as they have returned for alumni events and are so proud of their professional and personal life accomplishments. Kati and I are extremely grateful. We love this institution, its faculty, staff, and students. As we look to the future, it is simply time to plan for a new chapter in life. After a 49-year career that included the US Navy, the practice of law, service in the US Congress, and now 23 years as president of this great institution, it is time to pause and pass the mantle of leadership to another. I have every confidence that the Board will select an excellent successor who will take the helm after our May 2020 graduation. In this issue of Bryant magazine, we examine the powerful force of disruption. Bryant itself has long been a disruptor in its arena. Our integrated curriculum is game-changing and the entire Bryant experience is
Bryant Zhuhai admitted its first students in 2015. On June 8, our global vision became reality as we awarded 130 students a Bryant University degree. As we look at the relations of China and the US today, there has never been a more important time for this type of collaborative educational effort, where we can learn complex academic concepts, and just as importantly learn to understand one another and appreciate that our futures as individuals and nations are inexorably linked. When we launched our capital campaign, Expanding the World of Opportunity: The Campaign for Bryant’s Bold Future, we had ambitious goals and the conviction that the campaign would be the catalyst to take Bryant to the next level of excellence. Although our campaign has several months still to go, working together we have already exceeded our stretch goal of $100 million. We are now over $103 million and the key resources from this campaign have allowed us to define Bryant’s future and set a new pace and optimism for our programs and students. I encourage you to be part of the life of Bryant University today. Make plans to visit campus and learn more about how you can participate in Bryant’s exciting future and trajectory of excellence. Sincerely,
designed to develop the skills of innovative leaders. Within our community, we have many such leaders who are making a difference in organizations around the world. I hope you will enjoy reading just a few their
Ronald K. Machtley
stories on the pages that follow.
President
ANTICIPATING DISRUPTION TO THRIVE BY PATRICIA S. VIEIRA
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY. NETFLIX. APPLE’S IPHONE. ALL WERE RADICAL INNOVATIONS THAT DISRUPTED THEIR INDUSTRY CATEGORIES, DISPLACED MARKET LEADERS, AND TRANSFORMED CONSUMERS’ EXPERIENCES AND EXPECTATIONS. WHAT WERE ONCE NOVELTY INVENTIONS ATTRACTIVE TO UNDERSERVED CUSTOMERS HAVE BECOME UBIQUITOUS FEATURES OF EVERYDAY LIFE.
ALL ARE EXAMPLES OF DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION.
T
he formal theory of Disruptive Innovation was proposed by Harvard Business School Professor Clayton Christensen ’16H in his groundbreaking book, The Innovator’s Dilemma, published in 1997. He observed that successful companies generally focus on meeting the needs of their best
customers with ever-improving products and services. These “sustaining innovations,” which become increasingly complex and more costly to meet
consumer demand, mark the traditional route to greater profit. But this focus leaves an opening in the bottom of the market for forward thinking entrepreneurs to develop a new version of a product or service for the consumers who are left behind. Because the early innovations often are perceived as inferior, the market leaders ignore or dismiss the new competition – leaving that market wide open for growth and further innovation. The earliest versions of digital photography, for example, produced images that initially were inferior to those captured on film. But a segment of the market, unwilling or unable to pay for high-end camera equipment and intrigued by the elimination of film and its processing, traded imperfections for the convenience of the digital format. The technology improved at lightening speed – upending an industry that traditionally focused on improving the quality of film and
Bryant's state-of-theart Data Visualization Lab, opened May 6, offers fully immersive experiences through 360 video and synthetic digital environments for nearly every course of study.
equipment. Ironically, the digital camera has itself been displaced by cell phone cameras, as new disruptors enter a relentlessly evolving market.
“… S K AT E T O W H E R E T H E P U C K I S G O I N G T O B E …” Innovative disruptors – the individuals who found and lead the thriving companies that challenge and change industries and culture – are a unique breed of thought leaders and entrepreneurs. The late Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, famously summed up a key characteristic at the unveiling of the first iPhone in 2007. “There’s an old Wayne Gretzky quote that I love,” he said. “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been.’ And we’ve always tried to do that at Apple.” B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
3
DISRUPTORS: TENACIOUS, CONTRARIAN COMMUNICATORS Among the ranks of innovative disruptors are numerous Bryant University alumni who are fighting the status quo in many industry sectors. One is Ian Morris ’90, Co-Founder and CEO of Seattle-based Likewise, Inc., a new recommendations service funded by Bill Gates that reimagines how users discover, organize, and share recommendations for their favorite books, movies, TV shows, restaurants, and places. Morris founded Likewise with the belief that today’s incumbents, which provide crowd-sourced ratings from anonymous strangers can’t possibly be the best way to get great recommendations. In a world overrun with aggregated ratings from strangers, fake personas, and filled with negative commentary, Likewise distinguishes itself by providing an always positive environment, focused on things people love rather than those to avoid. “We’re about providing personalized and authentic recommendations from the people, influencers, and brands you know and trust, all delivered in a positive environment,” explains Morris. This isn’t Morris’s first foray into challenging the status quo. As the CEO of Market Leader for more than a decade, Morris disrupted two different
aspects of the real estate industry. The company was the first to use the Internet to generate leads for real estate professionals at scale, and then later, built the industry’s first endto-end Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform. In both cases, Market Leader disrupted existing value chains and as a result met with resistance both from competitors and many of those who would become the company’s most loyal customers. He’s also been a strategic advisor to a number of SaaS providers who are innovating in other industries. Morris cites Netflix and LinkedIn as two examples of disruptive innovation. Universally recognized for its role in the demise of the Blockbuster video rental empire – Netflix is in the unique position of being a disruptive innovator that has subsequently disrupted itself, he says. The company has successfully navigated the competitive shift from a DVD subscription service, to online streaming, to creating original content for its customers. Morris also points to LinkedIn as a company that has gone from enabling professionals to post profiles online, to one that is disrupting corporate communications, recruiting, and customer relationship management,
leading to the company’s acquisition by Microsoft for $26 billion. “Everything a user needs resides in one place, stored in a free, cloudbased personal CRM tool,” he explains. “With easy access to prospects and customers, the platform is even a threat to email communications.” Through his experiences, Morris has distilled the qualities of a disruptive innovator into a few vital attributes.
“You need to be tenacious,” he insists, because most often, everything is pushing back against you.” He also thinks that being a contrarian is an underrated quality. “You really need to be willing to come at something very differently and to be ready to hear people tell you why what you’re doing isn’t going to work.” Finally, he adds, “you need the passion and communication skills to sell your vision because you need to find employees, partners, and eventually customers, who believe in the same vision and want to join you for the ride. Otherwise you’re just talking to yourself.”
“YOU NEED THE PASSION AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS to sell your vision because you need to find employees, partners, and eventually customers, who believe in the same vision and want to join you for the ride. Otherwise you’re just talking to yourself.” Ian Morris ’90 Co-founder and CEO of Seattle-based Likewise, Inc.
4
A NT I CIPAT IN G DISRU PTION TO TH R IVE
“TECHNOLOGY CHANGES YOUR BUSINESS FASTER AND FASTER EVERY DAY. You really need to be aware of what’s going on around you and have the flexibility to change fast.” Mario Hernández ‘97 MBA Founder and CEO of IMPESA
DISRUPTORS: LASER-FOCUSED AND EXTERNALLY AWARE A decade after Christensen’s theory
system fully customizes the credit
demand focus because at some point
was published, Mario Hernández ’97
card experience. This enables corporate
you might need to change direction
MBA sat in his class as a student in
card holders to set specific parameters
or you will miss an opportunity,” he
the Advanced Management Program
for card use and monitor transactions.
says. “It takes dedication and you
at Harvard Business School. He recalls
need to travel and learn what’s going
the professor’s instruction to “leap
on
instead of going in a straight line in terms of how you look forward and even change your business model.” After more than 20 years in banking, Hernández founded and leads IMPESA, a company that is revolutionizing the electronic
payments
industry.
Its
inaugural product, Monibyte, is a cloud-based
corporate
payments
“Our mission is to help financial institutions compete with technology companies that are faster to market. We see ourselves as a technology enabler,” explains Hernández.
platform that has processed millions of international transactions.
resonates with the company’s CEO. “Now that I’m on the other side, it’s even clearer,” explains Hernández. “There are so many changes banks can’t make because of their legacy systems. A bank takes two years to create
a
new
product.
We
can
introduce and implement one in two to three months.” Unlike other companies that are disrupting payment systems with wallet
apps
for
smart
phones,
Monibyte has a different but no less innovative – mission. Its proprietary
you
because
that’s
That
external
awareness
leads
Hernández to see blockchain – the digital technology developed to track Bitcoin
cryptocurrency
–
as
a
massively disrupting “game changer” for multiple industries. “Blockchain ledgers tell you exactly where a particular asset is located – where it travels, where it is now, and how it
IMPESA has an impressive record of
That early advice from Christensen
around
changing every single day.”
changes hands. The technology can be
employee retention and Hernández
used on virtually every single thing
believes creating that environment is
you can think of – for more secure
essential for innovative companies to
wire transfers, logistics, accounting,
flourish. “In five years, we’ve had
health care, almost anything.”
zero rotation,” he notes. “As a leader you need to understand that your staff is
extremely
important.
Everyone
needs to be very well trained in world class technology and you need to be on top of everything that’s going on.” Hernández
also
emphasizes
the
For Hernández, blockchain is an environmental factor he needs to be aware of while IMPESA focuses on its mission and waits for the technology to mature. His key question for any innovation:
Does
it
add
value?
“Technology changes your business
importance of developing a balance
faster and faster every day. Our business
between being “laser focused” on the
can be disrupted in just one year,” he
company mission while also paying
acknowledges. “You really need to be
attention to the industry environment.
aware of what’s going on around you
“There
are
so
many
things
that
and have the flexibility to change fast.” B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
5
DATA –
IT’S EVERYWHERE! IT’S EVERYWHERE!
David Fusari ’89 Former Chief Technology Officer TriNetX
BY MARIA CALIRI
Janvi Nerurkar ’14 Data Analyst II Marsh & McLennan Agency
Matt Los Kamp ’13 Senior Data Scientist and Team Leader Dell Technologies
BUT, WHY? The answers to that question are as varied as the bits of data themselves. In some cases, the benefits are fairly evident. Join the local supermarket’s loyalty program and receive personalized discount offers on popular brands. Subscribe to Netflix, and it will send suggestions of the next movie you should watch. Add your business card to a fishbowl at a favorite restaurant for a chance to win a free lunch or dinner. To an average consumer, these are clear-cut examples of how sharing data provides benefits. And to the companies utilizing big data, they are illustrations of how it helps them retain and deepen existing customer relationships and develop new ones. Yet, these simple, everyday uses of data merely scratch the surface of how the increasing volume of data—both structured (e.g., customers’ mailing addresses) and unstructured (e.g., social media streams)—impacts our lives. More often than not, we are unaware of how much is collected, how it is collected, and how it is used. Certainly, news reports about massive data breaches and misuses catch our full attention. While stories about lax data privacy policies at Facebook and data leaks at Marriott Internationals’ Starwood Hotels are in the headlines, we maintain a heightened awareness of the power of data and begin to wonder if we should delete all of our social network profiles. When the hype dissipates, however, we return to posting to Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and SnapChat freely, filling out customer experience surveys for retailers we frequent and entering our interests and exercise and sleeping habits into our fitness apps. On the receiving end of all of this information are companies and organizations that understand the importance of data. Indeed, the value of data cannot be underestimated. The Economist regards data as the world’s most valuable resource—even more so than oil. While the latter heats homes and is a critical element to a wide variety of products, including medicines, it cannot, like data, help companies achieve specific business objectives—goals that are not as obvious as encouraging return visits to a grocery store, and—maybe—even a bit surprising. B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
7
DATA—A STRATEGIC ASSET Companies with a data-driven culture handle data with the same level of respect and regard they give to more commonly thought of assets, such as trade secrets and equipment, in order to ensure the information delivers value. As such, they entrust data scientists to work with company leadership to develop and execute an enterprisewide analytics strategy that aligns with the companies’ overarching goals. Defining a plan is critical; without a roadmap, companies can fall victim to what is known as the “big data buzz”—collecting as much data as possible without a clear understanding of its quality or how to use it. John Gillooly ’07, Managing Director, Data Analytics at Athena Global Advisors, is committed to helping clients avoid those pitfalls. A strategic consultant focused on assisting stakeholders make use of data-driven insights, Gillooly emphasizes the importance of focusing on goals. “My first order of business is to figure out what my clients’ objectives are,” says Gillooly. “They may have a broad concept of what they want, but I have to dig deeper because the data they ask for is not necessarily what they need.”
“ONCE GOALS ARE DEFINED, we can then start talking about the data needed to support the goals…” John Gillooly ’07 Managing Director, Data Analytics Athena Global Advisors
“Once the goals are defined, we can then start talking about the data needed to support the goals, the data collection methods and how the data will be used.” With strategies in place, it also incumbent upon data professionals to determine data quality, maintain data hygiene and sort it properly. Data can only become a working asset if it is error-free and arranged in a meaningful order. These are challenging tasks for both in-house and outsourced data teams given the inconsistencies in large data sets and the increasing amount of new data created—especially in ever-changing industries. A Bryant alumnus with first-hand knowledge of the complexities involved in carrying out these responsibilities is David Fusari ’89, former Chief Technology Officer at TriNetX. The Cambridge, Mass.-based firm combines longitudinal clinical data—data derived from repeated observations of the same populations over a period of time— with state-of-the-art analytics on a self-service platform. “One of the biggest challenges is making the data usable,” says Fusari. “Patient records from hospitals and other health care organizations often contain only one small, valuable element. I saw records referencing pregnant males or bizarre dates of birth. The general rule is to exclude that data. “Medical coding and the rapid rollout of new drugs further complicate the process of curating the data. ICD codes (International Classification of Diseases) change all the time, so normalizing the data is a constant.” TriNetX also uses natural language processing (NLP) to optimize the value it receives. For example, electronic medical records contain structured data, like the ICD codes, as well as unstructured data, such as written clinical notes. Using
David Fusari ’89 Former Chief Technology Officer, TriNetX
NLP allows TriNetX to extract data elements, such as tumor sizes and
(pictured above)
characteristics, from this text, map them to standard clinical terms and make them available to researchers. 8
“ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS IS MAKING THE DATA USABLE.”
