Saint Michael's College Spring/Summer 2022 Magazine

Saint Michael’s SAINT MICHAEL’S COLLEGE MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2022 In life, in learning. Purpose.

SAINT COLLEGEMICHAEL’SMAGAZINE Spring/Summer 2022 Volume 22, No. smcvt.edu/magazine1 EDITOR Susan Salter Reynolds CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rev. Michael Carter, SSE ’12 Josh Kessler ’04 Faith Morgan ’23 Annie Rosello ’94 Mark Tarnacki PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHERS Patrick Bohan Jerald Swope DESIGN Harp and Company Graphic Design Jennifer Fisher Douglas G. Harp MAGAZINE ADVISORY BOARD Alaba AngelaApesinArmour ’99 M’09 Alessandro Bertoni Rev. Michael Carter, SSE ’12 Summer Drexel Michelle Jordan P’20 Josh Kessler ’04 Jerald Swope Mark Tarnacki Saint Michael’s College Magazine (ISSN 0279-3016) is published by the Office of Marketing and Communications twice a year. The views expressed in the Saint Michael’s College Magazine do not necessarily represent the official policies and views of Saint Michael’s College. POSTMASTER Please send address changes to: Saint Michael’s College One Winooski Park, Box 6 Colchester, VT SMCMagazine@smcvt.edu05439 EDITORIAL OFFICE Saint Michael’s College One Winooski Park, Box 6 Colchester, VT 05439 College.©2022SMCMagazine@smcvt.edu802.654.2556bySaintMichael’sAllrightsreserved. Cover photo: Jerald Swope Inside front cover: Jerald Swope Patrick Bohan “BY EMPHASIZING PURPOSEFUL LEARNING AT SAINT MICHAEL’S COLLEGE, WE ARE HELPING STUDENTS CREATE A ROAD MAP FOR THEIR

KLEIN HALL 2 A Letter from President Lorraine Sterritt 3STORIESHeidi St. Peter by Mark Tarnacki 4 The Power of Purpose by Susan Salter Reynolds 10 Shaping Lives by Annie Rosello ‘94 14 Mark Tarnacki: No Road Map, but Grace in Abundance by Susan Salter Reynolds 16 Seeking, Knowing, Loving: Everyday Purpose in a Catholic Context by Rev. Michael Carter, SSE 20 The Centers can Hold: Strategic Plan Treats Social Impact as Key Component by Mark Tarnacki 24 Purpose in the COVID Era by Susan Salter Reynolds 28 Athletics: New Faces, Upgraded Spaces by Josh Kessler ’04 30 Expanding EngagementAlumni by Faith Morgan ’23 31 Sarah Childs: The Maximizer by Susan Salter Reynolds 32 Honing Your Purpose: Andrew King ’21 by Susan Salter Reynolds 33 Brennan Bordonaro ’24 by Susan Salter Reynolds 34 Reunion 36 Happiness and Purpose: Will Meehan ’22 by Susan Salter Reynolds 37 Making History: The Alpine Skiing Team by Josh Kessler ’04 38 Faculty and Alumni Works 40 A Lifetime of Teaching, A Legacy of Appreciation by Annie Rosello ’94 42 Easing the Suffering of Others: A Q&A on Purpose with Katherine Kirby by Susan Salter Reynolds CLASS NOTES 45 Letter from the Alumni Board President by Suzanne Leous ’86 46 Commencement 47 Class Notes 57 In Memoriam Additional online content available visit smcvt.edu/magazine FUTURE.” — LORRAINE STERRITT, PRESIDENT

HALLKLEIN

“THAT’S OUR WHOLE MISSION—OUR ENHANCEMENT OF OURSELVES AS WHOLE PEOPLE TO

Letter from the President P

D. E. Lorraine Sterritt President

Saint Michael’s is the best place to help our students reconnect, confront these questions, and forge a path forward that is infused with purpose. You’ll read in these pages about our new advising system, new centers for social impact, our laser focus on increasing diversity in both the faculty and the student body, and other important initiatives. These investments go far beyond the classroom to explorations of who we are, individually and in community; the language we use to articulate our goals; our willingness to face difficult questions; and the role that purposeful learning can play in our everyday lives and our Neitherevolution.of my parents had the privilege of attending college, but I well remember my father reading everything he could get his hands on (as he had done with all 310 books in his elementary school’s library, I was later told). I became a book worm, too. As I look back on my own college education, I recognize that many people and circumstances impact ed my own evolution. By helping our students build on what they love and care about, we’ll go a long way toward reversing the disconnection and anxiety COVID thrust upon us all. We’ll build on our own strengths as teachers, parents, colleagues,neighbors,friends, and innovators to move forward with purpose.

2 urposeful learning is at the core of our Strategic Plan, “Forward with Purpose.”

Over the last several months, our focus on the student experience has crystallized around this powerful concept. In this issue, you’ll learn what purpose and purposeful learning mean to members of our community—the staff, faculty, and students who will work together to make the ideas, innova tions, and initiatives in the plan come to life. As anyone in our community will tell you, developing a sense of purpose has always been part of the College’s DNA. It’s what we do. It’s what sets us apart. But COVID has shaken our world and raised new questions about our purpose in this life.

To learn more about this program visit smcvt.edu/purpose

“We’re at a time in our history when we just had to stop taking things for granted and be a little more intentional about the transformative experience that is St. Mike’s,” St. Peter said. “That’s our whole mission—our enhancement of ourselves as whole people to become our best selves and become instruments of change in our world.”

“She holds a B.A. in English and a graduate certificate in Theology from Saint Michael’s College, and an M.Ed. from UVM in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration. She had a yearlong volunteer experience at the Edmundite Missions in Selma, Alabama, and has worked at Champlain College as a part-time academic coach. At Saint Michael’s she has been a resident director, has worked in alumni and parent relations, for nine years was director of our Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts (MOVE) program, worked for five years as assistant director and then director of academic support services, and since 2020 she has been assistant dean for advising and student development. In addition, she has served on numerous community nonprofit boards, including Mercy Connections, Vermont Interfaith Action, and the Fanny Allen Foundation, among others.”

“I see this new position as providing ... guides and mentors and connecting students with them across the campus,” St. Peter said, adding that the College’s new “success advisors” with whom she will work closely “will be excellent touchpoints since their job is to connect students with amazing mentors across campus, and I think I am a good connector.”St.Petercontinued,

“Heidi brings to this new position a most impressive combination of experience in student life, Campus Ministry, academic affairs, and community engagement,” the announcement stated before continuing with highlights from the new appointee’s impressive resume:

The dual importance of academics and transformative student life experiences for Saint Michael’s students emerged in a recent announcement to the campus commu nity about St. Peter’s new job—it came jointly from Jeffrey Trumbower, vice president for academic affairs, and Dawn Ellinwood, VP for student affairs, since St. Peter will report to both of those leaders in her new role.

think this position really came out of reimagining every thing we’ve always been good at here at St. Mike’s,” said Heidi St. Peter ’96, shortly after the College chose her to become its first director of purposeful learning.

BECOME OUR BEST SELVES AND BECOME INSTRUMENTS OF CHANGE IN OUR WORLD.” — HEIDI ST. PETER ’96, DIRECTOR OF PURPOSEFUL LEARNING

HEIDI

The College’s First Director of Purposeful Learning BY MARK PhotographyTARNACKIbyPatrick Bohan ST.

PETER ’96: “I

St. Peter is living charismatic testimony to those things Saint Michael’s does best—from her undergraduate student days as an English major and ardent volunteer with strong mentors, through her leadership of the MOVE program in Edmundite Campus Ministry, to her more recent key roles in academic support and academic affairs. Few figures on campus know and love the College and its mission better or connect with more empathy while encouraging students and colleagues to be their best selves.

4 The Power of Purpose BY SUSAN SALTER REYNOLDS Photography by Jerry Swope and Patrick Bohan Illustration by MacGregor Harp

5 Purpose means different things to different people, as we’ll see throughout this issue, but most researchers define it as the alignment of who you are with what you do to make a difference in the world. “MY PURPOSE AS A TEACHER IS TO INSTILL IN MY STUDENTS A SENSE OF CONFIDENCE.” — ALAIN BRIZARD, PROFESSOR OF PHYSICS

THE EVIDENCE INCONTROVERTIBLE.IS

A Harvard School of Public Health study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that when you are armed with a higher sense of purpose in life—defined as having meaning, a direction, and goals—you are more likely to remain healthy and physical ly strong as you grow older. Even more dramatically, a U.S. Health and Retirement study in JAMA found that stronger purpose in life was associated not only with better health, but also with “decreased mortality.”

Members of the Adolescent Moral Development Lab at Claremont Graduate University for Prosocial Consulting and the John Templeton Foundation conducted a comprehen sive review of the literature on purpose. They found that having a purpose in life is associated with a wide range of physical and psychologi cal benefits—whether happiness or lowered stress hormones. Purpose in life is related to feelings of optimism and hope. A study quoted in the review found that individuals who reported higher purpose scores were less likely to be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.

Purposeful learning, is, in other words, a lifeline. In Helping College Students Find Purpose, authors Robert J. Nash and Michele C. Murray write that the period from age 17 to 30 is when we are our most philosophical and ask existential questions about finding a vocation, choosing a spiritual path, forming healthy relationships, handling financial issues, and estab lishing (and presenting to the public) a foundational identity. They conclude that colleges that help students through this period are the most successful in terms of retention and strong alumni networks. From their first week on campus, all students at Saint Michael’s will be enfolded in the St. Mike’s network and will begin to integrate career and life goals into their curriculum. They will be advised by a team that will include a faculty advisor, a career coach, and a success advisor. All first-year students will Career Education Coach Tim Birmingham discusses career options with a student in the Boucher Career Education Center.

PURPOSEOFPOWERTHE6

Having a sense of purpose leads to happiness, well-being, and success in life, learning, and work. Purpose means different things to different people, as we’ll see throughout this issue, but most researchers define it as the alignment of who you are with what you do to make a differ ence in the world. In 2021, after months of research and focus groups, Saint Michael’s new Strategic Plan, “Forward with Purpose,” was approved by the Board of Trustees. The student experience is the heart and soul of the plan, which was motivated in part by the widely held understanding that the pandemic, while traumatic for everyone, was hard on students in ways that Saint Michael’s College, going forward, is uniquely positioned to address. Purposeful learning evokes the tools and skills that students will learn to use in order to create meaningful, fulfilling lives.

7 take a highly interactive, experiential, one-credit course in the first eight weeks of each semester that orients the student to Saint Michael’s history and the Edmundite mission, address es the transition to college, begins exploration of purpose, emphasizes techniques to improve wellness and self-care, and introduces the College’s systems, services, and opportunities for Purposeengagement.isrelated to self-esteem, grit, perseverance, resilience, and academic self-efficacy. Key studies in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and elsewhere have concluded that helping students create even a temporary purpose mindset improved academic outcomes, includ ing grade point average and the amount of time students were willing to spend studying for tests and completing homework. A bevy of studies in the last several decades have also shown that adolescents who have expressed a sense of purpose perform better academically and report that their schoolwork is more meaningful. Some researchers argue that purpose gives young people context for their hard work, a sense of the future unfolding. As a consequence, they are less likely to feel stressed and more likely to do well in school.

THE SAINT MICHAEL’S DNA Purpose has always been an integral part of the Catholic mission. The College has established a mission integration task force to define today’s student experience in the context of the Catholic mission. A module

When it comes to finding one’s purpose, everyone is on a different timeline, but research shows that the high school and college years are typically when we figure out many of our values and life goals and establish a sense of identity, ideally informed by a sense of purpose. In the late 1960s, developmental psycholo gist Erik Erikson wrote about the relationship between purpose and identity development. After a period of questioning values and religious and political beliefs, he wrote, young adults try out identities and then commit to their own personally meaningful goals. Healthy identity development is often associated with the ability to set these goals and stick with them, but also to be flexible enough to let them shift with new experience and information. “We all wear multiple hats,” says Michael Stefanowicz, director of admission, “and our purpose is ever-evolving, informed by our values, interests, and Socialexperiences.”impactand values development will be an integral part of every student’s curriculum. The centers will integrate curricular, co-curricular, and career opportunities in targeted areas: the Center for the Environment and the Center for Global Engagement. (See page 20). A new Media Creation Studio will be launched in the fall of 2022 and a new Marketing major, a collaboration between two depart ments (Business and Media Studies Journalism & Digital Arts) will be added. The Center for Global Engage ment will lead efforts to engage with the New American community, and Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts (MOVE) will be expanded with new service opportunities that enhance connections between purpose and mission. MOVE will also help to connect the College with the larger community in meaningful ways that have the potential to increase enrollment, create opportunities for service, embrace diversity, and develop corporate relationships that can lead to internships and career placement. Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts (MOVE) will be expanded with new service opportu nities that enhance connections between purpose and mission and will connect the College with the larger community in meaningful ways that have the potential to increase enrollment, create opportu nities for service, embrace diversity, and develop corporate relationships that can lead to internships and career placement. Despite the benefits associated with leading a life of purpose, several studies suggest the experience is relatively rare. Only about one in five high school students and one in three college students report having a clear purpose in life, and rates drop slightly in midlife and more precipi tously in later adulthood. Many cited the importance of, and lack of, mentors along the way—mentors asking the right questions, facilitating self-reflection, and often acting as role models, helping mentees craft and articulate their sense of purpose. The Strategic Plan will help ensure these benefits are available to students.

PURPOSE AND IDENTITY

PURPOSEOFPOWERTHE

Purposeful learning is, in other words, a lifeline.

Chris Kenny ’86, director of athletics, does a lot of life coaching, on and off the field. “We focus on the holistic development of our student athletes,” he says. “There is so much personal growth involved in being an athlete: resilience, persistence, to name a few [areas].” With 470 varsity athletes enrolled at Saint Michael’s, Kenny is profoundly aware that college is a transformational time in life, that students are forming their identities, and that role models are extremely important. Often, he reminds a listener, coaches have more personal conversations with students than faculty and advisors do. The Strategic Plan, for Kenny, reinforces what Saint Michael’s has been doing for many decades. It signals a renewed commitment to the values that he instills in all the athletes he works with, and although he looks forward to fresh resources, he is proud that for four years in a row St. Mike’s has led the country in its athletes’ academic success and graduation rates. “This wouldn’t be possible,” he says, “if we didn’t all work together to make it happen.”

“WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO LEVEL

PURPOSEOFPOWERTHE8 will be added to orientation for new employees and students that introduces the charism and history of the Edmundites. “This process,” says Jeff Trumbower, vice president for academic affairs and professor of religious studies, “has helped us to articulate key aspects of the Catholic mission that resonate most clearly with higher education and student needs today.”

“This is not a departure from who we are,” says Kristin McAndrew, VP of enrollment and marketing, of the new plan. “These goals are embedded in our roots.” McAndrew is tremen dously proud of St. Mike’s. During a period that many have called a crisis in higher education, Saint Michael’s “is building something new.” Marnie Owen, registrar and assistant dean for academic affairs, came to St. Mike’s from the college of engineering at UVM, where she helped to create a similar Whatcareermentoringincludingcreditone-coursedesignedtoorientstudentsandfamiliarizethemwithresources,andcounseling.fascinateshernow is weaving in the purposeful learning piece, which affects the whole student, emotionally, professionally, and practically. “At UVM, I was in a professional school, not liberal arts, so the focus was often on specific career goals and funding. But the liberal arts prepares students for a wide variety of options; it prepares them to be adaptable, so a team of advisors, including faculty and career advisors, can help guide them on several levels,” she says.

PLAYING

Alain Brizard, professor of physics, says his purpose as a teacher is to instill a sense of confidence and to make sure his students are challenged. The exhilaration of solving difficult problems nurtures confidence. “You do not learn by solving easy prob lems,” he says. “My purpose is not so much to be liked in the present; my purpose is to be liked 10 years from now, when students realize all they learned.” Brizard believes that confidence is an ingredientimportant in purpose. We are more likely to build a sense of purpose around the things we are good at. Saint Michael’s Physics majors often go on to work in other fields, he explains, like business, because they are trained to solve “Physicistsproblems.hardare the Marines science,”ofhe says proudly. “If there’s a problem, you send in the Hastings,ForMarines.”Sarah director of the ourmeansprogram,psychologyclinicalpurposeusingstrengthstocontribute, which gives us a sense of satisfaction. This is a process, she says, that takes a while to figure out, and we must give students that time to reflect on what matters and use that informa tion to guide their decisions. Only then will they avoid simply responding to external demands and “act from within.” Hastings explains that she tends to see human prob lems through the lens of power and hierarchies that can confuse our THE FIELD, OPEN OUR EYES TO SYSTEMS THAT DISTORT OUR SENSE OF PURPOSE, AND FIND

PURPOSEOFPOWERTHE

Alain Brizard, professor of physics, reflects on his purpose as a educator.

WAYS TO DISMANTLE THOSE SYSTEMS.” — SARAH HASTINGS, DIRECTOR, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM For links to the research quoted in this story visit smcvt.edu/magazine

“Defining one’s purpose is a complex matter,” says President Lorraine Sterritt. “There isn’t an easy answer, and we are encouraging our students to ask the hard questions. By emphasizing purposeful learning at Saint Michael’s College, we are helping students create a road map for their future.”

9 sense of purpose and our ability to stay true to our own values. “We have a responsibility to level the playing field, open our eyes to systems that distort our sense of purpose, and find ways to dismantle those systems,” she says.”

The College has set a goal of increasing the number of diverse students that make up the incoming class from its current 11 percent to 15 percent in the next three years. At least 25 percent of all new permanent employees will bring a diverse perspective from an under represented community, and efforts will be made to enhance the lived experience of all BIPOC employees and students. The College seeks to actively recruit more BIPOC faculty and staff. Of note are these specially created positions: an assistant director of Center for Multicultural Affairs & Services (CMAS), and three new targeted faculty hires to increase diversity and a new director of HR with a focus DEI who was hired in May.

Look2010sBack on How the HelpedCollegeThem Find Their Purpose Matthew

BY ANNIE ROSELLO ’94

A

Many Saint Michael’s alumni found themselves right where they needed to be when they arrived on campus as first-year students. They cite supportive mentors,

Shaping Lives: Saint Michael’s Grads from the 1970s, 1990s, and Lopez ’93, left

10 s the New Bedford (Massachusetts) fishing vessel foundered in 20-foot seas, Petty Officer Sean Morrissey ’16 was aboard the Coast Guard cutter that received its distress call. The Coast Guard needed to get a small boat in the water to deliver a portable pump to the fishermen, but the heavy weather crane operator was ashore, leaving Morrissey to handle the emergency. “The responsibility fell on me to launch our small boat safely in heavy seas and then recover it,” he remembers. “No matter how uncertain or afraid I was, those fishermen needed our help. I had to pull through.” The operation was successful, and Morrissey reflects on its meaning. “We may not always know what our passion or purpose is, but it helps to remember that somewhere, someone is counting their lucky stars that you were where you needed to be at the right moment.”

Lopez had found his purpose: “Fire and Rescue became a passion, a calling, and a vocation.” Lopez has been with the Fairfax County (Virginia) Fire and Rescue Department for 27 years, and currently serves as fire battalion chief.

Lopez credits his liberal arts education and Campus Ministry retreats as essential early experiences for the work he does today. “The liberal arts provided me not only the insight and depth of understanding [for] how to think critically, but also how to express myself in a respectful, disciplined, and reasoned manner. Campus retreats expanded my understanding and devotion to the Catholic social teaching of building a responsible, just society and being a servant to your neighbors,” he says.”

From recent graduates to Golden Knights, alumni are guided by the Saint Michael’s vision, Do Well and Do Good, and exemplify the ideals in the Strategic Plan, “Forward with Purpose.” They consistently and gratefully recall their Saint Michael’s experience as formative and live out their lives with remarkable courage and creativity, nurturing those around them with humility and kindness. These are a few of their stories.

For Matthew Lopez ’93, the mentors who helped shape his college experience and career path were literally there from Day One. He arrived on campus planning to try out for soccer, but a Saint Michael’s Fire & Rescue (SMFR) flyer in his welcome packet drew his attention, and he dropped an interest form in campus mail. The same day, two SMFR leaders showed up in Joyce to invite him to orientation. “Frankly, I never looked back,” he explains.

The desire to serve came early to Catherine Vu Morrissey ’15, a pediatric nurse practitioner in Boston. “I grew up in a family and in school communities that taught and showed me the importance of helping one another,” she says. At Saint Michael’s, Vu Morrissey jumped right in as a biology Sean Morrissey ’16 Garry Schaedel ’77 (center)

extracurricular activities, Campus Ministry, and the depth and breadth of a liberal arts education as factors that set them on the path to what they have become and accomplished.

It was those personal Saint Michael’s connections that lifted Garry Schaedel ’77 from the moment he arrived on campus. “I felt like this was the place I was meant to be my entire life,” he explains. Coming from a troubled home, he found professors who became mentors and friends who set him on a meaningful path and supported him along the way. After graduation, Schaedel headed west to Montana with VISTA (now AmeriCorps), working in human rights. Back in Vermont, Schaedel has made a lasting impact for decades, from working on Madeleine Kunin’s historic gubernatorial campaign to working at the Vermont Health Department, where he served as division director of health promotion and disease prevention, receiving the prestigious national Child Health Advocate Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Vu Morrissey co-created her parish’s Outreach Committee, organizing volunteer opportunities at homeless shelters, collecting items for local charities, and writing cards to those who lost loved ones in the pandemic. Having the continued support of her Saint Michael’s friends, mentors, and husband (Sean Morrissey ’16), she expresses great enthusiasm for the integrated advisory support system highlighted in “Forward with Purpose.” “Especially during the college and ‘young adult’ stage of life, having a commit tee of advisors, professors, mentors, and [upper-level students] who will support you is integral to development, personally and academically,” she affirms. “You never know where your St. Mike’s connections will take you.”

“During my time at St. Mike’s, there was a surplus of opportunities to engage in service. Following graduation, the opportunities were just not as obvious,” she says.”

12SHAPINGLIVES

Along the way, Schaedel took up running in his mid-40s, and ran his first half marathon at age 65. Prior to COVID-19, he would dedicate a race to a friend or family member who had passed away by pinning a card inscribed with their name on his shirt. During the pan demic, Schaedel’s cause continued to grow. “There were limited ways to reach out to friends or family members who lost relatives and were grieving,” he says. “I told friends I would dedicate a run to their loved one. The response was overwhelming.” Schaedel continues Jim Umile ’94 Catherine Vu Morrissey ’15

laboratory and research assistant, teaching assistant in the chemistry department, and peer tutor for various science courses. She was also involved in campus ministry as a Eucharistic Minister and LEAP retreat team member.

