URI QuadAngles Summer 2012

QUADANGLES

ALUMNI MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2012 VOLUME 19, NO. 4

Newport to Bermuda Race Sheila McCurdy, M.M.A. ’98 Ocean Racer

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COMMENCEMENT 2012 VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

QUADANGLES DEPARTMENTS

UP FRONT 3 News and views

PRESS BOX 14

ALUMNI CHAPTERS 28 Upcoming events and contacts

CLASS ACTS 30

News from your classmates,

photo wrap-ups,

and alumni profiles

BACK PAGE 40 Suited Up for Henley

INSIDE BACK COVER [Cox Fiber Optic Ad]

BACK COVER Homecoming 2012

WEB EXTRAS

URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

PETER KENYON ’13, Business student turns out Gallery Art

WELL-HEELED GRADS 2012

OCEAN STATE SUMMER WRITING CONFERENCE 2012

CLASSPICS

MORE . . .

COVER: COURTESY SHEILA MCCURDY 2012 GRADUATE COVER: NORA LEWIS INSIDE FRONT COVER: NORA LEWIS CONTENTS: NORA LEWIS; COURTESY URI ATHLETICS; COURTESY SHEILA MCCURDY; GILLIAN BELL; ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

ALUMNI MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2012 | VOLUME 19, NO.4

FEATURES 8

THE LASTING LEGACY: VICE PRESIDENT ROBERT M. BEAGLE

By Jhodi Redlich ‘81 Beagle led a team of professionals who redefined URI’s advancement functions and created a new level of pride in the University

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CAMERON RIGHT ON PITCH

By Shane Donaldson ‘99 It has been a wild ride in the five years since Geoff Cameron donned the University of Rhode Island colors as the Atlantic 10’s Midfielder of the Year

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HAVING FUN WITH FEMINISM

By Bethany Vaccaro ‘06 Danielle Henderson ’11 writes the blog “Feminist Ryan Gosling” pairing images of the star with witty captions drawing on feminist theories

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SAILING THROUGH THE GLASS CEILING

By John Pantalone ’71 Sheila McCurdy spent this spring preparing to sail her 16th Newport to Bermuda Race, a trip covering 635 miles, most of it out of sight of land

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AMERICAN MUSSEL HARVESTERS

By Rudi Hempe ’62 Bill Silkes, M.S. ’80, is the founder/owner of one of the largest shellfish companies on the East Coast

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A PEACEFUL EXCHANGE IN NEPAL

By Jan Wenzel ’87 Eight students participate in an international alternative spring break sponsored by the URI Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies

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WEBVIEW

QUADANGLES QUADANGLES is a publication of the University of Rhode ­Island Alumni Association, Division of University Advancement, 73 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI 02881. p: 401.874.2242.

Welcome

NEW ALUMNI! Congratulations to the Class of 2012. As the newest members of the University of Rhode Island alumni community you are part of a great tradition. No matter where you live there are a variety of programs, events, and opportunities open to you as URI alumni, such as: • Alumni career resources

• Networking events

• Alumni directory

• QuadAngles alumni magazine

• Alumni of Color Network

• Special alumni membership benefits and discounts

• Chapters • inAdvance@URI online newsletter

• URI travel program • Young alumni programs

Go to advance.uri.edu/alumni and make yourself at home.

As a special welcome, members of the Class of 2012 are invited to sign up for one-year free membership in the Alumni Association.

Go to advance.uri.edu.membership and sign up today!

Since 1996, QuadAngles has been in the worthy hands of managing editor Vida-Wynne Griffin ‘67, M.A. ‘72. And although those of us who work with her on this magazine are still in denial about it, Vida-Wynne is retiring at the end of this month. The 2012 summer issue of QuadAngles will be her last. Farewell and thank you, Vida-Wynne. We have admired your wit, your spirit, and your passion for language and ideas. You have amazed us with your knowledge, entranced us with your stories, and wowed us with your total recall. We’re still not sure how you did it all these years. What we do know is how much we’ll miss you.

The ideas and opinions expressed in QUADANGLES do not necessarily reflect those of the Alumni Association, the editor, or the University. QUAD ANGLES is published four times a year for alumni and friends of the University of Rhode Island; standard postage paid at Burlington, Vt. QUAD ANGLES is printed at Brown Printing Company, East Greenville, PA, and is recyclable. The University of Rhode Island is an equal opportunity employer committed to community, equity, and diversity and to the principles of affirmative action.

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Vice President for University Advancement Robert M. Beagle Executive Editor Michele A. Nota ’87, M.S. ’06 Editorial Committee Shane Donaldson ’99 Dave Lavallee ’79, M.P.A. ’87 Liz Prager O'Brien ’83 Managing Editor Vida-Wynne Griffin ’67, M.A. ’72 Associate Editor Barbara Caron, Online Edition Jan Wenzel ’87 Art Director Kim Robertson Interim Director of Publications Russell Kolton Director of Communications & Marketing Linda A. Acciardo ’77 Contributing Editors Gigi Edwards Mary Ann Mazzone Nicki Toler Contributing Designers Johnson Ma Bo Pickard Verna Thurber Photographer Nora Lewis Alumni Relations Staff Chris DiSano, Specialist Robert Ferrell ’07, Program Assistant Michelle Fontes-Barros ’96, M.A. ’11 Assistant Director Kathleen Gianquitti ’71, M.S. ’82, Assistant Director Shana Greene ’95, M.S.’97, Assistant Director Lisa Harrison ’89, Executive Assistant Sarah Lobdell ’96, Associate Director Kate Serafini ’08, Specialist Gina Simonelli ’01, M.S.’03, Assistant Director Alumni Association Executive Board Joseph M. Confessore ’96, President Donald P. Sullivan ’71, Past President Louise H. Thorson, M.B.A. ’85, Vice President Raymond L. Watson, M.C.P. ’05, Vice President Ronald P. Joseph ’67, Treasurer Councilors-at-Large William M. Dolan III ’81 Allison E. Field ’95 John Finan ’80 Kelly J. Nevins ’90, M.A. ’02 Kathleen P. O’Donnell ’90 Edwin R. Pacheco ’05 Gregory S. Perry ’88 Benjamin W. Tuthill ’04 Christos S. Xenophontos ’84, M.S. ’85 Representatives Arts and Sciences: Jerome H. Kritz ’76 Business Administration: Jordan Kanter ’99, M.S.’00 Feinstein College of Continuing Education: Edward Bozzi Jr. ’68 Engineering: Daniel G. Lowney ’75 Environment and Life Sciences: Catherine N. Weaver ’82, B.L.A. ’96 Human Science and Services: Christine S. Pelton ’84 Nursing: Denise A. Coppa ’72, Ph.D. ’02 Pharmacy: Henrique Pedro ’76 Faculty Senate: Andrea L. Yates ’94, Ph.D. ’06 Student Senate: David Coates ’12 Student Alumni Association: Anthony Aiudi ’14 URI Foundation: Thomas J. Silvia ’83

NEWS&VIEWS Honors Colloquium Turns 50 The URI Honors Colloquium celebrates its 50th anniversary this fall when the 2012 edition examines Healthcare Change: Health, Politics, and Money. Coordinated by Mary Cloud and Shahla Yekta from the College of Nursing, Jef Bratberg from the College of Pharmacy, and Roger LeBrun from the College of the Environment and Life Sciences, the series kick-off Sept. 11.

Colloquium founders did not foresee this longevity. Nancy Potter, Hon. ’67, one of the early coordinators says, “I never thought it would last this long.” She attributes the program’s success to its flexibility. Everything about the program has been subject to change except its fundamental objective—to bring leading experts on contemporary, controversial topics to URI to share their thoughts and work with honors students.

For the first two years only students and faculty members in the class could attend.

The professors were not allowed to participate in the discussion following the lecture and could not bring their wives or family members. Today, while the newsworthy colloquium continues to attract and inspire students, the public lecture series is one of PHOTOS BY RANDY OSGA

the University’s signature events, attracting an audience from the Rhode Island community and beyond.

Colloquium coordinators have come from more than 30 departments and represent all colleges. For many years it was a two-semester program. Beginning with 1999’s Legacies of the Vietnam War program, the public lecture series moved to

the fall semester where it remains today.

Since 2005, the Honors Program has also offered a smaller scale spring colloquium.

Many prominent speakers have visited the Kingston Campus to participate in the series, including Coretta Scott King, Pete Seeger, actor activist Christopher Reeve, Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, Ben Cohen (of Ben & Jerry’s), Bob Cousy, novelists Chris Cleave and Jhumpa Lahiri, Professor and MSNBC personality Melissa Harris-Perry, and inventor Ray Kurzweil.

Topics have included genetics, nonviolence, globalization, hunger, China, India, and climate change. The 2006 colloquium, Songs of Social Justice, provided a unique program of musical performances by performers generally associated with the civil rights movement.

Historical data provided by Allison Shea ’14

A Star Is Recognized

Andrew Burnap ’13 sings in the rain—and in the sunshine. This man for all seasons won the prestigious Irene Ryan Competition (from a field of 250 acting nominees from 55 New England schools) giving him the opportunity to compete at the national festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., this spring.

“To borrow a sports term, winning the Irene Ryan is like winning the World Series in college theater,” says Theatre Department Chair Paula McGlasson.

“My family has always supported my love of the arts,” says Burnap, noting that his grandmother, Molly Burnap, is probably his number one fan. “The first time she ever saw me perform was in my grandfather’s top hat and cane on top of my grandmother’s coffee table.”

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 3

Experiential Learning Made Easy

Something’s Fishy At The Hospital Marine biologist Jacqueline Webb gets strange looks when she brings fish to the Orthopedics Research Lab at Rhode Island Hospital. While the facility’s micro-CT scanner is typically used to study bone density and diseases like osteoporosis in humans, it’s also providing new insights into the skull structure and sensory systems of fish.

A professor of biological sciences and director of the marine biology program, Webb studies the lateral line system, a sensory system in all fishes that enables them to detect water flows and vibrations in the water generated by either something that wants to eat them or perhaps something they want to eat. The system is contained in a series of tubular canals in the skull and on the body. When flows and vibrations in the environment cause water to move in the canals, the cilia on the sensory organs inside the canals send a signal to the fish’s brain.

“CT scanning technology is allowing us to learn about the internal structure of all sorts of animals in a way we could not before,” Webb said. “It’s as good as holding a perfect skeleton in your hand, but the resolution is so high that we can see minute features of bone structure that have not been appreciated before.”

A new office at URI is helping foster experiential learning for thousands of students, faculty, and internship partners in Rhode Island and around the globe.

The Office of Experiential Learning and Community Engagement is now the “first step” resource for building student-learning experiences that link theory and practice through internships and community service opportunities.

The goal of the office, directed by Kim Washor, is to simplify the process for all parties—faculty, students, business, non-profit organizations, and governmental partners—to be engaged in hands-on learning, research, and problem-solving.

Such learning is a cornerstone of the University’s Academic Plan and the Transformational Goals outlined by President David M. Dooley last year.

Student Alumni Association Leads the Way

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Each year, the University presents the A. Robert Rainville Leadership Awards to students who have done an exceptional job balancing academics, community involvement, and volunteerism.

This year, the Student Alumni Association and its president won two of the five awards.

The Student Alumni Association (SAA), one of more than 100 student organizations on campus, received the team excellence award. The organization works under the advisement of Michelle Fontes-Barros ’96, M.A. ’11, assistant director of Alumni Relations, with the mission statement “Students

helping students… past, present, and future.” The SAA, working as a close-knit team, plans various annual student events on campus, including the popular Rhody Rally and Oozeball, a mud volleyball tournament.

“I believe our organization, delegation, and spirit as a whole are the reasons that our organization is capable of putting together truly outstanding events and traditions,” said Danielle Giacobbe, SAA communications chair. “Without the dedication of every member in our organization, we would be unable to succeed.”

The president of SAA is Anthony Aiudi of Woonsocket, R.I. A dual pharmacy and

PHOTO BY STEW MILNE , AND COURTESY OF JACQUELINE WEBB

The Druken Sisters: A Matter of URI Degrees Kelsey Druken, one of five daughters of Patrick and Valerie Druken of Newport, R.I., received a doctorate in geological oceanography from the Graduate School of Oceanography in May. “URI has been such a wonderful school for my sisters and me,” says Kelsey, who earned a bachelor’s degree from URI in physics and physical oceanography in 2006.

Kelsey studies geophysical fluid dynamics specializing in fluid motion within the Earth’s mantle. Her dissertation focused on subduction zones, places where cold, dense, tectonic plates have collided, forcing one plate under the other and mantle plumes, which rise from nearly 3,000 kilometers below the seafloor. She created a model of the interaction between subducting plates and plumes.

“Other scientists have suggested what they believe happens between these two mantle convection features, but my work has been the first modeling work to physically test it,” says Kelsey, who completed her dissertation this winter and is now a postdoctoral researcher at the Carnegie Institution of Washington, D.C.

M.B.A. student, Aiudi received the Student Leadership Award based on a variety of leadership experiences, including being a Kappa Psi pharmaceutical fraternity brother, a co-instructor and advisor in the URI 101 mentoring program, a resident assistant, and an orientation leader. While balancing academics and part-time jobs at pharmacies and hospitals, he has volunteered with URI Emergency Medical Services, Relay for Life, and the Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences (a science and math after-school program for elementary school students).

“College is a time to learn,” Aiudi said.

“While classrooms are devoted to studies,

The Druken sisters (from left) Kelsey, Catherine, Abbey, Glenna, and Bridget.

“We found the strong flow created by subduction zones weakens nearby rising plumes, so much so that they are sometimes stopped before even reaching the surface, where they would have made volcanoes. So in a way, plates may protect us from massive volcanism in these tectonic locations. Perhaps it’s one of Earth’s natural ways to keep the system in balance.”

While her work doesn’t directly predict earthquakes and volcanoes, she works with a community of scientists who do.

Kelsey’s academic accomplishment is just one branch of the sisterly family tree at URI. Here are the others: Glenna, the youngest, is pursuing a nursing degree and is just finishing her freshman year. “Our mother is a nurse, and

involvement is devoted to personal growth. My involvement at the University has helped me grow and mature into someone who is ready to make a difference in the world.”

There were two Student Leadership Award winners this year. David Coates, a political science major, also received the award.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRIDGET DRUKEN, AND STUDENT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.

she finally got one of us to go into the field,” says Kelsey.

Catherine just completed her junior year in landscape architecture and will intern at the Smithsonian this summer.

Abbey earned her bachelor’s degree in business in 2010 and her M.B.A. in 2011.

She works in Middletown, R.I., for a government contractor called Network and Simulation Technologies Inc. Bridget earned a bachelor’s degree in math in 2008 from URI and a master’s degree in math from San Diego State University where she began working on her Ph.D. in math education in 2010. Her research focuses on how children think about and learn math in school and how teachers teach math.

URI President David M. Dooley, left, with SAA President Anthony Aiudi, members of SAA, and the group’s advisor, Michelle Fontes-Barros holding the Rainville Team Excellence Award.

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 5

The Bookish World of Brett Rutherford

Job Well Done!

Happy trails to members of the URI academic community who, after decades of serving the University and its students, retired this June.

Dayle Joseph, dean of the College of Nursing, who has been educating nurses since 1973, and W. Lynn McKinney, dean of the College of Human Science and Services, who oversaw departments as diverse as communication disorders, human development and family studies, kinesiology, physical therapy, the School of Education, and Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design, have hopefully stepped into a world of fewer meetings, phone calls, and emails. McKinney joined the University in 1972.

Wilfred Dvorak, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Joan Lausier, assistant dean of the College of Pharmacy also retired. Dvorak served 44 years, Lausier served for 41.

William Klenk, professor of art, wins the retirement prize this year. He served 51 years.

Alphabetically speaking, faculty members with 40 or more years of service who brought out the sunscreen and the lawn chairs are: Al Killilea, professor of political science, Gerasimos Ladas, professor of mathematics, Jan Northby, professor of

Dayle Joseph physics; and Kenneth Rogers, professor of languages.

