Summer 2017 Magazine

SUMMER 2017

2 Elms’ 86th commencement ceremony graduates the largest class in our history.

6 Our off-campus partnerships have expanded our reach into Connecticut.

8 The Alumnae Library will complete its transformation this summer into a student-success-focused Learning Commons.

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Our stunning new chapel is taking shape on the third floor of Berchmans Hall, shining its light in the heart of campus.

Let the Adventures Begin

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“Following in these distinguished footsteps and advancing this storied legacy is far from a burden — it is a privilege which I am honored, humbled, and thrilled to embrace.”

Dear friends, As I begin my presidency, I am enjoying getting an intimate inside view of the college from those who know it best.

Here’s what I have learned: We are a nimble institution, dedicated to providing an excellent, holistic education to a diverse population in a multitude of formats, in the Catholic intellectual tradition, with the commitment to neighbor and justice pioneered by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Following in the distinguished footsteps of the leaders before me and advancing this storied legacy is far from a burden — it is a privilege I am honored, humbled, and thrilled to embrace.

This issue of Elms Magazine celebrates the college’s tremendous achievements of the recent past, especially under Sr. Mary Reap’s leadership. At the same time, this publication will present the exciting moment in which we as a college community find ourselves right now, and that’s why the theme of the issue is transitions.

Our magazine cover showcases the most visible outcome of our work as an institution: the transformative moment for each graduate. In May, a record 552 students walked the stage to receive their diplomas. The graduates included the recipients of the first non-honorary doctoral degrees conferred by the college, our 35 doctors of nursing practice.

Within the pages of this magazine, you will also see some in-progress renovation projects that will enhance the beauty of our campus and continue to enrich the overall experience that we strive to offer our students. You will read about our newly added master’s degrees and expanded continuing education programs, now offered online and at locations throughout Western New England and Northern Connecticut.

And finally, our chair and vice-chair of the board of trustees share a special message of welcome and transition, full of enthusiasm and their unique expression of the promise that this time holds for our institution.

As I conclude my introductory note, I want to take a few moments to express a heartfelt sentiment of gratitude to all of you who have taken the time to send me a card or a note, or just stopped by to welcome me to the Elms family. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and want you to know that your gestures have made me feel at home here. I look forward to meeting you all over the next few months. With your support, I know we will, together, continue to advance our very important work of improving lives.

Harry E. Dumay, Ph.D., MBA President

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS ELMS COLLEGE MAGAZINE Nancy Farrell Director of Institutional Marketing Melinda Rose Assistant Director of Institutional Marketing, Publications & Creative Services Andrew Barcomb Web Manager

The first graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The college now offers the DNP in three tracks: family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, and health systems innovation and leadership.

On the cover: Nursing major Inna Arbuzov ‘17 of Chicopee was one of a record 552 graduates to receive diplomas at Elms College’s 86th commencement ceremony on May 20, 2017.

FEATURES

Laura Marshall Communications and Public Relations Coordinator Katherine Cardinale, Cardinale Design Creative Director Don Forest, Cardinale Design Art Director

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86th Commencement Ceremony Makes History

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Blazer Honors

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Building Connections in the Community

The Elms College Class of 2017 was the largest class in our history — a whopping 552 graduates — at the college’s 86th commencement exercises.

Contributing Writers Melinda Rose Laura Marshall Photography Melinda Rose Laura Marshall

The 2016-2017 academic year has been a successful one for Elms scholar-athletes, from the inaugural track and field team to our soccer and swimming teams.

Don Forest, Cardinale Design David Silver Anika Goodhue Kimberly Hatch

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Elms College keeps expanding its off-campus partnerships, most recently broadening our reach by offering a degree completion program in Connecticut.

Faith into Action During the March 2017 mission trip to Trenton, N.J., our students were struck by the conditions in the inner city. So they decided to stay involved even after the trip was over.

Elms College 291 Springfield Street Chicopee, MA 01013 We are a Catholic liberal arts college founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, Massachusetts.

The editors invite your comments and questions at 413-265-2589 or marketing@elms.edu.

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A New Chapel in the Heart of Campus The new chapel is taking shape on the third floor of Berchmans Hall, and many alumni received a progress update at reunion.

A Legacy of Progress Sr. Mary’s leadership focus throughout her tenure was strategically driven in terms of student life, academic success, financial stability, and Catholic identity.

2 Elms College Magazine

COMMENCEMENT 2017

The aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values.

— William S. Burroughs

86th Commencement Ceremony Makes History Elms College graduated the largest class in its history when the 552 members of the Class of 2017 gathered at the college’s 86th commencement exercises May 20 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The record-setting Class of 2017 comprised 411 undergraduates — 207 bachelor of arts degrees, 204 bachelor of science degrees — as well as 93 master’s degrees, 35 doctorate degrees, and 13 certificates of advanced graduate study.

Trustee Carolyn Jacobs, M.S.W., Ph.D., delivered the commencement address and received an honorary degree. Jacobs’ work in religion and spirituality, social work clinical practice, organizational behavior, and teaching set an excellent example for Elms students of a life lived for others. She retired from Smith College in May 2015 after 34 years, 14 of which saw her serve as the dean of the School of Social Work and Elizabeth Marting Treuhaft Professor.

In her address, Jacobs incorporated themes that echoed the values and mission of the Elms community: pursuing justice and peace, caring for those less fortunate than ourselves, and working toward a better tomorrow for society’s most vulnerable.

