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Table of Contents
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Letter from the President Celebrating Outgoing Foundation President Lifting Up Our Community A Lifeline for Vikings Class of 2020 Scholars Graduating Debt Free Paid Internships Bringing History to Life Equal Education for All Donor Loyalty and Leadership Building Experience and Community
Message of Gratitude The past year has transformed how all of us learn, work and live. As our campus navigates the COVID-19 pandemic and stands with millions of others across the country in the long overdue clarion calls for racial justice, I am inspired by the continued outpouring of support from donors who bolster Salem State’s mission and values through philanthropy. Because of you, we have helped over 200 students with grants from our Student Emergency Fund. You have provided financial support and peace of mind for those struggling during this difficult time. Your assistance propels students forward in pursuing their academics with rigor and renewed commitment. Your generosity also enabled us to award 242 students with donor-funded scholarships this year. These recipients have maximized their college experience by participating in on-campus activities and internships, moving ever closer to completing their degrees. The stories in this issue fill me with pride. These articles shine a spotlight on individual donors, foundations and companies that make Salem State’s dynamic initiatives possible. From equipping teachers to address racial and ethnic inequalities in the classroom to changing students’ lives through direct financial support, I am inspired by our professors’ and programs’ efforts. I am equally grateful for the philanthropy that advances the university’s transformational approaches to education and social justice. Since our 1854 founding, Salem State has navigated many challenging historical events—wars, economic uncertainties and even other pandemics and forms of civil unrest—and we have repeatedly demonstrated our strength, resilience and adaptability. This moment in time is no different. Together, we achieve great things for our students. Together, we lift each other up. Together, we are Viking Strong. Sincerely,
John D. Keenan
Celebrating Gina Deschamps ’92G Outgoing Foundation President
fundraising campaign, 10,000 Reasons, which raised $26.5 million. “The [10,000 Reasons] campaign taught us a lot about how to raise money at a greater level, with everyone pitching in, moving together toward a single goal and making SSU better than it was yesterday,” Gina shares.
Virtually every corner of Salem State University has been positively impacted by Gina Deschamps ’ 92G. The outgoing president and 13-year member of the Salem State University Foundation Board of Directors has helped to achieve new levels of philanthropy, innovation and volunteerism across the institution. She now serves as an advisor to the board. During Gina’s tenure, she helped to quadruple the Foundation’s annual financial support to the university by championing SSU’s first comprehensive
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“Gina was at the forefront of the 10,000 Reasons campaign, serving on university search committees— including the most recent search for our current university president, John Keenan—and the campaign’s steering committee,” says Cheryl Crounse, SSU’s vice president of institutional advancement and the Foundation’s executive director. “Gina has set up the Foundation for great success.” A role model for giving back, Gina has attended and volunteered for more than 50 SSU events over the past 13 years, and provided significant charitable support alongside her husband, Hank. The couple furthered their generosity with in-kind printing services and longstanding Salem State Series sponsorships from their former company, Deschamps Printing. “It’s a good feeling to pay it forward,” Gina says. “We owe it to the students.
Leaders and Colleagues Weigh in on Gina’s Legacy I’m not doing all I can if I’m not volunteering my time and creating opportunities for them to thrive.” President John Keenan admires Gina’s many contributions over the years. “I continue to stress that the support our Foundation provides to students is critical,” he says. “The unfortunate reality is that reliance on this support will keep increasing as we face a challenging economic climate, and as state funding continues to decline. Volunteer leadership, guidance and community connections like Gina’s are vital to our success. I cannot thank her enough for her service.” Recently, Gina received the 2020 Elizabeth Williams Wade Award from the Salem State University Alumni Association. It is presented annually to an alumnus/a who has attained notable achievement and/or made a lasting contribution to the university through philanthropic and voluntary endeavors. Board colleague Jeff Cicolini ’94 nominated her for the honor. “My mother was the one who saw to it that my sister and I were educated,” recalls Gina, a first-generation college student. “I understand the struggle of achieving an education and striving to achieve one’s dream—all in an effort to make the world a better place.”