Those who served more than 30 years are Donald Gray, associate professor of chemical engineering; Robert Manteiga, professor of languages; Martha Patnoad, professor of nutrition and food science; and Malcolm Spaulding, professor of ocean engineering.

Faculty members who worked 20 or more years who retired are Joseph Dealteris, professor of fisheries, animal, and veterinary sciences; and E. Gale Eaton, a professor in and the director of the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies; and Barbara Luebke, professor of journalism.

W. Lynn McKinney

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Brett Rutherford ’05, M.A. ’07, wrote science fiction comic books when he was six, created a mimeographed publication by the fifth grade, cut up and rebound articles from magazines, put covers on them, and sold them door-to-door. He also sold greeting cards and seeds to his Scottdale, Pa., neighbors to buy his first typewriter.

As a student at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, he ran his own underground newspaper while becoming a prizewinning journalist for the school’s above-ground Brett Rutherford newspaper. Interrupting college in 1967, he wound up reading his poetry in coffee houses in San Francisco and saw several of his poems published in The Haight Ashbury Free Press.

He then moved to Greenwich Village in New York City where he met other poets.

“I can’t recall any time in my life when I wasn’t thinking about writing, the act of making books, and publishing,” says Providence resident Rutherford, who coordinates distance learning at URI’s Feinstein Providence Campus.

In 1971, he founded The Poet’s Press (poetspress.org) to publish his own work and the work of some outstanding but neglected New York poets he met and/or discovered. To date, the press has published 201 books, a number of anthologies of poets among them.

Only 15 of the books are his.

“The press focuses on what I call neo-Romantic poetry: coherent, urgent, communicative, beautiful writing. You can

PHOTOS BY NORA LEWIS,MICHAEL SALERNO, AND PHOTO COURTESY OF DARYL FINIZIO

pick up most books from my press, read a page aloud, and make sense of it. Since my heroes are Shakespeare, Shelley, Poe, Whitman, Jeffers, and Hugo, I lean toward the anti-authoritarian, pagan, rebellious and Gothic. That may sound like a boys’ club of role models, but in fact the majority of poets I have published are women,” says Rutherford, who is alsoa part-time lecturer in URI’s Gender and Women’s Studies Program.

His second imprint, Grim Reaper Book, is overtly Gothic, including books centered on Poe and H.P. Lovecraft: “Supernatural horror is the other side of the coin of science fiction; it’s a joke on the cosmos. Everyone I know who is involved with it does it for fun, whether writing or reading.

I have written ‘terror is our tightrope over life. In supernatural horror, man makes gods and monsters, and that’s the way it ought to be. It’s the primacy of the human imagination.’

“Most people don’t understand that supernatural horror is done in play. I don’t actually enjoy books or films about pathological killers. Criminals and serial killers are actually rather dull people.”

He estimates he has hand bound some 30,000 books and chapbooks.

“We are at the end of the Gutenberg era—the end of the dominance of the printed book. We are also at the end of copyright, as we know it, a very controversial thing to say. I am placing my own work in the public domain as of around 2025, and I am encouraging other poets to do the same. Although I am still doing paper books, I do not expect to do so for more than a few more years. My last poetry book has sold maybe 300 to 400 copies in paper while the e-book has had more than 19,000 downloads.”

tions we have to handle here at City Hall. They definitely stuck with me.”

Finizio’s passion for politics motivated him to get involved at URI. He worked on campaigns, obtained a state government internship via the Political Science Department, and former Gov. Lincoln Almond ’61 appointed him as a student representative on the Board of Governors for Higher Education. He was the University’s first openly gay student body president.

“It gave me exposure to politics and government,” said Finizio, a lawyer who is legally married to Todd Ledbetter. “That is where leaders of Daryl Finizio tomorrow get their training, particiA Passion for Politics pating in student activities. It’s amazing In victory photos, Daryl Finizio ’99, New how much of those experiences really London, Conn.’s first elected mayor in inform your career development.” nine decades, wears a lapel pin that He credits the Honors Program’s features the URI seal. faculty and staff for helping him win “My father (URI math professor the prestigious Harry S. Truman Norman Finizio) bought it for me on the Scholarship for academic achievement day of my graduation,” Finizio, 34, and public service: “It really catapulted recalled. “I’ve worn it every day since, my career.” and I will wear it for the rest of my life.”

He earned a master’s degree in As mayor, he works on the public administration from New York challenges that come with governing, University and a law degree from Roger applying many of the lessons he learned Williams University. at URI. He remembers a class taught An amateur kick boxer and boxer, by former Gov. Bruce Sundlun that Finizio laughed when asked if his pugidiscussed issues similar to those New listic skills had helped in political life: London is grappling with now.

“Absolutely. You learn to bob, weave, “I think about the examples and the take a punch, and give a punch. This is stories he had,” Finizio said. “I look to politics. And this how it goes.” them for guidance for some of the situaBy Ericka Taveres ’88

Corrections for the Spring Issue “To Henley in Regatta Style” misidentified Wes Card ’70.

He is the CEO and Director of The Jones Group Inc. Also, Michael Joukowsky’s name was misspelled.

“Big Moments in the Woods”: A photo on page 27 identified as a picnic at the W. Alton Jones Campus was actually a photo of a URI alumni event at Yawgoo Bakes in Exeter.

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 7

The Lasting Legacy Vice President Robert M. Beagle

After nearly 21 years of service, Robert M. Beagle, vice president for advancement, retired in June. URI’s longestserving vice president, Beagle is credited with leading a team of professionals who redefined URI’s advancement functions and created a new level of pride in the University.

Beagle’s leadership created a new culture for communication, philanthropy, and pride throughout the community.

He led the University’s firstever capital campaign that raised $17 million more than its $50 million goal. The success of this campaign provided an effective formula that resulted in five other philanthropic campaigns plus significant increases in annual giving.

VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

What was your first impression of the University?

That the University was a very friendly place—in fact, as our branding messages now reflect, it was indeed a small, beautiful place with wonderful people. It is a place where I immediately felt at home and have since built up a great deal of my own Rhody pride with strong, lasting friendships.

My years at URI have been blessed by working with an incredible team of advancement professionals and dedicated volunteers who bring their Big Rhody Spirit to accomplish critical goals. When someone asks me what I’m going to miss most about this job, I always say it’s the people!

What were some of the challenges you faced?

Number one was (and still is) the budget.

When I was hired, I was surprised to find that there was no budget for the proposed capital campaign. The biggest challenge was convincing people that it takes money to make money, that fundraising campaigns and annual giving programs are investments.

When I recently described this challenge, one alumnus said, “It sounds like you were being told to ride a shiny new bike at the same time you were building it.”

That comment really sums it up. We (Paul Witham, our development director; myself; and our volunteer leadership) were building and riding at the same time. Adding to our challenge was that the campaign was conducted during bad economic times in Rhode Island and a weak economy nationally.

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How did you achieve all of this?

During the interview process for the vice presidency, I was clear about my philosophy: Unless you have an aggressive, comprehensive, and effective alumni relations program, nothing will happen.

People won’t donate money, they won’t encourage their kids or grandkids to come here, they won’t serve as advocates or volunteer for University activities. The core of everything we do in advancement is the alumni relations program. That became our strategic focus.

Borrowing a phrase from my grandchildren’s favorite song, I would say a strong alumni base “really makes the wheels go round and round!”

Sticking with that bicycle analogy, we started with the frame. During the silent phase of the campaign, we overhauled and expanded alumni programming, publications, marketing and communications, and the information system. In 1991 the alumni database was practically non-existent.

But with funding and moral support from the Alumni Association, we were able to develop a database that now includes more than 110,000 active alumni and another one with about 160,000 contacts who we consider key stakeholders. I chuckle when I think that 21 years ago, people said they never heard from URI; now people say they hear from us too much.

The single most important and enduring constituency for any university is its alumni.

Our alumni are the legacy of our institution—they form our past, our present, and our future. They also present the best opportunities for showcasing the quality of the institution and the impact that URI makes when its alumni go out into the world.

Was there one event that you will always remember?

Yes. In our Centennial Year, 1992, people came together to set things in motion— alumni relations, communications, publications, and the entire University.

It was the beginning of everything. We had a volunteer Centennial Committee chaired

by Jim Hopkins ’62. That year we hosted a series of big events—including an Education Summit, a CEO Forum, a URI 100 event that featured Willard Scott broadcasting his Today show weather report from the Quad, and a clambake on the Quad honoring the families of URI’s original founders.

Many of our notable events that continue today were based on ideas driven by our alumni leaders and other friends. For example, the Big Thinkers series that we hold around the country began in 1993 as the CEO Forum featuring American Airlines President Robert Crandall ’57. The idea for such forums came from Ted Tedesco ’56, who was then vice president for corporate affairs at American Airlines.

What was the biggest surprise?

The response to fundraising for the Ryan Center, the renovation of Ballentine Hall, and the restoration of Green Hall. Everybody said we couldn’t raise money for buildings. But with such volunteer alumni leaders as former Governor Lincoln Almond ’61; Dick Harrington ’73, Hon. ’02; Tom Ryan ’75, Hon. ’99; Joe Formicola ’69; Dan Pendergast ’59; Caroline Kaull ’66; Henry Nardone ’43, Hon. ’93; and the presidents of the Alumni Association, we proved them wrong.

What this showed is that we were steadily building a culture of philanthropy for URI. And we were steadily building awareness and pride among our alumni and many others.

What do you see for future advancement challenges?

Colleges and universities are going to increasingly rely on advancement and fundraising. Such demand will grow because it is one of the few ways public institutions have left to enhance resources for students and programs. For example, for URI to fully

NORA LEWIS

achieve President’s Dooley’s goals for student experiential learning, URI must raise substantial amounts of private funding to provide some form of assistance for students who otherwise may need to work in non-academic related part-time jobs.

There will also be demand for greater accountability in fundraising. While it does take money to make money, the results must demonstrate a worthwhile return on that investment.

Strong marketing and branding in this very competitive marketplace will also remain critical. Stakeholders have numerous choices in terms of where they give their attention, their support and even where they attend college. Therefore, URI must aggressively differentiate itself, while relating directly to its constituencies.

It will require our “Big Thinking” skills.

We’ve got to continue working to keep URI—its name and its attributes—uppermost in people’s minds. URI will also have to keep adapting. Over the years we have turned our alumni communications approach as well as our overall external communications approach from printbased to an extensive use of the web, of social media, and of email. We have also gone from what was pretty much just a Rhode Island focused alumni program to one that penetrates all areas of the country and the globe where there are significant numbers of alumni and parents of students.

My motto has always been “no group is ever too small to engage. Every alum and every friend is important!”

What is your message for the new generation of alumni?

That we are very proud of your accomplishments and honored to have you as alumni.

I would also say that while you can’t give money right now, don’t let that stop your involvement. Come back to campus, go to events, give your time, share your ideas. If the University isn’t offering programs or events that interest you, suggest ones that do. Reach out and connect with the growing global network of alumni—young and old.

It will be good for you and for your career.

Above all: Proudly display your Rhody Pride!

—Jhodi Redlich ’81

Special Thanks A special thank you to all who have offered their support to the Robert M. Beagle Family Endowment, or made a gift in kind to his retirement celebration. Listed below are donors who have contributed $500 or more.

America’s Pride ATR Treehouse Geraldine and Robert Beagle and Family Gary and Barbara Bowen Winifred E. Brownell Gustin and Winnie Buonaiuto Wes and Dianne Card Frank and Patricia Caruso Thomas Cerio Wayne and Bernice Durfee Donald Farley Paul and Janet Fradin Richard and Jean Harrington Higgins Family Foundation Mary and Robert Higgins James A. Hopkins Ronald and Karen Jordan Harold and Hillary Katersky Donald and Caroline Kaull Kullberg Consulting Group, LLC Pierre and Susan LaPerriere Joy Lewis Robert and Maureen Melfi Peter and Sandra Miniati David and Cortney Nicolato James and Roberta Norman Andrew and Michele Nota Pawtucket Red Sox Daniel and Carol Pendergast Anthony J. Rose Jr. Thomas and Cathy Ryan Philip and Judith Saulnier Albert and Donna Skinner The Office of the President The URI Alumni Association The URI Bookstore The URI Foundation University Advancement Staff Alfred and Geraldine Verrecchia Paul and Constance Witham Carol J. Young Tom Zorabedian

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 9

PRESSBOX SAAC, Team IMPACT Partner to Benefit Children URI’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council announced in May that it has partnered with Team IMPACT, a Boston-based non-profit chartered to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening illnesses.

“Student-athletes at the StudentAthlete Advisory Committee meetings have received the partnership with great enthusiasm,” said Tristany Leikem ’12, president of URI SAAC. “As student-athletes, we are really looking forward to partnering with Team Impact and learning as much

Hurley Takes the Reins of URI Men’s Basketball Dan Hurley was introduced as the 19th head coach of the men’s basketball team on March 21.

Hurley, 39, arrived at URI after spending the previous two seasons as the head coach of Wagner College. While at the Staten Island school, Hurley orchestrated a complete turnaround of the Seahawks program. Inheriting a program that had won just five games in 2009–2010, he guided Wagner to 13 victories in his first season at the helm. The eight-win improvement was the nation’s best among first-year head coaches in 2010–2011.

Last season, Hurley guided the Wagner Seahawks to a 25–6 overall record and a 15–3 mark in Northeast Conference play. The Seahawks tied for second in the country with 12 road victories and an .800 road winning percentage (12-3).

“We want to be the hardest playing team in the country,” said Hurley. “We want to play with the most intensity, play both ends of the court at the highest level, and really just begin to establish our culture. Our culture is going to be established quickly in terms of doing the right things, and no one will work harder.”

First Row, left to right, Jhokania De Los Santos, Shannon Meehan, Pam Emery, Alice Murray.

Back Row, left to right, Anthony Malhoit , Andrew Fiorenzano, William Janes, Matt Greenhalgh.

Student-Athletes’ Excellence Recognized at the State House Ten URI student-athletes and one distinguished alumnus were honored at the House of Representatives Chamber in celebration of their significant academic and athletic achievements. The event, which took place in late April, was hosted by Speaker of the House Gordon D. Fox. The student-athletes were Jeff Cammans (baseball); Jhokania De Los Santos (softball); Pam Emery (tennis); Andrew Fiorenzano (golf); Matt Greenhalgh (football); William Janes (track & field); Anthony Malhoit (basketball); Katie Mangano (swimming); Shannon Meehan (track & field); and Alice Murray (rowing).

Dave Stenhouse ’57, a former baseball and basketball standout at URI, was honored as this year’s distinguished alumnus. A member of the Athletic Hall of Fame at both URI and Rhode Island College, he enjoyed a 14-year professional baseball career. His grandson, Kevin Stenhouse, is a current member of the URI baseball team.

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COURTESY OF URI ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

from our new teammates as they do from us.”

As part of this partnership, URI SAAC will work with Team IMPACT to identify children in the South County area and “draft” them onto one of their athletic teams. The child becomes an official member of the team with special access to games, practices, and other team-based activities.

“Joining forces should help Team IMPACT’s outreach efforts in Rhode Island and will ultimately provide our studentathletes with a unique opportunity to give back to those in the community,” said Director of Athletics Thorr Bjorn. “I can’t say enough about how wonderful the URI students and the staff have been at all levels.”

Members of the women’s basketball team visit Hasbro Children’s Hospital on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Left to right, the basketball players are Sherrie Session, Kerry Wallack, Lara Gaspar, Megan Straumann, Ajanae Boone, and Emilie Cloutier.

Spring Athletes Win Accolades Rhode Island sophomore centerfielder Jeff Roy has been named the Atlantic 10’s Player of the Year in baseball. Six other Rams earned All-Conference accolades as redshirt junior Pat Fortunato joined Roy on the First Team. Senior Milan Adams, redshirt senior Jeff Cammans, and sophomore Pat Quinn were second-team selections, while freshman Tim Caputo landed a spot on the all-rookie squad.

