MAGAZINE Volume 15, Issue 2 | Spring/Summer 2021
THE ENGELKEMEYER ERA:
A DECADE OF LEADERSHIP
From the President
Memories to take, a wish to leave behind For the past 10 years, I have enjoyed connecting with you through the Nichols College Magazine, to report on our triumphs and challenges, engage you in the exciting and innovative ways Nichols is evolving, and elicit your support of and pride in this special place. But the printed page is no substitute for the personal experiences that I have shared with so many of you – students, families, alumni, faculty and staff – throughout my tenure. It’s the stuff of memories I will cherish most when I retire at the end of June. Here are but a few: Adorning our newest batch of Golden Bison with their 50th reunion medallions; greeting the Florida faithful who gather each winter for the Naples reception; meeting alumni from across the country and making dear friends; kicking off and closing our bicentennial celebration, with a special appearance from founder Amasa Nichols; cheering on our athletes and catching playoff fever; swapping duties with an ambitious student each spring on President for a Day; challenging students to foosball games in the Fels Student Center, winning, and playing “Are You Smarter Than the President;” welcoming new students to campus and congratulating them as they cross the stage four years later and marvel at the leaders they have become. As you can imagine, the demands on a college president are many, but the rewards are infinite. They exist in those moments that remind me why I chose higher education as a career: to transform lives. Being president of Nichols College has allowed me to be part of a
community that is united toward this singular endeavor and focused on the success of each student. To be honest, I never thought much about bison before I began my Nichols journey in 2011, but from day one I understood what it means to be embraced by a herd. And time and again, over the past decade, I have recognized in our Nichols herd the resilience of the American bison, who have endured for tens of thousands of years. Nichols is no longer the little college that could… we are the college that did – raise the academic profile of students, quadruple the endowment, buck enrollment trends, increase retention, boost the graduation rate, complete a $66 million campaign, build a modern campus, advance leadership opportunities, and thrive during a pandemic. We demonstrated our grit and fortitude in perilous times and left no doubt that Nichols is here to stay. But not just to stay, to flourish. As I sail off into retirement (more accurately, sea kayak), my wish is for Nichols to continue its trajectory, to face the challenges of today and tomorrow with the same grit and fortitude it has mustered for more than 200 years. It has been my pleasure and privilege to lead the Herd for 10 of them. And, as an honorary Bison, I know that no matter how far I roam, I will always have a home back on the Hill.
Susan West Engelkemeyer, PhD President
M A G A Z I N E Vo l u m e 1 5 , I s s u e 2
CONTENTS
Spring/Summer 2021
EDITOR Susan Veshi VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT
ON CAMPUS
2–5
Bill Pieczynski CONTRIBUTORS
Nichols names Bryant University provost as its eighth president
2
Nichols returns to a spring rite: in-person commencements
3
College completes historic bicentennial campaign
4
New women’s leadership index highlights steady progress but uncertain future in Massachusetts
5
Brent Broszeit Tom Davis Rae Glispin Jillian Riches Ron Schachter Molly Thienel PHOTOGRAPHERS Dan Desrochers Lizzie Fontaine
6 How to spot a liar Professor Thomas Davis, author of the new textbook, Forensic Psychology: Fact and Fiction, looks at the history of lie detection, from as early as 300 B.C., and a variety of methods based on superstition, physical manifestation and word choice, but not, oddly enough, pants afire.
Pat O’Connor Photography Timothy Power Wright Photo Studios DESIGN Steve Belleville
Nichols College PO Box 5000 123 Center Road
C L A S S N O T E S
12–20
Serial entrepreneur: Brooke Packard ’18
13
A legacy family legacy: Bountiap Ketnouvong ’03 MBA ’05 and Nicholas Douangchandy ’22
15
Going the distance: Kurt Grimmelmann ’74
18
9 The Engelkemeyer era:
Dudley, MA 01571-5000 508-213-1560
NICHOLS REMEMBERS
22
Rick Blankley’s view from the Hill: Life and afterlife
24
8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., M–F www.nichols.edu
Nichols College MAGAZINE is published twice a year by
S TAY C O N N E C T E D
25
With Susan West Engelkemeyer at the helm, Nichols College made both measurable and immeasurable strides in building its leadership brand, revitalizing the campus, and securing the strength and vitality of this 200-year-old institution in challenging times. Read more about Engelkemeyer’s decade at Nichols and how she personified leadership for the next generation of Bison.
ON THE
SPRING HILL
Nichols College, Dudley, MA.
A decisive decade
16 Adventures in Thailand
Campus was in full bloom with weekly fire pits, a fun-filled Bisonfest, the annual Elevator Speech Competition, and a successful Relay-for-Life.
Peter and Meghan Lynch have made homes from the Midwest to the Far East. As expats, they are embracing the beauty, culture, and people of Thailand and giving their four children an adventure of a lifetime.
Nichols College Magazine
1
ON CAMPUS
Nichols names Bryant University provost as its eighth president Glenn M. Sulmasy, JD, LL.M, acclaimed international law
managing undergraduate and graduate academic programs,
and national security expert with experience in academics,
curriculum, and chairing the Academic Review Board. During
law, and government service, has been named the eighth
his tenure, he initiated and implemented several academic
president of Nichols College. He succeeds Susan West
programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Data Science,
Engelkemeyer, PhD, who has retired following a decade at
a Digital Marketing Program, a fully accredited Physician
the helm of Nichols. Sulmasy comes to Nichols with 24 years
Assistant Program, a Graduate Certificate in Innovative Health
in higher education, most recently as provost and chief
Care Leadership and an online MBA.
academic officer of Bryant University. Sulmasy has been a law professor at the U.S. Naval War “President-elect Sulmasy brings a distinguished record of
College and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where he led the
administrative leadership and academic achievement to
Department of Humanities, and additionally was a lecturer
Nichols. He is uniquely qualified to build on the success
at the UConn School of Law, Roger Williams Law School,
Nichols has experienced under President Engelkemeyer’s
UC Berkley School of Law, and Harvard University. He is a
leadership and drive us further toward a position of greater
visiting fellow at George Mason University School of Law.
regional and national prominence,” said John H. Davis ’72, chair of the Nichols Board of Trustees. The appointment
He has lectured on the law of armed conflict, international
followed a six-month national search, led by Trustee Randy
law, and national security matters and is widely published on
Becker ’83 MBA ’96.
national security matters. He has been a subject commentator for numerous news media outlets, including the Los Angeles
“I am honored to join the Nichols College community as
Times, CBS News Radio, National Public Radio, CNN
its eighth president,” said Sulmasy. “The Nichols reputation
International, US News & World Report, the New York Times,
of offering a dynamic and results-oriented business and
the San Francisco Chronicle, Al-Jazeera America, MSNBC,
leadership education has grown measurably stronger under
and Fox News.
the leadership of President Engelkemeyer and is perfectly positioned to continue its trajectory. I look forward to working
Sulmasy was educated at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the
with the Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff to expand
University of Baltimore School of Law, UC Berkeley School of
opportunities for Nichols students to learn, lead, and
Law, and the Harvard Kennedy School.
succeed…Discere, Duces, Stabit!” He and his wife, Marla, have seven children. For more information, Sulmasy has served as the number two official of Bryant
and to view a welcome video with the president-elect, visit
University since 2015, with primary responsibility for
www.nichols.edu/presidential-announcement.
“The Nichols reputation of offering a dynamic and results-oriented business and leadership education has grown measurably stronger under the leadership of President Engelkemeyer and is perfectly positioned to continue its trajectory.” 2
Nichols College Magazine
l Spring/Summer 2021
Nichols returns to a spring rite: in-person commencements At a virtual graduation celebration
The ceremonies marked the last for
requirements. Your future entails all
last May, Nichols President Susan West
President Engelkemeyer, who earlier
electives,” she continued. “Choose
Engelkemeyer promised the class of
in the academic year announced her
them wisely, develop new dreams,
2020 an in-person commencement as
plans to retire in June 2021. “As I ride
think about those four Ps.”
soon as pandemic safety protocols
off into the sunset into retirement in a
permitted. A year later, the class got
few weeks, I will always remember my
For both the class of 2021 and class
its wish. On May 16, 124 members of
decade on the Hill,” she said, followed
of 2020 undergraduate ceremonies,
the class returned, to don cap and
by, “It has been the honor of a lifetime
Henry M. Thomas III, JD (pictured
gown, celebrate with family, and
to serve as your president.”
below), president and CEO of the
exchange fist pumps with President Engelkemeyer on their long-awaited walk across stage. The ceremony was one of three inperson graduations held that weekend on Vendetti Field. On May 14, 83 master’s degrees were awarded in business administration, accounting, counterterrorism, and organizational leadership to the classes of 2020 and 2021, and on May 15, 261 graduates in the class of 2021 received Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees.
Urban League of Springfield, Mass., Engelkemeyer delivered the keynote address for the Graduate and Professional Studies Commencement on May 14. She described her dashed childhood dream of becoming a bareback rider in the circus, later finding her passion in education, and connected it to her position as a college president. “There are four Ps that have guided me
delivered keynote remarks.
“Please remember, no matter how far our Bison roam, they will always be welcomed home on the Hill.”
