Eastern Magazine 2013 Spring by EasternCTStateUniversity

Issue 20

Spring 2013

Connecticutâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Public Liberal Arts University

EASTERN Issue 20 | Spring 2013

In This Issue 1 From the President’s Desk 2 Victoria Leigh Soto ’08 4 Eastern Alumni 7 Back in the Day 8 Faculty Mentoring Enriches Student Research 11 A Roundup of Eastern’s Authors 14 EES Faculty Lead the Way

Features 16 Philanthropy 18 Campus News 23 Athletics 25 Class Notes 32 Final Thoughts Inside back cover Supporting Eastern

Staff & Contributors Executive Editor Kenneth J. DeLisa Editor Edward Osborn Associate Editor Amy Brenner-Fricke Designers Kevin Paquin | Leigh Balducci Contributors

EASTERN Magazine is published by the Division of Institutional Advancement for the beneﬁt of alumni, students, faculty, staﬀ and friends of Eastern Connecticut State University. EASTERN Magazine is printed on coated paper that is certiÀ ed by three environmental groups and manufactured with 30 percent post-consumer recycled À ber.

Reц ections from the President “Beyond the Books.” The h headline dli on the h cover could ld mean many things. In this case, it is our way of saying that Eastern faculty members do a lot more than assign chapters in a textbook to their students. As a teaching faculty at a liberal arts college, Eastern professors facilitate learning, encourage creativity and mentor exploration. They want students to learn to think for themselves, work independently or together, and gain confidence in expressing themselves orally and in writing.

Eastern students with guidance and supp support on field trips, study abroad courses and other out-of-class activities. We eagerly wait for the opportunity to tell the story of our theatre, music and visual arts faculty in the new Fine Arts Instructional Center that will open in fall 2015. All of these stories — those that appear in this issue and those yet to be written — reaffirm the central role that Eastern’s faculty plays in the intellectual rigor on our campus and the learning that takes place here.

Eastern faculty also model the scholarship that they encourage in their students — to explore a subject matter in great depth, analyze data and other empirical evidence, and develop and defend hypotheses and intellectual positions. Eastern professors are authors, researchers and artists. They bring their expertise and knowledge into every classroom in which they teach, and their students are the grateful beneficiaries of that knowledge.

One area of faculty expertise that has been evident on this campus for 125 years is in the field of education. We have been preparing Connecticut’s elementary schoolteachers since the Willimantic State Normal School opened its doors in 1889. One of our elementary education graduates — Victoria Leigh Soto ’08 — died a hero at Sandy Hook Elementary School this past December. Victoria was a devoted teacher. As an undergraduate, she blessed our campus with her spirit, her scholarship and her commitment to the teaching profession. We will never forget her.

This issue of EASTERN Magazine explores the ways in which Eastern’s faculty enriches our campus. One article describes how faculty research informs and stimulates the research of undergraduate students. Another article tells of faculty authors and the work they have recently published. The Environmental Earth Science (EES) Department is featured for the “Exemplary Program Review” its faculty undertook to receive additional resources to enhance the faculty’s focus on providing EES students with field research and other learning opportunities. There are more stories about Eastern faculty yet unwritten. We have stories to tell of faculty members providing

To everyone associated with Eastern who calls themselves a teacher, we congratulate you for the contributions you make to this University, to our community and to our state. You are the bedrock of Eastern and the reason our students are transformed on our campus. Thank you.

Elsa Núñez President EASTERN

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Victoria Leigh Soto’s face has graced newspapers, television screens and websites throughout the world since Dec. 14, 2012, when she died during the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. Vicki is recognized as a hero for her selfless actions that day as she attempted to protect the innocent children in her first-grade classroom. On March 9, more than 400 people gathered in the Betty R. Tipton Room in Eastern Connecticut State University’s Student Center to honor Victoria and celebrate her life. Eastern President Elsa Núñez thanked those in attendance for coming and said, “The greatest tribute we can give Vicki is to live as she did — with a passion for life and a bounty of love for those we hold dear.” “She was a remarkable person, a loving person, an inspiration,” said Connecticut Gov. Malloy, likening

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Victoria to the state’s official hero and heroine — Nathan Hale and Prudence Crandall. “You could not find a finer person than Victoria Soto.” Those who knew Victoria told stories about her that helped others in attendance better understand the life and spirit of this special young woman. Rachel Schiavone ’07, Vicki’s best friend and college roommate, said, “Vicki loved Eastern so much. She was a ball of energy, up for anything. She lit up a room with her personality. She was vibrant and witty, and she was passionate about learning. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her in my life.” Schiavone said her friend could be funny and serious at the same time. “Sometimes she would tell our group of friends when we were getting ready to go out for the evening that she couldn’t go because she had ‘a hot date with Eugene.’” Victoria was

referring to J. Eugene Smith, Eastern’s third president and namesake of the J. Eugene Smith Library. A “hot date with Eugene” meant hours of study in the library, but even then, Victoria didn’t see it as work. Being a teacher is what she had wanted to be since she was a young girl, following in the footsteps of her aunt, Debbie Cronk. Vicki was a double major in elementary education and history who graduated with high honors. “Vicki didn’t waste time being mad about petty things,” Schiavone continued. “She made the best out of every situation. She was friendly to everyone, and a loyal friend to those close to her. I will never forget her smile, her humor and her laugh, and I will always cherish the memories that we shared.” Two of Victoria’s professors also shared personal stories of her time

At left, Vicki with best friend and roommate Rachel Schiavone. Right, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy speaks during the memorial service, held in the Betty R. Tipton Room.

on campus. Hari Koirala, education professor and chair of the Education Department, said, “I was fortunate to have Victoria in two of my courses. Throughout these courses she demonstrated that she was a hard-working, dedicated, passionate and reflective student who always wanted to know how the content she was learning would be applicable to her teaching in elementary classrooms. I am not surprised that she became such an outstanding teacher. It was what she loved to do, and she was good at it. To me and my colleagues at Eastern, Victoria represents the finest image of a teacher, and she has truly uplifted the teaching profession. We are fortunate that we were part of her life.”

“You got to dance like nobody’s watching. Dream like you will live forever, live like [you’re] gonna die tomorrow, and love like it’s never going to hurt.” (Victoria Soto ’08 in her high school yearbook; based on quotations by Victor Hugo and Mark Twain)

Ann Higginbotham, professor of history and chair of the History Department, was Victoria’s teacher for her senior seminar on Victorian England. Higginbotham told of Vicki’s interest in the British education system and of her research on Emily Davies, a British feminist who fought for college education for women. “Davies was familiar with the people she was up against,” wrote Victoria in her final paper, “and she was prepared to fight for her cause.” The world now knows of the same level of commitment found in Vicki Soto.

“She was so lovely, so lively and so full of joy,” said Higginbotham. “Vicki is forever a part of Eastern’s history, and of the history of Connecticut, our nation and the world.” Jillian Soto shared a running slide show of photos of her older sister, and told the audience that she always wanted to be like Victoria. Jillian also shared stories of Vicki’s sense of humor, including the first day Jillian walked into Stratford High School as a freshman. Vicki was a senior at the high school by then, and told her sister that the swimming pool was on the third floor. What seemed like hours later, Jillian realized that the school only had two floors — and there was no swimming pool to be found. “She was so silly and spontaneous!” recalled Jillian. Interspersed throughout the program were musical selections coordinated by Music Professor David Belles and performed by Eastern students, faculty members and friends, including the Eastern Chamber Singers. Other participants included author Wally Lamb, who read the poem “The Pond” by Howard Nemerov; English Professor Daniel Donaghy, who read “Testament,” a poem he had written in Victoria’s honor; and Coley

O’Toole of touring artists “We the Kings,” who performed his original composition, “Angels on Earth,” written in Vicki’s honor. Eastern is known as a “family” of alumni, current students, their families, and faculty and staff who share common values, a belief in the power of education, and a commitment to working together to make the world a better place. Victoria Soto was a very special member of the Eastern family whose memory will be kept alive forever on our campus.

In honor of Vicki and her heroism, the University has created the Victoria Leigh Soto Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund to support Eastern students studying to be teachers who have unmet Ànancial need. Donations may be directed to: Victoria Leigh Soto Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund ECSU Foundation, Inc. Eastern Connecticut State University 83 Windham Street Willimantic, CT 06226 Attn: Kenneth J. DeLisa (Please make checks payable to the ECSU Foundation, Inc.) To donate online, visit www.easternct. edu/advancement/victoria_soto.html. After Àlling out the À rst screen, you will be directed to a second screen to select a designation for your gift. On the dropdown menu, choose “Victoria Leigh Soto Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund.”

EASTERN ALUMNI ALUMNI, STAFF, AND FRIENDS HONORED WITH PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP AWARDS The President’s Leadership Awards Luncheon, held on April 4 in the Paul E. Johnson Sr. Community Conference Room, recognized four people who have made exceptional contributions to Eastern, their local communities, the state of Connecticut and beyond. Anna (Stankewich) AlÀero ’62 received the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership or professional success by Eastern graduates. AlÀero had an exemplary 35-year career in the Waterford Public School system and was named to the inaugural class of inductees into the National Teachers Hall of Fame by President Bill Clinton in 1992. AlÀero also serves as the organizer of the Willimantic State Teachers College Class of ’62. Last year she chaired the committee to celebrate

Anna (Stankewich) AlÀero ’62 (center) receives the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award from Eastern President Elsa Nùñez and Kenneth Briggs ’02/’05 M.S./’10 M.S., president of the ECSU Alumni Association.

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From left: Professor Emeritus Stephen Kenton, Anna (Stankewich) AlÀero ’62, Eastern President Elsa Nùñez and Steve Watts

their 50th Reunion, and she is leading the effort to create a permanent, endowed scholarship that will honor the legacy of her classmates. “There were 60 in our graduating class,” she said, “and we were the Àrst class of schoolteachers who were required to take graduate credits and get our master’s degree. We were supported and encouraged by our teachers and fellow students, and we were committed to leaving the world a better place than we had found it. I cherish those times.” The Hermann Beckert Friends of the University Award was presented to Professor Emeritus Stephen Kenton. Following a teaching career at Eastern of 38 years, during which time he became known for creating an everexpanding network of math and computer science alumni, Kenton helped start an endowed scholarship in his honor. Through his enthusiasm and hard work, the scholarship has raised $51,000 to support math and computer science students. Kenton described three students, including his own daughter, who fell in love with Eastern and enrolled here as a result. “Our students really love it

here,” he said. “I feel privileged to have been part of this University.” Receiving the ECSU Foundation’s Distinguished Donor Award was Steve Watts. In 2010, Watts established the LeClaire B. Watts Endowed Scholarship in memory of his wife, Lee, who established the Modern Languages Department and taught Spanish at Eastern for many years before she passed away in 2009. “By creating this scholarship, I know that Lee would be happy that she can continue to serve Eastern and its students years after she is gone,” he said. Watts also serves on the Board of Directors of the ECSU Foundation. Eastern President Elsa Nùñez thanked the recipients for their professional, civic and philanthropic accomplishments, and applauded the donors present for their commitment to assisting students in paying for their educations. “I am here today especially to acknowledge the hundreds of Eastern students who, without your support, might not be walking our halls, sitting in our classrooms, and burning

the midnight oil in the library to achieve their goals as scholars and budding professionals,” she said. “We had nearly 3,000 donors this past year — including a record-high 1,850 alumni donors, which is a positive validation of what we are doing here at Eastern.” Also receiving recognition was Sandy Roth, who is the recipient of the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award. In addition to receiving her master’s degree at Eastern, Roth created a scholarship to support history majors in memory of her late husband, History Professor David Roth. She also serves on the ECSU Foundation Board as secretary.

Steve Watts accepts the ECSU Foundation’s 2013 Distinguished Donor Award.