Redshirt senior Dan Haverstick was named to the All-Academic Team.

Four members of the golf team were named to the A-10 All-Conference Team led by first-team selection Branden Chicorka and second-team pick Jared Adams. Andrew Fiorenzano and Taylor Fontaine each earned honorable mention status.

Senior Jacob Keeling was the A-10’s Most Outstanding Field Performer at the league championship in May after he won the javelin and the shot put. Keeling set a conference record in the shot put with a toss of 18.23 meters. Sophomore Anthony Davidson won the league title in the 400m dash, while classmate James Strawderman won the pole vault. Junior William Janes won the hammer throw title and also earned a spot on the conference All-Academic Team.

Jeff Roy On the women’s side, senior Marissa Norman won the conference title in the heptathlon and also earned All-Academic Team honors. Senior Kayln Sheehan defended her title in the 100 meter hurdles.

The senior trio of Pam Emery, Kirsten Leikem, and Tristany Leikem were all named to the A-10 Women’s Tennis AllConference Team. Emery was a secondteam selection, while the Leikem twins were both named to the all-academic team.

Junior Kelly Coker took a pair of league honors in softball, earning second-team all-conference recognition as well as a spot on the all-academic squad.

The conference champion women’s rowing team had four members on the A-10 all-conference team. The Rams had a league-best three rowers on the first team, with senior Caitlin Dowd, sophomore Lindsay Stephenson, and freshman Kari Tomeny all earning the nod. Second-team pick Megan O’Brien was an all-conference selection for the second year in a row.

Tomeny also earned all-New England honors from the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association, which picked URI Associate Head Coach Jess Lizzi as its New England Region Assistant Coach of the Year.

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Cameron Right on Pitch In the last calendar year, Geoff Cameron has represented his country as part of the U.S. Men’s National Team, led the Houston Dynamo to the Major League Soccer finals, and been nominated as a 2012 Man of the Year by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Video | uri.edu/quadangles 12 QUAD ANGLES SUMMER 2012 | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

It has been a wild ride in the five years since he donned the University of Rhode Island colors as the Atlantic 10’s Midfielder of the Year. Yet, the Attleboro, Mass., native manages to keep his success in perspective.

When not on the pitch, Cameron spends much of his free time visiting cancer-stricken children in Houston-area hospitals. In 2011, his “20 For 20” campaign partnered with The Fisher House and the Ronald McDonald House to raise funds for families with loved ones hospitalized due to illness or injury. The name of his foundation, 20 for 20, is derived from Cameron’s goal of raising $20,000 and his jersey number, 20.

“The goal is to increase accessibility to the hospitals for these families,” Cameron said. “When I am visiting with these children, I find myself thinking, ‘Man, this is crazy. Why are these kids dealt these cards? They have their whole lives in front of them.’”

For Cameron, spending time with the children is his way to give back. For the kids who are Houston Dynamo fans, there is a thrill that comes from seeing Cameron and his teammates walk through the door. Many of the children do not know him as one of the best soccer players in the country, which makes their excitement even more special to Cameron.

“Some of the kids don’t know anything about the team,” Cameron said. “All they know is that someone besides a doctor or nurse is coming to see them. When you see how excited they get just to have a random dude walk in to spend time with them, you realize they just want that human interaction.

It helps remind you of what is important.

When you see a smile on a child’s face in that situation, it makes you want to do everything you can to make things better for them.”

While the children have impacted Cameron’s outlook on life, cancer hit even closer to home for him when a childhood friend, Tim DaPonte, was diagnosed with stage-two Hodgkins Lymphoma. Cameron and DaPonte had grown up playing soccer together in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and were teammates on the club team Bayside United. They also played in Olympic Development Programs together, and until his diagnosis, DaPonte also was still an active player.

COURTESY THE HOUSTON DYNAMO; COURTESY URI ATHLETICS

As a senior at URI, Geoff Cameron was named the 2007 Atlantic 10 Midfielder of the Year.

This year, Cameron is raising money in honor of his friend. “We talk almost daily,” Cameron said. “Tim is a kid my age. He was fit, and he still played soccer. He runs a business with father. And then, he found out he had cancer. It just really hit home and made me realize this can impact anyone.”

The Houston Dynamo have put support behind the two-time MLS All-Star, pledging to match the funds he raises, making the total goal for Cameron $40,000. The Dynamo set up a web page on their site: houstondynamo.com/charities/20for20.

“Everyone has been affected by cancer in some form in their life,” Cameron said.

“It’s a disease that is terrible. If people want to donate even $5, that’s great. It just helps us get that much closer to a cure. If I could give $1 million, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I can’t, but I still want to make a difference.”

Success on the pitch has afforded Cameron the platform to raise funding for cancer research. What makes his work on the 20 For 20 campaign even more impressive is that Cameron doesn’t exactly have a wealth of free time. Since Jurgen Klinsmann became the U.S. Men’s National Team coach in July 2011, Cameron has been firmly in the mix to represent the country.

In the last year, Cameron has registered three caps for the USMNT, starting in friendly matches against Venezuela and Panama.

Though he did not appear in the game, he was with the team when it beat Italy for the first time ever. In his first-ever appearance

for the United States, Cameron fired a shot on net that went inches above the crossbar, nearly netting a goal on his first touch.

“Between the MLS season and being with the national team, I did not have much of an offseason,” Cameron said. “But I’ll take it any day of the week. It doesn’t leave much time for my girlfriend or my family, other than when I play East Coast games. For now, I am living my life and trying to make my dreams come true.”

From a personal standpoint, Cameron has his sights set on a roster spot for the 2014 World Cup, which will be played in Brazil. Two years ago he was in the running for a roster spot on the 2010 National Team, but an injury sidelined him.

“I remember watching the 1994 World Cup and dreaming about wearing the USA jersey,” Cameron said. “Having the chance to wear the USA jersey, it’s amazing. You realize you are representing your country, playing with the best of the best. It’ll be even better if I get to the World Cup while the world is watching.”

Along the way, Cameron will stay motivated by his friend, Tim DaPonte, and all the children he visits in the hospitals. “I want to take full advantage of what has been given to me,” Cameron said. “God has been good to me and allowed me to play a sport for a living. But I also have the opportunity to try to do some good for others.”

By Shane Donaldson ’99

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 13

Shortly before her 1975 graduation from Smith College, Sheila McCurdy, who received her Master’s in Marine Affairs from URI in 1998, approached a family friend and offered to cook for his crew on a transatlantic crossing—as long as she could stand a third of the watches.

Sailing Through

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He agreed despite her youth and limited experience. She slept very little on that first journey across the Atlantic. Some years later she found out that before he agreed to have her on the boat, the skipper called her mother to ask if McCurdy could indeed cook. McCurdy’s mom replied that if Sheila said she could cook, of course she could; she then went out and bought her daughter a copy of The Joy of Cooking.

A busy 10 months followed in which McCurdy made three transatlantic crossings on board two different boats. Though she had grown up in a sailing family on Long Island, those early crossings changed her sense of herself as a sailor and propelled her to become one of the sport’s most respected and experienced skippers and one of only a few women to skipper in ocean racing.

McCurdy spent last spring preparing to sail her 16th Newport to Bermuda Race, a trip covering 635 miles, most of it out of sight of land. On this biennial, mid-June race, sailors from all over the world cross a stretch of the Atlantic that includes strong Gulf Stream currents, and they often do this under difficult weather conditions.

McCurdy describes the race as alternately exhilarating and challenging. While

she enjoys the competition and has twice finished second in her boat’s division of over 100 boats, she says she loves the race as much for the camaraderie of the crew and the reunion of sailors and families as she does the challenge of trying to win.

“Sailing in this race does not come down to a simple reason,” she says. “It’s about drive and a sense of satisfaction. The boat is a microcosm of the world, yet you can strip away the rest of the world. It’s almost like being in a space capsule; it’s your world for nearly a week.”

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the Glass Ceiling Her sentiments about sailing, whether racing or cruising, slide out as if she were sharing a secret, but once she begins to relate the experience, she does it with a flair for philosophy. She wrote a few years ago about why she loves the Newport Bermuda Race: “I am competitive, but there are ample opportunities for sporting contests near shore. I love seeing Bermuda rise from the horizon on a starry night or pink morning, but jets get there quicker. I have no definitive answer yet.”

The answer is, in fact, philosophical. “If you talk to sailors,” she says, “they talk about sailing as a metaphor for everything in their lives.”

If that is so, then sailing is a metaphor for Sheila McCurdy breaking some glass ceilings. She served as the first female commodore of the Cruising Club of America, a prestigious honor for anyone in the sailing world. In that position, she worked with the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee to plan the Newport Bermuda event.

A leading figure in training for safety at sea, McCurdy serves on the Safety at Sea Committee of the U.S. Sailing Association and heads its national faculty, which creates the instructional standards and training materials for boating instructors and students nationwide. She is a Safety at Sea Seminar moderator, has written extensively about the subject, and has advised the U.S. Naval Academy sailing program for 15 years.

As skipper in the 1996 Bermuda Race, she was involved in a rescue at sea of her brother Ian, who was a member of her crew. Ian McCurdy was working with others to trim sails in the pitch dark of a moonless night with the lights of Bermuda in the distance when he lost his balance and fell overboard from the bow. McCurdy heard the cry “Ian’s overboard!” and immediately tried to stop the boat. She said she thought Ian was behind them and didn’t want to move too far away from him, but he was

COURTESTY SHEILA MCCURDY

actually still at the bow. Fortunately, he had his tether line attached to the boat safety line, and the crew eventually helped pull him back onboard. McCurdy received the Hanson Safety Medal as a result of the rescue.

“It could have been much worse,” she said. “You couldn’t see a thing in the dark. It was a great lesson that accidents are different from drills.”

Her skills and her contributions to sailing resulted in another distinction for her last year as she became the first female recipient of the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association’s Award as Boater of the Year, joining such stars of the sailing world as Ted Hood and Halsey Herreshoff.

“Sailing is still male dominated,” McCurdy agrees. “Before the 1990s, it was really hard for a woman to get on an offshore boat. It still is difficult. I got on because my name was McCurdy.”

Simple enough. Her father, James McCurdy, was a renowned yacht designer and a central figure in the sailing world.

She skippers a boat, Selkie, which he designed. It did help to have his connections, but if McCurdy were not a competent sailor, the men who populate the field would likely have closed her out. They didn’t, and she has sailed with many luminaries including Ted Turner and Gary Jobson aboard the classic J Boat Shamrock V. Says John Rousmaniere, one of the country’s noted sailing writers, “She has a terrific flair for dealing with strong personalities and keeping people focused. I was a watch captain for her in 2008 when we were a little over one hour in second place overall in the Newport Bermuda Race.”

Rousmaniere first sailed with McCurdy when she was in her early 30s and skippering a 35-foot sloop designed by her father on a trip to the Azores. “She managed us old guys very capably,” he recalls. “The crossing was a delight as was the subse-

quent cruise through the Azores ­archipelago.”

Someone could long ago have predicted McCurdy’s sailing success, and her political success as well, in a male dominated field.

As a student at Smith she took third place in the U.S. Rowing Women’s Championships in 1971. Two years later she was a member of the winning crew for the Adams Cup signifying the U.S. Women’s Sailing Championship.

“I love offshore sailing,” she says. “It is both complex and simple, an adventure and a daily process. You have to work with others and be self-reliant while you’re sailing toward a coast or an island rising up out of the ocean.”

— John Pantalone ’71 UPDATE: Ten days before the June 15th start of the 2012 Newport Bermuda Race, Sheila McCurdy had to drop out of Selkie’s crew due to emergency eye surgery for a detached retina. “All went well,” she reports. “But no bouncing around the ocean for a while. Dave Brown is taking over as captain, and the boat is good to go. I will be watching the tracker on the website.”

McCurdy has delayed but not abandoned plans to skipper her 16th Newport Bermuda Race.

RACE RESULTS The Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club have run the Newport Bermuda Race since 1926. The 2012 race started from Newport on June 15 and concluded with a prize-giving ceremony and reception at Government House in Bermuda on June 23. Selkie came in 7th of 12 boats in the Class 1 St. David’s Lighthouse Division.

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NORA LEWIS

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The soulful blue eyes of an expertly groomed, sophisticated blonde man stare out from the frame.

“Hey girl,” the caption reads. “We don’t need arbitrary beauty archetypes steeped in historically biased ideologies pumped out to us by mediocre, archaic forms of media to define our sexiness.”

No kidding.

Who knew Ryan Gosling was so intellectual?

And a feminist?

Danielle Henderson ’11

HAVING FUN WITH

feminism VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

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Actually, it may be Ryan Gosling in the picture, but the commentary is courtesy of Danielle Henderson ’11. Since October 2011, she has been writing the blog “­Feminist Ryan Gosling (feministryangosling.tumblr.com/) pairing images of the star of The Notebook, Crazy Stupid Love, and Blue Valentine with witty captions drawing on feminist theorists such as Julia Kristeva and Judith Butler. The blog follows a popular meme (a concept that spreads via the Internet) that features Gosling saying something cute beginning with “Hey girl.”

Whether he’s emoting, “Hey girl. Gender is a social construct but everyone likes to cuddle,” or delving into the abstract with, “Hey girl. Just thinking about Chandra Mohanty’s theory that Western feminism problematically constructs the Third World woman as the pejorative ‘other’ and the discursive colonial habits that keep women oppressed,” each entry has Gosling dishing out a meaty helping of feminist awareness.

The blog has turned a lot of heads. It has over 35,000 followers with over a million page views each month and has been spotlighted in national forums like The Huffington Post, Newsweek, and Vogue Italia.

A Time NewsFeed calls the blog “a winning combination” and asks, “Is it really any surprise that it only took a few days for this Tumblr [blog] to go viral?” Marie Claire’s website calls “Feminist Ryan Gosling” “brilliantly hilarious,” and the blog was third on Rolling Stone’s Top 10 Memes of the Year.

While it’s now basking in Internet stardom, “Feminist Ryan Gosling” originally started as a study tool. Henderson and her classmates were commiserating over the amount of theory they needed to assimilate daily in their graduate program. To lighten the mood, Henderson created a riff—or spin-off—of an already popular meme called “F*ck Yeah Ryan Gosling,” combining the material she was studying with images of the star. “I’m still just a nerd who needs flash cards sometimes,” she laughs.

Although she expected it to be enjoyed only by her circle of friends, within 24 hours it was featured on the trendy website ­Jezebel.com. Before long, “Feminist Ryan ­Gosling” went viral.

PHOTOS: COURTESTY OF DANIELLE HENDERSON

“Even when I didn’t have the language to define it, I was a feminist,” reflects Henderson. “The development of my feminist identity went hand-in-hand with my increasing awareness of racism. I was raised in a predominantly Caucasian town in New York; as a child, I was condemned for both my ethnicity and my gender. As a marginalized person, feminism has always made sense to me.”

In 2006, Henderson moved to Rhode Island after spending four years working and traveling in Alaska. In 2008, she started taking classes at URI, finding a home in the Gender and Women’s Studies program: “Women’s Studies gave me space to explore my academic interests in a way that related to my lived experience as a non-traditional student, a black woman, and a feminist,” she says.

“URI has a very nurturing community of intellectuals and professionals; it’s a very dynamic place to be. I will always be thankful for the relationships I had with my URI professors. They have been overwhelmingly encouraging, and just generally very cool and interesting people who inspired me to dream a little bigger.”

Henderson not only connected with the academic community at URI, she also excelled as a part of it. By the time she was ready to leave Rhode Island for graduate school, she had twice received a Black Scholar Award and was also the recipient of the President’s Excellence Award for Women’s Studies. She has continued on to a fully funded graduate program in Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she currently is a teaching assistant.