“My advice to you is fundamental. Whatever your aspirational dreams are, you should set your sight for it, go out and fight for it, use all your might for it. You can do it. Don’t let anyone convince you that you can’t!” said Thomas, who was also awarded an honorary
President Susan West Engelkemeyer, PhD
doctorate in social welfare.
over my career. I hope they In compliance with guidelines from
might give you some inspiration. They
As she closed each ceremony, President
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
are passion, perseverance, positive
Engelkemeyer was emotional as she
masks were required, and graduates
attitude and play,” she said, describing
offered her signature message to the
were seated six feet apart and were
how each has factored into her life.
graduating classes: “Please remember, no matter how far our Bison roam,
allowed two guests. Each ceremony was livestreamed for friends and family
“One exciting thing about your life
they will always be welcomed home
unable to join in person.
now is that you no longer have course
on the Hill.”
alumni.nichols.edu
l Nichols College Magazine
3
ON CAMPUS
COLLEGE COMPLETES HISTORIC
BICENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN Nichols College completed its bicentennial campaign, Securing
specializations, experiential learning programs such as the
a Legacy of Leadership, raising more than $66 million to
Nichols Consulting Group and the Center for Intelligent Process
support capital projects, endowment, and brand-elevating
Automation, and co-curricular initiatives such as the Institute
curricular and co-curricular initiatives.
for Women’s Leadership and the Emerging Leaders Program.
“The Bicentennial Campaign has left an indelible mark on the
“The Bicentennial Campaign has shown what we can achieve
Nichols experience, from state-of-the-art facilities to critical
with visionary leadership, an engaged community, and a
scholarship aid to new programs that solidify the college’s
compelling case for support,” says Davis. “By preparing
position as a leader in business and professional education,”
Nichols for the next stage in its evolution, it has funded a
says President Susan West Engelkemeyer, PhD. “It’s a proud
wealth of resources to prepare our students for theirs —
achievement for Nichols, to be shared by our donors and the
modern facilities, life-changing scholarships, distinctive learning
students who benefit most from their generous investment.”
experiences, and purposeful leadership development.”
The campaign was publicly launched in 2015 with a $45 million
Fels adds, “The campaign’s impact on the future of Nichols
goal, which was surpassed with $46.1 million in 2017. It was
cannot be overstated. The celebration of our bicentennial was
then extended by an additional $20 million and was recently
a turning point, and the campaign allowed us to aspire to that
completed with a total of $66.1 million. It represented the
next milestone — a third century of educating leaders.”
largest campaign in the institution’s 200-year history — the initial goal of $45 million was more than triple the college’s
The campaign inspired an unprecedented level of giving
previous campaign.
drawing more than 20 gifts over $1 million, including four gifts of $5 million, and more than $8 million in deferred gift
Under the leadership of President Engelkemeyer and Campaign
commitments to help secure the college’s future. Gifts under
Co-chairs John Davis ’72, chair of the Nichols Board of
$1,000 amounted to more than $2.2 million. “Through their
Trustees, and Gerald Fels ’66, trustee emeritus, the campaign
generous contributions, our donors have demonstrated their
funded the Fels Student Center, a new academic building,
commitment to our mission and endorsed our vision of
and major renovations and upgrades to athletic facilities and
Nichols as a college of choice for business and leadership
the Lombard Dining Hall. The number of endowed scholar-
education,” says Bill Pieczynski, vice president of
ships rose from 21 to 83. The college added new academic
advancement at Nichols.
Fels Student Center
Athletic Facilities
4 Nichols College Magazine
Academic Building
l Spring/Summer 2021
Nicon Plaza
New women’s leadership index highlights steady progress but uncertain future in Massachusetts The Institute for Women’s Leadership (IWL)
MWLI 45
has released the fourth edition of its Massachusetts Women’s Leadership Index (MWLI), a biennial report that assesses and monitors the status of
women in power, giving the commonwealth a score of 45 out of 100. The index looks at women’s
face burnout; remote professionals
developing and
representation in leadership
attest to working more hours than
supporting women,”
positions across multiple sectors —
ever. And, given the additional time
Beaupré added.
political, corporate, nonprofit, and
spent on household duties and home
educational — and compares that
schooling, more than one in five
The Institute for Women’s Leadership
to both gender parity and national
working mothers with children under
was founded by Nichols President
averages to calculate the composite
10 are considering opting out of the
Susan West Engelkemeyer, PhD, in 2013
score. Since the index was first
workforce altogether.
to develop the leadership potential of female students and serve as a
released, the Massachusetts score has been ticking up, from 36 (2015)
At the same time, countries with
resource and authoritative voice on
to 39 (2017) to 40 (2019).
female leaders have shown better
women’s leadership for the community
COVID outcomes, and female bosses
at large.
Jean Beaupré, EdD, associate professor
tend to have more engaged staffs, a
of communication and marketing at
critical component for employee and
Nichols College, was the lead
organization success.
❞
researcher on the MWLI, assisted by student interns Victoria Palkon and
This year’s MWLI findings show that
Madison Perrotti. She points to a rise
women comprise 51.5 percent of the
in female CEOs and public and elected
Massachusetts population, yet:
officials as a contributing factor to the higher score, but cautions that the 2021 edition does not yet reflect the impact of the pandemic on
• 31 percent serve in the state legislature; • 8 percent are corporate CEOs and
women in the workforce and leader-
24 percent hold board seats;
ship. “This past year has seen layoffs,
• 26 percent are nonprofit CEOs
stalled careers, and stress for all
(including education).
workers, but more so for women,” said Beaupré, who noted that, at
In addition, the gender wage gap
the time of the MWLI publication
in Massachusetts is 81 percent.
women’s representation in the workforce was at its lowest since 1988.
“Given the many positive impacts
“Given the many positive impacts that female leaders have on their organizations and staff, it is in the best interest of all that we maintain and strengthen our focus on developing and supporting women.”
that female leaders have on their According to the report, in the
organizations and staff, it is in the
U.S., women lost more jobs than
best interest of all that we maintain
men in 2020. Those still working
and strengthen our focus on
Jean Beaupré
Photo: Matt Wright
alumni.nichols.edu
l Nichols College Magazine
5
How to spot a liar By Thomas Davis
In anticipation of the new degree in criminal psychology at Nichols College, Professor Thomas Davis, PhD, examines the more extreme methods of lie detection throughout ages, its modern predecessors, and some tell-tale signs of lying. He is the author Professor Thomas Davis
6
of Forensic Psychology: Fact and Fiction (2021).
Nichols College Magazine
l Spring/Summer 2021
os Angeles County Superior
deception, these signals of lying could
reaction is the fight-or-flight response,
Court Judge Patrick
be useful. However, neither of these
where experiencing fear and anxiety
Couwenberg had impeccable
common beliefs have research support
causes decreased salivation and a
for detecting deception.
dry mouth.
an undergraduate degree in physics, a
Ancient methods: From burned
Ancient Sparta used ruthless methods
master’s degree in psychology, and a
tongues to beating hearts
of detecting the truth. To qualify
law degree from Loyola University. He
For as long as there have been lies, there
for admittance to certain schools,
earned a Purple Heart in the Vietnam
have been methods of lie detection.
Spartan men were required to pass the
War and secretly served as a CIA
Over time, our talents for practicing
selection criteria. The young men were
operative in Laos in the 1960s. Before
deception have outpaced our detection
ordered to stand on the edge of a cliff
serving as a judge, he worked for one
ability. The origins of our current
and were asked if they were afraid.
of the most prestigious law firms in
approaches for lie detection began as
The required answer was always “no,”
Los Angeles, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher.
early as 300 B.C. with the notion that
but the men’s complexion determined
lying produces physical side effects.
their truthfulness. It was assumed that
As impressive as his achievements
Past methods of detection used rituals
the men with the pale complexions
were, none of them were real. When
that invoked supernatural aid through
lied, and they were pushed off the
confronted, Judge Couwenberg blamed
sacred signs and totems. However,
cliff. In Ancient Rome, bodyguard
a condition called pseudologia fantastica,
these techniques relied more on the
screening was conducted using a
a compulsion to tell stories containing
belief in their effectiveness to condemn
similar method where candidates were
facts interwoven with fantasy often
the deceitful rather than their ability to
asked provocative questions. Those
called pathological lying. His excuse did
separate liars from truth tellers.
who blushed were selected for the
L
qualifications and impressive achievements. His education included
job. It was believed that if a person
not save him from being removed from the bench. His story raises the question,
The Bedouins of Arabia required the
blushed in response to provocative
how can we be so effective at deception,
tellers of conflicting statements to lick
questions, they wouldn’t take part in
yet so easily deceived?
a hot iron. The teller whose tongue was
plots against authority.
not burned was considered truthful. In Honesty is among the top five charac-
China, around 1000 B.C., subjects put
Another method exploited the power of
teristics people want in a leader, friend,
dry rice powder in their mouths and
superstitious beliefs. Suspected thieves
or lover. From social media to online
then spit it out. If the powder was dry,
were led into dark tents with donkeys
dating, identifying and coping with
the individual was lying. The reasoning
whose tails were coated in black lamp
lying is a common topic of most
behind these methods was that the
soot. The suspects were told that the
conversations. Yet, although we are
anxious and nervous person (the one
donkeys would bray if touched by
skilled at producing lies, we are terrible
lying) has less saliva (a dry mouth
thieves, and that the suspects should
at detecting them because we’re
and tongue). Today we know that this
now pull the animals’ tails.
looking for the wrong signs. Before you read further, ask yourself, “How do I know when someone is lying?” Check to see if your answer matches the Global Deception Research Team’s survey findings. They asked this same question and found the most common belief about deception is that liars avoid eye contact. Also mentioned was the idea that liars are nervous, and this causes excessive movements of the liar’s body. As obvious indicators of
alumni.nichols.edu
l Nichols College Magazine
7
Those who left the tent with clean hands
your experience matches forensic
(indicating that they had not dared to
research, you probably used evidence
touch the animals for fear of being
like third-party information (i.e., a
found out as thieves by the donkeys’
friend told you about the lie), physical
braying) were considered guilty.