“A first-generation college graduate who successfully worked her way up in the gritty paper industry in New York City, Gina brought those experiences back home to share with the North Shore and Boston areas. Gina was raised to be, and always will be, a ‘family-first’ woman. And, Salem State is fortunate to be part of her family. She is a Viking...through and through!” —Cynthia McGurren ’83 former SSU vice president of institutional advancement and SSU Foundation executive director
“People with Gina’s level of energy, talent and dedication are extremely rare. When an organization is fortunate enough to find someone like Gina, that person typically doesn’t serve on the board for over a decade like she has. We are well positioned to face upcoming challenges and reach new heights because we’ve benefitted from Gina’s knowledge, energy and leadership.” —Jeff Cicolini ’94 SSU Foundation treasurer
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Lifting Up Our Community
Coming Together in Response to the Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously impacted the economic status of our already vulnerable student population. In recent months, Salem State has seen a 30 percent increase in financial aid appeals from students whose financial circumstances changed as a result of lost income due to the crisis. In March, Salem State quickly focused its fundraising efforts toward the Student Emergency Fund as an outlet for alumni and community members to donate to the students who need it the most. As of July 1, we have collectively raised $162,713.13 for the fund. “This support has taken a huge weight off my shoulders, wondering how I will be able to house my daughter and me for the next month,” says Elyssa ’21, a psychology major from Essex, Mass. “It also allowed me to help my grandmother when she had no one else to turn to. It means the world to me that the Salem State community cares about its students and is doing everything in their power to help. I almost cried when I heard that my school was willing to help me. I don’t know what I would have done without SSU.” “I think students were not expecting emergency financial assistance from SSU and they have been very grateful and appreciative that the campus community has responded in this way,” says Rachel Frank, a case manager in the student life office. “We continue to see students who are struggling to pay for rent, food and other necessities; it’s a huge relief for them to have access to our emergency fund and to know that SSU wants to help them through this.” continued on page 6 4
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“My parents still work very hard in order to make enough money to help me but sometimes it doesn’t feel like I will make it. The help of the Student Emergency Fund has given my family and me a push. A push to continue my dream of having a future in the medical field and I couldn’t be any more grateful for those who are here to help us students succeed. Thank you!” —Hilary ’21 healthcare studies major and Student Emergency Fund grant recipient from Fall River, Mass.
Student Emergency Fund Results: March 20-June 30, 2020
$162,713 TOTAL RAISED
198 STUDENTS RECEIVED SUPPORT
398 DONORS SUPPORTED THE FUND
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“Viking Warrior Day is an opportunity for all Vikings to give back to our alma mater. Thank you for coming together to help current students follow in our footsteps and enjoy the benefits of a Salem State education.” —Joseph Wamness ’00G immediate past president, alumni association continued from page 4
We are Viking Proud To boost the Student Emergency Fund and support other pressing needs, Salem State’s third annual Viking Warrior Day went virtual to raise more than $197,876 over two and a half days from more than 340 donors globally. This triples last year’s sum raised. The excitement extended 24 hours longer than usual to maximize matching gifts that came in throughout the event. Alumni and donors followed along through social media and email to hear announcements and watch live streams and videos from students, alumni, employees and volunteers.
VIKING
WARRIOR DAY
INSPIRING OTHERS We thank the matching gift donors who helped make Viking Warrior Day the best yet: • • • • •
Kim Gassett-Schiller ’83, ’18H and Philip Schiller The Salem State University Alumni Association Board of Directors The Salem State University Foundation Board of Directors Joanne Ricciardiello ’68, ’19H and Phil Ricciardiello ’19H Jake Cotter ’12 from Prospective Research, Inc.
Alumni Association President Debra Lee Surface ’06, ’19G shows that she is a Viking Warrior by encouraging others to give back on Facebook Live.