DA T A– IT'S EVERYWHER E! IT'S EVER YWH ER E!
DATA—A COLLECTIVE FORCE FOR GOOD Data—thoughtfully organized and cared-for—as it is at TriNetX, then provides organizations with opportunities to meet their goals that were seemingly unattainable prior to the data revolution. As an illustration, Fusari discussed the problems pharmaceutical companies had in identifying patients who qualified for clinical trials. “Bringing a drug to market takes many years and costs about $2 billion to $3 billion with a large percentage of that spent [on R&D] before the drug is even tested on a human. All too often, the pharmaceutical companies would receive the FDA approval to move forward with clinical trials only to determine that there is a lack of patients who qualify for the trial.” TriNetX helps mitigate this costly dilemma with its analytics platform that gives its customers access to tens of millions of anonymized patient records. Having on-demand access to this volume of clinical and claims data—representing more than 300 million patients—enables pharma companies to identify clinical trial sites more easily. Other users of the TriNetX platform include clinical researchers working either for one hospital or collaboratively with peers across a healthcare network that shares data with the company. Researchers looking to identify more effective treatments for specific diseases or who are analyzing trends among specific patient populations can perform observational studies in real-time. Identifying trends through claims data is also of particular importance to U.S. employers that want a deeper understanding of their employees’ well-being. Using claims data analysis that insurers provide, companies utilize the information to make data-driven decisions about a host of issues, such as wellness programs, health benefit plans and ergonomically correct work environments. Among the many analysts sifting through these immense data sets is Janvi Nerurkar ’14, Data Analyst II at Marsh & McLennan Agency, the ninth largest insurance broker in the United States. Part of the Planning & Analytics for Total Health (PATH) Department, Nerurkar aggregates and evaluates [HIPAA-compliant] insurance claims data to provide employers with a “health snapshot” of its workforce. “Employers want to know what’s going on in their population,” says Nerurkar. “An analysis can indicate a prevalence of specific health issues like diabetes or smoking-related problems. In cases like these, the carriers often encourage employers to promote insurerprovided services like smoking cessation programs. If the carriers don’t have such programs in place, then our health management consultants can recommend vendors.” Marsh analysts also compare the findings of peer companies of similar size in the same industry. By generating this benchmarking data, Marsh provides its clients with many benefits, including the ability to identify common claim types within their industry and the opportunity to develop practices that prevent the occurrence of those claims.
“EMPLOYERS WHAT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON in their population.” Janvi Nerurkar ’14 Data Analyst II Marsh & McLennan Agency (pictured above)
B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
9
DATA—A SALES PROPELLER Just as TriNetX and Marsh & McLellan are sorting and analyzing data for organizations other than themselves, a broad spectrum of companies is engaging with big data to drive their business forward—generate more revenue, increase profits, and gain a stronger foothold in their respective markets. John Gillooly of Athena Global Advisors described how Timberland, the outdoor
Timberland, the outdoor shoe
shoe and apparel company, collected data (unbeknownst to its customers) from
and apparel company,
social conversations and used it to refine its marketing practices and, ultimately, strengthen its brand equity. “Say Timberland in the U.S., and outdoor activities, like hiking, immediately come to mind,” says Gillooly. “Yet, conversations on social media centered around how cool Beyoncé and Jay-Z look in their Timberlands. The brand name was frequently mentioned on hip-hop blogs and other online forums. Other discussions revealed that in Europe, Timberland is fashionable.”
COLLECTED DATA FROM SOCIAL CONVERSATIONS AND USED IT TO REFINE ITS MARKETING PRACTICES and, ultimately, strengthen its brand equity.
These conversations, coupled with a multi-year customer study, prompted Timberland to shift its marketing and merchandising strategies within the last five years. While its products are still popular with outdoor enthusiasts, Timberland boots and apparel can be found not only at REI but also at Macy’s and Nordstrom. The changes have proven to be successful. Timberland is ranked among VF Corporation’s top five brands. (VF Corporation owns the Timberland brand.) Timberland’s transition to a more fashion-forward company was made possible with voice of customer data; people were openly sharing their experiences with and expectations of the brand in very public forums. In a B2B environment, however, it’s a different story. Given that the powers that be at Fortune 500 companies aren’t tweeting about their purchasing practices or intentions, predicting the probablility of sales pipeline conversion becomes an exercise in data analytics. Heading such an exercise at Dell Technologies is Senior Data Scientist and Team Leader Matt Los Kamp ’13. Using the Pipeline Health Index (PHI), an in-house developed analytics model, he and a team of analysts assess sales pipeline risks based on various data elements. “We look at hundreds of thousands of open deals and identify which may fall through,” says Los Kamp. “Our predictive model considers many factors, such as the company’s annual revenues and its purchasing history with Dell. Each deal receives a PHI score; all assessments are shared with sales and finance executives across the enterprise.” In addition to helping the sales teams close their deals, the data analyses are also contributing to their ability to sell more effectively. By revealing commonalities among high-risk deals, the analytics provide the sales force with the opportunity to identify and mitigate those risks early on in the sales cycle.
“WE LOOK AT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OPEN DEALS and identify which may fall through.” Matt Los Kamp ’13 Senior Data Scientist and Team Leader Dell Technologies (pictured above)
10
DA T A– IT'S EVERYWHER E! IT'S EVER YWH ER E!
DATA—THE ULTIMATE MULTI-TASKER Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, once said, “Data is a precious thing.” Truer words were never spoken. The proliferation of data, as discussed on these pages, can help companies remain competitive, drive medical advances and improve indiduals’ well-being. It is difficult to think of any other tool that provides as much meaningful information for making better decisions. Certainly, there are drawbacks associated with data. When it’s misused and misinterpreted, consumer privacy is compromised, and decisions are made based on unsubstantiated facts. For these reasons, it’s best to remember what Kate Crawford, Co-Founder of the AI Now Institute at New York University, is fond of saying, “With big data comes big responsibilities.”
“WITH BIG DATA COMES BIG RESPONSIBILITIES.” Kate Crawford Co-Founder of the AI Now Institute at New York University
(Left) Bryant’s new Data Visualization Lab provides students with a window to another world. Equipped with state-of-the-art virtual reality and visualization technology, the lab, made possible through a generous gift from HP, will help prepare the next generation of leaders to take their place at the forefront of a technology-driven future. Offering fully-immersive experiences through 360-degree video and synthetic digital environments, the lab presents a range of new and vital opportunities for nearly every course of study. The lab’s diverse applications range from examining human anatomy and chemical structure in a three-dimensional space, to evaluating complex, high-dimensional data sets, to exploring digital storytelling and public speaking and sales training scenarios. It's also equipped with tools for students and faculty to create customized virtual learning spaces.
“OUR NEW DATA VISUALIZATION LAB WILL ENHANCE LEARNING FOR ALL OF BRYANT’S STUDENTS —and we are only beginning to imagine the myriad ways that we can use this technology in our College of Business, our College of Arts and Sciences, and our Physician Assistant program. The possibilities are as exciting as they are numerous.” Glenn Sulmasy, JD, LLM, P’22, P’23 Provost and Chief Academic Officer
B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
11
INNOVATIVE DISRUPTION starts early
AT BRYANT
AMONG THE CHALLENGES ALL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE UNITED STATES FACE IS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH THE TOOLS TO TACKLE ISSUES IN INDUSTRIES THAT ARE EVOLVING SO QUICKLY, THEY MIGHT NOT EVEN EXIST YET. BRYANT HAS BEEN CULTIVATING IMAGINATIVE LEADERS WHO HAVE THE ABILITY TO THINK INNOVATIVELY ON THEIR FEET SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1863. WHAT DIFFERENTIATES THIS SMALL, PRIVATE UNIVERSITY?
A
t Bryant, faculty research, publish, and teach on their own schedule, not a predefined mandate, allowing the instructors the freedom to pursue projects that are relevant and that they’re passionate about. Through the Faculty Innovation Grant program, now in its eighth
Cultivating A Disruptor’s Habits Of Mind
year, the University invests in the development of creative and innovative pedagogies designed to effectively prepare students for the world and the
Associate Professor of Psychology Allison
workplaces they will encounter when they graduate – which may be vastly
Butler, Ph.D., serves as director of the
different from when they entered college.
Bryant IDEA program, a signature aspect
“We are fostering a culture of innovation at Bryant,” says Provost and Chief Academic Officer Glenn Sulmasy, J.D., LL.M., P’22. “These grants encourage
of a Bryant education that builds critical skills
for
future
industry
disruptors:
thinking like a design thinker, embracing
faculty to be creative, test new ideas, and discover the most effective ways to
critical feedback, being collaborative, and
teach students how to think critically and solve the most complex problems.”
being excellent and confident in visual
One differentiating factor at Bryant is the faculty who possess industry experience and an unbridled and infectious enthusiasm for their areas of expertise. Small class sizes mean that students and faculty get to know each other, allowing for impactful collaborations that have not infrequently led to undergraduate students presenting at national and even international conferences as early as their first year. This willingness and ability of Bryant’s faculty to challenge students in how they think and contribute to problem solving is integral to the University’s distinct academic approach. These disruptions, and disruptors, are continually referenced by students and alumni as life changing and career defining. In every discipline – from business to biology – faculty who awaken the curiosity of students are
and verbal communication skills. Bryant’s IDEA program, which completed its seventh year in January, is based on the theory that the design thinking approach can generate disruptive breakthroughs. “As an educational and developmental psychologist,
I’m
passionate
about
understanding human learning,” Butler says. “What drew me to the study of design thinking is the connection
at the heart of that Bryant culture. Among those often-named educators is
between learning to think like a design
Dirk Primus, Ph.D., a seven-year Management faculty member.
thinker and how that helps cultivate
Primus, an assistant professor of management and two-time recipient of the
successful academically as well as in the
Bryant Outstanding Faculty Award, says that disrupting the way people think about problems can be accomplished with well-planned techniques.
“Too often, people think of creative thinking or design thinking as a group brainstorm that requires no preparation,” says the Faculty Innovation Grant recipient. “Nothing could be further from the true concept of design thinking.” The typical buzzwords around thinking – creative, design, and disruptive – may seem unattainable to people who consider themselves more analytical than artistic, but especially at the beginning of a problem-solving process, it’s not necessarily about creating an “a-ha” moment. There is a method to this madness of thinking like a designer, says Primus. “Properly framing the problem is first
and foremost. Participants can’t employ the creative method if they don’t truly
habits of mind that train people to be workplace. Thinking like a design thinker leads to higher self-efficacy for creativity and higher self-efficacy for design.” Butler notes that “as a university that really values the intersection of business skills and arts and sciences skills, it's a natural fit for Bryant to be teaching the design thinking process. All one has to do is look to the headlines to see examples of design thinking in the arts, in the sciences, and in business.”
understand the issue at hand.” B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
13
SCIENCE BEHIND THE IDEA Studies outline a science behind the idea of creative thinking. With 12 years of experience working as an engineer and manager in the life sciences and biopharmaceutical industries before embarking on a career as a college professor, Primus is more than qualified to speak to scientific methods. Numerous
empirical
studies
find
that cross-functional teams perform better and produce more imaginative results than individuals. This is why Bryant’s classes often organize into teams for projects. Management sociologists,
scientists, and
applied
organizational
psychologists have contributed more than 5,000 publications on the topics
of organizational innovation to a
Among those studies of team climate
robust body of research, and at the
is one by Primus and his colleague
top of the list is the team climate that
Crystal X. Jiang, Ph.D., Associate
most often leads to success.
Professor of Management.
“That first gathering of the team is what we focused on because prior observations show that the initiation is what’s most important in an innovation context. It can set the tone and direction for the first half of the team’s tenure, so it’s crucial to ensure that it’s a positive first meeting.” CRYSTAL X. JIANG, PH.D, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT
THE HORSEPOWER OF CREATIVITY You don’t have to be an artist to think like one. “Absolutely anyone can use creative methods to improve their work,” says Primus. “Not everyone was born with the same horsepower of creativity – there are only a handful of Michelangelos and Beethovens, even if given all the tools, nurturing, and encouragement early on. But then again, few of us maximize the horsepower we have. We can awaken creativity,
and
studies
of
brain
activity have proven this.” One of the positive outcomes of tapping into this well of creativity is that it feels good. “Beethoven wasn’t thinking about sustaining his competitive advantage when he wrote his symphonies. Engaging your 14
I N NO VATIV E DISRU PTION STAR TS EAR LY AT BR YANT
hands to write, play an instrument, sculpt a statue, and other such endeavors while also engaging your creativity does something positive to our neurochemistry.” Primus is one of only about 50 people in the United States who is a certified facilitator of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP), which is exactly what it sounds like – “playing” with LEGOs to stimulate out-of-the-box problem solving. As a team facilitator, he says, it’s important to know your role. It begins with some creativity warmup exercises to get them going.
“A warm-up is critical to getting the most out of the participants and for the participants to get the most out of the process,” he says. “Even the best trained athlete wouldn’t just roll out of bed and run a marathon.” DIRK PRIMUS, PH.D, MANAGEMENT FACULTY MEMBER
NURTURING DISRUPTION It is in this way that “disruptive
A
thinking” is nurtured at Bryant. In
involves
designerly
approach
multiple
both
Kelsey Gainor ’17, ’20 MBA “Before Professor Primus’s class, my thought
their freshman year, students are
analytical
thinking.
processes were very linear. Professor
Primus continues, “Architects such
Primus helped me understand that
Design Experience for All, an intense,
as Frank Gehry have to understand
strategy, innovation, and business
three-day
structure,
decisions don't follow a standard
experience
creative
usually of
introduced to IDEA – Innovation immersion
and
cycles
foundations,
materials,
that introduces the culture of design
aesthetics, and more to perform
blueprint,” she says. “He challenged,
thinking.
effectively as well as beautifully.
encouraged,
Michelangelo
see more possibilities. As a woman
Primus takes this idea further in his classes.