evidence (i.e., a text message or photo), or the liar’s confession. Unlike what’s
During the middle ages, a suspect’s
shown in the entertainment media,
pulse rate was used to expose unfaithful
discovering the lie takes time. On
wives and their lovers. The testing
average 4.1 percent of lies are detected
technique was quite simple. A trained
in less than an hour, 20.6 percent in less
individual placed a finger on a wrist of
than a day, 20.6 percent in less than a
a woman suspected of infidelity, while
week, 20.6 percent in less than a month,
mentioning names of men, who could have had an intimate relationship with her. When the examinee’s pulse accelerated, it was obvious that she was reacting to the name of her lover. The modern-day version of these techniques is the notorious polygraph which relies more on the belief in its effectiveness than its actual ability to detect lies. It’s sometimes described as a “lie detector,” “fear detector” or even as an “emotion detector.” In fact, no reliable signs of deception have ever been identified. Even worse, there is no evidence whatsoever that what the polygraph actually measures — heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, and breathing — are linked to whether or not you are
15.5 percent in less than a year, and 1.5 percent more than a year after they were told! Do these results match your experience? If so, you now understand the advantages of using evidence over behaviors to detect deception. Forensic Psychology: Fact and Fiction
Revealing language
is a research-led textbook written
Unlike telling the truth, telling false
by Thomas Davis Ph.D. professor of
stories requires more imagination to
psychology at Nichols College, that
describe events that didn’t happen in a
offers students the tools they need to
style that appears sincere. As a result,
engage critically with the psychological
stories based on imagined experiences
dimension of the criminal justice
are different from stories based on real
system. It is published by Red Globe
experiences. One way to capture the
Press, an imprint of MacMillan
differences between true and false
International Higher Education.
stories is to examine the language people use to tell them. The specific
her confession. Smith told police about
word choices and grammar often reveal
stopping at a red light on Monarch
more than the surface content of their
Mills Road. She said that she saw no
story. Take for example, the case of
other cars on the road. Yet the light
Susan Smith appearing on television
turned red, contradicting the fact that
claiming that her two young children
the light on Monarch Mills Road was
were kidnapped at gunpoint. She
always green and only turned red if
person lied to you. Describe the event
tearfully pleaded for her children to be
it was triggered by a car on the cross
where you were lied to: Where did it
returned, telling reporters, “My children
street. Since she said there were no
happen? What was the lie about? Can
wanted me. They needed me. And now
other cars on the road, there was no
you remember what the person said to
I can’t help them.” Her choice of past
reason for her to come up to a red
you? Now think about how you found
tense was strange because, normally,
light. This subtle verbal contradiction
out you were lied to. What evidence
relatives will speak of a missing person
eventually led to Smith confessing that
revealed the lie? Finally, how much time
in the present tense. The fact that Smith
she drowned her children by pushing
passed between the time when the lie
used the past tense in this context
her car into the lake with them buckled
was told and when you knew that the
suggested that she already viewed her
securely in the back seat.
person had lied?
missing children as dead.
telling the truth. Evidence over behavior We have all been on the receiving end of a lie. Try to remember a lie that you detected in the past. Recall as much as you can about the situation in which the
So, the best way to spot a liar? Consider your evidence again; was it
But it was a small yet significant
based on behavior or information? If
contradiction in her story that led to
8
Nichols College Magazine
l Spring/Summer 2021
Look less and listen more.
The Engelkemeyer era: A decisive decade by Ron Schachter
O
ver the past decade, Nichols College students immersed in the study of effective leaders needed to look no further than Dr. Susan West Engelkemeyer as a prime example. Her accomplishments speak volumes — from elevating the student profile to developing significant leadership programs to building and modernizing the physical campus to completing a $66 million fundraising campaign. But it’s also the quieter qualities of leadership, in the words of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, that have defined her presidency: Caring. Empathetic. Dedicated. Accessible. Visionary. Engelkemeyer will retire from Nichols on June 30, after ably navigating Nichols through one of the most challenging periods in higher education, which included a spate of college closures and a global pandemic. “Ten years in this role is a long time, well above the [six-year] average for a college president,” says Engelkemeyer, who points to the opportunity to spend more time with Dave, her husband of 47 years, her young grandchildren, and 94-year-old father. “It’s time for some fresh eyes for the college.”
What Engelkemeyer saw through her own eyes posed a challenge even before being named the college’s seventh president — from buildings that “looked tired” to student enrollment, achievement, and retention metrics that were wanting. “We were looking for someone to move us forward, to professionalize the administration of the whole school. She had the experiences at other schools that she could bring with her,” recalls John Davis ’72, chair of the Nichols Board of Trustees, who brings the perspective of almost three decades as a trustee. “She had a really good understanding of what needed to be done to take us to the next level,” concurs Gerald Fels ’66, trustee emeritus, former board chair, and the interim president of Nichols for a year before Engelkemeyer’s arrival. Davis and Fels note that Engelkemeyer came with an academic background strong on business and leadership, with the added ability to market. “She had a long career as an administrator at Babson,” Davis explains. “She had worked at different colleges that
were all growing and weren’t static.” Engelkemeyer had served as dean of both the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Ithaca College business schools. It did not take her long to impress the faculty and administrators she would be leading. “She came in with a vision,” says Associate Dean for Business Luanne Westerling. “She jumped in and got to know everyone. She’s very warm. She’s been great for Nichols.” Measures of success Engelkemeyer promptly took aim at the college’s admission standards, as well as its 59 percent retention and 36 percent graduation rates. “I knew it was not a sustainable situation,” she emphasizes. “So, in 2012, we raised admission standards and set a threshold on SAT scores. “We took a one-year hit on enrollment,” Engelkemeyer admits, “but rose to nearly 1,200 students two years later.” That’s compared to the 700 to 800 students Davis estimates were typically enrolled years before. Fast forward to the end of the decade and the
alumni.nichols.edu
l Nichols College Magazine
9
third-semester retention rate had climbed to 76.4 percent, headed towards a target of 80 percent. Even through the pandemic, the momentum continued — in fall 2020, fifth-semester retention (students returning for their junior year) climbed to an all-time high of 67 percent. Meanwhile, the four-year graduation saw a 50 percent increase, and the average GPA and SAT scores of incoming first years have reached the highest levels in the school’s history. More challenging to Engelkemeyer was her push for accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a designation that applies to more than a dozen undergraduate majors and several of the college’s master’s programs. The Initial Self Evaluation Report was accepted in 2018, and the college is working toward meeting all nine standards for accreditation. “AACSB is the gold standard for business accreditation,” she explains. “The decision to pursue the accreditation was the most difficult for which to get buy in, support, and consensus.” The process has meant finding professors with advanced degrees in business disciplines — almost a dozen in the past three years alone — and helping to subsidize doctoral degrees for current faculty members. “One of the things it does is put more emphasis on research by the faculty. So, folks have to think about publications as an important goal,” Engelkemeyer adds. That chapter in Engelkemeyer’s tenure has proved instructive. “One thing I’ve learned is to have a little more patience than 10 years ago,” she says. “We’ve implemented a lot of change here. Change is hard and is an individual process. I’ve learned the ‘nudge and wait’ approach.” Leadership education Along the way, Engelkemeyer launched several high-profile programs that have helped define the college in the
10
Nichols College Magazine
new millennium. “We put a stake in the ground on leadership,” she says, offering a simple sentence that covers an extensive initiative touching every Nichols student and faculty member. “We revised our mission statement around leadership.” “Eight years ago, she approached me and said, ‘I have this idea. We have leadership in our mission statement, but we don’t have programs that promote it,’” says Westerling. What emerged was a required course for all first-year students — nicknamed Lead 101 — that put the words into action. The curriculum, taught by faculty from all Nichols majors, ranges from real-world case studies; to self-evaluation of leadership qualities and styles; to practicing leadership classroom activities. Engelkemeyer has led by example in teaching one of the 10 sections offered each semester. “It’s good for our students to see our leader in the classroom,” says Westerling. “She’s a very participative leader-manager.” The education continues beyond the first year, with many courses containing a leadership component and an option for students to join the co-curricular Emerging Leaders Program, which offers a host of activities, guest speakers, volunteer opportunities, and field trips. At about the same time, Engelkemeyer turned her attention to the goal of raising the profile of women’s business education by founding the Institute for Women’s Leadership (IWL) in 2013. “It was part of the president and board’s vision for how Nichols could impact not only our students but also the community,” says Jean Beaupré, associate professor of communication and marketing and faculty advisor to the IWL, which she directed for its first six years. While the IWL was having an impact through its speakers, dinners hosted
l Spring/Summer 2021
by alumnae or other female business leaders, and field trips to their workplaces, there was no guarantee that the fledgling program would take root, Beaupré points out. “The biggest thing was her willingness to put the weight of the college presidency behind it, even to the point of giving us a high visibility location in the new academic building.” The IWL has become a go-to authority on issues in women’s business. The annual Empowering Women in Business Conference hosted by Nichols has expanded. And the IWL Massachusetts Women’s Leadership Index — a biennial survey which grades Massachusettsbased businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations on their promotion of women to the highest ranks — has underscored the distance that these entities need to go and generated the media coverage to get the message out more widely. Capital investment Nichols wasn’t built in a day, but Engelkemeyer has contributed a hefty chunk during her 10 years here. “Even when I came to campus during the interview process, it looked a little tired,” she recollects. The construction of the Fels Student Center was underway when she assumed office, but she soon got busy with new construction and renovations. The centerpiece was the new academic building. The nearly $10 million LEEDcertified project, completed in 2015, features state-of-the-art, technologyenabled classrooms that facilitate group learning, faculty offices, a multimedia recording studio, and more visible locations for the Registrar’s Office and the Institute for Women’s Leadership.