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“I value my education from Salem State every day in my personal and business life. I am thankful for all the wonderful professors and their knowledge that have helped me become successful in business. It’s my duty to give to Salem State each year—and Viking Warrior Day is a superb day to accomplish that goal.” —Mark Amirault ’84 loyal Viking Warrior Day donor
The Power of Unrestricted Giving Flexible, unrestricted support from donors anchors Salem State’s fundraising efforts, allowing the university to respond nimbly to students’ needs. “I am grateful to donors to the annual fund and unrestricted giving in particular as it shows a real trust that Salem State is doing all we can for our students,” shares Lori Boudo, director of annual giving at Salem State. “I have been moved, but not surprised, by the way that our community has come together to support one another,” says President John Keenan. “I’m incredibly grateful to those who have made unrestricted donations, as these challenging times require flexibility to remove roadblocks affecting students’ pursuit of a higher education. The resilience and acts of generosity have made me prouder than ever to be a Viking.”
VIKING WARRIOR DAY: BY THE NUMBERS Since 2018, Viking Warrior Day has evolved into a vital effort that raises critical dollars to directly support students.
NUMBER OF GIFTS: 336
NUMBER OF DONORS:
367
216
320
TOTAL RAISED:
340
$197,876
191 $37,797
2018
2019
2020
2018
2019
2020
2018
$58,914
2019
2020
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A Lifeline for Vikings
The Student Navigation Center Knows the Power of Philanthropy With an average of 70,000 student touchpoints each year, the Salem State Student Navigation Center exclusively focuses on serving students’ needs. The center’s multilingual team guides students on all aspects of the college experience—from course enrollment and communication skills to financial support. In recent months, the COVID-19 pandemic has made the center’s financial aid efforts even more vital. Many students have lost their jobs because of the shutdown, or their households have been sidelined by the virus.
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“Our number of student interactions is trending even higher now because of the pandemic,” says Evelyn Almeida, assistant director of the Student Navigation Center, who also administers the Student Emergency Fund. “For so many families, both the student and parents have lost their jobs. Some were already on a razor-thin financial margin before the crisis hit.” In addition to emergency funds, the Student Navigation Center sees how other forms of philanthropic support for scholarships and programs can transform a student’s trajectory.
Student Navigation Center team members are available to answer questions and assist Vikings with the business of being a student.
“Students come to Salem State from all backgrounds and levels of educational experience—including many firstgeneration, nontraditional and diverse households,” says Carol Ampey-Sullivan, student services specialist. “Some are making it through college entirely on their own. Often, scholarships are the necessary lifeline that places higher education within their reach.” Last year alone, Salem State distributed more than $593,061 in scholarships to 242 students—all funded by generous donors to the university. “The funds students receive through scholarships literally make dreams come true,” says Bryan Boppert, associate director of the Student Navigation Center. “Many of our
students are hard-working individuals who take on a few different jobs to pay for their education—but working too much can hinder their academics. Scholarships give students the ability to focus more on learning and borrow less in loans, which sets them up to do well later in life.” For example, Bryan recalls how an alumna’s scholarship paved the way for her to obtain an advanced degree. “Thanks to donors, the student’s scholarship dramatically reduced her overall loan debt and allowed her to pursue her dream of obtaining a master’s degree. Today, she works in higher education and gives back to students who were like her. Her story came full circle.”
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Class of 2020 Highlights We are proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our Class of 2020 Scholars. Here are just a few graduates who have completed their educational journey, thanks to you!
Sam Carroll ’20
Hometown: Beverly, Mass. Major: Nursing Scholarship: Dorothy Stanton Scholarship Award and Mary Powlesland Commager Senior Human Services Scholarship “Salem State provided me with the education and picture community I needed to needed pursue my career as a nurse. I was supported in my endeavors by faculty, staff and students, as well as through the scholarship funds I was awarded. I am grateful to everyone from Salem State who helped me in my journey to success.”
Michael Cookson ’20
Hometown: Beverly, Mass. Major: Political science Scholarship: Walsh Family Award and Daniel J. Mackey Scholarship “This fall I will be enrolled in the Boston University Law School as a Deans scholar which is the highest merit scholarship offered by the university. Scholarship support really let me focus on my studies and removed an enormous amount of stress off my undergraduate experience. It has meant the world to me. Thank you!”
