QUADANGLES
Summer 2013
Summer Reading, URI Style
What’s in Your Beach Bag?
QUADANGLES
sUmmer 2013 | Volume 20, No. 4
Departments
Features
2 FeedBack
16 Soccer Scores Big for R.I.
4 President’sView
8 News&Views
A major youth tournament at URI kick-starts the tourist season.
18 Summer Reading
14 PressBox
30 AlumniChapters
URI authors’ new books for every reading taste
32 ClassActs
News from your classmates
CloseUps 6 Bisola Omisore ’13 7 Angela Gasparri ’13 34 William “Kohl” Brinkman ’13 36 Elaine Drake ’13 40 BackPage
Surfer/Software Engineer Dennis Ryan ’96
More Online uri.edu/quadangles
See the whole print issue and so much more! Follow the orange arrow icon to see exclusive online content.
Share stories with friends and family. Post your comments. Video | uri.edu/quadangles “New Digs” A video tour of the Kingston Campus
Pharmacy Garden Rededication
Hazardous Waste Drill
Class Pics Enjoy, comment, and send your pics!
COVER photo by Nora Lewis; IFC by Joe Giblin; Contents photo by Michael Salerno
22 22 20,000 Voices
Naomi Thompson, Liz Walker, and Annie M. Kosar open a big discussion about Community, Equity, and Diversity at URI.
24 School’s Never Out
OLLI’s endless opportunities for lifelong learners
28 Retreat and Renewal
Support for parents of autistic children
FEEDBACK To the Editor:
The Editor Responds:
Where are URI’s newest buildings?
To help fulfill our readers’ requests for more images of campus, our Department of Communications and Community Relations teamed up with the Office of Admission to produce a spectacular “Virtual Walking Tour” video, complete with aerial footage.
I agree with Catherine Lanni [spring 2013 letter writer] and appreciate pictures in and out of the new buildings. One step further—could you produce a map? chart??—some way so us oldsters could see where these new buildings fit in with older buildings. Also, pg. 3, name of the buildings, especially top and bottom pictures. I think I know them—back in my time—different angle.
uri.edu/quadangles
Many thanks, Shirley A. (Whitcomb) Bentley ’52 Wolfeboro, N.H.
Photos from last issue, top to bottom: Green Hall; Ranger Hall, seen from the Quad; Memorial Union; Lippitt Hall, renovated in 2009 and adorned with a sculpture by Jamestown artist Peter Diepenbrock.
P.S. The whole CON article is great [College of Nursing: “Nursing Profs Deliver Big Baby News” in the spring 2013 issue]. Us “oldsters” really started something. Newest Residential Life Buildings
Newest Academic buildings
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Beck Baseball Field
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PRESIDENT’S HOUSE
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PARKING SERVICES
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East Alum
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PHI GAMMA DELTA
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Football Practice Field
TYLER
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Plains Rd.
Courtyard & Medicinal Garden
WOODWARD
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WILEY HALL
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CENTER FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY AND LIFE SCIENCES
No Parking
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WOMEN’S CENTER UNDERGRAD ADMISSION UNIVERSITY GATEWAY APTS
QUADANGLES A quarterly publication of the University of Rhode Island Alumni Association, 73 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI 02881. p: 401.874.2242. Executive Editor Michele A. Nota ’87, M.S. ’06, Executive Director, URI Alumni Relations; Secretary, Alumni Association
Editor-in-Chief
Art Director
Gigi Edwards Kim Robertson
Contributing Editors Barbara Caron Shane Donaldson ’99 Brittni Henderson Kate O’Malley Amy Paulsen Cindy Sabato Contributing Designers Johnson Ma Bo Pickard Verna Thurber Photographer
Why I support the Alumni Association Most people develop their Rhody Pride when they get their undergraduate education. But Louise Thorson, newly elected president of the URI Alumni Association, got hers as a member of the M.B.A. class of ’85. Thorson’s URI M.B.A. led her to a career in banking, where she has had the opportunity to work in a broad variety of areas, including risk, product, sales, and marketing management, and currently capital management. After serving on the Alumni Board Finance Committee, Thorson wanted to give back more to the University that had done so much for her. Subsequently, she served as Alumni Board treasurer from 2008 to 2010 and as vice president/president-elect from 2010 to 2013. In addition to her work on the Finance Committee, Thorson has been an active member of the Marketing, Audit, and Funding Committees. So, why the Alumni Association? As Thorson explains, the mission of the Alumni Association is to inform and engage current and future alumni as committed partners of the University, its mission and traditions. As Thorson notes, “The success of the Alumni Association is a team effort, and together we can accomplish great things. We constantly need to be thinking about how we best engage with our current students, as well as with our broad and diverse base of alumni, here in Rhode Island, around the country, and more and more, around the world.” She is excited to have the opportunity to work with a tremendously talented Alumni Board, committee chairs and members, and staff to further the Alumni Association mission, building on past successes and developing new initiatives to reach into the future. “We all need to think of ourselves as ambassadors for the Association and the University.”
Photos by Nora Lewis; Joe Giblin; Kim Robertson
Nora Lewis
Editorial Board Kerrie Bennett M.B.A. ’06, Interim Executive Director, URI Communications and Community Relations Linda A. Acciardo ’77, Director, URI Communications and Marketing Russell Kolton, Director, URI Publications Dave Lavallee ’79, M.P.A. ‘87, Assistant Director, URI Communications and Marketing Tracey A. Manni, Director of Communications, URI Foundation URI Alumni Relations Staff Chris DiSano, Specialist Jericka Fernandez, Program Assistant Robert Ferrell ’07, Specialist 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 Mary Ann Mazzone, Office Assistant Kate Serafini ’08, Specialist Gina Simonelli ’01, M.S.’03, Assistant Director Alumni Association Louise H. Thorson M.B.A.’85, President Executive Board Joseph M. Confessore ’96, Past President Susan R. Johnson ’82, Vice President Kathleen P. O’Donnell ’90, Vice President Benjamin W. Tuthill ’04, Treasurer Alumni Association Laurel L. Bowerman ’77, M.B.A. ’84 Councilors-at-Large William M. Dolan III ’81 Matthew T. Finan ’11 Colleen Gouveia M.B.A.’98 Tyrene A. Jones ’10 Brina R. Masi ’01 Edwin R. Pacheco ’05 Gregory S. Perry ’88 Darran A. Simon ’98 Christos S. Xenophontos ’84, M.S.’85 Alumni Association Representatives Arts & Sciences Catherine Gagnon ’98, M.M.’03 Business Administration Jordan D. Kanter ’99, M.S.’00 Feinstein Continuing Education Edward Bozzi Jr. ’68 Engineering Daniel G. Lowney ’75 Environment and Life Sciences Catherine Weaver ’82, B.L.A.’96 Human Science & Services Christine S. Pelton ’84 Nursing Denise A. Coppa ’72, Ph.D.’02 Pharmacy Henrique “Henry” Pedro ’76 Graduate School of Oceanography Veronica M. Berounsky Ph.D. ’91 Faculty Senate Andrea L. Yates ’94, Ph.D.’06 Student Senate Matthew Kilduff, Class of ’15 Student Alumni Association Stephen Petrarca, Class of ’14 URI Foundation Thomas J. Silvia ’83 The URI Alumni Association informs and engages current and future alumni as committed partners of the University, its mission and traditions.
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 3
PRESIDENT’SVIEW Congratulations to the Class of 2013 You have been an integral part of a diverse community of talented people who constantly “Think Big.” To meet some of our newest graduates, see the CloseUps in this issue (pages 6, 7, 34, and 36).
Dear Class of 2013, It is my deepest hope for each of you that during your time at the University of Rhode Island you have discovered new things about yourself and that you have defined what you would like to do to transform the world and make it a better place. You have the opportunity, which many of you have already seized, to join with others in creating a new and better future. Our graduates are powerful and inspirational reminders of the most important outcome of the University’s work: education of people who are better prepared and empowered to pursue their hopes and aspirations, and to do so with respect, understanding, and appreciation for others. You have been an integral part of a diverse community of talented people who constantly “Think Big.” Using the knowledge and wisdom you have gained, I believe that you are ready to innovate, renew, and rebuild a vibrant and sustainable future for Rhode Island, our nation, and the world. Know that you have left your mark—your activities and accomplishments are a part of the permanent record of your alma mater. We hope in return that we have left an indelible impression on you—that you have a new purposefulness and have set your feet upon a new path because of the patterns of thought and the knowledge that you have acquired here. Wherever you go and whatever you do, your alma mater will have a continued interest in you and your accomplishments. Congratulations to the University of Rhode Island Class of 2013! Sincerely, David M. Dooley President, University of Rhode Island
4 QUADANGLES Summer 2013
Photos | Videos | uri.edu/quadangles
Photos by Nora Lewis
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 5
Bisola Omisore ’13
considered admission to three prestigious graduate programs before deciding to enroll at Northwestern University next year. Of Togolese and Nigerian parentage, he was born in the Bronx, N.Y., attended middle school in North Providence, and went on to boarding school in Lagos, Nigeria. A scholarship from the Ida & Chris DiCarlo Endowment at the URI Foundation helped him earn his bachelor’s in chemical engineering from URI. Under Professor Otto Gregory, Bisola was part of a research group that designed sensors for jet engines. Where does he see himself in ten years? Teaching college, and mentoring young people like himself through the National Society of Black Engineers. “Maybe I’ll teach in Africa,” he says. “There aren’t enough teachers there.” Learn more: egr.uri.edu/research
00 QUADANGLES MONTH YEAR
Angela Gasparri ’13
takes the gift of knowledge seriously— especially after what she’s been through. As a single mother, she’s battled financial woes and dyslexia, but this didn’t stop her from earning her Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) degree, majoring in health services administration. While working full-time, she took courses at the College of Continuing Education’s Feinstein Providence Campus with other adults in similar circumstances—those who either hadn’t been to college or had attended but never received a degree. The program even afforded her the opportunity to travel to China to observe the country’s health care system, a field she hopes to continue working in here in the U.S. A respiratory therapist at Rhode Island Hospital, Angela plans to pursue a master’s degree later in her career. Learn more: uri.edu/prov/bis
photos by Nora Lewis
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 00
news&views URI Research Sparks Companies, Jobs, Investment To jumpstart the Rhode Island economy, URI faculty are ramping up their research discoveries that lead to new companies, cutting-edge patents, and innovative public-private partnerships. “Universities are key drivers of start-up companies, and start-up companies tend to be key drivers of economic development,” said Jim Petell, the University’s associate vice president for research, intellectual property management, and commercialization.
In just the last two years … 101 URI faculty, staff, and students filed 46 intellectual property applications received 22 U.S. patents and 2 U.S. trademarks worked with 23 external co-creators, including federal agencies, private companies, and other academic institutions launched 3 companies based on their URI inventions video | uri.edu/quadangles
8 QUADANGLES Summer 2013
Nursing Professor Patricia Burbank ’74 founded Burbank Industries to commercialize a device she invented. Burbank’s Aunt Ruth, who lives alone, inspired her big idea: “I thought, wouldn’t it be nice if I sent messages reminding her to exercise?” The device, called AAGILE, is worn at the waist to monitor physical activity and send audible messages encouraging movement. Burbank collaborated with Electrical and Biomedical Engineering Professor Ying Sun, M.S. ’82, who designed the device in his lab with graduate students. Now, in collaboration with the URI Research Foundation, Burbank Industries is seeking funding to bring its prototype to the marketplace. Biomedical Engineering Associate Professor Walt Besio launched medical device company CREmedical Corp. to develop a new electrode system that dramatically increases the resolution and signal of brainwave activity. It has the potential to detect and prevent lifethreatening events like acute seizures. CREmedical just received a Small Business Innovation Research Award from the National Science Foundation to help commercialize the technology. Computer and Electrical Engineering Professor Qing Yang, along with business partner Duncan McCallum, formed VeloBit Inc., to develop new low-cost software to improve electronic storage. Yang said the market for digital storage technology has boomed in recent years as interest in cloud computing has soared. With its technology already in use at 370 installations across five continents, the company has raised more than $5 million in venture capital and hired 15 people.