Engelkemeyer also has managed to avoid what she calls an “arms race” among colleges to build high-priced facilities which they can ill afford. Much of the college’s construction efforts have gone into major additions to and a complete makeover of the Athletic Center, as well as the extensive renovation of several residence halls and — most recently over a multi-year period to avoid disruption to its everyday use — the Lombard Dining Hall. “In terms of facilities we’re now competitive on a limited budget with other schools. The projects were well-thought-out,” says Davis. “Plus, she had to go out and help raise the money for them.” Speaking of which, Engelkemeyer presided over the largest capital campaign in the college’s history, which exceeded its $45 million goal by the time it ended in 2017 and raised a total of $66.1 million following an extension. “She recognized right away that if we were going to get the school to progress, it was going to take money. And we didn’t have much,” Davis admits. “We had talked about fundraising for 10 years.” “There are a lot of business school deans becoming college presidents partly because of the financial challenges schools face today,” observes Engelkemeyer, who began visiting individual alumni early on to ask them to make big donations — “more in dollar amounts than they had given before,” Davis notes. That’s how longtime trustee Robert “Kuppy” Kuppenheimer ’69 befriended Susan, as the successful first stop on her fundraising itinerary. “She flew around to about 95 percent of the folks who made large gifts,” he points out. “She got right in there and asked for the money.”
COVID-tested Finishing up her Nichols career, however, has not been a gentle trot through the meadow. For more than a year Engelkemeyer has had to harness her managerial abilities to lead a college through the COVID-19 pandemic in an educational world that combined social distancing on campus and distance learning off campus. “I never in my wildest dreams thought of a COVID reality in my final year,” she admits, “especially in an institution like Nichols. We’re a close-knit community used to interacting. There was no more bantering with students on the sidewalk or in the dining hall.” After dispersing students in March 2020, Engelkemeyer brought them back to campus for the fall term and beyond following an extensive and expensive preparation for their return. Frequent COVID testing — which helped limit cases to the dozens — as well as the strategic closing of campus before Thanksgiving and delaying of the spring term until a late February start — have made a difference. Davis says that Engelkemeyer has passed her administrative COVID test. “Her presidential abilities have come through spectacularly and have come through much better than most institutions. She was able to achieve safety and good education at the same time.” The students’ president Less measurable but as impactful are Engelkemeyer’s normally wide-ranging interactions with Nichols students. “She’s very involved. She comes into the classroom for our mock interviews in PDS [Professional Development Seminar]. The kids love it,” reports Westerling. “She goes to sports events. She never says no when I ask her to
come to other student events,” from leadership events to the college’s annual Elevator Speech Competition (for which she serves as a judge). “I walked around campus, and I swear to you that there wasn’t a student that she didn’t know by name — first name and last name,” remarks Kuppenheimer, who also points to Engelkemeyer’s interest in extracurricular events. “I can’t tell you how important it is for students to know that the president is involved with them on a day-to-day basis.” Former IWL Director Beaupré suggests that Engelkemeyer also makes a big contribution as a role model. “It’s made a big difference for female students to see a strong female leader,” Beaupré says. Lexxus Andrews ’20, who is working as a graduate assistant and earning her master’s degree at Nichols, ticks off the qualities that she has noticed. “Just the way she carries herself on campus. Her style. The way she dresses. Her public speaking and her confidence with words — that’s what’s so inspiring,” Andrews says. When it comes to Engelkemeyer’s overall contribution to Nichols students, Kuppenheimer gives a succinct assessment. “She’s leaving in place a college that’s turning out a student who can hit the ground running at a corporation. She’s turning out a product that can be turned out at a higher level.” Adds Fels, “She’s made the connection to the real world and what’s needed from the standpoint of education.” Recent graduate Andrews, meanwhile, offers her own bottom line. “She’d better visit.”
The two have since vacationed together, along with Trustee Tom Hall ’69 and his wife Denise, which includes fly fishing for the enthusiasts and trail riding for Susan, an accomplished equestrian.
alumni.nichols.edu
l Nichols College Magazine
11
CLASS NOTES
1972
Speaking of those fellas, Pat
behind the bar at Leitrum’s Pub
grandchildren in this journal and
Hoey ’79 has lived a life of leisure
upon graduation, Andy took
Bill wins, as he has nine of them,
since the day he graduated. He
over his father’s ceramic firm
eight boys and one girl, ranging
mark1alex12@gmail.com
will tell you it has been a life of
(International Ceramics) and has
from 1 month to 15 years old. Bill
hard knocks and sweaty brows,
built it into an industry power.
has been a recruiter/headhunter
Mark Alexander and Jose Luis
but don’t you believe him.
Class Champion: Mark Alexander
Veluntini ’74 catch up at Delray Beach, FL.
for 40 years since graduation
Professionally, he has owned Pat
Marty Power has been a Nichols
and is mostly retired and living
Hoey Productions with services
trustee and so very generous
as a kept man as his wife is an
ranging from fundraising to the
with his time and donations to
entrepreneur who just founded
running of flower shows. It says
the Hill. Upon graduation, Marty
her sixth company within the
right on his business card: “Let
went to work for an independent
last year.
me get one thing straight, I don’t
oil and gas firm as an accountant.
do any of the work, I tell you all
Then over a beer, he met someone
what to do.” It is like a mission
in the oil trading department
statement.
of said firm and, all of a sudden, Marty was the only Nichols
Mike Villanova ’79 lives in the
College oil trader in a room
Lowell area and is married to
full of Texas, Texas A&M, SMU
his wife Maura. Michael works in
and TCU graduates, and Marty
the technology industry and has
was in charge.
no interest in explaining exactly
1973
what he does. They have three
Billy Strobel lives in the Houston,
daughters with just one of them
TX area and has been a home-
still in college.
builder for 40 years.
jay.reese@verizon.net
Tom Loricco ’79 never moved
Gary Guglielmello ’79 is a
from his hometown of New
financial advisor.
Jay Reese reports: After
Haven, CT. Tom has been married
Class Champion: Jay Reese (508) 359-7862
47.5 years in the workforce, I have retired! I made it official in December 2020. For now, I’m waiting out the pandemic but look forward to traveling with my wife, kayaking on the Charles River and am
to his lovely wife Trish for more
Gary Godin, Larry Bean and Phil
decades and they have two
Robinson help round out our
wonderful children, daughter
group. Larry lives in Manchester,
Nina, a pediatric nurse at Yale,
NH, and plays out of Manchester
and son Thomas, in his early 20s
Country Club. Larry has worked
and the apple of Tom’s eye.
for most of the last decade at the IBM Corporation. Gary is the
Mike Nelson ’80 and Andy
controller at Canal Toys and
next for me.
Higgins ’80 function as the
has spent most of the years
underclassmen of the group.
since Nichols at that level of
1978
Andy has been named ‘Newcom-
accounting control. Phil is a
Bill Fraser shares: For the past
er of the Year’ for all five of these
member at Plymouth Country
trips. That is a hard award to win
Club and has had a very long
more than once. Mike is still an
career as a producer at Liberty
ad man and, after years of living
Mutual.
starting to think about what’s
half a decade, a herd of Bison alumni from the late ’70s/early ’80s have been meeting for a summer weekend on the links in southern Maine.
across the globe, has settled on the Mississippi River in Wisconsin.
That brings me to Bill Fraser
After living the life of a gypsy
(me). Bill has talked about
1985 Class Champion: John Donahue 609-257-8717 Johndonahue1234@gmail.com
1986 Sherry (Harris) Bryant, associate executive director of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, was one of eight leaders in state high school associations to receive a citation from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). The award honors individuals who have made contributions to the NFHS, state high school associations, athletic director and coaching professions, the officiating avocation, and fine arts/ performing arts programs and is one of the most prestigious achievements in high school athletics and performing arts. Sherry is a former field hockey student-athlete who ranks among the all-time leaders in defensive saves.
Please send your Class Notes news directly to your class champion. If you do not have a class champion, news may be forwarded to classnotes@nichols. edu. Digital images are preferred, but please do not crop them! The higher the resolution the better — 300 dpi (dots per inch) is best. Digital images may be sent directly to the Alumni Relations Office classnotes@nichols.edu. Prints may be sent to: Nichols College, Alumni Relations Office, P.O. Box 5000, Dudley, MA 01571.
12
Nichols College Magazine
l Spring/Summer 2021
Building Success Brooke Packard ’18 When asked to describe her profession,
estate licenses, further enhancing her
Brooke Packard ’18 confidently replies,
brand and differentiating her sources
“I sum it up in four words — entrepreneur,
of revenue. “Real estate is by far my
investor, realtor and educator.” A teacher
passion,” she shares. “There are so many
by day and an entrepreneur by nights
avenues of this business to explore,
and weekends, Packard started her first
selling a client their dream home,
business at the age of 18, as a freshman
owning investment properties, home
at Nichols College, and aims to reach
renovations or even being on HGTV!”
financial freedom by the age of 30. In addition to B.P.’s Easy Living and real Packard, a Dudley native, felt it was
estate business, Packard decided to
important to stay close to family when
make the most of her newly found time
searching for colleges, so she enrolled
stuck at home during the COVID-19
at Nichols as a commuter. Her life
pandemic to create another business.
revolved around academics, women’s
One inspired by a class at Nichols. In
basketball, and working. Her path to
the Death, Dying, and the Living course,
business started as a convenient and
students participated in a deep med-
flexible way to accommodate her college
itation to access past life memories.
schedule, cleaning a few residential
Packard remembers experiencing a
houses. Today her business, B.P.’s Easy
clear vision of being abducted. This
Living, has over 100 customers and 12
triggered the development of Trifecta
hard-working employees whom she
Protection, a 3-in-1 safety device
graciously credits for its success and
containing a knife, repellent spray, and
growth. Her mentor has played a critical
alarm, the only product like it on the
role in her professional development,
market with this level of protection.