“Design
thinking
fosters
creativity, but not all design thinking is a creative process. What I teach is a methodology and a process,” he says. “When I first tell my classes or the businesses I consult what we’re going to do, I’m met with skepticism by some and fatigue by others.” This fatigue, says Primus, is brought about by overuse. “Not every problem requires creative or design thinking. When
you
have
linear
problems,
analytical skills are usually fine to solve them. You should consider design thinking when you have messy, complex, so-called wicked problems.
had
to
understand
and
inspired
me
to
“Professor Primus helped me understand that strategy, innovation and business decisions don't follow a standard blueprint. He challenged, encouraged, and inspired me to see more possibilities.” KELSEY GAINOR ’17, ‘20 MBA the medium he was working with and what tools to use to shape the final product. There’s a science of creativity, and we can use some of the methodology of the greatest artists of all time to create a better product, service, or experience.”
working in the male-dominated fitness industry, I feel substantially more confident in my abilities and do speak up to offer ideas that will benefit my team and company. I know the lessons I learned from Professor Primus will be invaluable as I progress in my career.” By Tina Senecal ’96, ’08 MBA, a freelance writer in South Carolina. B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
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BUILDING ON
STRATEGIC EXPANSION OF DATA SCIENCE PROGRAMS SHANAHAN APPOINTED INAUGURAL JOHN ’01H AND JEANNE ROWE PROFESSOR OF DATA SCIENCE James “Jimi” Shanahan, Ph.D., has been appointed as the inaugural John ′01H and Jeanne Rowe Professor of Data Science, effective this summer. Shanahan brings 30 years of leading-edge entrepreneurship, data science expertise, and academic accomplishment to the new role, supporting Bryant’s strategic expansion of academic programs in Data Science, one of the nation’s fastest growing sectors with skilled graduates in high demand.
the development of algorithmic functions, and data analytics - all of which will be critical to progress in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” John Rowe adds, “Jeanne and I have been delighted to help Bryant University because it does so much to help young
The University curriculum, with its unique integration of business and liberal arts, will expand to include data literacy for all students. Bryant launched an innovative undergraduate program in Data Science in fall 2017, and going forward plans to add graduate programs, including an online Master of Science in Data Science program. “If one looks to the future impact of rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, block chain, the ‘internet of things,’ and other emerging technologies, it is clear that higher education must take the lead in preparing graduates for the many challenges and opportunities these developments will create,” says Bryant University President Ronald K. Machtley. “Bryant’s new Data Science programs will be interdisciplinary and will ensure that all of our graduates, regardless of their majors, possess the essential literacy required to understand how this emerging field can add value in a wide range of applications. Students who major in our Data Science program will develop fluency in such disciplines as coding,
16
B U I LDIN G O N ST RAT EGIC EXPA NSION OF DA TA SCIENCE PR O G R AMS
people acquire the skills that make them productive in today’s ever changing society. We are especially pleased that Bryant’s first Rowe Professor, Dr. James Shanahan, is expert in the rapidly moving fields of big data and artificial intelligence. Sorting the real from the fantastic in these areas will be a vital part of tomorrow’s education.”
CAPITALIZING ON THE BEST OF DATA SCIENCE AND BUSINESS Throughout his career, Shanahan has split his time between industry and academia, gaining vast experience developing cutting-edge information management systems that harness deep learning, statistical machine learning, and information retrieval in domains such as web search, ecommerce, retail, computational advertising, and security. He served most recently as a founding faculty member of the Master’s in Data Science programs at the University of California, Berkeley, and Indiana University and has also held visiting positions at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Rutgers University, and Syracuse University. According to University Provost and Chief Academic Officer Glenn Sulmasy, JD, LLM, P ’22, P’23, “The Bryant Data Science initiative is interdisciplinary in nature, including a rich experiential component, and aligns perfectly with Bryant’s strengths and innovative culture. The addition of Jimi Shanahan to our outstanding faculty will help advance the program and prepare our students, both intellectually and practically, for the surge in marketplace demand for skilled data scientists and analysts.” College of Business Dean Madan Annavarjula, Ph.D., sees Shanahan’s appointment as an important investment and opportunity. “Our undergraduate Data Science program is rapidly evolving as one of the most distinguished in the country. And, we will be giving all of our students a competitive advantage by adding competency in Data Science to our integration of Business and the Arts and Sciences.”
“I’m honored to be joining the Bryant University faculty,” says Shanahan. “The workforce of the future will require constant upskilling, and employee digital dexterity will outweigh tenure and experience. Bryant recognizes this and is well-positioned to prepare its students with the technical and critical thinking skills needed to successfully compete in the digital marketplace.” JAMES “JIMI” SHANAHAN, PH.D.
Inaugural John ‘01H and Jeanne Rowe Professor of Data Science
cameras. He has also served as SVP of Data Science and Chief Scientist at NativeX in San Francisco, a mobile ad network acquired by MobVista and has held positions at Adobe Research, Turn Inc., Xerox Research, Mitsubishi Research, and Clairvoyance Corp. He’s been part of 20 U.S. patent filings at Xerox, AT&T, Just Systems, and InferSystems. A prolific scholar, Shanahan has published eight books, including Soft Computing for Knowledge Discovery: Introducing Cartesian Granule Features, considered one of the seminal texts for advanced undergraduates, professionals, and researchers in computer science. His latest book is Machine Learning at Scale. He has published more than 45 peerreviewed articles in prestigious publications such as the Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems; seven book chapters including “Digital Advertising: an information science perspective” in the textbook Advanced Topics in Information Retrieval; and scores of conference papers. Shanahan is a sought-after expert speaker at conferences, businesses, and universities around the world. Shanahan completed his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at University of Limerick in Ireland, and earned his Ph.D. in Engineering and Mathematics at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. He is an EU Marie Curie Fellow, and in 2011, was selected as a member of the Silicon Valley 50 (Top 50 Irish Americans in Technology).
THE JOHN ’01H AND JEANNE ROWE PROFESSORSHIP IN DATA SCIENCE The Rowe Professor of Data Science post is made possible through the leadership philanthropy of John Rowe ’01H and his wife Jeanne. The couple share a deep commitment to education that has motivated them to endow eight professorships in the arts and sciences at universities and research institutes and to establish two urban charter schools in Chicago. “The Rowe’s leadership philanthropy takes our Data Science program, a strategic priority that enhances our students’ success in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, to the next level,” says University President Ronald K. Machtley. Bryant’s Data Science program integrates statistics, applied
SCHOLAR, ENTREPRENEUR, AND BUSINESS LEADER An accomplished entrepreneur and business leader, Shanahan has co-founded companies that leverage AI, machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision in areas such as digital advertising, web search, and smart
analytics, information technology, machine learning, and big data processing and includes projects, internships, and employment that provide real-world experience across the spectrum of business, nonprofit, health care, and sports industries. In addition to a Bachelor of Science in Data Science,
students
earn
a SAS/Bryant
Certificate
in
analytics, the industry standard for data mining and analytics software. B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
17
PHILANTHROPY
Bryant Capital Campaign at $103 Million and Climbing With six months left until our historic capital
wealth of downloadable presentations. While you’re on the site you
the campaign has exceeded both its original
can also find classmates, post a class note to let others know what
goal of $75 million and our stretch goal of
you’re up to, update your contact information, and create a
$100 million. The campaign has generated
personalized account with AlumniFire, an online mentoring tool
unprecedented philanthropy and the
that connects you with others who are interested in your career
positive impact on every facet of the
path, your field, or your organization.
University has already been transformational, but we know we can do more.
David C. Wegrzyn '86,
Vice President for University Advancement
alumniconnect.bryant.edu, you can view past webinars and access a
campaign concludes on December 31, 2019,
Working together, we have achieved so much during this recordbreaking campaign. But we know we can do even more if we
The impact of $21.5 million in scholarships
have your support. Every gift counts, no matter the amount.
resources has been tremendous, and has
Are you with us?
helped to put a Bryant education within reach of highly motivated students who
will benefit from it the most. Contributions of $18 million have been raised for Bryant’s outstanding academic programs, and are allowing us to expand our goals for even greater academic excellence. $15.5 million in generous gifts for facilities has allowed us to realize President Machtley’s vision for a campus environment that inspires
$103 million surpassing stretch goal
excellence in every endeavor. More than $20 million has been raised to date for the Bryant Fund, providing flexible, unrestricted gifts to vital areas where they are needed most and go to work immediately. The Bryant Fund is the lifeblood of the University, and we need your active participation. When you hear from the Bryant Fund it might be from one of our student phonathon callers, or through the mail, by way of an email and video we send, or through a post on social media. No matter how we reach you, I hope you will consider making a gift today, at the most generous amount you can, to show your support for Bryant’s bold vision and incredible progress. In addition to making a gift, there are many ways you can express your support for Bryant and engage with the University. Our Alumni and Parent Engagement team provides access to vibrant programming offered on campus, at key locations across the country and around the world, and through convenient careerfocused online webinars that provide helpful resources for any stage of in your career. Through our alumni website,
18
PH I L AN T HRO PY
$75 million original goal
Scholarships transform lives and demonstrate belief in the potential to make a difference in the world When you increase access to the transformative experience a Bryant education provides, you change the lives of students forever and create a lasting legacy. Donors to Bryant’s capital campaign have already contributed more than $21.5 million in new scholarship resources. More than 100 new annual and endowed scholarship have been established, yet financial aid is consistently cited as one of the most significant barriers in the decision to enroll.
“People are really affected by scholarship donations. It changes their lives and relieves stress that you can’t put into words.” VICTORIA NEWBILL ‘20
With its demonstrated commitment to
Endowed and annual scholarships make
$100,000 gift typically generates a $5,000
academic excellence, a rising national
Bryant a reality for students who might
scholarship in the first year. This amount will grow as the value of the fund increases.
reputation, and academic programs that are
otherwise be unable to attend. The
consistently ranked among the best in the
participation of our powerful network of
country, Bryant is a first-choice education
alumni, parents, and friends is vital to
investment for many prospective students
increasing access to a Bryant education.
Annual scholarships, including Bryant Partners in Scholarship grants of $5,000, provide deserving applicants with access to Bryant’s
and their families. Each year the University attracts record numbers of talented and
Support from an endowed scholarship is
world-class education while reducing
diverse applicants from across the country
available each year in perpetuity, ensuring a
student loan debt. Annual scholarships go
and around the world, yet many of the best
steady source of annual revenue for a
to work immediately and are a crucial part
students cannot afford the exceptional
competitive aid package that will help to
of Bryant’s financial aid program. A
make Bryant the first choice of a top
commitment of $5,000 or more per year for
student. Endowed scholarship funds begin
three years will support a student/s during
Although the University provides significant
at $50,000 and may be directed to a specific
their sophomore, junior, and senior years.
funding for financial aid and works to keep
area of study or interest that is particularly
Partners in Scholarship donors establish a
tuition at competitive levels, a Bryant
meaningful to the donor. Gifts are invested
named annual scholarship, building a
education can be out of reach for many
with the University endowment, allowing
lasting connection between the donor and
top students.
for an average of five percent each year to
scholarship recipient. They receive an
be applied to scholarships. For example, a
annual report and direct communication
education Bryant offers.
96%
of students qualify for institutional merit- and/or need-based financial aid
In 2019, Bryant awarded
236
need-based endowed scholarships totaling more than $1.4M
from the student beneficiary.
Bryant needs
YOUR HELP
to create scholarship funds for talented students with academic merit financial need diverse backgrounds
“My time at Bryant has been an experience I will never forget. I made friendships that will last a lifetime. My scholarship has been extremely important to me and has opened my eyes to the power of philanthropy within the Bryant community.” CONNOR NOLAN ‘19 RECIPIENT OF THE LILY AND J. STEVEN COWEN PARTNERS IN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
For more information about creating opportunity for Bryant students through a gift to scholarships, please contact our Development office at giving@bryant.edu, (877) 353-5667. B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
19
Data Visualization Lab provides a new way to look at the world today.”, says Todd Gustafson ’86, President, HP Federal LLC, Vice President, HP US Public Sector, at the new lab’s grand opening held May 6, 2019. “It’s an opportunity to look at information in a way you never have before, it adds so much to our education,” agrees Data Science major Brittany Gouws ’22. “Plus,” she adds, “it’s really fun to use.”
Cross-disciplinary collaborations English and Cultural Studies Lecturer Ryan At the May 6 opening of Bryant’s data Visualization Lab, made possible by an equipment donation from HP, Todd Gustafson ’86 and colleagues joined members of Bryant’s executive leadership team for a discussion regarding the many opportunities the lab provides for students.