“Your service to clients and patients, your other volunteer work, and your service to one another reflect the core values of the Elms,” Jacobs told the graduates. “You will discover that in longing born from values and shaped by experiences you find what is being asked of you in meeting the needs of the poor, the immigrant, the vulnerable of our world.”

The Class of 2017 had two valedictorians: biology major Halah Alsari of West Springfield, MA, and graphic design/computer information technology major Taytum Bouchard of South Burlington, VT. The 2017 salutatorian was education major MaryKate Sullivan of Springfield, MA. Commencement 2017 also marked the final graduation ceremony of Sr. Mary Reap’s eight-year tenure as president of the college. 

Business Ugwusinachi Ihearahu ’17 Ugwusinachi — “Conny” to his friends — found his passion for business through athletics. The Nigeria native, who attended high school in Maryland, was recruited for the Blazers men’s basketball team and served as captain during his senior year. He also held campus leadership positions including the orientation leadership program and the student strategic success planning committee. Conny plans to attend graduate school to earn his master’s in business management.

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Faculty Honored for Distinguished Service Two faculty members were honored with the 2017 Distinguished Service Award at this year’s Honors Convocation for outstanding teaching, service to students, contribution to scholarship and advancement of the development and objectives of Elms College.

Beryl Hoffman, Ph.D., associate professor of computer information technology, was praised for continuously updating curriculum to provide students with cutting-edge opportunities in a quickly changing field. She has served as a passionate advisor and mentor to students. Dr. Hoffman also helped found Holyoke Codes, an educational non-profit to teach coding and robotics to children in Holyoke, and shares her knowledge of computer science and programming as a guest lecturer and presenter at professional development events. She is also instrumental in promoting STEM efforts at Elms.

Anthony Fonseca, Ph.D., assistant professor and director of Alumnae Library, was lauded as a passionate advocate for information literacy and his efforts to improve the library to aid in student success and retention and his committed service to students, making himself available 24/7 to answer questions and assist students in research projects and class assignments. He was also recognized for co-authoring and editing five books on librarianship, literary analysis, music and film since 2013, and co-authoring articles in peer-reviewed journals, as well as chapters in various scholarly publications and his leadership roles at the state and local levels in several library professional groups. 

Education

Psychology

MaryKate Sullivan ’17

Stefan Correia ’17

Elementary educator major MaryKate completed not just one, but two education practicums: in special needs and elementary education. She serves as a long-term substitute in Springfield Public Schools, and her future plans include pursuing her master’s degree.

At Honors Convocation, Stefan received the psychology faculty senior award, which recognizes, among other things, leadership and community service participation. During his Elms career, Stefan co-chaired the International Club, was a member of the Chess and Active Minds clubs, spent a semester in Japan, and participated in a service trip to Nicaragua. Stefan will next teach English in Japan under the prestigious Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program.

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ATHLETICS

Blazer Honors Only he who can see the invisible can do the impossible.

— Frank L. Gaines

Track and Field Team Starts Off with a Bang After a record-setting first year with team member Trifon Bish achieving AllAmerican status, Blazer Track and Field Head Coach Matt Dyer is looking forward to year two. Indications are that, with its 15 incoming freshmen and positive buzz, the team could swell to as many has 40 athletes for 2018, up from the current 25.

“Thankfully we have an amazing group of returning athletes with numerous highlevel leaders that will help guide in the transition for incoming freshmen and new team members,” Dyer said.

Nationally Ranked Jumper Track and Field Computer Information Technology major Trifon Bish ‘17 has always been a gifted athlete — he was an integral part of the Blazers basketball team for four years — but perhaps his most surprising accomplishment was becoming an NCAA Div III All-American long jumper, despite never having participated in the sport before his senior year of college.

Coach Matt Dyer asked him to participate on the new track and field team. “I said, ‘sure, why not? I’ll give it a try,’” Trifon said.

But things didn’t get off to a momentous start. “The first time I did it, I was horrible,” he said. “I faulted on everything.” But after taking a week off to attend a wedding, “I came back and started breaking every record,” Trifon said.

He ended the inaugural season of the Blazer track and field team as the Division III New England Long Jump Champion, ranked third nationally in the long jump and seventh in the triple jump. He made his, and the team’s, debut at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in Ohio at the end of May, placing sixth in the long jump and earning All-American status, and placing ninth in the triple jump.

A Hartford resident, Trifon is considering continuing his education and obtaining his master’s degree (he still has two years of eligibility as a track athlete) or taking one of the several job offers he has had from companies he interned with during college. 

Elms Leads NECC in Student-Athletes Academic Honors For the fourth consecutive year, Elms College lead the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) in academics, placing 38 student-athletes on the NECC winter/spring Academic AllConference Honor Roll. Sophomore year and above athletes made the cut by posting a minimum GPA of 3.4.

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Women’s Soccer a Smashing Success The culmination of the Blazer women’s soccer team’s most successful season in program history was capturing their third New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Championship in early November. It was their first since the 2011 season.

“It’s amazing and almost surreal to be champions,” said Head Coach Sean Milbier. “We knew coming into preseason that we had a special team.

We worked so hard and trained so well — and we don’t call ourselves a team here, we call ourselves a family.”