David Casson ’20
Hometown: Georgetown, Mass. Major: History Scholarship: General Scholarship Endowment, Gretchen Stone Cook American History Teacher Scholarship Fund and Dr. Terrence P. O’Donnell Memorial Scholarship Fund “After I complete my student teaching experience, I plan to teach in a middle school or high school as a history and social studies teacher. I can’t put into words how thankful I am to the donors that supported me. I hope one day I can give back and have an impact on students in a similar way. This will hopefully show donors that they have made a difference in my life and helped me through my undergraduate experience.” 10
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Lilianna Cruz ’20
Hometown: Worcester, Mass. Major: Social work major Scholarship: Dr. Mary A. Bradley Scholarship and Ettinger Family Scholarship Fund in Social Work “Because of scholarships I was able to pursue my degree in social work. I hope to work with underprivileged youth in inner cities. Thank you.”
Joyce Martins ’20
Christopher Gutowski ’20
Hometown: Lynnfield, Mass. Major: Education major with a concentration in elementary education and an interdisciplinary studies double major with a concentration in American studies Endowment: The Class of 1948 Endowed Scholarship Fund, The Class of 1952 Scholarship Endowment, Richard W. Webbe & Alumni Plaza Scholarship, Albert J. Robinson Scholarship, and People’s United Community Foundation of Eastern Massachusetts
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart! This scholarship really helped me through school. I am working toward getting my CPA and becoming a financial advisor and could not do it without my Salem State degree.”
“Everything I do is for my daughters. Thank you for picture helping me inspire them. needed As a mom, immigrant and first-generation college student, higher education was not something I thought possible. Your generosity has helped me in the pursuit of my dreams, and I am forever grateful.”
Danilda Maria ’20
Claudia Mejia Nasciment ’20
Hometown: Lynn, Mass. Major: Social work Scholarship: Eleanor Blazer Powlesland Scholarship
Hometown: North Adams, Mass. Major: Business administration with a concentration in marketing Scholarship: Ettinger Family Endowment Fund Business
“With my degree I plan picture to help others— needed in particular, the vulnerable population— so that I may improve their well-being. Living in Lynn, I know the struggles that this diverse population faces on a daily basis. I would like to be their beacon of hope in a crisis. My scholarship helped me tremendously and I hope others will benefit from scholarships in the same way that I did.”
“I want to say thank you to the donors that afforded picture me an opportunity to needed receive a scholarship. They showed me I had support and that my hard work would pay off. Thank you for helping me achieve my goals and I look forward to my future aspirations. Receiving a scholarship has pushed me to set even greater goals and because of them I am committed to achieving these goals. Once again, thank you.”
Hometown: Lynn, Mass. Major: Business administration with a concentration in finance Scholarship: John and Martha Zocchi Charitable Fund
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Graduating Debt Free
Class of 2020 Scholar Highlight Lishberny Alcantara ’20
Hometown: Salem, Mass. Major: Business administration with a concentration in hospitality Minor: Economics
When Lishberny Alcantara came to Salem State University in fall 2016, she didn’t think studying abroad would ever be possible. By spring 2019, Lishberny found herself immersed in the culinary hub of Florence, Italy—an invaluable learning opportunity for the aspiring restaurant owner. She credits scholarship support with making this experience—and her entire college career—possible. “Scholarships allowed me to work less so that I could focus more on academics and not worry as much about finances,” says Lishberny, who graduated with a 3.97 grade point average. “As a result, I was able to study abroad, which was amazing and probably the best experience I’ve ever had. I hold sincere gratitude for all that the scholarship donors have afforded me.” She feels indebted to the philanthropists who established the Barbara Ann Sogoloff Scholarship and the Richard W. Webbe & Alumni Plaza Scholarship—critical funds that fueled her Salem State experience. These awards enabled Lishberny to graduate debt free, which provides her with some financial security after job loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was to begin working as an assistant manager at a wedding venue, which remains closed indefinitely because of the pandemic. However, she remains optimistic. “Everything happens when it’s supposed to happen,” Lishberny says. Ultimately, Lishberny hopes to run her own restaurant. “I would like to open a Dominican-Italian style restaurant because these are my two favorite ethnic foods,” she explains. “I love pasta and Dominican food. Growing up, I would reinvent leftovers and create something new and tasty. The kitchen has always been fun for me to experiment and be creative.”