Photos ©istockphoto.com; courtesy iowa state university
The Rewards of a Legacy Many factors make the best learning experiences for URI students, from top faculty to state-of-the-art facilities to hands-on experiences with the most current tools of a trade. These are often made possible through the generosity of benefactors who build the University into their estate plans and philanthropic activities.
URI’s Newest Big Thinker The URI community welcomed Mary Jo Gonzales, assistant vice president for student affairs and dean of students, in April. With more than 15 years’ experience leading higher education initiatives, “Dr. Gonzales impressed everyone at URI with her enthusiasm and dedication to students,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Thomas Dougan. Gonzales joined the URI community from her previous position as associate dean of students at Iowa State University, where she managed the Academic Success Center, as well as Multicultural Student Affairs, federal TRiO Student Support Services, Student Disability Resources, National Student Exchange, and the Writing and Media Center. She received her B.A. in speech communication from San Jose State University, and her M.A. in communication and Ph.D. in education from Washington State University.
With an affinity for URI rivaled only by their love of sailing, brothers John ’40 and David Parker ’34, the sons of a Westerly granite quarry worker, provided about $2.5 million for their alma mater in their estate plans. David received his URI bachelor’s degree in chemistry and became a chemist for the Naval Underwater Systems John Parker ’40 David Parker ’34 Center in New London, Connecticut. John earned his URI bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and was a URI mechanical engineering professor for 25 years. He died in 2011, David in 2001. The Parkers’ gift will be used to support two endowments, one providing scholarships to undergraduates studying ocean engineering; the other providing library resources to support the engineering curriculum, as well as the College of Engineering’s upcoming building campaign that will give today’s URI students cutting-edge engineering labs, equipment, and classrooms. College of Engineering Dean Raymond Wright said, “John was well respected and passionately committed to teaching students about engineering. The Parker brothers’ gifts will have a tremendous tangible impact on the College, its faculty, and its students.” Alan R. Spachman ’69, M.B.A.’71, and his wife, Florence, have funded a professorship to help attract and retain outstanding faculty specializing in human resources, labor management, and workforce strategies and management. As a result of their gift, URI students now learn best practices from Associate Professor Anthony Wheeler, one of the foremost authorities in the field and the first named Spachman Professor in Human Resource Management. Wheeler has helped design URI’s new one-year M.B.A. program, which incorporates a framework of teaching based on strategic innovation. Alan R. Spachman ’69, M.B.A.’71 “Without the private support made available through professorships, we could lose outstanding faculty members like Tony Wheeler to other schools,” said Mark Higgins, dean of the College of Business Administration. “Great professors like him inspire our students to become great students and successful alumni.” Alan Spachman himself is a perfect example. Inspired as a URI student by Professor of Industrial Relations Charles “Ted” Schmidt, Spachman turned his education into an extraordinary career, first as a human resource manager with Collins & Aikman and Frito-Lay, later as senior vice president of Progressive Corporation, and eventually as founder of the National Interstate Corporation.
Photos by Nora Lewis; Grist 1934, 1940.
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 9
“Greenest” College in the Ocean State Five Marine Affairs Alumnae Aid Hurricane Sandy Recovery Tiffany Smythe, M.M.A. ’07, Ph.D. ’11, is a post-doctoral fellow with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Center for Maritime Policy and Strategy. She conducts academic research in collaboration with the Coast Guard Sector of the Ports of New York and New Jersey, identifying lessons learned from Sandy that can inform planning for future storm events. One of her marine affairs classmates, Michelle Burnett ’00, M.M.A. ’07, is the state floodplain coordinator with the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency. She’s been offering technical expertise, guidance, and support to coastal communities to ensure regulations are followed during the rebuilding and restoration of floodplains and floodplain structures damaged in the storm. Carissa Lord, M.M.A. ’05, modified her schedule as the bi-state stormwater coordinator for the Blackstone and Ten Mile River Watersheds in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in order to take on a temporary position with FEMA to assist with Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts. As part of the mitigation team, she was involved in mapping everything from erosion rates to piping plover habitats and various structures in the flood zone. She worked alongside Hillary Slocum ’11, who knew she wanted to work in natural disaster mitigation even as an undergraduate in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS), where her coursework focused on government policy. In reviewing Local Hazard Mitigation Plans for compliance with FEMA requirements, Hillary has helped make cities and towns more resilient against future disasters and eligible for FEMA recovery payouts after such events. Rebecca Eith ’10, M.M.A. ’12, another CELS graduate, is a data integration and coastal/environmental policy specialist in FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation branch. She’s been working 60-hour weeks since Hurricane Sandy, providing guidance on federal, state, and local policies to the architect and engineering specialists working on proposed recovery projects in New York. Her contributions typically include scientific processes, policy protocol, socioeconomic impacts, and regulatory restrictions on a project—all skills she acquired in URI’s Marine Affairs programs.
10 QUADANGLES Summer 2013
For the fourth consecutive year, the Princeton Review has recognized URI in its “Guide to Green Colleges,” a one-of-a-kind resource publicizing colleges with a strong environmental commitment. URI received the highest Green Rating of all Rhode Island institutions of higher education. URI earned a “Green Rating”of 92 out of 99, based on a survey of environmental and sustainability-related policies, infrastructure, academic offerings, activities, and career preparation. In 2007, URI signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment and established a Council on Sustainability to guide the “greening of the University.” Since then, we have undertaken a systematic plan to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and become a carbon-neutral institution in the near future. Ninety-five percent of our buildings have undergone energy-related retrofits or renovations; 22 percent of our food budget is spent on local, organic food; and 70 percent of our grounds are maintained organically. We have numerous LEEDcertified buildings, including (clockwise from bottom): the Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences, the new College of Pharmacy building, Hope Commons dining hall, and the just-opened Hillside Hall, which features rooftop solar collectors, a vegetated roof, building materials with high recycled content, indoor bicycle storage, and real-time energy monitoring. Ongoing research projects, a minor in sustainability, a new green business double major and many more initiatives combine to inspire members of the University community to think and live sustainably.
Alyssa Neill receiving news of her Truman Scholarship from President Dooley.
National Scholarship Winners More and more of the most prestigious scholarships available in the U.S. are going to URI students. This year, three Hollings Scholarships from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration went to marine biology majors Emily Bishop, Katharine Egan, and Nicole Marone, who also majors in ocean engineering. With 16 Hollings Scholarships since 2009, we’ve received the highest number out of all New England institutions and the highest out of all public universities in the U.S. Molly Wood ’13, double-majoring in Africana studies and political science, won a Boren Scholarship to study Swahili in Tanzania. Two students won Fulbrights: Dan Belbey ’13, an International Business Program graduate, will pursue a Master of Arts in Business Administration and Logistics at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany; the Fulbright awarded to Eily Cournoyer ’13, combined with a Whitaker International Program Fellowship, will enable her to study for a year at the Cancer Institute at University College in London. (Fulbright grants to study in England are the most competitive; only about six percent of applicants receive funding.) Political Science Professor Nicolai N. Petro also received a Fulbright, to study in Ukraine, researching his book about the Russian Orthodox Church to be published by Stanford University Press. Truman Scholars are selected for their academic achievement, leadership ability, and likelihood of careers in public service. URI is the only public university in the Northeast to be named a Truman Scholarship Honor Institution for its active encouragement of students to pursue public service careers. This past spring, Alyssa Neill was one of only 61 college juniors nationwide to be named a Truman Scholar and was awarded a $30,000 grant for graduate study. A nutrition and dietetics major, she’s co-founded the student group Slow Food URI, launched a local food market, built a vegetable garden on campus, and represented the University at food forums near and far. “I want to be an advocate, especially for lower income people who don’t have access to wholesome food,” said Alyssa, a member of the URI President’s Council for Sustainability. She called it “an amazing surprise” when President David M. Dooley and a dozen of her professors showed up to one of her classes with a bouquet of flowers to announce her selection for the scholarship.
Photos By NASA, Nora Lewis, Michael Salerno
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 11
New Nursing Residency Program Through the Rhode Island Action Coalition for the Future of Nursing, URI is co-leading a statewide clinical nurse residency and mentoring program designed to advance the skills of unemployed and underemployed nurses and new nursing graduates. Graduates of the five institutions (URI, RIC, CCRI, Salve Regina, and St. Joseph’s) will have a vehicle to enhance their nursing skills so they can apply for positions that are in demand in Rhode Island. The project will place graduates in practice settings ranging from nursing homes to community clinics, as well as traditional hospital settings across the state. Each nurse accepted into the program will receive a stipend and will practice at three different sites during a residency period lasting up to nine months. The program is expected to accept 20 students this summer and 40 students next year. Through this coalition, Rhode Island joins Connecticut as one of only two New England states and 20 nationally to receive funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) for “The Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action,”a $3 million joint initiative with the AARP. RWJF is committed to providing states with the support they need to build a more highly educated, diverse nursing workforce that can address the nation’s most pressing health care challenges— access, quality, and cost. The coalition also received critical support from a $247,363 Governor’s Workforce Board Partnership Grant to Stepping Up, a health care industry partner of the workforce board. Together with the URI Foundation, Nursing Professor Lynne Dunphya associate dean of external affairs for the College of Nursing, and co-leader of the state’s coalition, successfully raised additional funds from the Rhode Island Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, and the Routhier Foundation. Other contributors included Rhode Island Center for Nursing Excellence (URI Center), Rhode Island State Nurses Association, Rhode Island Nursing Institute, Lifespan, and Care New England. Each of the state’s nursing programs also contributed to the initiative.
12 QUADANGLES Summer 2013
Photos by Joe Giblin, Grist 1969, and ©istockphoto.com.
Stay Connected On Facebook: facebook.com/universityofri On LinkedIn: linkedin.com On Twitter: @urinews
Yearbooks Online, All the Way Back to 1897 Now, URI yearbooks are online, and we don’t just mean going forward. The University Libraries have digitized all of URI’s yearbooks going back to 1897. They are available for viewing and downloading from DigitalCommons@URI, an online space for collecting, preserving, and disseminating a wide variety of original scholarship, creative works, and archival collections. Alumni looking for photos and memories of family and friends have reacted enthusiastically to the online yearbooks. The Library is also digitizing and mounting collections of significant historical interest from the University Archives and Special Collections. And, based on the success of scanning the yearbooks as a complete collection, the Library is now seeking funding to digitize archives of the student newspaper, The Good Five-Cent Cigar. For more information, visit digitalcommons.uri.edu/yearbooks or email digitalcommons@etal.uri.edu.
On YouTube: youtube.com/universityofri URI News: uri.edu/news URI in the News: urinewsonline.blogspot.com InAdvance: advance.uri.edu/inadvance QuadAngles online edition: uri.edu/quadangles President’s Blog: presidentdooley.blogspot.com WRIU (Radio): wriu.org and @WRIU The Good Five-Cent Cigar: ramcigar.com Alumni Association on Facebook: facebook.com/URIAlumniAssociation Rhody Twitter: twitter.com/rhodystweet
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 13
PRESSBOX Kelly Coker
Coker, Mattison Earn Academic Honors
Women’s Rowing Wins A-10 Crown, Bid to NCAA Championship The URI women’s rowing team won its second straight Atlantic 10 championship on May 4, clinching the school’s first-ever NCAA Championship bid in the process. Heading into the final race of the day, the Rams held a one-point lead over Massachusetts and George Washington. Rhode Island’s Varsity 4 boat—consisting of junior Kaitlyn Rupert, sophomores Michelle Forte, Jess Bergen, and Hannah Milam, and freshman cox Avery Cohen— won its race, beating the rest of the field by more than six seconds to clinch the title
and the spot in the 22-team field at the NCAA Championship in Indianapolis May 31 through June 2. It was URI’s fourth Atlantic 10 title since 2008. This season marked the first time the A-10 champion earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. The Rams also had four women named to the 2013 Atlantic 10 Rowing All-Conference team. Seniors Anne Mulholland, Lotte Sherman, and Alice Murray were named to the first team, while senior Ari Wakeman was named to the second team.