Junior Jackie Soucia of Belchertown, MA, was named Tournament MVP, sophomore Kelsey Shea of Granby, MA, and juniors Brionna Voight of Springfield, MA, and Silvana Tellerico of Southington, CT, were also selected to the All-Tournament team.

The Blazers (18-4-1) were honored with impressive NECC postseason awards, including Voight capping off her record-breaking junior season by being named Player of the Year; freshman Rebecca Molin of West Hartford, CT, earning GoalKeeper of the Year; and Milbier named Coach of the Year. The Blazers also placed nine players on the NECC All-Conference team, and Voight became only the second player in program history to be named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Region team, earning All-New England Third Team honors. 

Blazer Swimmers Named Scholar All-Americans The Blazer men’s and women’s swimming teams have both been named to the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America’s Scholar All-America team. The teams chosen must have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher during the spring 2017 semester. The Blazer men, with a GPA of 3.53, placed eighth out of 127 teams.

The Blazer women achieved a 3.57 GPA, placing 23rd out of 173 teams.

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OFF-CAMPUS

Elms College Magazine

Building Connections in the Community When you need to innovate, you need collaboration.

— Marissa Mayer

Elms College continues to expand its off-campus partnerships, broadening its reach by offering a bachelor’s degree completion program in Connecticut.

In January, Elms College signed an agreement with Enfield, Connecticut-based Asnuntuck Community College, to allow qualified ACC graduates to transfer into the bachelor of social work degree at Elms.

Under the agreement, qualified ACC graduates holding associate’s degrees in general studies, liberal arts, human services, early childhood education or criminal justice will be able to transfer into the Elms social work degree track and take classes full-time, part-time, or in the weekend off-site programs.

Springfield Technical Community College

2010 Accounting, Management and Marketing Psychology, RN-BS, Healthcare Management

2011 Social Work Springfield Technical Community College

Social Work Director Maureen Holland ’85 says students in the program can do their required 400 hours of internships either in the greater Enfield area or in the Springfield area, whichever they feel more connected to.

2013 Social Work, RN-BS, Early Care and Education

“In social work, we try to get people to know their own communities and support their own communities,” she said.

Classes will be held on the ACC campus in Enfield beginning in August, and the program is already off to a rousing start: 14 students have been accepted into the fall’s first cohort. 

2013 RN-BS, Psychology

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Scott McAllister ’17 Scott’s self-proclaimed “long, very strange road” to his bachelor’s degree included two tours with the Army in Iraq as a paralegal and an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Greenfield Community College before he enrolled at Elms full-time to major in social work. Passionate about advocating for fellow veterans, Scott works parttime at the Northampton Veterans’ Service Department while he pursues his master’s degree in social work at Springfield College.

2016 Social Work, Early Care and Education

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Elms Social Work Expands Beyond State Borders

Master’s Degree in Social Work Elms College is advancing opportunities for graduate education in social work by partnering on a master’s degree program with Saint Louis University, whose School of Social Work is continually ranked as one of the best in the nation.

Saint Louis University was interested in working with a few “similarly minded” schools on expanding the reach of its graduate programs, Holland said. SLU found a perfect fit with Elms – which, with its core values of faith, community, justice and excellence instilled by the Sisters of St. Joseph, ideally complements SLU’s Jesuit tradition of “educating the whole person.”

For students in the program, “52 percent of their learning will come from SLU – the degree will come from them,” Holland said. “The other 48 percent of it is on-the-ground education here at Elms College.”

The program is flexible, Holland said: Students can choose either the clinical concentration (traditionally referred to as casework) or the communities track, where they are trained to work in the community, at agencies, or as researchers. With varying choices for advanced standing – those who already have a bachelor’s degree in social work – and for studying part-time and full-time, students have eight paths to their master’s degree, she said.

A launch date for the program will be announced in the near future.

Growing

Growing

Growing

Here are some of the new advanced degree programs, and accelerated graduate programs for undergraduates, that start this fall: DNP in Health Systems Innovation and Leadership

Accelerated MS in Autism Spectrum Disorders with Licensure

MS in Biomedical Sciences

CAGS in Autism Spectrum Disorders (with and without licensure)

MBA in Healthcare Innovation

MA in Social Communication and Autism Spectrum Disorders

MBA in Lean Entrepreneurship

Accelerated MA in Social Communication and Autism Spectrum Disorders

Advanced Graduate Certificate in Public Accounting MS and Certificate Programs in School Nursing MS in Applied Behavior Analysis Accelerated MS in Applied Behavior Analysis MS in Autism Spectrum Disorders with Licensure

CAGS in Social Communication and Autism Spectrum Disorders MA in Autism Spectrum Disorders Accelerated MA in Autism Spectrum Disorders

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STUDENT SUCCESS

Elms College Magazine

Setting the Course—A Vision for the Future

It always seems impossible until it’s done.

— Nelson Mandela

Student Success Center Nears Completion This summer, Alumnae Library will complete its transformation into a student-success-focused Learning Commons.Previous phases completed over the past two academic years included creating collaborative learning spaces on the first floor with increased connectivity for electronic devices and construction of a secondfloor Student Success Center to give students convenient access to a number of support services.

The Elms commitment to student success has transformed physical spaces and provided new software, academic and support programs.This final phase will bring more student services together

Biology/Psychology John-Marc Austin ’17 John-Marc begins medical school at the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine in August. In addition to majoring in biology and psychology and minoring in bioethics, he worked as a peer tutor to help other students achieve the same success.

in a second-floor space that is now “light, bright, beautiful and welcoming,” said Joyce Hampton, dean of student success and strategic initiatives.