Marnane’s Introduction to Literary Studies class, among the first to take advantage of the new lab, used it to explore how conventional as well as emerging
Bryant University’s new Data Visualization
our College of Arts and Sciences, and our
narrative forms and mediums impact
Lab, made possible through a generous gift
Physician Assistant program,” says Provost
audience experience and understanding of
from HP, will help prepare the next
and Chief Academic Officer Glenn Sulmasy,
information differently. “What’s most
generation of leaders to take their place at
JD, LLM, P’22, P’23. “The possibilities are
promising about the Data Visualization Lab
the forefront of a technology-driven future.
as exciting as they are numerous.”
is the possible cross-disciplinary
Offering fully-immersive experiences through 360-degree video and synthetic
“My hope is that this Data Visualization Laboratory becomes the next ‘HP garage’
digital environments, the Data Visualization
where someone designs or builds
Lab, located within the George E. Bello
something none of us can even imagine
Center, presents a range of opportunities
to create customized virtual learning spaces. “Our new Data Visualization Lab will enhance learning for all of Bryant’s students, and we are only beginning to imagine the myriad ways that we can use this technology in our College of Business,
“The founders of HP, Bill Hewlett and David Packard, always talked about giving people the tools to be successful, and then stepping away to watch what happens. Now we’re giving Bryant students the tools to go see what they can do.” TODD GUSTAFSON ’86 PRESIDENT, HP FEDERAL LLC, VICE PRESIDENT, HP US PUBLIC SECTOR
20
PH I L AN T HRO PY
alike,” says Marnane. “The lab provides the Bryant community with a novel means of actualizing and advancing the peculiar promise of an interdisciplinary education, building innovative and
for nearly every course of study. It’s also equipped with tools for students and faculty
collaborations for students and faculty
ESTABLISHED THROUGH A GRANT OF EQUIPMENT FROM HP AS PART OF ITS EDUCAUSE-HP CAMPUS OF THE FUTURE INITIATIVE, THE NEW LAB FEATURES: • Windows Mixed Reality headsets and controllers • Five HP Z-series graphics workstations • Two HP Z VR Backpack workstations • A 2×3 array of high-resolution, wall mounted digital displays • High-resolution, 360 degree cameras for field use
necessary bridges between various STEM, humanities, and business fields.” The lab is supported by a team of staff drawn from Bryant’s Krupp Library and the Academic Affairs and Academic Computing departments. “The Data Visualization Lab adds a new level of research, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit to Bryant and to the Krupp Library,” says Laura Kohl, Bryant’s Director of Library Services. There are other benefits to the lab as well. In addition to enhancing learning, student Hannah Bloomwald ’21 notes, it offers students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with a new technology. “Bryant is one of a very few schools that have a lab like this,” she points out. “It helps us be among the best equipped and best prepared going forward.”
Remembering Ray Fogarty ’79 with International Business Memorial Scholarship When Ray Fogarty ’79, P ’14, P ’17 died
Fogarty’s lifelong passion for finding
the Chafee Center is a living laboratory, a
unexpectedly in September 2018, the Bryant
innovative ways to fuel the economic
place to put theory into practice through
community lost a colleague, dedicated
engine of international business and trade.
mentor, and passionate champion for the institution that helped shape his life and
A Legacy of Global Impact
career, and those of thousands of his fellow
business research, analysis, and planning. As part of the Bryant senior-year international business practicum, student teams study the business challenges of
Bryant graduates. For more than 40 years,
It was just a few years after his graduation
participating firms, conduct market
first as a Bryant student and then as an
that Fogarty began to make a lasting impact
research, and develop actionable strategic
administrator and ambassador, Fogarty
as a legislator, an advocate, and a leader. In
plans to enable companies to achieve
used his expertise and warm personality to
1986, he helped launch Bryant’s first World
corporate objectives.
build relationships in the community and
Trade Day.
throughout the region. In 2016, Fogarty was honored as the 2016 recipient of the NASBITE International John Otis Lifetime Achievement Award and accepted the President’s “E” Star Award for Export Service from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, on behalf of the Chafee Center. The award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. In 1991, he was recognized with the Bryant Distinguished Alumnus Award. Ray Fogarty’s deep commitment to international business and trade enhanced the educational experience of Bryant’s business students and helped to stimulate economic growth. To continue his legacy of service and honor his memory, Bryant announced at the 34th annual World Trade Day on May 22 that it will create the Raymond Fogarty ‘79 International
Ray Fogerty’s deep commitment to international business and world trade enhanced the educational experience of many Bryant students. The University is creating an endowed scholarship in his memory.
Business Memorial Scholarship to benefit students enrolled in the International Business program. Ranked among the top 25 International Business programs in the country, this program is the ideal environment for students who share
Please join us as we honor Ray Fogarty ’79 with an investment in the business leaders of tomorrow who will further the work that Ray began, strengthening economies and communities and improving the lives of others through international business and trade.
Visit bryant.edu/giving to make a gift today.
Now in its 35th year, the event has become
Fogarty’s vision helped to empower
the largest annual trade event in the
thousands of individuals and businesses,
country. In 1988, Fogarty founded the
providing market research, corporate
Rhode Island Export Assistance Center at
training, and consulting on international
Bryant, focused on international trade,
business. Under his leadership, the Chafee
market research, and training.
Center was transformed from a service
As executive director of Bryant’s John H.
trade office recognized locally and nationally
Chafee Center for International Business for more than 35 years, Fogarty ensured that the Chafee Center’s efforts leveraged the expertise within Bryant’s International Business program, working collaboratively with faculty and the business community to provide Bryant students with real-world learning opportunities. For Bryant students,
bureau into an award-winning international for excellence in providing comprehensive international trade services for business expansion into international markets. Today, companies continue to partner with Bryant’s Chafee Center to ensure that their products and services can reach new markets and customers in an increasingly interconnected and complex global marketplace.
B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
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AC A D E M I C E XC E L L E N C E
The University's faculty of dedicated teachers, accomplished scholars, and inspiring mentors integrate business and liberal arts allowing students to achieve academic excellence.
Best Undergraduate Teaching: Behind Bryant’s high ranking by U.S. News & World Report But there’s something more, Sulmasy
rankings, Bryant University came in at
notes: “Our students’ experiences with
College of Business. “The majority of our
No. 7 on the magazine’s “Best Undergraduate
faculty, I guarantee, are superior because
faculty are passionate about the
Teaching” list. Among those who are clear
our student-centered commitment to
opportunity to transform students’ lives.”
on what helped the University rank so
teaching exceeds what is normal.” Faculty
highly are the University’s Provost and
are concerned about students and their
academic deans, who cite the reasons
well-being, he says. They mentor students
behind Bryant’s “Best Teaching” ranking.
and offer support, often long after a student
“It is in Bryant’s collective consciousness that teaching itself is a noble profession. It's not a job. Bryant faculty have a passion and love for teaching that’s evident in the classroom.” PROVOST GLENN M. SULMASY, JD, LLM, P’22, P’23
Financial Services Forum Samantha Merwin ’12, Vice President at BlackRock, led the career pathways panel during the 14th Annual Financial Services Forum, a highlight of Alumni Engagement Day, which drew dozens of alumni in the finance industry to campus to share their expertise with students.
22
Madan Annavarjula, Ph.D., Dean of the
In U.S. News & World Report’s best college
A C A DEMIC EX CELLEN C E
has graduated.
Teaching and mentoring are part of Bryant’s culture, says Bradford Martin, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Mentoring, to me, includes a willingness to have conversations outside the classroom, and
The deans of the College of Arts and
there’s a high concentration of that spirit
Sciences and College of Business agree.
here,” he says.
“It’s no surprise that we are one of the top teaching institutions,” says
International Business Practicum puts learning to the test Bryant’s International Business program is among the top 25 in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2018 rankings, and the Carolyn Rafaelian IB Practicum is among the top reasons. Student teams are assigned a comprehensive businessconsulting project with a client company, and they work all semester to develop recommendations for the company. A panel of industry and alumni judges evaluates the capstone projects for their depth of research and analysis, the innovation of their solutions, and the effectiveness of their presentations. “The practicum asks us to put everything we’ve learned to the test,” said Jennifer L. Foster ’19. The International Business Practicum gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills.
Scholar’s perspective on religion and law informs global influencers as well as students Katayoun “Katie” Alidadi, Ph.D., Assistant
interfaith or religious leaders, organizations,
Professor of Legal Studies, received an
and academics who seek to lend a moral
honorable mention for the prestigious
voice and policy recommendations to the
2018 Canada Prize from the International
G20 Summit proceedings, which often have
Academy of Comparative Law for her
global ramifications.
book “Religion, Equality, and Employment in Europe: The Case for Reasonable Accommodation” (Hart, 2017). Her work in the field of law and religion
Guided by curiosity and faculty mentor, Hannah Sheldon ’20 sheds light on labor market health
Along with bringing her critical and global perspective into the classroom, she embraces being a mentor for her students. “I believe you're not just there to teach the
also earned her an invitation to speak at the
knowledge. You’re there to engage—and
2018 G20 Interfaith Forum in Buenos Aires.
inspire—students. That’s the highest you
The Forum is an independent meeting of
can aim for.”
Economics and Accounting double major Hannah Sheldon ’20, working in collaboration with Professor of Economics Edinaldo Tebaldi, Ph.D., published an article in the Providence Business News shedding light on labor market conditions in New England and Sheldon’s own research in the area. Of the accomplishment, she noted, “I’m very grateful—I couldn’t have done this without Professor Tebaldi and the Bryant Economics faculty.”
Katayoun Alidadi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Legal Studies, brings her international perspective to the classroom.
To read the full story, go to: news.bryant.edu
B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
23
Samantha Sainvil ’19: inspired by the integration of perspectives at Bryant
IB faculty contribute leadership, expertise at Academy of International Business Conference International Business (IB) faculty members contributed their expertise as panelists, presenters, and leaders of the Northeast Academy of International Business Conference held at Drexel University. Management Professor Crystal Jiang, Ph.D., (far left) served as conference chair of the Bryant-sponsored event, which focused on the theme of “Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation.” Also participating were (from left) Andres Ramirez, Ph.D., IB Program Director and Associate Professor of Finance; Sukki Yoon, Ph.D., Professor of Marketing; and Elzotbek Rustambekov, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Management (not pictured).
The integration of perspectives, a hallmark of a Bryant education, has been inspiring to Samantha Sainvil ’19 of Bridgeport, CT. The Information Systems major who minored in French and Africana and Black Studies says Bryant is a great place to explore new ideas. “Everyone has a voice here. When we work together, we see how ideas can be shared and combined.”
TO READ HER FULL PROFILE, GO TO: admission.bryant.edu/why-bryant/stories
Boggio’s work with U.N. helps students see impact of collaboration Legal Studies Professor Andrea Boggio, J.S.D., an expert in international human rights law and issues of science policy, participated in a United Nations (U.N.) panel for the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss the scientific and legal aspects of the right to science. He also worked with the American Association for the Advancement of Science to organize a panel on the right to science at the U.N. in New York City in May, 2018. These discussions informed the development of a comprehensive interpretation of the right to science, which is being drafted by the U.N. for approval in 2019. Boggio believes these experiences help him bring course material to life in the classroom. “I teach international law,” he says, “so I link course content to my direct experience with international institutions.” And they help him show students how “complexity is better tackled by connecting people, ideas, and academic disciplines.”
24
A C A D EMIC EX CELLEN CE
Andrea Boggio, J.S.D., Professor of Legal Studies, discussed the human right to science at the U.N. in Geneva, Switzerland.
AC A D E M I C E XC E L L E N C E Through power of networking and her scholarship, Kwesiga brings women’s rights issues to the attention of U.N. While on sabbatical in Africa to conduct research on sustainable development and indigenous knowledge systems, Professor of Management Eileen Kwesiga, Ph.D., created a platform to advocate for women’s rights at the United Nations and raise visibility of human rights issues surrounding stigmatized workers, such as sex workers, in Kenya. Through the power of networking and her scholarship, she’s been invited to help create a new U.N. conference, slated for September which, that will discuss women’s rights and empowerment, as well as experiences and voices of women. Traveling the world to build knowledge, capacity, and connections is just one way Kwesiga has a global impact as a scholar and researcher – one she draws from to ensure students learn important aspects of management: “Our students will be managers, so they have to understand what it means to truly respect the environment and people, so that we have something to hand off to the next generation.”
Coughlin at Princeton symposium on ecocriticism
MyPath Program: tailored advising for inspired learning and careers
Maura Coughlin, Ph.D., Professor of Visual
Successful leaders are lifelong learners—
Students who are not certain which field of
Studies, discussed artists William Trost
and with the MyPath Program, students
study best aligns with their interests, work
Richards (1833-
have the support they need to find a path
values, and skills are encouraged to
1905) and Élodie
that truly represents their passions, which
matriculate as Undecided. The MyPath@
La Villette
can set the stage for continuous
Bryant program allows student to explore
(1848-1917) at
professional growth, learning, and
intellectual interests while staying on track
“Picture Ecology:
advancement.
for graduation.
Art and Ecocriticism in Planetary Perspective,” a companion symposium to the groundbreaking art exhibition “Nature’s Nation” at Princeton, which seeks to bring a new, ecocritical lens to American art.
Through a variety of individualized
INCOMING CLASS OF 2023
programs, MyPath connects undecided, or “exploratory,” students with faculty and peers for advice on degree programs
19.95%
offered at Bryant, helping them to discover
College of Arts and Sciences
5.35%
their own interests as they choose a field
Undecided
of study. The program represents a collaboration between Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and the Amica Center for Career Education.
75.80%
College of Business
B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
25
I N N OVAT I O N
At Bryant, innovation takes many forms. From embracing cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality to discussing new concepts with industry leaders and exploring original ways to express important ideas, the University ensures its students are preparing for the future. BUNEEC 2019 inspires a new generation of entrepreneurs The 9th annual Bryant University Northeast Entrepreneurship Conference (BUNEEC) gave students the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills they can use in any career. Organized by Bryant’s chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization, BUNEEC (pronounced “Be unique”) provided a supportive community and real-world insight. “Through BUNEEC, I hope that students saw how their careers can be exciting and add purpose to their lives,” said BUNEEC Director Melissa Gurzenda ’21. “It doesn't have to always be about numbers or a salary. It can be about making a difference in the lives of others and adding creativity to what you’re doing.” Attendees from colleges throughout the region benefitted from keynote addresses
“I am absolutely certain there are a couple of you who will be up on stage
entrepreneurs eager to share what they
Conference participants also learned a great
five to ten years from now talking
have learned. Mitch Lowe, Co-Founding
deal from one another. An Entrepreneurship
Executive of Netflix and CEO of Movie Pass,
Fair highlighted Bryant students who already
about your own great innovations.”
and breakout sessions led by successful
26
to ten years from now talking about your own great innovations,” said Lowe.
noted that while success is never a straight
have turned their great ideas into businesses,
line, determination can make great things
and a question-and-answer session with
happen. “I am absolutely certain there are
those entrepreneurs gave other students a
a couple of you who will be up on stage five
chance to seek advice for their own initiatives.