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Rob Lutts, Salem State Board of Trustees chair and Cabot Wealth Management president (right) with Salem State student and former Cabot Wealth Management intern Joel Surette in the state-of-theart Cabot Wealth Management Lab.
Paid Internships A Win-Win for Students, Employers “I have two passions in life: assisting youth and investing in education,” says Rob Lutts.
Lutts calls these diverse internship arrangements a win-win for students and organizations.
Lutts pursues these dual interests as a longtime Salem State University trustee and donor. The founder, president and chief investment officer of Cabot Wealth Management also hires paid interns from the university year after year, enabling them to gain valuable experience at his renowned Salem-based firm.
“Ultimately, internships achieve more than benefitting businesses,” Lutts emphasizes. “They’re also key for students, allowing them to get real-world experience, build up their resumes before they graduate and earn a wage.
“I’ve always hired interns from Bertolon Business School,” Lutts explains. “They help my team with tax returns for our clients, which is a complex, data-oriented process.” In addition to helping students like Philip Haddad ’18 (see sidebar) at Cabot, Lutts has also expanded his support for youth and education by funding internships at the local YMCA, enabling the nonprofit agency to benefit from Vikings’ know-how.
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Lauren Hubacheck, the university’s assistant dean of student experience and transition, agrees with Lutts wholeheartedly. With 256 students registered for internships in the 2020 academic year—some paid and some unpaid—she says paid experiences are especially crucial to SSU students’ professional and economic success. “Many of our students have been working for years in other jobs,” says Hubacheck. “They already have the grit, the work ethic and the dedication. Paid internships provide a glimpse into a
field that they may have never experienced before, while helping their financial status in going to school. We let employers know that in order for Salem State students to take on an experience to gain skills, they need the opportunity to be paid.” While paid internships have become prevalent in booming fields like healthcare and finance, unpaid internships in budgetlimited sectors like nonprofits and those hit by COVID-19 are equally vital to students’ education and society. “Nonprofits typically don’t have the funds available to pay an intern, and other fields such as hospitality have been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Stephen Maser, associate director of employee relations in Salem State’s career services department. “In cases like these, we rely on philanthropy to make sure that students can participate in these fields while receiving financial support.” For these reasons, Hubacheck views leaders like Rob Lutts as role models. “Rob and Cabot Wealth Management offer a great example of what’s possible when businesses and individuals provide our students with opportunities,” Hubacheck says. “We achieve great things when companies and individuals hire our exceptional students for internships—or provide a gift that enables paid internships. Salem State students and our community thrive with our collective support.”
The Value of an Internship: Philip Haddad ’18
As an assistant property manager at Nordblom Company, Philip Haddad ’18, helps manage over one million square feet of prime office space in downtown Boston. His responsibilities range from tenant relations to facilities management and annual budgeting. Haddad says his time as a tax intern at Cabot Wealth Management during the spring of his junior year prepared him well for his current role. “Interning at Cabot gave me a taste of what life was going to be like after graduation and what it means to be a part of a group and work together,” Haddad says. “Gaining that experience at the peak of my college career helped tremendously for the role I am in now, which is similar to Cabot in its client-facing aspects.” Although Haddad primarily pursued his Cabot internship for the experience, he says that receiving a stipend for his time at the company was a valuable boost as well. “I am thankful for receiving both circumstances—the exposure in a corporate setting and the financial compensation,” he says. “I am forever grateful for the opportunity that Rob Lutts and the Cabot Wealth Management team provided me.”