Although she doesn’t directly use her blog as a teaching tool, Henderson has certainly mastered the art of speaking the language of her students. “I’m definitely proactive about weaving pop culture into my lessons,” she says. “I think theory tends to make sense when it’s applicable to your life, so I try to listen to my students and respond in ways that are helpful to them.

They’re very smart about media, and I don’t shy away from encouraging them to utilize it in a meaningful way.”

Writing “Feminist Ryan Gosling” is a natural tangent from her areas of scholarship.

“I’m interested in examining the Internet as a site of activism and looking at how women of color are represented in that space,” she explains. As her reputation as an activist increases, so do the opportunities.

In August 2012, Feminist Ryan Gosling: The Book will be released by Running Press.

“I had been contacted by a few publishers interested in turning ‘Feminist Ryan ­Gosling’ into a book, which was just wild,” says ­Henderson. “I had never entertained the idea that a book would happen, but over time it started to make sense to have something a little more permanent.” Her book is available to pre-order at Amazon and the Running Press website perseusbooksgroup. com/runningpress/.

When she first sat at her computer hoping to make her stressed-out classmates smile, Henderson never imagined that her efforts would garner so much notoriety.

“I never expected the blog to be viewed by more than five people,” she laughs, “so I’m still surprised when it’s mentioned anywhere outside of my home!”

By the looks of things, her surprise will continue to increase as more and more ­people are pulled in by, yes, the charm of Ryan Gosling, but also by the cleverness of the message. “In our cultural climate right now,” Danielle reflects, “women are having more rights taken away than we are having solidified. In order for the next generation to grow up with the same kind of access that I had, it’s important that we remain in the public ­consciousness.”

By Bethany Vaccaro ’06

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Harvesting Blue Gold Restaurant-Ready Mussels, Oysters, and Clams shipped daily!

Bill Silkes, M.S. ’80, and his son Gregory inspect packages of mussels ready for shipping.

VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

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M

aybe you still can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, but Bill Silkes, M.S. ’80 came close to disproving that adage when several years ago he and others took a disparaged, low form of marine life and made it into a multi-million dollar business.

Silkes is the owner of American Mussel Harvesters, Inc., reportedly one of the largest shellfish companies on the East Coast.

The company was forged out of close bonds with URI that started in 1980 when Silkes graduated from the aquaculture program.

The interaction continues to this day.

American Mussel Harvesters, which occupies a sprawling building on the shoreline of the Quonset Business Park, leases scores of acres of Narragansett Bay for some of its operations, employs 40 fulltime workers, and processes and ships tons of mussels, oysters, and clams around the country and into Canada. Today the firm is poised for a potential market venture that could help remove the Northeast from its economic doldrums.

But the bloom that glows over the mussel industry wasn’t there when Silkes went to Maine to help set up a demonstration mussel farm as part of a Sea Grant project at the University of Maine. Up until that time, the mussel industry did not exist in the U.S. even though mussels were a longestablished culinary delight in Europe, gracing the menus of the finest restaurants.

Over on this side of the pond, mussels had a bad reputation—or more accurately, no rep at all. Recalls Silkes about describing the virtues of mussels on his first food show appearance: “I had this big burly guy

NORA LEWIS

come up and he ate one. Then he dove in and after downing about 50 he came up for air and said ‘back home we use these for bait.’ That was where the market was at that time.”

The mussel industry needed a jump start, and it got it when a Harvard administrator, Graham Hurlburt, and his wife, an accomplished chef, went to Europe and checked into the mussel aquaculture industry there. They were friendly with Julia Child, who used mussels extensively in her recipes. When the Hurlburts returned to the States they were convinced mussel farming would succeed here. Silkes met the couple while he was in Maine, and they brought him down to Middletown, R.I., to help get Blue Gold Sea Farms established. While he was at Blue Gold, Silkes earned his master’s from URI. The Middletown start-up was a tremendous amount of work, recalls Silkes. At times he worked two days straight without a break, and the money wasn’t good since the market was in its infancy. Selling mussels was difficult. He relates that one time he decided to make a pitch to vendors at the famous Fulton Fish Market in New York. He bought a suit and went down “but nobody wanted to talk to me. They thought I was the government.” The next day he went to his in-laws’ house on Long Island and changed into his dungarees. He went back to Fulton “and everybody talked to me.”

But by then he says, “I was just burned out, and I did not want anything to do with this anymore.” Silkes decided to quit the Middletown operation. But as it turned out his efforts at the sea farm generated a lot of good contacts, and many of those loyal customers did not want him to leave the business.

Left to right: Floats indicate where the mussels are maturing on the bottom of Narragansett Bay; young mussels; strings of mussels ready for processing.

He bought a 76-foot dragger and refitted it to harvest mussels. At that time there was a huge natural mussel bed off Nantucket that yielded an ample supply. But then the year of “the perfect storm” hit, and after the storm, winds continued to blow from the east all winter long. Then another big winter storm hit and smothered the mussel bed. “At that point I had this boat and nothing to fish for,” recalled Silkes.

“I needed to stay in business, so I went up to Maine and found some resources and started working with clams from Narragansett Bay before diversifying into a full line of shellfish.”

Meanwhile the folks behind the Blue Gold Sea Farm had abandoned the site in Middletown, and Silkes heard that fishermen were complaining that they could not fish there because the bottom was strewn with abandoned gear. Sensing an opportunity, he decided to apply to lease the site under new state legislation that encouraged the development of aquaculture in Rhode Island. He figured that since fishermen considered the site undesirable for their use, they would not object to a new aquaculture venture there.

The state granted the lease with the caveat that Silkes clean up the former owners’ debris. He brought in equipment and divers to rid the 20-acre site of leftover gear. He then installed what are called long lines. Attached to the lines, which are stretched and suspended along the surface of the water with floats, are vertical lines that hold plastic cages. The cages attract mussel seed and also offer a place to grow

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oysters. Mussel seed occurs naturally in nutrient-rich water; oyster seed has to be purchased from a nursery.

Silkes’ American Mussel Harvesters business actually started in his Wakefield, R.I., home. His wife, Barbara, and he comprised the entire company. He and Barbara, who was pregnant with their third son at the time, hired a babysitter to give them time to work on the business. Today, that babysitter, Jane Bugbee, is vice president of the business.

The business grew; by the mid-1990s they had to lease a building in Galilee. Even that became too small, so in 2003 Silkes built the new headquarters/processing building at Quonset. The building is unique in that it has a custom-built re-circulating sea water system involving various filters, including a bio-filter that keeps the shellfish fresh for processing and shipping. Their operations are spread around however, from Salt Water Farms in Middletown, R.I., to long line installations off Martha’s Vineyard and Sakonnet Point, both in conjunction with cooperating fishermen.

American Mussel Harvesters is a family business that grosses about $8 million a year. Silkes’ oldest son, Gregory (Fairfield

College, business degree) is the manager.

His middle son, Adam ’05 (an aquaculture and fisheries technology major) works on the oyster farms and has a trial long line growing mussels in the West Passage of Narragansett Bay. Mason ’11 (also an aquaculture and fisheries technology major) sets up sales efforts at several farmers’ markets around the state and also works at the Matunuck Oyster Farm owned

by Perry Raso ’02, M.S. ’07, another URI aquaculture graduate.

The Silkes family has other ties with URI beyond just earning degrees there.

They maintain Sea Grant partnerships on research projects and have close dealings with Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science faculty members Terry Bradley, M.S. ’80; Mike Rice, and Barry CostaPierce, director of the Rhode Island Sea Grant program.

Rice has helped the company with its aquaculture permits, and he notes that Bill Silkes contributed to the formation of the Ocean State Aquaculture Association. Says Rice, “The relationship between URI and American Mussel Harvesters has been a classic in the traditions of Land Grant and Sea Grant mutual cooperation.” The firm

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Above, left to right: Mason Silkes ’11 brings in a load of mussels; cleaning and sorting are essential to quality control. At right, the final product is packed for shipping.

often hosts field trips for URI students interested in aquaculture and Silkes is hoping someday to have a couple of internships in place with URI and Johnson & Wales University, which has a renowned culinary school.

Silkes feels the connection with those in the culinary arts is important for growth of the shellfish market. He explains that his smaller trucks deliver shellfish directly to restaurants in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts resulting in valuable direct contact (and feedback) from restaurant chefs.

His firm also ships seafood across the country to some of the best restaurants via their “restaurant ready” operation that uses overnight shipments to places like New York City and Washington, D.C. Silkes sees a bright future for mussel farming in the U.S. Canada has 85 percent of the U.S. market, he notes, but Canada is reaching its capacity. In Canada, shellfish grow slower and with the Canadians reaching a

t ted a t, a c o L t Poin rns e s n Quo iness tu us sh this b ve shellfi nati lue gold into b

growth peak, “we could really develop a huge industry here—and it’s starting to happen.”

American Mussel Harvesters is more than just a wholesaler of two kinds of mussels. The company also offer 35 kinds of oysters (two are their own and others are obtained through a “hand-shake” network of other farms,) plus various sizes of clams.

Oysters, says Silkes, are very much like fine wine. Their taste varies according to the location where they were raised, and that involves a host of variables such as water temperature, weather, nutrient content of the water, and breeding methods.

Silkes and his employees often have blind oyster tastings in the plant, and some people have become quite good at identifying the flavor profiles. “We cook mussels and shuck oysters every day,” he adds.

On the day he was interviewed, Silkes mentioned that “this morning I’m leaving the house and I said to Barb, ‘do you want me to bring home some shellfish?’ and she said ‘Yes, bring home some mussels.’ ” No problem there—and the price is right.

—By Rudi Hempe ’62

NORA LEWIS

M

allory Stedman carefully packed a medicine bag with a sacred feather when she traveled to Nepal this March.

The bag, blessed by the Narragansett tribe’s medicine man, contained cultural gifts from the tribe to give new friends—a kernel of corn to represent a source of nourishment, a seashell from Narragansett beach representing the tribe’s homelands. Then as is tradition, Stedman incorporated her own gift, choosing a glass peace sign in honor of her tribe.

“But none of the gifts compare to the gift that the trip in itself was. I will never forget my time in Nepal and the amazing, kind spirit of the Nepali people,” says Stedman, who majored in anthropology and is completing minors in the cultural aspects of textiles and in nonviolence and peace studies.

She was one of eight URI students who participated in an international alternative spring break sponsored by the

URI Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies. Psychology Professor Paul Bueno de Mesquita, the Silvia-Chandley Professor of Nonviolence and Peace Studies, who directs the center, and his wife, educator Kay Johnson, led the trip.

Gillian Bell ’11, a certified Kingian nonviolence trainer and intern at the Nonviolence Center, accompanied the group as a co-trainer and videographer.

The URI group engaged in Kingian nonviolence training with their Nepalese counterparts from Tribhuvan University, members of the Collective Campaign for Peace, a national network of peace and human rights non-governmental organizations, and Social Work for Development, an organization of activists led by social workers committed to peace. Kingian nonviolence is often cited for its practical methodology.

A Peaceful Exchange in Nepal

Back row left: Paul Bueno de Mesquita 24 QUAD ANGLES SUMMER 2012 | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

The Nepal program serves as a model of an applied experiential learning opportunity for URI students to develop both knowledge and skills at the intersection of global change and social responsibility; it is consistent with the University’s strategic plan articulated by President David M. Dooley.

Located in the Himalayas, Nepal is bordered by the Tibetan regions of China and India. It was a monarchy until the 1990s, when a people’s movement peacefully overthrew their ruler to establish a democratic government. However, a Maoist revolutionary insurgent group attempted to take power, and a decade of violence and civil war ensued. The fighting ended in 2008, a coalition formed, and a constitutional assembly was elected. For the past four years, attempts to write a constitution have been unsuccessful and a political stalemate has enveloped the country.

Reflections on Training “While there is an absence of violence in Nepal, there is a fragile state of peace,” says de Mesquita. “People are hungry to learn nonviolence alternatives for social change. Our students were incredible trainers and each brought a unique perspective to Nepal that contributed to an overall understanding to carry Nepal forward.”

“Nepali nonviolence is deeply rooted in the Gandhian tradition, which also influenced the development of Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘American’ nonviolence. I don’t see our ideas of nonviolence as different ideologically, just chronologically,” says Bell.

“Whenever you conduct a training, it’s important to use life issues and conflicts. It makes the experience more tangible,” says Michaela Cashman, who credits her introduction to nonviolence methods to her fifth grade class at Wakefield (R.I.)

Left to right: Mecca Smith, Erica Munoz, Mallory Stedman UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 25

Elementary School for shaping her life: about peace studies on campus,” says “The Nepali participants focused on Smith, who will be a senior in the fall. issues such as sex trafficking, caste systems, constitution delay, and enviSoaking Up the Culture ronmental degradation. No topic was The group trained in Pokhara, about 150 too large or too complicated. It made me miles outside of Kathmandu. The city is hopeful for the future of their country. located on the shores of Phewa Lake, “I earned a degree in environmental known for its tranquility and natural science and management in May, beauty, and is surrounded by the snowso it’s easy to incorporate nonviolence. capped Annapurna mountain range.

Every day, I watch small-scale conflict over development versus preservation. As population grows, our struggles with water, oil, air, open space, and food will only continue to grow. It’s important to spread the tools of nonviolence communication and resolution to all fields of study. We have to find a way to strengthen our communities in order to make positive change,” says Cashman, who plans to take a year off before entering graduate school. “URI has opened so many doors for me, Gillian Bell it’s hard to choose just one area of study I’d like to concentrate on Before returning home to the U.S., the just now. “ URI contingent visited historic Hindu and Mecca Smith, a cultural anthropology Buddhist temples and shrines and spent and film/media double major with minors time at the Chitwan National Park and in nonviolence and peace studies, leadWildlife Refuge, designated as a World ership, and international development, Heritage site in 1984, with more than 43 found everyone in Nepal to be passionate species of animals and about 450 species about peace building and planning how of birds. They also had the opportunity to to deal with social conditions in their ride elephants. country. “The issues are urgent, since the “I will never forget the way an elecountry has an approaching timeline to phant’s skin feels like a giant version of create their constitution,” she says. a house cat’s sandpaper tongue, or the “I enjoyed seeing all of the different way it slides underneath your knees as terrains—the Himalayas, caves, waterthe majestic creature ambles through a falls, rural terraced farmland, the lakes, stream. There is nothing that reminds forests, and the cities. The people were you that you are simultaneously tiny and just as diverse as the land.” insignificant, and infinitely connected Smith became involved with peace with everything in the universe, like a ride studies during a summer job working for on an elephant’s back,” Bell says.

The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence in Providence as a camp Environmental Challenges in Nepal counselor at a youth art center called “Nepal is among the poorest countries Cityarts! Each Friday, she attended in the world, but I will always rememseminars hosted by the Institute and ber the grace and beauty of its natural learned about Martin Luther King Jr.’s landscapes, contrasting so sharply with principles of nonviolence. the evidence of the needs of an increasWhen she arrived at URI, she disingly crowded population plummeting covered the Center for Nonviolence and into a modernized world,” says Bell. “ I’ll Peace Studies. “Since then, I have had a remember families whizzing by our bus great time taking classes and learning in Kathmandu, all with cotton facemasks 26 QUAD ANGLES SUMMER 2012 | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

to avoid the dust and smog, riding on one motorbike; the six-inch margin between the wheels of our tour bus and a 500foot cliff down to a beautiful aqua river’s edge; cows roaming free in the streets of some of Nepal’s largest cities nibbling at trash on the side of the road, left there because there is no infrastructure for its removal.”

Dancing In the Streets Erica Munoz, a communicative disorders major, discovered Nepali hospitality and warmth a few hours after she arrived. “We had just left Durbar Square in Bhaktapur when we heard this amazing drumming and music. It was a wedding celebration in the street. Immediately I started filming the circle of dancing girls and the men and their dance-offs,” says the Cumberland, R.I., resident who will be a senior this fall.