2013 “EASTERN FELLOWS” ARE INDUCTED Two Eastern alumnae who have made their marks in their chosen professions were inducted into the distinguished ranks of Eastern Fellows on March 6. Inductees were Kathleen Kennedy ’74 and Kathy (Leary) Gentilozzi ’81, both of whom have risen to the highest executive levels in corporate human resources management.

Kennedy and Gentilozzi entered the Àeld of HR management through unplanned steps, and advanced their careers not only through hard work but by making wise choices and capitalizing on solid relationships with senior executives along the way. They spoke with Eastern students, faculty and staff during a day of

activities that included a panel discussion and classroom presentations. Kennedy, a sociology and social relations major, was encouraged by several Eastern faculty members to attend graduate school. She went to Columbia, where she earned two master’s degrees while working in career counseling at Barnard College. She was eventually attracted to the world of Ànance, where she has held a number of executive HR positions leading to her current job heading all United States recruiting, in-house and outsourced, for international giant UBS Financial Services. Gentilozzi came to Eastern expecting to be a teacher and graduated with an education degree. But in 1981 there were few teaching positions available, so she substituted and took a part-time job as a salesperson in a clothing store, soon becoming an assistant manager and then store manager. She eventually transitioned to human resources within the retail clothing industry, and is now senior vice president of human resources

From left, Kathleen Kennedy ’74, President Núñez and Kathy (Leary) Gentilozzi ’81

for the well-known youth clothing retailer Aeropostale. The Eastern Fellows program was established in 2008 to recognize and engage distinguished Eastern alumni in the life of the University. This program is a means of enriching the educational experience of Eastern undergraduates by exposing them to alumni who are able to share their work experiences with students.

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For the past few years, Eastern has been “on the road,” bringing alumni together in a variety of locales for social and professional networking while spreading the news of Eastern’s prominent rise as a quality public liberal arts university. Networking events and alumni receptions have been held in Willimantic, Hartford, Putnam, New London, New Haven, Stamford and Middletown, CT; Providence, RI; Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Atlanta, GA; Tampa, FL; New York, NY; and Washington, DC. We might be coming to a city near you very soon!

ALUMNI EVENTS GROW IN POPULARITY

Providence Bruins game (from left): Mary Fitzmaurice, “Samboni” and James Fitzmaurice ’07/’09 M.S.

Middletown (from left): Kristin Juaire ’07, Alyssa Morello ’07 and Jennifer Malone ’72

To receive e-mail invitations to alumni events, contact the OfÀce of Alumni Affairs at (860) 465-5302 or at alumni@easternct.edu, or like our Facebook group “ECSU Alumni Association.” Hartford (from left): Brittany Johnson ’09, Sylvia Stevens ’12, Audriana White ’12, Eric McKenzie ’10 and Alicia Dixon ’11

Stamford (from left): Cory DeWeese ’90, Ryan Rose ’00/’11 M.S., Robert Casey ’79, Bill Miller ’79, Brendan Sobolewski ’96, Alyssa Deegan ’13, Jared Beazley ’98, Thierry Francois ’00, Greg Brasher ’95, Ian Beazley ’01 and Marie Zamor ’97

Providence (from left): Laura Mlyniec ’03, Tristan Hobbes ’09, Kristen Ruel ’02, Jason Ruel ’99 and Bonnie Bryden ’03

Hartford (from left): Gregory Bowen ’00, Dru Schlosser ’00, Jeffery Ganley ’99 and Anthony Napolitano ’99

New York City (from left): Caitlin Cherner ’09; Audriana White ’12; Michael Stenko, director of alumni affairs; Carrie Dorfman ’03; Patti Meadows ’97; Stefania Distefano ’08; Cynthia Bajana ’08; Daniel Simonetti ’08; Derrick Gibbs ’08; Johnathan Alpert ’95; and Jason Herskovitz ’10

New London: Troy Graham ’12 and Michelle Thakur ’11

Back in t he Day For Brenda d ((Winakor) i k ) Holmwood ’62, living on campus provided lifelong memories of friendship and camaraderie: “If you have the opportunity to live on campus, it’s something you’ll always remember! The whole experience of living with other people was wonderful — it helped us to grow as people and become more tolerant of others. In the evenings we would go to each other’s rooms and hang out. I had a roommate who didn’t particularly enjoy doing that, so I would have to wait until she fell asleep so I could sneak out and go visit my neighbors. I didn’t want her to feel bad about me leaving her alone in the room! I remember one time she woke up and wanted to know what I was doing, and I had to tell her that I just woke up

and couldn’t sleep! But I just loved socializing late at night. That’s when you got to talk about this and that. There was a certain closeness — it was like having a sisterhood. We became like an extended family.”

Brenda (Winakor) Holmwood (above, at right) shared a light-hearted moment with classmate Anna (Stankewich) AlÀero ’62 at Eastern Celebrates in May 2012. The two have been good friends since they met during sophomore year at Willimantic State Teachers College.

to serve as ofÀciant. “We were involved with the Campus Ministry when we were students. So when we decided to get married, we came here and asked Father Larry, and he agreed to marry us. And it was really special to us for him to do that,” said Lisa.

Scott and Lisa Proctor live in Meriden. Their son, Justin, is a 2012 graduate of Eastern. Their daughter is a nursing student at Fitchburg State University.

Scott and Lisa (Boutot) Proctor, both graduates of the Class of ’82, met at Eastern’s snack bar/campus pub during their junior year — and have been together ever since. The facility, called the “End-ofthe-Line Pub,” was located on the Àrst Áoor in the Student Center in the early ’80s and was a popular on-campus hangout. “It was a Thursday night. We met through a friend of mine — he knew Lisa, and he Àxed us up,” said Scott. When the Proctors began planning their wedding after graduation, they came back to Eastern and asked Father Larry Lapointe

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Biology Professor Patricia Szczys explains equipment in the laboratory to a group of students.

Faculty mentoring enriches student research BY DWIGHT BACHMAN

While research at large “research one” universities is typically reserved for graduate students and their faculty, undergraduate students at Eastern Connecticut State University have unique opportunities to conduct research while earning their bachelor’s degrees. Undergraduate research projects at Eastern span disciplines and afford students the prospect of intellectual engagement beyond the formal classroom setting. Moreover, undergraduate research projects have proven to help students acquire important scientific and problemsolving skills. Such research experiences do not happen in a vacuum, however. The most important component to the process is the interaction that each student has with their faculty mentor — a component that offers as much meaning to the faculty member as it does for the student. “Undergraduate research benefits students and faculty,” said Eastern President Elsa Nùñez, “whether it is because it provides faculty with research support that they otherwise might not have; allows students to provide perspectives and an intellectual context that pushes faculty to strengthen their research; or inspires and motivates faculty by working with young, curious, intelligent minds. At the end of the day, everyone benefits from having faculty work closely with their students on their research and creative activity.” Faculty members who are committed to disseminating knowledge through teaching, research, engagement and creative expression describe how rewarding it is to see their students grow in maturity, confidence and expertise as they engage in research. “One of the most rewarding aspects of faculty life at Eastern is the opportunity to mentor student research,” said Biology Professor Patricia Szczys, who recently guided Eastern students Erin Conn and Mackenzie Robert as they conducted biological research on the Whiskered Tern, a socially monogamous species of seabirds. Conn and Robert, along with 13 other

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students in different disciplines, presented their research findings at the Third Annual Northeast Regional Council of Public Liberal Art Colleges Undergraduate Research Conference (COPLAC), held at Eastern this past October. Szczys said she considered it “a pleasure” to work with Conn and Robert in her population-genetics lab. “It was wonderful to see their curiosity and commitment to the project. They spent two semesters collecting data in the lab and then presented their preliminary results,” she said, adding that she enjoys serving as a faculty mentor to undergraduates. “It is a joy to watch students gain confidence and skill as they progress through the biology program.” Education majors Ariel Levesque, Erin Murphy and Suzanne Slater also presented their research findings at the conference, having observed and analyzed teacher-child interactions during iPad usage. Education Professor Sudha Swaminathan served as their mentor and said her experience was exhilarating from beginning to end, as “it blurred the boundaries of teacher versus student as we all became partners in this research.” “My student researchers were very insightful in their perspectives and opened my outlook into seeking alternative angles. It made me realize anew the value of plurality of thought and perspectives and the value of collaboration with like and yet fresh thinkers,” said Swaminathan. “I learned so many valuable and professional skills by conducting this research,” said Murphy. “Sudha was a great mentor; she was there to guide, support and lead us to success. She was always there if we needed anything and had an open mind to any suggestions we had.”

Students from Theatre Professor Ellen Brodie’s Children’s Theatre class perform “All About Trees” at the Child and Family Development Resource Center.

Biology Professor Joshua Idjadi, who mentored David Stein ’12 throughout his research project on inducible defenses in marine corals, agrees about the benefits of conducting research with students. “Through hours of research in the literature, David expanded our knowledge of the defensive structures that corals use to survive and compete. On his own, he took the project into new realms by using our confocal microscope to create spectacular images of the internal structures of these animals,” he said, adding that Stein’s research efforts greatly aided Idjadi’s

own findings. “David’s work was part of a project that I presented at the 2011 Western Society of Naturalist meeting in Vancouver, WA, and the 2011 Moorea Coral Reef Long Term Ecological Survey meeting in Santa Barbara, CA.” Business Information System (BIS) major Charles Hooper’s research on the Traveler’s Insurance work system for the production of the company’s “sell sheets” benefitted tremendously from the tutelage of BIS Professor Doncho Petkov. Petkov, whose own work has appeared in more than 115 refereed papers, is proud of the achievements of his students, and says his goal is to “successfully infuse in young scholars an enthusiasm for research.” In January, Petkov received news that another paper by two of his students, Jacob Rusconi and Dylan Ross, which proposed improvements in the operations of a public water monitoring laboratory, was accepted for the prestigious National Conference in Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in 2013. Another student,

Biology Professor Joshua Idjadi and David Stein ’12 conducted research in Tahiti.

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Erica Sgambato ’11, a social informatics minor and social work major, combined her interdisciplinary skills in a study on the use of social networks by Eastern students that was presented at NCUR in 2011. For Visual Arts Professor Gail Gelburd, the true meaning of teaching and mentorship is motivating students to take the teachings of the class to a unique and creative level, as evidenced in the work of Eastern student Vincent Aloia ’12, who presented “Of Cuba: Bound to the Clay,” an oil on canvas, at the COPLAC conference. Carolina Galvez, another Gelburd mentee, also presented a double-hung digital print at the conference. Aloia’s work was influenced by a study trip to Cuba last year, which was coordinated and led by Gelburd. As soon as the ban on student travel to Cuba was lifted, Gelburd, who has researched the Cuban art scene for 20 years, planned the global field study course to the island for visual art majors; students in the Education and Business Administration Departments participated as well. The study abroad program coincided with the Havana Biennale, one of the largest international art festivals in the world. Aloia, a painting student of Art Professor Qimin Liu, embraced the opportunity to travel, study the people of Cuba, and ultimately create a series of paintings on what he saw as a core aspect of the country. Under the direction of Theatre Professor Ellen Brodie, Children’s Theatre Class students Olivia Beaullan, Amanda Conkey, Jessica McDonald, Melissa DiPasquale, Keri Smart and Corey Welden created an original show of songs, short stories, poetry, movement, mime and shadow puppetry, titled “All About Trees,” which they presented for both preschool age children at the Child and Family Resource Center and at the COPLAC conference. Throughout the process, the students took ownership of this project as producers, directors, writers, performers, costumers and props masters. Though this was a class project and the students were responsible for all aspects, they looked to Brodie for advice, guidance and expertise. Brodie’s mentorship was primarily one of encouragement, inspiration and feedback to her students’ choices of literature, and choices of characterization, movement and other staging decisions. Additional Eastern faculty members who mentored students at the COPLAC undergraduate research conference included Assistant Professor of Psychology James Diller; Philosophy Professor Hope Fitz; Professor Emeritus Fred Loxsom, retired chair of sustainable energy studies; Sociology Professor Kimberly Dugan; Associate Professor of Psychology Alita Cousins; and Associate Professor of English Maureen McDonnell. Top, Professor James Diller meets with Eastern student and research assistant Danielle Gillespie, who is using psychophysiological equipment to collect data for a research study. Middle: Professor Emeritus Fred Loxsom explains the internal workings of a solar hot water heater collection panel to a class of students. Bottom: Education Professor Sudha Swaminathan provided guidance to Erin Murphy and two other students on a study about iPad usage in the classroom.