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Combined Jewish Philanthropies Helps Make History Palpable In Her Classroom, Melrose High School History Teacher Kim Hubbard ’14 (MAT-History) Brings the Past to Life “Students need to see that so much of what we’re experiencing now— as a nation and as individuals— has already happened to varying degrees,” Kim Hubbard ’14 says. “This knowledge helps students to shape their world in positive ways.” She credits the teacher education programs at Salem State University’s Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies with giving her effective methods, such as firsthand accounts and engaging activities, to make some of history’s most difficult chapters relevant and real in the classroom. The center empowers students, educators and communities across the region to combat racism, prejudice, ethnic hatred, and abuse of authority— the root causes of mass violence and atrocities. It achieves this through wide-ranging educational programs, including the workshops that benefit Hubbard and hundreds of other teachers each year.
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Making much of this work possible is Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), Massachusetts’ largest nonprofit organization and a key funder since the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies launched at Salem State in 2012 when it merged the collections and programs of the former Peabody-based Holocaust center. “Teaching the lessons of the Holocaust and other atrocities to students and educators is critical in ensuring that future generations will understand the consequences of hate in its many forms,” explains Rabbi Marc Baker, CEO of Combined Jewish Philanthropies. “This work has a tremendous bearing on our country now—so many are feeling pain, hurt and anger as a result of systemic racial injustice,” he continues. “It’s incumbent on us to listen to and learn from victims of injustice—past and present—and act to repair our world. We believe in and are really grateful for the center’s work.”
Community educators participating in the teacher education programs provided by the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies.
According to Professor Christopher Mauriello, the center’s director, CJP helps Salem State to sustain the center’s far reach and impact. “We’re outward facing to the community, not inward facing,” Mauriello says. “We like to encourage and sustain change by sharing cutting-edge scholarship and imparting new knowledge and pedagogical methods to teachers and students that creates change in the classroom. The ripple effect is that one teacher educated in our program brings that curriculum or lesson plan to hundreds of teachers and students in their school district. We’re so grateful that CJP champions this work through their unwavering charitable contributions.” Building on these successes, Mauriello and his colleagues have a shared vision to grow the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies into a regional professional development hub for Holocaust and genocide education, among other expansion goals,
ensuring teachers like Hubbard will continue to take advantage of the center’s expertise. “Unless history is made real, it’s almost impossible to really grasp,” Hubbard says. “Through every learning opportunity it offers, the center gives teachers excellent content that will be concrete and personal to students’ lived experiences. Professor Mauriello and his colleagues at the center are adept at addressing difficult topics like the Holocaust and World War II in ways that will mean something to students. That’s extraordinary and greatly needed.” Rabbi Baker agrees, noting, “Both Salem State and CJP want to create a thriving, vibrant community that is educated and values driven, and that develops in people a sense of their history and identities—with the greater purpose to contribute to a just world.”
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RECOGNIZING DONOR LOYALTY AND LEADERSHIP
Equal Education for All...from the Very Beginning Profile of Alpheus Crosby
IN THE ERA OF #METOO AND BLACK LIVES MATTER, WE LOOK BACK ON HOW ONE OF OUR EARLIEST LEADERS SET THE TONE FOR EQUALITY AT SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY. During the earliest years of Salem State University, when it was still called Salem Normal School and only one, solitary building stood on campus, Alpheus Crosby was the school’s second principal. At this time of deep racial and gender inequality, before both the Civil War and the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote, Crosby forged one of the school’s founding philosophies: equality among all. Crosby was a powerful visionary, enacting sweeping social and education reforms during his tenure (1857-1865) that set the tone for our school for decades to follow.
LIBERAL ARTS CLASSES FOR WOMEN, TOO In the mid-19th century, women were generally discouraged from taking liberal arts classes. Society was comfortable with women learning to become teachers or homemakers, but few other options were readily available. However, Crosby was a devout supporter of women’s rights and believed that women should receive as strong a liberal arts education as men. At a time when few schools across the country were offering a broad, liberal arts education for women, Crosby ensured that Salem State was among the first.
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RACIAL EQUALITY THROUGH EDUCATION It was four years before the Civil War broke out when Crosby stepped up to lead Salem State. He was an ardent abolitionist and used his influence and power to found the Salem Freedmen’s Aid Society, which organized teachers from the North to travel South to teach freed families and their children. After the war ended, Crosby left Salem State to serve as the editor for a newspaper devoted to the equal rights of emancipated slaves, The Right Way.