“I couldn’t help but bob my head to the music. I was enjoying watching when a man tapped me on my shoulder and enthusiastically asked me if I wanted to join. I shyly but definitely said yes, and from nowhere a girl dressed in fancy Nepali clothing grabbed my hand and rushed me into the circle. Everyone in the circle was excited I was there, showing me the moves as we danced.”

One Door Closes, Opportunity Opens Another “Many opportunities, if taken, will change your life for the better,” says Mike Petrarca ’12. “ I say this because my trip to Nepal only occurred because I forgot to hand in my intent to graduate form on time (a story in and of itself), and I ended up gaining a new perspective on life.

“Not only did I gain an in-depth understanding of Nepal as a country and of nonviolence practices, but I also learned a great deal about myself. Sometimes it takes really stepping out of your comfort zone to realize exactly the kind of life you live in comparison to the rest of the world.”

Petrarca extended his trip an extra week to trek in the Langtang region of the Himalayas. “The jungle and mountain peak views were breathtaking, and I had such a great cultural experience as I

Michaela Cashman trekked alone and was forced to battle the language barrier between the local Nepali mountain people and myself,” says the Coventry, R.I., native who graduated this May with a communication studies degree.

Healthy Application of Peace As the assistant coordinator for the National Student Exchange Program at the University’s International Center who also provides upport services to international students, Andrea Russell developed a passion for learning about other cultures and building global relationships. Since she’s been at URI, the Bedford, N.H., native has spent a semester in South Africa and a spring break in South Korea as a student ambassador with the Korea Foundation and Yonsei University.

Mike Petrarca and Andrea Russell

A recipient of a Provost Undergraduate Research Award, Russell researched transitional justice mechanisms in Nepal’s nation-building process for her senior honors project, surveying and interviewing Nepali participants and experts who visited the training. “Most thrilling was the chance to meet and speak one-on-one with Krishna Pahadi, Nepal’s leading human rights activist,” she says.

The pharmacy student will begin her yearlong clinical rotations this summer before beginning her career in the U.S. Air Force. “Conflict is inevitable when working as part of a health care team, or working with people in any environment, and I expect that the nonviolence techniques I have learned will be invaluable.”

Leadership Roles “Instead of simply describing global problems, these students are better equipped to lead in the design of global solutions. For many, if not all of our students, the trip was a transformational experience,” says Bueno de Mesquita.

His trip to Nepal last year and visits by Nepalis to the URI International Summer Nonviolence Institute inspired him to create the alternative spring break trip this year.

Another training trip to Nepal will be offered next spring and a more formal partnership with COCAP, SWD, and Tribhuvan University’s Peace and Conflict Development Studies Program is in the works.

By Jan Wenzel ‘87

The Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies For the past dozen years, URI’s Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies has lived up to its founding principles to institutionalize and internationalize nonviolence as a process that fosters mutual understanding among people, reconciles conflicts, and builds peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive communities that promote human rights and economic and social justice.

To accomplish that, the center offers various types of training depending on the needs of the organization, agency, school, or community group. The trainings introduce methods and practices with the intent of developing nonviolence leaders, educational programs, and training centers.

URI nonviolence trainers have brought nonviolence and peace to places as far away as Colombia, Nigeria, and the Middle East and as close as Central Falls and Chariho schools in Rhode Island.

This June, the center hosted its annual International Summer Nonviolence Institute, which brought together people in different fields from across the U.S. and around the world.

URI students can minor in nonviolence and peace studies and become lifelong peace advocates. To learn more, go to uri.edu/nonviolence/.

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 27

ALUMNICHAPTERS

advance.uri.edu/alumni/chapters

Chapter events are open to all alumni, family, and friends of the University. Contact your local chapter rep and join the fun!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Upcoming Events July 14 The Rhode Island Blood Center Chapter will enjoy an evening at Newport’s International Polo Series to watch Newport compete against Dallas. For more information, contact Chapter Leaders Jennifer Siegal at Jennifer.siegal@ribc.org or Courtney Entwistle at Courtney.Entwistle@ribc.org.

July 14 Join the Massachusetts Chapter and Courageous Sailing for a two-hour afternoon sail in Boston Harbor, followed by a barbecue. For further details, contact Chapter Leader Nick Chigas ’03 at Nicholas.g.chigas@mssb.com.

July 21 Rhode Island Chapter members will attend a pre-game reception at Jillian’s Boston before the Blue Jays–Red Sox game at Fenway. Tickets for this event have sold out. For questions, contact Gina Simonelli at gsimonelli@advance.uri.edu.

August 4 The Student Alumni Association Chapter is planning a barbecue and field day at the Alumni Center. For more information, contact Michelle Fontes-Barros at 401-874-4854.

August 4 Massachusetts Chapter alumni will attend a pre-game reception at Jillian’s Boston before the Twins–Red Sox game at Fenway Park.

For details, contact Chapter Leader Nick Chigas ’03 at Nicholas.g.chigas@mssb.com.

August 10 Rhode Island and Massachusetts Chapters are invited to join fellow alumni at the Cape Cod Melody Tent for a performance by jazz great Chris Botti and a private pre-show reception.

For information, contact Shana Greene at sgreene@advance.uri.edu.

September 21 The URI ROTC Alumni Golf Tournament, followed by a buffet dinner, will be held at Green Valley Country Club in Portsmouth. For further details, contact Jane Stich at jstich@mail.uri.edu.

September 22 The 17th annual Northern California Chapter will be held at Coyote Point Park. For more information, contact Sarah Lobdell at slobdell@advance.uri.edu.

Events Gone By The brothers of the Theta Chi Chapter got together for their quarterly dinner on March 6.

On March 6, the Southwest Florida Gators took in their annual Red Sox spring training game, held at the new Jet Blue Park. On March 24, the Gators held their Steak-Out, another popular tradition of the group.

The Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter held a community service event at the North Texas Food Bank on April 21.

On April 24, the Writers Affinity Chapter hosted a reception in the Alumni Center welcoming best-selling author Tom Perrotta. The event was followed by a Perrotta reading in Swan Hall.

The Villages (FL) Chapter got together with fellow alumni on April 25 for dinner at Lil Bits Restaurant.

The fourth annual Theta Chi Golf Tournament was held on June 5 in South County, followed by a barbecue in Jamestown.

LITERARY TYPES The Writers Affinity Chapter welcomed author Tom Perrotta (lower right) to the Alumni Center on April 24 before he read from The Leftovers, his latest novel.

August 11 The Ohio Chapter will cheer on the Red Sox as they take on the Indians at Cleveland’s Progressive Field. Before the game the group will gather at the Harry Buffalo. For more details, contact Shana Greene at sgreene@advance.uri.edu.

August 11 Chicago Chapter alumni and friends will descend upon historic Wrigley Field to watch the hometown Cubs battle the Cincinnati Reds. For more info, contact Chris DiSano at cdisano@advance.uri.edu.

September 1 Northern California Chapter alumni and friends will gather to tailgate before the Red Sox vs. Oakland A's game. For more details, contact Sarah Lobdell at slobdell@advance.uri.edu.

September 4 The Theta Chi Alumni Affinity Chapter will meet for their quarterly dinner.

Contact John Eastman ’62 at jeastman33@gmail.com for the specifics.

BAND OF BROTHERS It was a chilly day when the Theta Chi Affinity Chapter held its annual golf tournament on June 5.

28 QUAD ANGLES SUMMER 2012 | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

REGIONAL CHAPTERS Arizona Rhode Runners Julie Griffin ’99 Scottsdale, AZ p: 480.634.1950 (h) e: Julez99@aol.com California • LA Rams Brett Freitas ‘99, Santa Monica, CA p: 323.833.8011 (h) e: brettfrietas@gmail.com • Northern Greg Passant ’80, Pleasanton, CA p: 925.227.1878 Josh Feinberg ’08, Berkley, CA p: 973.945.0971 (h) 510.563.2205 (w) e: feinberg973@gmail.com • Southern Jeff Bolognese ’02, Oceanside, CA p: 760.945.4560 e: jeffbolognese@gmail.com Colorado Mile High Rams Christy L. Gallese '03 Denver, CO p: 717.856.8525 e: christygallese@gmail.com Connecticut Tara Blumenstock ’96, Wallingford, CT p: 203.294.0246 e: tarabarbara@hotmail.com Janet Sisson ’87, Middletown, CT p: 860.214.7998 e: sissonj@independentdayschool.org Florida • Southeast Robert Tingley ’66, Boca Raton, FL p: 561.350.0332 e: rtingley111@att.net • Southwest Gators Richard Boldt ’64, Naples, FL p: 239.417.0375 e: rboldt854@aol.com • The Villages Al Bateman ’59, The Villages, FL e: acbnaples@aol.com Illinois: Chicago Jimmy De La Zerda ’04, Orland Park e: jimmydlz401@gmail.com Louisiana/Mississippi Dee Canada ’62, Slidell, LA p: 985.643.8801 (h) e: delinac@charter.net Phyllis DelFiore ’68, Slidell, LA p: 985.643.1609 (h) e: feliciadf@hotmail.com Massachusetts Nicholas G. Chigas ’03, Waltham, MA p: 978.505.7161 (h) 781.672.5170 (w) e: nicholas.g.chigas@mssb.com Michigan David Diana ’84, Warren, MI p: 586.268.0048 e: dianad@flash.net Minnesota John ’92 & Kristen Turcotte ’95, Saint Louis Park, MN p: 952.285.1148 e: jfturcotte@mindspring.com keturcotte@mindspring.com

New Hampshire White Mountain Rams

INTERNATIONAL CHAPTERS

Clarissa M. Uttley ’04, M.S. ’06, Ph.D. ’08, Rumney, NH p: 603.786.5035 (h) 603.535.2915 (w) e: cmuttley@plymouth.edu New Jersey

Germany

Lauri Pietruszka ’84, West Paterson, NJ p: 973.890.1623 (h) e: lauriann_p@yahoo.com Erica Stuppler ’09, Basking Ridge, NJ p: 908-456-2737 e: estuppler@gmail.com New York • Albany Cindy Ladd Anderson ‘80, Clifton Park, NY p: 518.373.9440 (h) 518.527.4195 (c) e: rhodymom3@gmail.com • Metro John Companario ’93, New York, NY e: john.campanario@gmail.com North Carolina Ed Doughty ’93, Charlotte, NC p: 704.995.9300 (h) 704.331.2219 (w) e: eddoughty@gmail.com Ohio Tom Noyes ’67, Wooster, OH p: 330.345.6516 (h) 330.264.8722 (w) e: noyes.1@osu.edu Bill ’74 & Betty ’74 Sepe, Hudson, OH p: 330.650.6715 e: OHRhody@hotmail.com Pacific Northwest Scott Adams ’96, Seattle WA p: 206.913.9931 e: s.v.adams@gmail.com Rhode Island Allison Field ’95, Providence, RI p: 401.808.9463 e: allison@conderi.com Texas • Dallas/Ft. Worth Cortney ’01 and David Nicolato ‘98, Lantana, TX p: 401.255.5127 (c) e: rhodygrad@gmail.com • Texas Rhode Horns Jeffrey A. Ross ’75, Houston p: 713.668.3746 (h) 713.791.9521 (w) e: jross67785@aol.com Washington, D.C./ Baltimore Hank Nardone ’90, Laytonsville, MD p: 301.803.2910 (w) 301.482.1062 (h) e: henryjn@us.ibm.com Brina Masi '01, Baltimore, MD p: 401.261.5416 e: brimasi16@gmail.com

Braunschweiger Rams Robert John Ellwood ‘06 Braunschweig, Germany p: 0176-7631-1971 e: ellwood@mail.uri.edu

AFFINITY CHAPTERS Alpha Chi Omega Gamma Sigma Shanon Whitt Horridge '86 Cranston, RI p: 401.383.4657 e: shannyh40@aol.com Chi Phi Douglas Bennet ’77, Providence, RI p: 401.351.3522 (h) e: dbennet@aol.com College Student Personnel Jess Raffaele ’04, M.S. ’09 e: jessraffaele@gmail.com p: 914.588.2181 (c) Community Planning Mike DeLuca ’80, M.C.P. ’88, Narragansett, RI p: 401.789.6888 (h) 401.461.1000, ext. 3137 (w) Continuing Education Joyce Dolbec ’95, Slatersville, RI p: 401.766.2209 (h) John Flaherty ’87, Slatersville, RI p: 401.766.4981 (h) 401.273.5711 x5 (w) e: john.flaherty@cox.net Graduate School of Library and Information Studies Sybil Akins '08 Wakefield, RI p: 401.783.0953 e: sma718@gmail.com Jenna Hecker '09 Providence, RI p: 518.542.7654 (h) 781.769.0200 (w) e: jennahecker@gmail.com Italian Alfred Crudale ’91, West Kingston, RI p: 401.783.3081 e: acwvmhs@rinet35.org Remo Trivelli, Kingston, RI p: 401.874.2383 Lucia Vescera ’96, Lincoln, RI e: lvescera@hotmail.com LGBTIQ2 (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, and Questioning Alumni and Friends) Gregory C. Waugh ‘07, North Kingstown, RI p: 401.787.3980 (h) e: Gregory.waugh@gmail.com Lambda Chi Alpha Jeffrey Hill ‘00, Shippensburg, PA p: 717.530.0188 e: firemarshal70@hotmail.com Lambda Delta Phi Linda F. Desmond ’68, North Andover, MA p: 978.687.7443 (h) 978.794.3896 (w) e: lfdesmond@comcast.net

Martha Smith Patnoad ’68, Wyoming, RI p: 401.539.2180 e: mpatnoad@uri.edu Music Department Alumni

ROTC William MacKinlay '69 p: 781.608.7335 e: WMacKinlay@TaskForcePro.com Military Instructor Group, Kingston, RI e: urirotcalumni@cox.net www.uri.rotc.alum.org

Allison Lacasse ’07, Boston, MA p: 508.971.3527 (h) 978.251.5177 (w) e: allisonlacasse@gmail.com

Schmidt Labor Research Center

Nicholas Zammarelli Jr. '97 Coventry, RI p: 401-828-5823 (h) e: nzamm1@verizon.net Phi Gamma Delta

J. Richard Rose M.S. ’06 p: 401.461.2277 (h) e: rrose@mail.uri.edu Sigma Chi

Richard Kingsley ‘71, Jamestown, RI p: 401.874.6693 (w) e: kingsley@gso.uri.edu Phi Kappa Psi Joe Hart ’85, Kingston, RI p: 401.783.4852 e: jphart@cox.net www.ribeta.com Phi Mu Delta

Mark Trovato ’89, Wakefield, RI p: 401.782.0064 (h) e: mtrovato@riag.state.ri.us www.rhodysig.com Sigma Pi George B. Smith ‘66, Venice, FL p: 941.408.9786 e: drgeorgebsmith@verizon.net Student Alumni Association

Jim DeNuccio ‘75, East Greenwich, RI p: 401.884.2993 (w) f: 401.885.2228 (w) Phi Sigma Kappa

Louis R. Maccarone II ’00, Cranston, RI p: 401.486.7849 e: Louis.maccarone@gmail.com

Lindsay Redfern Lazzeri ‘04, Kenneth Gambone ‘88, New York, NY Boynton Beach, FL p: 917.701.4631 p: 561.735.7811 e: Kenneth.gambone@barclayscapital.com 401.474.6580 (c) e: lindsayredfern@gmail.com Political Science Stand Up Against Lyme Al Killilea, Kingston, RI p: 401.874.2183 (w) David J. Wallace ’76, ‘92, Physical Therapy Program Alumni Exeter, RI e: dave@teegreensod.com John McLinden ’93, Wakefield, RI Theta Chi p: 401.783.7179 (h) 401.874.5001 (w) John Eastman ’62, e: Elvis1122@aol.com North Kingstown, RI p: 401.295.1956 (h) Public Relations Society e: jeastman33@gmail.com DeAnna Lynn Englezos ’08, Mike Testa ‘63, Jamestown, RI Brooklyn, NY p: 401.423.8918 p: 212.237.0048 (w) e: jtown@cox.net e: dlenglezos@gmail.com Theta Delta Chi

Kate Scozzaro ‘10, Fairfield, NJ p: 973.809.5044 (h) e: kate.scozzaro@gmail.com Rhode Island Blood Center

Eric Lalime ’95 p: 347.739.7345 (h) 347.739.7345 (cell) e: eric_lalime@ml.com URI Difference Equations Association

Jennifer Siegal ’05 p: 401.480.7891 e: jsiegal@ribc.org

Michael A. Radin ‘01, Rochester, NY p: 585.461.4002 (h) 585.475.7681 (w) e: michael.radin@rit.edu

Courtney Entwistle '06 p: 401.413.9368 e: Courtney.entwistle@ribc.org RIDOT Christos Xenophontos ’84, Exeter, RI e: xenophon@dot.ri.gov

Writers Affinity Group

Jan Wenzel '87, Tiverton, RI p: 401.714.6595 (c) Charles St. Martin ’92, Coventry, RI 401.874.5190 (w) e: cstm@cox.net; cstmartin@dot.ri.gov e: wenzel@ds.uri.edu

Let Us Hear from You! If you are interested in starting a regional or affinity chapter, have ideas for upcoming events, or want to participate in events in your area, please contact Shana Greene at sgreene@advance.uri.edu or 401.874.2218.