Men’s Track and Field Wins Ninth Outdoor Title Led by six individual title winners, the URI men’s track and field team captured the 2013 Atlantic 10 Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Championship on May 5. Junior Trent Baltzell set a new school record with 7,015 points to win the decathlon title, while classmate Mark Castilletti won both the 110 meter hurdles and the 400 meter hurdles. Other individual titlists were
senior William Janes (hammer throw), junior Jordan Burandt (pole vault), sophomore Jonathan Stevens (javelin), and sophomore Tyler Oliveira (200 meter dash). The title was the ninth in program history for Rhode Island. Head Coach John A. Copeland Jr. earned Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honors for the seventh time in his outdoor career.
URI senior Kelly Coker and junior Jocelyn Mattison were named to the 2013 Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference Softball Team on May 7. The Rhody captains were two of 10 players selected in voting among the league’s sports information directors. This is the second straight season Coker has earned the honor, and the first time on the team for Mattison. Coker, who has a cumulative grade-point average of 3.72 as a nursing major, finished her career as one of the most decorated players in program history. She ranks in URI’s all-time top 10 in hits, home runs, runs batted in, walks, stolen bases, sacrifice hits, and runs scored. She also was one of 11 players named to the Capital One COSIDA Academic All-District Team for District I, which covers schools in all New England states plus New York. Coker also was URI’s pick for the 2013 Rhode Island Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Distinguished Athlete of the Year, and she is one of 10 national finalists for the Senior CLASS Award for Softball. Mattison has a cumulative GPA of 3.70 in kinesiology. The only player on the team to start every game for the last three seasons, she has started 154 consecutive games to start her career. This season, she had a career-high 35 hits, the third-most on the team. She also had a team-high four home runs and was second on the team with 23 runs scored and 17 batted in. Mattison ranks eighth in school history in fielding percentage at .974, and this season became just the third player in Rhode Island history to record more than 800 career putouts, finishing the year with 847. Jocelyn Mattison
14 QUADANGLES Summer 2013
photos Courtesy URI Athletics
Rhody Male Athletes Walk A Mile In Support Of Women On April 14, URI men stood up against rape, sexual assault, and violence against women. Metaphorically walking a mile in a woman’s shoes, they went from Memorial Union to the quad and back in high heels—a humorous approach to raising awareness of a very serious issue. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is an international men’s march that has grown in participants each year since its 2001 founding. According to the organization’s website, ”One in six American women is a victim of sexual assault. That means someone you know, someone you care about has been or may become the victim of sexual violence.” “The goal of the walk was for men to stand up and acknowledge that violence against women is not acceptable,” said
Caitlin Carter, a swimmer and peer advocate at URI. The URI men’s soccer team found that their good footwork didn’t come in handy while wearing heels. “It felt pretty great to get the whole team around to support the cause,” said sophomore Mike Casey. “We all could have a good laugh about struggling to walk in heels, and all of us said, ‘How do women do this?’”
“It meant a lot to me,” Carter said. “As a fellow athlete, I think that it is very important for the athletic community to come together and create a positive change in society.” “It makes me proud to be a part of a team that participates in such a good cause,” said Joey Haught, a junior on the men’s soccer team. “We all felt good about standing up to violence against women.”
Student-Athletes Honored at State House Ten URI student-athletes and a distinguished alumna were honored at the Rhode Island State House on April 29 in an annual event hosted by Speaker of the House Gordon Fox. Celebrated for their significant academic and athletic achievements were (from left, front row) Kimberly Ezeama, women’s track & field; Lara Gaspar, women’s basketball; Jill Anderson, volleyball; Lotte Sherman, rowing; (second row) Jeff Kennedy, football; Robby Gargaro, men’s soccer; Kevin Stenhouse, baseball; Anthony Davidson, men’s track & field; David Gosselin, golf. Not pictured: Kelly Coker, softball. Patricia Nicol ’80, M.S. ’83, a former URI track & field standout (third row, between Athletic Director Thorr Bjorn and Provost Donald DeHayes), was honored as this year’s distinguished alumna. Nicol has enjoyed a diverse background at all levels of intercollegiate athletics: studentathlete, coach, administrator, and currently, director of athletics at Southern Connecticut State University. At URI, she was the first
female student-athlete to earn an athletic scholarship, registered eight of the top 10 fastest 800 meter performances in URI history, and still holds the school’s indoor 800 meter record, set at the 1980 New England Championship. She was inducted into the URI Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990.
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 15
Tighten your laces, Rhode Island!
Soccer Scores BIG for R.I.
16 QUADANGLES summer 2013
The arrival of a major youth soccer tournament will be a “net” win for local businesses this summer and next, as the University hosts the 2013 and 2014 United States Youth Soccer Region I Championships, part of the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship Series. All games are to be played at the University, which invested substantially in upgrading more than 20 playing fields to make them available and in prime condition for this event. “From the start of what was a very fastpaced bid process, URI was a helpful partner and key component in securing this event,” said Martha Sheridan ’83, president and chief executive officer of the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (PWCVB). “Everyone from administration to athletics and operations has been, and continues to be, fully on board with this project. I am not overstating it when I say this event could not happen without the University’s help and support, and for that I am both proud and grateful.” The competition is expected to attract 4,500 male and female athletes, ages 12 to 19, from more than 200 teams in each of the two years. Officials are anticipating an additional 10,000 spectators. “They use every blade of grass while they are here,” said Joseph T. Pittle, who as URI’s manager of Conferences and Special Program Development helps bring such events to the University. “We know families book hotels throughout Rhode Island, southeastern Connecticut, and even nearby Massachusetts. Clearly, the University is an economic boost for many in the hospitality industry.” As of this magazine’s mid-June press date, Pittle’s office was finalizing every last detail in preparation for the 2013 tournament, from ensuring the beds were made in the residence halls where the referees and officials sleep, to providing their meals in Hope Commons. Barring a hurricane or other unforeseen occurrence, by the time you read this article, Meade Stadium will have held its largest gathering ever for the tournament’s June 27 opening ceremonies, and the state and University of Rhode Island will be just waving goodbye to an estimated 15,000 people connected with the tournament—that is, if they don’t decide to stick around for 4th of July weekend.
Direct Spending* on U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Tournaments at URI June 27–July 2, 2013 & June 26–July 1, 2014
$1,788,000 Hotel Rooms Martha Sheridan ’83, President and CEO of Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau.
$232,440 Hotel Taxes
Five million dollars is a conservative
estimate of the total, in each of the two years, that these athletes, family members, and officials will spend on their hotel rooms, meals, gasoline, beach passes, and other sightseeing. Hosts for this annual event are chosen for two years in a row, doubling the economic benefits. URI last hosted the event in 2003–2004 and 1999–2000. URI President David M. Dooley praised the collaborative efforts that helped secure this event. “I want to congratulate the governor, the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, Soccer Rhode Island, and members of our Division of Students Affairs, Facilities Services, and Athletics staff, especially Joe Pittle, for all of their hard work in bringing such a prestigious soccer tournament to Rhode Island,” he said. “The University is proud of its exceptional fields and facilities, and we are pleased to partner with the state to help attract events like this that bring thousands of young athletes and families to Rhode Island.” “This tournament is one of the largest in the country, and the numbers only tell part of the story,” said John Gibbons, executive director of the Rhode Island Sports Commission, a division of the PWCVB. “We’ll have teams here from Maine to West Virginia. It really is some of the best youth soccer, in terms of quality of play, anywhere.”
PHOTOS by ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; NICHOLAS MILLARD
Many in the Northeast know URI as a soccer hub and home to two successful Division I varsity intercollegiate soccer teams, with the men’s squad posting six Atlantic 10 tourney titles and 11 NCAA tournament berths. Besides the two previous U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 tournaments, URI has hosted the Olympic Development (Girls Soccer) Program for more than 10 years, as well as 21 Seaside Classics, which are run by the South County Youth Soccer Club and bring tens of thousands of players, families, and coaches to Kingston each year. “And soccer is just the tip of the iceberg,” Pittle said of summer programs held at URI. “When you add the other sport camps, South County Balloon Festival, the Rhode Island National Guard’s Leapfest, Special Olympics, Steubenville East Catholic Youth Conference, Ocean State Summer Writing Conference, and Friends General Conference … the University easily brings 40,000 people to its Kingston campus during the summer months.” Compiled and edited by URI staff with information from the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Rhode Island Sports Commission
$149 per night based on 12,000 total room-nights spread over six days
at 13 percent
$2,250,000 Meals
$180,000 Meal Taxes
if 4,500 cars fill their tanks once at $50 per fill
$90,000 Beach Passes
at 8 percent
$225,000 Gasoline Sales
if each person spends $30 per day for five out of six days
and parking if each family visits the beach one time on a weekday
$375,000 Retail Sales
if each person spends $25
$5,140,440 Total Revenue
conservative estimate for each year of the contract
*Estimated based on 4,500 players (15,000 visitors total including family members, officials, and coaches)
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 17
Photos BY Nora Lewis
Beach Reads from URI Books for Summer Reading
Ah, summer. All through the year we dream of it, enticed by images of sunny beaches and the idea of time spent relaxing, perhaps savoring a good book. Whether or not your reality measures up, we hope you’ll have time for reading this summer. Here are a half-dozen new books by authors connected to URI that you might like to tuck into your beach bag. Some of these authors may be familiar, while others you may not have discovered yet. Some write fiction, others nonfiction. If your reading taste is eclectic, you might just enjoy them all! —Gail Eastwood
The Obituary Writer
Footprints in the Sand Waiting for Love
Ann Hood ’78 writes novels with deep emotional landscapes, exploring the human heart’s capacity for love, grief, regret, and hope. Her newest, The Obituary Writer, is the story of two women living in different eras: Claire, a young wife in the early 1960s torn between her husband and her lover, and Vivien, an obituary writer in 1919, who still grieves the loss of her lover in the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. Described as “part literary mystery and part love story,” the novel examines not just the difficult choices the women face but also the social roles and mores of their separate times, while deftly weaving connections between them. The Obituary Writer was a top pick in the April 2013 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine. Hood’s bestsellers include The Red Thread, The Knitting Circle, and Somewhere Off The Coast Of Maine. Her memoir, Comfort: A Journey Through Grief, about losing her five-year-old daughter, was a New York Times Editor’s Choice, named one of the top 10 nonfiction books of 2008. A Rhode Island native, Hood majored in English at URI and pursued graduate studies in American literature at New York University. Her career as a flight attendant ended just as her writing star began to ascend. A columnist for multiple magazines, she has earned awards for spiritual writing and short fiction, as well as two Pushcart Prizes. Between writing and book tours, she teaches writing in Providence and New York.