ALPHEUS CROSBY AND CHARLOTTE FORTEN While Alpheus Crosby supported and helped fund many promising students during his tenure, arguably the most famous was Charlotte Forten. Crosby recognized her brilliance and drive, and together with his friend Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch, ensured that Forten had the financial means needed to complete her education at Salem State. Forten went on to become Salem State’s first Black graduate and a historic abolitionist, writer, poet, educator, translator, and women’s rights advocate. “Charlotte paved the way for each and every student of color that walks our campus, each student of color that finds their voice and each student of color that leaves Salem State to positively impact the future,” said Salem State University President John Keenan. “Her commitment to social justice lives on in all of our students today.”
LIFELONG DEDICATION TO EDUCATION FOR ALL For the rest of his life, Alpheus Crosby continued to support the school and its students, even after he left his position there as principal. When he died after a short illness at the age of 64, Crosby included Salem State in his will, and an endowment was established in his name. Alpheus Crosby led an exemplary life, driven by a commitment to social justice and education. He was an academic prodigy, who entered Dartmouth College at the young age of 13 by teaching himself Greek and mathematics. His career began as a faculty member at Dartmouth, and he later joined the Massachusetts Board of Education before being appointed principal of Salem State. While in Salem, he was a member of the Essex Institute and served as president of the Salem Athenaeum.
TODAY, WE CELEBRATE ALPHEUS CROSBY’S IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR HISTORY WITH THE CROSBY SOCIETY. This group’s members are key philanthropic leaders who share their loyalty and support with the university by including Salem State in their wills and other estate plans, helping us all to continue Alpheus Crosby’s powerful legacy of dedication to education and equality.
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RECOGNIZING DONOR LOYALTY AND LEADERSHIP
Crosby Society
We proudly recognize Crosby Society members as key philanthropic leaders who share their loyalty and support to the university by carrying out Alpheus Crosby’s legacy. By including Salem State in their wills and other estate plans, they have allowed the university to celebrate their legacy today.
Nursing Alumnae Help Future Frontline Heroes
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Jayne Carvelli-Sheehan ’78
Mary Sanford ’77
“I was able to connect with classmates and professors who helped me hone my leadership skills, which have aided me throughout my career,” Jayne says.
A nursing veteran of 42 years, Mary entered Salem State financially independent from her parents and worked to pay her way through college. She even took a semester off to earn more money.
During her time as a nursing student at Salem State, Jayne CarvelliSheehan ’78 says she learned, grew and engaged in an environment that was just right for her.
To give other students the same opportunities for personal and professional growth, Jayne made a gift to the university through her estate plan. “This allows my contribution to be larger than what I’d normally be able to give,” she explains. “Through estate planning, I can provide a significant amount of money that will have an impact for a long time. If you can’t give in real time, this is a fabulous way to endorse how you really feel about Salem State and show the passion that positively influenced your life.”
“Salem State gave me my career and I need to give back,” says Mary Sanford ’77, whose planned gift will help current and future generations of Vikings.
“You can’t miss a shift because you need the job, but you also need to study for an exam and retaking a class isn’t an option,” Mary says of the constant stress she felt trying to balance academic rigor with earning a wage. Mary earned her nursing degree because of her determination and thanks to scholarships from Salem State. Today, Mary is grateful that she can give back to students in need through a bequest.
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RECOGNIZING DONOR LOYALTY AND LEADERSHIP
Sullivan Society
All gifts to Salem State matter and giving societies are one way for us to say “thank you” to our most generous and steadfast donors like some of those featured. We honor those who help us fuel our mission and reach new heights. Members of Salem State University’s most prestigious giving circle, the Sullivan Society, are donors who make a leadership gift of $1,000 or more annually. Membership is recognized in one of six giving clubs and donors may utilize corporate matching funds along with gifts and pledge payments to qualify.