“Watching someone who is bigger than
The business aims to make protection
you, better than you, more successful
a priority for women and donates 5
than you, opens your eyes to a whole
percent of its proceeds to the Women’s
new lifestyle, a whole new world. Then
Self-Defense Association. The brand
in my case, I told myself, ‘if this person
also launched a podcast, “Real
can do it, so can I.’ Nothing is out of
People, Real Stories,” providing a safe
reach.” With the support of her mentor,
platform for victims to tell their stories
Packard has continued to grow B.P.’s
and raise awareness.
possibilities when it comes to their careers.” With Packard’s eyes on financial freedom and a schedule filled with business commitments, her truest goal is to be happy and healthy because, in her words, “Without it, you can’t do anything.” She continues, “If I do reach financial freedom, I would still work. As you can tell, I like to stay busy. In the future, I’d like to combine my skills in education and entrepreneurship to provide consulting services for small businesses. I’m also interested in building my investment portfolio to include the purchasing of stocks and cryptocurrency. In my personal life, I hope to have a big family with plenty of time to watch them grow up.” Reflecting on her time at Nichols, Packard credits a public speaking class
Easy Living expanding the client roster from residences to a variety of others,
Packard brings her entrepreneurial
including wedding venues, schools
spirit into the classroom, where she
and corporate offices. She has also
is in her third year as a full-time
expanded her service offerings to
7th grade English teacher. “I love
landscape and construction, personal
education, I adore children, and I enjoy
chef and catering, and pet care. Her
English. It is an important skill to learn,
mission is simple and noble: make
and I instill this in my students,” she says,
life easier for clients, empowering
adding, “With my varied professional
them to live their best life without
interests, I think I’m able to offer my
the added stress.
students a unique perspective. I share the importance of relationships, the
Packard recently received her
value of building a network and I en-
Massachusetts and Connecticut real
courage them to always be open to all
with giving her the confidence she has today. “At the time it was awful! I would sweat, and I’d black out and couldn’t even remember what I said, but those lessons and tactics helped me tremendously,” she notes. “Now I can speak in front of anyone and feel very confident. I even make my 7th graders do public
speaking assignments. They feel the same way I did, but I tell them, ‘You’ll thank me one day when you are on Shark Tank!’”
– Jillian Riches
alumni.nichols.edu
l Nichols College Magazine
13
CLASS NOTES
EJ Landry III has been appointed co-chair of the Nichols College Board of Advisors (BOA), a volunteer board established in 2007 to advocate for and engage with the college in multiple ways in support of the college’s strategic objectives. He is a seasoned
1992
and a member of the executive
I hope to be
Class Champion:
leadership team at Common-
ordained a
wealth National Bank in Worcester.
priest sometime
Located in Somerville, MA, Naveo
in June 2021
Credit Union is the former
and am looking
Cambridge Portuguese Credit
forward to
Union, incorporated in 1928 by
ministering to
27 Portuguese Americans.
the people of
Keith Hofbeck khofbeck@comcast.net Deb Cote ’92 provides a photo of the 1991 softball team, recently inducted into the Nichols
financial expert
College Athletic Hall of Honor.
with significant
Six members of the team were
experience in auditing and consulting with companies in
from the Class of ’92, including
Class Champion:
Deb Cote, Deann (Desrosiers)
Danielle Troiano Sprague
Wisuri, Jenn (Yitts) O’Brien,
thedwoman@yahoo.com
Sarah Mitchell, Linda (Rose)
life sciences,
1994
God somewhere in Worcester County. Brad Bemis shares: Since leaving the Hill, lots has changed. I can’t believe it has been almost 19
Roseberry, and Joanne (Staros-
2000
years since we all graduated. I
ta) Grzembski.
Class Champion:
the Class of 2002 due to some
His career spanned 34 years
Andrea Sacco
very unfortunate issues, mainly
at Deloitte, retiring as partner
Andrea.j.Sacco@gmail.com
my severe motorcycle accident,
technology and manufacturing industries.
in fall of 2020. Landry was
know I was kind of an add-on to
which pushed me back six
named co-chair of the BOA
Derek Frazier MBA was named
months, and being deployed for
with Christine Scarafoni ’06.
offensive line coach at the
9/11 after the terror attacks. That
University of Wyoming. Most
was a long time ago.
1988
recently, he was the assistant
Tracy (Donham) Smith was recently promoted to director
Pam (Burnham) Ganley shares
of undergraduate research for
that her eldest son Patrick gradu-
Johns Hopkins University. She
ated Parris Island, SC, U.S. Marine
and her husband Al have lived
Corps in December.
in Maryland for about 25 years raising their four kids, aged 27,
Cliff and Donna (Cross) Whynott
25, 24, and 19.
offer an update: Cliff has taken his
offensive line coach with the
So, I guess some cliff notes for
New York Jets for two seasons.
changes since Nichols, right? I
Previously, he spent four seasons
moved to Myrtle Beach, SC, six
at Central Michigan University
years ago. I took a full-time job
as offensive line coach and later
as a firefighter paramedic with a
run-game coordinator. He and his
great department. I got married
wife Taryn have two children.
in 2017 and then had a baby girl
2001
1989
passion for boating and started Twilight Canvas Company Inc. in
Class Champion:
Richard Wright MBA, CEO and
Ipswich, MA. As a skilled craftsman,
David Twiss
treasurer of RTN Federal Credit
Cliff provides customers through-
978-979-7658
Union, was selected CEO of the
out the North Shore with quality
David.twiss14@gmail.com
Year at the Cooperative Credit
marine exterior/interior canvas
Union Association 2020 Awards
upholstery, including seat covers,
of Excellence, held virtually
boat covers, dodgers, bimini tops,
October 14-16. In Wright’s video
enclosures, and more.
acceptance remarks, he said
2002
in 2019, Ella Rose. I have been promoted to lieutenant and have written several successful FEMA grants for my department. I wish you and your families well and hope you are all staying safe with all this last year has brought upon us.
Class Champion: John Larochelle
Princess R. Tucker reports: In October 2020, I started my own
that while he was humbled and
1993
john.larochelle1@gmail.com
honored by this award, no
Andrea J. (Michaud) White MBA
Update from John Larochelle
Healing (EDH), offering intuitive
was appointed president and
CPA: After spending just over 13
readings, dream interpretation,
CEO of Naveo
years in public accounting, I left
chakra cleansing/balancing and
Credit Union,
the field five years ago to pursue
reiki healing sessions. All services
the first woman
the call to become a Roman
are offered via email and/or from
to serve in that
Catholic priest in the Diocese of
a distance. I am certified as an
position in the
Worcester. Last June, after five
advanced reiki practitioner and
1991
institution’s
years of academic and pastoral
so excited to finally be using my
93-year history.
studies, I was ordained a deacon
gifts and skills to help others!
Class Champion:
Previously, she
by Bishop Robert McManus and
www.evolutiondistancehealing.
Donna Small
served as senior vice president of
am now in my final year at Saint
wordpress.com
336-692-5157
community banking at Freedom
John’s Seminary in Boston.
dsmall9242000@yahoo.com
National Bank in Rhode Island
one individual represents an organization and that the award was given in recognition of RTN’s success and achievements as an organization. Wright currently resides in Marlborough.
14
Nichols College Magazine
l Spring/Summer 2021
business, Evolution Distance
A legacy family legacy Bountiap Ketnouvong ’03 MBA ’05 and Nicholas Douangchandy ’22 In the tightly woven fabric that is Nichols College, legacy families — generations of families with multiple Bison — are among the strongest fibers. Such are the ties that bind Bountiap Ketnouvong ’03 MBA ’05 and her son, Nicholas Douangchandy ’22. Their Nichols experience may be non-traditional, but their story of grit, hard work, commitment to service, and family above all is anything but atypical. Ketnouvong came to the United States from her native Laos when she was 14. The family’s journey as refugees was not easy. Her youngest brother suffered from nearly fatal malnutrition. When they settled in Southbridge, Mass., her parents, both veterinarians, had to completely start over, finding work at Dexter-Russell. The oldest daughter of a close family of six children, Ketnouvong remembers acclimating quickly, especially as she learned English. Small for her age, she was placed three grades behind at school (“They thought I was a genius,” she quips), but even when the situation was righted, she continued to flourish. Her parents taught her and her siblings to take nothing for granted and stressed the importance of education and family. Lessons that followed Ketnouvong to Nichols. As a single mother to two school-aged sons, Ketnouvong attended classes mostly at night. “I used to bring Nicholas with me,” she says. “There were many willing students who would babysit for him or show him around.” She also worked 40-hour weekends as a home healthcare coordinator and provider, to accommodate the boys’ schedules. Earning not one but two Nichols degrees during that time was a big achievement for this double Bison, who is currently an analyst at Saint-Gobain in Worcester. “I love my job,” she says, noting that she works for fellow double Bison Jennifer Corridori ’99 MBA ’04. The example she set also made a distinct impression on Douangchandy. “My first memory of Nichols is being in the classroom while my mom presented her final project for a class,” he says. But before becoming a Bison himself, Douangchandy enlisted in the U.S. Army, following in the bootsteps of
multiple family members, including an aunt who served in the Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, as well as a great uncle who fought alongside American troops during the Vietnam War. With specialized airborne training, he served with the 6th Brigade Engineer Battalion, Sapper Company, headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska. “Alaska was beautiful,” he says, adding, “I’ve never been so cold in my life, but it was worth it,” even on four- to five-mile runs in temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees. Why airborne? “I had a fear of heights, and I wanted to overcome that fear,” he explains. Of his 36 jumps, he counts #6 as is favorite. “It was a Black Hawk jump in the middle of the summer in Alaska. I saw the mountaintops and the city of Anchorage from a helicopter view.” Helicopter jumps are among the most sought after, Douangchandy points out. “It’s limited seating, you sit on the floor of the helicopter with your feet hanging out and the door is open.” After his last jump, with his feet firmly on the ground, he followed in his mother’s footsteps back to the Hill, utilizing his GI bill to study business and economics at Nichols. Now entering his senior year, Douangchandy reflects on the experience. “Transition from the military is mentally and emotionally really challenging,” he admits. “Professor [Boyd] Brown, a former marine, reached out and helped me adjust to the new environment.” He also admires Visiting Assistant Professor Rob Russo, who battled cancer, twice, while still teaching his courses. “Nothing can stop Professor Russo, in my opinion,” he says. The same may be said for Douangchandy, who is setting his sights on finding “the perfect job that doesn’t make it feel like I’m going to work.” Until then, he says, “A house would be nice, too.” Make that two; Ketnouvong hopes to eventually have a vacation place in Laos where she can reconnect with family still there.