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A ROUNDUP

OF EASTERN’S AUTHORS

Eastern’s faculty members have a strong tradition of pursuing research and creative projects. Often those projects result in published works, bringing recognition to the author and the University and enhancing the learning experience for the students. Whether the goal is to make a subject more accessible to students, to answer an important nt question or to give voice to those often forgotten, Eastern’ss faculty members are working to contribute their expertise to the broader academic community, enriching their class-rooms in the process. Lisa Rowe Fraustino, professor of English and associate chair of the English Department, has published numerous works written for children, young adults and adults, and has edited three anthologies of short stories. In 2010 she released a chapbook of poetry and her latest children’s book, “The Hole in the Wall,” which won the 2010 Milkweed Prize for Children’s Literature. Fraustino’s main focus is on children’s literature, with an interest in giving voice to those often overlooked. “I like to envision what might have been, the way life would have been for women and children, those whose lives did not make it into the history books,” she said. Fraustino’s story ideas come to her constantly – from sights, sounds or snippets of conversations, and can result in a fantasy novel, historical fiction or a story dealing with mental illness. She is currently teaching a class on anthropomorphism and is working on a creative project on the subject. Prem S. Mann, professor of economics and chair of the Economics Department, has found success in writing textbooks. His first book, “Introductory Statistics,” is in its eighth edition and has been translated into Chinese, Serbian and Portuguese. He is also the author of “Introductory Statistics Using Technology” and “Statistics for Business and Economics,” and co-author of “Practitioner’s Guide to Statistics and Lean Six Sigma for Process Improvements.”

BY MEGHAN CARDEN

His interest in writing textbooks began with his teaching career. “I used many statistics books, and I was not very happy with them,” he said. “They were written more for the professor than for the student.” He composed a few chapters and sent them off to publishers, ultimately deciding to work with John Wiley & Sons, Inc., who had an international reach and a respected reputation. “My approach was to first decide who the textbook would be written for. Did I want to write for the top tier – Yale or Harvard, the middle tier, or the bottom? I decided to write for the average student. I wanted to write for the mainstream audience, not for the outliers,” he said. In addition to writing textbooks and making changes for each new edition, Mann is the author of several scholarly articles. He is currently working on another textbook, “Essentials of Statistics,” which will be finished by the end of the year. For Assistant Professor of History Caitlin Carenen, writing a book “contributes in a meaningful way to a wider conversation.” Her first book, “The Fervent Embrace: Liberal Protestants, Evangelicals, and Israel,” published in 2012, illustrates how liberal Protestants laid the groundwork for the current support of Israel. Carenen’s research began while studying for her erdoctorate at Emory University, when she explored thee American Protestant influence in the development of ce, the U.S. and Israeli alliance, and religion’s influence on n foreign policy in general. “Historical research begins ns h by asking a question worth answering,” she said. Her exploration of the topic EASTERN

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took her to Cincinnati, OH, Washington, DC, New York,, Germany, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Last spring, Carenen was named an Academic Fellow by rthe Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a non-partisan policy institute headquartered in Washington, DC. She traveled to Israel for an intensive course in terrorism studies, and in particular, how democracies can defeat the worldwide terrorist threat. The program included lectures ll by academics and military and intelligence officials, as well as diplomats from Israel, Jordan, India and the United States. It also included “hands-on” experience through visits to police, customs and immigration facilities; military bases; and border zones to learn the practical side of deterring and defeating terrorists. The experience led to her next book, which she is in the process of writing. “I was at the West Bank, thinking of how Americans think of terrorism,” she said. The book will examine whether ethnic groups influence foreign policy, with a particular focus on terrorist groups in Northern Ireland, South Africa, and the Palestinian territories. Last fall, Reginald Flood, associate professor of English and coordinator of the African American Studies Program at Eastern, was named the recipient of a Creative Writing Fellowship in Poetry from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The fellowship brings with h award d off $$25,000. Competition C it a cash for the grant is rigorous. Of 1,173 applications, only 40 received grants. NEA fellowships enable recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel and general career advancement. Flood’s first book, “Coffle,” was published in March 2012. A collection of poems written in traditional forms that complement canonical slave narratives, “Coffle” is the first in what Flood hopes will be a trilogy. Flood plans to use the fellowship to travel to conduct research for the second collection of poetry in his trilogy, “There is Still War in the World.” The collection focuses on slave narratives recorded during the Great Depression as part of the Works Progress Administration Federal Writer’s Project (WPA).

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“The fellowship will give me the financial ability to retrace the journey many of the former slaves made from Mississippi to Arkansas as slaves before they were freed,” he said. Professor Jeffrey TrawickSmith is the Endowed Chair of Early Childhood Education and a CSU Professor, the highest title bestowed on a faculty b in C member Connecticut’s’ state universities. Trawick-Smith is internationally recognized for his work on multicultural child development and his research on children’s play and how play enhances language. He is the editor of three textbooks and the author of two others, including “Early Childhood Development: A Multicultural Perspective,” a textbook on early childhood development that has been translated into multiple languages and is used in classrooms around the world. “I am really proud of it,” Trawick-Smith said, adding ted that he is particularly interested d, in children’s ability to pretend, c“as it is one of the best predictors of children’s academic ability later on.” Sociology Professor Dennis Canterbury has written several books. “Neoliberal Democratization and New d Authoritarianism,” published in 2005, explores the dynam-h h Third d ics of change that sustain authoritarian states in the World. It highlights certain aspects of democratization that have not been fully investigated, and focuses on development politics and political sociology, and provides insight into globalization, authoritarianism and transition in developing countries. It was published to rave reviews, including one that called the book “an exemplary work which will be a valuable text in classrooms dealing with development studies, and for activists and policymakers.” In 2010 Canterbury published “European Bloc Imperialism.” The book focuses on the means by which EuroAmerican capital is currently spread around the globe and

the different ways it pillages the wealth of the developing countries in African, Caribbean and the Pacific. Most recently, Canterbury’s “Capital Accumulation and Migration” was published by Brill Publishers in 2012. The book “explores a topic that is remarkably absent in he the voluminous literature spawned under neoliberal capitalism by the renewed interest in the development impact of migration,” according to the publisher. ene Philosophy Professor William Newell has published several books, including “Desire in Rene nGirard and Jesus” (Lexington Books). Lexington said Newell’s book “presents a comprehenres. sive analysis of Rene Girard’s work on the origins of culture and the depths of human desires. Newell challenges Girard’s interpretation of Jesus’s Passion as non-sacrificial, and offers a close reading of Girard’s works on mimetic desire, scapegoating and sacrifice.” Boston College ege Theology Professor Harvey Egan cited Newell’s book as “a must-read for anyone interested in al this original thinker who has become increasingly important in psychological, philosophical and theological circles.” Faculty authors abound! Sociology Professor James Russell is the author of six books, including “After the Fifth Sun: Class and Race in North America” and “Double Standard: Social Policy in Europe and the United States.” His most recent work, “Class and Race Formation in North America,” is a comparative exploration of how patterns of class and racial inequality developed in the United States, Mexico and Canada from the colonial pasts to the beginning of the North American Free Trade Agreement and beyond. Music Professor Okon Hwang published “Western Art Music in South Korea: Everyday Experience and Cultural Critique” in 2009. The book discusses the way South Korean history, music, culture and identity is influenced by Western art music. It also explores perspectives of aspiring and professional musicians from youth to experienced performers in music education. Chris Torockio, associate professor of English, is the author of several works of fiction, including “The Soul Hunters,” “Floating Holidays” and “The Truth at Daybreak.” In 2003 and 2004, Torockio earned the Pushcart Prize Special Mentions, a prestigious

award given for literary work such as poetry, short fiction or essays published in small presses. Daniel Donaghy, assistant professor of English, is the author of several books of poems, including “Start With the Trouble” and “Streetfighting,” a Paterson Poetry Prize Finalist. Professor of Anthropology Mary Kenny is the author of “Hidden Heads of Households: Child Labor in Urban Northeast Brazil.” The book focuses on the phenomenon of child labor in Brazilian cities by exploring the questions of why these children migrate to the cities; how they negotiate their existence; and why they stay. Barbara Tucker, professor of history and director of the Center for Connecticut Studies at Eastern, has written several books on the history of Connecticut industry. Her works include “Samuel Slater and the Origins of the American Textile Industry: 17901860” and “Industrializing Antebellum America: The Rise of Manufacturing Entrepreneurs in the Early Republic.” Psychology Professor Luis Cordon is the author of “Popular Psychology: An Encyclopedia” and “Freud’s World: An Encyclopedia of His Life and Times.”

Education Professor Ann Gruenberg co-authored “A Practical Guide to Early Childhood Inclusion: Effective Reflection.” Published by Prentice Hall, the book is designed to help early childhood professionals reflect on overcoming barriers to the inclusion of young children with developmental challenges in general early childhood classrooms. In his book, “Reforming State Legislative Elections: Creating a New Dynamic,” William Salka, associate professor of political science, takes a critical look at the way state elections are held throughout America. Through an analysis of 49 states, the book explores issues such as the level of political competition faced by entrenched incumbents and the effect of excessive campaign spending, and discusses what really works in electoral reform. In 2009, History Professor Jamel Ostwald received a prestigious Distinguished Book Award from The Society for Military History for his book, “Vauban Under Siege: Engineering Efficiency and Martial Vigor in the War of the Spanish Succession.” The award was given for the best work in military history on a non-U.S. topic.

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Professor Drew Hyatt shows EES student Lindsey Belliveau how to use a scanning instrument for topographic surveys.

Reflecting Eastern’s commitment to academic excellence, the faculty in the Environmental Earth Science (EES) Department received word this past fall that they would be allocated additional resources, based on an intensive review by the University’s Exemplary Academic Program Review (EAPR) Committee. The committee was created to support the creativity and scholarship of faculty seeking to strengthen their academic programs, using a set of benchmarks that academic departments can voluntarily pursue in the process of self-evaluation and continuous improvement. The EAPR process includes a formal departmental selfassessment, an evaluation by Eastern’s EAPR Committee and a site visit by selected external reviewers. Based on such criteria as curriculum, instruction, program culture, facilities and equipment, the EES Department was found to excel in the areas of student retention and graduation rates. Data indicates a two-fold increase in the number of enrolled majors since 2005, and the number of EES graduates has also increased significantly over the past four years. “The EES faculty is exceptionally committed to student success and that is demonstrated through their continual

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updating of course content and their use of innovative teaching strategies that emphasize technology and field experiences to promote student learning,” said Provost Rhona Free. One of the strengths of the EES program is the opportunity for undergraduates to engage in field research, mentored by faculty who are researchers in their own right. Ian McCary ’12 and Kristina Cedrone ’12, both of Manchester, completed research projects that involved taking Vibracore samples and using 3D ground-penetrating radar to image the bottom of Andover Lake in order to reconstruct a depositional history of the lake. “I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Hyatt on an independent study project during my senior year,” said Cedrone about EES Professor and Department Chair James “Drew” Hyatt. “His passion for the earth sciences is infectious, and not only did my research come to some interesting scientific conclusions, the journey there was incredibly fun and educational as well.” Cedrone is now employed as a full-time energy technical specialist at Eastern’s Institute for Sustainable Energy (ISE). In describing how other EES professors mentor students, McCary gave kudos to Assistant Professor of Geographic

Right: Ian McCary ’12 and Kristina Cedrone ’12 collect groundpenetrating radar data at Andover Lake. Below, left: Professor Dickson Cunningham instructs a student in a mineralogy laboratory class. Below, right: Assistant Professor Meredith Metcalf specializes in Geographic Information Systems.