Boyajians Pay Forward Daughter’s Positive College Experience “Theatre has a golden spot in our hearts,” says Luann Boyajian. Luann met her husband, Mark, at a theatre production. They still regularly attend performances together, including those at Salem State University. Their daughter Tannis’ decision to pursue a technical theatre degree at Salem State only deepened the family’s connection to the arts. A 2012 graduate, Tannis went on to receive a Master of Fine Arts in technical design and production at Yale School of Drama. “Salem State is pushing things to the edge, doing things differently, thinking outside the box, and really making the most of that
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innovation,” Mark says. “That’s where the seeds are planted; that’s where the crops are grown. Salem State widened our daughter’s horizons.”
start at Salem State—let’s see what we can do to help other students,” Luann says of the family’s decision to create a scholarship.
They also appreciate the financial support their daughter received while at Salem State. “It made a profound difference for Tannis and for us,” Mark shares.
The award will not only help technical theatre students—Tannis’ chosen field and a specialty that the family considers to be the unsung hero of theatre—but it also honors Mark’s father, a lifelong music teacher and instructor who passed away in 2015.
Eager to help other students gain access to SSU’s high-quality theatre education and training, Luann and Mark philanthropically support the university’s performing arts enterprise. In 2016, the couple participated in the Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts Take Your Seat campaign, in which they donated renovation funds and named a seat after their daughter at the venue. Luann and Mark also established the Tannis Boyajian Technical Theatre Scholarship, providing financial assistance to an undergraduate student enrolled in the theatre and speech communication department with a concentration in technical theatre. “Tannis got a phenomenal
“He wanted to give people opportunities to succeed,” says Mark of his late father. The couple also believes that in all things, it takes a village. Mark and Luann want to ensure a quality education for students at Salem State and hope others will join them in this endeavor. “If what we did helps to inspire others to give back, everybody wins,” Mark says. “There’s something so special and so valuable about providing opportunities for people to learn, to explore their world and passions.”
YOUR IMPACT IN ACTION
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Crowdfunding Campaigns Build Experience and Community Among First-Year Students Food insecurity persists across the North Shore. A 2018 study found that 38 percent of Salem State students experience hunger. To help combat this crisis on campus, Vanessa Ruget, PhD, associate professor in political science, launched a crowdfunding campaign in 2017 to raise money for the on-campus food pantry as part of a first year seminar called Global Poverty and Charitable Giving. “Crowdfunding is a form of experiential education,” says Vanessa, whose seminar introduces learners to college life and fosters community. Her students’ crowdfunding campaigns—which raise funds from numerous donors online—have secured more than $3,000 for the SSU food pantry over the last three years. The campaigns teach students about fundraising, web design and communication skills, and enable them to collaborate with numerous campus offices.
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YOUR IMPACT IN ACTION
AMOUNT RAISED THROUGH GLOBAL POVERTY AND CHARITABLE GIVING $1,000 COURSE
$1,218
$865
FALL 2017
FALL 2018*
FALL 2019
*Taught by Mary-Kay Miller, visiting lecturer in world languages and cultures
According to Alliane Brennan, program coordinator in the Leadership, Engagement, Advocacy and Diversity (LEAD) office, which supports the pantry, students’ crowdfunding experiences dovetail with the course’s overall goal to unpack poverty in the United States. “Professor Ruget and her students have been incredible in not only generating funds for the Salem State Food Pantry, but also in creating a greater awareness and understanding around how food insecurity significantly impacts college students across the country—including here at SSU,” Brennan explains. “With the funds raised, the LEAD office has purchased non-perishable food and toiletry items utilized by students in need each year.”
Professor Vanessa Ruget, PhD
Beyond developing marketable skills, students in the first-year seminar also learn about the power of philanthropy. “Even small contributions add up,” Vanessa says. “While students may not be able to give right now, they can take what they’ve learned and someday donate to causes that matter most to them.”
YOUR IMPACT IN ACTION
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352 Lafayette Street Salem, Massachusetts 01970-5353
“Vikings are dedicated, resilient and undaunted. This academic year presented them with challenges unlike any other— yet our students persevered and achieved their goals. Congratulations to the Class of 2020. Go out into the world and be the change that will lift up our entire community.” —Cheryl Crounse vice president, institutional advancement executive director, Salem State Foundation Inc.
