Eastern Magazine Fall 2006 by EasternCTStateUniversity

Volume 5 Issue 1

Fall 2006

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

EASTERN Volume 5, Issue 1 | Fall 2006

In This Issue 1 A Message from the President 2 A Conversation with Elsa Nuñez 5 “SOARING” to Eastern 6 The Evolution of Science 8 Starting off on the Right Foot 1 0 Lending a Helping Hand 1 1 Investing in Mankind 1 2 Come on Down! 1 4 “Mr. Science” Remembered 1 6 Hands On. Real World

Fe a t u re s 1 8 Campus News 2 2 Alumni News 2 4 Philanthropy 2 6 Athletics 2 9 Class Notes 3 2 Final Thoughts

EASTERN magazine is published by the Division of Institutional Advancement for the benefit of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of Eastern Connecticut State University.

A Message from the President

have been at Eastern for only a few weeks but already I am fully aware of what makes this University so special â&#x20AC;&#x201D; its people. In the coming months, I plan to meet with students, faculty, and staff, as well as alumni and friends, to learn more about the needs, aspirations, and accomplishments of the people who have made Eastern the wonderful institution that it is today. In the meantime, I want to acknowledge what I see as Easternâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great strength. I am referring to the commitment to building relationships and investing in those relationships so that each person feels a part of the community. I am aware of the fact that our faculty works tirelessly to guide and support our students, while also welcoming and mentoring new faculty. I have learned that our students, faculty, and staff contribute more than 20,000 hours of volunteer service each year to the nonprofit organizations that serve as a support system in our community. I see great strides by the administration and staff to reach out to donors and friends of the University in order to identify opportunities that will sustain and increase its momentum. This willingness to collaborate and invest in one another makes Eastern a vibrant, powerful force, poised not only to provide a quality liberal arts education to its students but also to serve as a solid member of the community at large. We continue to make strides in strengthening our academic programs. Primarily led by the faculty, the project to implement a new liberal arts core curriculum has brought out the intellectual strength and personal commitment of the faculty and demonstrated once again what can be accomplished when everyone is dedicated to the same set of goals and a shared vision. I encourage each member of the Eastern community to think of ways to renew his or her connection with the University. In turn, I commit to getting to know the Eastern community better in the coming months. You have an open invitation to visit our beautiful campus and see firsthand how the campus has blossomed. I hope we have an opportunity to meet and get to know each other in the months ahead. I appreciate your enthusiasm and support for the University and thank you for helping us spread the Eastern story of success.

Elsa NuĂąez President EASTERN

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“I am Proud to join this Community” A Conversation with Elsa Nuñez BY ED OSBORN

Who were your early mentors? “The first person who really influenced me at college was my freshman English professor at Montclair State College. Dr. McGee was a disabled WWII veteran and got around in a wheelchair. I was from an urban area — shy, overwhelmed by the new experience. He took an interest in me as a student and made me feel comfortable. Dr. McGee would read my name when calling the roll in class: ‘Elsa Marie Nuñez — what a beautiful name.’ No one had ever made such a big deal about me. I remember getting my first essay back and the paper was full of red marks, with a note, ‘I want you to visit me in my office.’ So I ended up receiving writing instruction in his office once a week. I would rewrite my essays and we would talk. To this day, I will never forget the psychological and emotional support he gave me. He saw that from my modest background, I had no idea what I had to do to be successful. And he helped show me the way.”

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What do you see as Eastern’s role in the community? “It is important that the community understands the mission of the University and sees that Eastern is contributing to the well-being of the local population. If that awareness is in place and the community values the University, it’s much easier to resolve issues when they arise. I’m a big advocate that faculty, administrators, and students understand the importance of being involved in the community. We can sit on boards, volunteer for neighborhood organizations, and connect faculty research to local needs. Having faculty quoted in the newspaper is an important way to share their expertise. All of these are important ways to give back to the community.

What is your background in the liberal arts? “The liberal arts is one of the most critical missions in higher education. Ramapo State College, which is the COPLAC (Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges)

EASTERN WELCOMES ITS NEW LEADER Elsa Nuñez, vice chancellor for academic and student affairs of the University of Maine System, was unanimously elected by the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System as Eastern’s sixth president on May 18. Nuñez began her term in August and is the first Latina president of a Connecticut state university.

school in New Jersey, was my first faculty appointment. We had no graduate degrees, and I was very happy teaching undergraduates. In the University of Maine System, the campus in Farmington is the liberal arts institution. This liberal arts mission was validated by the Board of Trustees while I was vice chancellor. My passion for the liberal arts is very deep. In particular, I believe this is a moment in our history when we can take the strengths of the liberal arts and share them across social and economic barriers. Traditionally, the liberal arts were presumed to be the education of the rich and those of means. An education that included music, arts, and the classics was the preparation for professional careers such as law, finance, and medicine. This education should be open to everyone. And as we create more access, we are also recognizing that a liberal arts education is an excellent foundation for all careers.”

“Dr. Nuñez is an outstanding leader and administrator, and the trustees are confident that she will be an exceptional president who will guide Eastern through what we expect to be a continued era of unprecedented growth and improvement,” said Lawrence D. McHugh, chairman of the CSU Board of Trustees. Prior to joining the University of Maine System, Nuñez served in similar administrative positions at Lesley University, Wheelock College, and the City University of New York from 1986 to 2003. Eastern’s new president received her B.A. in Spanish and English from Montclair State College. She has a master’s degree in English from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an Ed.D. in linguistics from Rutgers University.

How will you reach out to the Eastern family? “We forget that what connects us is our relationships. They define who we are and inform how we think. I believe in giving people updates, sharing news about our exciting campus and developments in the academic areas. Face-to-face meetings are also important. We want a lifelong relationship with our alumni, telling them about Eastern and how it’s moving forward, and allowing them to reconnect with the University. People get busy with careers, marriage, and family. We want to invite them back to campus. And alumni can be very helpful to the University. It’s not just about financial support. Alumni can help us recruit students, and help us

Dr. Nuñez with her husband and son.

Nuñez was born and raised in Puerto Rico and is married to Richard Freeland, who stepped down in August as president of Northeastern University. They have two children, Maria, a medical student at George Washington University, and Antony, an information technology professional who lives and works in New Haven.

President Nuñez - continued on next page

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tell the great story of Eastern, articulating our liberal arts mission. There is much for them to do.”

What’s your sense of the Eastern campus? “When I was on campus this summer, I was captivated by the good feelings and all the campus growth. Everyone is excited and full of enthusiasm. You can really feel the sense of family on campus. It’s quite genuine. And visitors marvel not only at the campus expansion but also are impressed with how well maintained our grounds are. That shows a respect for your home. Everyone can be part of that commitment, whether it’s straightening a chair or picking up trash. The people of Eastern value what they have.”

What’s in store for the future? “I believe in planning. It will be important for me to listen and understand what our people think, so that we can engage in a planning process that is truly collaborative. Everyone should be talking and listening. At the end of the day, everyone needs to be part of a plan that sets the vision and future direction for the institution. I want to enhance what already has been done at Eastern. The test will be that I can walk down the hallway and ask anyone, ‘What is a public liberal arts college?’ It’s not easy to describe. The more we talk about it, the clearer it will become. I want to be sure we have clear benchmarks to determine how successful we are. The number of faculty, retention rates, building construction — all will be part of a plan. The purpose of strategic planning is to have a roadmap that, if followed, will lead us to being a great liberal arts college.” (above right) Dr. Nuñez visits with Robert Arpin ’06, a reporter for the Broadcaster newspaper. (right) Robert Horrocks, chair of the Department of Health and Physical Education;Windham First Selectman Michael Paulhus; student Pirmammad Mustafayev of Azerbaijan; and Dr. Nuñez at Willimantic’s Third Thursday Street Fest.

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Any final thoughts? “My children were both athletes in high school and I remember those Friday nights when they didn’t always finish first. Of course, like all young people with a dream, they would be crushed. Saturday breakfast was an important time to remind them that all was not lost, that life goes on. I think our students always need to know that not being able to reach every goal is allowed. You get up off the deck and move on. That’s how we grow.”

New Students Adjust Quickly to Eastern DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST DAY OF COLLEGE?

aybe it was your first time away from home, family, and friends. Remember the feelings of anxiety mixed with anticipation? Eastern Connecticut State University realizes the adjustment to college can be stressful. That’s why the University has developed its outstanding Summer Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) Program for new students and their families to begin the transition to college life. This year’s SOAR program was entitled “Oceans of Inspiration.” Dean of Students Paul Bryant said, “The ‘Oceans of Inspiration’ theme was used to stress the various programs and academic services the University employs to inspire students toward greatness.” During the two-day SOAR program, students stay overnight in Constitution Hall, Eastern’s newest freshman residence hall, to get an opportunity to experience life on campus. They also participate in social events, receive academic advisement, meet faculty, and attend health and wellness and motivational sessions.

What’s the class of 2010 look like? “Eastern’s liberal arts mission appeals to students from our own backyard and from around the world,” said Kim Crone, director of admissions and enrollment management. “Students from across the street, from many states across America, and from around the globe will be enrolling this fall.” Students will be coming from 25 states, including Hawaii, Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington, California, and others. Crone indicated international students are coming from more than 30 countries, including Sweden, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Taiwan, Jamaica, and Botswana. It’s the largest Eastern freshman class ever. “I am excited for this new group of Eastern students,” said President Elsa Nuñez. “The class of 2010 and I are entering the University together, and I know we will be sharing many exciting times and growth opportunities ahead. It truly is an exciting time to be at Eastern.”

Parents also are invited to meet with staff and student leaders and learn about the opportunities, services, and resources their sons or daughters have at Eastern. “Having gone to a big school I always assumed that the university experience could not offer my son a sense of community, family, and belonging,” said Alan Kossoff of Glen Cove, NY. Kossoff ’s son, Benjamin, is a freshman at Eastern and plans to major in business. “From the moment Ben and I went to our first Open House back in fall 2005, everyone I have met has amazed me with their energy and commitment to Eastern.”

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The Evolution of Science BY KEN KRAYESKE

he evolution of Eastern Connecticut State University’s science programs has been a slow, steady process that is nonetheless gaining new steam. To construct Goddard Hall to house Eastern’s science programs, planners cleared an indigenous forest in 1966.

Eastern geology professor Bill Jahoda was aghast that so many trees in what used to be his outdoor classroom were felled for progress. That was when Eastern’s entire science department fit into a few rooms of Shafer Hall, says Jahoda, who has since retired. All three of the department’s professors were crowded into one office, students had little lab space, and although the arrangement produced a congenial atmosphere, Jahoda remarks, “there was no space for electives, and I had to do outdoor work. I developed a natural history course as a field elective.” The Eastern campus was undeveloped from Prospect Street up, Jahoda recalls. “All we had to do was say, ‘Okay, let’s go,’ and we could pack up and walk up the hill and be in our outdoor lab. I hated to see it go. It was a beautiful forest. It had a trout stream. It would have been a

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(top) Carmen Cid, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, accompanied Eastern students to the Museum of Natural History in New York City this past spring. (right) Theodora Kachergis (Naugatuck High School), Jackie Rose (Woodstock Academy), Associate Professor Elizabeth Cowles, and Anne Puzzo (Granby High School) prepare lab samples during the 2006 Advanced Placement Biology Workshop. nice thing to have left. But we needed instructional space.” Forty years later, Goddard Hall is obsolete as a science facility and the United States is lagging behind other industrial nations in training a new generation of scientists. Eastern is hoping to change that trend as its ever-growing science departments are preparing to move into a new 173,000-square-foot science building in Fall 2008.