New Jersey native Mary Jane (Behrends) Clark ’76 majored in journalism and political science and got her first TV news experience in an internship obtained through URI at WJAR in Providence. In three decades at CBS News’s New York City headquarters, she worked her way from desk assistant to producer and writer. To cope with a personal turning point in the early 1990s, Clark added fiction writing. Her first effort, Do You Want to Know A Secret? eventually sold and became the first in her “KEY News” series—12 books (so far) grounded in her experience with the broadcast news world. Mixing classic puzzle-solving mystery plots with the high suspense of thrillers, the stories have put her on bestseller lists and bookshelves in 23 countries. To thank URI for its part in her success, Clark endowed a scholarship for journalism majors, based on financial need. Her latest book is the third in her new “Wedding Cake” series, centered on Piper Donovan, actress and sometime wedding cake designer. Footprints in the Sand finds Piper in Sarasota, Florida, for a cousin’s winter wedding, but things quickly start to go wrong. Someone has secrets, and a killer lurks among the characters. We trust that Piper will solve the mystery before she, too, becomes a victim—or this would be a very short series—but the question with mysteries always is: How? And will she solve it in time before more victims turn up? Clark writes with a contemporary edge that ratchets up the suspense and should make this series as popular as her first.
Video | uri.edu/quadangles
Video | uri.edu/quadangles
20 QUADANGLES Summer 2013
The newest contemporary romance by Marie (Sullivan) Force ’88 hit all the major bestseller lists, including the New York Times for print and e-book sales. Waiting for Love, her 25th book, is the eighth in her “McCarthys of Gansett Island” series. Force has also penned seven stand-alone novels, her “Fatal” suspense series, and the “Treading Water” series. Gansett is a fictionalized Block Island, the perfect setting for a summer fling. Adam McCarthy and family friend Abby Callahan are both on the rebound, so when Adam discovers Abby is set on releasing her wild side for a change, he determines she should only do so with him. Trust issues and serious challenges around them test the relationship when their fling starts to become something more. This time, is it love? Force creates characters her readers never tire of, including Grace, a URI College of Pharmacy graduate. People and relationships from Force’s previous books reappear in each new one. She keeps the bedroom doors wide open, so be aware that her characters’ sexual encounters are hot! This Aquidneck Island native cut her writing teeth at the Narragansett Times after earning degrees in journalism and political science from URI. With her husband in the Navy, she lived in Spain, Maryland, and Florida; got a master’s in public administration; and as communications director for a D.C.-based nonprofit, became editor-in-chief of a national trade magazine. Now settled back in Rhode Island, Force is writing full time. By the time you read this, Fatal Mistake, Book 6 in her “Fatal” series, will have just been published.
The K Street Affair
Rachel Carson
Caleb’s Crossing
Mari Passananti ’95 writes with a sassy, irreverent voice, as evidenced in her first book, The Hazards of Hunting While Heartbroken (2011). Her new book, The K Street Affair, is a political/spy thriller delving into terrorist plots and corporate conspiracies of exactly the sort we might fear really lie behind cover-up headlines. Heroine Lena Mancuso, a junior lawyer in a Washington D.C. law firm, gets quickly drawn into a spy game she is utterly unprepared for after a bomb explodes in the D.C. subways. Passananti tells the story in sharp detail entirely from Lena’s point of view, and that sassy voice comes through intact in Lena’s wry observations despite thrills and danger. The book, a Barnes & Noble Book Club selection, offers fast-paced action and nice plot twists paired with a fresh approach to the genre. Passananti majored in communication studies and minored in English at URI. A native Rhode Islander raised in North Kingstown, she chose law instead of journalism for her graduate degree, earned at Georgetown. She worked in a big D.C. law firm and as a legal head hunter, experiences that add authenticity to her current book. Passananti is now a full-time writer and mom, living in Boston.
A book about marine biologist Rachel Carson seems a natural to read at the beach. Part of the “Critical Literacy: Challenging Authors and Genres” series, Rachel Carson, by URI English Professor Karen Stein, M.L.I.S. ’05, examines Carson’s works and life, focusing on her continuing influence across a broad range of environmental and political issues. Carson’s monumental work Silent Spring has been called “one of the most significant books of the Twentieth Century” for raising our awareness of environmental pollution and changing the way we view our world. Stein, who grew up in Brooklyn, first encountered Carson’s “sense of wonder” while visiting friends on an island off Nantucket. They explored beaches and tidal pools with Carson’s book Edge of the Sea in hand, and Carson’s ability to both inform and inspire took hold. Stein has taught Carson’s work in her courses, and her enthusiasm and clear prose give her book appeal that reaches beyond an academic audience. Stein’s other books, on Margaret Atwood and Toni Morrison, also celebrate women writers who have significantly influenced our society. Stein herself has been twice honored as Woman of the Year, by the URI Association of Professional and Academic Women in 1993, and the Rhode Island Commission on Women in 2007. She has served as chair of the English department and director of Women’s Studies at URI.
URI 2013 Common Reading Book Geraldine Brooks is the Pulitzer Prizewinning author of an eclectic collection of books. An Australian-born writer and journalist, she has tackled topics as varied as Middle Eastern women, the plague in 17th century England, and the American Civil War. Her newest novel, Caleb’s Crossing, returns to the 17th century, but this time on Martha’s Vineyard, where Brooks resides when not in Sydney. Based on true events, the novel portrays the relationship between a minister’s young daughter and Caleb, who became the first Native American to graduate from Harvard. The book touches on a wide range of issues, from freedom of religion and education to issues of gender and Native American culture. Incoming URI freshmen and their advisors, faculty, and staff have all been invited to read this book over the summer to engage in a common experience for discussion. The University will open a blog for comments in July, and the book will be used as part of this fall’s Honors Colloquium on “Great Public Schools: Everyone’s Right? Everyone’s Responsibility?” Brooks will speak at URI on September 24, first to students and then as an Honors Colloquium speaker. For details, visit uri.edu/orientation/ commonreading and uri.edu/hc. Video | uri.edu/quadangles
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 21
Left to right: Talent Development Academic Advisor Karoline Lopes and Assistant Director Joanna Ravello, Student Senate Administrative Assistant Kim Bolton, Memorial Union Coordinator Sheri Davis
20,000 VOICES Exploring Big Questions About Community, Equity, and Diversity at URI
22 QUADANGLES Summer 2013
“We ask you to lift your voice and be heard, because we are listening!” So said Associate Vice President for Community, Equity, and Diversity Naomi R. Thompson at a February 26 “Open Space” meeting. All 20,000 URI students, faculty, and staff are already feeling the effects of the work that began then and is still in progress: the concerns voiced and heard, the to-do lists generated, and the overall process of growing into an institution where shortcomings lead to self-examination, frustration becomes empowerment, and criticism ignites positive change. Spearheaded by the Office of Community, Equity, and Diversity, and co-sponsored by the Office of the President, Office of the Provost, and Division of Student Affairs, the “20,000 Voices” event in February adhered to the Principles of Open Space Technology. These include “Whoever comes are the right people” and “Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened.” “One of the things that has always inspired me in the years that I’ve done social justice work,” said LGBTQ Center Director Annie Russell, “is thinking about how we really do grassroots work from the ground up.” Invoking activist Audre Lorde’s famous words, “The master’s tools will
never dismantle the master’s house,” Russell defined Open Space as a way of “finding our own tools to create and build the kind of future we would like to see at the University of Rhode Island.” That first event in the Memorial Union featured a full day of speeches and discussions. Assistant Director for Student Leadership Development Melissa Boyd-Colvin ’98, M.S. ’03 served as facilitator and emcee. There was an electrifying keynote speech by entrepreneur, television journalist, and documentary film producer Liz Walker (who less than two months later led the Interfaith Mass held in Boston for marathon bombing victims). There were power-point presentations, introductions and lists, food and coffee and nametags, chairs arranged in rows and chairs arranged in circles. Some people spoke into microphones; others simply raised their voices. “Naomi spoke about this being an inclusive process,” explained Coordinator of LGBTQ Programs & Services Annie M. Kosar (known as “Annie M”), “because Community, Equity, and Diversity, as an office, belongs to URI and is the URI community.” All of the far-ranging discussion topics came from participants themselves. Academic Enhance-
Video | uri.edu/quadangles
“Some of these [student] organizations have changed their initial mission or their process altogether to try to conform, and in doing so… lost the sense of their organization.” Judicial Affairs Coordinator Kevin Martins ’07, M.B.A. ’10
“We don’t often think of fine arts as a human rights issue, but it’s hard to talk about multiculturalism if you’re not talking about a people’s culture or their art.” Associate Professor of Music Mark Conley
ment Center Coordinator David Hayes led a session called “White Like Me: Undoing Whiteness and Doing Justice on Campus.” “The students especially raised a lot of really good questions,” he reported: “‘How did I get to be a white person, and what does it mean to be a white person in today’s society?’” Counseling Center Director Robert Samuels led the group discussing “Diversity Burnout: ‘I’m Tired But the Work’s Not Done.’” He summarized, “Having someone you can hand it off to, like a relay race, is another way of saying, ‘Somebody else is carrying the ball, so I don’t have to feel totally or solely responsible for it.’” To insure that the conversation wasn’t over, an official end-of-day vote count defined future priorities. Vice President for Student Affairs Thomas Dougan, in pledging the full support of his division, had said at the start of the day, “Success depends on our collaboration and cooperation in working together.” Indeed, the work was just beginning. Whether or not they’d attended the event, all URI faculty, staff, and students were invited to join follow-up subcommittees; many accepted the invitation. As subcommittee co-leaders, graduate students from Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies Annemarie Vaccaro’s
Photos by Michael Salerno
“We’re doing a lot of mentorship things here, but [we should be] finding some way to centralize that and make sure the students who need it are getting mentored, and the students who would be wonderful mentors get the training and opportunities they need.” Admission Advisor Erin West ’04, M.S. ’09
“Diversity is nothing without unity. You can be as diverse as you want, but really we need unity on this campus to get to those places where we want to be.” Communication Studies Major Jermaine Stephens
Organization Development class (HDF 562) held discussions throughout the spring semester, researching “best practices” at other institutions and helping their groups propose concrete steps for change here at URI. Two days after classes ended, these subcommittee leaders presented their findings and recommendations to the entire campus community. Under Vaccaro’s guidance, they’d been thorough— and specific. Their recommendations include gatherings to be held, conversations to be had (some of them, no surprise, on uncomfortable topics), initiatives to be begun, ongoing work to be consolidated and continued, websites to be established as information clearinghouses, and in many cases—again no surprise—money to be spent, perhaps personnel hired, even in these financially challenging times. “I call upon you to get involved,” Naomi Thompson said to the audience gathered, on what was a gorgeous spring day, inside the new pharmacy building’s sleek new auditorium. Invoking Barack Obama’s words, “We are the change that we seek,” Thompson added, “We must engage in this work together if we want to make progress— and there’s lots of work to be done.”
PRIORITY ACTION ITEMS VOTED BY 20,000 VOICES ATTENDEES • Building bridges across student organizations • Funding and support for multicultural student organizations • Gender inclusion on campus • Inclusive pedagogy • LGBTQ visibility and Center outreach • Native Americans at URI • Neurodiversity at URI • Recruitment and retention of multicultural and low-income students • Recruitment and retention of underrepresented faculty • Students with children • What role can arts play in our diverse community? Learn More, including contact information for each initiative and notes from the subcommittees: uri.edu/diversity/voices anniem@mail.uri.edu
–Gigi Edwards
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 23
24 QUADANGLES Summer 2013
Learning for the Joy of It
School’s Never Out There are no exams, no grades, and no requirements for an academic degree. In fact, no previous experience or degree is necessary, just a desire to learn for the joy of it. It’s open to all Rhode Islanders age 50 and older who want to participate in a community of fellow learners. The University of Rhode Island’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), founded in 2009 as part of a national network of Osher Institutes, is where 600 members are finding a place to exchange ideas, learn from each other, foster their creativity, and develop new friendships. The Bernard Osher Foundation recently made a $1 million gift to the program for having exceeded the 500-member plateau and meeting other benchmarks in each of the past four years. The gift established an endowment, administered by the URI Foundation, to provide ongoing support for OLLI. The Osher Foundation also made a bridge donation of $50,000, which will support the program until the endowment can begin generating funds. “The pursuit of scholarship, discovery, and understanding does not stop upon the attainment of a degree,” said URI President David M. Dooley. “Our institution is a resource for all Rhode Islanders who seek new opportunities to learn and engage with others in a variety of ways. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Osher Foundation to inspire lifelong learning within our state and encourage more adult learners to get involved in our dynamic and diverse campus community.”