– Molly Thienel and Susan Veshi
alumni.nichols.edu
l Nichols College Magazine
15
CLASS NOTES
Adventures in Thailand Peter Lynch ’02 and Meghan (McKenna) Lynch ’03 In a recent issue of Expat Life in
the Midwest. Indiana was more than
Bison Shannon Spitz ’99 MBA ’01,
Thailand, Meghan Lynch ’03 writes
800 miles away from home and the
human resource manager. The Lynches
about her experience running a khlong,
Hill and gave them the first taste of
resided in nearby Sturbridge, enjoying
one of the more than 1,600 canals that
life a long distance from everything
proximity to family and friends, and
pulse through the city of Bangkok. It’s
they knew. The young New Englanders
their family grew by three children
a practice that she adopted shortly
quickly learned and appreciated the
over the next five years. The same
after arriving in Thailand six years ago
differences while living there for the
week that they found out they were
when she tired of her regular route.
next six years. They note two perks
expecting their third, Peter received an
The khlong poses a series of challenges,
of post Indianapolis winter: “The golf
offer to manage a lens manufacturing
even to a seasoned runner, like dodging
season starts early March, you are at
facility for an affiliated company.
pedestrians, motorbikes, and the
the pool in May, and running in shorts
The catch? It was in Thailand. After
occasional duck, lizard or snake, while
on Thanksgiving Day.”
a 10-day “look see,” they decided to take a chance on what has become a
running on paved walkways and uneven and sometimes unsteady paths. But
The draw to be near family and possibly
seven-year career and life change
the khlong bustles with activity —
start their own was beckoning them
in southeast Asia.
boats, homes, shops, eateries — and
back home. After exploring offers in
warm and welcoming people whom
Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New
Despite the long days and commute
Meghan has come to befriend.
York, the couple took an opportunity
(Bangkok traffic is world renowned),
at Gentex Optics in Dudley, Mass., part
Peter has enjoyed his professional
of the Essilor Group, where Peter met
journey. He still draws on lessons
In no small way, the experience on the khlong is much like her journey
taught by Professor Tom Leland
acclimating to and embracing her life
on emotional intelligence in his
in Thailand. In the article, Meghan, a
leadership role overseeing teams
frequent contributor to Expat Life,
producing 140,000 lenses a day.
shares its broader meaning: “A story
“I help people solve problems and help
of what the khlong has brought to
them succeed. By helping people be
me, as a previously bored runner
successful, I’m successful,” he says.
to a girl living amongst culture and communities that offer richness and
Meanwhile, Meghan, managing a
kindness at every bumpy, uneven,
family of six and all that comes with
and lively step.”
it, practices the multitasking skills she used at Nichols to juggle school, athletics and a full-time job.
How Meghan and her husband, Peter Lynch ’02, came to be living and raising their four boys in Thailand
Though a larger contingency of
is another story.
Americans abroad lives a little further north, they settled in a home and
Following Meghan’s graduation from Nichols in 2003, their jobs in management and sales took them to
16
Nichols College Magazine
On Samui Island and on safari (above, right),
subdivision closer to Bangkok, where
the worked Lynches find adventure in Thailand, and hand in hand with fellow
they are surrounded by a community
making the most of their expat life.
l Spring/Summer 2021
of international diversity and “amazing
2003 Class Champion: Jillian (Hayes) Smerage Jnhayes80@gmail.com
2005
humans.” While they made some of their best friendships at Nichols,
Class Champion:
Meghan and Peter are grateful for
Melissa Jackson
their supportive local network, which
msmeljackson@gmail.com
has provided “grace and compassion”
2006
in times of a loss, illness, or a happy
Class Champion:
milestone, making the distance from
Erica Boulay
loved ones more manageable. These
erica.boulay@hotmail.com
friends are now their global family.
Christine Scarafoni MBA/MSOL ’16 has been named co-chair of the Nichols College Board
A perk for the emigrant family is the
of Advisors, a volunteer
immersion in Thai and international
board established in 2007
culture that travel adventures to
Student Dean and current Professor
the country’s beautiful beaches and
Brian McCoy were profoundly
with the college in multiple
islands have afforded them. Their
influential during their Nichols
ways in support of the
children attend a British international
journey. “Brian McCoy was someone
college’s strategic objectives.
school because it is closest to home
I had coffee with right before we
and their experience is a global one.
left for Thailand,” shares Peter. “He
“We wish we could go back to school
always believed in me and reminded
public accounting firm that is ranked among
with them!” Meghan exclaims. A very
me what I was capable of.”
the top 100 firms in the U.S. She is also an
to advocate for and engage
She currently serves as the chief human resources officer at KLR, a New England regional
adjunct faculty member at Nichols and Suffolk
active couple since their college days,
University. Scarafoni was named co-chair of the
the Lynches have enlisted their four
Though they may consider
sons in activities every day like
opportunities that could bring
soccer, rugby, gymnastics and
them back to the states someday,
2007
baseball. Like Meghan, Peter is a
their family values their trips back
Class Champion:
runner, and while the heat can deter
home in the meantime. Due to the
Meaghan Larkin
her from the competitive track, Peter
pandemic, this year has been the first
has accomplished personal goals, like
in seven that they have been unable
competing in an Ironman in Western
to return to the U.S. freely, though
Australia at the end of 2019.
they hope to plan to soon.
To this day, they remain close with
No matter what the future holds,
their college friends and remember
Meghan and Peter, looking back from
their start at Nichols as “feeling like
the beginning of their story as students
home.” Meghan, who was recruited
on the Hill to the recent celebration
for sports, found the campus right
of Meghan’s 40th birthday, have
sized. “You were a part of something
learned to take their journey on life’s
that wasn’t overwhelming; you were
khlong one step at a time.
BOA with EJ Landry III ’86.
meaglark@gmail.com
2008 Class Champion: Nicole Curley nsc3129@gmail.com Nicole and John Curley welcomed Riley Alice on September 21, 2020, saying “She is a joy and the light of our lives.”
never just a number,” she recalls. 9/11, former Athletic Director Charlie Robert,
– Molly Thienel
Professor Larry Downs, and then
alumni.nichols.edu
l Nichols College Magazine
17
CLASS NOTES
s Going the distance
Kurt Grimmelmann ’74 As a former member of the Nichols
As a self-described all-around athlete
the end of the journey which teaches
College cross country team, Kurt
with a natural affinity for running,
you the most important things…
Grimmelmann ’74 knows how to go
Grimmelmann enjoyed campus sports
sometimes it’s the process of getting
the distance and has shown it in his
at Nichols, whether playing intramurals
there. There is a lot of pain involved
life, career, travels, and even mountain
or watching varsity games with friends.
in cross country running, and sports
climbing.
taught me how to move past the Then, in junior year, he got the opportunity to join cross country.
to the age of 13. “I remember looking
“The team lost some runners and
After Nichols, Grimmelmann built
at stock prices with my father who
then-captain Rich Desjardins asked me
a career in the finance industry,
worked for American Express at the
to go out for the team,” he explains.
starting with American Express while
time,” he shares. He says he chose
“I joined around their second meet
he earned an MBA at Pace University.
Nichols because it was far enough
that year and was determined to beat
He went on to work as an investment
away from his home in New Jersey but
everyone on the team’s finish times
analyst in the trust department at
close enough to drive back and forth.
from the first meet in order to prove
United Jersey Bank but found the
And, it felt like home. “The best way to
myself.” How did that work out? “It
setting “a little too buttoned up,
describe how Nichols felt to me was
was a five-mile course, and I was well
quite literally. There was a rule that
‘warm,’” he recalls. “The people were
ahead until the last quarter mile when,
employees could not remove their
all nice and friendly, and I found that
all of a sudden, I found myself losing
jacket while working,” he says. That,
the professors were willing to go out
my lunch on the side of the road.
combined with a desire to control
of their way to help.”
Welcome to the team, right? At the
his own destiny and earning his
end of the first year, I finished as the
professional designation as a Certified
Grimmelmann credits Nichols
#1 runner and won the Unsung Hero
Financial Planner, led him to Merrill
for helping him grow as a student,
Award and in my senior year, I won the
Lynch where has was one of the top
particularly after he found himself on
MVP Award.”
producers in municipal bonds and
academic probation in
managed a half billion-dollar book of
his first year. “My junior
Grimmelmann says his
clients. He retired in 2016 after
and senior years, I was
time as a college athlete
38 years with the company.
a straight-A student.
was important to him.
I needed time to
“If you are going to be
These days, Grimmelmann and his wife
mature and grow up,”
committed to a team,
Debbie stay busy travelling, a passion
he says. “My time at
you have to set goals,
supported by Debbie who worked for
Nichols was a big part
as I did as a runner,” he
Pan Am Airlines when they met. “We
in helping to shape
offers. “Sports gives you
could travel the world at very little
how I grew and worked.
the discipline to go after
cost,” he says.
It played a big part in
those goals. I always
my future success as I developed my career.”
18
discomfort without slowing down.”
His interest in business can be traced
Nichols College Magazine
Kurt Grimmelmann ’74 and his
wife Debbie enjoy one of
their many travel excursions.
l Spring/Summer 2021
think of success being
“We honeymooned in Tahiti in
like a trip. It’s not always
1979 and have since explored seven
2010 Class Champion: Katelyn Vella katelyn.vella@yahoo.com
continents together.” While
Chris Fraczek reports that he married his best
attending a leadership course
friend, Alex, and they have just had their first
through the Wharton School,
daughter, Mia Grace. The family is currently living in Needham.