In the most striking aspect of how the times have changed, the new science building, estimated to cost almost $46 million, will be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. This national certification program of the U.S. Green Building Council encourages sustainable building practices. Whereas the University tore down trees to build Goddard, it will be collecting rainwater and sunlight and recycling “gray water” at the new science building, explains Arts and Sciences Dean Carmen Cid. But most important, says Cid, the building embodies the University’s liberal arts mission. “The building puts all sciences in one building. Having everyone in the same building

encourages the type of interdisciplinary research and conversations that we need to solve today’s problems.” The physical sciences, biology, biochemistry, environmental earth science, mathematics and computer sciences will share the same five floors, joined by the Institute for Sustainable Energy, a greenhouse, and an Imax theatre. And, it is hoped, the new building will attract students to the sciences. “People are impressed by new buildings,” Cid acknowledges. “The

Future Science Building (artist rendering)

public sees it as progress, and the facilities will be the best the University can offer. We want to create a culture where science is respected.” The faculty eagerly anticipates the fall 2008 semester. “The new building will give us a safe environment and more space,” says Elizabeth Cowles, associate professor of biology. “Now we lack adequate teaching space. Research is difficult to do. Research space has to be shared with teaching space, and that is a drag on the system. Research has to fit in around teaching.” Cowles’s research combines biology and chemistry to develop potential organic pesticides. “We’d like to give students more practical experience, but space has been a big issue. We will finally have that space.” The new building also will allow the biochemistry major to attract more than its current 20 students. “The science building will be up to date and user friendly, and will provide plenty of space,” says Cowles. “It will lend itself to bringing in more

Save the Date! Eastern continues to prepare for the new Science Building by hosting a campus-wide “Science Week,” Nov. 13–17, highlighted by a visit from Bill Nye, the Science Guy on Nov. 16. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu/ecsu/arts_lecture/ students. There is a lack of teachers in math and sciences at the high school level. The new facility will help us respond to that need.” With today’s students more interested in seeing applications of theories, Joel Rosienne, associate professor of computer science, looks forward to teaching computer science classes in the new labs. “I think students like to see an application of what they are learning,” he said. “Consider a problem in biology, like detecting tumors in biomedical images. It takes all the elements of physics, math, computer science, anatomy, and biology to solve the problem.” The University’s new liberal arts core curriculum presents a unique opportunity for Eastern’s faculty. “The trend nationally is to integrate sciences and to cooperate at the boundaries of what used to be distinct sciences,” Rosienne notes. “The emphasis is on sharing resources. We need to take new approaches, like integrating the humanities and sciences.” EASTERN

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Starting Off ...

...on the Right Foot

BY KEN KRAYESKE

Like most college freshmen in the fall of 2001, Sarah Desiano ’05 was dealing not only with an unfamiliar environment but also with the aftershock of the events of Sept. 11. For Desiano, Eastern Connecticut State University’s First-Year Program was a welcome lamppost in a dark time. “9/11 had occurred during our first few weeks on campus and it was great to have people to talk to. It was my first time away from home, so the First-Year Program brought some much needed stability to my life.” The First-Year Program also helped Desiano clarify her academic goals. “One of my first classes was introduction to economics, which I took with Dr. Rhona Free. She made the topic so interesting and relevant to our lives. For instance, she used current events to help us learn the law of supply and demand. One thing led to another and I decided to be an economics major.”

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Eastern began its First-Year Program six years ago to help students transition to university life. Since then, it has grown from a few dozen students to serving about half of the incoming freshmen this fall. By creating “learning communities” or cohorts of students taking the same course clusters, the First-Year Program aims to create a supportive academic environment for incoming freshmen. Groups of 25 students take three classes together: two three-credit courses fulfill liberal arts core requirements while introducing students to a variety of academic disciplines, and a one-credit academic preparation course, “Resources, Research and Responsibilities,” acclimates them to the rigors of university studies. It covers basics of college life such as time management, notetaking, library research, writing, and test-taking strategies.

A peer mentor, usually a junior or senior who has gone through the program, is assigned to each cluster. The mentor holds weekly office hours in addition to attending and sometimes teaching the one-credit course. “Students sharing constructive experiences during their freshman year often become best friends and many have volunteered to ‘give back’ by serving as peer mentors,” said Max Ferguson, professor of physical science and coordinator of the First-Year Program. The program will continue to grow largely because it has had such a positive effect on student success, as measured by the retention rate from the freshman to the sophomore years. The University’s

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Sarah Desiano ’05

goal is to have all incoming Eastern freshmen participating in the program by fall 2007 as a key component of the new liberal arts core curriculum. Each entering freshman’s first semester will feature course clusters, while the second semester will place students in an interdisciplinary colloquium. “Participating in clusters has enabled students to ask similar questions in different disciplines,” said Miriam Chirico, assistant professor of English and a member of the First-Year Program Committee. “The world outside of college requires students to move between different sets of skills. Interdisciplinary classes encourage that kind of thinking.”

Professor of the Year credentials like Professor Free. She participates in the program because she likes working with freshmen. “I like all college students, but working with freshmen is exceptionally enjoyable,” Free said. “They are blank slates — what happens to them in that first semester will determine what happens in the next four, five, or six years. If you can have an impact starting out, then right away you can see your influence.”

By spending so much curricular time together, students can build relationships with professors and peers, she said. “It makes the university seem

During her junior and senior years, Sarah Desiano helped Free by

smaller because you are seeing the same students for two or three classes in a row, and it helps to form a social network tied to academia. We want students to talk with one another outside of class about their learning.”

being the peer mentor in her class. “I thought it would be good to give freshmen information from a student perspective,” said Desiano, “so I had my friend, Jonathan Adams, who was the Student Government Association president, come into Dr. Free’s cluster to tell freshmen how they could be involved in on-campus activities.

Students in the First-Year Program learn not to fear approaching their professors, even those with 2004 U.S.

Miriam Chirico No doubt as Eastern’s liberal arts curriculum continues to evolve, the positive experiences by students such as Sarah Desiano in the First-Year Program hopefully will be repeated across campus. With the program expanding to include all freshmen, the outlook is bright indeed. EASTERN

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Lending a

Helping Hand... BY RAYMOND CULBERT PHOTOS COURTESY OF THOMAS AND ALAN PIOTROWSKI

Chemistry Professor Charles Wynn believes in people. He has been volunteering for the past 27 years at the Windham Special Olympics Invitational Swim Meet, the last 12 as director of the event. “To me the swim meet is about what is right in America. It feels good to do good,” says Wynn. This year’s event took place on March 11 in Windham High School’s gymnasium. Wynn has noticed significant changes over the 27 years of the meet. Most notable has been a change in the student volunteers who help out year after year. “In some cases it has been career changing, with some of my volunteers switching their majors to careers that offer greater service opportunities.” The day begins just like any other Olympic Games: opening ceremonies; a parade of athletes; the National Anthem is sung; and finally, the torch carrier takes a customary

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lap into the gymnasium. However, the Olympics are not about gold medals. The goal is to teach competition and teamwork. Kevin Overcash, 20, is a junior in Eastern’s adaptive physical education class. He was one of three people assigned to shifts in the gymnasium, and this year he designed his own lesson plan to be taught at the invitational during times when the athletes weren’t competing. “It was called ‘target throwing,’ to help the athletes focus on targets and the mechanics of throwing.” Overcash is still committed to a career involved in sports-related management but had this to offer: “It definitely gave me better outlook on how to treat people and work with people from a diverse population.”

Professor Wynn is the first to tell you that ideas such as Overcash’s are what keep the invitational such an integral part of the special needs community. “When you are an effective leader, you make it easier for other people to do their jobs.” In addition to his work with the Special Olympics, Wynn sits on the board of directors for Camp Horizons, a private, nonprofit agency providing residential camping programs for children and adults who are mentally handicapped; and on any given Tuesday night at 9 p.m., can be heard on the Connecticut Radio Information System (CRIS), a radio station for the visually impaired, reading editorials from The New York Times and the Hartford Courant.

...making a world of difference

Investing in BY KEN KRAYESKE

Mankind

Professor Emeritus Charles Prewitt spends much of his time these days concerned with issues of world peace and human rights. His dining-room table is covered with neatly labeled file folders full of articles from newspapers, journals, and other sources dealing with the social and environmental issues confronting today’s global society. A chemist who spent six years involved in the Manhattan Project, Prewitt is concerned with the threat of global warming and the planet’s population explosion. “We’ve overpopulated the Earth. This planet cannot begin to support the people of the world at the standard of living that we have.” In World War II, while studying for his doctorate at Louisiana State University, Prewitt and his wife, Virginia, were recruited by Dupont to work on a project that turned out to be the construction of the first atomic bomb. Imagine being told one day by an FBI agent that your new work assignment was to help build a bomb that “will blow up an entire city.” Prewitt objected to having a direct role in production of the bomb, and was reassigned. Nonetheless, when he heard on the radio of the Hiroshima bomb’s being dropped, “There were no cheers. We knew what had happened to the people in that city, and we were sad.” Following the war, Prewitt taught at the University of Lowell for three years before getting his Ed.D. from Columbia University. While he was there, he visited

Willimantic State Teachers College, liked it, and was hired in 1952. “It was interesting helping future teachers learn how to teach science in the elementary schools. I enjoyed it very much.” Prewitt and his wife took time from his teaching career at Eastern to travel to such places as Burma, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia to train science teachers. In 2004, the couple received the ECSU Alumni Association’s Hermann Beckert Friends of the University Award. The Prewitts have established the Peace and Human Rights Studies Endowment to fund materials for classes in peace and human rights and for student scholarships. Through their generosity and that of Eastern’s philosophy faculty, a minor in peace and human rights also has been created.

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Easily recognized by television viewers in the Northeast, many people believe that the woman who has rocked, reclined, and lounged her way through numerous TV and radio commercials for Bob’s Discount Furniture is Mrs. Bob Kaufman. In reality, Bob’s sidekick is Cathy (Horan) Poulin ’89.