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 29

CLASSACTS

ALUMNI DIRECTORY Read Class Notes Online at advance.uri.edu/quadangles/classnotes Submit Class Notes Online at advance.uri.edu/eservices

Legacy Brunch

The 2012 Alumni Legacy Brunch was held on May 19 at the Alumni Center.

Congratulations to all the new URI grads and their families! A URI legacy is a student or graduate who has a parent, grandparent, or sibling who is also URI graduate.

The University of Rhode Island Alumni Legacy Program recognizes families for their continued generational support, provides networking opportunities, and helps legacies stay connected through special programs and events.

`43

`52

Morphis Albert Jamiel, ENG, of Warren, R.I., writes: “I’m presently serving my 22nd year as probate judge for the Town of Warren, R.I., and am in my 63rd year of practice as a lawyer. I was inducted into the Military Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Ga.

George R. Nazareth, CBA, of Cumberland, R.I., writes: “I am now 82 years old and love my wife of 57 years more than ever. I retired from my business, Providence Casket Co., in March 1990. After graduating from URI, I got a master’s degree from Columbia University. It was during the Korean War, so I joined the U.S. Navy and then came home to marry my wife.”

`48 Joseph V. Comiskey, ENG, of Narragansett, R.I., has led a life of service, and at the age of 90 he continues that service. He was invited to become involved with Southern Rhode Island Volunteers, and he began work at South County Hospital initially doing some engineering work. These days he continues to help as bookkeeper for the coffee shop. He also provides medical transport for folks needing a ride to medical procedures or doctors’ appointments.

READ LISTEN WATCH

`57 Robert A. Newlander, ENG, of Georgetown, Texas, writes: “Still living the good life here in Sun City (Georgetown, Texas) with my wife, Ruth. She had deep brain surgery for her Parkinson’s this past year and came through with flying colors. She has lost all her tremors and reduced her medication by 85%. Great news!

I’m still involved with tennis, golf, and

QUAD ANGLES ONLINE advance.uri.edu/quadangles

30 QUAD ANGLES SUMMER 2012 | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

STAY

CONNECTED

the Shriners’ hospitals in Houston and Galveston. I transport children who need treatment from the Austin area to the hospitals; it keeps me busy. In addition, Ruth and I travel a lot and enjoy visits from old friends and our family, some of whom live as far away as Japan. We get to Rhode Island at times but have not been able to be there during any reunions.”

`60 Eleanor Clark Sapers, HS&S, of Warrington, Pa., writes: “Gerry and I have been enjoying our retirement for six years now. We formed a hiking club for seniors in association with the Buck County Senior Coalition.

The hikes begin in March and end in November, weather permitting.

We have had many interesting hikes.

`61 Robert Allen Silvestre, HS&S, of Lincoln, R.I., was inducted into the Community College of Rhode Island Hall of Fame on April 22, 2012.

`65 Roland L. Rodrigues, HS&S, of Bristol, R.I., was elected to the Rhode Island Interscholastic League 2012 High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ron was one of the greatest names in Bristol High School sports history.

`67 Barbara Bourck DeRobbio, HS&S, of Wakefield, R.I., writes: “I’m a part-time adult education and GED teacher at DLT, Network Rhode Island. I’m the proud grandmother of five grandaughters ranging in age from 5 years to 9 months. I’m a USTA member and doubles team player.”

`68 Andrea M. Hopkins, A&S, of Coventry, R.I., was selected by Leadership Rhode Island as the recipient of its 2012 David Sweet Award. The award recognizes outstanding community leadership. Andrea was in that organization’s Class of 1988. In addition, the Coventry (R.I.)High School Alumni Association selected Andrea as one of the first four inductees in its newly established Hall of Fame. Andrea serves on the board of the Kent Hospital Foundation and is a trustee of Centreville Bank. She is president of the Coventy Public Library Foundation and the Anthony Lyceum Library.

She recently retired as the URI liaison for state and federal government relations. She remains active in the URI Alumni Association as an admissions representative, a member of the Government Relations Advisory Committee, and a charter member of the Women’s Development Coun-

A Special Thank You to our Scholarship Golf Tournament Sponsors

Gold Sponsor Liberty Mutual Insurance

Silver Sponsor Carousel Industries

Bronze Sponsor

Citizens Bank

Gilbane Building Company

URI Foundation

Washington Trust

Wells Fargo Advisors & Ben Tuthill ’04 Windstream

Beverage Sponsor Nordson EFD Sullivan & Company

Tee Sponsor Amica

Apex Payroll Batchelor, Frechette, McCrory, Michael & Company

Gradient Corporation

Janney, Montgomery, Scott Investments

Local 528

New England Trane Parts Center

South County Orthopedics

The Ryan Center/Global Spectrum

URI Bookstore

URI Dining Services

URI Health Services

Woodard & Curran

Practice Green Sponsor Elite Physical Therapy Ron Joseph ’67

Putting Prize Donation Steve Lombardi ’74

Beverage Donation Constantine Anagnostopoulos ‘75 Pepsi Company

32 QUAD ANGLES SUMMER 2012 | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

Curriculum and School in Brattleboro, Vt. It is a uniquely creative K-12 home-school curriculum and distance learning school that has been providing families an option to traditional schooling for over 35 years.

`98 Jeffrey D. Jasinski, ENG, of Camp Lejeune, N.C., is the executive officer and assistant officer-in-charge of the Officer in Charge of Construction Marine Corps Installations East.

He was selected for the prestigious award when Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic named him 2012 Engineer of the Year.

David E. Krzyzek, CBA, of Middletown, R.I., has been promoted to director of finance and administration by Rhode Island Monthly Communications.

`99 Richard G. Hein, GSO, of Reedsville, Wis., has been teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc since fall 2002. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Lawrence University before enrolling at the GSO. He was named a Wisconsin Idea Fellow for 2004-05.

`00 Julie A. Balunas, ENG, of Auburn, Mass., was promoted to legal officer at Middlesex Savings Bank.

`01 Christopher M. Ferretti, CBA, of Bayonne, N.J., is a professional actor and an aspiring television screenwriter who has been using his wit and a telephone to earn some extra cash by doing his Christopher Walken impression. For just $5 a pop, he’ll call as Christopher Walken and wish your friends a happy birthday or whatever else you want. He uses the website fiverr.com to attract clients.

Due to the current economic times, he knows itís tough for artists to pursue their dreams.

Marlon J. Mussington, A&S, of Pawtucket, R.I., a physical education teacher at the Paul Cuffee School in Providence, received the 2012 Unsung Hero for Youth Award from the National Association for Sport and Physical Education during the week long national convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

`02 Leonardi Aray, CELS, of Cambridge, Mass., reports that Leonardi Aray Architects recently completed the design of several thoughtful residential renovations and new office spaces. Please visit http://robots.

thoughtbot.com/page/4 to view a recent project. Leonardi Aray, AIA is providing professional support to the Westport Affordable Housing Trust Fund in Massachusetts. We just secured over half-million dollars from the Community Preservation Act to fund ongoing and future housing programs. Leonardi Aray Architects website will be up soon.

Amy M. Guimond, A&S, of Boynton Beach, Fla., recently published her first book, which has been included on the Nova Southeastern University newsletter and website. The review said, “Amy Guimond, a master’s degree graduate of the Department of Conflict Analysis and Resolution in the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, has published a book entitled Exploring Prejudice: One Woman’s Journey Beneath the Veil. The book chronicles her own insights and reflections during a 28 day period in which she wore a hijab.Amy is now pursuing her doctoral degree.

Sean F. Reid, CBA, of Cheshire, Conn., is associate dean of Quinnipiac University’s School of Business.

`06 Gary G. Krajewski, A&S, of Coventry, R.I., was recently hired as an information technologist in URI’s Division of Advancement Services. He started the job on February 7, 2012.

`07 Rachel L. Lessne, HS&S, of Wakefield, R.I., is this year’s recipient of the AATCC Young Entrepreneur Award.

Rachel was chosen for her holistic business approach and practices in achieving social, economic,and environmental, sustainability. Rachel opened Green Envy Eco Boutique combining her “love of the earth with a passion for fashion.” Green Envy Eco Boutique offers merchandise that is obtained by fair trade and made of natural, organic, and recycled materials.

`08 Jeremy S. Brayer, CBA, of Warwick, R.I., who earned his CPA designation in 2009 and plans to complete his M.B.A in December 2012, has been promoted to senior accountant by Sullivan & Company.

Adam Jannetta, A&S, of Smithfield, R.I., recently achieved his CCIE certification becoming #32385. He has been working as a network engineer at Atrion Networking Corporation since graduation.

`09 Jeffrey S. Ball, CBA, of Narragansett, R.I., who earned his CPA designation in 2011 from Sullivan & Company, has been promoted to the position of senior accountant.

cil. She is also a trustee for the URI Foundation. She served as chair of Sen. Jack Reed’s Women’s Advisory Council.

to an individual who has made a considerahble contribution to naval engineering through personal research during the previous three years.

provider with locations in Providence and Burrillville. She will oversee the operations of the center’s more than 40 distinct programs.

Jeffrey P. Rosenfeld, A&S, of Bayside, N.Y., writes: “I am pleased to announce the publication of my latest book, UnAssisted Living (Random House, 2011). The book, written with architect Wid Chapman, celebrates the Boomer quest for ageless homes and communities in later life.”

Eileen Meltzer Gannon, CBA, of Tampa, Fla., was recently promoted to senior director, customer service at WellCare Health Plans, Inc., in Tampa.

Nancy J. Roberts, NUR, of Narragansett, R.I., president and CEO of the VNA of Care New England, has been selected to be part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Innovation Advisors Program. This iniative will help health professionals deepen skills that will drive improvements to patient care and reduce costs.

`70 Henry Frank, CBA, of Narragansett, R.I., joined the Center for Workforce and Community Education as the program director for the Pathways to Advance Career Education grant the U.S. Department of Labor awarded to the Community College of Rhode Island.

`74 Jean P. Harrington, HS&S, of Naples, Fla., writes: “On January 2, 2012, the first in a series of my Murders by Design Mystery Series was released

by Carina Press in both e-book and audio format. Designed for Death is set in Naples, Fla., and is a lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek novel that combines mayhem with mirth. In December it will be released in print as part of Harlequin’s Worldwide Mystery Library. The second book in the series, The Monet Murders, is due for release on June 22, 2012.”

Douglas K. Ritter, A&S, of Southlake, Texas, writes: “I have been named president of USFI, a diversified marketing services and advertising company in Dallas. I give full credit to all the managers who have hired and/or promoted me along the way as well as to URI for giving me the background tools in my industry and also to a few key professors who have made so much difference in my life.”

`81 Julie Tierney Gerke, A&S, of Basking Ridge, N.J., is associate director of editorial services at Quintiles Medical Communications in Parsippany, N.J. She is training for her 30th marathon.

`83 Matthew W. Pierson, CBA, of Bedford, N.H., a high-tech investor and entrepreneur, was named 2012 Holloway Entrepreneur of the Year by the University of New Hampshire Whittemore School of Business and Economics. Now in its 10th year, the award is given to a business leader with a demonstrated commitment to the state’s business community and with a track record of creating entrepreneurial value by starting companies, supporting new ventures, and mentoring individuals engaged in business start-ups.

`85 Deborah Doucette O’Brien, NUR, of North Kingstown, R.I., has been promoted from chief operating officer to vice president and chief operating officer of The Providence Center, a nonprofit behavioral health care

`87 Michael E. Griffin, CBA, of Garden City, N.Y., was appointed to the position of assistant vice president for alumni relations at Fordham University.

`89 Adam M. Freifeld, A&S, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was promoted to vice president, communications for the NBC Sports Group. Adam has been with NBC Sports and Olympics since 2006 and leads communications efforts for many of NBC Sports Group’s properties including Sunday Night Football, the Olympics, and the Kentucky Derby.

`91 Michael J. Malone, A&S, of Hawthorne, N.Y., was inducted into the Village Lions Rugby Club Hall of Fame for his nearly two decades of service to the club as a player, administrator, and supporter.

`92 Michael I. Miga, ENG, of Franklin, Tenn., is an associate professor of biomedical engineering at Vanderbilt University. He received an award from the National Institutes of Health to improve the surgical care of liver cancer patients. For more information, go to http://engineering. vanderbilt.edu/BiomedicalEngineering/FacultyStaff/FacultyListing/ MikeMiga.aspx

`93 John J. Campanario, A&S, of New York, N.Y., is the digital media director and senior account executive for WWRL New York. John maintains the digital and mobile presence of the talk radio station that features local New York City hosts as well as national personalities like Ed Schultz and Randi Rhodes.

Tracy Leeann Jackson, A&S, of Norfolk, Va., became a national certified school counselor this past fall, making her one of 48 to hold that certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

`94 David M. Beauchamp, A&S, of Smithfield, R.I., joined North Star Marketing, a leading Rhode Island creative communications firm, as chief Make It Happen officer on March 28, 2012 Michelle F. Simpson-Siegel, HS&S, of Brattleboro, Vt., was appointed executive director at Oak Meadow

`77 Thomas E. Deller, A&S, of Providence, R.I., is a development services director in Hartford, Conn.

George S. LaCross, A&S, of Barrington, R.I., a Providence Journal employee since 1980, is the producer of the documentary Behind The Scenes At Knoebel’s Haunted House, which aired on WSBE Rhode Island PBS several times this past February.

`80 Jeffrey E. Boisvert, ENG, of Lincoln, R.I., a senior research scientist and mechanical engineer at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, was recently named the winner of the American Society of Naval Engineers Solberg Award. The Solberg award is presented annually

NORA LEWIS AND MICHAEL SALERNO

URI’s 2012 Diversity Awards winners were honored at the Diversity Awards Banquet held in the Memorial Union Ballroom on April 10. The 2012 Diversity Award for Lifetime Achievement was presented to John Ramos, M.P.A. ’87, (right with President Dooley), a former director of minority affairs at URI. As superintendent of the Bridgeport Public School District from 2005 to 2011, Ramos introduced data-based teaching that helped Bridgeport students register noteworthy educational gains.

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 31

Profile Focus: URI’s Newest Alums

Stephanie Barrena ’12

Golden Opportunities with Silver Nanoparticles

Erick Betancourt ’12

From Prison Cell to Actor’s Studio

Stephanie Barrena, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering on May 20, has had golden opportunities working with silver nanoparticles.

In the summer of 2011, Barrena participated in a 10-week research internship at Worcester Polytechnic Institute funded by the National Science Foundation. She was one of seven students selected from a 170-person applicant pool. She studied silver nanoparticles, tiny units of silver used in medical and commercial industries, from medicines to sunscreens.