I NN OVAT IO N
MITCH LOWE Co-Founding Executive of Netflix and CEO of Movie Pass
Introducing Pepper
Pepper, Bryant’s new semi-humanoid
Pepper’s versatility allows it to be used in a
opportunities associated with Pepper - in
robot, is optimized for human interaction
wide variety of exciting and innovative
classrooms and makers spaces - are made
and able to engage with people through
ways. “We’re always encouraging faculty
possible by the Champlin Foundation,
conversation and its touch screen. It’s an
and students to think of new creative
which is pleased to provide grant funding
ideal tool for teaching programming and
applications for Pepper,” notes Associate
to Bryant University to help advance its
conducting research into human-robot
Professor of Information Systems and
vital mission.
interactions.
Analytics Chen Zhang, Ph.D. The learning
Analytics Without Borders examines the future
Creating the next big thing “I'm always looking for that next big thing that drives me and takes me to the next big
The 4th annual Analytics without Borders
thing after that,” says Nicholas “Nick”
event, hosted by Bryant University, explored
Anketell ’19. The founder of three different
leading-edge technologies such as artificial
companies already, Anketell through his
intelligence, machine learning, predictive
company Amulet Technology Solutions, is
analytics, and blockchain.
currently assisting Candor USA with developing an app that connects people with
Keynote speakers and breakout presentations shared insights into evolving fields and
insurance providers and helps them select
tutorials helped attendees hone their
the options that are right for them.
programming skills. “Whether it’s
“Everything I’ve learned and everything I’ve
undergraduates working on their first
done at Bryant has helped me,” says
research project, graduate and Ph.D.
Anketell, who is president of Bryant’s
students working on theses and dissertations, academics continuing their research
“You get the tools and
agendas, or industry professionals sharing
knowledge to start a company.
lessons learned and experiences as to why what we do is relevant in the real world, it’s an opportunity for all,” said Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Analytics Kevin Mentzer, Ph.D., a co-lead organizer of this year’s event.
chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization and will be joining Fidelity Investment’s Investment Sales Development program after graduation.
You get what you need to go
“It's really unique here,” he says of Bryant.
off and do it on your own.”
“You get the tools and knowledge to start a
NICHOLAS “NICK” ANKETELL ’19
company. You get what you need to go off and do it on your own.”
B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
27
Returning mentors guide IDEA For the student mentors of Bryant’s IDEA (Innovation and Design Experience for All) design thinking bootcamp, coming back to assist with the program offers more than an opportunity to help others. It’s a chance for the upperclass students to further develop their design thinking and leadership skills while giving back to a program that’s made a difference in their studies and in their lives. Trained in design thinking and selected from the University’s highest-performing students, IDEA’s student mentors play a crucial role in helping guide first-year students through the design thinking learning process. “The first-year students in IDEA have amazing ideas, but they don’t necessarily have the experience with design thinking we have,” notes student mentor Michael McCarthy ’19, who
IDEA’s student mentors help first-year students learn invaluable design thinking skills.
recently honed his design thinking skills through a project for Keurig with Bryant Trustee Professor of Management and design thinking expert Mike Roberto, D.B.A. “One of our jobs as mentors is to help them harness those great ideas.”
“The first-year students in IDEA have amazing ideas, but they don’t necessarily have the experience with design thinking we have. One of our jobs as mentors is to help them harness those great ideas.” MICHAEL MCCARTHY ’19
The “student voices” of a visionary program As members of the IDEA (Innovation and Design Experience for All) leadership team,
“We are moving into a time where things are increasingly in flux and companies are
Samantha Mazza ’19 and Thobani
understanding the need for innovation
Nxumalo ’19 played a vital role in ensuring
more and more,” says Nxumalo, who has
the University’s design thinking boot camp
used his IDEA experience in setting up
was a success. Working alongside faculty
design thinking camps in his home country
and staff, they helped recruit and train
of South Africa. “Cultivating skills like
mentors and assisted with everything from
design thinking puts students miles ahead.”
planning the syllabus and how best to
“At Bryant, there's a student voice in everything. That’s important because you're able to bring in a student's perspective as to what they may think is important and what they would like in the program.” SAMANTHA MAZZA ’19
present the ideas behind thinking to organizing programming and fun activities. “At Bryant, there's a student voice in everything,” explains Mazza, who saw the importance of design thinking while interning at Liberty Mutual. “That’s important because you’re able to bring in a student's perspective as to what they think is valuable and what they would like in the program. It provides a new way of thinking about how to approach things and how students may be more receptive if you present ideas in a certain way.”
28
I NN OVAT IO N
Thobani Nxumalo ’19 (last row, left) and Samantha Mazza ’19 (far right) brought a student perspective to the IDEA 2019 Leadership team
I N N OVAT I O N Turning great ideas into great companies Bryant Ventures, the University’s start-up
different markets and fields, to brainstorm
incubator, “is basically an innovation
with one another, serve as sounding boards,
lab,” says Nick Cianfaglione ’20, the
and work through roadblocks. Visits from
organization’s president as well as CEO of
established start-up founders offer real-
Northeastern Entertainment Solutions.
world tested advice. Accelerators, as the
“Entrepreneurs need a network and a place
more experienced student-entrepreneurs
to share, and work on, their ideas. Bryant
are known, offer personalized guidance.
Ventures gives them both,” he notes.
“Entrepreneurs need a network and a place to share, and work on, their ideas. Bryant Ventures gives them both.” NICK CIANFAGLIONE ’20 President of Bryant Ventures Cianfaglione. “This is a unique opportunity
Ventures, a part of Bryant's chapter of the
for an entrepreneur to take an idea and
Weekly meetings provide a forum for the
Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization, is a
bring it to a go-to-market strategy and,
young entrepreneurs, working in a range of
think tank that gets results, says
most importantly, to market.”
Finding important answers through Honors Capstones Capstone projects give Bryant students the
important issue and look at it in a new
opportunity to integrate and synthesize
way,” says Resnick, who graduated in
what they've learned by exploring an issue
December. “I tried to make an impact in the
that’s important to them through a
research in a way that helps people.”
long-term project that takes an original look at a significant topic. This year’s capstones ranged from exploring how gender roles and sexuality are deconstructed in standup comedy to examining health care costs to writing
Emilio Avalos’ 18, studied the factors that affect undergraduate academic performance. His research, he hopes, will help other students maximize their learning experience and build better careers and futures.
Avalos credits his thesis advisor, Professor
an original novel. For her Honors thesis, Sarina Resnick ’18, aided by her advisor Professor Gregg Carter, Ph.D., a nationally renowned expert on gun violence, investigated mass shootings in America and the role that factors such as racism and white supremacy ideology play in their severity. “I wanted to take an
“The professors here know how to connect with you, and guide you through the material. They'll help you figure out the steps you should take in order to answer the questions that are important to you.” EMILIO AVALOS ’18
JANE McKAY-NESBITT, PH.D. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MARKETING Director of Bryant’s Honors Program A successful career in the financial services industry informs her interactive and dynamic marketing courses Recent research focuses on how the financial services industry’s social marketing impacts millennials’ financial well-being Numerous awards for teaching excellence, creativity, innovation, mentorship, and scholarship
Sarina Resnick ’18 investigated American mass shootings for her Honors thesis.
and Chair of the Economics Department Jongsung Kim, Ph.D., with helping him examine a key issue he cares about. “The professors here know how to connect with you, and guide you through the material,” says Avalos. “They'll help you figure out the steps you should take in order to answer the questions that are important to you.”
“Throughout my honors capstone, Professor McKay-Nesbitt was a never-ending source of passion. That passion motivated me to finish my project, even when it seemed impossible. She still inspires me, making me want to work harder, achieve more, and support others.” LAUREN LEEDBERG ’18 PARTNER ENABLEMENT ASSOCIATE AT ATHENAHEALTH
INSPIRED TO EXCEL B RYA N T DE L IV E R S FAC U LT Y PA S S I O N AT E A B O U T S T U D E N T S U CC E S S | www.bryant.edu B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
29
G LO B A L P E R S P E C T I V E
MBA students’ Global Immersion Experience included “an unprecedented once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”to meet with Audi officials at the company's headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany.
For MBA students, trip to Germany offered exclusive look at innovation at Audi Graduate students in the MBA program
world. It culminates with a 10-day
experienced unprecedented access to some
faculty-led international trip. A required
full confidentiality agreement is a
of the world’s top companies during their
group project with a business in the trip's
testament to how deep we were allowed
transformational Global Immersion
destination country builds on core
into Audi’s business.”
Experience (GIE) trip to Germany “This trip
constructs of the students’ first semester of
has taught me how crucial it is for
academic study.
companies to be agile and innovative in order to succeed and maintain their success in today’s competitive environment,” says Rachita Wadhwa ’19 MBA.
that every single participant had to sign a
Students walked among 45,000 Audi employees to learn firsthand what it means
At the automobile manufacturer Audi’s
to create “competitive advantage via
headquarters in Ingolstadt, the MBA
technology.” They saw highly advanced
students were treated to an exclusive
testing rigs and simulators for Audi’s
customized tour. “This was an
proprietary technology, and sat in
GIE is a three-credit course that introduces
unprecedented once-in-a lifetime
prototypes that will be released to market
students to the economic opportunities and
opportunity,” said Assistant Professor of
in 2020 and later. Some students enjoyed a
challenges of doing business in a globalized
Management Dirk Primus, Ph.D. “The fact
test drive with a professional Audi driver.
Extravaganza gives fashion a voice Bryant’s celebration of Black History Month
Extravaganza began more than a decade ago
the show transitioned from one era to the
concludes with Extravaganza, a student
as a fashion show, but its scope has since
next, the fashions did as well. Clothes
production showcasing “the light and the
expanded. Today, “it’s a celebration. It’s a
modeled throughout the show – the
beauty that is black history,” says Kayla
movement. There is a motivational aspect
bell-bottoms of the 1960s and ‘70s, the
Navarro ’19, one of this year’s co-directors.
to it,” Navarro says.
leather and baggy clothing of the ‘90s, and
“It really makes a difference when you are able to educate and entertain in a positive way. We want to show the Bryant community just how beautiful black history is.”
The 2019 theme focused on influential black musical artists throughout American history, from Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday in the 1930s and 1940s to contemporary artists including Beyonce. As
30
G LO B AL PERSPECTIVE
more – were donated by local vendors. Weeks before the show, Navarro and her team scouted local shops to select garments that fit each era. The task was challenging because some garments “are vintage, and pristine items are so hard to find,” Navarro says.
SIE China trip helps students experience the unfamiliar
The SIE China experience included a tour of the Bowens & Wilkins factory in Zhuhai
Twenty-two sophomores set off for their
The course culminates with a two-week trip
Sophomore International Experience (SIE)
led by faculty and staff.
trip to China barely knowing each other. They returned with lifelong memories and a better understanding not only of one another, but of a culture they had never experienced. Since its inception in 2007, more than 2,500 sophomores have taken part in SIE. The three-credit course begins the semester before departure with an introduction to cultural norms, historical readings and analysis, language study, and art appreciation of the country or countries that will be visited.
The China SIE included an exploration of the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, and a tour of Lenovo headquarters in Beijing.
The students said they “challenged themselves” to experience the unknown, overcoming fears about being in an unfamiliar culture. “I think this two-week experience is
Bryant students also connected with Bryant
perfect,” says Cara DelSesto ’21. “I knew
Zhuhai students on the campus of the
everything that was going to happen every
Beijing Institute of Technology.
day, and now traveling for a longer amount
“Zhuhai was one of my favorite places,” says Dana Peck ’21. “It’s an up-and-coming
of time or studying abroad doesn’t seem so daunting.”
city. We were driving down the highway and we could see 30 skyscrapers being built at once.”
MAJORS: International Business, concentrating in HR Management and Spanish HOMETOWN: East Providence, RI INSPIRED TO EXCEL: Travelers Human Resources Leadership Development Program “I love that my education has been so well-rounded,” Yuliandra Henriquez says. “I'm an HR management major, but I'm also learning other subjects like accounting, finance, and marketing. I’m going to need those aspects to succeed in my HR management career goals.” As a project coordinator for Bryant’s PwC Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Henriquez works to raise awareness of other cultures on campus. “The CDI is my home. Even before I worked there, I was always there hanging out. I feel welcomed there, I feel loved there,” she says. “I identify as a woman of color, so diversity and inclusion is important to me. I want to help bring an awareness of other cultures to other students on campus,” she says.
Yuliandra Henriquez ’19
As a counselor for Bryant’s 4MILE (Multicultural and International Leadership Experience) program, Henriquez has built lasting relationships with first-year students. I see some of my mentees and they still say hi to me, or they still ask me questions. And I love that because I like being a mentor to people.”
B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
31
BULLDOG PRIDE
Bryant’s highly competitive Division I student-athletes excel at working as team members in the classroom as well as on the field and court.
Meet the Hall of Fame Class of 2019
Holloway receives First Team All-NEC honors
Bryant’s Department of Athletics announced
For the second year in a row, the Bryant
the addition of nine new members to the
University women's basketball standout
prestigious Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019. The nine-member Class of 2019 includes:
Sydney Holloway ’20 earned All-NEC First Team laurels. Holloway concluded the regular season with 17 double-doubles
Cristian Balestrieri ’11 (men’s tennis)
averaging 17.5 points and 11.1 rebounds a
Bob Brown ’86 (men's basketball)
game and had a pair of 20/20 games.
Jordan Brown ’13 (football) Darryl Buchanan ’85 (baseball) Nick Campbell ’10 (baseball) Jordan Harris ’14 (football)
Holloway has also climbed the Division I scoring ranks at Bryant jumping eight spots this season surpassing Bryant greats like Jenniqua Bailey ’15 and Naana Ankoma-
Aubrey Mable ’14 (softball)
Mensa ’14 with 1,302 career points. She is
Casey Ostrander ’13 (women’s swimming)
just 93 points away from catching Breanna
Nicole Radzik ’08 (cross country/track & field)
Rucker ’16 for the top spot.