Comeon BY ANNE PAPPALARDO

A communication major while at Eastern with a minor in theatre, Poulin remarks, “When I was researching Eastern, it just jumped out at me. It wasn’t like I had to look any further. I thought, ‘They have what I want.’ I toured the campus and I felt very much at home there.” Poulin credits Ellen Brodie, director of theatre at Eastern, for much of her success. “She taught me so many things about theatre. Television and theatre are two different things, but they really are very much alike. I remember her coming up to me at graduation. She hugged me and said, ‘You’ve got what it takes.’ She meant it. She said she was always going to be there for me and I did end up contacting her a few times after I graduated.” Poulin also makes the point that her Eastern internship at Channel 3-TV in Hartford on “P.M. Magazine” helped kick start her career. “I met so

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many people and landed my first position right out of school.” Poulin feels that she was hired within three months of graduation mostly due to the experience gained through her internship. She first met Bob Kaufman while working for a cable advertising company in Manchester. The company had launched a new local access channel and needed to develop its programming. In 1992, Poulin created the half-hour show “Cruising Connecticut” in which she drove around in a Corvette with a male cohost and visited the company’s local clients. “Walking through the doors of Bob’s store in Manchester was the starting point of what I consider a true friendship.” She later took the show statewide, changing the name to “Stepping Out in Connecticut.” Kaufman was featured on her show for many years. “I don’t know if we sold a lot of furniture for him, but we had so much fun.”

Poulin eventually returned to school to pursue a master’s degree in education at Southern Connecticut State University. She received a call from Kaufman during her first year teaching at Killingworth Elementary School. He wanted a new look for his ads and was looking for a woman to join him in his commercials. She was the first person that came to mind. Poulin says, “I told him, ‘I’m a teacher now!’ He assured me it wouldn’t interfere with my career.” In 2001, Poulin started working part time for Bob’s Discount Furniture while she was still teaching, becoming a regular feature on the discount furniture chain’s television and radio commercials. When she was asked to join the company full time in 2003, she was allowed to create her own position. Poulin responded that she wanted to be the public relations director and immediately started to encourage the company to get involved with regional community

events that focused on children and education. “One is an arts scholarship contest where three kids of different age groups are awarded $5,000 each. The other is a cultural arts program effort where a school wins a full year of funding in the arts. Artists and other performers are provided for schools that don’t have anything.” Poulin also is heavily involved with charitable services and events sponsored by Bob’s Discount Furniture

Down! Charitable Foundation. The foundation sponsors numerous charities such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, American Cancer Society, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut, and March of Dimes.

Kaufman says, “Cathy brings a genuine enthusiasm and professionalism to our advertising. She makes it a pleasure for me and everyone involved. Her outreach and charitable endeavors on behalf of the company — mostly at her own direction — have enabled Bob’s Discount Furniture and Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation to distribute more than $1 million a year to worthwhile causes.” Poulin resides in Hebron with her husband, Paul, and one-year-old daughter, Madison, who she acknowledges is her “greatest accomplishment by far.”

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“Mr.Science”

R E M E M B E R E D

BY ANNE PAPPALARDO

While many staff, students, and faculty members pass the circular building located alongside Goddard Hall on Eastern Connecticut State University’s campus each day, few are aware of the effort that was required to build it and the story behind the professor for whom it is named. The Robert K. Wickware Planetarium was originally named the Science Building Annex when it was built in 1972. In 1974, the planetarium was renamed to honor the former Eastern professor who taught chemistry, physics, and mathematics during his 33 years at Eastern. Born in Montana in 1913, Robert Wickware was raised on a wheat ranch. After earning his undergraduate degree in chemistry from the University of Montana, he taught science at Lewiston Junior High School in Montana for five years before moving to New York City to pursue graduate and post-graduate work at Columbia University. After earning his Ph.D., Wickware joined the faculty in the Educational

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Science Department at Eastern, then known as Willimantic State Teachers College. When he arrived on campus in fall 1941, there were 200 students, of which only 12 were men. Just months after Wickware started teaching, the United States entered WWII and he found himself teaching all the natural sciences at the College. In addition, he taught navigation classes for Navy officers, as well as physics courses for UConn Army personnel. Though Wickware never served in the U.S. military, he taught and worked closely with students and faculty during an era that spanned the three wars that took place during his tenure — WWII, the Korean War, and the war in Vietnam. In 1951, he spent a year as a science education consultant at Tokyo University and the University of Hiroshima. When he returned to Eastern’s campus, the professor affectionately known as “Mr. Science” among his students continued as a faculty member and worked on developing the Graduate Program

during the mid-to-late 1950s. He later served as curriculum director and director of the Graduate Program for seven years before becoming the dean of academic affairs in 1969. Mary Rogers, retired physical sciences professor, describes how the planetarium came into being. Rogers, who taught during Wickware’s tenure, became aware during the late 1960s of federal funds that were available to further science programs in the United States. “People had seen Sputnik go up in the 1950s and the National Science Foundation (NSF) realized that the United States needed to do something about its science programs,” she says.

J. Eugene Smith, Eastern’s second president and executive secretary of the state college’s board of trustees in the late 1960s, was instrumental in helping Eastern acquire NSF funding for a Spitz A4 30-foot dome auditorium, as well as an electron microscope. “At that time Eastern was a rather tiny teacher’s college,” says Rogers. “It was great to have those two things: the star projector and the electron microscope.” Wickware retired in August 1974 after serving as dean of academic affairs for five years. As a tribute to the retired professor, the Science Building Annex was officially renamed the Robert K. Wickware Planetarium on June 7, 1974. The Board of Trustees for the state colleges lauded Wickware for his “…contributions to the furtherance of science education and to the general growth, development, and spiritual integrity of the College.” Even after retiring, Wickware continued to work and was an internationally-recognized consultant in his field. A collection of stone and iron meteorites, donated in 1995, is displayed in the planetarium lobby. This collection was one of Wickware’s final gifts to Eastern before his death in January 1997.

Robert K.Wickware

The Wickware Planetarium staff continues to enlighten students from Eastern and surrounding communities, hosting three or four free shows a semester. Visit the Wickware Planetarium’s web site at easternct.edu/depts/phs/planet.html for additional information.

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Hands On. Real World. BY KEN KRAYESKE

hills creep up and down Kacie Warner’s arms when she talks about working as a production intern at ESPN. “You’ve got to be on your game or you get lost,” Warner said of her foray into the world of highstakes TV programming. “Going from one [video recording] deck to the other, you’re just flying, making sure that you don’t switch to a deck that is rewinding or giving feedback.” Warner ’06, a communications major from Swansea, MA, landed the internship in spring 2005. ESPN reached out to the communication departments at colleges like Eastern Connecticut State University, and Warner responded. Because of her stellar performance in the six-credit, 12-week internship, ESPN told her not to worry about looking for a job after she graduated

this past May. She is the third Eastern intern to graduate and be hired at ESPN, according to Andrew Utterback, associate professor of communication. Preprofessional work experiences such as internships, in which students earn academic credit, or co-ops, where students earn money, explain much of the success that Eastern students have after graduation, according to Nancy DeCresenzo, associate director of Career Services. “Sixty-eight percent of Eastern undergraduates participate in co-ops or internships. In either case, the outcomes are the same: career building, business contacts, and résumé improvement.”

mentoring students, said Utterback, who was Warner’s faculty advisor. “The nice thing about internships is that employees don’t see students as co-workers or competition,” he said. “They are more willing to go out of their way to mentor a student. Our students can get an insider’s view of the work they might want to do once they graduate.”

Warner’s résumé already looked good — she had experience in television production on campus and worked for the Media Services Department, but she wanted more. The Global Operations Department at ESPN’s International Division needed help in its production crew. It was here that Warner learned audio production and voice-overs. “They train you so you have the best information on hand to get the best job done,” Warner said. “There is so much to be learned. You don’t want to get on air and forget something.” Internships provide a relaxed atmosphere in which experienced staff members feel comfortable

Kacie Warner

Warner’s internship required her to spend 25 hours a week in the production booth on live shows. “They just threw me right in there,” Warner said. “I loved every minute of it.” Economics major Jasmit Florah ’06 feels the internship commute was worth it. She joined Aetna Signature Administrators, a small business unit that seeks to extend Aetna’s medical and dental products to self-insured

businesses with 100 to 3,000 employees. Florah spent the fall 2005 semester driving between Aetna in Middletown, her home in Wethersfield, and school in Willimantic. “The biggest challenge was juggling work with my classes. Since the internship was in Middletown, I would juggle going from home to school. I tried to arrange it so I would go from home a few days.”

Brian Dempster already had plenty of experience when he was researching co-op and internship opportunities at Eastern, but his past was in the wrong field. Dempster, 42, started out as a computer technician in the 1980s, he said, when companies were

Jasmit Florah throwing money at just about anyone who could turn on a PC. He didn’t need a degree for computing. But after years of private-sector work, he wanted to change careers and enter the public arena. That required an education. Prudent investing allowed Dempster to enroll full time at Eastern to study accounting. All of his areas of interest converged when he learned of a co-op opening in the Connecticut Department of Auditors of Public Accounts. “The co-op allowed me to explore a whole new field firsthand,” he said. “I found I really enjoyed auditing and I wouldn’t have discovered that without a co-op experience. I would encourage any student to explore internships, coops, or any other avenues.”

(above) Nancy DeCrescenzo, associate director of Career Services, speaks with a colleague during a Career and Internship Fair.

Her professors and supervisors accommodated her efforts because of the value of her internship experience. “To me, it is basically getting experience,” she said. “I got to learn more about the insurance field, which is a good thing because I will stay in Hartford. I may continue here. It gave me a lot of experience and background to use for the future.”

Brian Dempster EASTERN

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Campus News

astern Professor Wins 2006 CSU Trustees Research Award ˘ ´ associate Michèle Bacholle-Boskovic, professor of French Studies, is Eastern Connecticut State University’s recipient of the 2006 CSU Trustees Research Award. ˘ ´ who has been recogBacholle-Boskovic, nized for her work in the field of French literature and criticism, has been published in numerous peer-reviewed and commissioned journals and has attended and presented at more than 20 conferences in the United States, France, and Canada.

Her two published books include “Linda Lê, L’Écriture Du Manque,” a one-of-akind study examining the works of Linda Lê, the controversial, young Vietnamese ˘ ´ gained unique writer. Bacholle-Boskovic insights for her book by conducting a personal interview with Lê in Paris, as well as maintaining an ongoing correspondence.

Eastern’s Scholars Shine

Eastern’s 2006 Barnard Scholars were honored at the annual Barnard Scholarship banquet on April 25 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington. In describing the accomplishments of Sandra Boscarino ’06, Interim President Michael Pernal noted that she was a charter member of the History Department’s Phi Alpha Theta Honors Society; an Education Department tour guide for visiting fifth-graders; a volunteer at the Wally Friendship Club in Manchester; and a Sunday School teacher in her church.

In addition to being an outstanding mathematics student, Brian Whitehead ’06 has been a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon Honors Society since his freshman year; has officiated as a referee and umpire for youth league soccer and baseball; enjoys playing the piano; and even takes a stab at baking cookies for the Honors Club’s frequent bake sales. Whitehead will be attending graduate school at the University of Connecticut this fall as he pursues his master’s degree and then his doctorate in mathematics.

2006 Barnard Scholars Sandra Boscarino and Brian Whitehead

˘ ´ teaching interests Bacholle-Boskovic’s include French language and phonetics, and French civilization, literature, cinema, and culture. Additionally, she has designed two new courses,“Introduction to the FrenchSpeaking World” and “Women Writers from French-Speaking Countries.” ˘ ´ joined Eastern in Bacholle-Boskovic 1999 as an assistant professor in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages. She holds a “Maîtrise” with distinction in English Language and British Civilization from the Université de Caen, France; an M.A. in French Studies from the University of Massachusetts,Amherst; and a Ph.D. in French Studies from the University of Connecticut.