Professor Phillip G. Clark, director of URI’s Program in Gerontology and the Rhode Island Geriatric Education Center, spearheaded the founding of OLLI at URI as well as the application process that resulted in the recent gift. He worked closely with the URI Foundation and its Corporate and Foundation Relations staff. A $425,000, four-year grant from the Osher Foundation led to the establishment of the program four years ago. “The progress the program has made since receiving its initial grant in 2009 has been outstanding,” said Osher Foundation President Mary Bitterman. “We salute the Institute’s dedicated volunteers and staff— as well as the leadership of the University of Rhode Island—for developing such an exceptional educational program. We are delighted to provide this permanent support.” Housed at 210 Flagg Road on the Kingston Campus, OLLI provides three- to six-week courses, one-time lectures, selfdirected workshops, and opportunities to volunteer. In 2012, the program offered 84 classes, lectures and activities. During the fall session alone, it had 550 class participants. During the spring semester of 2013,
the Institute offered 35 courses and 10 lectures. In the first semester of 2009, the program offered just five classes. OLLI members play a key role in shaping, managing, and leading the organization. Members can take classes, teach classes, plan and coordinate activities, organize volunteer projects, serve on committees, act as class assistants, help with program promotion and data management, and volunteer for other tasks that keep OLLI going. “I quickly found myself teaching a class, serving on the volunteer committee, and attending many enriching classes and joyful social events,” said Julie M. Yingling ’70, who with her husband, Richard C. Davids ’71, joined OLLI in 2009 after moving back to Rhode Island from California. “I was thrilled to rediscover the campus I had left in 1970,” Yingling said, “and even more enthusiastic about meeting people who never want to stop learning! As a retired professor [from Humboldt State University], I am particularly interested in a new initiative to connect with URI students.” “Our faculty and presenters possess compassion and commitment,” said Beth Leconte, executive director of URI’s OLLI
In “Applied Physics for Daily Living,” retired South Kingstown High School teacher Crandall Dimock demonstrated the principle that the more massive the object, the more that object resists changes in its state of motion; i.e., due to the large mass of the books, the force of the hammer is sufficiently resisted (inertia). (CAUTION: do not try this demonstration at home.)
Photos by Nora Lewis
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 25
program. “They come early and they leave late. They are also generous in giving time to our members outside of class.” John C. Eastman II ’62 called OLLI “a great tool for me to keep my mind active, have fun learning new things, and meet new people.” Eastman retired in 1993 after 31 years with New England Electric. “Luckily they were a company that believed strongly in continuing education for their employees,” he said. “I’ve never lost my sense of curiosity and desire to learn, so when OLLI came along, I jumped at the chance to have something close to home to stimulate and further my knowledge of the world.” Besides classes, OLLI provides meeting space to its members for a book club and other gatherings. “We also offer our members student rates at URI theater, music events, and some sporting events, as well as convenient, free parking,” Leconte said. “After all, our members are part of the University.” On a recent Thursday afternoon, while classes like “Chaos and Fractals— Beyond the Butterfly” and “Learning to See Through Drawing” met upstairs, more than a dozen OLLI members gathered in a conference room on the first floor of 210 Flagg Road to watch (or re-watch) the first episode of Downton Abbey. As photos here attest, many wore costumes, high tea was poured, and participants distributed handouts, such as “The Roles of English Servants,” reflecting their research on the social, political, and historical background of the popular TV series. “Our members are here for the joy of learning and community,” Leconte said. “They take classes they never would have dared to take when they were younger and in college.” Polly Eddy, Hon. ’87, widow of URI President Edward D. Eddy, enrolled this past spring in a Tuesday evening class, “Applied Physics for Daily Living,” taught by retired South Kingstown High School teacher Crandall W. Dimock ’71, M.S. ’75. Eddy summed up OLLI perfectly: “It’s a combination of fascinating topics and delightful, interesting people—a great way to learn.” —Dave Lavallee ’79, M.P.A.’87 and Gigi Edwards
26 QUADANGLES Summer 2013
Learn more about URI’s OLLI program: uri.edu/olli Learn more about how private gifts, like the one featured here from The Bernard Osher Foundation, are having an impact on URI: urifoundation.org OLLI COURSE SAMPLER • Rhode Island Salt Pond Ecology • Pathways into Poetry • Introduction to Philosophy for Adults • History of Modern China • The Craft of Writing Memoir & Creative Nonfiction • Digital Photography • Three Jazz Styles: Dixieland, Swing, and Cool • Introduction to Watercolor • Scoping the Skies • Current Events • Literature of the Holocaust • American Civil War • Renaissance Sculpture
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 27
Retreat and Renewal Support for Parents of Autistic Children
“I have been struck by the University’s new slogan THINK BIG. WE DO,
”
Elaine Meyer wrote in an email to QuadAngles’ editor. “Although it was many years before the phrase materialized, THINKING BIG was precisely what my URI mentors modeled and taught me. I was encouraged to think big, think creatively, think of the possibilities, to be (responsibly!) fearless, and to be original. In large part because of these expectations and the encouragement I received as a student at URI, I have gone on to accomplish innovative work and scholarship…. “I had my choice of graduate schools,” Elaine recalled, “but URI was my first choice because of the strong focus on family systems theory and the caliber of the faculty.” Citing her professors’ commitment to maintaining clinical practices while fulfilling their teaching responsibilities, she expressed deep gratitude for the mentorship of the late Allan Berman, her “major professor,” and the late Alan Willoughby; her other psychology professors Joseph S. Rossi, M.A. ’80, Ph.D. ’85, Paul Richard Florin, and Wayne F. Velicer; psychology professors emeritus Lawrence C. Grebstein and Albert J. Lott; and Associate Professor Emeritus of Human Development and Family Studies J. Eugene Knott.
W
hen Boston Children’s Hospital psychologist Elaine Meyer M.A. ’87, Ph.D. ’90 [see facing page], and her husband Barry Prizant, an autism expert and adjunct professor at Brown University, were hiking in a national park two decades ago, they recognized the healing properties of nature and thought parents of children with autism could benefit from a retreat where they could reflect, learn from each other, and ease the stresses of their lives. Meyer knew just the place: URI’s W. Alton Jones Campus and its Whispering Pines Conference Center, located in the middle of a 2,300-acre forest in West Greenwich. This past winter marked the 18th year that Meyer and Prizant have organized the retreat with Community Autism Resources, a parent-run family s upport agency. “We have to deal with autism 24/7 and 363 days a year, but here we can discuss it from afar without also having to live with it at the same time,” said Jim Belanger, who with his wife Deb has attended the two-day program for 15 years. Added Deb, “I still say to this day that it helped preserve our marriage, because it helped us to have a common experience with common people and embrace the autism in a different way.”
Autism is a neurologically-based developmental disability, according to Prizant, diagnosed by documenting problems in social interaction, communication, and sensory issues. “A combination of these factors can lead to problematic behaviors or challenging behaviors, which may cause great stress for the family,” he said. Meyer, associate professor of psychology at the Harvard Medical School, and cofounder and director of the Institute for Professionalism and Ethical Practice at Boston Children’s Hospital, said the success of the retreat is due to its focus on
Photos by Nora Lewis and Kippy Goldfarb of Carolle Photography
small group discussions, social support, and access to opportunities for growth and healing. “People are here to learn more than just about autism and their children,” she said. “They’re exploring their own personhood and parenthood and their family relationships. We have a personal growth and selfcare focus. If parents can take care of themselves and nurture themselves, they’ll be able to take care of their families better.” This year’s agenda included such sessions as “New to It All,” “Adventures in Adolescence,” “Dads Together,” “The Always Evolving Family,” and “Expressive Arts and Children with ASD” (autism spectrum disorder). “When people come to sessions like this, it changes the quality of their lives,” Meyer added. “They come away with ideas and a network of people who understand the situation.” Henry Fiore ’80, M.A. ’85, and his wife Eileen (Phillips) ’94 have attended the retreat for four years. The experience led Henry to present workshops on autism to groups of schoolteachers and administrators, as well as at a national education conference. Principal of the St. Pius X School in Westerly, Henry said he initially didn’t want to attend the retreat, but now he plans to continue for as long as he can. “I’ve learned a great deal from the parents whose children are now young adults, about what to expect when our son gets to be that age,” he said. “You sometimes can’t look ahead that far, so when you meet someone with a child that age, you realize there is hope.” According to program participants, the W. Alton Jones Campus is the ideal setting. “When you drive down that long road into campus, you start to feel yourself in a better place,” said Community Autism Resources Executive Director Barbara Domingue, one of the retreat’s co-founders.
“We’re nurtured there, people take care of us. Family meals can be a very stressful time, so to be at a place where you can sit and be well taken care of, that’s a big deal to everyone.” The retreat organizers also offer an annual ASD symposium, which in addition to educating professionals and parents raises funds to enable any interested parent to attend the retreat, regardless of ability to pay. “We’ve created a community here that helps everyone become the very best parent they can under the circumstances,” concluded Meyer. “It has been one of the greatest sources of professional pride for me, to create this environment and sustain it over 18 years.” —Todd McLeish
Autism data from CDC* 1 in 54: boys diagnosed with autism 1 in 252: girls diagnosed with autism age 2: recommended screening for best access to services during critical development *U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention
To learn more about Meyer’s work, visit uri.edu/quadangles for links to • Community Autism Resources, sponsor of the annual autism retreat and symposium • Institute for Professionalism and Ethical Practice (IPEP), which Meyer directs • a Boston Globe article about a recent IPEP program to improve doctors’ empathy
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 29
ALUMNICHAPTERS
Join the fun! Chapters are a great way to stay connected with URI, see old classmates, and meet new friends. Chapter events are open to all alumni, family, and friends of the University.
The Massachusetts Chapter met at Harpoon Brewery in Boston on April 25.
The Southwest Florida Gators Chapter drew a crowd of 118 for a BBQ and game at JetBlue Park on March 6.
The URI Alumni Association has more than 50 chapters, organized by location or affinity interest. To see a list of all the chapters, find out what they're planning, and get their contact information, visit advance.uri.edu/alumni/chapters.
Let us hear from you! If you are interested in starting a regional or affinity chapter, or if you have ideas for upcoming events, please contact Shana Greene at scgreene@uri.edu or 401.874.2218.
Upcoming
The Theta Chi Affinity Chapter held its quarterly dinner on March 5 in East Greenwich, R.I.
July 13 – Join the Massachusetts Chapter and Courageous Sailing for a two-hour Boston Harbor sailing trip from 4 – 6 p.m. Learn to sail or sit back and enjoy the warm summer breeze. Tickets are $30 and include a BBQ at the end of the event. Contact Chris DiSano at 401.874.4536, or cdisano@uri.edu, or Chapter Leader Nick Chigas ’03 at nicholas.g.chigas@mssb.com with questions. July 13 – Join the Northern California Chapter at the Oakland Coliseum for a Red Sox vs. A’s game at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are at the field level in section 105. Prior to the game, tailgate with fellow alumni and friends at a pre-determined location in the parking lot. Contact Sarah Lobdell at 401.874.2438, or slobdell@uri.edu with questions.
On April 23, the Villages Chapter (Florida) held a buffet dinner in which incoming chapter leader Paul Hagerty ’68 was serenaded by The Accidentals. The Alumni Association thanks retiring chapter leader Al Bateman ’59 for his years of dedicated service.