Grimmelmann visited Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. He has summitted Mount Kilimanjaro, Grand Teton, Grand Paradiso in Italy, and has been to the Himalayas several times and on safari. He hopes to do an Amazon River Cruise next year. As far as his favorite
of Technology in the first round of the
places to visit, “Patagonia and
NCAA Division III Tournament. Jessica (Morgan) Smith and
Antarctica are right up there,” he says.
But it’s the cross country programs at Nichols, which he generously supports
family welcomed son, Milo, on September 14, 2020. She says she hopes one day he
He and Debbie moved to Idaho last
through annual contributions, that are
year for the skiing and golf. They
nearest and dearest to his heart.
have two children, a son in New
“It’s very impactful personally to be
Jersey and a daughter in Wisconsin
able to donate towards an area of
Alexandria Hallam
with a granddaughter they connect
the college which greatly impacted
aliemchal@gmail.com
with a few times a week on Facetime.
me, and I can see that my contribu-
2012
tions are helping the teams move the Grimmelmann also stays connected
needle.”
with Nichols. He recently spoke to
will join the Herd!
2011 Class Champion:
Charles Walker MBA was named a football analyst for the Atlanta Falcons. He served as an assistant recruiting coordinator for personnel and recruitment on defense at Penn State University for the past two seasons and, prior to that, he was a special teams coordinator for the University of Massachusetts, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 2007.
an event planning class which was
Grimmelmann has enjoyed seeing
researching the viability of hosting
Nichols go the distance over the years.
a cross country event at Nichols.
“The campus still has a beautiful
“They wanted me to talk about my
New England style small town feel,
experience with the old course and
but I was amazed at all the new
Will Wolfburg was promoted to deputy chief
the sport in general,” he says. He also
technology Nichols has invested in.
of the Plainfield Police Department. He joined
participated in a Zoom class of fi-
The college has really stepped up its
the department in 2013 after a stint working
nance students presenting selections
game,” he says, adding “I would really
for the Thunder Fund, the college’s
encourage my classmates to support
in 2017. His new
student-managed investment fund.
Nichols, if they are able to, and ap-
duties include
And he and Debbie showed their
preciate all the things that the college
Bison spirit cheering on the men’s
has done for them which maybe they
basketball team last year when they
didn’t think about at the time.”
played New Jersey’s Stevens Institute
– Brent Broszeit
patrol with the Groton City force, became a detective in 2015 and a detective sergeant
overseeing professional standards, helping craft the department’s budget and updating policies.
alumni.nichols.edu
l Nichols College Magazine
19
CLASS NOTES
2013 Class Champion: Ryan Flavin
2016
Mikayla Castro is a marketing
Class Champion:
IT company in Rocky Hill, CT, and
Stacie Converse
rtflavin@gmail.com
converse.stacielee@gmail.com
2017
communications manager for an also recently accepted a position at Mercy High School as a girls’ hockey coach.
Class Champions:
Kaylin Goncalves reports that
Nicole LaBrack & Gina Petruzzi
she is the marketing director for
njlabrack13@verizon.net
a real estate company in Sharon,
gmp0626@aol.com
MA, The Needle Group, which is under the brokerage Real. She
2018 Logan Mary Ebbets MSOL, was named to the Greater Northampton Chamber of Jennifer Braga and Garrett Miccile were married on October 5, 2019, with Bison in attendance, and welcomed son Maverick Garrett almost exactly a year later on October 6, 2020.
Commerce board. She is a physician/ advanced practitioner recruiter at Cooley Dickinson Health Care.
also works for a startup called Hoamsy with a few of her fellow Babson graduate alumni. Seth McCarthy is a loan officer assistant at Fairway Independent Mortgage. Jerard Rice is chief operating officer at Hustle Work Grind Records, which he co-founded with his brother M-Ezy. He
2019
says: Working on branding and from start to now. After listening
awareness and have truly grown
2014
2015
Class Champion: Brian O’Riodan
to my podcast interview, I had
David Chapin Jr., a financial
Class Champion:
boriordan78@gmail.com
not experienced something that
advisor with Morgan Stanley
Andrew Haas & Mike Ricci
Wealth Management, was named
andrewhaas3@gmail.com
Leah Baxendale reports: I have
the most significant event I have
to the Board of Trustees for
michaeljamesricci@gmail.com
been working as a managed
done in my life and, although as
accounting solutions staff
an indie artist I charted on the
JRI, a social service agency that
changed my life. BLM is not just
partners with individuals, families,
Lindi Bedore reports that on
accountant at AAFCPAs since
billboards along with top 50 of
communities, and government to
September 14, 2019, she was
June 2019. I am currently working
official European independent
pursue the social justice inherent
married to her best friend of
on my MS in counterterrorism
music charts since I dropped
in opening doors to opportunity
nine years.
and homeland security at
my last song, I believe that
and independence. He also
Southern New Hampshire
moment in history will be so
became a member of the Nichols
University’s online program as
significant to me for a long time.
College Board of Advisors in fall
well. I am trying to build my
2020.
resume to apply for the FBI in
“Stuntin For Da Money” (#36),
2022 (once I have three years of
my song, and “Down to Ride”
Danny Smith and Melissa Gill
work experience). I am currently
(#40), M-Ezy, both represent
were married in October 2018
living in Westborough, MA, with
the strength of the HWG label.
and welcomed daughter
my dog Lola, and we both miss
independentmusicchart.com.
Charlotte Rose in June 2020.
the Hill!
Danny is presently a facilities associate at Centerview Partners in New York City and Melissa is a physical therapy assistant.
20 Nichols College Magazine
l Spring/Summer 2021
IT’S NOT JUST A MASTER’S.
IT’S YOUR FUTURE. Earning a master’s degree is like giving yourself a raise. Discover just how affordable your master’s degree can be, and just
Beth Piuze, M.Ed.
how big an impact it can make on your earnings and your life.
MBA
MSA
Master of Business Administration
Master of Science in Accounting
MSC
MSOL
Master of Science in Counterterrorism
Master of Science in Organizational Leadership
Director, Enrollment and Student Success for the MSC & MSA programs
10
%
Beth.Piuze@nichols.edu
MNI ALU UNT O DISC Rachel Ferreira, M.A. Director, Institute for Women’s Leadership Director, Enrollment and Student Success for the MBA & MSOL programs Rachel.Ferreira@nichols.edu
GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
gps.nichols.edu
REFER A FRIEND AND YOU CAN EARN A $100 AMAZON GIFT CARD
MBA l MSA l MSC l MSOL
alumni.nichols.edu
l Nichols College Magazine
21
NICHOLS REMEMBERS
Robert S. Blumberg ’49, of The Villages, FL,
of J.L. Marshall and Sons, a family-owned
George R. Daggett ’74, of Pomfret, CT,
December 27, 2020: Following a managerial
construction business involved in projects
December 30, 2020: He was an account
career in New York City, he moved to Fort
such as Gillette Stadium, Boston’s World
executive for Hallmark Cards and later owner
Lauderdale in the early 1970s and ran his own
Trade Center, T. F. Green Airport and Fenway
of Dowe’s Hallmark in Danielson. A volunteer
commercial design firm for 40 years.
Park renovation. He was noted for promoting
firefighter and EMT, he became administrator
labor-management partnerships in Rhode
and chief of service for K.B. Ambulance
Island and was a founding member
Corps, which he grew from a small volunteer
of BuildRI.
operation to an essential service provider in
Robert C. Hill ’50, of Fort Myers Beach, FL, November 11, 2020: He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, stationed in
CT’s “Quiet Corner.”
Germany and France. A native of Naugatuck,
Richard C. Knoener ’62, of Springfield, MA,
CT, he began his career at the John M.
December 20, 2020: He worked several
Walter R. Ronald ’74, of Rio Rico, AZ,
Sutherland Insurance Inc. in 1955, became
decades in the chemical industry before
August 26, 2020: A resident of western
vice president, and retired in 2011. He was
starting his own business, K&S Associates, a
Massachusetts for a large portion of his life,
active in and honored by many civic and
manufacturer’s representative for garden and
he worked as a flooring sales manager
charitable organizations throughout his life.
lawn centers in New England. Among his sur-
covering the Northeast.
Kenneth B. George Jr. ’51, of Raleigh, NC,
vivors is grandson Andrew Skowronek ’24.
James S. Wilbur ’74, of Leominster, MA,
October 10, 2020: He was a retired banker,
William R. Roy ’62, of Florence, SC,
September 9, 2020: He earned a master’s
originally in New York City, whose career and
September 9, 2020: A veteran combat
degree from Cambridge College and worked
retirement took him to New Jersey, Florida,
engineer of the U.S. Army, he served as an air
at Lesley University’s Threshold Program
Texas, and North Carolina. He served in the
traffic controller with the Federal Aviation
for young adults with diverse learning,
U.S. Army during the Korean War and a term
Administration and a right of way agent with
developmental, and intellectual disabilities,
as mayor of Colt’s Neck, NJ.
South Carolina Department of Transportation.
retiring in 2016 as executive director after
Jerome E. Casey ’54, of Hyannis, MA, September 29, 2020: He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and worked in sales at IBM for 31 years. Retiring in 1986, he ran Jerry’s Tennis Camp for over 26 years. In the late ’70s and early ’80s, he announced U.S. and World figure skating championships at the Hartford Civic Center.
PA, January 29, 2021: He served as a medic in the U.S. Army and built a 34-year career with Herff Jones, publishing high school and college yearbooks in New England and the Mid-Atlantic. An accomplished drummer and aficionado of jazz music, he formed the Mike Gilroy Quartet in 1958 and performed across
Frederick W. Wiseman Jr. ’55, of Delray Beach, FL, March 28, 2020: He had a long career in operations management at IBM and retired as a new product administrator. Peter M. Deutsch ’55, of Pawleys Isle, SC, November 8, 2020: He began as a wholesale furniture representative before owning Adams Interior Design Center, then C&P Enterprises.