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Katie Kline ’06 of North Brookfield, MA, (second from right) and LaToya Smith ’06 of Waterbury, (second from left) were honored during the Legislative College Day on April 20 at the State Capitol. With them are Dimitrios Pachis, vice president for academic affairs, and CSU Chancellor David G. Carter. Kline is pursuing a career in international relations, and Smith has received a full scholarship in Boston University’s graduate program to study magazine journalism.

Campus News Growing, Growing, No Signs of Slowing

Richard Jones-Bamman, professor of performing arts, received a Fulbright grant to study the Sami (Laplanders) at Umeå University in Sweden.

The new Science Building construction and Student Center expansion and renovation projects continue to proceed on schedule. The 173,000-square-foot Science Building has a 30-month construction schedule, with completion of construction planned for sometime in spring 2008. Equipment and furniture installation will follow, with classes most likely to start in fall 2008. The new building will be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council and will house all science departments and related programs. Alumni and friends will not recognize the Student Center, currently being remodeled and expanded to become Eastern’s University Center in spring 2007. The existing Student Center is doubling in size and will feature a fitness center, theater, coffeehouse, snack bar, several open lounge areas, and conference and meeting rooms when it’s done. The center also will house the offices of all student clubs and organizations, including the Women’s and Unity Centers.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Fraustino can share her extensive knowledge of children’s literature with the people of Thailand,” said Interim President Michael Pernal. “Advancing relationships with the people of other countries is one of the goals of our University. Dr. Fraustino’s time in Thailand presents a wonderful opportunity to establish a meaningful connection with educators and students in that country.”

Second Eastern Professor Receives Fulbright in 2006 Lisa Rowe Fraustino, associate professor of English, was awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to lecture and consult on children’s literature at Mahasarakham University in Thailand from May 30 to Nov. 21, 2006. She is training Thai teachers in the use of children’s books to teach English to their students. Fraustino is the second Eastern professor to receive a Fulbright Scholar award in 2006. Earlier this year,

Fraustino shipped 200 lbs. of children’s books to Thailand, most of them donated by her Eastern students, fellow professors, and friends who write children’s books. “These books will stay in Thailand to add to the lending library of my mentor, Dr. Wajuppa Tossa,” explained Fraustino. In her first few weeks in Thailand, she took an accelerated course in the Thai language, visited historical sites, and adjusted to the climate and the cuisine. She gets around the Mahasarakham University campus on a bicycle, despite the hot, humid weather. And she says, “Sawadee-ka!” (hello) to everyone back in Connecticut.

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Campus News Arroyo has been recognized by the State of Connecticut, been named to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, and last year received Eastern’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Distinguished Service Award.

Imna Arroyo Named Distinguished FacultyMember-of-the-Year Imna Arroyo, professor of visual arts at Eastern Connecticut State University, has been named recipient of the University’s 2006–07 Distinguished Faculty Member Award. The award is given each year to a faculty member whose excellence in teaching and devotion to scholarship and creativity bring recognition to the University and positively impact students. “Dr. Arroyo has unequivocally proven herself to be worthy of this distinction,” declared Charles Wynn, chair of the committee that selects the winner of the award. “She not only is an outstanding educator but also is a continuous contributor to the vitality of the Visual Arts Department.” “I am truly moved and humbled by this peer recognition award,” said Arroyo. “I come from a long history of educators. My grandmother, Modesta Moret, was one of the first certified black teachers in Puerto Rico. And my aunt and cousins also are teachers. I am the first to teach in higher

Eastern Game Show Wins National Award

Professor Arroyo engages students in an intensive discussion while demonstrating an art technique.

education. My ancestors must be very happy.”

Adam Wurtzel ’07, host and executive producer of “Eastern Expedition,” a pop-culture game show produced by Eastern students, won third place in the national Broadcast Education Association’s Student Studio Production Award competition on April 28 in Las Vegas.

Arroyo graduated from the Pratt Institute with a bachelor of fine arts degree, and earned a master of fine arts degree from Yale University. In the midst of her tireless efforts to support students and faculty, Arroyo has created a large and successful body of her own art. In 2004 alone, Arroyo’s work was exhibited in three venues in Connecticut, one in Puerto Rico and two in Cuba.

Back Row: (left to right) Scott Mackenzie; Keegan Stiles; Jeremiah Street; Jeff Gormley. Middle Row: (left to right) Alisha Thomas;Valerie Ludwig; Kacie Warner; Professor Jaime Gomez; Sheena Williams; Ryan Spain. Front Row: Adam Wurtzel

“Eastern students have put countless hours into pre-production, production, and post-production of the show, giving them a true-to-life television experience,” said Wurtzel ’07. “It’s a good feeling to know that all our hard work paid off.”

Professor Charles Wynn, Distinguished Faculty Member-of-the-Year Imna Arroyo, and Interim President Michael Pernal.

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Campus News

ames Earl Jones Heads Up Arts and Lecture Series Eastern Connecticut State University’s Arts and Lecture Series opens its sixth season with distinguished stage, film, and television actor James Earl Jones on Oct. 24. Jones will speak at 7:30 p.m. in the Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium.

Former U.S. Poet Laureate Speaks at Eastern’s Commencement Exercises

Sturges was named lifetime tribal chief in 1992 and was the driving force behind federal recognition of the tribe and the building of the Mohegan Sun casino complex.

“Communities are judged by two requirements: do they care for their young, and do they honor the wisdom of their elders?” said former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky (above), to members of the Class of ’06 during Eastern Connecticut State University’s commencement exercises on May 21.

In addition to his leadership role in the Mohegan Tribe, Sturges has been active in southeastern Connecticut philanthropy for many years, supporting and serving the Salvation Army, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Hospice Southeastern Connecticut.

Having served an unprecedented three terms as U.S. Poet Laureate from 1997 to 2000, Pinsky is known for his advocacy of poetry as a force of democracy. He reminded the 1,140 students receiving diplomas to work hard, not only so that they might support their families and themselves, but also for the good of their fellow human beings. Pinsky, who has written six books of poetry as well as several works of poetry criticism, received an honorary degree from Eastern, as did Ralph Sturges (right), tribal chief of the Mohegan Tribe.

Jones first big role was his portrayal of boxer Jack Johnson in the film The Great White Hope, for which he was nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award. Other film credits include Field of Dreams; Cry, the Beloved Country; The Hunt for Red October; Patriot Games; and Clear and Present Danger. On Nov. 16 the series continues with Bill Nye “The Science Guy” at 7 p.m. On March 8, 2007, the Borromeo String Quartet will perform. Mae Jemison, the first African American female astronaut to travel in space, will speak on April 12, 2007. Tickets for Arts and Lecture Series events are $10 each for the general public and can be reserved by calling (860) 465-4693 or emailing tickets@easternct.edu. For information on the 2006–2007 Arts and Lecture Series, visit www.easternct.edu/ecsu/arts_lecture.

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Alumni News

ubilee Class Visits Campus

Following Eastern’s tradition of honoring its longtime alumni, members of the Jubilee class of 1956 visited campus on May 21 to celebrate their 50th anniversary. They shared memories and stories at a continental breakfast and then were presented “golden diplomas” at the 2006 Baccalaureate Service. During the service,

Fulfilling a Dream Ryan Davis ’03 wants to be a college president and he appears to be well on his way. Davis is a graduate fellow at the Institute for Higher Education Policy and a Ph.D. candidate in higher education administration at the University of Maryland–College Park. Being a college president is an aspiration he has nourished since interning in the Office of Career Services during his undergraduate days at Eastern. “I was a business major and was focused on becoming a corporate executive,” Davis recalls. What turned his attention to higher education administration? “Dr. Carter was a great role model. He was always telling us to do our very best academically.” Davis cites many other Eastern mentors and motivators — Director of Career Services Walter Diaz, History Professor Stacy Close, and the MALES student club — to name a few.

the Jubilee Class led the audience in singing “Alma Mater.” Class spokesman Ronald Murphy ’56 said he and his classmates were “awestruck” by the changes that have occurred at Eastern. Fifty years ago, the campus consisted of five buildings (two of them dormitories) and graduated 50 students a year, all of them ready for hire as teachers.“We hope you are as warmly greeted when you return to campus as we have been today,” said Murphy. “I wish you much success.”

Ronald P. Murphy; Dorothy Nye Carlyle; Peggy B. Cornish; Margaret Visintini Dennehy; Robert R. “Buddy” Spillane; Mary Teguis Fatsi; Carl A. Kotzan, Jr.; Janet Sayers; Gladys Krigsman Tucker

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Perhaps the key person in Davis’s early development at Eastern was Learning Center Director Floyd

Bagwell. When Davis found himself struggling during his first year, Bagwell took time to counsel him on how to improve his performance. “He believed in me. That encouragement really inspired me to do better.” As research and policy associate for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), Davis recently released the NASFAA report “College Access, Financial Aid, and College Success for Undergraduates from Foster Care.” Although Davis acknowledges his days are full, his sights remain focused on his goal. Good luck, Ryan!

Perrotti Picnic Brings Alumni Together Alumni from the Classes of 1951, 1952, 1953, 1969, and 1988 enjoyed reminiscing with former classmates at

the Perrotti Picnic on June 22, 2006, hosted by Frank Perrotti ’51, secretary of the ECSU Alumni Association.

First row (l-r): Lewis Lamb; Francesca Macione Dussault ’52; Kay Daley Ring ’51; Dorothy Hartwick Young ’51; Bernice Hewes (Eastern parent); and Frank Perrotti ’51. Second row (l-r): Jane Lamb ’53; Dorothy Kelly Gale ’51; Hazel Merrell Johnson ’51; Elizabeth Chalmers Lowell ’51; Beverly Massey Webb ’51; Ann Lombardo; and Jennie Macione ’69.Top row (l-r): Ralph Young ’51; Fred Gale; Francis Franz ’51; Rita Risley ’88; Mrs. Richard Curland; Richard Curland ’52; Kenneth Ring; J.Thomas Lombardo ’51; and Patricia Franz ’51.

Alumni News Eastern Celebrates More than 450 graduating seniors, their parents and other family members, alumni, donors, faculty, and staff gathered under one big tent at the Eastern Athletic Complex to celebrate the Eastern community on May 20.

Prior to the “Eastern Celebrates” festivities, several activities earlier in the day brought the Eastern faithful to campus, including the annual meeting of the ECSU Alumni Association; tours of the new Child and Family Development Resource Center; a donor recognition reception; and a special soccer reunion.

A social hour provided opportunities to congratulate the graduates and reconnect with former classmates. As the evening progressed, attendees enjoyed mouth-watering baby back ribs, Cajun chicken, chili, and delicious ice cream desserts. Later in the evening, the 15-piece Little Big Band entertained the crowd with an outdoor concert open to the public made possible through the generosity of the Erlandson Family Fund. With music in the air, and stars twinkling overhead, the celebration was complete.