When the space is completed over the summer, students will find, in this central location, the director of Advising, the Academic Resource Center, where students can find peer tutors, the Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant, the Office of International Programs, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Student Accommodations and Support Services, and the Career Center.

Bathrooms on the floor will be renovated to become handicapped accessible, and there will be dedicated areas where groups of students can meet, study and talk. The Success Center receptionist will also help students arrange appointments with all of the offices located within the space or check out laptops for use in the building.

The library’s third floor, the former home of Student Accommodations and Support Services, will become a quiet study area. 

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First DNP Class: Already Making a Difference The doctor of nursing practice (DNP) clinical doctorate degree for nurses represents the highest level of academic and clinical education for advanced nursing practice. Elms College’s first cohort of DNP graduates — all 35 of them — are poised to take on new opportunities to make a difference in the facing of the ever-changing demands of our complex healthcare environment.

These newly minted clinical practitioners will bring the highest level of practice expertise to assure quality patient outcomes. Those in the adult gerontology acute care track specialize in providing care in hospital settings and in specialty clinics to patients across the entire adult age spectrum with complex acute and chronic health conditions. Those in the family nurse practitioner track will apply their specialized knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive healthcare to diverse populations across the lifespan in a family practice setting. 

Grace Lavalley ’06, ’11, DNP ’17 of Belchertown, MA, a graduate in the adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner track, has had a paper accepted to the American Association of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) for a podium presentation at the AACVPR’s 32nd annual meeting, where it is a candidate for the conference’s Beginner Investigator Award.

My Elms Journey More than

90%

of the students in the Elms College postbaccalaureate premedical and prephysician assistant programs have gotten accepted into physician assistant, medical or veterinary schools. In the past two years, our postbacs have been accepted to:

PA Programs

Postbaccalaureate Premed Programs

Baypath University

Rolph-Nhed Mbossa-Ngouabi ’17

Springfield College

“My words would not be enough to express the joy, the pleasure, and the honor that I have to have made it this far. I can’t believe that it’s already been two years. I remember Dr. Williams words of wisdom on how important it would be to know each other and to get together to study as groups because where we are headed, teamwork is the key to success.

University of Bridgeport PCOM Tufts University University of Arkansas DO Schools West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Purdue University College of Osteopathic Medicine NOVA Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine

MD Schools UMass School of Medicine SUNY Upstate Medical University Hofstra School of Medicine Georgetown School of Medicine St. Louis University Medical School

Veterinary Schools Louisiana State University Tufts University University Florida Purdue University

Penn State Hershey Medical College of South Carolina East Tennessee State College of Medicine Howard University College of Medicine Wayne State College of Medicine Louisiana State University College of Medicine

“Like all journeys, I had my ups and downs; however, my attitude towards and the people around me helped me overcome my obstacles. I volunteer at Baystate in the pediatric department as a Pedipal and every Tuesday I look forward to seeing those kids and to helping them the best way I can. As the semester ends, I am taking an EMT class with NCTI to keep myself busy during the summer as I am also getting ready to take the MCAT. “Advice I can offer comes from Dr. Williams herself: This is just the beginning, take everything that you have learned here and prepare yourself for a bigger journey ahead of you.”

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FAITH INTO ACTION

Elms College Magazine

The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.

— Jane Addams

Trenton Trip Touches Students Deeply During the March 2017 spring break, students and staff embarked on Elms College’s first service trip to Trenton, N.J. Trenton has been hard hit economically — it has approximately 3,000 abandoned commercial and residential buildings, and the city’s crime rate is second-highest in the state — and seeing the conditions in the inner city was sobering for the students.

Through a partnership with the Center for FaithJustice, the group volunteered at a soup kitchen, a nonprofit that provides business attire for the disadvantaged, a daycare center, and a home for physically and mentally challenged people. But it was their time at a school that touched them the deepest: Sprout University School of the Arts, a private performing arts school that serves children from infancy to grade 8. The school operates on a tight budget in a building formerly owned by a church.

“It amazed me how invested the teachers were and how much fun the children were having with so little,” said Kaitlin Bowen ’19, a communication sciences and disorders major. “The school was an amazing resource to these children and truly showed me how much the people of Trenton need.”

The Mission Continues The Sprout students and administrators made such an impression on the group that, once back on campus, the students — including Christina Onyski ’19 (CSD), Elienith Mercado ’20 (criminal justice), and nursing majors Bryanna Montalvo ’20 and Elizabeth Disbrow ’20 — decided to conduct a drive to collect school supplies and sports equipment for the school.

Most of the group will returned to Trenton in July to deliver those items — plus a whole lot more: a tractor trailer full of school furniture made possible by efforts in reaching out to the Springfield Diocese, which is donating surplus office equipment from Pope Francis High School in Chicopee and St. Joseph’s Central High School in Pittsfield, which closed this summer.

“I believe that these children deserve better, and this drives me to help,” Kaitlyn said. “This experience changed my life for the better, and I am so grateful that I was able to take part in it.” 