30 QUADANGLES SUMMER 2013
September 21 –Save the date for the Northern California Chapter’s Annual Lobster Bake, to be held at the Coyote Point Park in San Mateo. Registration and more details will become available later in the summer. Contact Sarah Lobdell at 401.874.2438 or slobdell@uri.edu.
Reunite With Your Friends and Classmates When was the last time you made plans to get together with your URI friends? NOW is the time to start planning for a 2013 class or affinity reunion… and there’s no better time to gather than Homecoming 2013! You'll need at least 10 volunteers from your class or group to help plan, promote, and attend the reunion. Interested? Please visit the Alumni website at advance.uri.edu/alumni/reunions or call the Alumni Relations Office at 401.874.2242.
SAVE THE
DATE!
URI Night with the PawSox Friday, August 16, 2013 McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket. A great night at the ballpark for alumni and their families as the PawSox take on the Louisville Bats. Before the game, have a caricature artist create a fun drawing of you as a keepsake. The evening also includes a barbecue and a raffle. Presented by the URI Alumni Association. For more information, please contact Chris DiSano at 401.874.4536 or at cdisano@advance.uri.edu.
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 31
CLASSACTS
Congratulations to our 2013
alumni of the game honorees
The Alumni of the Game program, held during halftime at every A–10 men’s basketball home game, recognizes URI alumni who demonstrate the best of what our graduates are all about—successful careers combined with service to their communities and to the University.
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Gretchen Smith Dale, HS&S, of Norwich, Vt., writes: “My husband died from liver cancer—48 years old. I have been living with my high school sweetheart for eight years. I am a registered dietitian with my master’s in public health from the University of Minnesota—I work at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital in health education—I study Italian and often go to Italy”.
Peter Phillip D’Amico, A&S, of East Greenwich, R.I., writes, “As class treasurer, I am pleased to announce that our class gift made for 2013 was awarded to Amanda S. Vinhateiro, who is a junior in the nursing program. If any questions, please email damicolaw1@aol.com.”
William J. Northup, HS&S, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, writes: “In my role as corresponding secretary of Cleveland Arthur N. Votolato, A&S, of East Bratislava Sister Cities Inc., I have Greenwich, R.I., retired after 40 years been working on the development as Rhode Island’s first and only bank- of exchange programs between ruptcy judge. The courtoom where he Cleveland and Bratislava, the capital served as the nation’s longest con- of Slovakia. In June we hosted a visit tinuously serving bankruptcy judge to Cleveland by the U.S. ambaswas dedicated to him in a ceremony sador to Slovakia and the mayor of where more than 100 members of Bratislava. In September 2012, my the bar, state and federal judges wife, Lindell Clark Northup, ‘68, M.S. gathered to honor him. A plaque with 1977, visited the ambassador and Judge Votolato’s name as well as a mayor’s representatives in Bratislava photograph of him were hung in the and attended a relative’s wedding in courtroom. He earned his law degree Lipany, Slovakia.” from Boston University in 1956.
`55 John Callaghan ’80 with URI Foundation President Mike Smith (left) and URI President David M. Dooley at the January 30 game against VCU.
Bradford Reed Boss, CBA, of Wakefield, R.I., writes: “I recently celebrated my 80th birthday along with my granddaughter’s 8th on the same day, 3/13/13. Shouldn’t that be a lottery pick?—8 and 80 on 3/13/13. ‘Scary’ to be 80, but grateful for good health. GO RHODY!”
`66
Kenneth N. Geiersbach, A&S, of Hyde Park, Vt., a member of the first graduating class of the URI Library School, was reelected on Town Meeting Day to a five-year term on the board of trustees of Lanpher Memorial Library, Hyde Park.
`68
David Luther Martin, A&S, of Warwick, R.I., writes: “I retired in 2012 James A. Warren, HS&S, of East after serving for fourteen years as a Providence, R.I., writes: “Bette and I U.S. magistrate judge for the District have three grandchildren, Jackson, of Rhode Island. My wife, Pat, and I 11; Darien, 9; and Tristen, 5. We are looking forward to doing some spend six months in Rhode Island traveling and enjoying life.” and six months in Florida.”
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Kenneth Abrams ’78 and Kathleen Pointek-Abrams ’73 with Alumni Association then-President Joseph M. Confessore ‘96 (left) and President Dooley at the February 20 game against Xavier.
John Nunes ’88 with Alumni Relations Executive Director Michele Nota; John’s son, Nathan; and President Dooley at the March 9 game against UMass.
32 QUADANGLES SUMMER 2013
Walter Merrill Woolf, of Tampa, Fla., a veterinarian in Tampa since 1960, provided the opening remarks at the Animal Transportation Association conference held in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 28 to May 1, 2013. Walter presented “The History of Animal Transportation,” a whimsical yet factual account of animal transport from Noah and the Ark to present-day methods. As an adjunct to Walter’s small animal companion pet practice, Woolf Animal Hospital, P.A., in 1977 Walter and the late Millie Weinberg Woolf ‘59 founded Air Animal Pet Movers, providing pet moving solutions to relocating corporate pet owners, nationwide and worldwide, from offices in Tampa.
`70
Alan M. Lasher, A&S, of Nanuet, N.Y., writes: “I have been retired for 11 years and love it. Joan (my wife) and I have traveled the world. Just became a grandpa for the first time. Still get together with several of my fraternity brothers and hoping that the Rams can come back in basketball. GO RHODY!”
`71
Roger F. Muller, CBA, of New York, N.Y., writes: “I started Stay-Focused (stay-focused.org) 10 years ago, a nonprofit organization that enables teens with disabilities to become certified SCUBA divers. To celebrate our 10-year anniversary, Ryan Chalmers, a Stay-Focused alum and a wheelchair athlete/paralympian will push `61 his racing chair from Los Angeles Carole M. Colacurcio Olmsted, to New York City this spring. We will HS&S, of Camp Hill, Pa., writes: leave LA on April 6th and arrive in “Have five grandchildren. Taking NYC 71 days later on June 15th. Ryan drum and dance lessons. Recently is motivated by his desire to encourappeared as Florence in ‘Leading age others to take on challenges and Ladies’ at Theatre Harrisburg.” give back to individuals and organizations that have made a difference in their lives. I would like my fellow URI alumni to be aware of Stay-Focused and Push Across America.” Photos courtesy uri athletics
Steven E. Neville, A&S, of Merritt Island, Fla., writes, “Just retired as vice president of operations for a third party claims administrator, where I contracted with certain underwriters at Lloyd’s, London to administer commercial property and transportation insurance claims nationwide. Married to Meredith for 39 and 1/2 years—have two children and five grandchildren. Life is good.”
A gift That lasts a lifetime! To order a brick or for more information: advance.uri.edu/alumni/centurywalk or 401.874.2218.
Susan M. West Kurz, A&S, of Jamestown, R.I., author and co-founder of Dr. Hauschka Skin Care line, received a 2013 Classical High School Distinguished Alumni Award. She started the Bee Conscious organization, dedicated to restoring the population of honeybees and relationship to nature for a sustainable future.
`72 Kenneth S. Alexander, PHM, of Lambertville, Mich., is the 2013 recipient of the Bowl of Hygeia Award for outstanding service to his community. The Bowl of Hygeia Award is sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association Foundation and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations with support from Boehringer Ingelheim. Ken’s humble example of service has touched many aspects of the Toledo and Southeast Michigan communities for nearly 40 years.
`74 Alexander J. Caserta, A&S, of Cranston, R.I., writes: “I recently produced a documentary film on the orchard growers in the state of Rhode Island. The film was sponsored by a grant from the R.I. Department of Environmental Management and was produced over the past two years. The actual photo documentary began 10 years ago and the exhibition was displayed at URI. I have been making documentaries in the state of RI for the past 18 years. This particular documentary was at the request of one of the staff at URI who works in the Department of Cooperative Extension. Heather Faubert has provided assistance with this project from the beginning stages. The film was previewed at the Jane Pickens Theatre in Newport on May 23rd.”
`75 F. Randy Vogenberg, PHM, of Sharon, Mass., writes: “I was appointed an adjunct professor of pharmacy administration in the School of Pharmacy at URI. I co-founded “Bentelligence” for applying healthcare market intelligence to strategic and tactical business decisions, Monroe, Conn.” bentelligence.com
Century Walk bricks are placed on the Quad—the heart of campus—as permanent tributes to graduates and friends of URI. You can personalize your gift to include name, class year, sorority, fraternity, club, athletic affiliation, or anything meaningful to you.
`77 Diane M. Disney, CBA, of West Chester, Pa., has been reelected chair of the Board of the National Academy of Public Administration.
`79 Lisa H. Conti, A&S, of West Hartford, Conn., was appointed founding faculty of the Frank H. Netter M.D. School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University. As an assistant professor of medical sciences, Lisa will be responsible for teaching neuroscience and biostatistics courses at Connecticut’s newest medical school, which will offer its first classes in August 2013.
`80 Corey W. Briggs, A&S, of Quincy, Mass., was honored as a 2013 distinguished fellow of the American Industrial Hygiene Association, the premier association of occupational and environmental health and safety professionals, whose 10,000 members, representing a cross-section of industry, private business, labor, government, and academia, play a crucial role on the front line of worker health and safety every day. Henry Fiore, Jr., HS&S, of Westerly, R.I., recently was invited by the National Catholic Educational Association to provide workshops on autism to Catholic school teachers at the National Teaching Exceptional Learners Conference in Tampa, Fla. He was then asked to lead a discussion group on faith and autism with Elaine Hall, creator of the Miracle Project featured on HBO’s Autism: The Musical, at a retreat for parents of children with autism at URI’s W. Alton Jones Campus (see article in Summer 2013 QuadAngles). Eileen Fiore ‘94 sang at the event.
Scott Bill Hirst, A&S, of Ashaway, R.I., was elected to his sixth term on the Hopkinton, R.I. Town Council in November 2012. He served from 1996-2004, and since 2010. He also attended his sixth Republican National Convention last summer and for the third time was an alternate delegate.
`85 John M. Parente, HS&S, of North Kingstown, R.I., writes that he is: “Owner—President of Sales/ Marketing of Top Shell LLC ‘The Pizza Gourmet’—Manufacturer of wood grilled pizza crust—sold nationally for food service & retail. Headquartered in Warwick, R.I.” woodgrilledpizzacrusts.com
mental delays, Cathy embarked on a mission to find answers, help, and healing. With the hope that sharing her experiences might help other families in similar situations, she writes regularly about Ronan, vaccine injury, special education, and parenting a special needs child with typical siblings. A contributing editor for Age of Autism, Cathy has also had her work featured in The Autism File Magazine and Pathways to Family Wellness Magazine. She is also a co-founder of The Thinking Moms’ Revolution and has authored a chapter in their newly released book, Autism Beyond the Spectrum.
`94
Laura J. Kronen, CBA, of Duluth, Ga., is the founder and CEO of Be You, Only Better, a transformational life coaching company that provides family, entrepreneurial, personal relationship and health and weight management coaching, mentoring, and image consulting. Focusing on the premise of finding and nurturing the authentic self and igniting inner passions is the foundation behind her successful company. beyouonlybetter.com
Thomas K. Ford, A&S, of Santa Monica, Calif., director of marine programs for the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation and parttime faculty at the Fred Seaver College of Science and Engineering at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, Calif., has been engaged in the study and restoration of kelp forests since he moved to LA in 1998. Other current projects include aerial mapping of boats, abalone genetics and disease risk management, sea urchin gonad indices development, and SCUBA-based biological monitoring of Marine Protected Areas.