By Anne Pappalardo

Information Systems Meredith Metcalf. “She helped revise and construct my application letter to attend a geology field camp in Wyoming fully sponsored by Exxon-Mobil,” he said. “These aren’t things that she had to do, but she genuinely has an interest in the success of her students.” Lindsey Belliveau ’13 of Hebron has completed multiple EES research projects, including work with geographic information systems (GIS) on the effect of bedrock on Connecticut’s topography and tracking and monitoring interpolate hotspots at Yellowstone Park. “My favorite part about being an EES major is the hands-on field experience that I get,” said Belliveau. “I feel very prepared for graduate school and real-world experience.” “The EES faculty are deeply involved in their own research and link it to their work with undergraduates, giving students exceptional opportunities to participate in field research,” said Free. “The result of this focus is that the program graduates a remarkable number of students who go directly into Ph.D. programs or into challenging positions in geology, energy industries and environmental science.” EES student research projects and independent study projects also lead to presentations at professional and na-

tional meetings including the Geologic Society of America (GSA), the American Geophysical Union, the National Conference on Undergraduate Research and the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) conference. McCary, Cedrone and Belliveau have all presented at the northeastern section conference of the GSA. The primary benefit of a department being judged to have exemplary potential includes the allocation of additional resources. New faculty members in the EES Department include Nathan, Metcalf, Dickson Cunningham and Bryan Oakley, with a new endowed chair in sustainable energy science still to be filled. In addition to more faculty lines, the department was allocated $25,000 for summer undergraduate research. “We are thrilled to be recognized as having qualities that are considered exemplary,” said Hyatt. “All of our faculty members consistently put our students first, perhaps nowhere more clearly than in our efforts to involve students in faculty-mentored undergraduate research. Faculty positions and the enhanced support for undergraduate research provided through this review process will enable us to do more for our students.” EASTERN

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athletics campus news philanthropy class notes HFPG joins SBM and First Niagara in support of Dual College Enrollment Program Eastern Connecticut State University recently received its third significant grant commitment for the Dual College Enrollment Program (DCEP) when the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (HFPG) notified the University that it would be receiving $269,200 over a three-year period starting in fall 2013. HFPG joins the SBM Charitable Foundation (the first major supporter of the program with $250,000 over three years) and First Niagara Bank as the top benefactors of the program, which has been recognized by the New England Board of Higher Education and the College Board for its unique approach to making access to higher education a reality for many underrepresented students. The DCEP started in 2008 when Eastern enrolled 10 students from Hartford Public High School who had not seen themselves as potential college students at a four-year institution. They enrolled in four remedial courses at Quinebaug Valley Community College and took one class at Eastern while living on Eastern’s campus and immersing themselves in campus life. The students went on to take a full load of classes at Eastern in the spring semester.

The program was expanded in 2011 to include Manchester High School. The program will include students from Weaver and Bulkeley high schools in Hartford this fall when the sixth cohort of DCEP students arrives on campus.

Eastern owes a debt of gratitude to the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for their faith in and support of the Dual College Enrollment Program from its inception in 2008. “The Foundation staff and board recognized the critical and unique characteristic of the program that required the students to live on campus where the environment exists to support academic and social success,” said Kenneth

DeLisa, vice president for institutional advancement. The first HFPG grant of $40,000 in FY2009 provided the credibility that led to several other grants in support of the program. “The most recent grant will provide for the expansion of the program to other Hartford high schools and at Manchester High School, thereby making a four-year college experience a possibility for less advantaged students having academic promise, in concert with Eastern’s mission of providing educational access.” The ECSU Foundation also received an anonymous grant that provided Eastern with $18,000 for a professionally produced video capturing the essence of the DCEP. The video premiered in March at the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities Board of Regents for Higher Education board meeting on Eastern’s campus, with 17 college presidents and several hundred community members and the local print and broadcast media in attendance. It was also shown on April 7 when Eastern President Elsa Núñez gave a keynote address to more than 4,500 attendees at the Higher Learning Commission Annual Conference of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in Chicago.

Student Ambassadors serve as Phonathon callers Eastern students manned the phones in March and April to reach out to alumni and parents during their traditional Annual Fund calls. Last year Eastern students placed 19,143 calls to alumni asking for scholarship support for current students with unmet financial need. A record 1,850 alumni contributed in FY12 and our goal this year is to surpass the 2,000 mark.

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If you would prefer to give online you can do so at www.easternct.edu/ advancement/donate.htm. Your consideration is appreciated and your gift, regardless of the size, is needed and will have a positive impact. For more information about Eastern’s Annual Fund program, contact Kyle Verona at (860) 465-0003 or veronak@ easternct.edu.

Tricia Murray, a senior English major and seasoned phonathon veteran, speaks to a donor in the new call center with Àrst-time caller Akaya McElveen in the background.

athletics campus news philanthropy class notes

In Memoriam Endowed scholarship honors life of John Kearney ’75

John Kearney ’75

John Kearney ’75 distinguished himself as an alumnus of Eastern, in forging a notable career and in giving service to his alma mater. He devoted much of his adult life to work he felt was in the public interest, including service on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and ECSU Foundation Board of Directors. He served two terms as president of the Alumni Board, in 199899, and 2002-03.

For more than a decade until his death from cancer in October 2012, Kearney was president and CEO of Titan Energy New England, Inc., a business with offices in Rocky Hill and New Hampshire that works with energy suppliers and

consumers to help people make cost effective and environmentally sensible energy choices. Kathleen Kennedy ’74, an Eastern Fellow inductee this year who was a contemporary of Kearney’s at Eastern and a former fellow Alumni Board member, said she “knew him on campus as a leader, as a fun guy and someone who cared deeply about life and the contribution that he would make to the world.” Kearney’s connection to Eastern was strong enough that when he passed, his family asked that memorial contributions be made to the John F. Kearney Jr. ’75 Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student or students majoring in political science and demonstrating financial need. If you would like to contribute to the Kearney Scholarship, contact Joe McGann at (860) 465-4514 or at mcgannj@easternct.edu.

STEP/CAP’s Margaret Hebert feted at retirement ceremony Margaret Hebert retired this past spring after working with the STEP/ CAP Program for 28 years. In those years, she had a profound effect on the lives of many students. It was estimated that Hebert helped more than 1,800 students to enroll in the STEP/CAP program, with more than 1,700 admitted to Eastern following the summer program. Over the years, she saw more than 1,400 STEP/CAP students graduate from college. “I found my calling,” Hebert

dents. She is able to always connect with students from different backgrounds even though many of us come from communities that have taught us not to trust people,” he said.

explained. She said she was proud to have spent her 33year career in higher education promoting educational opportunity, adding “We still have a lot of work to do.” On Oct. 19, more than 120 Eastern alums, colleagues, friends and family members

celebrated Hebert’s career accomplishments at a dinner reception held in the Betty R. Tipton Room of the Student Center. Kevin Booker Jr. ’00 served as keynote speaker for the event. “Dr. Hebert is a mentor, mom, grandmother and aunt — she identifies with many stu-

A scholarship fund in Hebert’s honor was set up to help students in the STEP/CAP Program who have unmet needs. If you would like to contribute to the Margaret Hebert Scholarship, contact Joe McGann at (860) 465-4514 or at mcgannj@ easternct.edu.

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athletics campus news philanthropy class notes Executive Vice President Michael Pernal retires after 43-year career Students, faculty, staff and friends packed the Paul E. Johnson Sr. Community Conference Room in the J. Eugene Smith Library on Dec. 6 to say farewell to Executive Vice President Michael Pernal. Pernal retired on Feb. 1, 2013, after more than 43 years of distinguished and dedicated service to Eastern. Eastern President Elsa Núñez hosted the retirement reception. “Few of us have the opportunity to make an impact on an organization or institution the way Dr. Pernal has,” said Núñez. “Mike has made a lasting contribution to the growth and success of our University. Through his expertise, patience, fairness and integrity, Mike has brought stability and innovation to our campus and state. His loyalty to Eastern and his colleagues, his professionalism and his character have served Eastern well.” She continued, “Dr. Pernal, you have left an indelible imprint on this University. You are a big part of why Eastern is where we are today. You will never be forgotten by your friends and colleagues.”

Former Executive Vice President Michael Pernal (right) with his wife, Maureen, at his retirement party on Dec. 6.

Eastern students visit Hawaii for site-speciÀc theatre project the performing and writing, and reached an emotional depth that some of us weren’t expecting.” “The class had great direction and a great bond,” agreed Pina, a senior sociology major whose play imagined what life could have been for the first victim found at Pearl Harbor.

From left: Ashley Lovett, Chad Dominique, Paul Lietz, Melissa Conkling, Robert Morgan, Michael Pina and Darcy Bruce

When Eastern students Darcy Bruce, Michael Pina, Ashley Lovett, Chad Dominique, Paul Lietz, Melissa Conkling and Robert Morgan signed on for Assistant Professor of Theatre j.j. Cobb’s global field course on site-specific theatre, they had to learn to perform in locations outside of a standard theatre, write their own plays and travel to Oahu, HI, to bring their work to life in locations across the island. “I was proud of everyone in the class,” said Bruce, a senior history major whose play explored the concept of Hawaiian adoption, called Hanai. “We all put so much of ourselves into

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Once in Oahu, the class met with students from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, who gave advice and performed their own piece spoken in Hawaiian. When the students weren’t performing, they explored the island and learned about the Hawaiian people. “We were told to split up and meet four different people per day to help us get a feel of Hawaii. It gave us more perspective when we performed,” said Pina, who discovered that there was more to the island than what he had seen on the Travel Channel. “Native Hawaiians’ traditions are ingrained in their everyday lives. They are genuinely nice people and see everyone as family.” Since their trip, several of the students have continued to develop an interest in theatre. Bruce has applied to the University of Hawaii and Manoa’s MFA program in playwriting, while Pina landed one of the lead roles in Eastern’s spring production of “Once on This Island.” “Students should go outside of their comfort zone,” said Pina. “Take advantage of travel and study abroad, or take a global field course. I never thought that I could, but with the support of my family, friends and the campus community, I made it a reality.”

athletics campus news philanthropy class notes Arts and Lecture Series wraps up 12th year On Oct. 9, former “CBS News” anchor and “60 Minutes” correspondent Dan Rather kicked off Eastern’s 2012-13 Arts and Lecture Series with a lecture on the 2012 elections to 2,000 students, faculty, staff and guests in the Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium. Rather, who has more than 60 years of experience working in the media, has covered stories ranging from every presidential campaign since 1952 to serving as the White House correspondent for “CBS News” during the administrations of Presidents Johnson and Nixon. In his closing, Rather encouraged people of all ages, especially students, to engage in civic activity in their communities. “We have a multi-religious, multi-racial, multi-ethnic country, and we can stand united and hold ourselves together. Whether you’re a student, a teacher or a laborer, the country needs you and your work right now, more than ever. The country needs you to be alert, active, engaged and involved in the affairs of our country.” An audience of 350 people enjoyed a history lesson on the “Cradle of Civilization” from United States Marine Colonel Matthew Bogdanos on Nov. 15 in the Geissler Gymnasium. Bogdanos, a district attorney in New York City and a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, recounted his work as the lead investigator into the looting of the Iraq National Museum in April 2003. Bogdanos received a National Humanities Medal from President George W. Bush for his leadership in the recovery operation. In a slide show based on his book, “Thieves of Baghdad: One Marine’s Passion to Recover the World’s Greatest Stolen Treasures,” Bogdanos detailed the historical significance of the Mesopotamian region, which included the civilizations of Babylon, Assyria, Sumer and others spanning more than 6,000 years. On Feb. 5, a packed Shafer Auditorium crowd enjoyed a free concert by the “The Masters of Swing” U.S. Coast Guard Swing Band. Formed in the summer of 1989, the band spotlights swing-era music of the ’30s and ’40s and performed such compositions as “Cheek to Cheek,” “Avalon,” “Yesterdays,” “Beautiful Dolls” and “A Smooth One.” On March 12, 900 students, faculty, staff and other guests heard award-winning journalist and author Bob Woodward warn that a government shrouded in secrecy has the potential to undo democracy. Woodward’s lecture concluded the Arts and Lecture Series. “We overlook reality if the truth comes from people we don’t like,” said Woodward, who along with Carl Bernstein won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973 for their book, “All the President’s Men.” The book helped expose the Watergate scandal and the subsequent resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974.