Photographic artist, educator, and published author Shane Rocheleau ’99 cherished his mentors, professors, and friends at St. Mike’s, as well as the liberal arts educa tion he received, which helped open up a larger world to him. “I imbue my art with research and references from psychology, mythology, literature, and religion, among other disciplines,” he explains. “So much of what I do artistically rings with the breadth and complexity of the many brands of academic thought I encountered at St. RocheleauMike’s.”appreciates the many ways Saint Michael’s put him on the path to finding his purpose. “St. Mike’s gave me an education in being part of something bigger, in paying attention to others and caring, in escaping solitude and embracing the chaos and energy and goodwill of a community. And it gave me my dearest friends,” he recalls. “Because I learned to trust at St. Mike’s, I found vulnerability, and from there, I found purpose. With it, I am a better father, a better partner, a more attentive, present friend, and an overall better and broader human being.” Saint Michael’s alumni have embodied the vision Do Well and Do Good all along their post-graduate pathways, and in myriad ways that benefit their friends, families, communities, and the greater world. It stands to reason, then, that so many are pleased with their path in life and the lessons they learned on the hilltop in Colchester and beyond. After all, concludes Sean Morrissey, “Find respect and dignity in what you do, and purpose will follow.”

13 to run, dedicating races and lending support to others.

— GARRY SCHAEDEL ’77 For more in-depth profiles on these and other alumni, visit smcvt.edu/outcomes/findingpurpose

After graduation, Political Science major and hockey player Jim Umile ’94 did what many new alumni do— he started out working in a typical 9 to 5 office job, but found himself searching for a more rewarding occupation where he could make a difference and be happy at the end of each day. “Growing up, I always wanted to pursue something that provided me with a strong sense of purpose, and it was during my years at St. Mike’s that this focus became most clear,” he says. He took a job as a teaching assistant, then was offered a full-time teaching job and entered a master’s degree program. He is currently a special education teacher at Manchester Essex Regional High School in Massachusetts. “My job represents hard work, determination, practicing and modeling good standards, morals and values, consistent awareness and strong leadership, and people skills,” Umile explains. “It’s where I truly feel like I’m leading a meaningful life.” Last year, Umile encouraged two students to attend St. Mike’s, and they are proud members of the Class of 2025. “One aspect of ‘Forward with Purpose’ that stands out to me is encouraging students to blaze their own trail,” he says. “The environ ment at St. Mike’s provides endless opportunities to explore, research, and discover oneself and new passions, which is paramount in preparation for graduation and transitioning to a purposeful adult and professional life.”

LIVESSHAPING

Shane Rocheleau ’99

“Going to Saint Michael’s was the first positive step in what has been a long journey. I owe so much to St. Mike’s.”

“I felt like this was the place I was meant to be my entire life.”

e’s practically written it for me. With most profiles, the writer sees the threads running through the subject’s life and weaves them into a neat package. But Tarnacki, staff writer and institutional memory at Saint Michael’s (the guy you see in the corner of just about every event on campus, notebook in hand), has already done that. So I throw him a curveball. What does the word purpose mean to him? Tarnacki’s thoughts on purpose relate to faith. The events of his life string together in ways that feel almost mystical, as if, at each rudder less tempest-toss, a hand reached down and put him back on his path as a writer. Is that purpose? Or is it grace? Take a look: As a boy growing up in Ohio, Tarnacki had the benefit of parents who were hardworking Catholic. “My dad spent a lot of time at the library. He always wanted to better himself.” One day, his mother, a nurse whose father’s name was Edmund, told him about the Edmundites’ Selma mission. For years, she sent money to support their work and so received their mailings. His first job, at 14, was in a local college food service, where he first learned to love campus life. At Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Tarnacki majored in diplomacy and foreign affairs and then went to the Missouri School of Journalism. He drank too much and didn’t finish the

but

BY SUSAN SALTER REYNOLDS

in Abundance H

Photography by Jerry Swope

MARK TARNACKI: No Road Map, Grace

“They are,” he says, “so bracingly normal,” referring to their approach ability and humility. Tarnacki eventually took a trip to Selma with Rev. Steve Hornat, SSE ‘72, when President Barack Obama visited Selma in 2015. On the day we speak, Tarnacki leafs through the Edmundite Campus Ministry Lenten reflections booklet. From that day’s reflection: “We are each made up of deep stories that are not always visible and so often require relationship, vulnerability, and willing ness to turn toward in order to uncover and discover our connection.”

15 degree, but renting a room in a former convent through a priest friend kept faith front and center. Back home, he saw an ad for a position at the Brattleboro Reformer in Vermont. He applied, sure he wouldn’t get it. But the editor, Norm Runnion, an old-school globe-trotting UPI veteran, and later an Episcopal priest, had business in D.C., and met Tarnacki there for an interview. Runnion was visiting a press aide to a proud St. Mike’s alumnus, Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy ’61. In D.C., Tarnacki stayed, as he often did, with his Uncle Don, a “big shot” at NBC News, the bureau chief during Watergate. Runnion said, “Meet me at the Hertz rental booth at Union Station. I’ll be wearing a trench coat.” This was the heyday of U.S. daily papers. Tarnacki got the job, drove from Ohio to Brattleboro, went straight to the Reformer, and met Saint Michael’s graduate Barbara Nagy ‘80, daughter of journalism professor Alex Nagy. She gave Tarnacki the bible she used in her St. Mike’s religious studies class. (It still sits on his desk.)

After a few years on the wire desk, Runnion sent Tarnacki to detox. When he came back as a reporter, his first story was on a college graduation, and he covered police and courts. It was not his ideal beat—“I’m not confrontational”—so they put him on education. But he kept drinking. In 1990, the new editor, Stephen Fay, told Tarnacki if he didn’t do something about it, he’d be fired. “I had a rosary. I took it out and said the words, and I’ve said them every day and haven’t had a drink since.” When a big cost-cutting newspaper chain bought the Reformer, many staffers looked for new jobs, including Tarnacki. So began several rewarding years teaching elementary, middle, and high school English and social studies in Montpelier and Burlington, though in 1998, Tarnacki returned briefly to journalism at the Catholic Tribune. Assignments there brought him to St. Mike’s and he met Buff Lindau, then public relations director. One day in 2003, he noticed Lindau’s Burlington Free Press ad for a staff writer at St. Mike’s. The rest is, well, history. Today, Lindau and her husband, Sen. Bernie Sanders’s former chief of staff and UVM poetry professor Huck Gutman, alongside other dear Saint Michael’s friends, are “like family,” he says. “I just kept getting pulled out of the fire,” he says. “Every time I felt powerless, something would happen. I didn’t have a road map. It’s very faith-affirming to be here.” Tarnacki is grateful to be at a “truth-telling” place where he doesn’t have to hide rougher passag es from his past. “I got caught up in the hard-drinking newsman myth,” he sighs. But along the way, he played music with Reformer colleagues (mainly piano in a group called the Melodians, and “ukulele before it was cool”), and nurtured his love of baseball—his office walls are covered with baseball prints by art faculty legend Lance Richbourg. “Growing up I played in my neighborhood. When people in AA groups would say ‘I didn’t have a Leave it to Beaver childhood,’ I kept my mouth shut because I did.”

What he might not admit is that the romance of journalism, despite its dark “sides,” runs in his blood (journalists don’t say things like that), or that he is, in many ways, a creature from another time who loves and believes in words and stories, enjoys a good digression, and doesn’t take shortcuts. Grace? Purpose? Connection? “Gee whiz,” Tarnacki whistles. “I don’t know!”

Tarnacki loves the rhythms of the academic year, from move-in day to Commencement. He enjoys covering speakers and events and putting the weekly newsletter together. And he feels a true alignment with the Edmundites, still marveling that his mother planted them firmly in his subconscious when he was so young.

“We are each made up of deep stories that are not always visible.”

BY REV. MICHAEL CARTER, SSE Photography by Jerry Swope Seeking, Knowing, PURPOSE IN A CATHOLIC CONTEXT n the summer of 2014 I went to Selma, Alabama, to work with Edmundite Father Steve Hornat. I was 24 years old and studying to be a priest; back then most of my time was spent in Boston, where I was going to school. I was used to living in a city, trying to keep pace with academics, and generally running around attempting to seem busy and important. Whatever else might come to mind when one thinks about Selma, to actually spend time there is to discover it is at its core a small southern town: The pace of life was different, people connected in a different way, and what you knew was less important than who you knew, and what level of trust people felt they had with you. I

EVERYDAY

Loving: “We are called to live a life in withwithwithwithcommunity,connection,friends,relatives,socialties.”

Fr. Hornat kept a disciplined schedule: We ate together at set times, prayed together at set times, made time for exercise. Church life had its own particular rhythm: arriving to set up, greet folks, spend time with them. Regularly scheduled visits at people’s homes were very important; giving people time, space, and attention was an integral element of the routine. One of my daily tasks was helping to prepare meals at the Edmunditeoperated food kitchen, and then delivering those meals to folks all over Selma’s neighborhoods. These felt like intimate moments as some folks would ask you to come in, share their private space for a while. I recall attending a family gathering at a tiny rural church some ways away from town, peeling onions and tossing them into a boiling drum of oil, knowing this would not be happening at Boston College, where I was used to spending my time. However these memories come across, I will admit to finding it a difficult experience. In retrospect I think I may have been too young, too immature, to allow myself to fully enter into and embody the space I found myself in. Too bad. In reflecting now with several years’ distance, I see that experience of life and ministry as being a strong illustration of the simple power of purpose in a getscontext,Catholicsomethingthatoftenlostinthe shuffle of daily life, even the life of a priest. At its most basic essence, the Divine.andispurposesenseCatholicoflife’stoseek,know,lovetheTothatend,allpeoplearecalledtogetherintocommunitytoembarkonthatjourneywithoneanother.Toputitmorebluntly,themeaningoflife,thepurposeoflife,andallweendeavortodowithinit,istosharelifeandlove with one another, in the small moments as well as the large. If we take this sensibility seriously, the most important encounter, the most important moment, becomes the one you share with the person who happens to be right in front of you, whoever it might be. I think of my old friend Fr. Mike Cronogue, who had the great gift of being able to make the person he was speaking to feel like the most significant person in the world by offering them that time, space, and attention. I know I could use his guidance and Director of liturgical music Jerome Monachino ’91 (left) with Fr. Michael Carter after Mass.

18EVERYDAYPURPOSE

Fr. Michael Carter (center) with congregants outside the Chapel after Mass. For another story about Rev. Michael Carter visit smcvt.edu/magazine

19 sense of purpose as I run around during a busy day, jumping from place to place without being able to give things the full attention they need. If we busy ourselves, and seek to occupy ourselves with work, study, experience, but we lack a true sense of love, we are missing our true purpose, and missing what is truly important.

“It is through the act of serving and loving others that we can best be in touch with, and serve and love, ourselves, coming to our true understanding, finding our true purpose.”

There is much conversation in the public sphere about what the nature of Catholic education is, and more specifically in our community, what the purpose of pursuing a degree from Saint Michael’s ultimately should be. Whatever else it might entail, I think we can agree that a Saint Michael’s education allows academic pursuit to emerge from the narrow alleys to which it is sometimes confined, to connect with the dynamism that comes from being aimed at the service of the community, the service of love, and ultimately, the service of the Divine. It is through the act of serving and loving others that we can best be in touch with, and serve and love, ourselves, coming to our true understanding, finding our true purpose. I find myself reflecting on these concepts more and more, knowing that our true purpose comes from the connec tions we share with one another.

We are called to live a life in community, with connection, with friends, with relatives, with social ties. It is the connections that we make in life that give us our true purpose, and allow us to reflect our true sense of the Divine. In academic life, it’s true that there is an acute need to focus on the concept, the practice, of whatever discipline is being pursued. The fact of the matter is, however, that we start from what we feel. Before we can delve into ultimate questions or societal demands, we know how we feel emotionally. This is not to say that we put reason aside for raw emotion, but instead that any academic pursuit needs to be balanced by a sense of how it will connect to the greater pursuit of purpose, how it might complement the common good, how our work might bring us into closer community.

PURPOSEEVERYDAY

he Centers for Social Impact is the new isSaintdesignationMichael’sCollegeusingtoalignthe

The Centers Can Hold: Plan Treats Social Impact as Key Component T

BY MARK

The Center for the Environment is led by a 2005 graduate who recognized a winning formula in her education and eventually “came home” to plant her insights with wisely cultivated structure and purpose.

College’s mission, programs, and resources with students’ desire to have direct positive effects on society.

Strategic

The College’s newest centers, the Center for the Environment and the Center for Global Engagement, carry out this work by focusing on the stewardship of the earth and local and global communities. This alignment will also help students visualize pathways to post-graduate success in their careers and lives as they explore the College’s offerings through the new Purposeful Learning program.

That graduate, Kristyn Achilich ’05, M’20, founding director of the College’s three-year-old Center for the Environment, spells out the formula: “Purposeful learning lies at the nexus of innovative academic models, mentorship, career exposure, and preparedness in a high-impact field.”

PhotographyTARNACKIbyJerrySwope

That winning formula also applies to the College’s newest Center for Social Impact, the Center for Global Engagement—launched and led since fall 2021 by former dean and political science/international studies professor Jeff Ayres.

For students who are passionate about making the world a better place, the centers guide each student’s optimal “whole-campus” education, linking their studies to hands-on experiences that can have a tangible impact—demonstrating that clarity of purpose and impact can be a formula for fulfillment and achievement.

Achilich and her collaborators say a central purpose of the centers as an important pillar within the College’s new Strategic Plan is to ensure that today’s students can clearly visualize the value that their on-campus living and learning will provide in their post-graduate lives.

“We saw how much of what we want this center to do already existed here, but just was not organized that well within a larger whole,” said Ayres. “We had very successful studyabroad programs, we had fellowships that students might bump into, and we had started our international internships program with Freeman Foundation support, along with Peace Corps Prep and our interna tional students and scholastic services.” The Center for Global Engagement’s purpose is to guide global-minded students (and the not yet global minded) toward all these worthwhile opportunities strategically in order to improve their academic success and explore extracurricular options, under one tent with focused career advisors.

Professor Jeff Ayres speaks with Maddie Laquerre ’24 before her trip to Seoul, South Korea for her Freeman Foundation internship.

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As a St. Mike’s student, Achilich embraced the construct of purpose and impact that became the basis for her leadership of the College Farm in 2015, prior to launching the Center for the Environment. She believes such an approach to learning—strate gically balancing and optimizing a mix of liberal arts academics and co-cur ricular experiences rooted in authentic societal impact—can change the lives of today’s students, as it did her own.

While I think this [approach] was generally available to all students, it wasn’t as intentional and structured as we are now.”

Ayres said his years as dean from 2014 to 2017 exposed him to the “integrated learning” concept, which he and many other higher education leaders agree is at the heart of 21st-century liberal arts. “While the Center for Global Engagement is new, it builds on decades of preexist ing international work by faculty and staff at the College and its consider able history of serving international students,” said Ayers. When early work on the Strategic Plan in 2020 identified international ization as a plan priority, Ayres committed to advancing specific efforts at Saint Michael’s that would align with “national-level thinking about liberal arts percolating at the American Association of Colleges and Universities,” he explained.

“For me, it was the mix of liberal arts to broaden my worldview; a focused path of study in biology to build disciplinary content knowledge; and three years of lab-based research to apply my content knowledge, build practical skills in the field, and network for my future career,” she said. “All of this was shaped by my mentors—terrific instructors, my workstudy supervisor, and my academic and research advisor. I was lucky.

Jeffrey Trumbower, vice president for academic affairs, said a distin guishing aspect of the new Saint Michael’s centers will be a strong connection between Student Life events and MOVE volunteer service within Campus Ministry, ensuring they integrate with the College’s mission. “For example, MOVE has both environmental and international projects that connect well with our academic programs through the centers,” he said, adding “the vision is they will work on internships and provide experiential opportunities for students.” He and the directors described that vision, now and in the future: The Center for the Environment signature programs will include guidance of the College’s sustainable campus operations— Achilich works with the facilities department on resource management, energy, landscaping practices, and more—providing many experiential paths for students to practice what they learn in environmental courses.

Ayres and Saint Michael’s leaders see global citizenship skills and intercultural competencies as indispensable to making any kind of social impact and achieving success in today’s world.

The Henry “Bud” Boucher, Jr. ’69 Career Education Center is located in the same area, that office having moved last year to have more direct and regular contact with students, faculty, and those centers.

Both directors said meaningful collaborations, whether among the centers or with community partners, have been hard to pursue for the two pandemic years, but they expect

The CGE’s purpose is to guide globalminded students (and the not-yet global minded) toward all these worthwhile opportunities strategically to improve their academic success and explore extra-curricular options, under one tent with focused career advisers.

An exciting and important step forward for the centers, both directors said, is the now-established physical spaces on the first floor of the St. Edmund Hall classroom buildings, the heart of campus academic life.

22SOCIALIMPACT

A student harvests tulips on The Farm at Saint Michael’s College.

IMPACTSOCIAL

As to his vision, Ayres said the Center for Global Engagement’s priorities will be “to expand the number of international internships, expand support for undergraduate research, increase partnerships between institutions around the world, and provide funding to students in need while working more closely with the Center for Multicultural Affairs and Services,” which will remain under student affairs.

Will Coppola ’23 on his study abroad program in Prague, Czech Republic.

“We really hope that [COVID] settles down this year so we settle into our campus and commu nity work with strong partnerships and impactful projects,” said Achilich, who has two master’s degrees, one in systems thinking and another in curriculum design—“a perfect training ground” for center work, she said.

23 collaborations to be prominent going forward.

“It recognizes how integrated this field is—we no longer let students sit in ‘siloed’ disciplines,” she said, explain ing that, through the centers and their practical, integrative emphasis, Saint Michael’s is revealing more to students “about the truth of the world.”

Peyton Edwards ’23 shared this photo from her study abroad program in Italy. Curious about the poem that inspired this story’s title or to see more photos of the farm or study abroad visit smcvt.edu/magazine

Achilich said as more campus operations are informed and influ enced by her center, related research and development can translate to deeply integrated projects for students that can last years, another distin guisher from other programs.

Around 30 students engage directly with her center in a year, according to Achilich, with another 40 involved with the farm program under its umbrella, and others participating through campus groups like Green Up, with a host of activities year-round.

“It really speaks to our mission as an institution within an institution,” she explained. Achilich envisions eventually sending students from the education department to work and study at Shelburne Farms, the Echo Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, or Barnes Sustainability Academy in Burlington—sites where “what they’ve been exposed to here on our campus and in our outdoor classrooms influences the field of practice where they want to work,” she said. The directors and Trumbower also mentioned the centers’ impor tance in connecting the College and its students to vehiclescancenters’communitieslocallyandaroundtheworld,andtheabilitytoinspiregrantsanddonationsfromalumniandorganizationswithparticularinterestsinecologyorglobalissues.Thecentersalsoserveasforseekingandreceivingfederalgrantsbecauseoftheirinnovativeand career-focused academic models, they noted.

24 BY SUSAN SALTER REYNOLDS Photography by Jerry Swope PurposeintheCOVID Era

The college years are some of our most vulnerable; anxiety and depression are often present in young adulthood, ages 17 to 25, and it’s no secret that both conditions increased during the pandemic.

Pressures regarding academic perfor mance, financial issues, relationships, and the taking of responsibility for one’s own health increase this vulnerability. Studies exploring the effects of the pandemic on college students found that many experi enced increased cognitive and behavioral avoidance, problematic internet use, and increased substance abuse. Students were more sedentary and socially isolated. The rapid transition to online learning left little time for adjustment; increased uncertainty about future career choices and job prospects added to the toxic mix.

Dawn Ellinwood, vice president for student affairs, calls the Strategic Plan “wrap-around support.” “We have always worked hard not to let students fall through the cracks,” she says, “but in all my years, I have never seen so many students in crisis.” Ellinwood is excited about the addition of success advisors who will bridge academics and student affairs. “After two years of reduced connection to their peers, mentors, and teachers, the students really need help with the mental health piece,” she says. The first-year course included in the new plan will help students become comfortable with asking the big questions: Who am I and why am I here? Where am I going? How can I give back? Students, peers, coaches, and faculty will ask these questions together. “A big part of address ing mental health is about connection,” says Ellinwood.

he Strategic Plan, “Forward with Purpose,” comes at an ideal time to address many of the effects of the pandemic, by giving students the emotional and practical tools they need to explore their life’s purpose and make the most of their college experience.

T

Mike Stefanowicz, director of admission says that seniors in high school are less likely to take risks, try new classes, or take up co-curricular activities, in order to maintain high GPAs. Living and taking classes at home, they haven’t matured in the same way as previous applicants.

Of course, virtual classes have been extremely useful during the pandemic, but “face-to-face education,” says Dawn Ellinwood, “is not only a fundamental part of a liberal arts education, it’s who we are.”

“Seeing a student light up when they have a revelation about what they want to do next makes me feel a real sense of Mentors,purpose.”advisors, and coaches can help students see how the subjects they love and do well in can forge a path to meaningful work and a purposeful life.

26PURPOSEINTHECOVIDERA

Ingrid Peterson, director of the Henry “Bud” Boucher, Jr. ’69 Career Education Center, says that asking students what they want to be when they grown up is the wrong question to ask. “We should be asking, ‘Who do you want to be?’ ... I try to provide structure to the conversations,” she says, “but I always give students room to change their minds. You don’t always know what your path will be at 18, 19, 20!” The success advisors assigned to students in their first year at Saint Michael’s will bring all stakeholders together in a deliberate, organized way to help students identify both short- and long-term goals, articulate what they love, and under stand why they love it. “Paying your rent is a good thing,” Peterson says with a chuckle, “but to be happy, you also need a sense of purpose in the world.” For herself, Peterson defines purpose as finding a balance; being the best parent, sister, daughter, and advisor to students who come to her.

“I do perceive a different emphasis on the role of higher education, the work/life balance, and overall wellness,” he says. “This genera tion is looking for supervisors whom they can trust and who will support them. The Strategic Plan builds on this need to provide them with advisors, mentors, and coaches.” These advisors and coaches will help students avoid what Stefanowicz calls the “default to disconnection,” and help them relearn what it means to be engaged. A key part of enhancing the student experi ence will also be a focus on student wellness to help students develop lifelong emotional and physical self-care habits. A full-time wellness coordinator and an additional full-time mental health counselor will be hired. The new holistic student health model will focus on substance use, sleep, nutrition, and physical and mental health.

Moving Beyond “What’s Your Major?” and “What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?”

“WHY AM I DOING THIS WORK? WHAT IS MY PURPOSE? HOW CAN I LIVE MY VALUES? HOW CAN I CARE FOR MYSELF? EVERYTHING I DO IS, Understandably, students today need more guidance than ever before.

In the book Helping College Students Find Purpose, Robert J. Nash and Michele C. Murray write that young people are motivated to pursue goals that align with their values, but these don’t always lead immediately and directly to clearly defined job descrip tions. Nash and Murray write that a lack of links between life experience and course material contributes to students failing to learn how to balance exotelic (external) goals with autotelic goals (those driven by internal needs). Exotelic rewards often lose their meaning, leaving students searching for a sense of purpose.

“Screens are the great pacifier,” she says. “When we are looking at our phones, we don’t have to deal with our anxiety or our social discomfort. We do not get the chance to learn how to manage the emotions that come up in those situations when we can immedi ately turn to the phone for distraction or relief. The phone helps with the discomfort in the moment but does not allow for the growth that comes from facing the discomfort.”