`93
`95
`92
Tony Estrella, A&S, of Cranston, R.I., who serves as artistic director of The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, was selected by Trinity Repertory Company as a prestigious 2013 Pell Award winner. Cathy Jameson, HS&S, of Stafford, Va., is a dual-certified teacher with ten years’ experience in early and elementary education. Having stepped away from the classroom to raise her five children, Cathy is now a full-time mother, advocate, and writer. When her son Ronan started to show signs of develop-
Chris T. Poulos, HS&S, of Kingston, R.I., writes: “I am a member of Team USA, running the marathon at the World Masters Outdoor Championships, October 16-27, 2013 in Brazil. A few weeks ago I started keeping a blog about my journey, I update it daily. The blog also has my bio and other links.” matchmystride. blogspot.com Kenneth A. Volante, A&S, of Portland, Ore., writes: “I was named statewide political organizer for the Oregon Education Association.”
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 33
William “Kohl” Brinkman ’13
grew up on—and in, and especially under the surface of—Long Island Sound. Small wonder he came to URI to major in history and minor in underwater archaeology, the only program of its kind in the world. Through the URI Research Diving Program, he earned certification as a Rescue Diver, Dive Master, and Scientific Diver, and interned with the URI diving safety officer, helping to educate more research divers. Our Office of Experiential Learning also helped him land internships with the Kingston Fire Department and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. While his fallback career is revitalizing the commercial diving and salvage business he founded in high school, Kohl’s dream job would be to continue what he’s doing for NOAA in Michigan this summer: “mapping shipwrecks, analyzing artifacts, preserving our submerged cultural heritage.” Learn more: uri.edu/experience | gso.uri.edu/diving williamkohlbrinkman.yolasite.com
photo QUADANGLES by Kyle St. Pierre SUMMER 2013 34
`00 Dara M. Raisner, A&S, of Cranston, R.I., is a jewlery designer who was featured at Styleweek, Spring ‘13. Her collection of all handmade pieces includes rings, key chains, cuffs, mirrored compacts, badge holders, hairpins, and barrettes. She has also made cufflinks for men. All the pieces are made of adjustable metal, even the sterling items. Her pieces can be found in Rhode Island at Prima Donna in Cranston, Luniac Glamour in East Greenwich, and Fabulocity in Smithfield. Or check out her Facebook page at Harliquinn Designs.
`01 Jennifer E. Dacey, CELS, of Sterling, Conn., has been named the superintendent of the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project in Massachusetts. She will oversee staff and activities as the project aims to serve communities by suppressing both nuisance and disease-carrying mosquito populations to tolerable levels in the most environmentally sensitive and economical manner. bristolcountymosquitocontrol.com Dawn E. Winalski, CELS, of Barrow, Alaska, graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law in 2009, Order of the Coif. She recently began working as an assistant borough attorney for the North Slope Borough in Barrow, focusing on environmental law.
`03 Peter R. Vandall, A&S, of Stamford, Conn., writes, “My first television series, ‘Chasing Tail,’ is on the History Channel Thursday nights from 10 to 11PM EST. It is about my hilarious blue collar cousins and their friends, who hunt deer in the wealthy suburbs of Connecticut. The success I am enjoying with my work right now started when I took a film course during my last semester at URI ... taught by Sheri Wills.... I never wanted to leave the edit room, and it was during this time that I decided to become a filmmaker.” history.com/ shows/chasing-tail Rena C. Zito, A&S, of New Wilmington, Pa., Wesminster College assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice studies, co-authored an article published in Sociological Perspectives in March. “Maternal Roles and Adolescent Depression: Conditions and Processes of Influence” uses nationally-representative data on mothers and adolescents to explore how incongruity between mothers’ roles and their ideologies concerning maternal roles affects adolescent depression.
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`12
Rebecca Mulholland Desalvo, A&S, of Shippenville, Pa., was hired in October as the assistant director of enrollment for Yale University’s Graduate School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
Kyle S. King, A&S, of Johnston, R.I., made his third deployment to Afghanistan last spring. During his six months supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, he filmed his first documentary, Fatigued, a short film about life for U.S. Troops, ISAF coalition partners, and civilian contractors. It premiered at the Columbus Theater in Providence in April. A month later, King left for Ecuador with the Peace Corps for a 27-month commitment.
`08
Lisa M. Bowie, CELS, of Bristol, R.I., Jonathan Whaley ‘09, and James Bagley ‘05 opened a newly formed law firm in Providence, RI. The three URI alums do business throughout the state of Rhode Island and in Massachusetts specializing in Weddings personal injury cases and criminal Henry A. Payette ‘01 to Allison Sam, defense work. on October 20, 2012.
`10
Andrew V. Camarda, CBA, of Palatine, Ill., wrote in early April: “I am an avid sailor (one of the big reasons I went to URI) and have had the dream of sailing around the world. I found out last week that I was accepted into the Clipper Round the World Race, an amateur race around the world spanning 13 countries and 40,000 miles.” After rushing around to raise money and awareness for the project, with the goal of inspiring others to follow their dreams, Andrew posted on his race blog, avcsailing.com, as of April 29, “I regret to inform you that my Round the World trip has been postponed until at least 2015. Unfortunately what was an uphill battle became impossible as I got more into it with additional costs and time constraints. My dream is still alive and I am still dedicated to my goals of growing and promoting sailing. I will update everyone when I have more information.”
Kara A. Keenan ‘03 to Brian Rodman, on December 1, 2012. Patrick M. Gailliot ‘04 to Margaret Triano, on February 10, 2012. Heather A. Rochat ‘05 to Liam Scott Burke, on September 15, 2012. Jennifer Siegal ‘05 to Michael Whelihan, on June 9, 2012. Jessica L. Corbeil ‘06 to Charles W. Angeloro, Jr., on October 20, 2012. Mary E. Gilligan ‘06 to Momodou Jobe ‘06, on March 23, 2013. Jennifer A. Corvese ‘06 to Tyler Hyde, on August 25, 2012. Leslie A. Miller ‘06 to Jason Whitlock, on September 2, 2012.
Births Michelle A. ‘90 and Michael J. Cunniff ‘85, a son, Timothy Thomas, on February 28, 2013. Jenny and Edward R. Doughty ‘93, a daughter, Eleanor Davis, on March 13, 2013. A photo is posted at uri.edu/ publications/classpics. Robert J. Lanzieri Jr. and Kerri E. Kaletski Lanzieri ‘97, a daughter, Lucia Addison, on March 1, 2013. Ema Rodrigues and Adam C. Russell ‘98, a son, Simon Andrew, on January 11, 2012. Rebecca Mulholland Desalvo ‘06 and Albert De Salvo ‘02, a daughter, Amara Leia, on April 2, 2013. Nicholas Gagne and Sarah J. Gileau ‘02, a daughter, Scarlet Jean, on November 12, 2012. A photo is posted at uri.edu/publications/classpics. Jacquelyn and Scott H. Einaugler ‘03, a daughter, Vivian, on February 12, 2013. Philip J. Manzelli and Kara M. Osborne Manzelli ‘03, a daughter, Julianna Elizabeth, on September 25, 2012. Brian D. ‘04 and Aimee A. Plouffe ‘04, a daughter, Sophie Adele, on February 6, 2013. Christina Collins Peterson ‘06 and Geoffrey Peterson ‘08, a daughter, Audrey Raye, on February 22, 2013.
Pamela Giron ‘10 to Ryan Duffy ‘10, on March 16, 2013. A photo is posted at uri.edu/publications/classpics.
HIRE RHODY FOR YOUR EVENT! When Bob Ferrell ’07 and Laura Pagano ’08, M.S.’10 were married last November, they invited their URI friends to the wedding—including Rhody! Find out how you can hire Rhody to help make your party an unforgettable success: advance.uri.edu/alumni/rhody/visit.htm • rferrell@uri.edu 401.874.7402
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 35
Elaine Drake ’13
kept college on the back burner while working and raising children. In 2009 she heeded an inner call to “finish what you started.” Through transfer credits, her employer’s flexibility, URI’s online and in-person classes, and the PLA program—“Prior Learning Assessment” to earn academic credit for non-classroom experiences—Elaine now has her B.A. in communication studies, with a minor in gender and women’s studies (GWS), and a new job as communications and engagement manager for Citizens Bank. Studying GWS, Elaine says, “opened a whole new world of ideas and has been a big influence on my work life. I tend to apply my gender lens in trying to get things done and help people see things from a more equitable perspective.” Learn more: uri.edu/finish
36 SUMMER 2013 photo QUADANGLES by Nora Lewis
In Memoriam Ernest Magee ‘37 of Winter Park, Fla., on February 26, 2013. Carlton Brownell ‘39 of Little Compton, R.I., on February 6, 2013. Mary Randall ‘39 of Peace Dale, R.I., on January 7, 2013. Irving Horowitz ‘41 of Longmeadow, Mass., on February 15, 2013. Mary Elizabeth Brown ‘42 of Wakefield, R.I., on May 1, 2012. Dorothy Goff Spencer ‘42 of Providence, R.I., on April 26, 2013. Morphis Jamiel ‘43 of Warren, R.I., on January 26, 2013. Virginia Chapman Dietrich ‘44 of Ridgefield, N.J., on April 28, 2013. Muriel Anderson Diorio ‘44 of Warwick, R.I., on February 9, 2013. Ethel Allan Nelson ‘44 of North Oaks, Minn., on January 31, 2013. Barbara Phillips McGee ‘45 of West Warwick, R.I., on April 29, 2013. Bradford Bowen ‘46 of Lake Placid, Fla., on January 29, 2013. Wilfred Ogden ‘48 of Greenville, R.I., on March 16, 2013. Eugene Blackler ‘49 of Oxnard, Calif., on January 27, 2013. Barbara Brierley Giarrusso ‘49 of Wakefield, R.I., on February 7, 2013. Paul Lischio ‘49 of West Palm Beach, Fla., on March 16, 2013. Theodore Stearns ‘49 of East Providence, R.I., on February 24, 2013. Harold Averill ‘50 of Greenville, R.I., on March 21, 2013. Paul Brodeur ‘50 of East Greenwich, R.I., on March 4, 2013. Anthony Caccia ‘50 of Providence, R.I., on April 16, 2013. George Chalko ‘50 of Wakefield, R.I., on April 15, 2013. Robert Connolly ‘50 of Novi, Mich., on January 26, 2013. Earl Pearson ‘50 of Warwick, R.I., on March 13, 2013. Barbara Tewksbury Rose ‘50 of Saint Louis, Mo., on March 22, 2013. Gabriel Surabian ‘50 of Naples, Fla., on April 14, 2013. Mary Vermette ‘50 of Bristol, R.I., on March 19, 2013. George Gartsu ‘51 of Southport, Conn., on April 18, 2012. Joseph Ladow ‘51 of Cranston, R.I., on March 21, 2013.
Alan Corry ‘53 of Sandusky, Ohio, on May 18, 2012. Vernon Follett ‘53 of North Smithfield, R.I., on April 7, 2012.
A Special Thank You to our Scholarship Golf Tournament Sponsors
Robert Hunt ‘54 of West Dundee, Ill., on April 8, 2013.
Gold Sponsor Liberty Mutual Insurance
Peter Klanian ‘54 of East Greenwich, R.I., on January 23, 2013.
Silver Sponsor Carousel Industries
Norman Oshrin ‘55 of Monroe Township, N.J., on March 3, 2013. John Crankshaw ‘56 of Cranston, R.I., on January 25, 2013. Robert Gilroy ‘56 of North Providence, R.I., on April 18, 2013. Max Dressler Lechtman ‘57 of Anaheim, Calif., on April 6, 2013. Michael Scarpellino ‘57 of North Providence, R.I., on February 5, 2013. Harry Hampson ‘58 of Central Islip, N.Y., on September 3, 2012. John Shine ‘58 of Boca Raton, Fla., on April 3, 2013. Robert Wilkinson ‘58 of Jamestown, R.I., on January 18, 2013. Christopher Seeger ‘59 of Clearwater, Fla., on March 3, 2013. Helaine Zimmerman ‘59 of Mashpee, Mass., on March 6, 2013. Lawrence Duquette ‘60 of Northborough, Mass., on March 26, 2013. Arthur Laferriere ‘60 of Johnston, R.I., on January 17, 2013. Wilfred Moretti ‘60 of Halifax, Mass., on April 2, 2013. Hope Thorell Rawlings ‘60 of Mansfield, Mass., on March 15, 2013. James Lepikko ‘61 of Westerly, R.I., on January 24, 2013. Leroy Salisbury ‘62 of Hudson, N.H., on January 18, 2013.