ACSSJ Internship Rebecca Cao ’17 Nursing/Computer Information Technology major Rebecca took one web design class as an elective and fell in love with it — so she decided to minor in CIT. Then she kept adding computer-related electives to her nursing major until she ended up with a full double major in nursing and CIT. The Pittsfield, MA, resident worked as an intern with the Association of Colleges of Sisters of St. Joseph (ACSSJ) in the spring 2017 semester and continues her ACSSJ internship this summer.

May this house shelter your life. When you come in home here, may all the weight of the world fall from your shoulders.

— “For a New Home,” by John O’Donohue

‘Tiny Basilica’: Stunning New Chapel Is in the Heart of Campus A stunning new chapel is taking shape on the third floor of Berchmans Hall, shining its light in the heart of campus. Work began in the former library, Polish Center and Irish Cultural Center during the spring semester.

“We’re a Catholic college. We have to have a beautiful chapel,” Sr. Mary Reap told alumni during her final state of the college address at Reunion 2017. “It’s going to be a very sacred space, and a very beautiful space.”

The floor-toceiling wall of stained glass that dominates the room has been removed, restored and reinstalled.

Other stained glass will be added throughout the chapel space, including the triptych that was behind the altar in the former chapel and some pieces from Mont Marie, the original mother house; the pieces were donated by the Sisters of St. Joseph and restored by the diocese.

The gilded ceilings and original artwork on the walls were also painstakingly returned to their former glory, and the original dark wash on the stained glass was removed to allow the vibrant restored colors to make a splendid impression.

“You know that program, Tiny Houses?”

Sr. Mary asked alumni during her address.

“Well, this is a tiny basilica, because it’s got this beautiful dome that gives it great height and majesty.”

The new chapel will also have new air conditioning and a heating system, as well as modern lighting. It will be easily accessible to all, thanks to the spacious, modern elevator that opened in Berchmans last fall.

But perhaps the best part of the new chapel is its location, she said, because “hundreds of people will pass by those doors every day, and I think many of those people will come in and say a quiet prayer.” < St Joseph’s Chapel blueprint

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FACULTY & STAFF NOTES

Elms College Magazine

Nanci Costanzo, C.A.G.S., associate professor of art, had a piece from her “The Sacred Art Series” on exhibit at the Cape Cod Art Museum last fall. The same piece was featured in an Elms faculty art exhibit in the Borgia Gallery during the spring 2017 semester.

Sr. Ann Daly, S.N.D., Ed.D., director of the tutoring center, has published Soul Mosaic, a book of poetry. She uses her experiences as a nun, professor, daughter, and woman to complete a series of poems in free verse about her relationship with God and her faith. Accompanying Daly’s poetry are illustrations by Geri Brunell, who recently retired as associate professor of fine arts and curator of the Borgia Gallery.

Anthony Fonseca, Ph.D., Alumnae Library director, and Teresa Kuta Reske, DNP, MPA, RN, director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, Program Operations and Doctoral Studies, copresented on open educational resources at the annual meeting of the Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield on April 24. The title of their presentation was “An Overview of CCGS Institution’s OER Programs: Faculty Understanding and Buy-In.”

Debra Gomes ’84, assistant director of Alumnae Library, is publishing a book of her photography, Echoic: Reflective Visions, with accompanying poems by Amy Baker ’15.

Jean Pelski ’89, Ph.D., APRN, NNP-BC, director of the doctor of nursing practice program-advanced clinical practice, and Andrew Storer, DNP, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, advanced practice curriculum coordinator, had their abstract accepted in December 2016 by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). They presented the abstract, “NP Education: Embracing the Challenges and Opportunities Through Academic Practice Partnerships,” at the NONPF’s 43rd annual meeting in Washington, D.C., in April.

Ruth Roy, MBA, has joined the Office of Institutional Advancement as director of annual giving. A native of Chicopee, Roy earned her B.A. in English at Emmanuel College and her MBA at Suffolk University.

She worked in greater Boston for many years, most recently as annual fund manager at Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Boston. Prior to that, she was special gifts officer at Lahey Medical Center. She currently serves as a member of the board of trustees of Providence Ministries Service Network in Holyoke.

Kathleen Scoble, Ed.D., R.N., dean of the School of Nursing, was a featured speaker on May 3 at the 13th annual Medicine, Bioethics & Spirituality Conference, sponsored by Healthcare Professionals for Divine Mercy, at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. Scoble spoke on “Healthcare Professionals as Leaders in the Spiritual Care of Patients.”

Janet Stetson, Ed.D., professor of education, retired in December after 29 years at Elms. An advocate for young children, families, and teachers, Stetson was a preschool and primary grade teacher in New York City, San Francisco, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, as well as a daycare director. She committed herself to public policy initiatives that support universal health care for families, high-quality educational programs for young children, and just wages for parents and teachers.

Nina Theis, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, is on sabbatical for the spring 2017 semester at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Germany.

She is working in the Department of Biochemistry, directed by Professor Jonathan Gershenzon.

Javier Venturi, lecturer in Spanish, represented the U.S. and Italy as a member of the Best International Short Fiction jury at the 67th Montecatini International Short Film Festival in Montecatini, Italy, in October. Venturi also conducted a master class at the festival, “Giovani e Cinema: Lo sguardo sui conflitti” (“Youth and Cinema: The Gaze on War”). He also presented “Memory and Oblivion in Contemporary Spanish Cinema” at the 20th International Film Festival in Avanca, Portugal, in July.

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IN MEMORIAM

Assistant Professor John Gould, Ph.D., a nine-year faculty member of the communication sciences and disorders department, passed away suddenly on May 6.