“It’s the little things that matter,” says Jeff Vincent, assistant dean of students and director of residential

Although much of higher education is moving in a virtual direction, Saint Michael’s remains committed to face-to-face learning. Many faculty and staff see too much screen time as a big contributor to disconnection. Screens and COVID have both been what Kathy Butts calls the “enemies of community.”

Students today need more guidance

Kathy Butts, director of counseling, sees students coming to college emotionally younger, less prepared to be independent than ever before, and often with significant mental health issues. She is optimistic that the Strategic Plan will facilitate more meaningful conversations, inside and outside the classroom, and she sees these conversations as the building blocks of real community. Most will take place in person, not virtually.

27PURPOSEINTHECOVIDERAthan

HarpMacGregorbyIllustration

HOPEFULLY, MAKING THE KATHY BUTTS, DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING

PLANET A BETTER PLACE.” —

life and community. “Sometimes, it’s only the little things that matter.” He stresses: “Every interaction matters.” Vincent makes a point of eye contact and greetings when he walks around campus. “St. Mike’s is a 24-hour learning environment. If I say hello and a student looks down, I’ll stop and ask ‘how’s everything going?’” Vincent often uses the word intentional interchangeably with purpose. When students make bad choices, he refers to both these words. “If you live with purpose, or intention, you make better choices. It keeps you in the present.” He believes that this work must be done face-to-face, not remotely, emphasizing the urgency of reconnection post-COVID. “It’s the interactions that matter so much, with faculty, custodians, staff, peers. Rebuilding these relationships is Theessential.”newplan already appeals to prospective parents. “In various Admission events, I’ve seen parents respond very warmly to the new plan, especially post-COVID,” says Jeff Trumbower, vice president for academic affairs and professor of religious studies. “They’ve seen their children become more and more disconnected.” Robin Rhodes Astor, director of enrollment operations, agrees. She notes that on drop-off days she sees a lot of worried parents who are greatly relieved to see their children getting the guidance they need to leave home and thrive.

Stefanowicz recalls the parent of an admitted student putting her hand over her heart when told about the new Strategic Plan. “Parents are aching for what their kids have lost,” he says. In the recent past, Astor reports seeing a higher volume of female students applying to college and more young men “sliding under the radar,” in need of mentors. She believes the Strategic Plan will go a long way to fill this gap, building on the success of Fire and Rescue, MOVE, and the Adventure Sports Center. “The huge advantage of the work we do,” says Eben Widlund, director of the Adventure Sports Center, referring to Fire and Rescue, the Adventure Sports Center, athletics, and the farm, “is that the application, the student engagement, is immediate.” Widlund sees the students he works with as “force multipliers” who carry an awareness of their impact on the environment and those around them out into the world. “We’ve gone through a struggle,” he says of the pandemic. “Like the ‘greatest genera tion’ after World War II and the Depression, we’ll come out stronger, with a renewed sense of purpose.” ever before.

BY JOSH KESSLER ’04, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS Photography by Jerry Swope

From converting nearly half a dozen parttime coaching positions to fulltime status, to creating new program ming opportunities, to upgrading and enhancing existing facilities in collaboration with Director of Facilities Joel Ribout, Saint Michael’s Athletics continues moving ahead.

W Chris Kenny ’86, director of athletics, reflects on the recent upgrades to athletic facilities.

“Our foundational goal as a department is to support and enhance the student athlete experience—in all facets—to the best of our ability,” said Director of Athletics Chris Kenny ’86, now in his 35th year as a College employee. “It’s a constant focus for us, and I’m proud of the advances we have been able to make, fully understanding that this work is never-ending.”

28 hen the pandemicCOVID-19began to affect the college sports landscape more than two years ago, the Saint Michael’s College Department of Athletics was actively working to improve its infrastructure, in an effort to bolster the experience of its student athletes. Additional strides have been made since.

NEW FACES, UPGRADED SPACES SMC ATHLETICS:

As part of a strategic initiative launched in late 2019, five head coaches have become full-time members of the athletics staff. Chris Donovan, Eileen Hall, Gus MacLeod ’02, and Molly Peters were all elevated to full-time status, and Jim Neidlinger was hired as the baseball program’s first full-time head coach in November 2019. Donovan recently completed his 22nd season as women’s ice hockey head coach, while Peters, who has worked at the College since 2006, guides the men’s and women’s cross-country and Nordic skiing programs. Hall finished her 12th winter leading the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams this winter, and MacLeod ended his 12th school year as Alpine skiing head coach. Thanks to their dedicated efforts and those of their colleagues, Saint Michael’s now has a record number of student athletes involved in the College’s 21 varsity programs. In response to increased need, athletic training added another full-time professional in fall 2020; Cassandra Bushey now serves as the department’s fourth veteran athletic trainer. Ryan Garrow became the College’s first full-time strength and conditioning coach in March 2020, utilizing the Ross Sports Center varsity weight room to help student athletes reach their physical peak.

New NEVCO scoreboards can be found on Duffy Field and at baseball’s Doc Jacobs Field, and Daktronics was employed not only for new scoreboards in the Ross Sports Center gymnasium and natatorium, but for hardwired lacrosse shot clocks at Duffy Field. During the summer months, Saint Michael’s athletics will see its first permanent outdoor lighting system installed on Duffy Field, courtesy of Musco Lighting.

Fans who want to wear their Purple Knight pride now have a new way to shop for merchandise online with the April debut of the College’s Purple Knights Sideline Store.

“We are eternally grateful for the very meaningful support we have received from alumni, families, and friends, as well as from the College’s leader ship,” added Kenny. “It’s what makes these improvements possible, and inspires us as we keep moving forward.”

The annual Purple Knight Challenge continues to provide critical support that makes it possible for individual sport programs to gain necessary, specific Thanksenhancements.toanalumni memorial effort in honor of two-sport athlete Chris Loche ’92, baseball debuted its first full-infield tarp this spring. Another impressive fundraising initiative, led by promi nent student athlete alumnae, made it possible to upgrade and renovate the conference room in the Tarrant Recreation Center, honoring legend ary women’s basketball head coach and long time administrator Sue Duprat. The Duprat campaign will also provide support for leadership development opportunities for female student athletes and coaches of women’s sports. The 2021–22 academic year also saw Purple Knight Athletics roll out the Knights Standard, a new competency-based yearlong leadership development program for student athletes.

Alex Abdow ’24, member of the alpine skiing team, works out in the varsity weight room.

A beautiful new brick-pillared wrought iron gate now welcomes visitors to the Doc Jacobs Sports Complex, funded primarily through the annual Purple Knights Golf Classic, which returns next June.

“THIS WOULDN’T BE POSSIBLE IF WE DIDN’T ALL WORK TOGETHER TO, MAKE IT HAPPEN.”

— CHRIS KENNY, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

To learn more about St. Mike’s athletics visit smcathletics.com

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30 generous gift of $1 million to Saint Michael’s College from Antonietta “Toni” Boucher to honor her late husband, Henry “Bud” Boucher, Jr., to help fund the College’s Career Education Center is enabling the expansion of alumni engagement efforts—an important component of the new Strategic Plan, titled “Forward with Purpose.”

BY FAITH MORGAN ’23 Photography by Jerry Swope

“SEEING A STUDENT LIGHT UP WHEN THEY HAVE A REVELATION ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT TO DO NEXT MAKES ME FEEL A REAL SENSE OF

Ingrid Peterson, Director of the Boucher Career Educaton Center, works with a student on career planning.

To join our Saint Mike’s Handshake community visit smcvt.edu/handshake

Expanding Alumni Engagement A

The Career Center is interested in using the donation to deepen its relationship with other centers on campus, such as the Center for Global Engagement (CGE). Peterson said she was able to meet with Jeff Ayres, director of the CGE,“Ibrainstorm.andsuggestedabootcampsessionforstudentsfromtheCGEwheretheydoallsortsofprep,like mock interviewing, networking, appropriate dress, resume, cover letters, alumni speakers, et cetera, for a couple hours,” said Peterson. They would then take these students on trips to places like D.C., Boston, or New York City, where they’d network with alumni or organizations.

Ingrid Peterson, director of the Boucher Career Education Center, is excited to see the ways in which the plan will broaden alumni engagement and networking connec tions for students. “One new hire is going to be tasked with starting an alumni mentoring program. That’s something we’ve done informally for many years, but we really want to scale this so it’s available to all students who want to participate,” said Peterson.

“It’s really a process of getting people set up instead of just showing up. It’s a richer experience for students who are involved,” she said. Helping students feel comfortable reaching out to alumni is something the Career Center is always looking to do.

Peterson said the Career Center is also interested in offering this kind of experience to all students in the future.

Peterson said that connecting alumni back to the College is always easy, as many alumni enjoy being back and helping students. Alumni events, she emphasizes, are crucial for helping students connect with alumni on a more personal level, especially as we make our way to an endemic stage of the pandemic and must readapt ourselves to meeting in person and holding non-digital conversations.

For Peterson, the Strategic Plan builds on many of the things St. Mike’s has always done, but with the resources to engage more students, at a time when they need it most.

“We really want to scale this so it’s available to all students who want to participate.”

The newly named Henry “Bud” Bouch er, Jr. ’69 Career Education Center is one resource on campus that will be enhanced with this recent donation.

For Childs, who started at St. Mike’s in the midst of the pandemic, every semester contains fresh joys and challenges. “I’m a maximizer,” she laughs. “I’m always thinking about who is missing at the Growingtable.”upin Tuscon, Arizona, Childs spent time with her maternal grandmother, “the oldest of 10 kids, and a real inspiration to me.” She strives to support the students who come to the Center in the ways her grandmother, and her community, supported her, by instilling a sense of self-love. “I tell them, ‘your goals are my goals.’” She is keenly aware of how hard it can be for BIPOC and first-generation college students, and others who feel unprepared or intimidated. Some of the students who come to the center are juggling multiple jobs to help support families back home. She hopes to help students be active participants in their own lives, make conscious choices, and be aware of the resources available to them.

PURPOSE.” — INGRID PETERSON, DIRECTOR, CAREER EDUCATION CENTER

“I want people to have the tools they need to be the best versions of themselves.”

And Childs, counselor, big sister, facilitator, maximizer, won’t rest until she makes it all happen.

t’s a calling for me,” Sarah Childs, director of the Center for Multicultural Affairs and Services, says of her position. “I like working with people. I want people to have the tools they need to be the best versions of themselves.”

“I

For Childs, the Strategic Plan contains many opportunities to make sure that diversity, equity, and inclusion are baked into more classes and pro grams. One of the first things Childs did was develop a survey to be distributed to all graduate and undergraduate international students, first-generation college students, and students of color, asking them what they felt was needed, what changes would make their lives at St. Mike’s better, and how the center could grow to better support them. “I wanted students to feel included in decisions that would affect their lives,” she explains. She studied the summer bridge program for incoming students, SOAR, and plans to make the pro gram more accessible and productive, including scheduling it in the week before students arrive and extending it to a week and a half from a single week.

BY SUSAN SALTER REYNOLDS Photography by Patrick Bohan THE MAXIMIZER

In what she calls this “highly anxious generation,” Childs is particularly concerned for men of color, many of whom have become more isolated and disconnected during the pandem ic. She also wants to build awareness of student affairs as a fulfilling profession, not a field that people “stumble into.” Connecting students of color with the outdoors; broadening the reach of the center; holding more celebratory events, like a communal iftar for students to break fast during Ramadan with a community of people, and starting a financial wellness program are all on her to-do list.

Sarah Childs:

BY SUSAN SALTER REYNOLDS Photography by Patrick Bohan

ANDREW KING ’21 A

32 ndrew King has thought a lot about purpose. The 10-year Air Force veteran with “a couple of careers” is currently a test engineer with Beta Technologies aerospace company in Burlington, Vermont. But a sense of purpose didn’t just fall in his lap one day. He’s honed it over the years, as a selectboard member in his town, on the volunteer fire depart ment, and as a business owner for 12 years. When he went looking for a college at age 43, it was important to him to have an experience that was educational, but not only academic. In 1992, after high school, King started college in Florida, planning to engineering.studyAfter his first semester, his father had a heart attack. King went home to help run the family business. He describes what he was looking for, returning to college: “I’m in the twilight of my career, with just 20 years to go. So I wanted an experience that would provide personal learning. And I got it. Students at St. Mike’s are supported at a level I’ve never seen before. It’s impossible not to find yourself.” King gives a special shout-out to Ken O’Connell, director of military cancoordinator.enrollmentcommunityandresources,andtransfer“Therearesomanysocietalbehaviors,stigmasthattaintourperceptionsofpeople.Ken has a way of just waving those all away. He opened my eyes to the goodness in people.”

HONING YOUR PURPOSE: Andrew King ’21 enjoys some time back on campus.

A Mathematics major, minoring in Data Science, King had a learning difference—a hard time focusing. In order to be successful on an exam, he needed a quiet space. He got it.

“Most things you need in life, you have to go find them and get them, but at St. Mike’s, they found me. This is a different way of being than what I have seen elsewhere in the world,” he says. Professors Barbara O’Dono van, Alain Brizard, and Lloyd Simons were also pivotal advisors and mentors. At Beta, King works with a lot of engineers. Many of them attended the same 3+2 dual-degree program at Saint Michael’s and UVM in engineering. He finds they work well and efficiently together, in part because they learned how to take care of one another. Working in the military was extremely physical. Since 2007, King has had 11 back surgeries. His decision to return to college was a turning point: “I could either settle into a pill bottle on the couch or redirect. I have a wife, two kids, and car payments. I wanted to be a good example for my children,” he says. He was also, it turns out, a good example for his fellow students, exemplifying the possibilities of lifelong learning and the importance of purpose. “I sometimes felt like the class dad,” he laughs. “The other students in my classes would try to beat my grades. And I didn’t go back to college to get Cs!”

BY SUSAN SALTER REYNOLDS Photography by Patrick Bohan n elementary school, Brennan Bordonaro had to stand in front of the class and announce what he wanted to be when he grew up. “I said, ‘emergency medicine,’ mostly because we had a family friend who did it and it sounded cool.” Some of his life so far sounds like chance has played a role in his decisions. “Sometimes, you just do things,” he laughs. But running through much of Brennan’s story is a thread of purpose, clear and bright.

To learn more about our Veteran opportunities visit smcvt.edu/student-life/veterans

“My first job at 16 was in a grocery store, stocking store shelves. At the end of the day, I’d feel like I hadn’t done anything meaningful. I started volunteering on the local fire depart ment; my brother had done it, and we were competitive. And it was, at the end of the day, fulfilling,” he says.

IBRENNANBORDONARO ’24

That was Bordonaro’s first taste of what a purposeful life might look like. Now pre-med and working as an advance EMT on the Milton, Vermont, Rescue Squad, he’s never looked back. He’s in the Vermont National Guard, where he is also trained as a combat medic. “Most days,” he says, “I go to bed with a list of things that have made some kind of Bordonarodifference.”says he joined the Army on a whim. After his medic training he came home and studied for the advanced EMT course. During the pandemic, in the spring of 2020, he was activated by the National Guard, setting up external treatment areas. He was soon deployed to the Middle East with the National Guard. In January 2021, he started mobiliza tion in Texas “...before being shipped overseas.” ’Why am I here?’ I’d ask myself on a regular basis. ‘I am here for the 100 people at this site,’ an inner voice responded, ‘where the nearest hospital is many, many miles away.’” Even after a long day, exhausted, but in a good way, that feeling of purpose would wash over Bordonarohim. has learned to be patient. Long-term goals can seem remote compared to the urgency of emergency medicine. Hours in an ambulance fly by, and he finds that his work in that context has a meaningful flow that is sometimes hard to reproduce in less urgent Bordonaro’ssituations. father died in October 2021, and he returned home. Coming back to campus after a gap year, he received help and guidance from his academic advisor, Professor Ruth Fabian-Fine, and from Ken O’Connell, director of military commu nity enrollment and resources, and transfer coordinator. He faces a big decision: Stay in emergency med icine in the military or apply to medical school. He sighs. “I want to do more, but the military really gave me a sense of purpose. I enjoy that ‘end of the day’ feeling.”

early 1,000 alumni returned June 3-6 for the first in-person Saint Michael’s College Reunion Weekend celebra tion in three years. The Class of 1972 raised $1.2 million for their 50th reunion—the first Golden Knight class to include women. Three female 1972 graduates received Alumnae of the Year Awards and spoke at the 50 Years of SMC women event Saturday. More than 750 attended Saturday’s party in the 300s field. Trustees presented President Sterritt with a $6.4 million check from all Reunion classes. from Reunion visit

To see more photos

Nsmcvt.edu/magazine

When we talked, Meehan had just completed a MOVE service trip, building houses for Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans. In the fall, Meehan is starting a job as a finance analyst in the TJ Maxx corporate office in Framing ham, Massachusetts, and he plans to try to incorporate some form of service into his new life. He credits his time at St. Mike’s (and his mother) with helping to develop a sense of purpose that fills him with excitement and anticipation. “The best part of St. Mike’s is the community. You feel a sense of connection. You feel cared for,” he says.

BY SUSAN SALTER REYNOLDS Photography by Jerry Swope WILL MEEHAN ’22

Meehan is a Business and Economics major. “I started as a Business major. I took a class in accounting, and did OK, but I didn’t really enjoy it. Too many numbers. Then I took a marketing class. I liked thinking about how to affect people’s decisions, but there weren’t enough numbers! Then I took a finance class and learned about how to use data to help people make decisions.”

PurposeandHappiness

Perfect. Meehan found an undeniable correlation between the classes he enjoyed and the classes he did well in. Another tool to help hone his sense of purpose: challenge (and failure). He wasn’t planning to Nordic ski in college, but Coach Molly Peters invited him to join the team. “I was well behind my teammates in terms of training. In fact, I came in last in every race my first year. Minutes last. I told my Mom, ‘I hate it.’ She encouraged me not to quit. Then I saw myself getting better. I built relationships on the team. Student athlete became part of my sense of self,” he says.

Meehan also went to Scotland for a semester abroad in the fall of 2020. (“I was quarantined several times!”)

36 urpose means doing things I enjoy that are helping other people,” says Will Meehan ‘22. Meehan has learned, in the last four years, that happiness is an important part of purpose, an indicator that can help you find the path to a purposeful life. Enjoyment was one of the tools he used to find his purpose.

Economics professor Patrick Walsh, Coach Molly Peters, and Ingrid Peterson, director of the Boucher Career Education Center were some of Meehan’s advisors, supporters, and mentors along the way. “Ingrid was so helpful and kind,” Meehan says. “She really got down in the weeds with me, working word for word on my resume and helping me secure internships at Advance Vermont, an organization that helps increase educational opportunities for Vermonters, and at Artemis Distribution.”

“P

The 12th-year head coach noted the depth of his team, beyond simply the four NCAA qualifiers, as different student athletes stepped up through out the season to cement the Alpine squad’s standing among the top five in the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA). Come time for the NCAA Championship, MacLeod was pleased with how the qualifiers performed. “Under the circumstances and the pressure, I think as a team we did pretty well,” he said.

Simen Strand ’24

“Being able to perform when it matters is such a great feeling, and having the team backing you up makes it all even better,” said Strand. Kristoffersen added, “I didn’t really have high expectations for results going into the season. I just focused on skiing better and developing as an athlete, and then good results would come.” Kristoffersen tied for 15th in slalom, and Eirik Kveno ’25 also made his NCAA debut, capturing 19th in GS.

37 he faces have changed, but the Alpine skiing team coached by Gus MacLeod ’02 turned in yet another historic perfor mance at March’s NCAA Champion ship in CompetingUtah.against the best from NCAA Division I, II, and III, rookies Simen Strand ’24 and Helene Kristoffersen ’25 combined for three All-America finishes, guiding the Purple Knights to a 13th-place showing —an incredible feat considering the College’s four Alpine qualifiers were pitted against many schools that sent the maximum 12 men’s and women’s Alpine and Nordic skiers.

THE ALPINE SKIING TEAM T

The trio of All-America efforts matched the College’s Alpine and Nordic skiing programs’ all-time total entering the meet, all of which belonged to Alpine star Guillaume Grand ’19.

Making History:

MacLeod’s charges returned to the national stage after not qualifying anyone for the 2020 NCAA Champi onship, ending an eight-year qualifica tion streak; the Purple Knights’ 2021 season was lost to the pandemic.

To read more visit smcathletics.com

CreativeClarksonPhoto:

The Purple Knights notched 108.5 points at the championship, shattering the school record for an NCAA meet, while nearly matching the College’s top finish of 12th place. Among Alpine programs, Saint Michael’s placed 10th nationally and fifth in the East, within range of rivals Dartmouth College and Middlebury College, both of which sent six competitors. At season’s end, Kveno and Strand were both named all-conference in the EISA. MacLeod and Nordic head coach Molly Peters were also recognized, as Saint Michael’s swept EISA Coach of the Year honors. MacLeod was lauded for the second time.

Strand tied for fifth in slalom after taking 10th in giant slalom, and Kristoffersen was ninth in giant slalom (GS). Strand became the first Purple Knight to nab a pair of All-America placements at the same NCAA Championship, while Kristoffersen was the first Saint Michael’s women’s skier to land All- American.

“These guys work well together,” said MacLeod. “They have fun together, and that makes my job really enjoyable.”

OF ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

BY JOSH KESSLER ’04, DIRECTOR

Ben Throm ’22, the seventh Saint Michael’s skier to compete at multiple NCAA Championships, placed 25th in slalom and 27th in GS. At least three Purple Knights have now qualified for the NCAA Championship five times since 2016.

38 WORKS

What began as a brief research project turned into a book-length examination of the 252-year-old Dartmouth College and the question of whether the institution is a college devoted to undergraduate education or a university with graduate schools that break new ground in research and train top professionals in medicine, engineering, and business? Good’s book explores the rich and colorful history of one of the nation’s oldest colleges.

By Joseph Covais M’03 (Mystic Publishers Inc.)

By Jeffrey Good ’81 (ShiresPress)

Healers, Inventors & Entrepreneurs

Flight of the Mango Flowers

An autobiography reflecting a tumultuous time when thousands of Cuban children left their families and their homeland for various countries, including the United States, to escape the Castro regime and the Communist takeover of their island. Gordon’s memoir reflects upon the more than 300 letters he received during his first two years in exile.

Psychotherapy with Ghosts Book II—Female Academy

Set in 1971. Psychotherapist David Weis thought he’d reached a therapeutic completion with his ghostly, lovely patient, Almira. However, the true reason for her spiritual entrapment was to be revealed. This sequel to his novel, Quiet Room, Female Academy raises questions that are more profound than anything psychology can explain.

By Antonio Maria Gordon M’61 (Dorrance Publishing Co.)

By Fred Cerrato ’63 (Author Solutions Inc.)