Barrena presented her research on the toxicity of silver nanoparticles at the Biomedical Engineering Society Conference in October 2011. It is difficult to determine negative effects of the particles on human health, she said, but scientists are still searching for an answer.

Last spring, Barrena attended the Cleveland Clinic’s 4th Annual Aspiring Physicians and Research Scientists Conference, which serves as a networking opportunity and educational workshop for minority students from around the country. Barrena received a full scholarship to attend the conference. “The Cleveland Clinic is a great program; it inspires minority students to pursue something big in the medical field,” she said.

Barrena, a Dean’s List student from Johnston, R.I., excelled in the classroom. For her capstone senior design project, she collaborated with two other students to make an Android phone application that acts as a voice control television remote for people with muscular dystrophy. The team presented its project at the Northeast Bioengineering Conference in March.

“All of my classes have been so informative, and I have learned so much that can be applied to real-life situations,” said Barrena, who works at two private physicians practices as a physician’s assistant taking patients’ vitals.

“Choosing biomedical engineering as my major was the best decision I could have made.”

Barrena has applied to graduate schools with physician assistant master’s degree programs. She is also interested in cardiology and further nanoparticle research.

As Erick Betancourt drove onto campus one day in February, a belt broke on his 1996 Oldsmobile, making it impossible to drive.

As the rain poured down, the theater major abandoned the car and ran to class.

As the burly senior stepped into the Fine Arts Center, soaked through from the rain, he reflected on how different his life had become.

It was only 10 years ago that Betancourt, was driving luxury vehicles, wearing expensive clothes, and enjoying Providence nightclubs.

That morning run through the foul weather was enough to make the 32-year-old wonder if his time at URI was really worth it.

Until he checked his email.

Betancourt, who grew up in the Bronx and the Manton Heights area of Providence, learned he’d been accepted to The Actor’s Studio, the prestigious New York City school for professional actors, theater directors, and playwrights.

This story began while Betancourt was incarcerated in the Adult Correctional Institutions after being sentenced to three-and-ahalf years for possessing crack cocaine.

At the ACI, he met Bruce Reilly, an inmate who was writing a play. About a year after his release, Betancourt bumped into Reilly, whose play, House of Death, was in production at Providence’s Perishable Theater. Reilly gave Betancourt a few lines in the play, and everything just clicked.

Betancourt took acting classes at Trinity Repertory Company and auditioned at Perishable Theatre. He served as an extra on the Showtime series Brotherhood. And he enrolled at URI to study theater.

As a theater major, Betancourt not only performed in productions such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Tartuffe, he was also a teaching assistant for Theater 100 and worked with Talent Development freshmen, telling them about the value of education and hard work.

“I’m leaving URI and I owe money, but I’m going to bet onmyself again.” Betancourt said.

“If I have to spend a few years eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, I’m OK with that.”

—Danielle Sanda

—Brian Pernicone

NORA LEWIS AND MICHAEL SALERNO

Colleen Grinham ’12

Speaking the Languages Getting clean water to impoverished or drought-stricken areas requires political will and a small army of engineers. Colleen Grinham wants to be on the front lines, finding cheaper, faster and more environmentally friendly ways to treat wastewater.

“I never thought I would end up in my niche, but I’m glad I did,” says the civil engineering graduate. “I’ve always been putting myself out there to help others.”

Grinham has visited 26 countries, including a year in Germany as part of the University’s International Engineering Program.

For six months, she studied at the Technical University of Braunschweig and conducted research at the Institute of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering. There, she found ways to design wastewater treatment plants that can simultaneously filter water and use the methane released to generate electricity.

After her time in Braunschweig, Grinham traveled 200 miles to the southwest to intern at a Bayer plant in Leverkusen. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with German engineers, Grinham worked to improve Bayer’s wastewater treatment systems at the company’s plants around the world.

And the German engineers listened because Grinham spoke in flawless German thanks to courses she completed at URI. She complemented those lessons with Arabic classes and, crisscrossing Europe, she picked up Greek, Spanish and Italian language skills.

“Learning the language is a way to connect with people, and I’ve had the chance to apply that principle to engineering as well,” said Grinham, who served as president of the URI chapter of the Society for Women Engineers.

As a URI junior she traveled to Guatemala with a group of students to design a sustainable system of converting animal wastes into usable byproducts. The biodigester they developed turned the waste into a concentrated liquid fertilizer and produced methane for cooking.

Among the numerous awards Grinham has received was a transportation fellowship to the University of Puerto Rico, where she spent a summer training as a traffic engineer.

—Todd McLeish

VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 33

`11 Caitlin M. Floskis, A&S, of Wakefield, R.I., is director of fundraising and events for The Matty Siravo Fund.

Caitlin has been a volunteer at the fund since its inception eight years ago.

Danielle Henderson, A&S, of Wakefield, R.I., was recognized as an Honored Instuctor by students living in university housing at Wisconsin University.

Emma J. Weiler, A&S, of Cambridge, Mass., is the librarian at the New Youth Library in North Reading, Mass.

WEDDINGS

Join online at advance.uri.edu/alumni/membership URI Alumni Association Membership Options Types of membership: Individual @ $35 per year Couple @ $50 per year Golden Grad @ $15 per year Golden Grad Couple @ $30 per year

Become a member today

Brian W. ‘00 and Emily Roberts Burke ‘00, a daughter, Maya Louise, on November 15, 2011.

Kevin T. Brooks ‘03 and Brooke A. Spencer-Brooks ‘02, a son, Coleton Thomas, on January 1, 2012.

IN MEMORIAM

Philip Mucci ‘34 of Providence, R.I., on April 5, 2012.

Joseph Libutti ‘37 of North Providence, R.I., on January 29, 2011.

L o u i s Pe t r u cc i ‘ 3 7 o f N o r t h Providence, R.I., on February 8, 2012.

Amy E. O’Neil ‘94 to Brett M. Simmons, on September 17, 2011.

Irving Waltcher ‘38 of New York, N.Y., on March 17, 2012.

Fernando Pinhancos ‘97 to Jennifer Iasiello, on November 5, 2011.

Rose Bishop Bomba ‘39 of Lisbon, N.H., on March 12, 2010.

John S. Giusti ‘99 to Bethany Richmond, on September 10, 2011.

Antonio Iodice ‘39 of Providence, R.I., on April 13, 2012.

Andrea J. Lima ‘03 to Brad A. Dufault, on June 25, 2011.

Harold Rakatansky ‘40 o f Providence, R.I., on March 15, 2012.

Patrick K. Martin ‘04 to Kelly A. DiBisceglie, on September 3, 2011.

Alfred Gadrow ‘41 of Wakefield, R.I., on May 5, 2012.

Alison E. Mills ‘05 to Adam Avila, on August 13, 2011.

Nathan Shippee ‘41 of Old Lyme, Conn., on March 20, 2012.

Richard P. Stadnick ‘05 to Clarissa R. Sagastume, on October 8, 2011.

Milton Stanzler ‘41 of Cranston, R.I., on March 6, 2012.

Lindsey M. Pollard ‘06 to Michael Nelson ‘06, on May 21, 2011.

Anna Moskalyk Tucker ‘41 of Bristol, R.I., on February 16, 2012.

Kristina M. Cinquegrana ‘07 to Daniel J. Petrilli ‘07, on May 29, 2011.

Francis Obradovich ‘42 of Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 14, 2012.

Carla White ‘07 to Robert P. Elllis, on August 25, 2011.

Paul Cardin ‘43 of Barrington, R.I., on April 3, 2012.

Sara A. Spinella ‘08 to Ryan J. Petit, on June 18, 2011.

Anne Palow Mushnick ‘43 of West Palm Beach, Fla., on March 10, 2012.

Jenalee DiCarlo ‘09 to Jarad Lepore, on July 30, 2011.

Paul Ross ‘43 of Forked River, N.J., on March 7, 2012.

BIRTHS

Louiseannette Platt Wright ‘43 of Brunswick, Maine, on February 28, 2012.

Kristen B. Bartlett ‘98 and Sean P. Healy ‘93, a son, Ryan Frost Healy, on February 22, 2012.

Paul and Kara Infante D’Agostino ‘98, a daughter, Gianna Leigh, on October 20, 2011.

Helen Westlake DeMayo ‘44 of Narragansett, R.I., on July 11, 2011.

Marie O’Brien ‘47 of Cranston, R.I., on May 10, 2009.

CLASSPICS Share your big moments. uri.edu/quadangles

34 QUAD ANGLES SUMMER 2012 | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

Henry Jackson ‘48 of Vestal, N.Y., on May 24, 2011.

Marion Sundquist Moore ‘48 of Wakefield, R.I., on May 21, 2012.

E. Mason Biggs ‘49 of Lemoyne, Pa., on June 19, 2011.

James Gifford ‘50 of Cranston, R.I., on May 27, 2012.

Marshall Nordquist ‘50 of North Scituate, R.I., on March 17, 2012.

Ernest Bernier ‘51 of Charlestown, R.I., on May 22, 2012.

Helen Cruickshank ‘51 of Saint George, Utah, on March 8, 2012.

Professor Emerita Agnes Doody (in purple) joined graduates of URI’s Executive Master’s of Business Administration (EMBA) program for a reunion reception on May 18 at the W. Alton Jones Campus Whispering Pines Center.

Albert Romboni ‘51 of Mystic, Conn., on December 23, 2011.

Nimrod Torkomian ‘51 of Murphy, Texas, on July 28, 2011.

Inset: Tom Mitchell, M.C.P. ‘81, director of the W. Alton Jones Campus, talks to EMBA reunion attendess about the ongoing celebration of the 50th anniversary of the W. Alton Jones Campus.

John Jagschitz ‘52 of Newport, R.I., on November 10, 2011.

Joseph Leary ‘52 of East Greenwich, R.I., on June 2, 2012.

David Schwamberger ‘53 of Tampa, Fla., on December 7, 2011.

Joseph Dimase ‘54 of Warwick, R.I., on April 28, 2012.

Charles Nardone ‘54 of North Stonington, Conn., on April 19, 2012.

Gilbert Allebaugh Lamb ‘55 of Brewster, Mass., on March 5, 2012.

Christos Latos ‘55 of Cranston, R.I., on November 22, 2008.

Richard Strauss ‘55 of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on May 24, 2012.

Robert Morris ‘56 of Warwick, R.I., on April 15, 2012.

Guido Rizzo ‘56 of Narragansett, R.I., on May 20, 2012.

Albert Saunders ‘56 of Portsmouth, R.I., on March 7, 2012.

William Baker ‘57 of Portsmouth, N.H., on May 12, 2012.

Bruce Lang ‘57 of Newport, R.I., on March 28, 2012.

John Fabian ‘58 of Coppell, Texas, on March 26, 2012.

William Koury ‘58 of Framingham, Mass., on February 1, 2012.

Daniel McConaghy ‘59 of The Villages, Fla., on July 25, 2011.

Patricia Cline Burt ‘69 of East Hampton, Conn., on October 5, 2011.

Stuart Cowen ‘74 of North Kingstown, R.I., on March 18, 2012.

Jean Cartier ‘60 of North Kingstown, R.I., on March 13, 2012.

David Vigneau ‘69 of West Warwick, R.I., on April 24, 2012.

William Hall ‘74 of Lockport, N.Y., on February 3, 2012.

Ronald Tillier ‘61 of Woolford, Md., on January 22, 2012.

Paul Helweg ‘70 of North Kingstown, R.I., on May 3, 2012.

Robert Raymond ‘74 of Jamaica Plain, Mass., on February 27, 2012.

George Evans ‘62 of Saint Petersburg, Fla., on November 6, 2011.

Margaret Laurence ‘70 of Wakefield, R.I., on March 2, 2012.

Carole McSweeney White ‘74 of Sarasota, Fla., on January 28, 2012.

Steve Alves ‘63 of West Warwick, R.I., on April 14, 2012.

Dennis Lyons ‘70 of Warwick, R.I., on January 24, 2012.

Colleen Smith Akers ‘75 of Seekonk, Mass., on May 5, 2012.

Muriel Shapiro Lash Cornell ‘63 of West Palm Beach, Fla., on April 7, 2012.

Richard Gravel ‘71 of Glocester, R.I., on April 15, 2012.

Diana Barnes ‘75 of Lawrence, Mass., on April 27, 2012.

Doris Hertneck Johnson ‘71 of Lincoln, R.I., on November 4, 2011.

Barbara Allen ‘76 of Seekonk, Mass., on May 29, 2012.

Ralph Silva ‘71 of Oklahoma City, Okla., on May 6, 2012.

Alice Parker ‘76 of Providence, R.I., on January 15, 2012.

Alice Surabian Veznaian ‘71 of Warwick, R.I., on March 6, 2012.

Margaret Laffey Beagen ‘77 of West Warwick, R.I., on March 3, 2012.

M a r y D o n ova n F i n g e r ‘ 7 2 o f Pawtucket, R.I., on May 10, 2012.

Susan Gelsomino Corseri ‘78 of Portsmouth, R.I., on March 5, 2012.

Jerald Hassard ‘72 o f N o r t h Kingstown, R.I., on February 4, 2012.

Madonna Barrett Nolan ‘78 of Lincoln, R.I., on May 16, 2012.

Leslie Brigham ‘73 of Barrington, R.I., on April 25, 2012.

Edna Sonkin ‘78 of South Pasadena, Fla., on May 29, 2012.

Linda Ferraro ‘73 of Bel Air, Md., on May 5, 2012.

Percy Davis ‘79 of Fort Washington, Md., on February 27, 2012.

Angela Jordan ‘73 of Seekonk, Mass., on February 13, 2012.

David Richards ‘80 of Smithfield, R.I., on September 14, 2011.

Steven Pennacchini ‘73 of East Hampton, Conn., on February 10, 2012.

Natale Jabour ‘81 of Brookline, Mass., on March 29, 2012.

William Proulx ‘63 of Bedford, Ky., on February 9, 2012.

John Rowley ‘64 of Yardley, Pa., on November 15, 2011.

James Sullivan ‘65 of Bristol, R.I., on March 8, 2012.

Barbara Merrill Bushnell ‘66 of East Providence, R.I., on May 14, 2011.

Barbara Files Albee ‘67 of Bristol, R.I., on February 26, 2012.

David Ward ‘67 of Groton, Conn., on May 20, 2012.

Howard D. “Pat” Wilcox ‘67 of Salem, S.C., on March 11, 2012.

Vincent Volpe ‘58 of Johnston, R.I., on April 1, 2012.

Barbara Montanaro Palumbo ‘68 of East Greenwich, R.I., on March 3, 2012.

Harold Voorhees ‘58 of Powderly, Texas, on December 11, 2010.

Lawrence Popkin ‘68 of Rehoboth, Mass., on April 24, 2012.

NORA LEWIS

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 35

Dennis Gagnon ‘84 of Riverside, R.I., on February 28, 2012.

Robert Taylor ‘84 of East Greenwich, R.I., on May 28, 2012.

William Stang ‘85 of Warwick, R.I., on April 16, 2012.

Bernadette Rocha Spicola ‘87 of Portsmouth, R.I., on May 25, 2012.

Kurt Lovell ‘91 of North Smithfield, R.I., on July 19, 2011.

David Burk ‘96 of Rockville, Md., on November 8, 2011.

Alfred Coletti ‘97 of Warwick, R.I., on April 6, 2012.

Christopher Enfanto ‘02 of Boston, Mass., on May 16, 2010.

C h r i st i n e D i a s - V i e i ra ‘ 0 5 o f Riverside, R.I., on April 27, 2012.

IN MEMORIAM FACULTY Peter B. Lord, M.M.A. ’05, age 60, a lecturer in journalism and journalism director of the Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Journalism at the Bay Campus, died on April 4, 2012, of a malignant brain tumor.

He was a Wakefield resident.