Each will be officially inducted at the
This season marks the fifth-straight year in
Hall of Fame Dinner on November 1, 2019
which a Bulldog has been named First Team
at the George E. Bello Center for
All-Northeast Conference.
Information and Technology. Members of the Bryant Athletics Hall of Fame are elected every two years into five different categories: student-athletes, coaches and administrators, teams, contributors, and legacy. The Class of 2019 brings Hall of Fame membership to 158 since its inception in 1987.
32
B U L LDO G PRIDE
Keep up with the Bulldogs as they prepare for a busy fall season at bryantbulldogs.com
Tennis rules the court Men’s tennis finished one of its most successful Division I seasons at 20-11, winning a sixth-straight NEC title. That streak is the longest in NEC history and the longest postseason streak of any team in Bryant DI program history. “This team represented the NEC all season with class and heart. This team has set the bar that all teams that follow will try to match and improve upon,” said Coach Ron Gendron, who won an unprecedented
Men’s tennis celebrates sixth consecutive NEC title.
seventh straight NEC Coach of the Year
most crowns in the team scoring format era
Year honor. He was one of five individuals
honor. He is now the most decorated coach
that began in 1999. The Bulldogs went
to earn All-NEC honors in singles, while
in NEC tennis history and extended his
unbeaten in league play for a fourth
two doubles team claimed first team
conference record for consecutive Coach of
straight year.
the Year honors in any sport. Competing in the NEC since 2013, Bryant has won the
Matt Kuhar ’19 MBA earned his third-
honors. Bryant also placed three individuals on the NEC All-Rookie team.
straight Northeast Conference Player of the
Owens Scores Fifth Coach of the Year Honor One of the most successful coaches in the country, Baseball Coach Steve Owens earned his league-record fifth Coach of the Year honor, marking the eighth-straight year that the Black & Gold have won multiple major awards. Completing his ninth season as Bryant’s head coach, Owens has turned the Bulldogs into one of the premier programs in the Northeast. He led the Bulldogs to a 38-18 overall record during the regular season, winning 12 of their 14 weekend series during the year, and claiming their eighth-straight NEC Regular-Season title with a 19-5 record in conference play. His group has produced one of the greatest offensive seasons in league history, setting the NEC record for home runs with 81, while setting DI single-season program records for hits, runs scored and RBI. Owens earned his
Caroline Meizen ’21
300th win at Bryant in March 26 and won his 900th career game in April. He has coached
MAJOR: Marketing
20 All-Americans and 45 professional players.
CONCENTRATION: Sport Studies HOMETOWN: Douglas, MA
Women’s Swimming and Diving Top Dogs again Headlined by Northeast Conference Swimmer of the Meet Jillian Rice ’19, the Bryant University women’s swimming and diving team won 13 gold medals to seal their second-straight NEC Swimming and Diving Championship in 2019. The Bulldogs won their second title in program history in dominating fashion, finishing more than 250 points ahead of the next closest team. Rice cemented her status as the NEC Swimmer of the Meet by winning Bryant's 11th gold medal of the meet. She won the 100 freestyle. Kelci Abernethy ’19, Alaina Scifo ’20, and Elin Svärd ’21 represented the team at the NCAA Zone A Swimming and Diving Championships. Abernethy was the first female diver to
“I want to make the most of my four years of college,” says Caroline Meizen ’21, “and that means challenging myself and exploring.” A Marketing major concentrating in Sport Studies, Meizen says adaptability is a key to success. “You need to be open to what’s around you. There will always be changing methods and new advances in any field.” One of the biggest lessons she’s learned at Bryant, Meizen says – having the initiative to try something new can open so many doors. “I love running, but I didn't know if I would be good enough to go D1,” she says. “I decided to go for it and now I'm so glad to be part of the Cross Country and Track Teams. My teammates are like my second family.”
represent the program at the event.
B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
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COLLEGIAL COMMUNITY
The Alumni Achievement Awards ceremony capped off the 2019 Alumni Engagement Day. Award recipients, from left: Mario F. Hernández ’97 MBA; Carole L. LaRochelle ’89; Beth (LeMay) Costello ’89; Charles J. Granatell ’08; Daniel A. Rioux ’90; Christopher J. Roethlein, Ph.D.
Alumni of Color Offer Career Advice: Connect with Mentors, Network
Seeking out mentors and opportunities to
students to experiment with career options
network are crucial for career success,
– including those not necessarily directly
according to five alumni who returned to
related to their degree program. They also
campus to share career advice with students.
shared how Bryant resources helped them
The panel discussion, sponsored by the PwC
“It’s so helpful to have someone as a thought partner who can help you gain knowledge.” CAROL PACHECO ’11
land their current positions.
Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Student
The panelists included Frankie Dobbs ’12,
Affairs, and Alumni and Parent
’13 MBA, Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch;
Engagement, was part of the University's
Tyler A. Joseph ’17, Logistics Operations
Black History Month series of events.
Analyst, CVS Health; Alexandra Ortiz ’18,
Networking and developing relationships with mentors are critical strategies, the panelists emphasized, and they encouraged
Marketing Analyst, Textron Inc.; Carol Pacheco ’11, Senior Human Resources Generalist, FHL Bank Boston; and Erick Smith ’13, Talent Acquisition Specialist, PTC.
By connecting with alumni, “I got to see that path that they took to be where they are,” said Tyler A. Joseph `17, CVS Health Logistics Operations Analyst
34
C O LLEGIAL CO MMU N ITY
Alumni Mentors Enrich Student Learning at IDEA The IDEA program – Innovation and Design Experience for All – is an immersive, for-credit required course for first-year students. It is among Bryant’s most innovative, and important, learning experiences. As the students embark on a 72-hour odyssey to learn a design-thinking process used by some of the world’s leading innovators, their journey is facilitated by faculty, and further guided by volunteer upperclass student, staff, and alumni mentors. More than 100 alumni volunteers came back to campus – including graduates from 2018 to 1968 – to share their experience and perspective with the first-year students. Jeff Fryer ’91, P’19, P’22, CPA is a cofounder of biotech firm Rallybio, and former VP and CTO of Alexion Pharmaceuticals. He has been a mentor and trade show judge in the
Alumni mentors including Jeff Fryer ’91, P’19, P’22, help students think through their IDEA projects.
IDEA program for five years. “I always learn something from my participation in the IDEA program. We’re all solving problems every day of our lives, and this program teaches us all to apply creativity and objectivity to that process,” he says. “When you look at a problem from
360 degrees, and collaborate with others,
presentations of the students’ concepts.
you ultimately get better solutions.”
Many alumni mentors then go on to judge
Alumni mentors play critical roles in IDEA,
competition where students present their
bringing their real-world experience back to campus to share. Joining at a vital point in the process, they hear preliminary
the “trade show” portion of the program, a concepts and explain the three-dimensional prototypes they collaborated on to illustrate their ideas.
Women’s Summit Inspires New Venture “It was as if inspiration met courage and set
foundation of her work “helps people move
me on fire!” A perfect description of the
from surviving to thriving.” Her new venture,
Women's Summit by presenter Megan
The Thriving Well Institute, emphasizes what
Gunnell, LMSW, Psychotherapist, writer,
she calls “the self-care advantage.”
speaker and international retreat facilitator, from Grosse Pointe, MI.
“When our basic self-care is in place, our coping and bandwidth increase, our
In a post on her blog, Gunnell describes how
emotional reactivity is in check, our
she was inspired by the Bryant University
patience and compassion expand and we
Women’s Summit™ to embark on a new
begin to thrive,” Gunnell says.
endeavor early the very next morning. After working with thousands of clients, patients and consumers, Gunnell says that the
Read her full blog post at bit.ly/2IgOXQC.
The President's Cultural Series showcased Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton, performing an organic fusion of African, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean rhythms, psychedelic soul and progressive rock.
B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
35
COMMENCEMENT
Processing under the iconic Bryant archway for the first time, members of the Class of 2019 share their joy with Bryant administrators, staff, and faculty who guided their successful path to Commencement.
Bryant University’s 156th Commencement Ceremonies The Class of 2019 – 1,015 members strong – completed undergraduate or postgraduate studies in the arts and sciences and in business and were awarded a Bryant University degree at Bryant’s 156th Commencement exercises. With degrees that have more value now than at any time in Bryant’s history, the graduates joined a powerful network of more than 50,000 accomplished alumni who are inspired to excel and make a difference as leaders in organizations and communities around the world. In her May 18th Commencement address,
The University awarded two other honorary degrees during the
Laura K. Ipsen, President and Chief Executive
undergraduate Commencement:
Officer of Ellucian Company, L.P., an innovative developer of software, cloud applications, and analytics for higher education institutions, shared what she learned about the power of innovation to change the world over the course of her career in technology with the 890 undergraduate members of the Class of 2019.
“You’re entering a world where change is the only constant, where technology is both accelerating and disrupting the future,” said Ipsen. “Charting your course in this digital age for any occupation will require both human and artificial intelligence. The future of jobs will be a world of people and machines working together… Technology should inform our human intuition and inspire us to explore all the possibilities ahead – and give us a fighting chance to make the right decisions about them.”
Known for his innovative ideas about the work of judging and for his focus on fundamental fairness, William E. Smith, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, who is admired as a true inspiration to those working in public health and is the first AfricanAmerican to serve as Rhode Island’s top health official, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. On Thursday, May 16, Edward “Ned” O. Handy III, a leader in the New England banking industry and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., addressed 125 graduate students and
In recognition of her 25 years as a technology leader in Silicon
36
their families at the Graduate Programs
Valley, Ipsen received an honorary Doctor of Business
Commencement. He received an honorary
Administration degree during the ceremony.
Doctor of Business Administration degree.
C O MMEN CEMEN T
B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
37
ACC O M P L I S H E D A L U M N I
Panelists from “Entrepreneurial Women of Bryant” shared their business experiences with students and fellow alumni. (From nearest) Taylor Armstrong ’14, Manager of Operations & Support, RangeMe; Jaime Diglio ’00, President, SomethingNew LLC; Taryn Beaudoin ’08, Founder of Crush Limits Inc.; Christina (Raye) Shaw ’10, Founder of The ACES Group. Other panelists from the evening not pictured: Samantha Curtin ’12, Co-Founder of Toast to St. Jude; Peni Garber ’85, Retired Partner, ABRY Private Equity; Renee Lawlor ’15, Project Manager, Amazon/PillPack; Tammy Martin ’03, CFO of Seeq Corporation; Sheila Narayan ’89, Managing Director, Leadership Director at Golden Seeds, Greater Boston; Jennifer Rousseau ’11, Director of Strategic Planning for New Ventures, Chewsi.
1959
1976
1982
RICHARD VANGERMEERSCH, CMA, CPA, PH.D., of
CRAIG T. BOGAR, ED.D., of Gulf
CHRISTOPHER LYDDY, of
LEONARD “LEN” CAMARA, J.D.,
Fairfield, CT, has been promoted
was named Chief Information
Shores, AL,
1984
Narragansett, RI, Emeritus
Associate Professor/
to Chief for the Fairfield Police
Officer of FirstLight Fiber, a lead-
Professor of Accounting at
Faculty Director –
Department. He had been Acting
ing provider of fiber-optic data,
University of Rhode Island, was
School of Health
Chief since October 2018. Hired
Internet, data center, cloud and
featured in “Strategic Finance”
Sciences at
by the Fairfield Police
voice services to enterprise and
Department in 1982, he served in
carrier customers throughout the
magazine online for his work in
American Public University
writing about the historical origins
System, was inducted into the
a variety of positions including
Northeast. FirstLight is head-
of Institute of Management
Loyola University New Orleans
Patrol Officer, Detective, Patrol
quartered in Albany, NY. Most
Accountants®, which is celebrating
Athletic Hall of Fame. He served
Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain.
recently, he served as Chief
its 100th year. The IMA is a profes-
as director of athletics at Loyola
For the last eight years, he has
Information Officer at Energy
sional membership organization
from 1991 to 1999.
been Deputy Chief of Police.
Federation in Westborough, MA.
around the world with 300 profes-
1981
1983
sional and student chapters.
JOANNE M. DALY, CDFA®, ‘87 MST, of Providence, RI, has
WILLIAM T. KESSLER, of
EDWARD T. VIEIRA, JR., ’84 MBA, PH.D., of South Berwick,
with a global network of more than 100,000 members in 140 countries
been named one of
1970 JAMES B. ASTRACHAN, of
38
Rhode Island’s “Leading Ladies of
Baltimore, MD, notes the publi-
2019” in Providence
cation of the second edition of a
Monthly. A first Vice
Uxbridge, MA, has
ME, Marketing and Statistics
been appointed
Professor at Simmons University,
Chief of the
has published, Public Relations
Mendon Fire
Planning: a Strategic Approach. The
Department. He
book is a guide to understanding
will be the town’s first full-time
and practicing the profession of public relations. Recommended
book he conceived and edited,
President, Financial Advisor,
Fire Chief in several years.
Intellectual Property for Maryland
Family Wealth Advisor, and
Previously, he worked for
by the International Public
Business and Litigation Lawyers:
Certified Divorce Financial
Uxbridge Fire Department where
Relations Association, it is
What You Need to Know But Didn’t
Analyst® at Morgan Stanley,
he served as a firefighter since
designed for practitioners in
Know To Ask. He celebrates his
she is also an active community
2000 and as Chief since 2012.
45th anniversary of admission to
volunteer and has been a
develop an understanding of the
the Maryland Bar Association in
speaker at the Bryant University
systematic process of public rela-
June 2019.
Women’s Summit®.
A C C OMPLISHED ALU MNI
training or students who wish to
tions and knowledge of its
1987
1988
interdependent and moving
LOUIS ARCUDI III ’87 MBA, has
DAVID BISSAILLON, CIC, of
components.
been appointed Chief Financial
Adams, MA, has
Officer at Millendo Therapeutics,
become the Owner
Insulet Corporation, a medical device company, as Vice President of Sales and Managed Markets.