By Kelly Russell Jaques ’90 (Reycraft Books) “Havoc in the Hammock!” is published by Reycraft. It’s a rhyming, counting picture book illustrated by Liz and Kate Pope. It centers on a tired tortoise who is looking for some rest. The tortoise thinks she’s found the perfect place when she climbs into a backyard hammock. But two scheming spiders, three crazy crickets, four mischievous mice, and a host of other jumping animals have different plans!

Disability By Patrick Standen (Maple Tree Books, LLC)

With far-reaching comprehensive research, Patrick Standen of the Saint Michael’s College philosophy faculty surveys the changing concept of disability throughout history. Standen looks into how various cultures have conceived of the concept through the centuries. This singlevolume, interdisciplinary perspective is intended for students and colleagues to integrate into their studies.

A Vermont Basketball Story

Havoc in the Hammock!

Cerrato, former co-captain of the Saint Michael’s College basketball team in 1963, has written a roller-coaster ride of a novel about a Vermont college basketball team that experiences a series of seemingly unrelated incidents that deter them from success— including a disappearance, a tragic accident, and an attack. Each incident happens before an important game. Just a coincidence or perhaps something more?

39ALUMNIANDFACULTY WORKS

Bill Kelly completed two years of Air Force ROTC and earned a B.A. in Government from Saint Michael’s, did graduate work at the University of Arizona, received his master’s degree from New Mexico State, and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Nebras ka before joining the faculty at Auburn University months later in the fall of 1973. When asked for recollections of their longtime colleague and friend, members of the Auburn community were happy to oblige.

With his generous gift, he has made sure that others can take his path of solid development,growth,andservicetoothers.

“He was a standout teacher, mentor, and scholar,” remembers Paul Harris, professor and chair of the Auburn political science department, and a former student of Kelly’s. “He truly loved teaching and working with students, having taught and men tored thousands.”

A Lifetime of Teaching, A Legacy of Appreciation F

“Dr. Bill Kelly’s tremendous forethought speaks volumes about the type of educator and person that he was,” says Saint Michael’s College President Lorraine Sterritt. “He valued his own formative college experience and went on to teach at one of the finest institutions in the country. This extremely generous gift will make a huge difference on our small campus and carry on his legacy for generations of Purple Knights to come. I only wish we had the chance to thank him in person.”

Earlier this year, Saint Michael’s received word that the austere and humble educator had bequeathed more than $2.3 million to his alma mater.

40 or nearly 50 years, William E. “Bill” Kelly was a familiar face and well-loved political science professor on the campus of Auburn University in Alabama. Famous for extreme frugality and never-ending office hours, Kelly freely dispensed financial advice and was known for unwavering devotion to his students. At Saint Michael’s College, from which he graduated in 1965, Kelly was less wellknown to the community, but will be long remem bered for his remarkable generosity and legacy of kindness. Kelly passed away on November 29, 2021, just shy of his 80th birthday.

“My freshman year coincided with his first year at Auburn,” explains another former student, Lee County Alabama Sheriff Jay Jones. “Through the years, we became and remained friends. He supported me when I ran for sheriff and invited me to lecture in his criminal justice classes. He was a very private person, not flashy or showy, a ‘straight arrow,’ as he liked to say, and a perfect gentleman.”

In his youth, Kelly attended Cardinal Mindszenty High School in his hometown of Dunkirk, New York, where he was taught by renowned Edmundite and civil rights activist Rev. Maurice Ouellet. Their connec tion and lasting friendship led him to Saint Michael’s. Kelly’s memorial service was held in February at Saint Michael the Archangel parish in Auburn, which, according to Sheriff Jones “brought everything full circle.”

Political Science Professor Steven Brown laughs at the memory of his friend, whose office was next door for 23 years. “If he wasn’t in, students would ask me if I knew when he would be back,” Brown recalls. “I struggled to answer at first, but later I told them to try Saturdays at 8 am or Sundays at 7 pm. Forty-eight years’

BY ANNIE ROSELLO ‘94

worth of students and alumni would spend hours and hours speaking to him. The university wasn’t his life, but his students were.”

41 Kelly taught an average of seven classes per year, served as departmen tal internship coordinator, and placed students with opportunities from the Lee County Justice Center to the White House. In 2020, he was inducted into Auburn’s College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Teaching Academy, the highest honor awarded to a member of the CLA faculty.

life after Saint Michael’s in the West, Midwest, and South, Kelly never forgot the Northeast, says Brown. “He missed his family up there and he missed the snow. He constantly spoke of Saint Michael’s and wanting to give something back to the school. He was extremely frugal—he shopped at yard sales and flea markets, negotiated rock-bottom prices for used cars—he made it clear he was saving all he could to help other people.”

“Professor Kelly effusively expressed his admiration, respect, and love for Saint Michael’s,” agrees his colleague Professor Clifton Perry. “He frequently expressed his desire to return to his beautiful Vermont upon his retirement. He was a most lovely and unique individual. I benefited greatly from knowing him.” “He was truly an institution at Auburn,” recalls Brown. “There have been ‘successful’morefaculty by the abutingstandardsdiscipline’sofpublishandthelike,intermsofhavingpositiveimpacton young people, I am confident there isn’t a person on campus who comes remotely close to Bill.” Kelly was also highly regarded by his own college friends and classmates. “Bill was a quiet man of faith who embraced many activities while at Saint Michael’s,” remembers Jim Whitman. “With his generous gift, he has made sure that others can take his path of solid growth, development, and service to others. The Class of 1965 is proud to count Bill Kelly as one of our own.”

Agrees classmate Kevin Slane, “The vision of Saint Michael’s College is Do Well and Do Good. Bill Kelly certainly lived that out each and every day throughout his life and through his legacy.”

“He had very little as a child and went out of his way to make sure his students knew how to prepare for their future financially,” explains Brown. “Every American Government class that he taught and all the internships he supervised had a section where he taught and tested students on topics like IRAs and TIAA

Professor William “Bill” Kelly in his younger years and later in life. To see ways in which to give back visit smcvt.edu/giving

Althoughconcernhimaccounts.Studentslovedforhisaboutthemandtheirfuture.”hespenthisentire

Purpose, to me, means the reason we do what we do— the meaning, the significance. It’s what makes our actions and engagements in the world important, and what motivates us, even when challenges arise. I believe that we all desire to live meaningful lives, and to have our lives mean something in the world. The meaning—the purpose—in a person’s life will be unique to them, arising from their talents and interests and passions and curiosities, but I believe we all seek that.

From a very young age, I knew in my heart that it was important for me to be present with people when they’re suffering, from inequities or injustices or illness or loneliness, and especially when they are unseen or unnoticed. I remember a few TV programs, humanitarian aid campaigns, and people I met during a period in my childhood that really opened my eyes and touched my heart. I knew even when I was around 9 or 10 years old that I wanted to do something in my life to ease some of the suffering I was seeing. As I was going into college, I intended to become a social worker, and I thought I would work in some kind of advocacy role for people who were incarcerated or in juvenile detention or in reentry pro grams. I took an introductory philosophy course because the person advising me in course registration during the summer before my first year said, “Take philosophy, and take it with this professor.” So I did. And that professor blew my mind, within the first week of the class. I fell in love with philosophy that semester, thanks to Dr. Jerry Miller, who is still a very important mentor in my life. I learned that philosophic questioning and exploration is the way my mind works, and before long, I found my path to ethics—which wove together my passion for philosophy and my childhood sense of purpose. Upon graduating, I knew I wanted to keep exploring and doing philosophy, so I moved to the Bronx to keep philosophizing at Fordham. Two years into my graduate studies, after earning my master’s degree, I discovered my passion for teaching, when I first taught introductory philosophy. I find a great deal of purpose in my life in this combination— teaching, philosophic wonder and exploration, and giving what I can to ease suffering.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEST WAYS A PROFESSOR CAN HELP STUDENTS DO THAT?

42 HOW DO YOU DEFINE PURPOSE?

College is a time when people are stepping into greater independence and trying to figure out the direction they want to travel in their lives. I urge my students to find that direction themselves, rather than follow a path that others have in mind for them. I think college should be a time of exploration, including both an expansive, outward investigation of the world and a deep, inward journey of self-reflection and self-examination. It’s an opportunity to discover and cultivate your own unique talents and gifts and passions, while also learning about the world and figuring out what captivates your mind and compels your heart.

WHY IS COLLEGE A SIGNIFICANT TIME FOR PEOPLE TO DEVELOP THEIR SENSE OF PURPOSE?

Photography

I believe that education can be transformative and liberating, both individually and collectively. I love Paulo Freire’s model for revolutionary education in Pedagogy of the Oppressed, where students’ experiences and insights SUSAN SALTER REYNOLDS by Jerry Swope KIRBY, PROFESSOR OF STUDIES

A Q & A ON PURPOSE WITH KATHERINE

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNIFICANT POINTS IN YOUR LIFE WHEN YOUR OWN PURPOSE BECAME CLEARER?

PHILOSOPHY AND DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL

Easing the Suffering BY

43 of Others

44 are recognized as a tremendous source of learning for all of us, as we teachers collaborate with them in studying texts, asking questions, and often challenging and critiquing society’s messages. This is what I try to do with students.

I am most excited about the emphasis on social impact, and especially the initiatives focused on equity. I’ve been dreaming about a Center for Equity and Justice for years now, as well as an academic program and major in equity studies. With great excitement, I shared these ideas with the Strategic Planning Committees in 2020 when they invited faculty to submit ideas and proposals, and I am thrilled that they became a part of our new Strategic Plan. I’ve been mentoring a student in her self-designed major in equity studies since 2019, and in spring 2021, a group of us designed and proposed the equity studies major. It was approved by the Board in Fall 2021, and it’s one of the very first equity studies major programs in the United States! I’m so thrilled to be part of this growing academic program in equity studies, as well as the Center for Equity and Justice, which will bring together all the wonderful curricular and co-curricular equity work on campus and in the local and global community. I see this as deeply interwoven with the parts of the Strategic Plan that emphasize applied and engaged learning and career readiness.

ARE THERE WAYS IN WHICH COVID MAKES THIS A PARTICULARLY GOOD TIME TO UNFOLD THIS PLAN?

WHAT ASPECTS OF THE NEW STRATEGIC PLAN ARE PARTICULARLY EXCITING TO YOU?

My aim and passion, since I began teaching, has been to support students in the liberating, exploratory, dialogic work of seeking to understand themselves, the world, and their engagements with others. I seek to guide students in finding their own voice and their own passions and purpose, so that they can pursue the things they’re dreaming of, which often means having the courage to step away from others’ expectations. I also encourage students to cultivate compassion and solidarity, as we explore together the suffering, oppression, inequity, and injustice in our communities and world. This requires studying and critiquing systems of power, hierarchy, domination, and control in our society, and it also requires critical reflexivity, where we seek to recognize our own internalization of the messages we receive, and challenge our assumptions and biases. Most importantly, in my classes, we study resistance, movements for equity and justice, revolution, and individual and collective liberation. These are examples of courageous, empowered action, driven by a deep sense of purpose and possibility. I have several courses that include community-engaged learn ing—locally with elders, and abroad with a variety of community partners. This includes two academic study trips, one to Guyana and one to South Africa, where students explore these topics and themes. Often, these kinds of experiential engagements have a powerful impact on students, as they develop their sense of purpose.

I think that we have an opportunity to reevaluate what matters. COVID has exposed deep inequities, suffering, and vulnerability. It has also made clear that human beings depend on one another, and we impact one another, and that means that we have a responsibility for one another. As we reconsider what matters, I hope that each of us can cultivate a sense of purpose in our lives that includes compassion and care for others.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR OWN TEACHING THROUGH THE LENS OF HELPING STUDENTS DEVELOP A SENSE OF PURPOSE, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU EMPHASIZE IN YOUR COURSES (FOR EXAMPLE, THE AWARENESS OF POWER STRUCTURES AND HIERARCHIES)?

Letter from s we transition into summer, I am reminded of that feeling I had after graduating from St. Mike’s … a bit of uncertainty combined with excitement for what was next to come. I had no doubt that the friends I made in college would last a lifetime, and this feeling has become more and more evident in the years that have followed. I am sure you will all agree that attending mini-reunions such as weddings and ski vacations or fun gatherings that the Saint Michael’s College Alumni Office and the regional clubs organize are ways in which we continue to connect and share our special Saint Michael’s College bond. But I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the difficulty in connecting over the past few years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We all under stood but were so disap pointed when reunions and other social events were cancelled the past two years. I have had countless texts and emails with my St. Mike’s friends and fellow members of the Board of Directors, sharing how much we missed seeing one another in person. So, you can imagine that when we talked about moving forward with hosting inperson events again, those same feelings of uncertainty and excitement reemerged. But overriding it all was the sense that it was time to reconnect. On March 24, I had the pleasure of attending my own local Purple and Gold event in Alexandria, Virginia. We had represen tation from five decades of Saint Michael’s College alumni and the room was full of happiness and laughter. The stories shared over the decades about Derby Day, P-Day, and Senior Week were classic! Graduates from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s were pleased to hear from the more recent alumni that old traditions were still celebrated as new traditions have been launched. I also participated in a reception for the Class of 2022 in Burlington in early April; we invited local area alumni as well as recent panelists from the annual St. Mike’s Career Symposium. It was a well-attended event and wonderful opportunity for students to network with alumni and discuss various career paths. It was a special night to be back in person again, reuniting with so many different classes of alumni and welcoming the Class of ’22 into our mix. Finally, in early June, Reunion—the flagship alumni event—was back, in person and better than ever! While Reunion 2022 honored those class years ending in 2s and 7s, it also welcomed back alumni from the previous two years whose reunions were canceled. What could be more complete in a transition to in-person events than a fabulous P-Knight party on the 300s field! It became clear to me once again that our special community called Saint Michael’s College was alive and well. I hope you take time to reconnect with your alumni friends soon—believe me, although the wait has been long, it’s well worth it.

45

the Alumni Board President

Suzanne Leous ’86 A

To see more photos from Commencement 2022 visit smcvt.edu/magazine A

rainy morning turned sunny on Sunday, May 15, for the College’s outdoor 115th Commencement.

Nearly 400 graduates attended with family and well-wishers under rain ponchos.

Commencement speaker Daniel Misleh, a leading Catholic activist who addresses global warming, and Mary-Kate McKenna ’80 (finance executive, longtime trustee, 2005 Alumna of the Year) received honor ary doctorates. “We must all do our part to save the earth from our own selfishness and … foolishness,” said Misleh, who stressed the need for joy and gratitude in that mission, too. President Lorraine Sterritt told graduates to “continue to think, to learn, and to care.”

47 Joe Duffy ’67 shares: “Bill McGrail ’65 and I were recently at an event for the group of companies we both serve on the Boards for, the Hospitality Insurance Group. This photo shows us holding our new Saint Michael’s College ball caps—mine a gift from Bill.” Both men report that they enjoyed a most pleasant alumni minireunion while on this retreat in York Harbor, Maine, for Hospitality Group Board members.

WHATSHAREYOUAREUPTO!Visitsmcvt.edu/classnotes

1969RICKWENTZELL , Lawrence, MA, was the featured subject of a profile last fall in an industrial supply trade journal called Supply House News. It described Rick’s successful career in the valve industry. The piece included this comment from Rick: “In 1969 I graduated from a school called Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, and right after I graduated I received my draft notice and I was inducted into the U.S. Army. I was shipped out to Vietnam and served with the 101st Airborne Division Infantry in the Asia valley. As many people know, coming home was a difficult time for many Vietnam veterans because of the anti-war [sentiment]; we were not welcomed home. I took the summer of 1971 off and by early fall I interviewed with a

1,Regulatormanufacturer—WattsvalveinLawrence,Massachusetts.OnOctober1971,IbecameaBostonareasalesmanforthecompany.…”Rickstayedintheindustryfor50years,asthearticledescribesindetail.Thelate

1966LEOJ.SHEA III, New York, NY, received the Pioneer Award at the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) annual conference in Orlando last fall. This award is presented annually to a nationally clinician/researcherrecognizedwho has made significant contributions to the world of Lyme and tick-borne diseases. As a neuropsy chologist, Leo has advanced the understanding of the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral sequelae of these diseases. He is a senior staff psychologist and clinical associate professor of rehabilitation medicine at Rusk Institute, a division of the New York University Langone Medical Center, where he has worked for more than 30 years. He is currently president EvaluationNeuropsychologicalofandTreatment Services, P.C., with offices in New York City and Quincy, MA. Leo has also served as an organizational consultant to national and international corporations on human development,executiveadministrativeresources,andtrainingandtraumaresponse,andhealthcareissues.

1961SEN.PATRICK LEAHY, Middlesex, VT, who has announced his plans to retire from his long career in the U.S. Senate, continued his support of his alma mater through the Omnibus Appropriations Bill signed on March 15, in which he $400,000championedtohelpexpandopportunitiesthroughtheCollege’snewCenterforGlobalEngagement.

RICHARD MYHALYK,“DICK”SSE , Mystic, CT, spoke on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, in the McCarthy Arts Center at Saint Michael’s College about the history of Edmundite missions in Selma and rural Alabama as well as his own vocational work.

HENRY “BUD” BOUCHER JR., who had lived in Wilton, CT, recently was the honored namesake motivating a gift of $1 million to Saint Michael’s College from his wife, Antonietta “Toni” Boucher. The gift will support the institution’s Career Education Center. Bud died in January 2021. The Boucher Career Education Center as it will now be known , dlong has been an integral part of the student experience at Saint Michael’s, offering comprehensive career

DR. JAMES FALLON H’02, Irvine, CA, an award-win ning scientist, scholar, and internationally known expert on psychopaths and killers, among countless other topics, and professor emeritus of anatomy and neurobiology and professor of psychiatry and human behavior at University of California Irvine, presented a late-afternoon Zoom talk primarily for Saint Michael’s science students on Febru ary 28 titled “From Imma ture Goofball to Award-win ning Scientist.” Biology and neuroscience faculty, led by Ruth Fabian-Fine, along with Adam Weaver and Mark Lubkowitz, arranged for and joined this offering, one in a series of campus “career conversations.”

readiness training through out each student’s four years. Following graduation, Bud served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force. Later, after a long and distin guished career as a senior partner for some of the country’s top consulting firms, he headed a public company while also owning a small business in Wilton. He also volunteered his time to numerous charita ble organizations.

1975JERRYZEZIMA , Coram, NY, a longtime nationally syndicated newspaper humor columnist and author of several previous books, shared career news in a January social media post: “As if the publishing industry weren’t in enough trouble, I have just sent in the manuscript for my sixth book, One for the Ageless: How to Stay Young and Immature Even If You’re Really Old.”

Carmen “has been, and intends to continue, enjoying life, very little of which he takes seriously any longer,” he continued.

1974DEANDELUKE , Reedville, VA, recently was appointed professor emeritus, oral and maxillofacial surgery, following 10 years of service at Virginia Com monwealth University.

1979JAMESPHILLIP, M.D., East Greenbush, NY, was appointed board treasurer for the Innovative Health care Alliance of New York. He is board certified in internal medicine, with a subspecialty in cardiovas cular diseases. He practices at Albany Associates in Cardiology, part of St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates. The alliance is the capital region’s first clinically integrated physician-lednetwork—aendeavor to control healthcare costs and ensure patient care quality by enabling physicians and health systems to work together in joint contracting and share payments.incentive-based JOAN WRY, St. Albans, VT, of the Saint Michael’s English faculty, recently received a $500 award from the national Ralph Waldo Emerson Society. Says Joan, “I had proposed an whichcross-countrymen’straining‘Emerson-themed’campfortheandwomen’steams(forIamthefaculty affiliate). We will do this camp in pre-season at Sleepy Hollow Training Center.” Joan also was a guest on Vermont radio station WDEV in late March when Ric Cengeri, host of the Vermont Viewpoint morning interview show, invited her to talk about her popular “snow seminar,” which she has taught for several years.

1973THOMAS HOAR, SSE , Mystic, CT, who oversees a recovery ministry at Enders Island in Mystic, shared in March that St. Edmund’s Pipes and Drums, a group that he helped initiate on the island that has become very popular, was thrilled to be marching in the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City as part of the Sober St. Patrick’s contingent.

48CLASSNOTES “WE ALL WEAR MULTIPLE HATS, AND OUR PURPOSE IS EVER-EVOLVING, INFORMED BY OUR VALUES, INTERESTS, AND EXPERIENCES.”

1976CARMEN CAFASSO, Fairfax, VA, retired on January 3, 2020, after a nearly 40-year career as an attorney for the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Carmen writes that he “showed up to work every day, did all he could and then a little more—not that he would have stuck around longer, but every thing went to hell shortly after he left federal service.”

JOHN PODLASKI, Ocala, FL, a chiropractor and holistic practitioner in areas including nutrition, was elected president of

1972CHARLIE TITUS, Marblehead, MA, a former star athlete for the Purple Knights and considered the founding father of UMass Boston athletics, recently was inducted into the NACDA [National Associa tion of Collegiate Directors of Athletics] Hall of Fame. Says St. Mike’s athletic director Chris Kenny, “This is the ultimate professional recognition for College ADs, and a well-deserved honor for an exceptional leader and mentor.”

the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (ACBN) in October 2021. The ACBN is a certifying agency in nutrition, accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) in 2005. The ACBN is one of only a few certifying agencies in nutrition to offer diplomate status to all professionals in the healthcare field, beyond the doctorate level in the United States and internationally.

Two years ago Judge Reiss and Mark Redmond, director of Spectrum Youth & Family Services, met with numerous state officials and the governor about the facility in Middlesex. Mark’s wife, Marybeth Christie Redmond (a former Saint Michael’s journalism faculty member), as the assistant house majority leader and a member of the Human Services Committee, helped get the project across the finish line and joined the ceremony.

1981JEFFREY GOOD, Northampton, MA, posted in January on social media about his new book, Healers, Inventors & Entrepreneurs, Workscurriculumatbehind-the-scenesaboutcurrentsDartmouthCollegeinandphilanthropy.Seethisissue’sBooks&sectionformoredetails.

1984KATHRYN MARKEY, New York, NY, shared on social media in October 2021 about her latest projects: “Since January of 2020, Dee Pelletier and I have been curating Plays for Us—finding plays with great roles for women. As a poster for the enterprise states, ‘PLAYS FOR US is a reading series for new plays that feature substan tial roles for women in middle age and up. Curat ed by Kathryn Markey and Dee Pelletier, we find plays that fit our mission, build relationships with play wrights and present their work in lively professional readings in various settings, both physical and virtual spaces.’” The venue for the project was Pictor Gallery at 547 West 27th Street, Suite 204, in New York City. Kathryn has been deeply involved for decades in the Saint Michael’s Playhouse during the summers as an actor and director. Her father, the late Ed Markey ’51, was the beloved longtime director of athletics for the College.

CHRISTINE LOVELY JACKSON , Haverhill, MA, had a reunion with eight St. Mike’s contemporaries back in June 2021 (see photo).