Top, Dan Rather. Center, Executive Vice President Michael Pernal and U.S. Marine Colonel Matthew Bogdanos. Bottom, Bob Woodward

Woodward, who has worked for The Washington Post since 1971, visited the Campus Lantern staff and other students before the lecture. He later told the assembled crowd, “The truth is being drowned out. Unnecessary secrecy by our government, not knowing what’s going on, is bad for the country. Business done in darkness is frightening. Democracies die in darkness. We’ll lose our democracy if it’s not stopped.” Woodward said journalists must answer their calling and have the courage to hold people accountable. E ASTERN

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athletics campus news philanthropy class notes Math Team Wins 36th College Bowl

Math Team members pose with their College Bowl plaque. From left: Rebecca Keenan, Richard Magner, Professor Timothy Swanson, Robert McDonald and Joseph Perreault.

What do Desdemona, the Punic Wars, the infant or “larval” stage of a butterfly (caterpillar), and “Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark” have in common? All were answers to questions hotly contested in the 36th Annual Eastern College Bowl held on March 18 in the Student Center Theatre. The finalists in the competition were two teams of four students representing the Biology and Mathematics Departments. The math team won in the end, but only by scoring bonus points on the very last question of the competition. Tim Swanson, associate professor of physics, has been master of ceremonies for the annual event since its inception. The winning team gets to display the College Bowl plaque in its department offices for a year. A picture of the winning team will also be on display in the Science Building for the next 12 months.

Eastern President Elsa Núñez receives multiple honors, awards is designed to recognize an individual from the communities served by Liberty Bank who has been a leader in connecting people who are different — whether those differences are of religion, race, ethnicity, economic status, age or any other aspect of diversity. As this year’s award recipient, Núñez was able to direct a $5,000 charitable donation from the Liberty Bank Foundation to the nonprofit organizations of her choice. She selected the ECSU Foundation scholarship fund to receive the donation. Elsa M. Núñez accepts the Willard M. McRae Community Diversity Award. From left: Mark Gingras, chairman of Liberty Bank; Willard McRae; Elsa Núñez; Chandler Howard, president and CEO of Liberty Bank

On Nov. 15, Liberty Bank officials presented Eastern President Elsa Núñez with the 2012 Willard M. McRae Community Diversity Award at a gala reception in the Betty R. Tipton Room attended by more than 400 friends, family members, students, faculty, staff, bank officers and community leaders. “In choosing the award recipient, we look not only for people who have given their time in service to community

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organizations, but for those who have made it their mission to make opportunities available to all,” said Chandler Howard, president and CEO of Liberty Bank. “There is not a shadow of a doubt that Elsa Núñez is such a person.” Introduced in 2001 as the Liberty Bank Community Diversity Award, the award was renamed in 2009 in honor of Willard M. McRae, a past chairman and board member of Liberty Bank. It

“Leadership is all about vision, and Dr. Núñez has a big vision,” said Edward Osborn, Eastern’s director of university relations, who nominated Núñez for the award. “In her mind, the ‘tent’— this campus, community, state, nation or the entire world — includes all of us. Even with such a big vision, Dr. Núñez sees each person as the unique individual they are.” In accepting the award, Núñez spoke passionately about the need to address the educational achievement gap: “The conditions for every American in our HONORS continued on page 21

athletics campus news philanthropy class notes HONORS continued from page 20

society are not what you and I consider fair. When we see that the college graduation rate for African American students is 20 percent lower than that of white students — and that Latinos are half as likely to finish college — we realize that we have to create change in our communities and our universities.” On Nov. 3, Núñez received the 2012 Transforming Lives Award from Hartford-based Family Life Education during its 25th anniversary gala at the Connecticut Convention Center. In accepting the award, Núñez talked about the challenges and struggles that Latinos have faced in Connecticut and the impact that education can have on a person’s life. “When someone in a Puerto Rican family, an African American family or an inner-city student from a low-income family is the first family member to attend college, it not only transforms one life,” she said. “Graduating from college tells a student, ‘Yes, you can.’ It tells his or her family, ‘We are strong.’ It tells an entire neighborhood, ‘We can succeed.’ It is like a pebble tossed into still water — it ripples and ripples, until it reaches all shores.” “President Núñez is a powerful example of career achievement for Family Life Education clients, especially the girls and women who are served by our organization,” said Candida Flores, Family Life Education’s executive director. “She has devoted her entire career to the field of education, with special attention to supporting communities of color obtain access to higher learning, including the development of a program

Candida Flores, Family Life Education’s executive director, presents the Transforming Lives Award to Eastern President Elsa Núñez.

identifying Hartford students who have the capacity to succeed academically.” In addition, the Hartford Courant/Fox 61 announced their Top Workplaces Awards for 2012 at an awards presentation held Sept. 20 at the Aqua Turf in Southington, where Núñez was honored as the Top Leader in the Large Organizations category. The Courant/Fox CT Top Workplace Awards are based on employee surveys of hundreds of organizations in Connecticut, conducted by an independent firm. Núñez’s award was based on the ratings of Eastern employees; the University was also honored as one of the top five Top Workplaces in the Large Organizations category.

Dedication ceremony held for fuel cell power plant President Elsa Núñez joined representatives from UTC Power, the Connecticut Energy Finance Investment Authority (CEFIA) and other guests to formally dedicate Eastern’s new fuel cell power plant on Oct. 4 in the Science Building. Under a 10-year Energy Services Agreement, UTC Power has installed a PureCell system combined heat and power fuel cell. This was made possible by a federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant through the Clean Energy Fund. “We are thrilled that our Connecticut-grown fuel cell technology is helping Eastern build upon their commitment to energy conservation. Our PureCell system is a great fit for Eastern because it delivers clean, efficient, affordable energy to the University, while reducing their impact on the environment,” said Joe Triompo, vice president and general manager of UTC Power. Eastern is using 100 percent of the energy produced by the fuel cell system to provide a majority of the power required for

From left: Rick Ross, CEFIA senior manager of clean energy deployment; State Rep. Susan Johnson ’77; Connecticut Colleges and Universities Board of Regents President Lewis Robinson; Joe Triompo, vice president and general manager of UTC Power; and Eastern President Elsa Núñez.

the Science Building, while maximizing the use of the heat output available from the plant. By generating power with a PureCell system, Eastern can reduce its “carbon footprint” by more than 1,356 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

athletics campus news philanthropy class notes Eastern partners with Windham Textile and History Museum on Latino migration exhibit Eastern Connecticut State University has partnered with the Windham Textile and History Museum to present “The Latino Migration Exhibit,” which opened on March 22 and runs through Dec. 8. The exhibition is a multi-media documentation of the cultural, religious, political and economic life of Latinos in Willimantic, the result of almost two years of collaboration between the museum’s board of directors and Eastern faculty and staff. The Latino Migration Exhibit is part of a series of ethnic exhibitions by the Windham Textile and History Museum to document the history of immigration to Windham and Willimantic. The exhibit also acknowledges and celebrates the significant contributions that immigrants from Europe, Canada, and Latin America have made to the development and growth of the region since the 19th century.

Kenneth DeLisa, vice president for institutional advancement; Art Professor Imna Arroyo; and Jamie Eves, executive director of the Windham Textile and History Museum

“While the emphasis is mostly on Puerto Ricans because they still constitute the largest Latino sub-group in the town, we have also illustrated the recent history of immigration from Mexico, Guatemala, Panama and the Dominican Republic,” said Ricardo Pérez, associate professor of anthropology at Eastern and guest curator. “We wanted to create a better representation of the changing landscape of Latino immigration to the town, which mirrors current trends in Latino immigration to other parts of the United States.” The exhibit was installed by Roxanne Deojay, collections manager of Eastern’s Akus Gallery, and Art Professor Imna Arroyo, a well-known Puerto Rican artist whose work critically explores issues about culture and identity. “The main purpose of this exhibit is to celebrate the historical, economic and cultural contributions of a very dynamic and diverse Latino community,” said Arroyo.

The exhibit showcases a variety of Latino artifacts, including clothing items used in festivals and celebrations.

The exhibit focuses on four themes: labor migration, culture, religion and politics. It showcases Latino artifacts, music, festivals, lectures, traditions, paintings, printmaking, sculpture and video kiosks, with images reproduced electronically. The exhibition also includes historical documents and materials. “Though the exhibit room is not large, it is filled to the rafters with an impressive display of the culture and history of Latinos,” said Jamie Eves, executive director at the museum.

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“I am very pleased that our faculty and staff are part of this wonderful exhibit featuring the life of Latinos in Willimantic,” said Eastern President Elsa Núñez, “and we are proud of the faculty members who have curated the exhibit. I think patrons and visitors of the Textile Museum will be impressed by the breadth of culture and history on display. I encourage our entire community to visit the exhibit over the coming months.” The exhibition is on display at the textile museum, located at 411 Main St. in Willimantic. Museum hours are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

athletics campus news philanthropy class notes E-Club Hall of Fame inducts Àve alumni The 19th Eastern Connecticut State University E-Club Hall of Fame class was inducted during ceremonies on Oct. 21, 2012, in the Betty R. Tipton Room on the University’s campus. Pictured in top photo with Hall of Fame chair Scott Smith (left) are Erin (Byrnes) Klemyk ’01 (women’s lacrosse), Scott Chiasson (baseball), Norman Worthington ’90 (baseball), Michelle Cunningham ’08 (softball/volleyball) and Donna Poyant ’93 (softball). Everett Watson ’54 (center, in bottom photo) and Dr. Gerard Lawrence (right) were presented with the Michael A. Atkind Exceptional Service Award. Also shown at far left is Hall of Fame chair Scott Smith. Following a four-year basketball career, Watson continued to serve the University on a volunteer basis as president of the E-Club and also served a 12-year term on the E-Club Hall of Fame Committee. Lawrence was the Eastern athletic department’s original team physician, serving as Eastern’s orthopaedic surgeon from 1969 until 2001. He was formerly the chief surgeon in the department of orthopaedic surgery at Windham Hospital. The Atkind Award has been presented in conjunction with the E-Club Hall of Fame since 1992 in memory of Michael Atkind ’75, who served as administrator of baseball affairs and alumni field supervisor for nearly two decades until his death in 1991.