Inc., in Ann Arbor, MI, a clini-
and President of
1985
cal-stage biotechnology company
Smith Bros.-
1991
DINO DECRESCENZO, who has
developing novel therapies for
McAndrews
served with the Barrington Police
orphan endocrine diseases.
CHARLES K. GRIFFITH JR. ’91 MBA has joined CPS
Insurance Agency in Adams. He
department for 32 years, was
Previously, he served as Senior
joined SBM in 2011 and has 25
Technologies Corporation in
recently promoted to Police Chief.
Vice President of Operations and
years of experience in the insur-
Norton, MA, as Chief Financial Officer. He was most recently the
He started with the department
Chief Financial Officer at Idera
ance industry. He served as the
as a Patrol Officer in 1986.
Pharmaceuticals, headquartered
President and CEO of the Berkshire
CFO of SPRI Clinical Trials Global,
Through the years, he has served
in Cambridge, MA.
Chamber of Commerce from 2001-
LLC, a company managing clini-
as a Patrol Sergeant, a Detective
2006 and has been active in local
cal trials for the pharmaceutical
Sergeant, Detective Lieutenant,
civic efforts for 30 years. He
industry. Prior to joining SPRI, he
and Detective Captain.
JIM GLOVER of Gilford, NH, for-
currently chairs the Plunkett
was the Vice President-Finance
merly of Hyannis
Memorial Hospital Trustees and
at Vertex Distribution (previously
Port, MA, joined the
is a board member of ProAdams.
1986
Bank of New
known as Pawtucket Fasteners and Bell Fasteners), a Rhode
RICHARD A. MEROLA, J.D., of
Hampshire’s
Smithfield, RI, was sworn in as
Laconia office as
1990
distributor of corrosion resistant
Associate Justice of the Rhode
Vice President,
PATRICK TREANOR MBA, has
fasteners.
Island Family Court by Governor
Island-based, manufacturer and
Banking Office Manager, responsi-
been promoted to President of Relypsa, Inc., in Redwood City, CA,
Gina Raimondo on March 19,
ble for the office’s deposit portfolio,
2019. Over the past 25 years, he
client relations, and new business
and to the executive committee of
HEIDI (VERRILL) PICKETT, of
practiced law concentrating in
development. He has more than 12
Vifor Pharma Group. He has been
Boston, MA, Assistant Dean of
the Family Court. Prior to that,
years’ experience in banking, most
with Relypsa for four years in
the MIT Sloan Master of Finance
he worked in the Banking and
recently serving as bank manager
positions of increasing responsi-
Program, joined the InvestAcure,
Data Processing fields.
for TD Bank Group in Gilford.
bility. Prior to that, he worked at
PBC advisory board and co-au-
KRIS HART ’08: Better than a Hole in One! The best ideas are often borne from personal need. Kris Hart ’08 gave up his spot on the Bryant varsity golf team when he was a senior to increase his class load. That didn’t mean he wanted to stop playing golf, but it was much more difficult. “I couldn’t play free golf any longer, get free balls or equipment, and there was no competitive outlet for golfers like me.” Inspired by ski resorts that offered reduced price lift tickets to college students, Hart created CollegeGolfPass shortly after graduation, which sought to offer those students tee times at a discount.
“It was a hard sell at first – golf courses don’t like discounting their brands,” says Hart. “But I convinced them that the real benefit to them is this new demographic to fill vacant tee times.” Hart brought his idea to the Bryant New Venture Competition and took top prize in 2012, which reinforced his confidence in his business’s potential. Two of the contest’s judges, Jay Weinberg ’85 and Brian Cowley ’82, continue to mentor Hart on branding and fundraising. CollegeGolfPass morphed into Nextgengolf after Hart acquired National Collegiate Club Golf Association, the governing organization of collegiate golf clubs. Recently, Hart experienced the pinnacle of every golf entrepreneur’s dreams: The PGA of America acquired Nextgengolf. “Nextgengolf gives a full spectrum to the next life cycle of golfers. It is so exciting how the PGA of America and innovation are changing, and the growth that it can generate.” “Nextgengolf provides authentic experiences that speak to the next generation of golfers,” said PGA of America Chief Innovation Officer Arjun Chowdri. “Nextgengolf’s fun and creative format is a natural continuation of our roadmap for golfers that begins with PGA Jr. League. Having the PGA Professional as a critical part of that experience is the best way to encourage and support new golfers. This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to further the mission of the PGA of America and help the game evolve.”
B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
39
thored an opinion piece on
1999
Rebuilding Together of
beingpatient.com titled “With
BRIAN CANINA, CPA, of
Manchester, CT. Devanney serves
SHELLÉ HENDRICKSON, CPCU,
Longmeadow, MA,
on 11 nonprofit boards and has
of Bermuda, was named Head of
News of Another Failed Trial, a Cure for Alzheimer’s May Have
has been promoted
received numerous awards and
Healthcare, Bermuda, at AXA XL
More To Do With Corporate
to Executive Vice
recognitions, including the 2018
in its Bermuda Insurance busi-
Finance Than Science.” She has a
President, Chief
Next Generation Leadership
ness. She joined AXA XL in 2016
Master of Science in Accountancy
Financial Officer,
Award given by the Connecticut
as Vice President, Senior
from Bentley University.
1992
and Treasurer of PeoplesBank. He
Food Association. Devanney
Underwriter. Previously, she was
formerly served as Senior Vice
received her master’s degree
Assistant Vice President,
President and Chief Financial
from St. Joseph’s University.
Underwriter at XL Catlin.
Officer. He is a member of the
MICHELLE FARABAUGH, of
board of directors of the
JAIME (LANNON) DIGLIO, of
2007
Medford, OR, Chief
Children’s Study Home, where he
Marketing Officer
serves as Treasurer, and the
at Harry and David,
Holyoke Chamber of Commerce,
founder and career
was named one of
where he also serves as Treasurer.
coach for inFirst in
manager at The
the greater NYC
Bulfinch Group and
area and talent
Investment Advisor
Guilford, CT, a
2019’s Top Women in Retail by Women In Retail
DEREK MAZZARELLA, of Boston, MA, an investment
Leadership Circle for the 9th
WILLIAM A. MUTO ’99 MBA, of
optimizer and certified PI partner
annual awards. She received her
Warwick, RI, has been appointed
at the Predictive Index, was
Securities, has earned the
MBA from Babson College.
Vice President/Senior Business
recently named President of
designation of Five Star Wealth
Intelligence Officer at Bristol
SomethingNew LLC, an uncon-
Manager for the second year in a
County Savings Bank. He is
ventional talent recruiting and
row. His designation was
1993
responsible for providing direction
acquisition firm.
announced in Boston magazine’s
KEVIN M. OLSEN, of
and technical guidance on data
Philadelphia, PA, previously
standards and governance, as well
Dorman Products’ President and
as analysis of current marketplace
2001
Chief Operating Officer, has been
trends and existing analytics to
JILLIAN (TEMPEST) ROGERS, of
appointed the company’s
identify opportunities and improve
Tampa, FL, formerly of
President and Chief Executive
efficiencies and deliverables.
Smithfield, RI, joined The Lukens
featured on latin-
Company (TLC), based in
trends.com. His
Arlington, VA, as a senior account
story of immigrat-
Officer. He has also been named to the Dorman’s Board of Directors. Prior to joining
MARC PARAUKA, CPA, of
at Park Avenue
February issue.
JUAN CAMILO, of New York City, NY, was recently
director. She will work remotely
ing to the United
Ansonia, CT, has
from her hometown of Tampa, FL.
Vice President and Chief Financial
joined Utica
With more than 10 years experi-
Republic and leaving a job on
Officer, he served as the Senior
Equipment Finance
ence working in the nonprofit
Wall Street to found Dyckman
Vice President and Chief Financial
as Director of Credit
fundraising field, she previously
Beer Company was part of the
Officer at Colfax Fluid Handling,
and Underwriting.
worked for Merkle, a marketing
Dominican Influencer Series.
Dorman in 2016 as the Executive
and Chief Operating Officer at CRANE Energy Flow Solutions.
He is a seasoned credit profession-
and advertising organization
al with strengths in financial anal-
based in Columbia, MD.
States from the Dominican
ysis and managing customer rela-
2008
tionships, most recently as Vice
MONIKA SATTLER, of Spain and
1995
President, Business Banking Credit
2002
the United States,
MATT KLEIN ’99 MBA, of Eden
Analyst at Wells Fargo. He previ-
Prairie, MN, has been appointed
ously worked for EverBank and GE
DARREN M. VIOLETTE, CHFC®, CLU®, RICP®, CHSNC®,
first book,
President of KleinBank, continuing
Capital.
his family’s legacy as the fourth generation to work for KleinBank.
40
2004
has published her
of Whitinsville, MA,
Unleashing the Devil
a Principal of
in You. A summa
Profectus Financial
cum laude graduate with a degree
He has 22 years of experience in the
2000
Partners, Financial
in Global Studies, she left a career
financial services industry. Prior to
MOLLY DEVANNEY was honored
Advisor at Park
with the World Bank to pursue
being named President, he served
at the Channel 3 Kids Camps 11th
Avenue Securities, and Financial
her dreams and is now a goal
as Chief Consumer Banking Officer;
Annual W.R.A.P. (Women Raising
Professional at The Bulfinch Group,
strategy coach who helps others
President of the KleinBank branch
Awareness Philanthropically)
was designated a Five Star Wealth
do the same.
in Savage; and Vice President of
Luncheon in Hartford, CT. She is
Manager for the fifth consecutive
Business Development at KleinBank
Vice President of Public Relations
year as featured in Boston maga-
in Chaska. He came to KleinBank
at Highland Park Market, a
zine’s February issue.
from Fleet Financial in Rhode
third-generation family-owned
Island, where he served as Portfolio
grocery chain, as well as Executive
Manager and Financial Analyst.
Director of the nonprofit
A C C O MPLISHED ALU MNI
ACC O M P L I S H E D A L U M N I DANIEL GIROUARD, of
saw a highly successful and inno-
worked as an independent auditor
Pawtucket, RI, received an
vative customer marketing pro-
for a public accounting firm serv-
but was inactive for more than a
Outstanding Alumni Award from
gram and support team.
ing various municipalities and
decade until city leaders approved
the Community College of Rhode
school districts.
Island, where he received an associate’s degree. The award
PERA was established in 2002,
the Providence CommunityPolice Relations Act in 2017.
CHERIE (ROSEMOND) LISEE, J.D.,
Previously, he served as an
recognized “outstanding profes-
has been named
2010
sional growth and achievement in
Vice President for
NEIL BLACK, CPA, of New York
State of Rhode Island and, most
his field.” He received his Master
Compliance and
City, NY, has been named
recently, as a lawyer in private
Assistant Public Defender for the
of Business Administration from
Risk Management /
Manager of The Siegfried Group
practice, which he has agreed to
Providence College School of
Privacy Officer at
in the New York Metro Market.
suspend while in his role at PERA.
Business. An Army veteran, he is
UniBank for Savings in the
He was most recently at KPMG as
an Assistant Professor,
Greater Boston area. She is a
an Audit Manager. He received
Enrollment and Scholarship
multifaceted attorney and regu-
his master's degree in accoun-
Officer, in the Providence College
latory compliance adviser who
tancy at Queens College.
Department of Military Science.
most recently served as Regulatory
been promoted to
Exam Manager and Consumer
the role of Senior Key
2009
and Business Banking Compliance
2011
Officer at Santander Bank.
JOSE F. BATISTA, J.D., of
ERICA COLLINS has been named
Boston, MA, has
Account Manager at Providence, RI, has
Executive Director
CHRISTOPHER J. BEELS, of
PepsiCo, and is responsible for delivering top-line
been named
results, growing market share, and
of the Aesthetic
MATTHEW VIOLETTE ‘09 MPAc,
Executive Director
developing strong relationships at
Business Institute
of Mansfield, MA, has been
of the Providence
Shaw’s and Star Market in New
in Branford, CT.
appointed Town Accountant of
External Review
England.
Most recently, she
Mansfield. He has been the
Authority (PERA), the
served as the Senior Customer
Assistant Town Accountant/
nine-member panel tasked with
Marketing Program Manager at
Budget Analyst for Medfield for
providing civilian oversight over
Cynosure, Inc., where she over-
the past five years and has
the Providence Police Department.
Invest in Excellence With the stock market at record highs, there has never been a better time to use appreciated stock to make your gift to Bryant. You’ll receive a tax deduction on the full fair-market value of the stock, regardless of your cost basis, AND you will eliminate the capital gains tax on the appreciation, saving up to 20%. Donating stock is simple—instruct your broker to make an electronic transfer and we will take care of the rest. To learn more about how your gift of stock can inspire Bryant students to excel, contact Ed Magro, J.D., Executive Director of Development, at emagro@bryant.edu or 877.353.5667.
B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
41
SUSAN L. BENFEITO, of New
who are looking to make extra
2016
RYAN POHOLEK, of Tampa, FL,
Bedford, MA, was recently pro-
money by delivering those goods.
JAKE DURKIN, of Nashville, TN,
and formerly of North Attleboro,
The startup has almost a million
formerly of
subscribers. They also collaborate
Cohasset, MA, was
town newspaper, The Sun Chronicle,
River, MA. She has primary
on myWebRoom, a content deliv-
invited to move on
in an article that detailed his
responsibility for overseeing all
ery platform.
strategic management of the agency’s finance department infrastructure and operations.
2013
to American Idol
motivation to become a stand-
auditions in
out member of Bryant’s Cross
Hollywood after a private audi-
Country team. He now competes
tion with producers and an audi-
as a Spartan for his graduate school, the University of Tampa,
She joined Bristol as a Senior
PATRICK PERUGINO II ’13 MBA,
tion in front of judges Luke Bryan,
Accountant in 2011 and rose to the
of West Haven, CT, recently
Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie in
where he is pursuing a Master of
position of Finance Director in
served as a guest judge at the
Louisville. Eliminated in the sec-
Science in Entrepreneurship.