1986RICHGALLERANI, Roseland, NJ, shared in November about the latest outlet for his consid erable artistic talents, which previously have found expression in his woodcarvings, often of saints. He took on COVID-19 with his cartoons. He writes: “This summer I began ‘sketchpad’COVID-awarenesscreatingthemedcartoonsusingacomputerprogramonthecomputermyschoolissuesitsteachers.Muchtomysurprisetheyimmediatelybecamepopularwith the faculty and staff I shared them with on a daily basis. One of the cartoons caught the eye of the Dean of Faculty, who asked me to make a poster of the cartoon to be placed around the school. I ultimately came up with three variations of the cartoon with three different slogans all aimed at encouraging students and faculty to wear their masks.” Rich is a history teacher at St. Benedict’s Prep School in New Jersey when not working on his woodcarvings.

DENISE MARTEL, Concord, NH, moved back to New England in January 2022 to live closer to her dad and begin a new job as the production manager of the Wheelock Family Theatre in the College of Fine Arts at Boston University.

Christine Lovely Jackson ’84 of Haverhill, MA, had a reunion with eight St. Mike’s contemporaries in June 2021. She shared this photo of with the following caption: “Tim Rosbrook ’84, Bill Glencross ’84, Charlie Grace ’84, Lisa Sisk Grace ’85, Kevin Bonaiuto ’84, Christine Lovely Jackson ’84, Chris Velonis ’84, Kerry Nagle Bonaiuto ’86, and Will Kovacs ’84 gathered at Velonis Beach in Prides Crossing MA back in June, 2021.”

HON. CHRISTINA REISS, Essex Junction, VT, a federal judge, at the invitation of Vermont Governor Phil Scott, joined a groundbreaking ceremony in October 2021 for a new state-of-theart therapeutic facility for individuals suffering from severe mental illness.

49CLASSNOTES

— MICHAEL STEFANOWICZ, DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS

1991KARALANEUVILLECLEAVER , Blanco, TX, recently moved to Blanco and started La Vie Estate Winery, opening in November 2021. Kara has worked to restore the ranch and renovate the workshop into The Look out tasting room, featuring a large deck to enjoy Hill Country sunsets. Kara works with a vineyard and winemaker out of Lubbock, TX, to craft the La Vie wines, and has a tasting room and small bites kitchen on her estate in Blanco. Kara writes that she would “love to welcome any Saint Michael’s students or alums to La Vie, where you can experience life as it should be! La Vie

50CLASSNOTES

1987JONATHAN BILLINGS, St. Albans, VT, has been promoted to chief operating officer of Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans. Jonathan previous ly served on the hospital’s senior leadership team for 32 years, with a focus on community relations and diverse assignments.management

1989CHRISTY OTTAVIANO, Fairfield, CT, a leader in the publishing industry, had career news appear this winter in Publishers Weekly: “After an already storied career in publishing at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Christy Ottaviano is launching a new eponymous imprint with Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. The breadth of

1988STEVENDOYON, South Burlington, VT, of the Saint Michael’s business administration and accounting faculty, was selected winner of the 2022 Dr. Dave Landers Faculty Mentor Award thanks to his support and dedication to the College’s student athletes. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) made this announcement. He now will be considered for the Northeast-10 Confer ence Dr. Dave Landers Faculty Mentor Award.

Christopher Herrick ’88 was appointed as commis sioner of the Department of Fish and Wildlife by Governor Phil Scott. Alf Barbalunga ’93, Pittsfield, MA, shared this photo to recognize some important birthday news in his family, writing: Kaleena and Thorin Barbalunga turned one year old this April 2022— they are both looking forward to their first on-campus visit this autumn!!

KERRIN MCCADDEN, South Burlington, VT, posted recently on social media: “I’m so stoked to learn that my book, American Wake, is a finalist for the Vermont Book Award in Poetry.”

1990KELLYRUSSELL JAQUES, Metuchen, NJ, has debuted a picture book, Havoc in the Hammock! (see Books & Works section of this magazine).

genres—areage-ranges,imaginative,interests—andOttaviano’shercontinuedcommitmenttopublishingpertinent,andpreviouslyuntoldstoriesacrossformats,andapparentin the launch list of five titles.”

CHRISTOPHER HERRICK , Grand Isle, VT, was appointed by Governor Phil Scott as the commis sioner of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Chris will lead the department responsible for the man agement and conservation of fish, wildlife, and their habitats. For the last five years, Chris has served as deputy commissioner at the Department of Public Safety (DPS); prior to that, he served two and a half years as director of Vermont ManagementEmergencywithin DPS. He has worked for DPS for 22 years in multiple roles and with responsibility.increasingNotably, he served as the first chief of the HAZMAT Team in 1999, created to work with fire chiefs before, during, and after hazardous material events in their communities. Chris’s community service includes 30 years as a volunteer firefighter with five years as chief of the South Hero Volunteer Fire Department, being a certified EMT for 25 years, and serving as chair for both the selectboard and the school board. After Saint Michael’s, he earned his master’s degree from the University of Vermont. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities including kayaking, fly fishing, hunting, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking with his dog, Lucy.

Lael Croteau Oldmixon ’00, Fairbanks, AK, shared this photo of a Grand Canyon adventure with family and friends. She writes: “Lael Oldmixon ’00 and Wilderness Programs alumni Mark Oldmixon ’04 and Lincoln Lawrence ’04, met up for a rafting adventure on the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park in March 2022. They joined 29 of Mark and Lael’s friends and family for the epic adventure in celebration of Mark’s 40th birthday.”

51 CORRECTION: In the previous issue, the wrong photo was paired with a note from Kevin Bergen ’61. This correct photo (above) was found in a box by Kevin’s wife Patsy, and shows freshmen gathered on the second floor of Old Hall in 1957. Kevin is in the third row, sixth from the left in a horizontal striped shirt. Can you recognize yourself or a friend in this photo?

1992KATESOONS, Colchester, VT, announced in April that she would move her longstanding emergency medical technician (EMT) course from a Burlington-areapreviousvenue to Saint Michael’s. The course represents a new invest ment by the College in providing Plan.credentialscareer-relatedforstudentsinlinewiththenewStrategicThefour-creditcourseisprimarilyforsophomoresthrough seniors and will be offered every year. After complet ing this course, a student will be able to take the national EMT exam to obtain licensure as a basic EMT.

2000LAELCROTEAUOLDMIXON , Fairbanks, AK, and Wilderness Program alumnus Mark Oldmixon ’04 and Lincoln Lawrence ’04 met up for a rafting adventure on the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park in March 2022. They joined 29 of Mark and Lael’s friends and family for the epic adventure in celebration of Mark’s 40th birthday (see photo).

1999SCOTTSNYDER, Uxbridge, MA, in December 2021 joined Jack Miller Contrac tors in Williamstown, MA, as carpenter. Scott has more than 20 years of experience in residential construction and remodel ing, with in-depth knowl edge of the construction process and finish carpen try. He previously worked for Carlano Construction in Boston for 12 years.

is about an hour from both Austin and San Antonio.” Visit La Vie online at LaVieEstate.com, or visit the La Vie Estate Winery Facebook page.

1993ALFBARBALUNGA , Pittsfield, MA, shared a photo of twin birthdays in his family (see photo).

1997MARKMAYER, South Burlington, VT, was named co-managing shareholder of the accounting firm Kittell, Branagan & Sargent (KBS) in St. Albans, VT. Mark joined KBS in 2000 and was promoted to shareholder in 2016. He serves clients in the construction, wholesalemanufacturing,healthcare,andindustries.He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Vermont Society of Certified Public Accoun tants (VSCPA) and is on the board of directors and finance committee for Camp Ta-Kum-Ta.

NOTESCLASS

2005CAPT.HAL

2003ADAMJOHNSON, Las Vegas, NV, was named by the organization Peace Players as executive director of its U.S. opera tions, effective January 4. PeacePlayers U.S. is part of a global movement that uses the game of basketball to build peace and equity in divided communities around the world. In his role, Adam will begin to align the U.S. sites under one singular national vision by building sustain able funding sources, driving overall outcomes, and building out a U.S. board of directors.

, Burlington, VT, was named one of “the most influential restaurant executives in the country” by the Nation’s Restaurant News. She was recognized as number 12 out of 98 nationwide honorees in an online posting. She is the owner of Burlington’s Blue bird Barbecue restaurant. According to the online citation, “Sue has been a fierce and tireless advocate for securing COVID-19 relief aid to independent restaurants … the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund program (RRF) ran out of money and shut down suddenly in May 2021 before many restau rants, including hundreds of eligible and qualifying Vermont establishments, received any. She has been fighting ever since for Congress to replenish the RRF.”

DAVID VOLPE , Los Angeles, CA, was nominated for an “Ambie” Award for his score to Carcerem The Series! According to his faculty biography at Chapman University, where he is a lecturer on film music, “Dave Volpe is a Los Angeles based composer for film, media, and the concert hall.

A graduate of the Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television Program at USC, he was afforded many rare opportunities, including a mentorship with renowned film composer and long time hero Thomas Newman, whose unique approach to composing had a profound effect on Dave’s own writing.” The Ambies celebrate excellence in podcasting and elevate awareness and status of podcasts as a unique and personal medium for entertainment and information.

2006WILLROTHERMEL , Standish, ME, recently left a position as associate director of athletics with Ithaca College in New York to assume the role of associate vice president and chief athletics and recre ation officer at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in the town of Standish, starting in May. After St. Mike’s, Will earned a master’s degree in education and sport management from Old HeUniversity,Dominionwherehecoordinatedtheundergraduateandgraduateinternshipprogramandenhancedmentoringandnetworkingsystemsforstudentsinthesportmanagementprogram.alsoworkedatVirginiaCommonwealthUniversity,whereheservedasassistantathleticdirectorforcorporatedevelopment,andbeforethatspentfouryears in athletics administration at Merrimack College.

2008MARIBETH FONDA , Brattleboro, VT, was honored earlier this year by Vermont Business Magazine for her work as a behavior analyst for the Windham SupervisorySoutheastUnionwith offices in Brattleboro. From the VBM item: “Southern Vermont Emerging Leaders were recognized on May 12 during day one of the Southern Vermont Economy Summit. Southern Vermont Young Professionals and the Shires Young Profes sionals sponsor the annual recognition event, which celebrates young people from the Bennington and Windham regions. Individ uals were nominated based on their work as communi ty leaders and volunteers, and for their

Risingcommitmentaccomplishmentsprofessionalandtoservingtheregion.Allofthe2021SouthernVermontEmergingLeaderswillbenominatedfortheVBMVermontStarawards.”

52CLASSNOTES

2009CINZIACOPPOLA , Brooklyn, NY, returned to campus in late March, hosted by the Boucher Career Education Center, to talk with students about her career path as a vice president and banker with J.P. Morgan Private Bank in New York.

2001SUEBETTE

FRIDAY, Manchester Center, VT, has been named director of emergency services for the Vermont Wing (VTWG) of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). He will be responsible for managing and implement ing diverse emergency services provided statewide by CAP, including search and rescue by ground and airborne teams; photo reconnaissance to support disaster relief, civil defense, and other missions; trans port of emergency supplies and personnel; and other services. Hal teaches history and psychology at Mount Anthony Union High School in Bennington, where he also is a football coach. Previously, he served in the Army as a UH-60 crew chief, crewing drug,evacuation,aeromedicalVIP,counterandnation-buildingmissionsinSaudiArabia, Kuwait, Korea, and Central America. Upon his honor able discharge as a sergeant in 2001, he joined the Vermont Army National Guard. He joined the VTWG in 2018.

SHELBY FARRELL , Stonington, CT, recently posted on social media about a notable personal achievement: “Believing in yourself and community goes a ridiculously long way. In 101 hours and 53 minutes I ran from the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, California, to the infamous ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign in Nevada. A new female speed record for ‘The Speed Project’ (search online to learn more).”

53CLASSNOTES

MATT BENEDETTO, Burlington, VT, attracted widespread social media interest in his burgeoning “Unnecessary Inventions” brand thanks to a collabo ration with Captain Morgan to create a special Super Bowl punch bowl, and he attended the Super Bowl as the liquor brand’s guest. Both Seven Days, the Burlington-area weekly, and WCAX-TV, the Burlington-area CBS affiliate, had features about it in February. While a Saint Michael’s student, Matt had a thriving business selling ski and snowboard accessories.

2011JASONBERGLUND and MEGAN BERGLUNDVANDENBERG , Houston, TX, were married on Septem ber 4, 2021, in Gloucester, MA, with many alumni in attendance (see photo).

2013NICOLEADACH, South Burlington, VT, was recognized in an October piece appearing in The Times-Union, the major newspaper and website in the Albany, NY, area, about Megan Vandenberg and Jason Berglund (both class of 2011) were married on September 4, 2021, in Gloucester, MA. Alumni in attendance were: Montana Palmer ’11, Ben Taylor ’11, Kate Bailey ’11, Bryan Geary ’12, Amanda (Willette) Geary ’11, Kaiti Tuthill ’11, Alex Stott ’11, Carrie Ward ’13, Josh Hoxie ’11, Erick Gallager ’10, Christine (Amoresano) Gallager ’11, Anna Gauthier ’11, Jonathan Heller ’11, Dan Caredeo ’11, Evan Dewey ’11, Sarah Dewey ’11, Matt Wolfe ’11, Sarah (Manty) Cuce ’11, Christine (Manty) Kamp ’14.

KRISTEN OSTERHOUDTFLEMING , Plattsburgh, NY, regional coordinator for education and training services at the Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative, in early Decem ber was featured on the website of Psychiatric Times with a video presen tation addressing this question: “Many individu als with dementia wander. How can caregivers keep their loved ones with dementia safe?” Kristen provides free specialized education for caregivers of those with dementia and facilitates training in group settings or on a one-on-one basis in the caregiver’s home. She also facilitates support groups and “memory cafes” throughout her region.

2010CATHERINE WELCH, South Hero, VT, a veteran member of the Saint Michael’s College Student Life Office in roles of increasing responsibility (most recently assistant dean of students/coordina tor of Title IX and student life outreach), has accepted the position of associate dean of student success/ Title IX coordinator. The role is part of a strategic partnership between the new director of purposeful learning position and the associate dean of student success position. Catherine will collaborate with the director of purposeful learning with an eye toward data analytics, assessment, and continuous review of the purposeful learning program.

2012MICHAEL CARTER, SSE , Colchester, VT, has had two reviews of movies— Stillwater in October 2021 and The Fallout in March 2022—and two reviews of music albums appear in the national magazine U.S. Catholic. Fr. Michael’s review of a new album by the young vocalist Billie Eilish ran in a fall edition, and in the spring he reviewed the album Laurel Hell by the female musical artist Mitski. Also, Fr. Michael recently learned that a paper he wrote for his University of Vermont history graduate studies titled “The New Dividing Line: The School Question Viewed Through the Lens of Political Cartoons in the Election of 1876” was accepted for publication in the UVM History Review

Samuel and Chloe Duchesne Olore, both Class of 2015, were married on October 1, 2021, in York, ME. Alumni in attendance included (left to right): Evan Spencer, Erik Hoiseth, Daniel Kirk, Jennifer Pelkey, Matthew Prescott, Samuel Olore, Chloe Olore (née Duchesne), Trevor Brown, John Pelkey, Mark Worthen, Natalie Page and Monica Thomas, all Class of 2015. 54 the experiences of Purple Knights lacrosse player Dan Brownell ’23 and how he tapped the insight and experience of Nicole to persevere with wisdom and courage through some mental health challenges he faced in 2020. From the story: “Nicole, a standout basketball player in high school who continued her playing career at St. Michael’s, currently serves as the Purple Knights mental skills coach.”

Tim and Hannah Mollmark Puzio, both Class of 2014, were married on August 7, 2021, in Sharon, VT. From left to right: Denise Malm ’14, Ethan Oswald ’14, Alyssa Cuddy ’14, Silke Hynes ’14, Emma (Watson) Foulke ’14, Corynne Dedeo ’14, Janelle Lavery ’14, Mikala Kane ’14, Hannah (Mollmark) Puzio ’14, Tim Puzio ’14, Eric MacPherson ’14, Dana Glubiak ’14, Tucker Watson ’14, Kevin Costello ’15, Lauren Haskins ’15, Ian Stanton ’07, Jessica Mollmark ’06.

2014NICKLEMON, Essex Junction, VT, received the UVM Our Common Ground Award in the fall of 2021, one of 12 to be so honored that year. He’s worked at UVM in various posts since graduating, including at the Howe Library, UVM Police, and now the Larner College of Medicine IT Department. Wrote his nominator from the UVM Police, “Nick’s advocacy and relentless positivity toward improv ing the community around him is contagious.”

ASHLEY ANDREWSLINCOLN , Clarksburg, MA, earned an honor from Southwestern Vermont Health Care in Bennington recently as one of four recipients of the DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses. Ashley is an RN in the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) emergency department, and was nominated by two families with toddlers who had broken bones. She earned her associate degree in nursing from Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Troy, NY, and helped develop the community care team at SVMC.

NICK MYERS, Boston, MA, was featured on the website of Forbes maga zine naming “The Next 1,000 2021” about up-andcoming entrepreneurs. The feature describes Nick’s company, Phoenix Tailings, in Woburn, MA. An excerpt: “Mining metals Emily Chabot Zimmer ’19 and Kelly Champlain Zimmer ’20 were married in Bennington, VT, on October 10, 2021.

NOTESCLASS

55CLASSNOTES and minerals also unearths potentially byproducts,valuablebutoften the iron, rare elements and raw materials for pigments and other commodities go to waste. Building their first prototype to reclaim iron and rare metals from the byproduct of aluminum production, Myers co founded a startup in 2019 that recycles and processes the waste, or tailings, reclaiming materials without emitting carbon that would otherwise be needed to mine it.” Nick completed an MBA before starting his own company.

ALEX COLLETTA, M2021, Burlington, VT, who has served Saint Michael’s in recent years as associate director, academic innova tion and nontraditional programs, in February made a career move to join a technology company called Acadeum, as a marketing manager. Acadeum is an educational technology company that works with colleges and universities throughout the country to enhance coursesharing partnerships and advance other innovative initiatives. Alex continued to teach a spring course in the St. Mike’s Business Department.

“While we were students we worked as event planners for the Student Govern ment Association so it was

2018ISABELLA BACKMAN“IZZY” , New Haven, CT, has accepted a permanent position with Yale School of Medicine as associate editor and writer. She posted on social media, “I’ve loved my time so far being able to tell stories about exciting medical science, and I am looking forward to [continuing] sharing these stories in our magazine and news site in this next chapter!”

2019EMILYCHABOT ZIMMER and KELLY CHAMPLAIN ZIMMER ’20, Winooski, VT, got married on October 10, 2021, in Bennington, VT. “It was a great St. Mike’s affair with lots of professors, alumni, and some current students attending,” Emily and Kelly shared.

2016CONOR FLOYD, Brattle boro, VT, was honored by Vermont Business Magazine for his work as Farm to School program manager in Brattleboro, which preceded his present work as grant programs manager for a child nutrition program (since September 2021). From the VBM item: “Southern Vermont Emerging Leaders were recognized on May 12 during day one of the Southern Vermont Economy Summit. South ern Vermont Young Professionals and the Shires Young Professionals sponsor the annual recognition event, which celebrates young people from the Bennington and Windham regions. Individ uals were nominated based on their work as communi ty leaders and volunteers, and for their Risingcommitmentaccomplishmentsprofessionalandtoservingtheregion.Allofthe2021SouthernVermontEmergingLeaderswillbenominatedforVBM’sVermontStarawards.”

KELSIE MILLER, Maynard, MA, had a key role in some recent science news that was exciting enough to rate reports in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, England’s Guardian, Smithsonian Magazine and even a mention during comedian Stephen Colbert’s “Meanwhile” segment on his popular late-night show. The Guardian report cut most clearly to the chase: “A frog has regrown a lost leg after being treated with a cocktail of drugs in a significant advance for regenerative medicine,” read the major internation al paper’s report about a discovery by a group of Tufts University research ers that included Kelsie.

DANIEL DU FEU, Cutler Bay, FL, on October 30, 2021, presented a check of $10,427 to the Saint Michael’s chapter of Hope Happens Here (HHH) at halftime during a men’s soccer game on Duffy Field, with intentions for the money to go to HHH, a national nonprofit organi zation founded by two St. Mike’s hockey alumni that addresses the issue of mental health awareness in athletics.

TIM PUZIO and HANNAH MOLLMARK PUZIO, Hartland, VT, were married on August 7, 2021, in Sharon, VT, with many other alumni present (see photo).

JACOB PELLETIER, Washington, VT, recently started work as community programs officer for the Vermont Humanities Council after several years working with the College’s Institutional Advancement Office.

2015LAURABETH KUJAWA , Burlington, VT, had a story published in the Washing ton Square Review Spring 2022 issue. SAMUEL OLORE and CHLOE DUCHESNE OLORE , York, ME, were married on October 1, 2021, in York (see photo).

D. SYDNEY RYBICKI, M2021, Colchester, VT, started work on March 14 as the College’s new assistant director for alumni and family engage ment in the Institutional Advancement Office. Most recently she worked at Stowe Middle High School as a language teacher, and before that, she worked in the Saint Michael’s College Student Life Office while earning a master of arts degree in teaching with licensure and endorsement in teaching PK–12 ELL.

JANE MALONEY, Water town, MA, has been hired by the Sudbury Valley Trustees as a land steward. Her responsibilities include playing an integral role in the organization’s efforts to control invasive plants on its properties and to maintain hiking trails for public use. She previously worked for the Appalachian Mountain Club in Boston, where her responsibilities included managing volun teers who maintain hiking trails, and for the Umpqua Watersheds in Roseburg, OR, where she worked on educationalconservation-themedprograms for children and families. The Sudbury Valley Trustees is a nonprofit land trust that protects natural areas and farmland in the region around the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers.

JEREMY MIKAELSON, Kissimmee, FL, a profes sional magician of growing renown based in Florida, shares: “From March 7 to 13, 2022, I was back performing at one of the most prestigious venues in the world, the Palace Of Mystery, the biggest theater at the world-famous Magic Castle in Los Angeles. This time I got to perform for pop music star Ariana Grande, and she really loves my show.”

Michael’s Office of Student Life. Most recently she worked at Heartworks Williston as a lead teacher in the 3- to 4-year-old classroom.

a lot of fun to put our event planning skills toward our wedding. We want to give a huge shout-out to Professor John Devlin for officiating!”

2020KELLYCHAMPLAINZIMMER

got married (see 2019 notes). Kelly also has been on the job since January 16, 2022, as a resident coordinatordirector/areafortheSaint

2021CHRISTOPHER ELHAJJ, Colchester, VT, started work January 3, 2022, as the new assistantadministrativeforAcademic Affairs at Saint Michael’s College. MARLON HYDE , Colchester, VT, is a Vermont Public Radio news fellow, having started directly after graduating from Saint Michael’s. Recently, Marlon posted some exciting news on social media: “Thank you @vprnet for extending my fellowship another year! I will continue to tell stories about the beautiful commu nities that decorate Vermont.”

LUCAS KIRSCH, Windham, ME, started a new job lasting through this coming November as environmen tal steward with Maine Conservation Corps Americorps at Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District in Windham, according to a recent announcement from the district via social media.