“John had a distinct combination of discipline knowledge, experience and teaching excellence that allowed students to not only learn, but to excel,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Walter C. Breau, Ph.D. “He was a passionate instructor, advisor, and mentor, whose dedication to teaching and learning in and out of the classroom assisted students on the arduous pathway from first year to senior year, helped students develop the vital skills and confidence to assess and treat children with a range of communication disorders, and to be prepared for graduate study. His dry sense of humor and passion for student success will be truly missed by the entire Elms community.”

“He was a unique professor, colleague, person, father, brother, son, husband, and friend,” added Kathryn James, Ph.D., chair of the communication sciences and disorders and autism spectrum disorder programs.

“The CSD family is one less now,” a former student wrote on the Elms Facebook page. “Thanks for being the best teacher/advisor I’ve ever had.”

“He called this semester the ‘best of his career,’ and we are the beneficiaries of his many talents and his easy smile,” said John Lambdin, Ed.D., chair of the Social Sciences Division.

Dr. Gould’s current and former students, co-workers and friends gathered on May 17 at Our Lady’s Reflection Pool outside Berchmans Hall for a celebration of life. 

IN MEMORIAM 2016-2017 Alumni: Helen Mary Currier Hutzler ‘38 Mary O’Donnell Roberts ‘41 Mary Manning ‘42 Catherine Dower- Gold ‘45 Aileen Elizabeth Dupree Varnum ‘45 Theresa Amiot ‘47 Irene Mochak Hobert ‘48 Marion Mercier Loughman ‘48 Mary Ann Dowd Phelan ‘48 Marion Meehan Armstrong ‘49 Margaret Nancy Black Dooley ‘49 Mildred Zak Stearns ‘49 Barbara Millea Doherty ‘51 Elizabeth Gendron Hawkes ‘52 Marilyn Dillion Doherty ‘53 Laurie Pieterse ‘53 Eileen Marie Fenton Jacques ‘54 Sr. Cecilia James Mahoney ‘54 M. Rosalie Condron Murray ‘54 Wanda Wojtaszek ‘54 Joyce Doyle ‘55 Claire M. Pion Ryan ‘55 Peggy O’Melia Eident ‘56 Sr. M. Bernadette Lunney ‘56 Mary Fitzgerald Simonich ’56 Sr. Betty Sullivan ‘56 Maryann Topor Adamson ‘57 Elizabeth Louise Morrissey Brazill ‘57 Sr. John (Mary Theresa) Brigid ‘57 Sr. Theresa Derouin ‘57 Sr. Elizabeth Molloy ‘57 Barbara McCall ‘58 Claire Goyette ‘59 Maureen Foley Hunter ‘59 Eugene Krupa ‘59 Judith Finn Desfosses ‘60 Joan Gelinas Guardione ‘60 John Curtin ‘61 Sally McCormick Fugere ‘61 Kathy Joyal ‘61 Edward J. Murphy ‘61 Carol Marie Ouellette ’61

John Bowler ‘62 Mary Ann Lynch ’63 Cynthia Crowley Donachie ‘64 Katherine Turnan ‘65 Edward Masztal ‘66 Maurien Sudsbury McNevin ‘66 Charlene Poliwczak Murphy ‘66 Eleanor Courtney Burns ‘67 Mary K. Lovett Cyranowski ‘67 Maureen Egan Feeney ‘67 Joanne Coppola Lyons ‘67 Margaret Mannix Rauch ‘67 Kathleen Sullivan ‘68 Margaret Grady Bartlett ‘69 Sr. Elizabeth Broughan ‘69 Ellen Desroches Guertin ‘69 Joan M. Sullivan ‘69 Patricia McKiernan ‘70 Delphine Adamski Skiba ‘70 Lori Bertassi Reardon ‘82 Hope Brown Amell ‘85 Laurie Granger Thompson ‘87 Deborah Morassi LaMotte ‘88 Meg Mastriana ‘89 Siglinda Markowski Belden ‘91 Elizabeth Carras ‘92 Erica Jane Schultz ‘92 Patricia Yon Baiardi ‘96 Katsuyo Handa Tetherly ‘98 Ryan Cooney ‘05 Mother of: JoAnn DiRico Trautmann ‘70 Sr. Patricia Hottin ‘71 Barbara Furtek ‘72 Carol Iovanna ‘74 Elizabeth Phillips Fortsch ‘84 Diane Raucher Miller ‘99 Marlene Czepiel ‘08

Father of: Mary Ellen Hurst ‘79 Laura Krupa Paskko ‘79 Joseph Tonon ‘17 Husband of: Kathy Tobin Martin (trustee) Patricia Fredette Williams ‘61 Mary Ann Martin Durso ‘65 Joyce Monogillo Stabile ‘65 Charlene Poliwczak Murphy ‘66 Ellen Moriarty Ezold ‘68 (deceased) Kathleen Bryson Nozolillo ‘69 Brother of: Ellen Sewall Mara’s ‘65 Kathleen Austin Scherpa ‘66 Grandfather of: Kerry Bouchard Patrick Hurst ‘07 Meghan Murca ‘11 Caitlee Carrier ‘14 Alyssa Goehlert ‘15 Nicole Fregeau ‘18 Grandmother of: Dawn Amell ‘11 Son of: Deborah Levine-Kotin ‘88 Sister of: Mary Mahoney McCarthy ‘45 Peggy Dwyer Clark ‘65 Elaine Partyka ‘66 Arlene Richards Kowal ‘67