Recipients named for Holly E. Zimmerman Award The 18th annual Holly E. Zimmerman Memorial Award was presented on Jan. 26 in the Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium. This year’s recipients included (holding plaques, from left) senior swimmer Julie Pietrycha of Newington, junior softball player/athletic trainer Stephanie Johnson of Plantsville and senior athletic trainer Brittany Garnelis of Ellington. The award is given in memory of Zimmerman, who attended Eastern between 1989–93, played basketball and served as a student athletic trainer. Recipients must possess Zimmerman’s personal characteristics of loyalty, thoughtfulness, humility and academic determination and must have made significant contributions to the Eastern intercollegiate athletic program as either members of an athletic team or as student athletic trainers and have overall GPAs of 2.70 or above. E ASTERN

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athletics campus news philanthropy class notes

S F ROM TH E N OT E

Eastern’s soccer

only the third freshman — and the À rst since 1998 — to gain

teams have been

all-region accolades when she joined Marchitto on the fourth

recognized by the

team. Q

National Soccer

Student-athletes achieve on and off the playing Àeld

Coaches Asso-

Senior women’s volleyball player Katie Wilson was the À rst

ciation of American

member of the program to earn All-New England honors from

(NSCAA) for their

the ECAC when she was selected to the À rst team this past fall.

successes on the

Wilson was the only middle hitter chosen to either the À rst or

playing Àeld and in

second team and was among four honorees from the Little East

the classroom. The

Conference. Wilson was also selected to participate in the New

men’s soccer team

England Division III senior all-star games this past fall. Q

was awarded an NSCAA Team Academic Award as one of 226 Division I, II and III

Senior soccer players Jordan Munsell and Cory Tobler were

member institutions to record an overall grade-point average of

named to the 2012 NSCAA Men’s College Division Scholar All-

at least 3.00 for the 2011–12 academic year. Eastern’s men’s soc-

East Region Team. Munsell was a third-team selection at goal-

cer team’s GPA was 3.03.

keeper, and Tobler an honorable mention pick at forward. The two four-year letterwinners were among only three selections to

In addition, three members of the Eastern men’s program and

the academic team from the Little East Conference.

two women’s team members were recognized with NSCAA AllNew England honors for 2012.

Candidates must have reached junior status and must have compiled an overall cumulative grade-point average of 3.30 in

For the men, senior forward Matt Furman was voted to the À rst

their undergraduate work. Munsell has an overall 3.51 GPA as a

team, while senior defender Bradley Fletcher and senior keeper

psychology major, while Tobler has compiled a 3.86 GPA as a

Jordan Munsell were second-team selections. Fletcher, Furman

health and physical education major. Q

and Munsell were also selected to participate in their respective New England Division III senior all-star games this past fall.

Head Men’s Soccer Coach Greg DeVito was honored as the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) Coach-of-the-

For the women, senior forward Daniela Marchitto repeated as a

Year at the annual President’s Awards Dinner on Jan. 25. Q

fourth-team selection and defender Gia Karahalios became

Men’s, women’s soccer teams receive 2012 NSCAA Ethics Awards

Eastern is one of only four institutions nationwide, and the only one from New England, to have both its men’s and women’s soccer programs qualify for a 2012 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Ethics Award. The Eastern men’s and women’s soccer team both qualified for a Bronze Team Ethics Award for accumulating 10 or fewer yellow cards and no red cards over the course of the 2012 season. The Eastern men were issued eight yellow cards in 20 matches during a 17-2-1 season, and the women’s team

24 E ASTERN Spring 2013

was given three yellow cards in 18 matches during a 9-6-3 campaign. “I am so proud of our student athletes from the men’s and women’s soccer teams,” said Eastern Athletics Director Jeff Konin. “This past fall, not only did they perform successfully on the field and were exemplary in the classroom, but the recognition of being just one of four universities in the nation to have both men’s and women’s teams receive the award demonstrates the high standards portrayed every day at Eastern. Additionally, our coaches are to be commended for instilling these values in our student athletes.”

philanthropy athletics campus news class notes Ruth Rosebrooks devotes much of her time doing volunteer work in Simsbury and Granby. Ruth’s mother and grandfather were both teachers, two of her nieces are retired teachers and her grandniece is a teacher in Woodstock.

Barbara (Fitts) Cairns worked for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Canada, Germany and Panama before retiring as an elementary school principal in 1999. Since retirement, she has had two books published, “Cracker Cow” and “Gatsby’s Grand Adventures.” She lives in Florida with her husband, Ian, and keeps busy writing, painting and volunteering at a local wildlife park.

Mary Lou (Cobert) DeVivo and Barbara (Yauch) Zulick were on hand during Freshman Move-In Day in fall 2012 to answer questions and distribute refreshments to freshmen and their parents.

Donna (Drader) MacDonald ’61, Bill Tobin ’61 and Jill (Fernald) Hute ’61

Jill (Fernald) Hute has been enjoying life since attending her Jubilee Reunion. She writes, “I don’t know what happened exactly, but I came alive after attending my 50th…what fun! And even more fun reading the mail. Have kept in touch with my college roommate and another classmate but…Eastern… the ‘old Willi’ has brought back some fun memories.”

Patricia (Hart) Tomkunas and her husband moved to Florida from Eastham, MA, two years ago. They enjoy the weather in Florida, their family and grandchildren, and traveling.

Hazel (Little) Barber, James Forrest, and Mary (Moran) McCarthy returned to campus for Freshman Move-In Day, where they set up a table outside the dorms to answer questions and offer refreshments to the parents and new students.

Paulann (Bunny) Lescoe and her husband, John Lescoe ’71, are both retired, but Bunny still works part time as the Democrat Registrar of Voters for the Town of Windham. John taught for 32 years, primarily as a physical

education teacher in Columbia. Bunny taught for 16 years in public school systems and at Eastern, then owned and directed a day care for 20 years. Bunny was on the Windham Board of Education for 10 years, and John served Windham as À rst selectman, mayor and state representative. They have two children. David Engelson is the chief executive ofÀcer of the Hockanum Valley Community Council. He was recently presented with the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Rotary Club of Rockville and was installed as the Rotary’s newest member.

Faith Middleton, host of “The Faith Middleton Show” on WNPR, was inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Oct. 18.

Trenton Wright ’76

Jennifer Malone is a social work supervisor with the Department of Children and Families in Hartford.

recently, “The Dog Who Danced,” both published by St. Martin’s Press. She is at work on an eighth novel that is expected out in early 2014. She and her husband, David, parents of two grown daughters, have lived for more than 20 years on Martha’s Vineyard, where she also writes an occasional column for the local newspaper.

72 73

Michael Kennedy is the founder and president of The Kennedy Consulting Group, an educational consulting À rm specializing in the Àeld of college admissions. Mike is a nationally recognized speaker, and conducts seminars for high schools and businesses focusing on the admissions process and latest trends in the Àeld. He has served as director of college counseling for two college preparatory schools and has clients on three continents. Mike lives and works in Flat Rock, NC, having just relocated the À rm from Florida. Richard LaVecchia has been a teacher with the Lyme-Old Lyme school district for his entire career of nearly 40 years, and for the past four as a sixth-grade social studies teacher in the middle school. He has also been a leader in the district’s teachers union. As its chief negotiator, he successfully led the group to a contract extension about a year ago. He and his wife, Jean, an executive with Northeast Utilities, are the parents of two grown daughters and live in Killingworth. Joan (Marsh) Racicot ’73/’77 M.S. is a tutor for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Education Department. Ronald Racicot retired from teaching in the North Stonington Public Schools. He now works as a starter and ranger for the River Ridge Golf Course in Griswold. Scott Rhoades, a retired art teacher, won the Best of Show award for a painting he submitted to the MansÀeld Festival on the Green Downtown Partnership Juried Art Show. Susan (Hidler) Wilson is the author of seven novels, including the 2010 best seller, “One Good Dog,” and most

James Dennis worked for Yellowbook, now HIBU, for 12 years before purchasing a sign business, Sign-A-Rama, in Wallingford.

Claire Connelly will have her biography housed at the Sophia Smith Women’s History Archives at Smith College in Northampton, MA, as part of the Oral Herstory Project, including 60 pages of text, photos and news clippings.

Trenton Wright received the Barbara Marion Award for Outstanding Leadership to the Association of Fundraising Professionals at the Connecticut Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon. Trenton is the coordinator of institutional advancement at Middlesex Community College and has served on Eastern’s Hall of Fame Committee. On Feb. 23 he set the World Record for Farthest Distance on a Static Cycle, logging 187.13 miles in 12 hours, in an effort to raise funds for the Northern Middlesex YMCA and the Middlesex Community College Foundation. Robert Ulrich is now executive vice president of marketing and sales for North America for AECOM, the largest engineering and architecture À rm in the United States and a Fortune 500 company. The company brought him back to Connecticut, where he lives in Norwalk after having spent about three decades in the Washington, DC, area working in government relations, marketing and related Àelds. He has also recently become engaged to classmate and longtime friend Myriam Blinn of

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philanthropy athletics campus news class notes

Concert Chorale and Chamber Singers return for Alumni Reunion Concert On Oct. 27, Eastern’s choral program celebrated Music Professor David Belles 10th anniversary with a special concert featuring the Eastern Concert Chorale and Chamber Singers. The “Alumni Reunion Concert” included approximately 40 former Chorale singers as well as the world premiere of Nicholas White’s “Te Deum,” which was commissioned especially for the occasion. “What an outstanding day filled with terrific music,” said Belles, director of vocal studies. “It was great to have so many former singers return to share the stage with us, and to commemorate the occasion with the world premiere of a composition written specifically for the Eastern Concert Chorale was a thrill. It was a great time to reflect on the tremendous growth of the choral program during the past 10 years. To celebrate a decade of making music with so many outstanding people was humbling indeed.” Alumni in attendance at the concert included Maria Arteaga ’09, Anastasia Askitis ’12, April Blymiller ’10, Chelsea Brown ’10, Elizabeth Cargill ’09, Carolyn Carter ’08, Brennan Collins ’12, Jo-Ann Cope ’97 M.S., Rachel DePenning ’11, Veronica Dicso ’10, Erin Dutton ’05, Jill Dutton ’12, Doretta Gladysz ’09/’11, Laureen Gosselin ’86, Loretta Haeger ’95, Christopher Lemos ’10, Meghan Mizak ’12, Kathryn Opalenik ’09, Linda Ouellette ’89, Ruthellen Ouimet ’02, Nicholas Parenteau ’10, Kevin Ring ’12, Jessica Ryan ’06, Michelle Thakur ’11 and Erik Williamson ’03. Old Lyme, who operates Renaissance Collaborative, a New Haven property management À rm with properties across the state. John Chayka is the founder and president of AFCON Products, Inc., a company in Bethany that specializes in engineering, repair and spare parts manufacturing for highly specialized generators and other electrical Àeld units for the Department of Defense and military contractors. Jack started the company with his father in 1981, and it has since acquired other companies in similar manufacturing specialties. He and his wife, Pierrette, and their daughter, Meghan, a sophomore at Cheshire Academy, live in Cheshire.

Carol Duggan, a À rst-grade teacher at Anna Reynolds Elementary School, was named the 2012–13 Teacher of the Year for the Newington Public Schools. Walter Crosby is an agent/owner at Sumner & Sumner in Willimantic. He and his wife, Olga, have been married for 25 years.

26 E ASTERN Spring 2013

Michael Cotela, who has spent his career with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, is now the executive director of the Stamford club. He was a standout varsity basketball player at Eastern, and earned two advanced degrees following his graduation, including an education doctorate in youth program management from Nova Southeastern University. Mike and his wife, Yolanda, parents of two grown children, live in Orange.

David Solomon ’86/’88 M.S. released a CD of his original compositions in October 2012, titled “Music of David Solomon Orchestrated by Christopher Wilson.” Information is available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/christopherwilson2.

George Jordhamo is engineering manager at the IBM microelectronics facility in East Fishkill, NY, responsible for the semiconductor engineering and manufacturing operations there. After graduating from Eastern, he earned a master’s degree in polymer science and engineering at Lehigh University, a program with materials science emphasis, and it led to his IBM career. George and his wife, Susan Jordhamo ’83, a seventh-grade life science teacher in the Arlington Central School District, have three children and live in Hopewell Junction, NY.

Carolyn Whye is an account representative for Spirit Mart in Atlanta.

85 86

Kathleen Woods joined Volunteers for Educational and Social Services for a year after graduating from Eastern. She then taught in the Philippines as a Peace Corps volunteer before returning home and completing her master’s degree. Kathleen now teaches in Palm Beach, FL. Neal Curland ’87 M.S. is a special education teacher and boys’ basketball coach at Norwich Free Academy. He is also the chair of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference boys’ basketball committee.