Soccer Alumni Return to Honor Coach Nevers A reception for soccer alumni who played under former Coach Tom Nevers was held on May 20 in the Child and Family Development Resource Center as part of “Eastern Celebrates,” a series of events that brought the Eastern family together to kick off the Commencement weekend. In attendance were Bill Juzwic and Bob Walenczyk from the Class of 1962, the first players recruited by Coach Nevers upon his arrival at Eastern. Walenczyk came all the way from Duluth, MN. Bertram Nussbaum ’63 presented Coach Nevers with a pair of framed photos from the 1962 season.

Front (l-r):William Juzwic ’62; Robert Walenczyk ’62; John Fitzgerald, Jr. ’71; Athletic Director Joyce Wong; Orest Bishko ’71; Peter Brenn ’74; Semih Uzuner ’75; and Head Coach Frantz Innocent. Back (l-r):Vice President Kenneth J. DeLisa; Bertram Nussbaum ’63; Mark Holowesko ’73; Geoff Nicholson ’72; Bill Meehan ’65; Earl Dubay ’73; Phil Obregon ’74; and Coach Nevers. (Attending the event but missing from the photo are Michael Fitzgerald ’70 and Ed Wiezbicki ’63.)

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Philanthropy

resident’s Donor Recognition Reception

Annual Golf Tournament is a Hole-in-One!

Interim President Michael Pernal. “Our student-athletes truly appreciate this support.”

Eastern’s annual golf tournament was held this year at the Lake of Isles “Members Only” golf course at Foxwoods Resort. By all measures, it was the best ever — 188 golfers on two courses raised more than $75,000 to support Eastern’s intercollegiate athletics programs. More than 340 student athletes participate in 17 varsity sports at Eastern.

The team from Zlotnick Construction won first place, followed by teams from NewAlliance Bank, Bill Holowaty’s Baseball Camp, and IKON Office Solutions. Rick Ganoe, former equipment manager at Eastern’s Sports Center and co-chair of this year’s tournament, said the Lake of Isles course is “one of the greatest courses I’ve ever played on. My foursome really enjoyed it, and I am pleased that we are planning to return in 2007. Of course, raising funds to support Eastern’s athletes is what it’s all about, and the tournament results speak for themselves.”

The team from Hitchcock Printing line up a putt.

On May 20, the annual President’s Donor Recognition Reception recognizing “leadership” donors was held in the Joinery of the new Child and Family Development Resource Center. “This is our opportunity for the University to express its appreciation to our loyal donors who make Eastern a priority by their generosity,” said Kenneth J. DeLisa, vice president for institutional advancement.

“This year’s tournament exceeded our expectations,” said Kenneth J. DeLisa, vice president for institutional advancement. “Not only did the number of golfers and the funds raised constitute all-time highs for Eastern, but the hospitality of the staff and the facilities at Lake of Isles made for a special outing for our guests.” “I would like to extend my gratitude to the golfers and sponsors who helped make this year’s event a stunning success,” said

Scholarship Event

Recipients of the Konover Endowed Scholarship, which supports Hartford area students interested in social work careers, (l-r): Renesha L. Nichols, Jennifer Rancourt, Dr. Pernal, and Kelly Looke.

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On May 3, the annual ECSU Foundation Competitive Scholarship Ceremony was held in Geissler Gymnasium with 450 people in attendance. A record $150,000 was awarded

The Wal*Mart team, led by Store Manager Roger Noll, navigates Hole #11.

to more than 150 deserving students who will enroll at Eastern this fall. “There are many students with financial need who are performing at a high level academically,” said Interim President Michael Pernal. “For many, these scholarships are the difference between being able to go to school full time or attending as a part-time student.”

Philanthropy Helping Tomorrow’s Teachers

Parents’ Park

ilson Complex Dedicated

More than 75 people, including State Sens. Donald Williams and Gary LeBeau and State Rep.Walter Pawelkiewicz, honored Margaret “Peg” S. Wilson on June 12 at the dedication for the Margaret S.Wilson Child and Family Development Complex. Joining the state dignitaries were members of the Eastern campus community as well as Peg’s friends and family.

Teresa (Lemieux) James ’49, and her husband Carleton, had always wanted to assist students from the Willimantic area who were studying to be schoolteachers yet needed help going to college. So when Carleton passed away, Mrs. James was pleased to establish the Carleton P. and Teresa H. James Endowed Scholarship.

Thanks to the generosity of Eastern parents, the new Parents’ Park located south of the Admissions Building and featuring cedar benches and picnic tables, became a reality this past spring, while also providing for additional campus enhancements in the near future.

Mrs. James, a lifelong Willimantic resident who taught in Windham and surrounding towns for 30 years before retiring in 1989, frequently can be seen on campus during her daily walking regimen. “The University has grown enormously since I went to school here. We just had Shafer Hall, Burr Hall, and the Noble School back then. I think what has happened to the campus is just fantastic, and you can’t help but notice how beautiful and clean the grounds are!”

Parent giving topped the $30,000 mark for the first time in 2005-2006, due in large part to the support of the Parents Association. “This is a testament to current and past parents who are willing to support ways to enhance the overall college experience for our students. We are truly grateful for the support,” said Interim President Michael Pernal.

Carleton asked Teresa to the “Snow Ball” at the Willimantic Country Club on their first date back in 1946. They stayed in Willimantic after marrying, even though Carleton’s job with Southern New England Telephone took him throughout the state. “I am impressed that the faculty and administration have been able to maintain the school’s small, close-knit atmosphere,” says Mrs. James. “At some of the bigger universities, they don’t even know who you are.” Interim President Michael Pernal pays tribute to Peg Wilson.

Peg Wilson

Pawelkiewicz read a citation from the General Assembly and praised Wilson for being “an advocate for children and families. Peg made sure that early childhood education and care are priorities at Eastern.” In addition to the citation, a portrait of Wilson and a new outdoor sign for the Complex were unveiled. Dimitrios Pachis, vice president for academic affairs, told the gathering that Wilson’s legacy would be transforming the lives of Connecticut children for years to come.“It’s not only about the 90 children who will be cared for in our facility. It also is about the future teachers we are preparing. They are learning the best teaching methods, methods we hope to spread across this state and beyond.” EASTERN

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Athletics D’Amico Plays on Pro Tour by Matt Fitzgerald ’06 and Bob Molta, Sports Information Office

With the recent decision to leave softball out of the 2012 Olympics, one might think that the sport is fading into obscurity. Not true. Just ask Eastern softball alumna Shari D’Amico ’04, who toured the United States this past summer as a member of the inaugural ProFastpitch X-treme (PFX) Tour, which brings professional and amateur players together for clinics, competition, and autographs.

While the PFX Tour showcases 26 professional players — eight of whom are current or former members of the U.S. Olympic team — it is much more than simply a series of exhibition games. “It’s not just about playing ability,” says D’Amico, a four-year letterwinner at Eastern. “It’s about giving to the kids. It’s more special for me to be working with (the youngsters) than for them to see me play.” The tour is dominated by former AllAmericans from top Division I programs such as UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State, and Stanford. One of only three players from Division III, D’Amico was impressed by the accomplishments

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and talent of her teammates, but not intimidated. Batting against three-time Olympic champion Lisa Fernandez, she singled in her third at-bat. D’Amico was one of the most versatile players ever at Eastern, which boasts more All-America softball players (35) than any other institution at any level in New England. She was a four-year starter as a pitcher, first baseman, second baseman, and shortstop and was named All-New England in each of her final two seasons. Although the PFX Tour is a one-of-akind experience for D’Amico, it is not her first time helping younger athletes improve their game. In fact, D’Amico’s history of giving back to the sport through clinics and camps is what appealed most to PFX Tour organizers. When asked about the emphasis on instruction on the PFX Tour, she responds with a smile: “I love it. You do the clinics, and then the girls run up to you after the game and say, ‘I used what you did in the clinic!’”

ing, make her a perfect fit for the tour. “There are players who can play at the Division III level and be successful,” points out Pepin, “but then there are players like Shari who really challenge themselves and play for the love of the game. She is a prime example that hard work pays off.”

According to Eastern Head Softball Coach Diana Pepin, D’Amico’s versatility, along with her passion and car-

(This fall, D’Amico begins her second year as a health and physical education teacher at Stamford High School.)

Jeffrey Named Field Hockey and Lacrosse Coach Christine Jeffrey has been named head coach of field hockey and women’s lacrosse on a one-year, temporary basis. Jeffrey, a native of Stonington, replaces Kathy Railey, who was named head women’s lacrosse coach at Villa Julie College last winter. Jeffrey served as a volunteer assistant women’s lacrosse coach at Eastern last spring under Interim Head Coach Lauren Davern and as assistant field hockey coach in 2004 and 2005 under Railey. As a collegian, Jeffrey played four seasons (1996-1999) of field hockey at the University of Mary Washington, where she was a two-time, first-team

Christine Jeffrey

all-Capital Athletic Conference all-star and graduated as the program’s all-team assist leader.

Athletics

Baseball Team Completes Improbable Finish to Season Tournament Most Outstanding Player Shawn Gilblair, a freshman from Windham, hit a second-inning grand slam and was the winning pitcher with 3 2/3 innings of three-hit relief as Eastern’s baseball team completed a marathon comeback this past May with a 10-7 win over topseeded Cortland State College in the championship game of the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament in Auburn, NY. By winning six games in five days — five of them in succession and four coming over the final three days — Eastern won its fourth regional tournament title in the past five years on the way to a fifth-place finish at the 2006 NCAA Division III national tournament in Grand Chute, WI. Eastern had qualified for the NCAA regional by winning four games in a span of 27 hours to take the Little East Conference championship the previous weekend. Seeded third, the Warriors came through the losers’ bracket to win five of six games. “The kids showed their grit and their heart the last two weekends,” said

Head Coach Bill Holowaty. “Coming back like they have is just phenomenal. The kids didn’t quit. Our pitching really did the job for us. You have to have good defense to win, and we did. The whole team did a phenomenal job. I’m really proud of them. That had to go down as one of our all-time great (tournament) wins.”

“Shawn had a great last half of the season, and I think he was very deserving of the honor,” noted Head Coach Bill Holowaty. “His statistics were remarkable. Plus, being named MVP of both the conference and regional tournaments helped him out.”

Gilblair First Freshman All-America in 36 Years Left-handed pitcher Shawn Gilblair was named the baseball program’s first freshman All-America in 36 years when he was a first-team selection by the American Baseball Coaches’ Association (ABCA) this past May. The previous and only freshman so honored was Assistant Coach Len Reed, who was selected to the NAIA All-America second team in 1970. Like Gilblair, Reed was a graduate of Windham High School. The 5-foot-11-inch, 210-pound Gilblair was a key player in Eastern’s run to the NCAA Division III national tournament. He was named Most Outstanding Player of the Auburn, NY, regional and Little East Conference tournaments.