Friends of the College: Millicent Bourdon Frances Buckley Kevin Burnham John Chopyk Mary Diana Davis Fernand L. Fregeau (Al’s Lunch) Ruth Gunn Tara Christine Hoarle-Gutierrez Sandra “Sandy” (Schindlinger) HonigHaftel - Former Faculty Frances McGarry Shirley O’Neil (Former Staff) Mary B. Phillips (Former Trustee) John J. Phillips Jo-Anne Ryan Mary Stevens Elizabeth F. Sullivan Bernadette Desautels Wilkinson Albert Valentini Staff/Faculty: John Gould (Faculty)

14 Elms College Magazine

IN TRIBUTE

Mary Reap, IHM, Ph.D.

A Legacy of Progress

The College of Our Lady of the Elms was transformed, literally and figuratively, under the eight years of Sr. Mary Reap’s presidency. Looking at the financial stability and success of the college under her leadership — the opening of a multimillion-dollar science center, the forging of seven new community college partnerships, and the recent graduation of the largest class in the college’s history, just to name a few—it’s hard to remember that the start of her administration in the summer of 2009 was a challenging time.

“Our endowment was dropping, we were in what would later be called the Great Recession, and we were hearing from prospective students and parents saying, ‘We may not be able to afford Elms in the fall,’ ” said Walter Breau, Ph.D., vice president of academic affairs.

“The school was in a difficult state of transition — our financial condition was not great,” shared former Elms board of trustees member Mary Hurley ’72. But Sr. Mary accepted the presidency knowing the state of the college. “She wasn’t the least bit taken aback by those challenges,” Hurley added.

Sr. Mary’s leadership focus throughout her tenure was strategically driven in terms of student life, academic success, financial stability, and Catholic identity. She successfully transformed the culture of the campus with her determination to address the student experience. One of the greatest things she brought to this campus was this wonderful vision of the types of facilities we should have to serve our students in the best way possible.

In addition to the countless changes to the physical appearance of Elms, the creation of the Student Success Center on the second floor of Alumnae Library, with its dedicated purpose of supporting the student experience, will be one of the lasting legacies of Sr. Mary Reap.

The creation of a new chapel on the third floor of Berchmans Hall is Sr. Mary’s “final and greatest gift to this college,” said Carla Oleska, Ph.D., vice president for institutional advancement.

There is very little you cannot accomplish if you put your mind and heart to it.

— Mary Reap, IHM, Ph.D.

The

Renovated Mary Dooley Dining Hall and servery

Transformation of Elms Under

Created a new game room in the Dooley Center

Opened Starbucks cafe in Mary Dooley Center lobby

But the work of Elms College is never done, so we will not rest on our laurels. “I think Sr. Mary Reap would be the first one to tell us we are not finished,” Oleska said. “And so as she leaves this college as an almost totally new college but grounded deeply in the founding mission and charism, she leaves us with the charge that, if this is our faith, then it’s up to us now to carry it on, to support her work, and continue to support our students.” 

The acquisition of 147 Grape St. allowed the creation of The Center for Writers

O’Leary Hall remodeled with energy-efficient bathrooms, new carpeting, and a handicapped accessible ramp

Redesigned Keating Quadrangle to include fire pit and outdoor seating

Built Lyons Center for Natural and Health Sciences

15 A c h i e v e m e n t T h r o u g h Tr a n s i t i o n

the Leadership of Sr. Mary

Moved Mary statue from Grotto near athletic fields to Reflection Pool beside Berchmans Hall Made significant technology investments to enable online learning and videoconferencing

Renovated third floor laboratories and classroom spaces to house Social Sciences, Business, and MBA programs

Revitalized the first floor of Alumnae Library as a Learning Commons space

Construction of a new chapel in the original library space in Berchmans Hall

New, wheelchair accessible elevator installed in Berchmans Hall

Transformed the second floor of Alumnae Library as a Student Success Center

16 Elms College Magazine

Board of Trustees prayer

Heavenly Father, Bless us as we gather today for this meeting.

Guide our minds and hearts so that we may work for the good of our community, and help all your people.

Welcome to Dr. Harry Dumay

from the chair and vice chair, on behalf of the board of trustees After much anticipation and with great enthusiasm, we welcome Dr. Harry Dumay and his family to Elms College. This is an exciting new chapter for the college, and it marks the culmination of months spent searching for the best leader to serve as the 11th president of College of Our Lady of the Elms.

In early July, Dr. Dumay attended a five-day intensive seminar for new presidents at Harvard University. This seminar is a fabulous building block for the foundation of his new role as college president, and he and the other 48 attendees will serve as sounding boards for one another in the years to come, sharing expertise, challenges, and successes as they arise.

Dr. Dumay has now completed his first weeks on campus, and his energy and sense of excitement are palpable — and they remind us of the same sense of enthusiasm and excitement that we experienced during the selection process.

Teach us to be generous in our outlook, courageous in the face of difficulty, and wise in our decisions.

Grant us the blessings of thoughtful reflection and decision making.

May our service to You be reflected in our acts of service for the good of the Elms College community.

Thank you for being ever present during this thoughtful and extensive search for the next leader of Elms College.

Your love reminds us to follow the mission set forth and lived by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

May we be ever mindful that our most important focus is our students.