Donna Sarmiento is senior project program manager for AT&T, working primarily from her Waterford home,

philanthropy athletics campus news class notes but leading a national AT&T team that is responsible for melding data from various regions as a result of company mergers and acquisitions into a company-wide data repository. One of Donna’s Àve daughters, Cindy Claffey ’96, is a counselor at Henry James Memorial School in Simsbury. Andrew Mitchel operates Andrew Mitchel LLC in Essex, providing counsel involving tax issues to clients involved in international business. He holds a J.D. from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in law from New York University. Andrew is also a C.P.A., but his work mainly involves providing legal counsel. His wife, Monica Miller ’86, works for the Connecticut Department of Income Maintenance. The couple has two daughters and live in Ivoryton.

Michael Swaby-Rowe works in the advising center at the University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business, where he counsels undergraduate business students.

Craig Powers is assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment for Waterford Public Schools. He oversees curriculum development, instruction assessment and grants management, including helping develop new classroom programs aimed at improving student achievement. Craig was principal of a Waterford elementary school for eight years and director of curriculum for the district before being promoted to his current position. He lives in New London.

Tracey Duval Caterine is teaching English literature to 12th-grade girls in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

Jennifer Soloff is a guidance counselor at Henry Kaiser High School in Honolulu, HI. She is married to Eric Hu, a lieutenant commander with the Navy SEALS. Wendy Ernst opened Kirby Veterinary Hospital in MansÀeld.

Himansu Karunadasa founded a successful software development company in Sri Lanka and co-founded a network-

ing site called Ensemba, which recommends web resources based on the user’s interests. Himansu lives in Texas with his wife and two children. Geraldine Tom is co-owner of Barry’s Cleaners & Launderers, dry cleaners with stores in New London, East Lyme and Niantic. The company also owns and manages commercial properties in the New London area. Geraldine is past president of the New London chapter of Rotary International and currently serves on the Rotary’s Board of Governors for her region, composed of 62 cities and towns in the southern tier of Connecticut. Paulette Haines is a member of the Georgia Democrats Yellow Dog Club. She attended the Democratic National Convention and was present for President Barack Obama’s acceptance speech.

Maribel Luzunaris is a bond claims account manager at Hartford Financial Group Services.

Eastern alumni LEAP into leadership Nearly 100 students gathered in the Betty R. Tipton Room on Nov. 14 to hear six alumni talk to students about what it takes to successfully land a good job in today’s economy. The presentation, “Leap into Leadership,” featured Roger B. Boucher Jr. ’95, pathologist assistant at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, VA, and an organ and tissue recovery specialist and resident anatomist for Lifenet Health, Inc.; Dannika Byrd ’02, assistant director for student affairs and registrar for the Physician Associate Program at Yale School of Medicine; Bonnie Edmondson ’87, education consultant for the Connecticut State Department of Education; Peter McDevitt III ’88, parole officer with the Department of Correction; Kevin Reese ’01, veteran radio personality with CBS Radio and certified holistic health coach and detox specialist; and Victor Thomas ’01, business development and marketing manager for the eGovernment Applications Division at PCC Technology.

From left: Candace DeAngelis, associate director of student activities; Peter McDevitt III ’88; Bonnie Edmondson ’87; Roger Boucher Jr ’95; Victor Thomas ’01; Dannika Byrd ’02; Kevin Reese ’01; and Carmen Cid, dean of Eastern’s School of Arts and Sciences

“In March 2001, I sent my demo in about 28 times and finally got an interview with Victor Starr, program director,” said Reece. “Victor asked me why I should be hired and I explained to him how hard I worked at Eastern in the TV and radio station. He listened and said ‘you are hired!’”

vates you? What fires you up? What are you passionate about? Ultimately do what you are passionate about; make some money; give back; and never forget where you came from.” Edmondson advised students to “Dare to dream and set high expectations for yourself.”

Thomas is responsible for half of PCC Technology’s $30 million business. His advice: “Have a plan — even a three-month plan.” He challenged students to ask themselves, “What moti-

The Leap into Leadership Series is sponsored by the Office of Student Activities, Center for Internships and Career Development and the Office of Institutional Advancement. E ASTERN

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philanthropy athletics campus news class notes In his current position as assistant superintendent of schools for personnel and staff development in Meriden, Thomas Giard is the “primary recruiter of talent for the district.” Among his other duties are handling negotiations for the Board of Education with the district’s eight unions and building and implementing programs to increase staff professionalism. He came to the Meriden school district as director of personnel in 2010 after serving for several years as principal of Tyl Middle School in Oakdale. Tom lives in Clinton with his wife, Lisa, and their daughter, Ella.

Cindy Claffey ’96, is a counselor at Henry James Memorial School in Simsbury. Veronica Montalvo, vice president of enrollment management for Post University’s Online Education Institute, has won a “40 Under Forty” Award from the Hartford Business Journal. Diana (Valliant) Brennan is working at Pomfret School as the assistant to the director of advancement, a position she returned to in 2009 after taking time off to care for her granddaughter.

Linda Smith is the chief Ànancial ofÀcer at Reliance House in Norwich.

98 99

Atif Faruqui earned his Project Management Professional and

Green Belt certiÀcations and is working for PÀ zer. Ryan Zengou, a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, is a neurosurgeon at the UConn Health Center. He returned to Connecticut after extensive residency training at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Kimberly Hatcher-White is attending graduate school at Johns Hopkins University and will earn her master’s degree in museum studies. She is also working toward a CertiÀcate in Fundraising from the School of Philanthropy at the University of Indiana.

Kenneth Briggs ’02/’05 M.S./’10 M.S. is the associate director of Ànancial aid at Three Rivers Community College in Norwich.

Kristyn (Grassi) Leary owns two businesses — a home daycare and a party planning business called The Invisible Hostess. She is a mother of two. Benjamin Lopez is working for Liberty Mutual in Norwich as a sales representative. Bonnie Bryden was voted employee of the month in August at WPRI-12 in Providence. In September she became a dance teacher at The Dance

School in SmithÀeld, RI, and recently received two golds and one high-silver trophy at the Headliners National Dance Competition. Mike Eagle is teaching physical education at the Catherine M. McGee Middle School in Berlin. He is also the head football coach at The Morgan School in Clinton. Mike is married with two sons: Aaron, 4, and Ethan, 2. Katherine Fortier is the director of a new community program she developed through the Access Community Action Agency called “Access to Assets.” The program rehabilitates blighted properties in the Windham area to connect struggling families with safe, affordable housing. Laura Mlyniec completed her master’s degree in intercultural relations at Lesley University in May 2012. Nelson Pereira worked for several years for PricewaterhouseCoopers Tax and Legal Services Group. He is currently employed at Commonfund in Wilton, where he was promoted to senior analyst in July 2012. Charlene Ferranti ’04 M.S. is the marketing coordinator for the South County Tourism Council in WakeÀeld, RI.

greetings from the alumni association | spring 2013 No matter when we graduated, each of us left Eastern to take our place in a world of opportunity and promise. While the joy of commencement may have faded, and that great big world has grown smaller as we’ve aged, our education will always be a part of who we are. The imprint of the men and women who taught us is as much a part of us as our own names — and if we take the time to really think about it, each of us will have at least one professor on the list of people who had the greatest influence on our lives and careers. Today, Eastern’s faculty continues a rich tradition of opening the world to new generations of students. As in decades past, teaching, advising and mentoring are all critical elements that mold Eastern students into productive members of our great American democracy. But now more than ever, undergraduate research, service learning and internships have become indispensable enhancements that give our students the best chances to secure good jobs when they graduate. Without our faculty, and the relationships they develop with practitioners in the field, many of these experiential learning opportunities would simply not exist. As I think about my own experience at Eastern, I recall the people who saw my potential, and who pushed me to achieve it. Without their influence – and their encouragement – my life would be dramatically different. They made me glad I chose Eastern for my education, and they make me proud to be an Eastern alumnus every day of my life! Great liberal arts universities share the same characteristics: a student body that thirsts for learning; an administration that creates the best possible environment to support that learning; an engaged alumni which desires to enhance that learning; and, most certainly, a faculty that nurtures, challenges and inspires their students every day. Who are the Eastern professors who inspired you? And how did they change your life? Please e-mail me at alumni@easternct.edu and let me know. I’d love to hear from you! Kenneth M. Briggs ’02/’05 M.S./’10 M.S., President, ECSU Alumni Association Support Eastern’s faculty by giving to the Annual Fund. Contact the Oﬃce of Institutional Advancement at (860) 465-0003, or give online at http://www.easternct.edu/advancement/development/giving.htm.

28 E ASTERN Spring 2013

philanthropy athletics campus news class notes Nominations sought for 2013 President’s Leadership Awards Each year the Alumni Association proudly recognizes and honors alumni, faculty, administration, staff and friends of the University for distinguished professional achievement and outstanding service to Eastern and the local University community. Nominations are now being accepted for the following awards: • The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes outstanding achievements by Eastern graduates who have demonstrated leadership or have achieved professional success or distinction. • The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a graduate or former student who has rendered meaningful service to Eastern and/or his or her local community and has a demonstrated record of involvement with the university. • The Hermann Beckert “Friends of the University” Award is presented to any friend(s)* of the University who has rendered service to Eastern and the nation, and/or state and/or their local communities. *“Friend(s)” means an individual; parent of a current and/or former student; organization; corporation; or member of Eastern’s faculty or staﬀ. The awards will be presented at a luncheon on campus. For more information, or to request nomination forms, contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at (860) 465-5302 or by e-mail at alumni@easternct.edu. Nomination forms are also available at www.easternct.edu/alumni/awards.htm. Self-nominations are welcome. The deadline for nominations is June 3, 2013.

Brian GrifÀ ths recently returned from South Africa, where he and his wife led a group of senior UConn nursing students who are working in Cape Town for the Brian GrifÀths ’04 semester. Brian gave lectures in nursing classes on the topic of women’s health, nurses’ health and exercise, with a focus on strength training. He received a master’s degree in allied health from UConn in 2009, and is currently an adjunct faculty member at Manchester Community College in the Math, Science and Health Careers Department. Patricia (Cornish) Maxwell is the physical education teacher at Northeast School in Rockville. Patty and her school were recently recognized by the Vernon Board of Education for promoting physical activity and wellness among Vernon Schools as part of the “Vernon Gets Moving” program. Michael Wolter ’04/’09 M.S. was hired by Goodwin College as an assistant professor in the organizational studies program. He is working toward his doctorate in organization and management at Capella University and is expecting his À rst child with his wife, Christina. Kristopher Sortwell, a program manager in Project Genesis’s Acquired Brain Injury program, received the 2013 Brain Injury Alliance Connecticut Community Service Award. The award recognizes an individual for community service which

Maribel Sanchez welcomed her daughter, Abigail Cecilia Serrano, into the world on Oct. 5, 2012. Maribel serves as secretary of the board of directors of Eastern’s Alumni Association. Heidi Devine teaches elementary physical education at Killingly Memorial School in Danielson. Her son, Harrison David Devine, was born on Nov. 3, 2012.

Danielle DiMartino is the intake specialist for the Providence Center and is also a running specialist at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Kristopher Sortwell ’04 accepts a community service award from Kathy Rathan, chief operating ofÀcer of Project Genesis

has improved the lives of brain injury survivors, their families and caregivers. Kris was recognized for his facilitation of the Willimantic BIAC Support Group. He joined Project Genesis as a program manager in 2008 and became a certiÀed brain injury specialist in 2010. Kris is also currently a member of the Eastern Employer Advisory Board. Jeff Cahill married Jacqueline Ferreira ’06 on Sept. 1, 2012. Eastern alumni in the wedding party included Sjur Soleng ’02, Bard Soleng ’04, Matthew Buono ’04 and Stacee-Lynn Helms ’06. Jacqueline works for Zenith Media in digital advertising and Jeff is a carpenter and owner of Home Solutions.

Erin Dutton recently took a senior copywriter position within the risk control department at Travelers.