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Athletics

osta Named to Silver Anniversary Team

Andrea Costa ’89 has been named to the NCAA Division III 25th Anniversary Softball Team. Costa was named as an outfielder based on her performance during NCAA competition. She was the only player named to the team from a New LEC Lacrosse Champions

Warriors Bag Three Little East Spring Titles After winning Little East Conference (LEC) championships in women’s volleyball and women’s soccer in the fall and coming home with the men’s indoor track and field title in the winter, Eastern followed up with three more conference championships in the spring to bring its season total to six – the most of any LEC school in 2005-2006.

England institution. During her athletic career at Eastern, Costa was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team in 1985, 1987, and 1988, and as an NFCA FirstTeam All America in 1988. The Warriors won national Division III championships in 1985 and 1986.

Hall of Fame Banquet Tickets Available The 2006 Hall of Fame Induction Banquet is Sunday, Nov. 5 in the Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium. Social hour is at noon, with the banquet starting at 1 p.m.Tickets are $45 each and are available from David Yeo (860) 465-5166. Come help us induct seven outstanding former Warriors; five Pioneers and several other awardees also will be recognized.

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The men’s track and field team won its fifth straight championship under Head Coach Frank Poulin; the men’s lacrosse team regained the crown it had worn four straight seasons through 2004, surging to its first championship under second-year Head Coach Nicholas Smith; and the third-seeded baseball team amassed four wins in a span of 72 hours to claim its fifth championship — third in four years and fourth in six seasons — under Head Coach Bill Holowaty. Individual highlights included senior All-American David Nicholson’s firstplace finish in the LEC and New England Division III 400-meter championships; junior Rory Maxwell’s first place in the pole vault at the New England Division III championships; junior Matt Zagura’s victories in the LEC conference championships in the shot put, discus, and hammer; senior David Pavia’s first-place finishes in the LEC tournament’s 100- and 200-meter

dashes; freshman Archie Joseph’s victory in the javelin competition at the LEC tournament; freshman Shawn Gilblair being named LEC Tournament Most Valuable Player; and junior David Carpenter, LEC conference leader in points and assists, being named Most Outstanding Player at the conference lacrosse tournament.

Three Represent Eastern in Vintage Game Three former Eastern baseball players competed for the Bristol Barnstormers in a vintage baseball game played in Birmingham, AL, that was aired live by ESPN Classic this past spring in conjunction with Black History Month. Jeff Johnson ’88 of Vernon, John Kubachka ’02 of Glastonbury, and Joe Riley ’05 of East Hartford were among 20 players selected following tryouts in fall 2005. The team was coached by former major leaguer Jim Bouton, who spent 10 years in the major leagues and authored the controversial bestseller, Ball Four, about the 1969 Seattle Pilots expansion team.

Hall of Famer Willie Mays (third from left) was a special guest at the vintage baseball game. Among the Bristol Barnstormers with Mays are Kubachka (second from left), Johnson (second from right) and Reilly (far right).

Class Notes 1954 Jean Simons is active in her local Woman’s Club in Westport, serving on the board for four years. Currently she is chairing their garden department.

1963 Lita Pellettieri Murphy has taught high school math for 17 years, earned a chemical engineering degree from the University of Massachusetts, and worked for the U.S. Army as a satellite communications engineer and product manager for 22 years. She now lives in Illinois where she owns 20 alpacas.

ated from Westfield State College and a daughter attending Ithaca College, while serving in the Air Force Reserve as a military historian. Retired as a colonel, she resides in Feeding Hills, MA. Timothy W. Stanton has been named Director of AdCare West Springfield Outpatient Services by AdCare Hospital of Worcester, MA. He holds an M.S. in counseling education from Florida State University and is a licensed social worker.

1971 Patricia Radocy is retiring after teaching for 35 years in the Torrington Public School System.

1965

1972

Regina (Nowak) LaRose retired from teaching kindergarten, first and second grades in Needham, MA, and is a proud new grandmother of William Edward LaRose. After graduating from Eastern, F. Judith Postemsky earned three graduate degrees from Southern Connecticut State University, and retired from the Madison school system in 1994. In April 2006 she was presented with the Leadership Award by the Greater New Haven Association of Volunteer Administrators for her volunteer work.

Almyra (Tefft) Hornberger recently retired from teaching and has relocated to Sullivan, ME, to enjoy life in New England again. Sharon (Lekarczyk Ryan) Masterson has been teaching in Coventry for 28 years, most of that time teaching seventh grade at Nathan Hale Middle School. She married John J. Masterson in 2001. Luis A. Rivera has lived in Virginia Beach,VA, for the past 20 years. Earlier in his career, Rivera was a television reporter in Hartford where he hosted a bilingual public affairs program. He is currently working on developing and obtaining backing for an educational television program to educate viewers about Hispanic culture and contributions to the community. Paula Weber and her husband, Joseph, celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary.Their son, Jeffrey Benjamin Weber, ‘05, graduated cum laude with a B.S. in mathematics and is employed by The Hartford.

1966 Donna (Spafford) Brown has retired from teaching after 40 years in education. She has taught in Connecticut, Germany, and Washington State, where she plans to enjoy her leisure years. Elaine (Dugas) Shea, Missoula, MT, serves as a technical assistance specialist for American Indian Head Start and Early Head Start programs in the states of Montana, Idaho,Wyoming and Utah for the Academy for Educational Development,Washington, D.C. She is also a published poet.

1967 Mitch Pietras recently received the Les Simons Student Advocacy Award, awarded by the faculty at Daytona Beach Community College in Florida. He also is the project director of the Campus Suicide Prevention grant, a federally-funded program. Jerry Taylor is retiring after a long career teaching in Wallingford, with the Department of Defense in Germany, and in the Greece, NY, school district. He plans to spend his retirement in a second career teaching senior citizens and retirees how to use their computers through his new web-based venture, “SeniorTech.”

1968 Harry B. Dumeer retired as the principal of the Cromwell Middle School after serving for 29 years, with more than 37 years as an educator.

1969 Carla A. (Banelli) Goodwin has been re-appointed by Governor Mitt Romney to serve a term of five years as commissioner of the Disabled Persons Protection Commission in Massachusetts. Goodwin was also recognized by the American Red Cross for service during Hurricane Katrina. Paul Lankarge’s son, Peter, graduated from Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania in 2005 with a double major of English and Philosophy.

1970 Upon graduation, Beverly Sanford Follis was commissioned and served for 12 years as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force until her marriage in 1982. She raised two children, a son who just gradu-

Michael J. Pisani writes that the “Pisani family rides again” with daughter,Tory Jo, age 11, celebrating her second-place finish in a national Welsh pony event. Semih “Sam” Uzuner enjoys volunteering in his spare time at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.

1976 David R. Valinski has resided in Kentucky since 1995 after moving from the Washington, D.C., area. He is a sales representative for Fechheimer/Flying Cross, a Berkshire Hathaway company, and would enjoy hearing from Eastern alumni at drvalins@aol.com.

1978 Robert Altamura has settled in the mountains of central Pennsylvania with his wife, Linda, and their 9-year-old son, Brett. Bob earned his Ph.D. in Geosciences from Pennsylvania State where he teaches geology and environmental science and does geo-environmental consulting. Jess Kupec joined Saint Francis Physician Hospital Organization in Hartford in 1993 as director of marketing and was promoted to his current position of president in 1995. He has three children, Jesse, age 28, a sound technician at ESPN in Bristol; Nikki, age 26, a third-grade teacher in Tolland; and Katie, age 23, a military police officer serving in Iraq.

1979 Carol Meikle Moulton retired in 1997 from the University of Connecticut as a university library assistant and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and long-time companion, Linda.

1973

1980

Laraine Rodriguez, who earned her master’s degree in 1982, retired last June after teaching 32 years at Chaplin Elementary School. She and her husband are enjoying their family, friends, and traveling.

Ann Marie Cibulsky is living in northern California, has been married for 22 years, and has two sons, Michael, age 20, and David, age 16. She works in special education in the Pleasanton Unified School District. Anthony Ross teaches at University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine. His wife, Cynthia, has a plastic surgery practice in Northboro, MA.They reside in Shrewsbury, MA, with their children, Kristin, age 16, and Nicole, age 13.

1974 Lorna Philbin Nichols writes that she and Eastern alumnae Marylee Wakefield McCue, Cinde Weiser McVeigh, Barbara Belport Davis, Donna Sipala Poirier, Patricia White Fox, and Karen Denault Bates still get together socially or for vacations.They have enjoyed celebrating events in each others lives and still keep in touch with Linda Vokes Landberg and Linda McMahon Oloskey. Donald Richmond served in New Orleans as an emergency road vehicle driver for the American Red Cross in response to Hurricane Katrina. Ron Tedford traveled to Sydney, Australia, in 1975 for a two-year stint as an English teacher and never left. With dual citizenship, he teaches physical education, coaches basketball, and organizes the sports program for Homebush Boys High School.

1975 George V. Grady has earned two master’s degrees, one in counseling from Central Connecticut State University and the other in social work from the University of Connecticut. He is employed as a social worker at Middlesex Hospital where he recently received the Corkin Award recognizing his integrity, loyalty, skill and professionalism. Gregory Harper was promoted to assistant director of The Boys Probation House in Fairfax,VA, a 22-bed facility for males ages 14-20. He has also worked for the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Court since 1985. He lives in Fort Washington, MD.

1981 Denise Cooley, M ’81 became a grandmother in February 2006. Colin Thomas Cooley was born to her son Tom, a professor and director of students and housing at Becker College, and his wife Kerrie.

1982 Lynn McVety-Barone was employed at The Institute of Living in Hartford for more than three years after graduation. She and her husband recently relocated to Florida. David L. Scagliola was elected in May to the City Council in Schertz,TX. Councilmember Scagliola also is an adjunct professor of Mathematics with Park University at Randolph AFB,Texas.

1985 James Posada’s most recent position was senior vice president of business and market development, at GlycoFi, Inc., a private, venture-backed, start-up biotechnology company that was acquired by Merck in June 2006 for $400 million. GlycoFi pioneered technology to optimize the clinical efficacy of therapeutic proteins. Following the close of the transaction, Posada will be providing business strategy consulting services to other start-up biotech companies through his consulting firm north of Sun Valley, Idaho.

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Class Notes 1987 Lori Littlejohn Schneider is married, living in a suburb of Boston, and studying for another degree in biology at the University of Massachusetts-Boston. She is currently performing Parkinson’s disease research in a University of Massachusetts laboratory. Willimantic Police Chief Lisa Maruzo-Bolduc received the Police Chief Award at the 2006 Arnold Markle Symposium recognizing her efforts to encourage officer participation in non-obligatory training classes. Chief Maruzo-Bolduc also received a threemonth Fulbright fellowship in 1991 and has attended the FBI National Academy for advanced training.

1988 Denise Rolls Spellman received a master’s degree in education and 6th-year degree in education administration from Sacred Heart University. Married for 15 years, with four children, she is head teacher and mathematics teacher for New London public schools. She recently enjoyed a reunion with roommates Lisa Cesarini Feeney, Karen Hanson Rainville, Marylou Borsari, Pam Rosoff Reichbart, Michelle Sainsbury Murphy, and Kim Solecki.