MOLLY TOBIN, program coordinator for Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, won the 2021 Kellen Sams Memorial Leadership Award. Sams was a valued outdoor teacher and avid adventurer who died in an avalanche in 2010 while backcountry skiing in Colorado. In honor of Sams’s commitment to high-quality outdoor experiential education, this award furthers his legacy by providing recognition for those Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports staff, volunteers, and interns “who show the greatest commitment to professional development and leadership within the organization.”

KATYA MARSH, Burling ton, VT, published an essay in the professional newsletter Woman View that was based on her undergraduate practicum experience at Saint Michael’s. Katya’s essay was “Women: Trauma, Substance Use, and Incarceration.” The newsletter is published by the American Psychologi cal Association, Division 17, Section for the Advance ment of Women. Katya originally developed the paper while a Saint Michael’s student.

MAX ROSSIGNOL , Contoocook, NH, joined BankProv at the end of 2021 as the specialty lending portfolio manager. He “will support the growth of the Specialty Lending team through relationship management and industry analysis,” according to a press release from the bank that is based in Amesbury, MA.

MCKENNA POPPENGA , Williston, VT, Makerspace technical coordinator for the College’s Information Technology Office, shared some exciting news. “I have recently been selected to serve with Matthew Dickerson as artist-inresidence for Alaska State Parks in September 2022,” McKenna says. “I will be spending time in Point Bridget State Park and Ernest Gruening State Historic Park. My artwork will be informed by the landscapes, histories, cultures, and ecologies of these parks in collabora tion with the creative writing of my father-inlaw Matthew.”

56CLASSNOTES

“IT’S ALL ABOUT CONNECTION.” — DAWN ELLINWOOD, VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS

GEORGE W. STRIZZI, Canton, GA, died November 5, 2016, the College learned recently. He served in the Army Air Force during World War II. Following Saint Michael’s, he earned a master’s degree in education from North Adams State Teachers College in Massa chusetts after attending Westfield State. George was a math teacher for a time at Central Berkshire School in Hinsdale, MA, according to a 1985 alumni survey. He served on the board of directors (including as president) for Vista Royale in Vero Beach, FL, where he lived for some years. He was active in his parish and enjoyed square dancing earlier in his life. His wife, Pauline, also died in 2016. No further word was available on survivors.

1942JULESPEQUIGNOT, Burlington, VT, died March 26, 2022. He had been the oldest known living Saint Michael’s alumnus and died one day short of his 103rd birthday. In 1988, Jules was inducted into the Saint Michael’s College Athletic Hall of Fame for both basketball and baseball (four letters in each sport). He made the All-State Basketball Team his junior and senior years, was basketball captain as a senior, and was voted best all-around basketball player in the state in 1941. He also played on the 1939–40 state championship team, and in 1941–42 set the state free throw record. In baseball, he had a career .333 average and was 4–2 on the mound. After college, Jules began his career as a teacher and basketball coach at Mount Saint Joseph High School in Rutland before moving back to Burlington, where he went to work for Nationwide Insurance as a claims adjuster until he retired. Jules loved basketball and his Saint Michael’s family, attending most home games until COVID-19 hit and kept him out of the gym. He also was an avid golfer, with three holes-in-one and shooting his age in three different decades, and was a regular at Burlington Country Club. Jules is survived by three sons, including Michael Pequignot ’71; a daughter; and extend ed family, including Rebecca Pequignot Nelson ’02.

ROBERT J. O’BRIEN, M.D., Las Vegas, NV, died Novem ber 17, 2021. Bob served in three armed services: Navy, Marines, and Air Force, where he was a lieutenant colonel, and later was a flight surgeon for the Air National Guard at Barnes Air Force Base and also a flight surgeon for the Air Reserve at Westover Air Force Base (MA). He was the surgeon for both the Holyoke (MA) Police and the Holyoke Fire Department. For many years, he was active with the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. Bob was an opera aficionado, pilot, fisherman, cook, skier, golfer, hunter, entertainerextensivemotorcyclist,traveler,andforfriends and family. After Saint Michael’s he earned his medical degree from St. Louis University. He specialized in vascular and general surgery, and entered a five-year residency program at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. He returned to his home town and set up private practice in Holyoke, MA. He was affiliated with several hospitals in his area. His wife of 55 years, Norma, died in 2009. A predeceaseddaughterhim,as did his brother, Deacon John O’Brien ’49. He is survived by two daughters.

LAWRENCE NUCCIO, Glen Cove, NY, died July 15, 2020. After Saint Michael’s, Larry attended Brooklyn Law School and New York University Graduate School of Business. His work career included serving as manager of Rallye Motors Rolls Royce Mercedes Benz in Roslyn, NY, and other automobile sales positions prior to that. He enjoyed sailing. His wife, Geraldine, died in 2018. Two sons also predeceased him. Larry is survived by two sons and extended family.

57

1951JAMESJ. FELONEY, Venice, FL/Williston, VT, died

1950GILBERT B. “GIL” LECLERC , Tallmadge, OH, died February 9, 2022. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. Gil worked for Goodall-Sanford Textile mills, Pacific Mills, and General Tire Bolta Plant in Lawrence, MA. He trans ferred to Akron, OH, in 1967 with General Tire, retiring there in 1991 after 34 years of service including in distribution management, marketing, management,investmentsystems, and product planning. In retirement, he enjoyed travel across the U.S. with his wife, and their winters in Florida and South Carolina. He was active in his parish, and enjoyed golf, bowling, and reading. He was a President’s Medallion supporter of the College. His wife of 67 years, Lucille, died five weeks before Gil’s death; a daughter also predeceased him. A son, three daughters, and extended family survive him.

In Memoriam

MEMORIAMIN

58 December 16, 2021. A Cambridge, MA, native, Jim joined the Marines in 1944 and served in China and the South Pacific before going to Saint Michael’s. He went on to earn his master’s degree in elementary

JOHN E. LABONTE, JR., Bridgeport, CT, died May 9, 2015, the College learned recently. John served in the Navy, was a retired sales man, and at one time served as president of John LaBonte Associates, based in New York City. He was active in the K of C. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Elizabeth; three daughters; and extended family.

DONALD E. SHEA , Hilton Head, SC, died November 26, 2021. After Saint Michael’s, he served in the Army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954 and went on to earn his master’s degree in education from American International College (1956) while working full-time. Later he earned professional credits at Marquette University and

42UniversityadministrationschoolattheofNorthernColoradoin1962andspentyearsineducationasateacher,principal,andassistantsuperintendentintheEssexandColchester(VT)schooldistricts.HelovedwatchingprofessionalsportsandwasafanoftheNewEnglandteams.Hehadaspecialpassionforhockey,playingfromhisyouthoutsideBostonandlaterforSaintMichael’s.“TheRocket,”asJimwasknowninhisCollegedays,wasone of the most prolific scorers in Ice Knights history, and a 1992 Saint Michael’s College Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. After graduating, he refereed hockey games throughout New England, and in the 1950s, he started the Burlington Amateur Hockey Association, which still exists. He enjoyed reading, hiking, and traveling to national parks. His wife, Stephanie, died in 2005. He is survived by his partner, Sue Knapp; a daughter; and extended family.

1952DONALD L. RUSHFORD, Alexandria, VA, died January 7, 2022. After Saint Michael’s, Don joined the Navy with several college buddies, all hoping to become pilots. After two years (with no pilot training), he switched from active duty to reserve status and got his law degree from George town University. He first worked at a boutique law firm specializing in aviation law, then as lead attorney for the Federal Power Commission. In 1968, he returned to Vermont and moved to Montpelier, serving as general counsel to the Public Utilities Board. Later he moved to Rutland to become vice president and general counsel for Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS), the state’s largest utility. He greatly expanded the CVPS legal department. Don was devoutly religious and committed to serving the marginalized. He enjoyed sports, chess, board games, and anything else competi tive. He loved music and singing, later conducting church choirs; he loved Sousa marches, blaring them to wake his many children some mornings. An avid lifetime skier, in retirement he loved travel, tennis, biking, sailing, swimming, and bridge, and was a volunteer mentor for prisoners; he initiated a mediation program in district courts, earning an award from the Vermont Supreme Court. He was predeceased by his first and second wives, and in 1985 married Marcia Crowley, who died in 2020 of COVID-19. Don is survived by 11 children, three stepsons and extended family.

ROBERT M. FLANAGAN , Port Washington, NY/ Nantucket, MA, died April 3, 2022. He grew up in an orphanage and foster homes in Boston before he was adopted by the Flanagans when he was 2 years old. He was an early avid skier, which factored into his choice of Saint Michael’s, where he edited the school paper. After college, Bob attended officer candidate school and was sent to Germany, after which he returned to the U.S. and enrolled at Harvard Busi ness School. His work took him to Cincinnati, Boston, England, and later San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he joined ITT. After a 1967 promotion, ITT moved him to Brussels, Belgium, and in 1971 he moved to Pneumatic Tool Company in New York. Shortly after that he become comptroller at Western Union, where he soon rose to CEO and chairman. He had several good years at Western Union before a failed satellite launch in 1984 led to his ouster as CEO. He went on to do consulting before branching out into the world of cellular communications. In 1986, he and friends started CCT Boatphone, providing phone service to boats in the British Virgin Islands. The company was later sold to Cable and Wireless. While getting that company running, Bob lived in Tortola and tended the switchboard himself overnight for several years. He was a fan of the Red Sox and loved music and memorizing lyrics to popular songs. He also loved Nantucket. Bob is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary; a son; three daugh ters; and extended family.

JOHN J. SIGLER, Ossining, NY, died February 2, 2022. After Saint Michael’s, John moved to White Plains, NY, and worked as a pharma ceutical representative for A.H. Robbins in New York City for 35 years. He was active in his Catholic parish as an usher. In retirement, he enjoyed painting land scapes and took up building and painting ship and airplane models. His wife, Betty, predeceased him. John is survived by a son, two daughters, and extend ed family.

WALTER B. ROGERS, Walpole, MA, died January 1, 2022. Walter, an Army veteran of the Korean War, was a varsity football captain at his Boston high school. After studying math ematics at Saint Michael’s, he earned a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Hartford and did further engineering studies at PolytechnicRensselaerInstitute. His professional career included time working for BaldwinLima-Hamilton Group in Waltham, MA, and as a VP manufacturing rep for Hoder-Rogers, Inc. He served as vice president of the Home and School Association for St. Catherine of Siena School in Norwood, MA, where he founded the first athletics program, and he was active in the K of C. He also taught CCD for a time, worked for the Heart Fund, and was a Norwood Town Meeting member.

1953HON.JOHN G. CONNOR, Hudson, NY, died October 4, 2021. He was a gifted attorney and served more than two decades on New York State’s Supreme Court. After Saint Michael’s, he served two years in the Army before graduating from Albany Law School in 1957. He passed the bar and formed the legal firm Connor, Millman & Connor with his father; the firm later became Connor, Curran, Connor, Flint & Schram. His early career highlights included being the first Democrat elected district attorney in Columbia County (NY) in over a century and serving as the village attorney for the Village of Philmont for many years. He was president of his local bar association, a trustee for a community college in his region, and active in the K of C, Ameri can Legion, and Elks. Professionally, John was best known for serving as a Supreme Court justice for New York’s Third District following his election in 1982 and reelection in 1996. He served for 24 years until retiring in 2006. After that, he practiced law with his son. He spent much of his legal career as an advocate for the downtrodden and underdogs. He was a skilled pianist, ardent Democrat, devoted Red Sox fan, and enthusiastic hobbyist, whether it involved musical instruments or computers. He loved politics, investing, and travel. He was a President’s Medallion supporter of the College. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan; two sons including James “Jim” Connor ’83; a daughter; a brother; a sister; and extended family.

JOSEPH W. SHAY, Troy, NY, died January 24, 2022. After Saint Michael’s he earned an education master’s degree from Siena College. An Eagle Scout, he joined the Marines after college and rose to corporal. Joseph was a graduate of the Westinghouse Appara tus Sales Training Program and president of Carler Products Corporation, VP of sales at Coastal Communi cations, and executive vice president and president of Wadsworth Manufacturing Associates in Liverpool, NY. He loved boating on Lake George, and in the ’90s he started spending winters in Florida. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Caro lyn; a son; a daughter; and extended family.

1954JOHNMCANENY, Chester, VT, died June 30, 2021. After Saint Michael’s, he was commissioned as a lieu tenant in the Air Force and served as a B-52 pilot. He also served in Thailand during the Vietnam War and later served at the Pentagon. He retired from the Air Force in 1979 and settled in Chester with his family for the rest of his life. His wife, Pamela, died in July 2018. He is survived by a son, two daughters, and extended family.

ROBERT M. JOHNSON, Port Charlotte, FL, died December 14, 2021, after an extended period with dementia. After Saint Michael’s, he enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the carrier USS Franklin Delano Roosevelt as a flight navigator on the Navy’s first carrier-capable strategic jet-powered bomber, the Douglas A-3 Skywarrior. After leaving the service, he relocated his family to

Walter is survived by his wife, Ann; five sons; two daughters; and extended family.

59INMEMORIAM Westfield State. He lived in Holyoke, MA, from 1959 until relocating to Hilton Head Island in 1994 following a career devoted to educating and guiding young people, most notably directing the Upward Bound program out of Northfield Mount Hermon School for many years. In retirement, he enjoyed golf, travel, and volunteering with the Civilian Air Patrol, and he frequently volunteered to help widows in Hilton Head as a handyman “in the spirit of the Edmundites.”

Don long was active in the K of C and instrumental in founding the Hilton Head American Legion Post. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy; two daugh ters; and extended family.

1955DONALD E. GASIOROWSKI, Holyoke, MA, died Decem ber 23, 2021. After Saint Michael’s, Donald served in the Army (1955–57) and later earned his education master’s degree from Westfield State in Massa chusetts in 1963. He was an educator and principal in the Holyoke Public School system for over 30 years and active in the Holyoke Canoe Club, National Conference for Community and Justice, and Friends of UMass Fine Arts Center; he was a board member of the Holyoke Creative Arts Committee. He is survived by his wife, Anne; a son; a daughter; and extended family.

MEMORIAMIN

1957THOMAS C. AICHER, Rutland, VT, died January 10, 2022. A Long Island native, Tom came to love Vermont while attending Saint Michael’s. After college and marriage, he and his wife lived briefly on Long Island before returning to

ARTHUR “ART” LAVALLEE , The Villages, FL, died in the spring of 2021. After college, he served in the Army from 1955 to 1959, then did education graduate studies at Westfield State in Massachusetts (studying school counseling) and later post-graduate studies at the University of North Texas in the early 1980s. Art worked in education for 30 years, including as a school psychologist and counselor for 18 years, and worked for a time with the Dallas Independent School District. Other work in his career included being owner of an executive search firm in Dallas, TX, from 1970 to 1975, and serving as found er/president of Intercolle giate Golf, Track & Field/ Tennis Awards in Dallas. Before moving to Texas, Art was founder of the Chicopee, MA, Ward 6 Civic Associa tion, was Chicopee’s assistant playground director, and was elected to the statewide Children’s Rights Committee in Massachusetts. He was honored as Citizen of the Year in Martha’s Vineyard in 1960. Art moved to The Villages in 2003. He was active there playing pickle ball, golf, and softball (as player and later coach). Art is survived by two daughters, a son, and a sister. A son and his former wife, Florence, predeceased him.

1956JAMESA. BRACKEN, Alexandria, VA, died January 18, 2022, of cancer. After Saint Michael’s he joined the Marines, retiring as a colonel in 1983 after 26 years of service, during which he served in Vietnam and earned a Bronze Star. While on active duty, he earned an MBA from Pepperdine University and attended the Advanced Man agement Program at Harvard Business School. After retiring from the Marines, he became president of a small trade show management company, and a few years later, its owner, rising in the industry to become chairman of the largest trade show company in the U.S., VNU Expositions. He spent 30 years as a trade show organizer and in 2004 was chair of the Society of Show Organizers. Upon retirement at age 79, Jim stayed busy as the historian and later vice president of the Army Navy Club of Washington, D.C. He was a President’s Medallion supporter of the College. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Judy; three sons; and extended family.

OGDEN M. DODGE , Riverside, MA, died January 27, 2022. He was a Korean War veteran, serving as a battery executive officer and forward observer with the 937th Field Artillery Battalion. After college, he began his career in the Vicks Executive Development Program in New York City, becoming a copywriter at Morse International, Inc., Vicks’s in-house advertising agency. He returned to his home state of Massachusetts in 1960 to be advertising manager, consumer products, at the Dennison Manufacturing Company in Framingham. In 1963, he joined Horton, Church & Goff, a Providence, RI, advertising agency, moving to Barrington, RI. In 1980, he opened his own ad agency, Dodge Associates, Inc., working there until retirement in 1997. He served on the Worcester Science Center Board of Directors, on the Public Utilities Association,CommunicatorsandwiththeSalvationArmy,andwas a past president of the Providence Ad Club. He was active in his Catholic parish in Barrington for 58 years, including as a Eucharistic Minister, religious education teacher, and chair of the Catholic Charity Fund Appeal, and as a lector for 50 years. He also played in the parish golf league. He enjoyed storytelling, watercolor painting, and gardening, and loved the beach. Ogden was the senior-year roommate and friend of the Saint Michael’s Vietnam War hero and Medal of Honor winner the late Donald Cook ’56, and shared touchingly with classmates about their connection in later years. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Kathleen; two sons; two daughters; a brother; three sisters; and extended family.

ROBERT G. LAMARCHE, D.D.S., Pensacola, FL, died January 10, 2022. After Saint Michael’s, Robert graduated from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston and embarked upon a 30-year career as an officer in the Naval Dental Corp. He was in the Naval Reserves for a time while in private practice in Swanton, VT, but returned to full-time Navy duty in 1968. His first assignment was in Vietnam, where he served with the first Marine Division and earned the Bronze Star. He also had Navy assignments in Annapolis, MD; Italy; North Carolina; and California, and earned an education master’s degree from George Washington University in 1974. His wife, Sally, died in 1998. He is survived by two sons; a daughter; a sister; his longtime companion, Patricia Ann Lamarche; and extended family.

60 California, where he worked for Southern California Edison before retiring to Port Charlotte. He enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, sailing, rooting for the Red Sox and Patriots, and taking summer trips north to visit family. His wife, Barbara, died in June 2020. He is survived by a son, two daughters, and extended family.

Vermont to raise five children. Tom was a member of the Army Reserve and retired from Central Vermont Public Service, where he worked 34 years, becoming director of purchasing. In retirement, he worked at Woodstock Ace Hardware. He was an avid golfer, skier, and sailor from Vermont to Maine, the Caribbean, South Carolina, and Hawaii. He was a member of the Pico Ski Club and Otter Ski Patrol for many years, was the club’s president in 1978 and patrol director in the 1980s, and was regional section chief of the National Ski Patrol for several years. He also served as treasurer of the Pico Ski Education Foundation. Tom is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara; two sons; two daughters; and extended family. A daughter predeceased him.

61INMEMORIAM

1959JOHNJ. CORSKIE , South Burlington, VT, died January 18, 2022. He was a Saint Michael’s Associate Trustee in the 1980s. The Montpelier native attended the University of Vermont, and instead of being drafted, volunteered for service in the Korean War and joined the Army, serving two years as a medical technician before transferring into the Army Reserves for another eight years. During those Reserve years, he earned his mathematics bachelor’s degree from Saint Mi chael’s. After graduation, he started working at IBM and stayed there until retiring in 1990. He enjoyed travel, dancing (particularly the jitterbug), and listening to jazz. He was a fine skier, competing in ski jumping at winter carnivals frequently in younger days; in retire ment, he continued skiing until age 83 at Stowe. He also enjoyed golf, tennis, sailing, and swimming. His wife, Theresa, died in 2007. He is survived by a daugh ter, a sister, and extended family.

1958ADAMJ.

FREDERICK F. JUDD II, Watertown, CT, died January 3, 2022. After Saint Michael’s he earned an education master’s degree at the University of

ROGER J. BERNIER, Falmouth by the Sea, ME, died January 16, 2017, the College learned recently. He entered the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and was in that order for 17 years, teaching in Montreal, Canada; Rhode Island; and Biddeford, Maine (his home state, where he returned for his later years). After leaving the order, he earned a psychology doctorate (Walden University, FL) and master’s degree in educa tion/counseling at Saint Michael’s. He also studied at Boston University under a fellowship in counseling from General Electric. He was a professor for 30 years at the University of New Hampshire and worked at New Hampshire Vocational Technical College. He enjoyed travel and playing the organ, and volunteered at the Hollis Police Depart ment in New Hampshire educating inmates. He had a private practice as a psychology counselor. He was the last survivor of nine siblings.

DEL TORTO, Albany, NY, died Novem ber 29, 2021. After attend ing Saint Michael’s on an Air Force ROTC scholar ship, he entered full-time service in the Air Force, earning meritorious service medals and rising to the rank of lieutenant. After a 24-year Air Force career, Adam worked for Aero space, Lockheed, and Martin Marietta. During his time there, he accepted an offer to join the staff of then Governor Mario Cuomo as inspector for the New York State Attorney General’s Office. After Cuomo retired, Adam went to work as director of purchasing for Albany County. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and fan of the Red Sox and the football Giants. He also coached his son’s baseball teams. He is survived by his wife, Irene; three sons; and extended family.

STEPHEN T. SCHRYVER, Sarasota, FL, died Decem ber 6, 2020, the College learned recently. After Saint Michael’s he earned a master’s degree in teaching English from Colorado State University and was an English teacher for East Greenbush Central Schools near Albany, NY, before moving to Florida. Follow ing retirement from teaching, Stephen worked as a self-employed land scape architect in Engle wood, FL. No information was available about survivors.

RAYMOND W. JAQUES, Whidbey Island, WA, died July 5, 2021. After Saint Michael’s (where he was active in ROTC), he found himself on a heavy cruiser, the Newport News, as a junior Navy officer, and ultimately at a desk in London as a cryptographer. His next life stop after marriage was at the Univer sity of Wyoming to earn graduate degrees and high school teaching certificates in history and psychology. He moved to Marin County, CA, and taught at Redwood High School for 30 years, including history and government, art history, psychology, and even special education. He finished his tenure as a counselor and once was named Teacher of the Year. Ray coached long-distance runners and led the Redwood girls cross-country and track teams to many league titles. After retiring, he and his wife traveled the world. He enjoyed running, hiking, skiing, music (from opera to folk and rock), the ocean, watching boxing and appreciating paintings. Ray is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth (originally from the Netherlands); a son; a daughter; a brother; and extended family.

1960WILLIAM D. GOYETTE, JR., Pelham, NH, died February 17, 2022. He was an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and was in the Air Weather Service (1963–67). After Saint Michael’s he earned his master’s degree in English literature from Northeast ern University and a master’s degree in library science from Simmons University. After a 40-year career he retired as the library director at Moosi lauke Public Library in Woodstock, NH, and previously was the librari an at Pelham Public Library in Pelham, NH. He was active in his parish, sang in the choir, and supported charities including the Edmundite Missions. He enjoyed reading, camping, hiking, and travel. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Liette; a daughter; and extended family.