Bronze Sponsor Citizens Bank Gilbane Building Company URI Foundation Beverage Sponsor Coastway Community Bank Sullivan & Company BlumShapiro Tee Sponsor Amica Apex Payroll Batchelor, Frechette, McCrory, Michael & Company Global Spectrum/The Ryan Center Gradient Corporation New England Trane Parts Center Nordson EFD (4 sponsorships) Russell Morin Fine Catering Shove Insurance South County Hospital Orthopedics South County Orthopedics Troy, Pires & Allen URI Bookstore URI Dining Services URI Health Services URI Housing & Residential Life Washington Trust Woodard & Curran Practice Green Sponsor Elite Physical Therapy Navigant Credit Union Top Shelf Gift Bag Sponsor The Mews Tavern
Glenn Woodbury ‘63 of Warwick, R.I., on February 9, 2013.
Gift Bag Items Liberty Mutual Insurance Navigant Credit Union Wells Fargo Advisors
Alice Collier Bacon ‘65 of East Greenwich, R.I., on March 27, 2013.
Putting Prize Donation Steve Lombardi ’74
Manzur Bajwa ‘65 of Hollywood, Fla., on April 30, 2013.
Beer Donation Constantine Anagnostopoulos ‘75
Michael Greenspan ‘65 of New York, N.Y., on June 25, 2012.
Beverage Donation Pepsi Company
Joseph Antinucci ‘63 of Severna Park, Md., on February 21, 2013.
Robert Lazar ‘65 of North Fort Myers, Fla., on November 24, 2012. John Hannon ‘67 of Palm Beach, Fla., on March 31, 2013. David Tishler ‘67 of Potomac, Md., on May 29, 2012. Neil Asting ‘68 of Monument, Colo., on April 3, 2013.
Donation Local 528 Council 94 AFSCME
A special thank you to Cox Business for their support of the University of Rhode Island Photos | uri.edu/quadangles
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 37
Career Survival Instinct There comes a point in your career when job loss, pending job interruption, or the desire to get out of a miserable job may activate your “Career Survival Instinct.” I’ll take anything is a common way to think in this situation. Allowing this mindset to take over will present an unexpected uphill battle, characterized by: • Losing control of your elevator speech, leaving contacts without any indication of your interests, skills, or desired roles • C onsidering positions below your current level of accountability • Ending up with significantly lower pay, possibly forcing you into the need for a second job
For more information about Career Services for URI alumni, please contact:
Our Alumni Career Advisors 401.874.9404
No doubt, it is a difficult dilemma. Career Survival Instinct challenges every aspect of a disciplined career campaign. You can avoid it with a drive towards greater creativity and patience. Escalated perseverance, research, and networking must become your dominant strategies. If a job for wage becomes critically necessary, a temporary position can fill the void; however, it must exist alongside your essential, ongoing career campaign. The fact is, you cannot lose ground as long as you engage in the following activities: • Research and apply for jobs: increase your activity in applying for suitable positions • N etwork: escalate your attention to networking via LinkedIn, email, phone, and face-to-face meetings • S et up informational meetings: maintain your attention to securing discussions with recruiters and other employees of organizations you would like to join, regardless of a suitable currently posted position
Karen Rubano krubano@uri.edu
Marie Geary mrgeary@uri.edu
URI Career Services and Employer Relations 228 Roosevelt Hall, 90 Lower College Road Kingston, RI 02881
career.uri.edu/alumni.shtml 38 QUADANGLES SUMMER 2013
Allow your strategy to be one that stays the course and maintains the energy needed for your job search. Patience, discipline, and determination will help you move forward without the additional pressure caused by Career Survival Instinct. And, as always, URI Alumni Career Advisors are here to help.
Marie DiCola Pelletier ‘78 of Charlestown, R.I., on January 25, 2013.
Judi Roche Harrison ‘81 of Westbrook, Conn., on November 26, 2009.
Christopher Armacost ‘91 of San Diego, Calif., on January 21, 2013.
Arthur Bellerose ‘79 of Sun City Center, Fla., on April 11, 2013.
John Keinath ‘82 of Midway, Ga., on March 24, 2012.
Charles Austin ‘95 of Hope Valley, R.I., on March 23, 2013.
Christos Erinakes ‘68 of West Warwick, R.I., on April 13, 2013.
Owen Benson ‘79 of Saunderstown, R.I., on April 1, 2013.
Kathleen McGauran Mahoney ‘83 of The Villages, Fla., on April 19, 2013.
David Le Page ‘98 of South Hadley, Mass., on March 13, 2013.
Marilyn Cone Ferrie ‘68 of New Vernon, N.J., on April 12, 2013.
Susan Dazza DeRosa ‘79 of Greenville, N.C., on March 17, 2012.
Thomas Hogg ‘84 of Cranston, R.I., on September 12, 2011.
Obituaries
Joan Illingwoth Johnson ‘68 of Danville, Calif., on April 22, 2013.
James Taylor ‘79 of Saunderstown, R.I., on March 26, 2013.
Philip Licis ‘84 of Providence, R.I., on April 16, 2013.
Joel Sipes ‘69 of Houston, Texas, on February 1, 2013.
Brian Barnhart ‘80 of Portsmouth, R.I., on May 16, 2012.
Richard Fairbrothers ‘85 of Boston, Mass., on January 18, 2013.
Professor Emeritus of History William DeWitt Metz, Hon.’70, of Kingston, on February 11, 2013.
Ruth Wyer Haines ‘70 of Rockland, Maine, on February 19, 2013.
Mary Toolan Murphy ‘80 of Cranston, R.I., on February 4, 2013.
Christopher Riley ‘85 of Newburyport, Mass., on February 19, 2013.
John Carlos ‘71 of Portsmouth, R.I., on March 16, 2013.
Glenn Courchaine ‘81 of Fitchburg, Mass., on March 17, 2012.
John Dunivan ‘87 of Cherryville, N.C., on January 9, 2013.
In Memoriam Arlene Lefkowitz Baldecchi ‘68 of Woodland Park, N.J., on April 15, 2013.
Professor Emeritus of English Daniel D. Pearlman, of Providence, on February 18, 2013. For more information, go to uri.edu/quadangles.
Pasquale Castelli ‘71 of Cranston, R.I., on April 25, 2013. Howard Greenberg ‘71 of Long Beach, N.Y., on March 4, 2013. Joan Carpenter Kokernak ‘71 of West Warwick, R.I., on April 20, 2013. Evelyn DiOrio Mallozzi ‘71 of Narragansett, R.I., on April 14, 2013.
ACROSS
1. Small Purchase Giving Big Benefits And Warm, Happy Feelings
Roger Haymon ‘72 of Gray, Maine, on January 28, 2013.
F S U P P O R T
Ernest Houle ‘72 of North Kingstown, R.I., on April 22, 2013. Susan Platt Wilson ‘72 of Bristol, R.I., on January 22, 2013. George Babcock ‘73 of Pawtucket, R.I., on April 16, 2013.
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Robert Fred ‘73 of Norfolk, Va., on February 9, 2012.
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Walter Brown ‘74 of Groton, Conn., on January 26, 2013.
O U R M A
Mary Gibbons Flynn ‘74 of Bellingham, Mass., on September 2, 2012. Robert Levetin ‘74 of Plainville, Mass., on December 29, 2011. Rosemary Roberts ‘74 of Hanson, Mass., on April 23, 2013. Dilip Paul ‘75 of West Bethesda, Md., on March 2, 2013. Harry Niles ‘76 of Brandon, Fla., on August 14, 2012. Norman Salem ‘76 of Stamford, Conn., on March 19, 2013.
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C I O F U N N V O N G I E S C O U N T S A T T I I O O N
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Norman Salem ‘76 of Stamford, Conn., on March 19, 2013.
Marc Gould ‘77 of Monmouth Junction, N.J., on April 16, 2013. Cheryl Masterson ‘77 of Seal Beach, Calif., on March 23, 2012. Alan Audette ‘78 of Cranston, R.I., on October 11, 2012.
As a dues-paying member of the Alumni Association, you receive invitations to memberonly events; discounts on select events, venues, and retailers; and the satisfaction of providing scholarships for deserving URI students.
Join now! advance.uri.edu/alumni Answer: MEMBERSHIP
Emil Soderberg ‘76 of Oakdale, Conn., on February 23, 2013.
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 39
BACKPAGE
Board Game File this one under best job interview ever.
40 QUADANGLES Summer 2013
Last fall, on a bit of a whim, Dennis Ryan ’96 applied for a job as a software engineer at Patagonia, the sporting goods company. At the time, he was happily employed at a New Jersey telecommunications company. So when Patagonia offered to fly him out to corporate headquarters in Ventura, Calif., for an interview, he went into minor panic mode. “I’d been to interviews that were batteries of endless meetings, getting drilled on technical stuff,” he says. “By the time you’re done, you just want to lie down and melt.” It didn’t happen quite like that. Just before the big day, Dennis received his schedule from HR. The first meeting was set to take place at 8 a.m. In the water. On a surfboard. The invitation to take to the waves with his prospective boss didn’t come as a total shock—Dennis had applied for the job
after reading Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s memoir, Let My People Go Surfing. For a longtime surfer like Dennis, the allure of working at a company where the boardroom is actually a room to stash your surfboard was irresistible. The interview went swimmingly: After two hours on the waves, Dennis showed up at headquarters in jeans, flip-flops, and a t-shirt. By day’s end, the job was in the bag. Working at Patagonia has plenty of great perks, says Dennis, but nothing beats the lunchtime surf breaks. “Whenever the waves are good, I get an IM from my boss saying, ‘I’m going to check it out!’ And I say, ‘I’m going with you!’” —Amy Paulsen Video | uri.edu/quadangles
Photos by Dennis Ryan and Ray Hallgreen
Alumni Association
Thank you alumni, family, and friends for an outstanding weekend. We raised over $90,000 for student scholarships!
Big Chill Weekend 2013
It’s all about scholarships. The University of Rhode Island Alumni Association and the 2013 Big Chill Weekend Committee express sincere appreciation to honorary chairs Peter and Sandy Miniati ’85 and Gold Sponsor: Toray Plastics (America) Silver Sponsor: The Washington Trust Company Bronze Sponsor: Bank of America Merrill Lynch and U.S. Trust A special thanks to Cox Communications and Rhode Island Monthly as well as our other generous sponsors and auction/raffle donors. Photos | uri.edu/quadangles
Top: Honorary Chairs Peter and Sandy Miniati ’85, Ann Hood ’78 and Lorne Adrain ’76 Center: Toray Plastics President and CEO Richard Schloesser and Janet Schloesser Bottom: Stephen Petrarca ’14, Catherine Liu ’16, Joseph Ryan ’14, Merita Nezaj ’13, and Antoinette Gbomina ’15
Photos: Nora Lewis, Mike Salerno
Save the Date! February 28–March 2, 2014
Alumni Center 73 Upper College Road Kingston, RI 02881 USA
Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Permit No. 937 East Greenville, PA
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
G N I M O C E M HO 13 20 Plan a ng omi Homec Affinity r Class o this year! Reunion ssociation mni A URI Alu .2242 401.874
October 25–26 advance.uri.edu/alumni