1989 After graduating as a biology major and receiving the Barnard Award, Kaye Cunningham received her medical degree from the University of Connecticut Medical School. She specialized in family medicine at University of Rochester and is now in family practice in California. Laura (Anthony) Marks had her third child, a daughter, on May 25, 2005, who joins two older brothers. John Z. Mennone, MPH, BS, received his master’s degree in public health from Yale in 1996. He moved to Chicago in 1998 and worked for the Chicago Department of Public Health for six years. In 2001, he married Frances C. Kern and has two boys, William Hunt, age 4, and Evan Albert, age 2. They currently live in Oak Park, IL. Since 2004 he has been a project manager for an IT consulting company. Stephen A. Pedneault was honored by the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants with its Annual Service Award for his active participation in the society’s student outreach program, speaking to high school and college students about his career experience in forensic accounting. He is a director of the Connecticut Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Pedneault owns Forensic Accounting Services LLC in Glastonbury.

1990 Beth (Kavan) Brock changed careers in 2005, becoming certified as a professional dog trainer. She made a recent television appearance at the National Dog Show in Philadelphia. Richard (Dick) Feher, Jr., Adelphia Communications of CT/EPA marketing manager, volunteered during the Hurricane Katrina disaster with the American Red Cross in shelters in Mississippi and Louisiana. Bob Kozlowski received his master’s degree in counseling in higher education from Central Connecticut State University in May 2006. He has been employed at Quinebaug Valley Community College as program coordinator of the Opportunity for Success program since 2000. He lives in Oakdale with his wife, Jennifer, and son, Alec. Joseph Parks joined Cerimon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as vice president of project management. During his 20year career in pharmaceutical development, Parks has held leadership roles in clinical development, regula-

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tory affairs and project management. He received his master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and lives with his partner, Elisa, and their two sons, Morgan and Chase, in Morgan Hill, CA.

1991 Virgilio Arcega, a major in the Marine Corps, completed his master’s degree at the Naval War College in Newport, RI. He will be stationed at Parris Island, SC, with his wife and two sons. Deborah Selby is married with one son and has worked at Pratt & Whitney for 37 years. Thomas White of Woodbridge, is a certified arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture and a licensed Connecticut state arborist with an extended degree from University of Massachusetts in urban forestry. He is owner/operator of All State Tree and Land, LLC in Fairfield.

1992 Kashif Faruqui received his master’s degree from the University of New Hampshire and is employed in the United Arab Emirates by Gulf International Bank. William Lee has been promoted to director of education services at the Golden Consulting Group in Bloomfield. Prior to joining Golden in 2002, he held positions with HBM Technology Group and Learning Tree International. He also serves as town councilman for the Town of Enfield. Lori (Luciani) Secchiaroli and her husband, Crescentino ’02, recently opened The Therapy Center, LLC in North Stonington, providing counseling and massage therapy services. Lori completed her Master of Social Work degree at Fordham University and is a licensed clinical social worker.

1993 Marybella Collazo is employed as an information systems analyst at VNA HealthCare in Hartford and has started an interior decorating business. Shirley B. (Freckleton) Mailloux is employed as a social worker on a semi-retired basis for the Town of South Windsor. She remarried in March 2001 after being widowed in 1996.

1994 Suzanne Crowley-LoPresto and her husband, Mark ‘96, have three children:Tori, who will be four in September; Carli, age two; and Aaron, who was one in August.The family is settling into their new house in Westerly, RI. Suzanne and Mark are still teaching in Montville and East Lyme. Dorothy Drobney is employed as a reading specialist at Birch Grove Primary School, in Tolland and completed coursework in 2004 for a reading consultant certification. She also received a graduate degree from Eastern in 2002. Chadford Hilton received a dean’s scholarship to attend the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Pamela (Zugeber) Lewis lives in Noblesville, IN, and is attending nursing school. Michael Lucich is sales director for North America at Bristol Technology and is heading up Channel Alliances with Bristol’s key business partner, Mercury. Bradley Wheeler earned his M.B.A. at the University of Connecticut in 2004.

1995 Jonathan Alpert is a licensed psychotherapist with offices in Manhattan and Philadelphia. His weekly advice column appears on Tuesdays in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia newspapers.

Sebastian Bafumi is employed at The Hartford. He and his wife have a beautiful new daughter, Isabella. William (Chip) Beckwith, a former Barnard Scholar, earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry from Wesleyan University in 2000 and spent several years working in the U.S. Public Health infrastructure developing and implementing state-of-the-art methods for the detection of infectious pathogens such as the West Nile virus and bio-threat agents. He attributes his success in part to the efforts of some special faculty members: Alan Wright,Timothy Swanson, Michael Gable, Michael Adams, Gloria Colurso,Yaw Nsiah and Gail Dewolf. He resides in Dublin, CA, with his wife, Daisy Prado.

1996 Steffie Fiore is a part-time professor of sociology at Eastern. She is a competitive cyclist, involved in social justice initiatives, and is an elected leader within her religious community. She lives with her husband, Dave Elliston, their cats, and a “gaggle of bicycles.” Thomas W. Giard III is principal of the Leonard J.Tyl Middle School in Montville. Amy E. Schack was promoted to director of residential life at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus in Manhattan. She also earned her master of science degree in education with a concentration in counseling from Fordham in 2005. Pamela Thompson-Kelly received her master’s degree in elementary education from St. Joseph College in West Hartford, taught for three years in Columbia, and now teaches third grade in Hartford. Two of her sons have served in Iraq, one as a helicopter pilot and the other in transportation.

1997 Bryan Czajkowski recently purchased a home in Vernon, with wife, Joni (Arvai) ’98 and their 18-month-old daughter. He is in web and interactive media sales at Visual Concepts in Windsor, and Joni is the director of advocacy for the American Heart Association in Connecticut. JoJo Farrell recently relocated from San Francisco to Caracas,Venezuela, where he continues to work for the nonprofit organization, Global Exchange, as their Venezuela operations director. Sal Vernali and his wife, Jennifer, are about to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary.Their son, Lucas, just turned one. Sal is employed as a supervisor at ESPN, his employer for the past seven years.

1998 David Branin continues to pursue a film career in California with dreamregimeproductions.com through which he produced his latest film, Shoot-Out. Caitlin (Swetts) Drap has been married for four years and has a son, Dylan, not yet two years old. She and her family live in Yorktown, NY. Caitlin and her husband, an accountant, commute into New York City where she works as a part-time litigation technology consultant training attorneys to use litigation support software for court trials. Justin Murphy graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2005 and recently joined a Vernon law firm, Kahan, Kerensky & Capossela, specializing in the areas of business law, estate planning, probate, and secured finance. He resides in Coventry. Patricia Tellekamp is pursuing a B.S. in architecture at New England Institute of Technology in Rhode Island.

Class Notes 1999 Atif Faruqui just finished his master’s degree in computer science at the University of New Hampshire. He was employed as a system administration supervisor at Software Developing Company in Groton from 2000 to 2005. He joined Pfizer, Inc. in 2005 and is working as a storage consultant. Atif married Kiran Butt ’98 and they have a daughter, with another child expected this September. Robert A. LeGary, Jr. is director of residential treatment services at The Learning Clinic in Brooklyn, CT. An adjunct instructor in Eastern’s Visual Arts Department since 2003, he earned his M.A. in Art History and Criticism from Stony Brook in 2001. He lives outside of Hartford with his partner. Sarah (Henninger) Wininger married her husband, Timothy, in 2002, and received her M.A. in elementary education in May 2004. She is a softball coach, a student council advisor, and teaches mathematics to the sixth grade in Clinton.

2000 Cori (Beckwith) Allard taught for two years in an inclusion classroom in Willimantic, for three years in a school for emotionally disturbed students in Brooklyn, NY, and has been working as a school psychologist for the past year in California. She writes that she was “so well prepared by Eastern” and is grateful to the Education Department for such a “well-developed program.” Tina (Hiscox) Bourdon married her husband, Greg, in February, followed by a Hawaiian honeymoon. She is the controller for D’Amato Builders & Advisors, LLC, and received her master’s degree from Eastern in 2005. Greg is a supervisor for UPS. Jonathan Kozlak is teaching mathematics in the Bristol Public School System while pursuing a master’s degree from Central Connecticut State University. He is married to Alison Southey. Dean O’Brien married his wife, Julia, in September 2003, and is employed as a legislative aide to a Connecticut state senator in Hartford. Sarah Mische graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Education in 2006 with a M.A. in education. She served as a school counselor intern at E.O. Smith High School this past year.

2001 Jed Church relocated to Florida to open a new facility for his employer, Godwin Pumps of America. Formerly dispatcher/parts manager for Godwin in Connecticut, he is now the operations manager, responsible for operations throughout Florida. Karen Kluczwski married George Hoffman in 2005 and the couple resides in Washington State. Micah Murray and Alissa (Chesner) Murray ’02 celebrated their third wedding anniversary in June. Jeff Reinhart married Jessica B. Hart ’00 and they reside in Bethel. Jeff, an All-American lacrosse player at Eastern, still plays with other alumni on a club team. In 2002, they went to Australia for a national tournament with former Eastern Coach Rick McCarthy. In February, they won a tournament in Tampa, FL.

2002 Paulette Bolton moved back to New Hampshire and has been working in Hillsboro as a kindergarten and reading recovery teacher. Along with reading recovery training, she completed her master’s degree in education at New England College.

Robyn L. Danahy graduated this spring from the University of Connecticut with an M.A. in education, and a concentration in sport management. Crescentino Secchiaroli is a contract supervisor for the Department of Mental Retardation and is completing his final year of law school at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. He owns The Therapy Center, LLC, in North Stonington with his wife, Lori ’92.

2003 Patrick Boyd recently earned his master’s degree in education from Sacred Heart University where he also received the Dean’s Leadership Award in Education. Danielle M. Stebbins teaches health and physical education and coaches boy’s junior varsity volleyball at Oliver Wolcott Technical High School. She is pursuing her master’s in secondary education from Eastern. Gabriel Kendall has pursued graduate studies in history/social science with a secondary education certificate. He will be in his third year teaching at Coventry High School. Jill Luberto is attending the Theatre in Youth MFA program at the University of North CarolinaGreensboro on a full assistantship.

2004 Frederick M. Gordon is employed at Central Connecticut State University as a police department dispatcher and was elected vice president of the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company. Gretchen Heath lives in Rhode Island and works for a non-profit elder care management company in Providence. She has one more year of graduate school left at the University of Massachusetts-Boston for a master’s degree in critical and creative thinking. Stephanie Laudone recently completed her master’s degree in sociology at Fordham and has been accepted into the doctoral program. Kristen Pavlik just received her M.A. in women’s studies from Southern Connecticut State University and has been hired by the Domestic Violence Crisis Center as a community educator. Melissa Post was promoted at Foxwoods Resort Casino to senior administrator of assets in the Management Information Systems Department. She enjoyed volunteering with her four-year-old son for the March of Dimes Walk America campaign. Poyan Shojaiyan continues to pursue his medical studies in Sweden where he also volunteers as an Eastern Alumni Ambassador. Corey Sipe has been working since February as a news reporter for the Pictorial-Gazette, a bi-weekly newspaper in Old Saybrook, covering news in the lower Connecticut River Valley.