MEMORIAMIN

JohnnyJonathanCommission.ConservationHeenjoyednaps,traintravel,unusualcuisine,tractorshows,opera,VanGoghpaintings,history,andthecomedyofWintersandCarson.Heissurvivedbyhiswife,Margaret;threesons, including Rick Judd ’86; three daughters, including Sarah Nedell ’88; and extended family.

62 Hartford and a master’s degree in ecology from St. Joseph’s College. He also studied for a time at Boston College. He taught for a year at Cheshire Academy early in his career and then at Watertown Senior High School for 35 years. Once he returned to Watertown, Fred helped his parents run their dairy farm, which eventually became Judd Farm Day Camp. He was the camp’s director for 50 years. A biologist, he was a leader in conservation efforts, serving the board of the Connecticut

DENNIS F. MURPHY JR., Harvard, MA, died October 28, 2021. Dennis, who was class president while a Saint Michael’s student, received the Rev. John Verrett ’35 Alumni Awards for Distinguished Service in 2010, and was a member of the Society of Mont-Saint-Michel for his generous lifetime support of the College. He also supported the Edmun dite Southern Missions in Selma, Alabama. Beyond that, the Dennis Francis Murphy, Jr. ’60 Term Scholarship was established by Dennis’ wife, Julie, in 2010 in honor of his 50th Reunion from Saint Michael’s. This term scholarship was awarded to two students each year for the five years following its inception. Profes sionally, Dennis led the very successful Murphy Insurance Agency, a family-owned and operat ed independent agency headquartered in Hudson, MA, which is one of the largest independent agencies in central Massachusetts. Dennis also served in a bank directorship role and was deeply involved in a variety of community programs. He greatly enjoyed family time spent at his vacation home in Hartford, VT. Dennis is survived by his wife, Julie, two sons, two daughters, and 8 grandchildren.

1961WALLACE J. ANCTIL , Berlin, NH, died November 13, 2021. After Saint Michael’s he earned his law degree at D.C.,UniversityAmericaninWashington,andwasappointedtotheBerlinDistrictCourtin New Hampshire in 1978 as presiding justice after serving some years as the special justice of the Gorham District Court. He served in the Berlin post until retirement in 2009. Wally was an avid gardener and cook, and enjoyed travel to Europe. He was active with the Jaycees and K of C (4th Degree), and served on the Berlin School Board, where he was part of an initiative to build a new high school. His wife, Gay, predeceased him. He is survived by his partner, Jeannine Birch; three sons, including Foris “Tree” Anctil ’87; a sister; and extended family, including daughter-in-law Colleen Moriarty-Anctil ’88.

JOSEPH C. KENNEDY, Charlestown, MA, and Quechee, VT, died January 5, 2022. After Saint Michael’s he served as a navigator in the 56th Weather wasSquadronReconnaissanceintheAirForce,stationedatYokota (Japan) Air Base, and flew 53 tropical storm penetra tions. Joe earned his law degree and LLM degree (in taxation) at Georgetown University Law School and worked at the IRS in Washington, D.C. He then entered private practice in Boston and California, taught at several law schools, and was an arbitrator with the Finan cial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). He was a very active Saint Mi chael’s alumnus, serving as president of the Alumni Board of Directors (1975–76), trustee, and member of the 30 x 15 Project to recruit veterans. He also was a Heritage Circle supporter of the College (featured in the Circle newsletter in 2016) and was the 1976 Alumnus of the Year, a former class agent for 1961, and a Reunion gift chair. Joe loved flying and enjoyed travel to Hawaii and Ireland. He also enjoyed golf, horse racing, and Boston sports. He also loved his dog and his Vermont home and was active in his Catholic parish. Joe is survived by his wife, Linda; three sons; two daughters; his first wife, Donna; and extended family.

ROLAND T. DUMAIS, Simi Valley, CA, died January 7, 2022. After Saint Michael’s, he moved to Los Angeles and attended UCLA, where he majored in computer science, and later he earned his MBA from Northrop Institute of Technology. Roland enlisted in the Navy in 1961 right after college and completed the Naval Aviation Pilot Program, Pensacola, FL. He was trained by the Marines after Pensacola and served an additional six years in the Air Force Active Reserves. Roland worked in the computer science field for over 30 years starting in 1962. He retired in 1981 and continued to work privately with individual investments. He was active in the K of C and American Legion in the state of Maine, where he grew up. Roland held a private flying license and loved to fly. He was an avid snow and water skier and won numerous awards. He also enjoyed reading (he was a speed reader who could finish a book in a day), camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, back packing, carpentry, and large-scale model trains. He traveled all 50 states in his motorhome and enjoyed summers at his lake cottage in Maine. Roland is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ann; a son; two sisters; and extended family.

WILLIAM “BILL” A. LEROUX, JR., Saratoga Springs, NY, died Novem ber 25, 2021. After Saint Michael’s, he worked many years as the operations manager for Katzenbach & Warren wallpaper manufac turers in Waterford, NY. He was an avid reader and golfer, spent years coaching youth sports, and was commissioner of the Pop Warner Football League for five years. He was a fan of the Yankees and football Giants and enjoyed debat ing politics. Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, Geri; four sons; a daughter; two sisters; a brother; and extended family.

WALTER PODRES, Laguna Beach, CA, died in 2018, the College learned recently. After College, he worked from 1962 to 1966 as an assistant manager for United California Bank in California, then through 1977 for Broadway Depart ment Stores in Los Angeles in various executive positions, including store manager and head buyer for 42 stores. From 1977 to 1985, he was president and CEO of Holtzman’s Little Folk Shop in City of Industry, CA, an off-price apparel chain featuring sportswear for kids; that business was bought out by Woolworth in the mid1980s. In 1988, he became owner of Treasure Hunt, Inc., whose stores specialized in closeout merchandise for family and home needs. Walt was the younger brother of Brooklyn Dodgers pitching great Johnny Podres. No obituary or word about survivors was available.

FRANK R. LIOCE , Fort Worth, TX, died December 2, 2021. After Saint Michael’s he joined the Air Force and was sent to Texas for navigator training. He served as a navigator on the KC 135 refueling tanker during the Vietnam War, and on C130s afterward. His military service also took him to the Philippines, Japan, Labrador, Thailand, and Spain. In 1979–80, he was stationed in Guam with the 54th Weather Recon Squadron, which flew a C130 cargo plane into and out of typhoons.

1962JOSEPH F. FUSCO, SR., Tulsa, OK, died January 3, 2022. After college, he earned his doctorate from Indiana University before moving to Tulsa to teach at the University of Tulsa and McClain High School. He then was an assistant dean at Oklahoma State Univer sity Osteopathic College, after which he became the head of the DepartmentEducationattheAmericanOsteopathicCollegeinChicago.Hewentbacktosecondaryeducation teaching in Kansas City and then was a part-time professor at Penn Valley College until his 2010 retirement. He was long active in his Catholic parish as a cantor and member of the choir, K of C, and parish council. Joe enjoyed trout fishing, fly-tying, and barbershop singing. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Frances; two sons; a daughter; and extended family.

63INMEMORIAM

RAYMOND J. LACROIX , North Fork, CA, died January 31, 2018, the College learned recently. After Saint Michael’s he attended graduate school at George D.C.,UniversityWashingtoninWashington,andservedintheNavy,includingasan administrative officer and management analyst with assignments both overseas and in New York, accord ing to alumni files. No information about survi vors was available.

ANTHONY GUARIGLIA JR., Brookfield, CT, died January 2, 2019, the College learned recently. After Saint Michael’s he earned an MBA from the University of Florida. He was a business manager for Dealer Financial Services for a time, as well as a vice president of finance and administration for a firm in Florida and a controller for Amex Phosphate, Inc., in Greenwich, CT, during his career in financial services. Tony was an avid football Giants fan and coached soccer for his children and others on the Brookfield Soccer Club. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joan; four sons; three daughters; and extended family.

PAUL J. UPHAM , Asheville, NC, died March 3, 2022. Paul, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War specializing in air intelligence, lived in Pawling, NY, for 48 years and worked as a human resources executive and educator in New York. After Saint Michael’s, he did post-graduate studies at Western Connecticut University as well as taking classes at Brown Universi ty, Boston College Law School, the University of Virginia, and the Universi ty of Michigan. His employers included NTT Data Services International, D&B in Stamford, CT (where he was vice presi dent of human resources), Wesley Associates in Pawling (president), Philips Electronics, Ameri can Cyanamid Company, Container PaulInternational,TransportandCoopers.alsowasanadjunctbusinessprofessorat Fairfield University, the New School, and Mary mount College. He was very active in his commu nity, including serving on the planning board, school board, and corporate boards of directors; receiving an honorary degree at Marymount; and supporting Covenant House in New York City and the Cornelia De Lange Syndrome Foundation. He enjoyed golf and history. Paul is survived by his wife, Janet; two sons; five daughters; a sister; and extended family.

1964JOHNH. “JACK” BURKE , Glastonbury, CT, October 14, 2021. After college, he had a long, successful career at Aetna as an insurance executive, ultimately retiring from Travelers Insurance. He loved travel, particularly to Cape Cod; Naples, FL; and Ireland, and was an avid golfer, sports enthusiast, and reader. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Patricia; three sons; two daughters; and extended family.

Alumni Association in 1987. He was a member of the class agent and reunion programs for many years. A past president of the Greater Jaycees,Middletownhereceived the Distinguished Service Award. He also was a founder and past president of the Greater Middletown Preservation Trust and served the town’s Bicen tennial Committee and Charter Revision Commit tee. He also was a cofound er and longtime chair of the Middletown Transit District, and was a past president of the former Middletown Columbus Federal Credit Union. He was a member of the Rockfall Foundation and active in the K of C, which named him “Irishman of the Year,” and he was active in his Catholic parish. He enjoyed history, travel, and storytelling, and wrote a small family book on a relative who was an Alaska Gold Rush prospector. He had several antique cars from the ’20s and ’30s through the years, and enjoyed playing his harmonica. Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dorothy; four sons, includ ing William Donahue ’87 and Christopher Donahue ’89; a daughter; a brother, Daniel Donahue ’72; two sisters; and extended family including grand daughter Sarah Donahue ’20, niece Allison Donahue ’06, nephew Jeremy Lombardo ’95, and daugh ters-in-law Michelle Donahue ’88 and Michelle Donahue ’90.

WILLIAM C. DONAHUE , JR., Middletown, CT, died November 8, 2021. After Saint Michael’s he worked for more than 30 years as a sales manager, retiring from Magee/Magner Corporation in Middlefield, CT. Prior to that, he was president and co-owner of Work Associates,Managementamanagementconsultingcompany.HealsoworkedasasystemsmanagerforTravelersInsuranceinHartford,CT.Billservedinthe103rdFighterSquadronoftheConnecticutAirNationalGuard,andwasapastpresidentoftheSaintMichael’sAlumniAssociation;inthatroleheservedayearastrusteeandwasnamedAlumnusoftheYearin1977.BillwasaPresident’sMedallionsupporteroftheCollegeandapastpresidentofboththeHartfordAlumniChapterandthenational

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1963ROBERT M. ST. JOHN, Trumbull, CT/Lighthouse Point, FL, died January 25, 2022. After Saint Michael’s, he earned his MBA from St. John’s University in New York City. An Eagle Scout, he was a member of the National Guard and spent his work career in the financial industry. Robert served on his local Catholic school board in the ’80s and ’90s and was active in the K of C and Fairfield Gaelic-American Club. He loved Western movies, especially those starring John Wayne. He also loved the Yankees, traveling to Europe, and discussing current affairs. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Maureen; a son; a daughter; and extended family. His brother, Kevin St. John ’64, predeceased him, as did a daughter.

64 A year before military retirement he was sta tioned at the 463rd Tactical Airlift Wing in Abilene, TX, in contingency plans and exercises. After 20 years of military service, he retired as a major in 1984. In 1986, he moved his family to Fort Worth, where he worked for the General Services Adminis tration, retiring in 2002. He enjoyed caring for his pets. Frank is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Pat; two sons; two daugh ters; two stepdaughters; and extended family.

THOMAS J. CONROY JR., Windsor, CT, died Novem ber 16, 2021. After college, he went on to work for the Travelers Company,Insuranceremaining there until retiring in 2005. He coached all his kids in baseball and softball, and often traveled the world with a group of friends. Tom is survived by his wife of 56 years, Virginia; two sons; a daughter; a sister; and extended family.

EDWARD J. POGODA , Hilton Head, SC, died March 1, 2022. Ed began a business career after Saint Michael’s in human resources (HR) at Western Electric in Kearny, NJ, in 1965. Over the next 15 years, he did HR work for several companies before landing at Siemens Medical Systems in Iselin, NJ, in 1980, and eventually retiring as a director there in 2004. He moved shortly thereafter to semi-retire ment in Hilton Head, where he continued working—first as a golf ranger and later with Wells Fargo Invest ment Advisors for 15 years. Ed was a big sports fan who loved the Yankees, football Giants, and Knicks. He loved reading, telling jokes, travel, softball, golfing, and bowling (he had a certified 300 perfect game). He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Ann; two sons; a daughter; two brothers; and extended family.

65INMEMORIAM

FREDERICK SPECKELS, Huntington, MA, died December 3, 2021. He moved to Huntington after serving in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967 as a combat photographer for the Marines. He worked at WWLP-TV as chief news photographer for 13 years, and owned Tele-Commer cial Productions, a TV commercial and video

FLOYD J. “KIP” SCHNEIDER, JR., Huntley, IL, died Janu ary 25, 2022. After Saint Michael’s he joined the Army as a supply officer in Germany, serving for three-plus years and gaining the rank of lieu tenant. He later worked at the Hartford Insurance Group. His work took him to New Hampshire and Florida before he relocated to Fort Wayne, IN, to raise his family for the next 40 years. Kip worked for O’Rourke, Andrews, and Maroney Insurance Agency as operations manager until retiring in 1998. In 2013, he and his wife moved to Huntley to be near family. He enjoyed bocce ball, making foot stools, doing puzzles, and watching sunsets and wildlife. In earlier life he loved dancing and took ballroom lessons. He was active at his parish and in the K of C. Kip loved peanut butter, coffee, and red wine. He survived by his wife of 51 years, Julie; a son; a daughter; and extended family.

WILLIAM E. KELLY, Auburn, AL, died November 29, 2021. Bill was on the political science faculty at Auburn University for 48 years. After Saint Michael’s he earned a doctorate from the University of Nebraska (master’s degree 1967) and did further graduate work at New Mexico State University (doctorate 1973) before joining Auburn in 1973. Among his many duties there, he was the college’s longtime intern ship coordinator. He was a generous supporter of Saint Michael’s College through an estate gift. No information was available about survivors.

FRANK A. KREIGER, JR., Poquoson, VA, died November 1, 2021. Frank served as an Air Force officer for 24 years, retiring as a major, and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was proud of his role assisting Spain in joining NATO while he was serving there, and he served in Germany for the Defense Intelligence Agency. Frank earned the Bronze Star in Vietnam for support of air crews while in extreme danger from enemy mortar and rocket attacks, and received numerous other service medals and awards. Later in his post-service career, he earned a master’s degree in higher education administration from George HeHeD.C.UniversityWashingtoninWashington,HeservedforatimeassystemsanalystforComptekResearch.,Inc.wasactiveinhiscommunity,includingasPoquosonSchoolBoardchairman.HecreatedaChristmasseasonfundtohelpneedyfamilieswithgiftsandfood,helpedstartasummerswimteam,andwasactiveinthePoquosonExchangeandYachtClubs.alsowasactiveinthe American Legion and K of C and was a Eucharistic Minister at his parish. He enjoyed summers at a family lake house in his hometown region of New York State, along with golf, country music, travel, and rooting for the Yankees and football Giants. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Madonna; a son; four daughters; a sister; and extended family.

DAVID L. RACK , Chatta nooga, TN, died August 13, 2021. David was a decorat ed Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, serving from 1964 to 1968. He retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation after nearly 30 years as a special agent, from 1969 through 1997, including in Philadelphia, Georgia, and Tennessee, followed by 10 years as an investigator for Unum Insurance. In retirement, David enjoying cooking and singing in Chattanoo ga’s Choo Choo Chorus. His wife of 44 years, Sondra, predeceased him. He is survived by a son, four daughters, two brothers, a sister, and extended family.

1965RAYMOND J. GAUDREAU JR., Blackstone, MA, died March 31, 2018, the College learned recently. No further details were available.

WILLIAM F. BRISTOL , North Andover, MA, died November 26, 2021. He was active in his Catholic parish including singing in the choir, and was a past member of the K of C, including serving as grand knight. William is survived by a brother and extended family.

ROBERT V. KRYGER, Las Vegas, NV, died November 15, 2021. After earning his Saint Michael’s bachelor’s degree in History, he continued at the College for his master’s degree in teaching in 1968. He and his brother, Ed, were a double threat on the

66 production company, for over 20 years. A Long Island native, he enjoyed saltwater and freshwater fishing, hunting, sports, and writing poetry, and he was an avid reader. He was active in his Catholic parish. Frederick is survived by his wife of 45 years, Helen; three sons; a sister; and extended family.

DAVID IRISH, Steamboat Springs, CO, died in recent years, the College con firmed through his re union-year classmates, who reported that Dave had died in Denmark. No obituary was available. He had lived in Colorado as recently as 2006, according to correspondence with classmates and the College. That year David was working with Colorado Group Realty, having achieved 30 years of resort real estate experience, specifically in ski resort real estate development, marketing and sales, starting with Sugarbush and Killington in Vermont before his move to Colora do. Out West, he worked in Vail and then Steamboat Springs. Dave was a lifetime fanatical skier and competitor. He and his wife raised, trained, and rode Icelandic horses for a time. Their son, Jens, was a student at the University of Colorado at the time he shared his information. In 1991, David was inducted into the Saint Michael’s College Athletic Hall of Fame as a four-year member of the ski team who dominated the D2 slalom circuit in his day. He won the Eastern Freshman Championship in 1963–64 and led Saint Michael’s to its only Eastern Division II men’s team championship the next year. No further details were available about survivors.

1966PHILIPJ. THAYER, Lake Placid, NY, died November 29, 2021. An AFROTC economics graduate at Saint Michael’s, he served in the Air Force from 1966 to 1972, achieving the rank of captain. He worked in the real estate business (as president/owner and broker for Lake Placid Real Estate), enjoyed winters in Hilton Head Island, SC, was active in the Adiron dack Community Church, served for a time on his local school board, and enjoyed golf. Phil was grateful for 43 years of sobriety in his 12-step program. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Claire; two daugh ters; two sons; three brothers, including Tom Thayer ’64; two sisters; and extended family, including niece Ilene Thayer ’93.

1967ROY“BART” BARNETT, JR., North Troy, VT, died December 5, 2021. A lifelong Vermonter with deep ties to the Northeast Kingdom, Bart served in the National Guard and was active in the American Legion, Newport Country Club, and Civil War Round Table. He ran Barnett’s, Inc., a family fuel business that he co-owned with his late brother, for more than 40 years. He was an avid reader and library support er, history buff, golfer, biker, pickleball player, and casual musician, building cigar-box guitars and playing harmonica and ukulele. He also enjoyed cribbage and travel. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Susan; two daugh ters; and extended family.

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JOSEPH H. CONDON, Attleboro, MA, died October 18, 2021. Joseph served as an Air Force captain in the Vietnam War, earning a Bronze Star, and he was a member of the Rhode Island National Guard. He worked for a time as manager of an electronics firm. Joseph was active in the Attleboro community, serving on the board of directors for the Blue Fish Swim Club and the Attleboro Chapter of the American Red Cross. He also served on the city’s License Board. In later years, he was an avid photographer and Bourne Braves baseball fan. In college, his classmates knew him as Harry. A son predeceased him. He is survived by his wife, Ann; a son; a daughter; three sisters; and extended family.

WILLIAM “BILL” S. KMON, D.D.S., Bozeman, MT, died December 17, 2021, from bile duct cancer. He graduated at the top of his class from Saint Michael’s and then from Georgetown Dental School. He entered the Public Health Service in 1970, stationed at Staten Island, NY. In 1971, the service transferred him to Brigham City, UT, where he served as a dentist in the Navajo schools. In 1974, he moved his family to the Upper Valley in New Hampshire and opened a dental practice in Lebanon, NH, treating patients for the next 40-plus years. He was active in his communi ty, including Rotary and a planning board. In 2011, he and his wife retired to Montana to be near their children. He loved the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, and hiking. Bill is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Judith; two sons; a daughter; and extended family.

67INMEMORIAM basketball court for the Purple Knights, and in 1965 their team won the NCAA regional title and placed fourth in the Division II college champi onship. Bob began his teaching career at Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington. Later he served at Missisquoi Valley Union High School as a teacher, coach, and vice principal, and earned several yearbook dedica tions and was named a Vermont Teacher of the Year. During the 1980s, Bob was a local sports radio broadcaster for high school basketball, baseball, and hockey. After retiring from teaching, he moved his family to Kennebunk and later Drake’s Island, Maine, where he was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hiking. In 2003, he moved to Las Vegas to be near a son. While working for a Vegas hotel, he was named Employee of the Year. In retirement, he enjoyed travel and the outdoors. Bob’s wife, Nancy, died in October 2021. He is survived by his son, a brother, a sister, and extended family.

GERALD J. PALMIERI, JR., Maplewood, NJ, died August 11, 2021. His work career included positions in the publishing industry, with McGraw Hill for a time and also as controller for South Park Press and Churchill Livingstone in New York City. Gerald is survived by his wife, Jane; two sons; a sister; and extended family.