Lord joined The Providence Journal as a reporter in 1979 after working for six years at The Day in New London, Conn. He was assigned to cover the environment in 1981. He was manager of The Journal’s West Bay bureau for several years before transferring to the main newsroom in Providence.

He reported on a wide range of local and national environmental issues from efforts to clean up Narragansett Bay to oil spills to global climate change.

In 2005, Lord wrote “Saving Block Island,” a seven-part series on the efforts of Block Island residents to preserve much of the island as open space. The series was one of The Journal’s first extensive multimedia efforts and included a photo slideshow, which Lord narrated. For other stories, he traveled as far as the Arctic Circle, Central America, Scotland, and Hawaii. For many years, he wrote the weekly Environmental Journal column in The Sunday Journal. His coverage won first place awards from the Associated Press Managing Editors, the Rhode Island Press Association, the Environmen-

tal Protection Agency, and the New England Associated Press News Executives Association, which honored him in 2005 with its Master Reporter award. In March 2012, the Rhode Island Natural History Survey recognized his lifetime achievements with its Distinguished Naturalist Award.

Lord graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1973 and taught journalism classes there.

He was a board member of the Society of Environmental Journalists.

Besides his wife, Mary Ann, he leaves three children: James, Kathryn, and Peter Benjamin. Memorial donations may be made to the Peter Lord Environmental Journalism Scholarship Fund, c/o URI Foundation, 79 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI 02881.

Scott Nixon, professor of oceanography and UNESCO-Cousteau chair of coastal ecology and global assessment, died unexpectedly on May 21. He was director of Rhode Island Sea Grant from 1984 to 2000, president of the Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation, and vice-chair of a National Research Council committee on Everglades Restoration.

He was a world leader in the study of how coastal and estuarine ecosystems work, initially using Narragansett Bay as his laboratory and employing mesocosms to measure respiration and production at a community level. This began his long and detailed exploration of the bay, and especially the role nutrients play in its ecology. While his findings helped define our understanding of marine ecosystems locally, Nixon applied his knowledge at broader scales too, exploring marine ecosystems around the world and comparing and contrasting them to shape a global view that he then used to challenge scientific dogma.

He was a member of the National Research Council’s Ocean Studies Board, a national associate of the National Academies of Science, chair of the NRC committee to review the Florida Keys Carrying Capacity Assessment Model, and member of the NRC committee to review the Louisiana Coastal Restoration Plan.

He was a past co-editor of Estuaries and Coasts and a member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Massachusetts Bay Outfall Monitor-

Submit your own class note online You can also search notes by name, class year, and college, and read them online. Log in through Eservices at advance.uri.edu/eservices/login.asp

36 QUAD ANGLES SUMMER 2012 | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

SAVE THE DATE! The Seventh Annual Distinguished Achievement Awards will be held on October 27, 2012. More information coming soon. ing Scientific Advisory Committee.

A graduate of the University of Delaware who earned his Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina, Nixon played a significant role in the lives of many graduate students.

Memorial donations may be made to the Scott W. Nixon Memorial Fund at the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF), P.O. Box 510, Port Republic, MD, 20676.

Niels Rorholm, age 90, professor emeritus of resource economics, died on February 26, 2012. Born in Denmark on April 14, 1922, he grew up in Aarhus and became a devoted sailor at an early age. During the Nazi occupation of Denmark, he was active in the resistance. In 1949, he emigrated to the United States.

He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1954 and then joined the faculty of the University of Rhode Island. He was an innovator in resource economics and served as both professor and chair of the Department of Resource Economics from 1957–1970. In 1971 he became director of the URI Sea Grant College program, which he administered with distinction until 1984. Under his leadership, the URI Sea Grant program became one of the largest and most successful programs of applied research and education in marine sciences and resource development in the nation. In 1984, the 98th U.S. Congress recognized Rorholm for his outstanding contributions and service to the nation’s marine resources and services program.

He is survived by his daughters Pamela Price ’75 and Ellie (Zellers) Harrison; two grandsons, and a great-grandson. Memorial donations may be made to Save the Bay, 100 Save the Bay Drive, Providence, RI 02905.

Charles T. (Ted) Schmidt Jr., 77, professor emeritus of industrial relations and founder and former director of the Charles T. Schmidt Labor Research Center, died on May 31, 2012. He was a resident of Saunderstown, R.I. He received a Ph.D. from Michigan State University, his master’s in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University’s

ILR School, an M.B.A. from Northeastern University, and a B.S. from the University of Massachusetts. He came to URI in 1968 as an associate professor of industrial relations.

From 1975–1978, he served as senior technical advisor and expert in industrial relations to the government of Zambia under the auspices of the International Labor Organization/United Nations in Zambia and Geneva. He retired from URI in 1998 at which time the Labor Research Center was named in his honor. He was also a labor arbitrator and mediator and served on many panels in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He has written articles and co-authored two books on public sector collective bargaining. In 1984, he was elected as the founding president of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Industrial Relations Research Association. He was the 1994 recipient of the Director’s Award of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. In 2003, the Institute of Industrial Relations at Providence College presented him with the Rev. Charles B. Quirk Award.

An avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, he was the first governor of the Red Sox Nation for Rhode Island.

In addition to his wife, Phyllis, he is survived by a son, Charles T. (Chuck) Schmidt V ’85, M.A. ’89; three daughters: Cynthia (Cindy) Schmidt Moran, Christine Schmidt ’86, and Kim Malone; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Ronald N. Stabile, age 58, a lecturer in music education and percussion, died on March 21, 2012. A freelance percussionist in the Providence and Southern New England area he was a member of the Rhode Island Philharmonic for 14 years and performed with the New Music Ensemble in Providence, the Boston Festival Orchestra, the Great Woods Festival Orchestra, and various Providence area road shows. He received a Master’s in Music from the University of Southern Oregon in 2003.

He was the husband of Caroline M. “Carrie” Curtis. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Profile Focus: URI’s Newest Alums

Will St. Germaine with his mentor, Franco Lo Presti.

Franco Lo Presti ’12

Model, Mentor, Soccer Player

The friendship between 6-foot, 3-inch Franco Lo Presti, former captain and center fullback on the Rams’ soccer team, and ten-year-old Will St. Germaine, a boy with a developmental disability, began in October 2010 when the squad ran a clinic for the Chariho Youth Soccer Club.

“I saw this little boy practicing by himself, so I went over and we began talking and kicking the ball,” said Lo Presti, who hails from Toronto, Canada. “Will is like a little brother to me. He has taught me so much, to appreciate the good moments in life and to appreciate people.”

Lo Presti extended himself in other ways too.

“He sings and plays guitar and regularly entertained us on road trips,” said soccer coach John O’Connor.

And when Vanessa Villegas, a member of the Ramettes, approached him about modeling, Lo Presti took her up on it. “I was walking to class one day when Vanessa stopped me and asked, ‘Are you a model?’ I laughed when she suggested a test shoot, but she encouraged me because she models in New York and knows the industry.”

Since then, Lo Presti has been heading to New York most weekends for photo sessions. “I signed a contract with Click Model Management, Inc., out of New York,” he said. “I had a recent casting with French designer Givenchy for the fashion shows in Paris in June. I haven’t heard yet whether I will be modeling.”

He is also trying to build a career in professional soccer. “My goal is to play professionally in Europe, but I won’t rule out playing for a team in Major League Soccer or other professional leagues in North America.”

Lo Presti has been thinking about his experiences at URI, including a writing internship in the Department of Communications & Marketing: “I had some great professors like Alan Hawkridge, Richardson Smith, and Regina Bell. I made so many great friends on the soccer team—I’m going to miss them.”

—Dave Lavallee ’79, M.P.A. ’87

VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

MICHAEL SALERNO

Mary McGunigal ’12

Tony Poon ’12

There are theories about left brain and right brain preferences. Mary McGunigal prefers both sides. While attending URI, she has sat comfortably at the intersection of science and the humanities. She can discuss Plato and Cicero and the complexities of the stigma of HIV and AIDS patients with equal ease.

When she received her degree in classical studies at Commencement on May 20, she also delivered the student commencement speech. In September she will enter the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, ranked among the top 20 medical schools in the country.

In her Commencement speech, McGunigal spoke about time and passion: “I see passion in the graceful limbs of dancers in late-night practice, in the glinting brass instruments of the pep band, in the knitted brows topped with orange bandannas of the Humans versus Zombies players.”

Her passion for medicine began flared in a ninth grade anatomy course at the Prout School in Wakefield, R.I. She followed a pre-med program while attending URI as a Centennial Scholar and was admitted to The Mount Sinai Humanities and Medicine Early Acceptance Program as a sophomore.

The Mt. Sinai program allowed McGunigal to shadow doctors from a variety of specialties at Mt. Sinai Hospital every summer, but she hasn’t yet settled on a specialty: “I’m interested in everything,” she says.

She was president of the Classics Society during her senior year at URI, and helped plan movies, museum trips, and lectures for the student organization.

She pounded nails helping to build a Habitat for Humanity house during a spring break and completed an internship at The Miriam Hospital. She was a teaching assistant for Greek 102 and a research assistant in the Honors Program.

URI runs in the McGunigal family genes.

Older sister Lisa ’09 is now a graduate student at Penn State, and younger sister Jennifer has just completing her freshman year with a focus on engineering.

Hidden from the headlines declaring record unemployment for college graduates are the Tony Poons of the world. A supply chain major, Poon has been working fulltime as a weapon system manager for the U.S. Army since the end of January.

“Not many people understand how the U.S. military works,” said Poon, a civilian employee at the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Mass. “We manage what a soldier eats, sleeps in, uses, and wears.”

Poon was first a work-study office assistant then a teacher’s assistant in the College of Business Administration. In his freshman year, he established mentoring relationships with Associate Dean Shaw K. Chen and Associate Professor Douglas Hales. “I was really fortunate to have great resources like Professor Hales and Dean Chen. Under their guidance, I learned to approach professors for advice,” Poon said.

As president of the Supply Chain Management Club, Poon created a LinkedIn group not only to connect students and alumni, but also as a way to network with potential employers.

“Knowing the right people can get you the right job at the right place,” he said. “The connections made with professors and other students in college can last a lifetime.”

Poon, whose given name is Heung Wing, came to the United States from Hong Kong when he was nine. He graduated from Barrington (R.I.) High School and arrived at URI determined to work hard and graduate early, packing in six courses every semester. He gathered enough credits to graduate in December.

“I was initially an accounting major, but I chose supply chain because it’s a really dynamic and versatile major,” said Poon. “After my first Supply Chain Management Club meeting, I talked to Professor James Kroes, one of the supply chain professors, who facilitated the event. From that point on, I became really interested in this field. So I have to thank him for getting me into this major.”

Left Brain/Right Brain

Supply Chain Manager

— Ericka Tavares ’88

VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

—Jan Wenzel ’87

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 37

Summer Reflections If career issues are on your mind, take some time this summer to reflect. Listed below are some ideas that may help. You might be surprised what you discover. And, don’t forget—your URI alumni career advisors are here to help with your careerrelated questions throughout the summer.

The Strong Interest Inventory© This is a short online assessment that takes 25 minutes or less to complete. URI alumni registered on RhodyNet have the opportunity to take the assessment for free. The result is a 14-page report that allows you to reflect on potential career paths, industries, and roles you may have never considered. Your URI alumni career advisor will spend time assisting you with an assessment interpretation. If you are interested in this assessment, call or email Alumni Career Services.

For more information about Career Services for URI alumni, please contact:

Karen Rubano Alumni Career Services 228 Roosevelt Hall 90 Lower College Road Kingston, RI 02881 p. 401.874.9404 f. 401.874.5525 e. krubano@uri.edu w. advance.uri.edu/alumni/careerservices/advisor.htm Karen Rubano

Marie Geary Alumni Career Services 228 Roosevelt Hall 90 Lower College Road Kingston, RI 02881 p. 401.874.9404 f. 401.874.5525 e. mrgeary@uri.edu w. advance.uri.edu/alumni/careerservices/advisor.htm Marie Geary

38 QUAD ANGLES SUMMER 2012 | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

Mix It Up It’s always an eye-opener to examine the variety of roles that exist within a functional area. For example, take the area of “sales.” Go to URI Career Services RhodyNet, www.indeed.com, or www. simplyhired.com. In the search box, use “sales” as your key word but mix it up a bit by looking at sales administration, sales support, field office sales, sales by industry, sales training, sales operations, sales regulation, sales documentation, phonebased sales, institutional sales, sales research, and sales communication—all examples of creative ways to filter roles within the sales function. As you see jobs you never knew existed, you might gain a new perspective on your career. Keep a notebook handy and record any new discoveries that catch your interest.

Barbecue Chats Put on the grill, invite the neighbors, and don’t hesitate to talk about careers! Most people like to talk about their work and you can learn a lot by listening. Relaxing career talk can bring out ideas, new knowledge, and new contacts. In a comfortable atmosphere people are more likely to be candid about what they love and do not love about their careers—and why. This information can be very helpful as you reflect on your own career.

E H T E V SA

!

E T A D

URI Night with the PawSox Friday, August 17, 2012 McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket.

A great night at the ballpark for alumni and their families as the PawSox take on the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees.

Before the game, meet our special guest Joe Morgan, former manager of the Boston Red Sox and the PawSox. The evening also includes a barbecue and a raffle.

Presented by URI Athletics and the URI Alumni Association For more information, please contact Chris DiSano at 401.874.4536 or at cdisano@advance.uri.edu.

NORA LEWIS NORA LEWS AND MICHAEL SALERNO

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 39

BACKPAGE Suited Up for Henley

T

he occasion was a June 1 luncheon

at the URI president’s home in

honor of the women’s crew team

and the 20 rowers who would be competing in the Henley Women’s Regatta, the first time in the 25 years of the event that URI has participated.

“Our rowers looked ever so proper,” blogged junior Hannah Johnson in her best British English. “The entire team was decked out in our London attire generously donated by Jones New York: Pewter colored skirts, white blouses, and navy blazers emblazoned with a gold anchor.”

Also on the docket for the day was the naming of racing shells. The boats now bear the names of six women who have been long-time supporters of women’s athletics at URI: Wilma Briggs; Mary “Murph” Carmody ’82; Mary “Polly” Eddy, Hon. ’88; Eleanor “Ellie” Lemaire; Blanche Murray 41; and Carolyn “Carrie” Nally, Hon. ’90. Cheers erupted as each honoree splashed champagne on the bow of her namesake boat.

Above, clockwise from left, a rowing shell; Henley competitors in uniforms designed

by URI Textile, Fashion Merchandising and Design students; Polly Eddy christens her namesake boat; .

UPDATE: Because of stormy weather, The Henley Women’s Regatta was unusually challenging, with some races being scratched in favor of time trials.

VIDEO | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

40 QUAD ANGLES SUMMER 2012 | URI.EDU/QUADANGLES

NORA LEWIS

the university of rhode island and cox communications

partners in the future think broadband think fiber-optic network think 44 miles of high speed data think what we will do together think big we do Internet connectivity at the University of Rhode Island will soon become faster thanks to more than $3 million in grants obtained from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Energy. Cox Communications has installed 44 miles of fiber optic cable connecting the Kingston campus, the Narragansett Bay Campus, and connections to the $30 million Ocean State Higher Education Economic Development and Administrative Network (OSHEAN). This network will provide high-speed access to all members, and will include links to the W. Alton Jones and Feinstein Providence campuses. URI’s Tyler Hall data center will serve as the communications hub for the entire southern portion of the state network. With greater bandwidth, URI can run high definition video, have crystal clear telephone connections, and be able to offer advanced video conferencing.

Alumni Center 73 Upper College Road Kingston, RI 02881 USA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Permit No. 937 East Greenville, PA

HOMECOMING 2012 October 26–28 advance.uri.edu/alumni

a Plan ming co Home Reunion Class s year! n thi ni Associatio lum 54 74.48 401.8

URI A