On a cold evening in early February, the presidential selection committee members and trustees gathered for a joint meeting to participate in our most important responsibility: the selection of a new president. Opening with a prayer for wisdom and guidance during our deliberations, our ensuing discussion involved the wonderful candidates we had met and the three candidates who were invited to campus.

It is our shared goal and responsibility, handed down through 85 years of tradition and example, to offer the best possible opportunities to those most in need.

It was the belief of the search committee and the board that Dr. Dumay most strongly possessed the energy, commitment to the values of Catholic higher education, academic preparation, financial expertise and the professional experience addressing the needs of small colleges — key qualities needed to lead our institution. Additionally, his personal style of warmth and professionalism, his communication skills, and his sincere belief in the strength and quality of a small, private, Catholic college education were characteristics we were looking for in our next president.

Through our actions as trustees, mentors and community members, we ask for your guidance to be the role models our students need.

With a unanimous vote from the board of trustees, Paul and I left the meeting to offer Dr. Dumay the position of president. The board waited anxiously for a response. Dr. Dumay’s acceptance later that evening was met with a spontaneous cheer and round of applause from the trustees — it was the best possible conclusion to this long and stressful process of the search for our next leader. We would suggest that our prayer was answered with the acceptance of the job by Dr. Dumay, and the enthusiastic support of his gracious wife Maggie and their two children.

During the months leading up to his arrival, the campus community worked to celebrate the successes of Elms while preparing for the transition of a new president. Our new president has recently moved his family to East Longmeadow, and they are settling into our community. Our yearlong transition committee work includes planning events and introductions, and working to ensure Dr. Dumay is off to the best possible start. As we celebrate his arrival, the transition team, the board of trustees, and the Elms college community stand ready to offer guidance and support in the coming months.

We encourage everyone in the greater community who loves Elms College to find an opportunity to attend a campus event and meet Dr. Dumay. Community members connected to Elms, whether by employment or study — or by your heartstrings from past affiliation with the school — are all a vital part of the transition process. We all play a role in the success of future endeavors, we are all a part of the evolving vision of Elms, and we are all a part of the stewardship of this special institution.

With the strength of our mission and our long history of educating the hearts and minds of our students, endless possibilities lie before us. As we spend these glorious days of summer in preparation for an exciting new year, we can’t help but sing ... “Our future’s so bright, we gotta wear shades … “ (hat tip to the band Timbuk3) See you in September!

Cindy Lyons, Chair Elms College Board of Trustees

Paul Stelzer, Vice Chair

May our work here help inspire them to follow their dreams and continue to provide them with a pathway to success in all aspects of their lives.

May their successes continue to nourish our spirit as they move boldly and confidently into the future.

May we hold them in our hearts with pride as they serve as examples of the American dream and go on to build bridges lit with hope and opportunity for others.

For those trustees gathered here today, for the Sisters of St Joseph community, our Elms College community and for our brothers and sisters throughout the world, we pray that your spirit will lay a comforting hand on those whose hearts are heavy.

Help us to see their sorrows, and to offer a compassionate hand of care and kindness where we can to help ease their burdens.

May we find peace in our hearts through the peace we offer to one another.

Amen.

17 A c h i e v e m e n t T h r o u g h Tr a n s i t i o n

When Trudy Laramee first moved to the U.S. from Germany at age 22 and settled in the Springfield area, she always felt a connection to Elms.

“I really wanted to work here,” she said. She attributes the feeling to the fact that she was raised in an orphanage in Germany by Franciscan nuns. “Sisters are always there for their communities.

And I don’t care where you’re at, if you’re in Europe or the United States, they all have the same calling,” Trudy said.

She made her goal of working at Elms College a reality 13 years ago, first getting a job in the accounts payable department. That was followed by a brief stint as an administrator in the president’s office, then, in 2008, she moved to her present position in the dean of students’ office. Her feelings of connection have only deepened there as she developed relationships with students.

“This is the best job I’ve ever had — that’s how much I enjoy it,” she said. Watching them develop into poised young adults over their college careers can be emotional. “They accomplish so much in those four years,” she said. “So when I see them walking at graduation or when I line them up — I’m better now, but the first couple of years, I was just bawling my eyes out.”

She was already a yearly donor to the college, but Trudy decided she wanted to leave something to Elms in her will that will continue to help students. So, in 2011, she joined the Living Legacy Society.

“When we leave this Earth, it’s important to leave something meaningful behind,” Trudy said. “It’s important that you were here, that you made a difference.

Especially if you don’t have children, it’s something to be remembered by.”

LIVING LEGACY

She hopes her gift to the college gives students a needed boost at an opportune time.

“When I came to the States and I didn’t know anybody, I met all these great people, and they kind of saw me through it over the years,” Trudy said. “Everybody needs that.”

“There’s so many people that could use a little something. And it’s just a support really, I want to give my support to wherever it’s needed,” she added.

She is also considering helping students more directly by establishing a scholarship.

“I’m thinking about doing that as I’m inching closer to retirement,” Trudy said. “That would be my ultimate gift.”

Join the Living Legacy Society If you would like more information on joining the Living Legacy Society, contact Bernadette Nowakowski ’89, ’08, assistant vice president of institutional advancement, at 413-265-2214 or nowakowskib@elms.edu.

291 Springfield Street Chicopee, Massachusetts 01013-2839

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