Richard was an attending at Loyola University Health Systems where he served in numer ous roles including Direc tor of The Burn Shock Trauma Institute, Chair man of Surgery, Dean of the Stritch School of Medicine and finally Senior Vice President and Provost of Health Sciences Loyola University Chicago. Richard was regarded as a leader and innovator in the field of burn care and was a past president of the American Burn Association (ABA) and The Interna tional Society for Burn Injury. He was a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Surgical, The Royal College of Surgeons (Scotland), Ed itor-in-chief of the Journal of Burn Care & Research, member of the board of directors for the American Board of Surgery as well as a former Trustee of the University of Vermont. He received several accolades over the years including The Harvey Stuart Allen Distinguished Service Award from the ABA, (2010), the prestigious Stritch Medal (2013, Loyola), the President’s Leadership Award from the American Burn Association (2013), as well as the inaugural Catamount Surgeon award (2017, UVM), and Saint Michael’s College Alumnus of the Year (2020). Richard was extremely committed to his patients, staff, and col leagues as well as his three daughters and wife. Regardless of a weekend day or holiday, Richard visited his patients each day before returning home to enjoy one of his favorite pastimes of working in his yard, improving his home, spending time with his treasured family, or reading a great book. Richard traveled extensive ly during his career and visited six of the seven continents and spent many years skiing the mountains of New England and the West. Over an illustrious 40—year career, Richard mentored thousands of medical students and residents and this was one of his most enjoyable roles in the world of medical academia. His years of research, patient care, teaching, administrative roles, and “maverick”49Newculminatedleadershipinhisretirementin2014andsubsequentmovetohismountainviewhomebuiltinLondon,NewHampshire.Richard’sfamilyincludesMary,hiswifeofyears,hisdaughtersAmyGamelli(StevenSchweitzer),AndreaCouture’01(Denis’02),LizaGamelli(FiancéErich),andthreegrandchildren—Jacob,Hannah,andHenryCouture.Hispresencewillbemissedbysomanyfriendsandfamily.Hetrulywasaleaderandainhislifeandcareer.Heinspiredsomanytoworkharder,striveforbetter,andgivethebestofthemselves.Hebelievedinpeoplebeforetheybelievedinthemselvesandhislegacywillliveoninallthosethatwere

1970DR.RICHARD LOUIS GAMELLI, 73, died peace fully at home after a five-year journey through Alzheimer’s disease on May 3, 2022. Born in Spring field, Massachusetts, he was the oldest son of Alice and Louis Gamelli. He attended Saint Michael’s College where he majored in chemistry and graduated in 1970. During his final year at Saint Michael’s, he met the love of his life, Mary (Kell). Richard continued on to the University of Vermont (UVM) where he obtained his medical degree in 1974. He was accepted into the surgical residency program at UVM where he then became a surgical attend ing for 11 years as well as the vice chairman of surgery before moving to Chicago in 1990. For the next 24 years

1969JOHNA. MAROZAS, Hoosick Falls, NY, died December 21, 2021. He earned his Saint Michael’s master’s degree in Educa tion after his undergradu ate years. Throughout his life he was an EMT with the Hoosick Falls Rescue Squad (teaching CPR/first aid), and was a high school English teacher and longtime yearbook adviser at Hoosick Falls Central. He is survived by his significant other, Lynne; a son; three daughters; a brother; his former wife; and extended family.

1972WILLIAM “BILL” PATTISON, Austin, TX, died June 16, 2020, the College learned recently. He played basketball for the Purple Knights before setting off after graduation into a career in the food service industry. Starting in southern California, he worked as a district manager for Jack in the Box before becoming a regional franchise consul tant, and later he moved to Austin to operate restau rants there. In the mid1990s, he owned Little Italy in Austin, a restaurant serving authentic Italian food. After that closed, Bill worked for Austin schools for 15 years Hemiddle-schoolmanagingcafeterias.issurvivedbyhiswifeof30-plusyears,Gale;twodaughters;andextendedfamily.

1973ROBERT L. “BOB” TYNAN JR., Mount Airy, MD, died December 29, 2021. After Saint Michael’s, his work took him all over the U.S. and Canada, from Maryland to Washington State to California to Ontario, Canada. He worked mainly in the energy sector—early on, in nuclear energy with Burns and Roe at the Columbia Generating Station near Richland, WA, and later at Diablo Canyon in San Luis Obispo, CA, and as a director at Ontario Power Generation. He also spent time as VP of business development at both Aerotek Engineering and Absolute Consulting, and had project director positions at Constellation Energy and Exelon Generation Corpora tion. He enjoyed skiing, sailing, and storytelling. Bob is survived by his wife, Jayne; a daughter; a son; a stepson; a brother; two sisters; and extended family.

68 touched by his life and career. The family would like to recognize and thank Richard’s caregiversexemplarythattreated him with compassion and love and because of their care, he was able to remain in his home for the course of his disease. A celebration of life will be planned for later this year in New Hampshire. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance in support of the children’s burn summer camp “I AM ME” in memory of Dr. Richard L. Gamelli. 426 West NW Highway Mount Prospect, IL 60056 in c/o Jenny Tzortzos.

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19921991IntergovernmentalandRelationsbyGovernorDePrete,andlaterwasthegovernor’spolicydirector.InherejoinedProvidencecitygovernmentasdeputycitysolicitor,andinhewasappointedcitysolicitorbyMayorCianci.In2003,theProvidenceCityCouncilhonoredhimascitysolicitoremeritus.Hewasactiveincommuni ty affairs, fighting poverty and supporting libraries and Catholic schools, and was a lector at his parish. He enjoyed travel, especial ly to Italy. He was a President’s Medallion supporter of the College. Charles is survived by four brothers and extended family. MICHAEL J. PAGE , Burl ington, VT, died March 2, 2022. He worked for a time as a self-employed carpen ter, and once was a custom furniture woodworker for Mooreco Designs in Burlington. A major achievement was building his “North of the Moon” camp in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Michael is survived by his wife of 50 years, Johanna; a son; two daughters; a brother; two sisters; and extended family.

1971CHARLES R. MANSOLILLO, Providence, RI, died March 7, 2022. After Saint Michael’s, he taught English and Latin at the former Saint Peter’s High School in Worcester, MA. He earned his law degree from Suffolk University (1985) and was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar Association, and he pursued graduate studies in theology at the former Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge, MA. In 1973 he began his career in Rhode Island state and local government as the youngest member of the Providence delegation in the General Assembly. Beginning in 1975 he served as a councilman and subsequently as chief of staff to Mayor Vincent A. Cianci, Jr., and was a mem ber of the commission that authored the Providence Home Rule Charter. In 1986 he was the Republi can nominee for Mayor of Providence. He returned to state government as legal counsel in the Department of Children and Their Families, and subsequently was appointed director of the Governor’s Office of Housing, Energy,

1977MARKD. ARCHAMBAULT, Jeffersonville, VT, died February 9, 2022, in a car crash. After college, the

1975JOHNF. MYERS JR., Belmont, MA, died January 5, 2022. He spent a majority of his career in banking, starting at Bay Bank and later working at Bank of Boston, then as assistant vice president for Shawmut Bank, and for Bank of New England. In 1986, he earned a C.S.S. in business administration from Harvard University. For a time he specialized in foreclosed and distressed real estate. He coached youth soccer, supported his children’s athletics, and enjoyed skiing, hockey, and dogs. John is survived by his wife of 40 years, Susan; a son, Jake Myers ’19; two daughters; and extended family.

1978ANITALOUISE ADAMS, Jonesboro, AK, and formerly of Rumford, RI, died September 21, 2021 from a brain tumor. Anita worked for many years as a music teacher and parale gal, and most recently before retiring, she was the music director for Asbury Methodist Church in Warwick, RI. She moved to Arkansas after retiring to be closer to her daughter and became a member of a local Methodist church and its choir. Anita was a gifted piano player, enjoyed gardening, and was a master gardener through a University of Arkansas program. Survivors include her husband, Raymond; a daughter; three sisters; and extended family.

ELIZABETH “BETSY” L. MCCALMONT, Unionville, CT, died February 10, 2022, of Alzheimer’s. She was deeply involved in charity work in her community and enjoyed helping others, parties and poolside friend gatherings, and walking dogs. Betsy is survived by her husband of 37 years, James; two daughters; a brother; and extended family. 1984JOHNR. ELDER, Leland, NC, died December 9, 2021, from complications of Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. He was an executiveaccomplishedwithalong and successful career at Fidelity Investments, and earlier was a financial controller and worked in

69INMEMORIAM

MARK A. LABANARA , Stony Brook, NY/Madison, CT, died December 5, 2021. After college, he joined the operations division of the Coca-Cola Company, where he worked for 36 years until retirement, including years in Vermont and Connecticut. He was active in his parish and enjoyed golf and rooting for Syracuse men’s basket ball. Mark is survived by his wife of 43 years, Theresa; three daughters; four brothers; and extend ed family.

Connecticut native adopted Vermont as his home and Vermont adopted him. He was a partner in Notch Country Construction for 30 years and co-owned Appletree Bay Resort for several years. He was a passionate and skillful skier and served on the ski patrol at Smuggler’s Notch Resort in Vermont for 40 years. He traveled the world to ski on many of the world’s greatest mountains. Mark taught and mentored many young patrollers, and his reputation extended nationally and globally. He enjoyed windsurfing and kayaking on Lake Cham plain in the summer. He was a major Grateful Dead fan and attended countless shows. He loved animals and had golden retrievers. He is survived by extended family.

1981NANCYM

LAURENCE A. “SKIP” GELATI, Thomaston, CT, died December 18, 2021. He had a long career as the Thomaston ManagementEmergencydirector,wasaThomastonVolunteer Ambulance training officer, and spent 29 years working for Thomaston Volunteer Ambulance. He trained countless responders in his career as a training center coordinator across Con necticut. Beginning in 2002, he was an adjunct instructor for Naugatuck Valley Community Col lege’s EMS program, and he was part-time faculty at Quinnipiac University in health science develop ment, as well as training center coordinator for Trinity Health of New England. He was an advanced medical techni cian. Skip had a notably large collection of model ambulances. In younger days, he worked for a time as an audio engineer with New England Theatre Service in Hamden, and before that as a public school music teacher. He is survived by his wife, Karen; three daughters; a brother; and extended fam ily. A son predeceased him.

WangtelecommunicationscorporateforInformationServicesinChelmsford,MA.Beforethat,hewasanaccountantwithG.C.A.inBedford,MA.Hewasastrongsupporter

CHRISTOPHER J. KEOUGH (also M’93), Speigletown, NY, died February 11, 2022. “Deacon Chris” was or dained a deacon for the Burlington, VT, diocese in 2005 and served there before joining the Albany Catholic Diocese, making his ministry a focal point of his life. He served as parish life director at Transfigura tion Parish in Speigletown and in Schaghticoke. He taught parish life director classes in Burlington, along with pre-Cana and religious education classes. His work career included time as production supervisor with Union Carbide Corporation, with Yellow Freight System as operations supervisor, and as inventory manager for Vermont Country Store in Manchester Center, VT. He loved reading, beach vacations in New Hamp shire and Maine, and lake vacations to Lake Placid, and he was an avid sports fan. He was active in the K of C. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patricia; a son; a brother; and extended family. A twin brother predeceased him.

GUMBLEY, Redwood City, CA, died May 20, 2020, the College learned recently. Nancy grew up in Rhode Island, and her brother, Jim, is a 1980 graduate of the College. In younger days, Nancy enjoyed reading, biking, and camping; in her youth, she was a hospital volunteer and delivered newspapers. No further information was available.

1987JOSEL.AGORREA , Winooski, VT, died February 20, 2020, the College learned recently. He came to the U.S. from his native Venezuela to attend Saint Michael’s College, and spent most of his time as a carpenter, working for various compa nies in Vermont and around New England. He enjoyed baseball, coaching youth sports, reading, and fine woodworking. Jose is survived by two sons; his former wife, Leila Cham mas; and extended family.

TANNERT, New York, NY, died December 26, 2021, of heart disease. After Saint Michael’s, he studied magazine publish ing at New York University (1992–93). Chuck had a storied career in New York City for a number of esteemed publications including Fast Company, Forbes, Car Stereo Review, and Mobile Entertainment. He loved fishing on Long Island Sound and sharing a story with friends. He also enjoyed working as a lifeguard and water aerobics instructor before college, and after Saint Michael’s and a European backpacking adventure, he lived nearly 30 years in New York City working for the aforementioned and other national publications as writer. He love summers in the Hamptons and at Fire Island, and he had a band called HAM (Half Assed Musicians). He loved travel, skiing, movies, watching live music of many genres, and rooting for the New York Jets. Chuck is survived by his mother, a sister, and extended family.

70 of his daughters’ sporting events. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Elizabeth; two daughters; his mother; a sister; and extended family, including brother-in-law Ralph Capasso ’73.

1989CYNTHIA G. KIRCHHOFF, Medfield, MA, died January 31, 2022. While studying psychology at Saint Michael’s, she spent a semester abroad in Cannes, France, and continued her studies later at Bridgewater State, earning her master’s degree in

1992RICHARD W. HOMAN, South Burlington, VT, died December 26, 2021. He came to Saint Michael’s to study fine arts/drama after being very active in theater and performance at his Massachusetts high school, and at that time was a founding member of the 1017 Comedy Troupe in 1985. He moved to New York City in 1993 and there wrote, produced, and performed in many plays, his own and those of others, while performing as half of the musical-comedy duo Fish & Chips with a longtime friend from this comedy troupe. He made a living in those days as a “Kelly girl” and off-Broad way stagehand. He and his wife at the time returned to Vermont in the late 1990s and started a family. Rick worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont as a

MEMORIAMIN

1991ROBERT PELLEGRINI“SCOTT” , San Francisco, CA, died November 8, 2021. He followed a group of Saint Michael’s friends to San Francisco and remained there the rest of his life, working for Provident Credit Union as an assistant vice president of consumer lending. He was an avid sports fan, golfer, and skier and a Yankees and Patriots fan. Scott is survived by his par ents, a sister, his fiancée Amanda Lin, and extended family.

1986ROBERT K. McINTYRE , M.D., Westwood, MA, died March 17, 2022, in a diving accident in Florida. News reports stated that Bob was reported missing in late morning and was last seen wearing his diving gear near Lake Worth Inlet (Palm Beach Shores). Later that day, the Coast Guard recovered his body. After Saint Michael’s, “Dr. Bob” completed medical school at Boston University and served as a captain in the Medical Corps of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. He was a primary care physician with Waltham Hospital, St. Elizabeth’s/Caritas Medical Center, Beth Israel Dea coness, and Newton Wellesley Primary Care. He was a hospitalist at Cape Cod Hospital and then became chief of internal medicine for South Shore Hospital. He also served for many years at the Campion Center. He loved travel, reading, hockey, tennis, golf, and exploring the ocean. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his mother; four brothers; four sisters; and extended family.

1990CHARLES

EnglishCollegeeducationelementaryfromLesleyin1992.Withakeeninterestininternationalcultures,shetaughtasasecondlanguageinJapanfortwoyears.ShereturnedtotheU.S.andwasanESOLorientationteacherandeducationalconsultantinTallahassee,FL,aswellasaneducationalprogramspecialistfortheUniversityofNorthCarolina,Greensboro.Shealsoworkedwith the Medfield and Sherborn public schools in Massa chusetts. She enjoyed fitness, hikes and moun tain climbing, beach time, swimming, tennis, camp ing, singing, animals, gardens, and flying kites, and she was learning to play the fiddle. Cynthia is survived by her husband Georg; a son; a daughter; three brothers; and extended family.

1993CATHERINE A. BRADBURY, Malden, MA, died of cancer on December 13, 2021. After earning her Saint Michael’s degree in environmental science, she worked for Thermo Scientific for over 20 years. Cathy cared deeply about the natural world and was an avid gardener and photographer who loved growing flowers and produce. She also enjoyed travel. Cathy is survived by her husband of 24 years, Howard; a daughter; and extended family.

JOSEPH S. D’AGOSTINO, Henrico, VA, died Novem ber 13, 2021. His was a prominent family in the College’s history as he was the brother of the late Rev. Lorenzo D’Agostino, SSE ’38 (beloved longtime Saint Michael’s professor)psychologyandthelate Fr. Angelo D’Agostino, S.J. ’45, a prominent physician, psychiatrist, and Jesuit priest who opened one of the first orphanages for abandoned HIV-positive children in Kenya. The College has a scholarship in Lorenzo’s name that Joseph stayed involved with after his brother’s death. Joseph achieved a doctorate degree. He was survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Ellen; a son; a daughter; and extended family.

JOSHUAFRIENDSFACULTY,STAFFANDC.BRUNELLE , Burlington, VT, died January 26, 2022. Josh was the son of Valerie “Goldie” Brunelle, longtime employee in the Saint Michael’s Registrar’s Office; he also was nephew of Mike McMahon, long time painter for the College in the Facilities Depart ment. Josh was a carpenter and painter and loved the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed working on vehicles and watching sports. Survivors include his parents, a son, his son’s mother, a sister, a half-sis ter, his grandmother, and extended family.

Bigheswimmer,competitiveandaftercollegespentayearasaskibumandnightauditoratSkyresortinMontanabeforereturninghometoCumberland,RI.HetookajobasanoutdoorinstructoratHorizonsforYouthinSharon,MA.HemovedtoDurangoin1997and spent several years playing and traveling with his wife to Mexico, Belize, Chile, and around the West. He was the facility manager at Chapman Hill ski area and ice rink from 2001 to 2020. In December 2020 he accepted a position as director of base operations at Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, WY, and completed a large capital improvement project his first year. He also implemented a new salary structure and benefits for staff. He loved skiing, floating rivers, fishing, camping, skiing, flowers, gardening, and drinking scotch. He also loved Mexico vacations, cooking, and Patriots games. Matt is survived by his wife of 20-plus years, Jennifer; two sons; two sisters; his mother; and extended family.

MARGARET “PEGGY” M. CITARELLA , Burlington, VT, died February 12, 2022. She was the widow of Armand “Doc” Citarella, who was a professor of Humanities and Classics at the College for 50 years and an early varsity soccer coach. A Boston-area native, during World War II Peggy was an expert at the delicate painting on dials for airplanes, subma rines, and watches. She later was a seamstress in Boston and also worked in the Raytheon factory in Newton, MA. During the war, she studied welding and was hired as an instructor. She became the first female welder in the Charlestown Navy Yard and the first woman to work on submarines. She married Armand in 1949 and they moved to Winoos ki. They loved visiting Italy frequently to see his family. She inserted herself into Saint Michael’s life as a member of the Faculty Wives Clubs and volun teered with the Interna tional Student Club, welcoming students into her home from around the world. She was a librarian for the city of Winooski in the 1950s, studied library science at UVM, and became the head librarian there until her retirement in 1970. In the 1960s she interpreted Italian for the Immigration Department in St. Albans. She and Armand were among the founders of the Vermont Italian Club. She opened an antiques shop while in her 60s. Peggy is survived by two daughters, Jean Citarella ’75 and Judith Citarella ’77; a son; a sister; and extended family.

1995MATTHEW J. MORRISSEY, Durango, CA, died March 3, 2022. While at Saint Michael’s, he was a talented

71INMEMORIAM data analyst for the past decade. He continued to write and perform in both Vermont and New York City, including productions with Shelburne Players and at Champlain College. “Ho” is survived by two sons; his parents; a brother; his partner, Donna Walter; his ex-wife, Bridget Edwards ’92; and extended family.

WILLARD G. “BUD” MARTIN JR., Sandwich, NH, died April 5, 2021, of Parkinson’s disease. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Bates College and went on to complete Harvard Law School. He had a long and prestigious law career. He and his wife, Margaret Demos P’15, were major donors to the Saint Michael’s French Depart ment. Bud is survived by

ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU, Cape Town, South Africa, died December 26. He was a 2005 honorary degree recipient at Saint Michael’s. An internation ally famous world.humanhisforambassadorinformaltotheworldSouthAfrica,throughadultlifehewasaleadingactivisttoendapartheidinSouthAfricaandapowerfulvoiceforrightsaroundthe

72 his wife of 32 years, Margaret; their daughter; his two daughters; a brother; a sister; and extended family.

THOMAS A. WOODARD, SR., Morrisville, VT, died February 12, 2022. Tom’s connection to the College was through the Saint Michael’s College Rescue Squad. A decorated Army Air Force veteran, Tom had a varied career after earning degrees in math and nuclear physics at the University of Vermont, ending up at General Electric in Burlington for 32 years, then at Vermont State Police headquarters in Waterbury in the Department of Emergency Management for 20 years. His life changed when his son was in a motorcycle accident that left him a paraplegic. Tom vowed to learn all he could about emergency medicine after discovering his son’s outcome might have been different had trained medical professionals been there. Despite not being a Saint Michael’s student, he was accepted to the College’s Rescue Squad and slept at Founders’ Hall when he was on duty in the early days of the organiza tion. He later served many other area ambulance crews. Tom is survived by his wife, Ruth; a son; three daughters; two stepsons; and extended family. A son predeceased him.

LT. COL MARTIN J. ENGELKEN, Orange Park, FL, died March 15, 2022. He joined the Air Force after high school in Iowa and was a navigator on the B52 before becoming a pilot, flying C130s and T38 jets and serving as a forward air controller in Vietnam, earning his command pilot wings. He then transitioned to the Minuteman Missile Program as a task force commander. After that, Marty became a professor of Aerospace Studies (ROTC) at Saint Michael’s. After his Air Force retire ment in 1984, he joined the faculty at Trinity College as chair of the Business/ Economics Department. He taught at Trinity until moving to Florida in 2004, continuing to teach online. He enjoyed travel and golf, and was active in his parish including as a Eucharistic Minister. He also was a member of the Elks and enjoyed poker, downhill skiing, bungee jumping (once from a hot-air balloon), hang gliding, and hiking in Europe. Marty is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joyce Ross M’82; a son; a daughter; a brother; and extended family.

MEMORIAMIN

SISTER JANICE E. RYAN, RSM , Winooski, VT, died March 30, 2022. Saint Michael’s granted Sister Janice an honorary doctor ate in 1995. A Sister of Mer cy for 68 years, she received her undergraduateEnglishdegree from Trinity College, earned a special education master’s degree from Boston University, and did gradu ate study at Harvard University; University of Lund, Sweden; University of Minnesota; and Cardinal Stritch College in Wiscon sin. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1954 and professed her vows in 1957. Her long ministry began as a teacher at Cathedral Elementary and Junior High School in Burlington before she transitioned to Trinity College, where she first was on the faculty teaching special education and later was director of public relations and development, director of diagnostic and preschool programs for handicapped children, and chair for the division of special educa tion. She was president of Trinity College from 1979 to 1996. She also served as executive director of leading Vermont groups representing persons with developmental disabilities and their families. She was instrumental in passing the Individuals with Disabili ties Education Act. Sister Janice moved on to become project director of the Catholic Campaign to Ban Landmines of the United States Catholic Conference in Washington, D.C.; education director for U.S. Sen. James Jeffords; director of the Justice Initiative; and, upon returning to Vermont, deputy commissioner of corrections. She also received an honorary doctorate from Middlebury College along with numer ous other prestigious awards for her service in Vermont and beyond. Sister Janice is survived by two sisters, a brother, and extended family.

STELLA J. TESSIER, Burl ington, VT, died February 23, 2022. Along with her late husband, Gaston “Mike” Tessier ’43, she was a major donor to many Saint Michael’s scholar ships including the J. Amedee and Marguerite Tessier Memorial Scholar ship, the Gloria and Gaston Tessier Scholarship, and the Alumni Fund for Undergraduate Research. She taught middle school in Vermont and worked in the civil service in Virginia during her work career. She is survived by a brother and extended family.

Le Grand Saint Michel, by Raffaello Sanzio (1518). This painting, sometimes called Saint Michael Vanquishing Satan, shows the patron saint of Ukraine, Saint Michael, champion of justice, vanquishing the forces of evil. Saint Michael’s College is proud to share the name and identity of this archangel, spiritual leader, and symbolic guardian of the city of Kyiv.

Saint Michael’s College One Winooski Park, Box 6 Colchester, VT 05439 Change Service Requested Non-Profit Org. US PermitPAIDPostageNo. 154 Burl., VT 05401 Alumni & Family Weekend Sept. 23-25, 2022 ST.LOVEMIKE’S Fall in with smcvt.edu/fallweekend