2005 Jennifer Kelley is employed as an instructor at Teamwork, LLC in Salem. She teaches Microsoft Office, telecommunications, administrative assisting, and introduction to computers. SPC. Eran Peterson has been deployed to Indiana in preparation for a one-year tour of duty in Iraq. Kamil Konopa is a European Specialist with VIGO Money Transfer in Florida. He is in training to become VIGO’s regional director for Poland and Eastern Europe.

Marriages 1972 Sharon Lekarczyk Ryan and John J. Masterson on June 21, 2001

1993 Tracey Larson and Keith Flanagan on Oct. 30, 2004

1996 Mark Lawrence Gagne and Michele Lyn Abbazia on Sept. 24, 2005 Gabriel Anthony Ardito and Gianna Daniela DeLucia on Aug. 13, 2005

1997 Amy Horr and Christopher LeQuire on July 2, 2005 Kelly Sue Lamb and Michael Stricker Jr. on Dec. 25, 2005

1998 Brian Johnston and Erin Appleby on July 30, 2005 Rebecca Gallo and Jeffery Anderson on May 12, 2005

1999 Sarah Henninger and Timothy D.Wininger Jr. on Sept. 14, 2002 Ryan Zengou and Jessica Costa on June 19, 2005

2000 Jennifer Bazzano and Doug Archer Jr. on June 11, 2005 Jessica B. Hart and Jeff Reinhart ’01 on July 15, 2005 Tina Hiscox ’00 and M’05 and Greg Bourdon on Feb. 4, 2006 Jonathan Kozlak and Alison Kathleen Southey on April 21, 2006 Jennifer Watcke and Wayne Conover Jr. on July 3, 2005

2001 Kerri Jean Brown and Todd Alexander Simons on Sept. 16, 2005 Karen Kluczwski and George Hoffman on June 25, 2005 Micah Murray and Alissa Chesner ’02 on June 7, 2003 Tracy Prete and Kenneth Peterson on Oct. 14, 2005 Jeff Reinhart and Jessica B. Hart ’00 on July 15, 2005

2002 Alissa Chesner and Micah Murray ’01 on June 7, 2003 Kristyn Marie Grassi and Ryan Edward Leary on July 31, 2005 Kathryn Elizabeth Tabor and Thomas Cameron Lyon III on Aug. 12, 2005 Jessica Regan and Ronald Morse on Sept. 18, 2005

2003 Christopher John Gatti M’03 and Kristen Elizabeth Govoni on Sept. 4, 2004 Kara Lynn Grimes and Jeffrey Thomas Pac on April 30, 2005

2004 Sarah Orefice and Jason Urso on June 25, 2005

2005 Tiffany Linn Saytanides and Nelson DeJesus on Nov. 6, 2005

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Final Thoughts your involvement. In addition to EASTERN magazine, the University’s web site (www.easternct.edu) is another convenient way to keep track of all that is happening at your University.

Births 1988 Kathleen (Pranger) Mills and her husband Robert, announce the birth of Robert R. Mills IV, on May 17, 2005.

1990 Laura (Sapia) Valzania and her husband, David, announce the birth of Caroline Grace, on March 1, 2006.

1991 David Kraszewski and his wife, Sarah (Ryczek) Kraszewski ’01, announce the birth of Michael Joseph on Feb. 27, 2005.

1996 Rob Nieto and his wife, Kristin, announce the birth of Carolina Anna on May 19, 2005.

1998 Erika Fox and her husband, Brady, announce the birth of their son,Teigue in January 2006. Kevin Lemieux and his wife, Heather, announce the birth of Tyler Braden in February 2006.

1999 Bethany (Fish) Muscara and her husband, Paul, announce the birth of Miranda Angelina, on April 9, 2006.

2001 Sarah (Ryczek) Kraszewski and her husband, David Kraszewski ’91, announce the birth of Michael Joseph on Feb. 27, 2005.

2004 Jessica Hornung and her husband, Kevin Hornung ’01, announce the birth of Samantha Elizabeth, on Jan. 29, 2006. She joins Justin, born on July 26, 2004.

In Memoriam Ruth Margaret (Spellman) Terwilliger ’26 (1906-2006) Grace Chapman Carter Miller ’32 (1911-2006) Dorothy (O’Neil) Pfeiffer ’32 (1913-2006) Louise (Muller) Purple ’33 (1913-2006) Irene (Brenn) Blakeslee ’42 (1921-2006) Martin George Solnick ’43 (1920-2005) Anna Mildred (Milly) Sternlieb Drazen ’47 (1925-2006) Gerard Henry Rousseau ’51 (1927-2006) Virginia (Eldridge) Gellert ’52 (1930-2005) William G. Baker ’53 (1928-2006) Nancy (Peters) Kennedy ’53 (1931-2006) Doris Saragosa ’53 (1931-2006) Lloyd H. Wallen ’53 (1921-2006) Marilyn (Bonnin) Desjardins ’54 (1933-2006) Marion M. Burke ’59 (1912-2006) Maryllia Lake Barrett Houston ’65 (1917-2006) Marcia B. Sweeney Potter ’68 (1925-2006) Barbara (Mack) Blow ’69 (1922-2006) Paul M. Gulielmetti, Esq. ’69 (1947-2005) Barbara Bailey ’74 (1951-2006) Mark Crumb ’82 (1957-2006) Anne Marie Becconsall ’87 (1965-2006) Lillian S.(Smith) Joyce ’90 (1924-2006) Stacy Yvonne McCann ’90 (1965-2006) Linda Jean (Misiaszek) Mosher ’90 (1949-2006) Jason E. LaRosa ’91 (1969-2006) Thomas Richard Barbero ’92 (1948-2006) Susan Linda (Stearns) Smith ’95 (1949-2005) Steven A. Doiron ’05 (1957-2005) Melissa Dykas ’06 (1981-2006)

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I hope that this issue of EASTERN magazine gives you the same sense of pride in the University that I am feeling. With Dr. Nuñez’s able leadership and the tradition of excellence and camaraderie found on our campus, Eastern is poised to break new ground as it continues to bring its special brand of public, liberal arts education to the citizens and students of Connecticut and beyond our borders. In her opening message to readers, Dr. Nuñez talked about the importance of human relationships in our work at Eastern. Students learn how to solve complex problems in team projects, faculty mentor their students and one another, and the University as a whole reaches out to alumni, to local neighborhoods, and to the international community to share our expertise, time, and goodwill. It is the University’s goal to maintain an active, beneficial relationship with everyone connected with Eastern. Whether you are an alumnus, a donor, or are connected to Eastern and its people in some other way, there are many opportunities to connect and reconnect with the people who work, study, and teach here. Regional alumni receptions and other alumni activities, on-campus cultural events, continuing education opportunities, or just a simple visit to see the new additions to the campus are all available to you, and we welcome

There is another way each of us can stay connected to Eastern, now and through the years. Through our Annual Fund, various fund-raising events throughout the year, planned giving opportunities, and other means, you can help future generations of Eastern students enjoy the quality education we have come to know and expect from this University. In so doing, you not only can make a difference in the life of an individual student, you can also help ensure that Eastern remains a quality liberal arts institution. Connecticut’s economic vitality and our state’s quality of life will surely benefit as a result. As always, we are encouraged and inspired by the continued support that Eastern receives from its many friends and family members. Educating future citizens has never been more important, and with your help, we can continue to pursue our vision as Connecticut’s public liberal arts university. This is an exciting time in Eastern’s history. There is so much opportunity for this special place to flourish, and with a little help from our alumni and friends, I am sure we will all be witness to wonderful days ahead.

Kenneth J. DeLisa Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Attention Alumni

Alumni Ambassadors

Have you moved or gotten married? Have you taken a new job or had an addition to your family? Interested in volunteering at alumni events or activities? Please send your information to or contact: Joy Goff, Director Office of Alumni Affairs Eastern Connecticut State University 83 Windham Street Willimantic, CT 06226 e-mail: alumni@easternct.edu Watch our web site for alumni receptions and networking events in Connecticut and out-of-state.

California

Interested in a new professional position, or looking to recruit a new graduate or student intern? Contact the Office of Career Services at www.easternct.edu/depts/career or call (860) 465-4559. Willing to volunteer at college career fairs as an admissions ambassador? Call: Christopher Dorsey Assistant Director of Admissions phone: (860) 465-4398 e-mail: dorseyc@easternct.edu

Comments Please send story ideas and “letters to the editor” to: Edward Osborn, Director Office of University Relations Eastern Connecticut State University 83 Windham Street Willimantic, CT 06226 phone: (860) 465-5735 e-mail: osborne@easternct.edu

New web site! Eastern is launching a brand-new web site and would love to get your feedback. If you have a moment, visit www.easternct.edu/test/home. The test site has a link to an online survey so that you can tell us what you think of the new design. We look forward to hearing from you.

A Great Photo Gets Better! This photograph of our San Francisco alumni reception published in the spring 2006 issue inadvertently omitted Frank Rudnick ’75 (far right, first row). Thanks for your patience, Frank! Others in the group include: First row (l-r): guest of JoJo Farrell; W. Jo Jo Ferrell ’97; Kenneth J. DeLisa, vice president of institutional advancement; Rudnick. Back row (l-r): David G. Evans ’96; guest of Shannon Riley; Shannon Riley ’96; Joseph Parks ’90; Lisa Hatt ’93; Joseph McGann, director of institutional advancement.

Los Angeles Area David T. Branin ’98 Benjamin J. Pratt ’98 John Toolan ’90 Tony P. Riccio III ’99 San Francisco Area JoJo Farrell ’97 Lisa A. Hatt ’93 Joseph A. Parks ’90 Frank M. Rudnick ’75 Shannon E. Riley ’96 San Diego Area Marie K. Baer ’86 Patrick T. Cross ’99 Kevin T. Lemieux ’98 Mary E. Liu ’78 Andrew J. McRory ’95 Christopher W. Melingonis ’99 Cynthia I. Monter ’85 Nicole K. Monter ’99 Sigrid H. Nicholas ’84

N e w Yo r k / Ne w Je r s e y Metropolitan New York City Area Michael Moore ’90 John Stueck ’83

Rhode Island Providence Area Bonnie Bryden ’03

Sri Lanka Dilini Gunasekera ’91

Sweden Poyan Shojaiyan ’04

United Arab Emirates Natasha Husain ’01

Massachusetts Greater Boston Area Tony Cristi ’96 Veronica Beechwood Curry ’97 David Mullin ’98 Laila Siddiqui ’04

Parents Association The new, updated edition of Eastern’s Parents Handbook is available at www.easternct.edu/alumni/

March 8-9, 2007 Please Mark Your Calendar… and Plan to join Us for the Inauguration Celebration of

Dr. Elsa Nuñez, Sixth President of Eastern Connecticut State University, March 8 and 9, 2007. Watch for your invitation in the mail early next year.

Inaugural Celebration EASTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY 83 WINDHAM STREET WILLIMANTIC, CT 06226

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