New England. William D. Hyde ’63, of Ware, MA, October 3, 2020: He retired after 30 plus years as a machine operator at Kanzaki Specialty Papers and later worked for the Hardwick Water and Recycling departments.
May 18, 2020: A retired physical education teacher, he was once a crew member on a clipper ship that sailed the world in 180 days, scaling sails of more than 90 feet. He was a dedicated class scribe/champion for the Nichols Class of ’56.
November 22, 2020: He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and was president and chair
November 14, 2020: She was the first female graduate of Nichols College. She worked in corporate personnel in San Francisco before returning East and serving as a teacher of psychology, Shakespeare and English at Bartlett High School in Webster for 30 years, retiring in 2013. Paul J. Gannon ’76, of Shrewsbury, MA, February 5, 2021: He earned an MBA from Clark University, and a certificate from the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland, and worked as an accountant for the former Jamesbury Corp., retiring as vice president/
February 4, 2021: He is a veteran of the U.S.
treasurer in 2019 after 41 years.
the Vietnam War, and had a career as a salesman for the Lowell Corp. for nearly 20 years. After a move to Florida, he increased his golf-playing and had two holes-in-one at the age of 73. Ronald H. Friend ’69, of Detroit, ME, November 21, 2020: He spent over 60 years
Leo V. Marshall ’59, of Westport, MA,
Janice A. Ducharme ’75, of Worcester, MA,
Neil C. Curtis ’67, of The Villages, FL, Air Force, serving in the Philippines during
Wayne (Tom) Keith ’56, of Pocasset, MA,
22 Nichols College Magazine
25 years. Michael A. Gilroy ’64, of East Springfield,
at Friend Motor Sales, retiring in 2008. Among his survivors is son, Aric Friend ’01 MBA ’05, and family.
l Spring/Summer 2021
Richard J. Wojtkowski ’76, of Westerly, RI, September 5, 2020: He worked for construction companies, including Zecco Inc. and Dixon Construction, and later ran Wojo’s Handyman Services. He retired from Cable Components in Pawcatuck, CT, in May 2020. Edmund “Ed” H. Fournier ’77, of Charlton, MA, October 17, 2020: He was vice president of Knight-Dik Insurance Co. and an inductee of the Nichols College Hall of Fame for football.
Robert E. St. George ’78, of Oxford, MA,
Vincent W. Nanfito III ’88, of New Britain, CT,
Barbara A. (Powell) Crawford ’00, of Inman,
January 19, 2021: A U.S. Air Force veteran, he
November 7, 2020: He was an employee at
SC, July 4, 2020: She was a transaction
served in the Vietnam War. He owned and
Gro Well Inc. in Cheshire for 22 years, serving
support coordinator for Resurgent Capital
operated The Country Kitchen in Oxford for
farmers in the state of Connecticut.
Services and a past member of the Greenville
five years then started The Sound of Music Disc Jockey Service, performing events for
James K. Urban MBA ’90, of Southborough,
Realtor Society.
MA, March 21, 2021: He served in the U.S.
Bryan J. Fletcher ’05, of Milford, MA,
Army during the Vietnam War and worked
December 11, 2020: He enlisted in the U.S.
for several companies in his career, including
Army Reserve in 1997 and was deployed to
Stephen R. Strout ’79, of Worcester, MA,
Brown, Brothers Harriman; Bay Bank; and
the Middle East in 2003-2004. He served
August 28, 2020: He was employed by
Data General.
as an active duty guard soldier in the
30 years. In 2012, he retired after a long career at NSTAR.
several public accounting firms and then assisted businesses and individuals as owner and operator of a computer and accounting business.
Richard P. Smith ’91, of Flagler Beach, FL, January 21, 2021: He was a U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam twice. After retiring from a long career as a DEA and ATF agent, he
Gary J. Walsh ’79, of Dalton, PA, January
ran the Guardian ad Litem Program in Flagler
31, 2021: He began his career as a masonry
County and was a court mediator for Flagler
contractor and continued the family business,
and Volusia counties.
Robert Walsh Masonry Contractor, after his father’s death.
Massachusetts Army National Guard from 2007, attaining the rank of master sergeant. STAFF Irene A. Zajac, of Dudley, MA, September 21, 2020: She was an acquisitions librarian at Nichols College for nearly a decade in the 1980s. She died at the age of 100.
Marilyn Remington ’92, of Webster, MA, October 17, 2020: She moved to Webster
Olga Pappas MBA ’81, of Webster, MA,
in 1970 and worked at local banks for 40
December 25, 2020: She worked in the family
years, as a teller and then a customer service
market, Park ‘N’ Shop, until she was in her
representative at Santander Bank, retiring
early 40s and taught high school business for
in 2014.
John P. Listro, of Hartford, CT, December 16, 2020: A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he served in Japan during the Korean War. After earning a Ph.D. in accounting, he was a professor at several colleges and universities, including Nichols College.
33 years, mostly at Bartlett High, where she opened a school store where students could
Cindy A. Poirier MBA ’94, of Sturbridge, MA,
get a hands-on approach to marketing and
October 9, 2020: She held several managerial
retail sales.
positions at Bose Corp., retiring in 2017.
Pauline M. Sroczynski, of Dudley, MA, January 18, 2021: She was the evening circulation desk librarian at Nichols College for 30 years, retiring in 2017.
The next Golden Bison Bulletin is coming this summer! Be sure to send your submissions and any updated seasonal address information to: Nichols College Attn. Jillian Riches PO Box 5000 Dudley, MA 01571 Jillian.Riches@nichols.edu or classnotes@nichols.edu Catch up on past editions and the happenings of alumni who have celebrated their 50th reunions and beyond. alumni.nichols.edu/nichols-publications/
alumni.nichols.edu
l Nichols College Magazine
23
Rick Blankley’s view from the Hill: Life and afterlife Have you ever seen a hearse pulling
took special interest in their students,
a U-Haul? Doubtful. It was once the
serving as a great influence to mold
belief of ancient Egyptians that you
me into the man I am today. They often
and your possessions could be taken
bent over backwards to ensure that I
with you to the afterlife. Today our
was prepared for the professional world.
global population has many beliefs
I especially remember my statistics
about religion, spirituality, death,
teacher, Professor Sargent, who helped
but we have evolved to believe that
me many times, as I was clueless at
“things” can’t come with us.
statistics! In my junior year, my buddy and I both got the measles. We
Ultimately, I want to continue to see Nichols thrive, because Nichols College is part of me; it helped me become the person I am, and I hope the continued success of this fine institution will do the same for future students.
Paying it forward: Rick Blankley ’65 and his wife Mary Ellen greet Joshua Jones
conveniently had to miss our midterm
’22, recipient of the Class of ’65 Endowed
statistics exam. When I returned to
Scholarship.
school, Professor Sargent required that I complete the exam. I confided in him
been especially impressed with the
that I was feeling very lost and having
improvements.
trouble understanding the concepts. I asked him for a couple minutes of
Ultimately, I want to continue to see
his time. He happily agreed. During
Nichols thrive, because Nichols College
this one-on-one session a light bulb
is part of me; it helped me become the
went off and it clicked, I understood!
person I am, and I hope the continued
I passed the exam and ultimately the
success of this fine institution will do
course. Something I wouldn’t have been
the same for future students.
able to do without getting the damn
That leads one down
measles and Professor Sargent’s
I decided that when my time comes to
help! This is just one example of
enter the afterlife, I want to help my
the counsel I received while at
fellow man or woman of Nichols College
Nichols that I am grateful for.
by including a bequest in my estate plans. With this commitment, I hope my
the path of thinking about if “things” are
Since my time at Nichols, I
legacy will live on at our little school
what truly matters in our
have followed the journey
atop Dudley Hill.
life. I have found that as
of our little school on Dudley
I have gotten older and
Hill. Nichols College is so much
Please consider joining me as a member
wiser that “things” don’t
more than it was 50 years ago
of the Colonel Conrad Society.
bring me as much joy as experiences or
in terms of the facilities, quality of
helping my fellow man.
education, and the addition of women.
Rick Blankley ’65
Despite the differences, I know from Looking back at my experience as
conversations with students and staff
a student at Nichols College, the
that those serving the students of
community on the Hill personified the
Nichols College are still bending over
sentiment of helping their fellow man.
backwards to help them. For the past 10
During my time, 1961-1965, it was still a
years, under the leadership of President
very small school. The faculty and staff
Susan W. Engelkemeyer, PhD, I have
24 Nichols College Magazine
l Spring/Summer 2021
If you are interested in learning more about including Nichols College in your legacy, please contact Jillian Riches at jillian.riches@nichols.edu.
S TAY C O N N E C T E D
Reunion classes: remember when...
Moments in Time Your alma mater and classmates want to keep in touch with you! Sign up for the alumni email newsletter Nichols & Sense by sending your email address to: alumnioffice@nichols.edu.
alumnioffice@nichols.edu | alumni.nichols.edu alumni.nichols.edu l Nichols College Magazine @NicholsAlumni ` Nichols.College
25
t
alumni.nichols.edu
l Nichols College Magazine
25
NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #375 NASHUA NH
P.O. Box 5000 Dudley, MA 01571-5000
The Susan West Engelkemeyer, PhD
The Board of Trustees at Nichols College has announced the naming of The Susan West Engelkemeyer, PhD
Institute for Women’s Leadership in recognition of a visionary leader and passionate educator. Congratulations and thank you for your decade as leader of the Herd! To make a gift to the Institute in President Engelkemeyer’s honor, please use the enclosed reply envelope or donate online at alumni.nichols.edu/donate.