2016.
Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Shown
ond round, the singer/songwriter
in Manhattan, NY.
is continuing to work on his craft in the “Music City.”
2019 DENNIS COSMO, of Cranston,
ADDISON LYNCH, of Los Angeles, CA, joined the coaching
2015
staff of the Los Angeles Chargers
MARISSA COHEN, CPA, ’15 MPAc,
RI, has been named
2017
Veteran Resource Coordinator for
last season as the quality control
of Boston, MA, has
KENDRIK LECHNER, of Ann
coach for defense. He spent the
recently joined The
Arbor, MI, formerly of
Community College
previous seven seasons first as
Siegfried Group in
Middlebury, CT, has accepted the
of Rhode Island. He
assistant football coach for the
Boston, MA, as a
position of Associate Account
manages the VA Work Study pro-
Choctaws at Mississippi College
senior associate.
Strategist at Google in Ann Arbor.
gram across four campuses and
in Clinton, MS, before heading to
Most recently, she worked as an
Prior to that, he was a Sales
plans and executes college pro-
the Florida State Seminoles’
assurance senior associate at PwC.
Associate in the executive Sales
gramming designed for military
defense under Jimbo Fisher. His
Development Program at
veterans, National Guard mem-
family cheered him on in the AFC
Carousel Industries.
playoffs at Gillette Stadium ver-
bers, reservists, and dependents. He is the founder and CEO of the
LINDSEY LERNER, of Providence,
Bryant Veterans Professional
sus their beloved New England
RI, founder of Level
Patriots team.
Exchange®, a pro-
2018
Network, and a Goss Prize for
duction and
MICKEY GASPER, formerly of
Entrepreneurship recipient. Prior
coworking space
Merrimack, NH, is beginning his
to his higher education pursuits,
dedicated to work-
first full season in the New York
Cosmo served in Iraq as a U.S.
Yankees system after being pro-
Army Ranger.
2012 ARTEM FEDYAEV, of San
ing with musicians, artists, and
Francisco, CA, and
creators to hone their craft, has
moted to the Charleston (S.C.)
his wife, Daria
received the inaugural
RiverDogs at the end of last sea-
Rebenok Fedyaev
Millennial-Owned Business
son. The ’Dogs are the Yankees’
were named to
Spotlight Award at the 5th Annual
low Class A long season team.
Forbes “30 Under 30”
ChooseRI Celebration. She won
Last year, after being drafted by
the 2015 Bryant New Ventures
the Yankees in the 27th round in
business that connects people
Competition in 2015 with Level
early June, he played in some 37
looking for items such as sand
Exchange.
games with the Yankees’ Rookie
for their delivery startup Grabr, a
from a beach in Bali with travelers
SAV E T H E DAT E REUNION @ HOMECOMING 2019 SEPTEMBER 27-28 For more information and to get involved, visit alumniconnect.bryant.edu/reunion
42
MA, was featured in his home-
moted to Chief Financial Officer at Bristol Elder Services, Inc. in Fall
A C C O MPLISHED ALU MNI
League team in Pulaski, VA.
Share your news about professional and educational accomplishments at: bryant.edu/alumni, email alumni@bryant.edu, or call 877.353.5667.
ACC O M P L I S H E D A L U M N I DAVID COOLEY ’82 and LISA SATTLER-BIESEK ’82: Reinvigorating downtown Meriden, CT Three decades after collaborating on marketing and other
and offer business advice and coaching to budding
class projects, semi-retired executives David Cooley ’82 and
entrepreneurs. During last year’s Meriden Yule Fest, Santa
Lisa Sattler-Biesek ’82 are together again. Cooley,
Claus rode the commuter train into Meriden, and people
Co-Director of and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Making
enjoyed food trucks, street performers, a popup market, and
Meriden Business Center (MMBC), and Sattler-Biesek, as the
events at the Silver City Ballroom, all made possibly by
center’s Co-Director and Downtown Fellow, have embraced
external financial support. Given the great enthusiasm for the
their so-called part-time-plus roles revitalizing the
event, funding has been secured for the 2019 celebration.
downtown area of Meriden, CT, once an industrialized city. “Experts say it takes five to 10 years to turn a city around,” Says Cooley, a Meriden native. “But I think we’re ahead of
Thanks to a new commuter train line, Meriden is now a highly affordable 20-minute train ride to both Hartford and New Haven. Young professionals and entrepreneurs working
that schedule, because of city support and wonderful
in either city can find far more affordable housing in Meriden,
volunteers. And, Lisa has done great work with events and art
says Cooley. Meriden’s newly designated Opportunity Zones
place-making.”
offer opportunities for investors looking to help Meriden
Through their respective co-curricular activities at Bryant, Cooley and Sattler-Biesek gained invaluable skills – event planning and sponsorship, budgeting and marketing – that they use in their work at MMBC, which celebrated its first anniversary in March. “This was before the era of internships, so the clubs gave us real-world experiences,” she recalls.
rebound as well as to access tax benefits. With 14 acres of walking trails and an outdoor concert venue, the recently completed Meriden Green, directly across the street from the train station, is yet another beautiful community asset, as is nearby Hubbard Park, an 1,800-acre venue offering gorgeous vistas for hikers and cyclists.
Married to John Biesek ’80 and good friends with nearly two
Emphasizing Meriden’s silversmith history, Sattler-Biesek
dozen alumnae, Sattler-Biesek has collaborated with other
says, “We know that arts can be an amazing economic driver…
Bryant alumni on MMBC initiatives. Over the years, Cooley and Sattler-Biesek remained friends through regular coffee dates; now, says Cooley, “We instinctively seem to know what needs to get done. One plus one equals three.” With only a shoestring budget, the duo focuses on inexpensive or free initiatives to promote downtown Meriden,
we’re trying to combine the arts with technology.” One digital artist, who hosts a monthly digital paint night, has introduced Making Meriden Business Center to his artists’ network. “We created places and spaces for them to show their work, including the Renaissance Revive the Arts at the new Silver City Ballroom,” she says. Creating a healthy vibrant downtown, Sattler-Biesek notes, will come a step at a time. For more information: @MMBC on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
“Experts say it takes five to 10 years to turn a city around, but I think we’re ahead of that schedule, because of city support and wonderful volunteers.” DAVID COOLEY ’82, Co-Director of and Entrepreneurin-Residence at Making Meriden Business Center (MMBC)
Lisa Sattler-Biesek ’82 and David Cooley ’82 have teamed up to revitalize downtown Meriden, CT.
B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
43
IN MEMORIAM
44
THOMAS W. MORAN ’36 February 9, 2018
JAMES J. MCAREAVEY, SR. ’49 June 18, 2018
EDWARD “TED” LINHARES ’58 February 13, 2019
RAYMOND F. BONENFANT ’38, P’88 January 11, 2019
HOWARD L. CURTIS, JR. ’50 February 7, 2019
INA (GOLD) LONDON ’58 May 14, 2018
FRANCISCA (DAROSA) PROULX ’38 December 4, 2018
RICHARD T. MOORE ’50 February 10, 2019
JOHN D. ADAMS, SR. ’59 January 12, 2019
YVONNE (SYLVESTRE) LEVEILLE ’40 December 12, 2018
EDWARD F. CURTIS, III ’52 January 16, 2019
KEITH R. ALLEN ’59 January 28, 2019
E. BARBARA (BLISTEIN) MORGAN ’40 October 8, 2018
JOSEPHINE (INFANTINO) PHILLIPS ’52 March 6, 2018
WILLIAM G. SAN ANTONIO, JR. ’59 November 10, 2018
ISABELLE (KEAN) NOYES ’40 March 13, 2018
WILLIAM H. SEARLES, JR. ’53 February 15, 2019
JOSEPH A. PINOCCI, JR. ’60 February 24, 2016
JEAN (PARKER) STOVER ’41 February 7, 2019
EARL R. WILLIS ’53 October 16, 2018
BERTON A. BROMWELL ’61, P’97 November 30, 2018
CATHERINE (CONFIETTO) ALVEY ’42 January 18, 2019
SHEILA (POLLACK) PHILLIPS ’54 February 1, 2019
JOHN F. LOUGHRAN ’61 January 1, 2019
HELEN (GERMAGIAN) ATAMIAN ’43 January 11, 2019
RUSSELL F. BARTHOLOMEW ’55 September 14, 2018
CARL T. CARLSON, JR. ’62 November 29, 2018
DOROTHY (ARIGONI) MCCUSKER ’43 April 26, 2018
PHYLLIS (HENGST) BRUNNER ’55 December 8, 2018
LUCIA (BARBIERI) JEWELL ’62 February 3, 2019
HELVI J. PALOJARVI ’43 December 11, 2018
CHARLES E. JOURDENAIS, JR. ’55 January 16, 2019
JOHN E. LUCIANI, JR. ’62 June 6, 2017
EDMUND J. CLEGG, JR. ’46, P’81 January 31, 2019
JOHN J. SYAH ’56 November 10, 2018
JOHN “JACK” RENAUD ’62 February 11, 2019
SHEILA (ROSS) HUTTON ’46 June 21, 2018
FRED A. VALIANTE ’56 November 29, 2018
DOMINIC CIFELLI ’64 November 15, 2018
ANN (WILSON) HORTON ’47 December 7, 2018
DIANE (BURGHARDT) DE OLIVEIRA ’57 February 8, 2019
BARRY E. MARTIN ’65 November 27, 2018
JAMES J. LOMBARDI, JR. ’47 August 31, 2018
CHARLES J. DRISCOLL ’57 January 6, 2019
PAUL B. NORTHRUP ’65 February 6, 2019
ROSE (FUSARO) LOMBARDI ’47 February 14, 2019
ANTHONY FINELLI ’57 January 1, 2019
ROBERT W. SMITH ’65 January 27, 2019
RALPH R. PAPITTO ’47, ’87H January 18, 2019
GABRIEL MILLER ’57 May 24, 2016
HARRY A. BROWN ’67 January 6, 2019
PHYLLIS (AUGUSCIAK) SMYTH ’47 December 15, 2018
FIORE NORELLI, JR. ’57 December 21, 2018
JOSEPH T. DUFFY ’69 February 12, 2019
IRENE (D’AGUANNO) MARSELLA ’48, P ’87, ’91 MBA January 11, 2019
JOHN TEARE ’57 August 22, 2018
MICHAEL J. GRADY ’69 December 10, 2018
I N MEMO RIAM
JOHN W. JENNINGS ’69 September 15, 2018
WILLIAM C. ROSS ’78 December 11, 2018
JOHN L. ZAMBARANO ’86 November 9, 2018
KATHLEEN (CRISCUOLO) WINSOR ’69 November 25, 2018
HENRY L. DAUDELIN, JR. ’80 May 31 2018
AMY (VALE) GALLAGHER ’89, ’00 MBA November 29, 2018
RONALD M. CARLIN ’71 November 20, 2018
BRYAN M. OPPENHEIMER ’80, P ’08 February 9, 2019
PAULA J. HUDSON ’89 December 10, 2018
MICHAEL R. IZZO ’71 November 28, 2018
THOMAS H. TRUDEAU ’80 January 10, 2019
JOHN H. HEBERT ’90 February 14, 2019
ALBERT J. STORTI ’72, ’80 MBA, P ’92 December 22, 2018
ANTHONY MUSUMECI, JR. ’81 January 5, 2019
DOUGLAS M. MARTIN ’90 December 3, 2018
KENNETH FAVREAU ’74, P ’92 December 7, 2018
DAWN (BENSON) CASALE ’82 January 30, 2019
PATRICK N. MAHER ’92 November 20, 2018
THOMAS W. KNIGHT ’75 February 2, 2019
RICHARD A. PERREAULT ’82 MBA January 18, 2019
GLENN R. CLARK ’97 MBA December 9, 2018
KURT C. GIARD ’76 March 26, 2018
PAUL A. SAVICKAS ’83 MBA December 11, 2018
CHRISTOPHER C. PAULINO ’01 February 9, 2019
GARY L. THELL ’77 January 10, 2019
JENNIFER L. O’ROURKE ’84 January 29, 2019
NEIL G. ST. JEAN ’04 November 15, 2018
WILLIAM A. DELAUGHTER ’78 January 15, 2019
DONALD J. FLUMERFELT ’86 January 9, 2019
Joseph T. Duffy ’69, a member of Bryant’s Board of Trustees from 1992-2001, passed away on February 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, CA,
after a long battle with melanoma. In addition to his tenure as a Bryant trustee, Duffy was a long time and consistent member of the Bryant Leadership Council of Donors, supporting both the Bryant Fund and the Trustee Scholarship Fund. Born in Providence, RI, to Austin J. and Elizabeth Neary Duffy, he was educated at Blessed Sacrament School and La Salle Academy, both in Providence. Following his graduation from Bryant, he enlisted as an airman in the Rhode Island Air National Guard and served until 1975. Duffy was a Trust Officer at State Street Bank in Boston, where he became an experienced investment officer. He went on to join Fleet Bank in Providence, RI, and moved to California in 1977 to join Western Asset Management Company. He then worked as Chief Investment Officer at First Interstate Bank and then served as President of Chase Manhattan Bank in California. He later joined the Private Bank at Bank of America, serving as the Chief Investment Officer until 2000. He then worked as the Managing Director at U.S. Trust Company until retiring in 2002. His civic engagement included serving as President of Santa Maria Hospital and Foundation. Duffy also was a member of the board of the Hathaway Home for Children. Active in the National League for Nurses, he served as President of National Student Nurses Foundation in New York City. He was a longtime member of Los Angeles Athletic Club. He is survived by his partner Kenneth R. Visger Jr. and his sister Mary Duffy of Rhode Island, a niece and nephew, and many cousins in both America and Ireland.
B R YAN T S U MME R 20 19
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