April-Anne Norman, along with her husband, started the company Snap Berry Photo Booth. The company is based in Rhode Island and provides a compact, open-air photo booth for use at weddings, reunions, parties and corporate events. Jessica (Troiano) Ryan and Matthew Ryan are married with two daughters.

07 Corey McConnell is a special education instructor with EastCONN. Brooke Nici is a high school science teacher at Ellis Technical High School in Danielson. She is teaching biology, forensics and physical science. Evan Parker is working as a service coordinator for ATG Rehab in Rocky Hill. Adam Wurtzel is the on-air reporter and producer for NBC Nashville’s weekday entertainment and lifestyle program “More at Midday.”

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philanthropy athletics campus news class notes Marlana Carroll is a Latin and ballroom dance professional at Royal Palace Dance Studio, LLC. Ogoegbunam Chukwuogor passed the CPA exam in August 2012. Emily Hein is in the Connecticut National Guard out of Stratford. She is the platoon leader for the 1048th Transportation Company, which will be transferring supplies and providing their own security in and around the Kandahar province in Afghanistan. Kimika Hunter is the high school coordinator at Corinthian Colleges.

Men’s basketball team hosts alumni game Attending the annual men’s basketball alumni game on Nov. 10 were: front, from left: Chris Morgan ’03, Mike Bartunek ’05, Hamilton Levy ’12, Steve Bartunek ’13, Kris Johnson ’09, Matt Albon ’13, Nick Nedwick ’13, and Jordan Levy ’11. Back, from left: Bryan Hall ’00, Ryan Magee ’02, Bill Roveto ’12, Dan Trudeau ’07, Daryl James ’09, Broderick Sawyer ’11, Kevin Zalucki ’08, Jeroy Smith ’10, Coach Bill Geitner, and Chae Philips ’13.

Jessica Ashton is a middle school world language teacher with the Vernon Board of Education.

Kathryn Opalenik works for GZA Geoenvironmental at New England Bioassay as a lab technician.

Courtney DiTarando is the physical education teacher at Martin School in Manchester.

Rachelyn Provencher is a public relations and marketing representative for the EnÀeld Health and Wellness Center.

Beverly King ’08 M.S. is employed at Northwestern Connecticut Community College as the director of education technology and distance learning. Her daughter, Colleen, is a junior at Eastern majoring in visual arts while her other daughter, Katie, is a freshman majoring in mathematics. Both are members of the swim team.

Maria Sayles is a child guidance clinician for United Services, Inc. in Dayville.

Ashley Avila is a special education teacher with Killingly Public Schools.

James Fitzmaurice works for the Ledyard Board of Education where he is a thirdgrade teacher, math coach and math club advisor. Michael Greenberg is the ingredient buyer at New England Confectionery Company, Inc. Richard Hernandez is a mental health counselor at the Wheeler Clinic in Hartford. Tristan Hobbes is the assistant director of athletic communications for Bryant University. Clara Juncadella teaches Spanish in grades seven and eight at Regional School District 13 in Durham.

30 E ASTERN Spring 2013

Danielle Wilby is a community services representative for the Connecticut Department of Labor. Veronica Dicso is working as a bank teller and sings in the choir at St. Emery Church in FairÀeld.

Nikole Doolittle is working as the executive administrative assistant to the vice presidents of engineering at the United Technologies Aerospace Systems corporate ofÀce in Charlotte, NC. Christopher Lemos has been working for the U.S. Department of Labor as a compliance ofÀcer since 2010. Patrick O’Sullivan is working for the New Britain Rock Cats as the media and account executive. He also sits on Major League Baseball’s Board of Directors for the RBI Baseball Program for Hartford. Nicole Marie Retano is a direct support professional for the SARAH Foundation in Westbrook. Ashley Barnum is the administrative assistant for human resources at Prince Telecom.

Sarah Larson, designer/web developer at Miranda Creative, Inc., an advertising, marketing, design and new media À rm in Norwich, has been honored for her achievements as a “40 Under Forty” recipient for southeastern Connecticut. The award is sponsored by The Day newspaper of New London and two area chambers of commerce. Among awards for her work was one from the New England Society of Healthcare Communications for her creation of an internal news portal for Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London. Sarah lives in Colchester. Samantha Randall is a full-time health and physical education teacher at Killingly Middle School in Danielson. Lindsay Raymond is in her second year as the physical education teacher at Niantic Center Elementary School in East Lyme and as the health teacher at Lisbon Central School in Lisbon. She is also the head coach of the Shoreline Sharks travel U-13 girls lacrosse team. Khrystyna Stefak is working for Trinity College as the residential services assistant. Melanie Zurmuhlen works for MARC, Inc. of Manchester as a Ànancial assistant.

Khrystyna Stefak ’11

Angelica Booker is a teacher associate at Eastern’s Child and Family Development Resource Center.

Allison Coleman was selected as one of only two women’s basketball players tabbed as inaugural inductees into the Little East Confer-

Allison Coleman ’12

philanthropy athletics campus news class notes

2003 Final Four women’s basketball team recognized at reunion Players and coaches from the women’s basketball team that finished as the national runner-up in the 2003 NCAA Division III Tournament gathered on campus in January for a 10-year reunion. They were introduced after a Jan. 17 game against the University of Southern Maine, followed by a luncheon in the President’s Dining Room in Hurley Hall. Back, from left: Jeff Konin ’88, director of athletics; Sandra Mosley ’07; Morgan Perry ’04; Kristyn (Grassi) Leary ’02; Sarah (Wofsy) Pontbriant ’06; Lindsey Karsmarski ’07; Allison Coleman ’12; Caryn (Ayers) Kupferschmid ’04; Deanne Prior ’04; Head Coach Denise Bierly; and Jim Dinello. Front, from left: Lauren (Proniewych) Padolecchia ’05, Lindsey McDonald ’05, Sarah McDonald ’05, Kathleen (Burdelski) Adams ’04, Jennifer Bergeron ’05 and Meghan Phelps Martelli ’04. ence Hall of Fame, which enshrined an 11-member inaugural class composed of Àve athletic administrators, four former student-athletes and two coaches on Oct. 27 at the Providence Marriott. She was the only four-time All-American and four-time LEC Player-of-the-Year in Eastern’s history.

Casey McGarvey is working at the Coast Guard Academy as the PA announcer for the women’s basketball team.

Shawn Craver is the owner and software engineer of Sandy Cove Software.

Joelle Schrock is an underwriting assistant for WSHU Public Radio.

Kolin Ebron ’12

Kolin Ebron is pursuing a master’s degree in the nutritional sciences program at UConn. His focus is community nutrition and his thesis topic is “How supplementation can affect individuals with Metabolic Syndrome.”

Meghan Mizak is teaching English at Woodstock Academy. Stephen Moker is an interactive marketing assistant at The Taunton Press.

Jasmine Williams ’12

Jasmine Williams is attending the University of Connecticut for her master’s degree in social work. Her concentration is on group work and she is in the advance standing program. Jasmine is also interning at the East Hartford Polaris Center,

working in the alternative school with adolescents.

Marriages Jeff Cahill ’05 to Jacqueline Ferreira ’06 on Sept. 1, 2012 Elizabeth Nunes ’12 to Nathaniel Walsh ’12

In Memoriam Ronald Murphy ’56 Jo-Ann (Donahoe) Shirer ’58 John Kearney, Jr. ’75 Walter Swistak ’85 Beverly Batsie ’91 Muriel Gladys Traut ’99 Michael Kieltyka ’01 Adam Liebman ’08 Victoria L. Soto ’08 Kenneth E. Shane, adjunct professor of business administration

Send Us Your News! Have you moved or married? Have you taken a new job or had an addition to your family? Have you had a “mini-reunion” with your former classmates? Please send your information and photos to: Michael Stenko, Director, OfÀce of Alumni Affairs, Eastern Connecticut State University, 83 Windham Street, Willimantic, CT 06226, alumni@easternct. edu. Visit www.easternct.edu/alumni for news about alumni receptions and networking events. Stay connected with other Eastern alumni through: Facebook – search “ECSU Alumni Association,” LinkedIn – search “Eastern Connecticut State University Alumni – ECSU” and Twitter – search “ECSU Alumni Assn.”

E ASTERN

Spring 2013

final thoughts

As Dr. Núñez reminded us at the outset of this issue of EASTERN Magazine, our faculty is the cornerstone of our educational enterprise. The quality of our curriculum, the teaching that occurs within the classroom, the support the faculty provides students outside of the classroom, and the role models that our professors represent are all factors that contribute to the quality education that Eastern students receive. Even after 125 years of existence, we are still fortunate to have a relatively small campus community, where students get to know their faculty mentors and our campus community shares many common experiences. At any given event — a basketball game, a lecture by such noted speakers as journalist Bob Woodward, or a theatrical production performed by Eastern students — students, faculty and staff sit side-by-side, experiencing the same campus cultural life. It is in this collegial atmosphere that our faculty and students thrive. But we could not provide the liberal arts education that our students receive without the continued support of our donors. In addition to a record $500,000 in scholarship funds provided to upwards of 325 students this past year, the generosity of alumni and other donors supports specific programs that strengthen teaching and learning on this campus. The Travel Fund created through the ECSU Foundation supports faculty and student trips to regional and national conferences, honing their writing and presentation skills while building their self-confidence. The Global Citizenship grant fund allows us to provide students without financial means the opportunity to study abroad. We also provide funding to support summer projects that allow faculty and undergraduate students to focus on a particular research topic. In all these ways, it is our goal to continue to support the faculty in leading students on their quest for knowledge, research expertise and analytical skills as they prepare to join a global workforce that is increasingly competitive and technology based. We are able to provide this support due only to the philanthropic spirit of a record-number 1,850 alumni donors and a total of almost 3,000 donors. With this commitment to Eastern and its students, the University looks forward to continued success as Connecticut’s public liberal arts university. Thank you for your support!

Kenneth J. DeLisa Vice President for Institutional Advancement

32 E ASTERN Spring 2013

Gifts come in many different packages. Dorothy (Nye) Carlyle ’56 met her husband, Cameron (“Ron”), during her freshman year at Willimantic State Teachers College while he was a student at the University of Connecticut. They have long recognized the impact that college had on their lives — and, as Dorothy points out, the couple believes that “anything we got in the form of scholarship support was a tremendous help.” After attending Dorothy’s Jubilee Reunion at Eastern in 2006, the Carlyles decided to make the University the beneficiary of a charitable remainder uni-trust (CRUT)*. In addition, the Carlyles also established the Dorothy N. Carlyle ’56 Endowed Scholarship fund for students with unmet financial need who are working to put themselves through school. “We needed to give back, because we lived through that ourselves,” said Dorothy. “For us, the greatest joy and reward we get is when we go to the scholarship award receptions and get to meet ‘our’ students. That’s why we do this.” The Carlyles have added to the CRUT and the scholarship in recent years. “We have always been impressed with Eastern’s public liberal arts mission and the vision of Dr. Núñez,” said Dorothy. “Ron gave this scholarship to Eastern in my name as a gift to me — and it is the greatest gift I have ever received.” *A charitable remainder uni-trust (CRUT) is the most popular and flexible type of life income. Cash, securities, real property or other assets are transferred into the trust. The trustee manages the trust assets and pays you or others you designate a variable income for life or for a term of years. When the trust terminates, the remaining assets in the trust are transferred to Eastern.

To find out more, contact Kenneth DeLisa, vice president for institutional advancement, at (860) 465-5267 or delisak@easternct.edu.

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Willimantic, CT Permit No. 12

Kissed by the Adriatic sun…Visit hilltop towns perched above the aquamarine sea… Sample simple, but exquisite cuisine, seafood, meats, olive oil, pastas and wine…See Apulia’s architectural treasures…Join Eastern Connecticut State University Alumni and see why this sun-bleached land has been contended for since time immemorial! September 3-11, 2013

Visit our website at www.easternct.edu.ahitravel.com or call (800) 373-7373. From $2,395 per person, plus airfare and V.A.T., based on double occupancy. Limited to 36 travelers.