34 minute read
The Harbor Islands Solution
SThe Harbor Islands olution
Inspired by nature, the Stone Living Lab is poised to be a global leader in nature-based solutions to sea-level rise.
BY ELIS MULLINS
Nineteenth-century American writer Oliver Wendell Holmes once famously declared that Boston was “The Hub of the Solar System.”
Now UMass Boston is poised to become a hub of a different kind. A consortium including UMass Boston faculty, the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation, City of Boston officials, the National Park Service, and Boston Harbor Now is launching an effort that could make the university a hub of research into the use of nature-based solutions to help mitigate the impacts of sea-level rise and extreme weather on coastal cities. This past summer they announced the founding of the Stone Living Lab for nature-based adaptive solutions to be tested and scaled in the Boston Harbor Islands parks. The project, which will include a community outreach and education component, is funded by a $5 million grant from the Stone Foundation. It will write the next chapter in Boston’s climate resiliency efforts. “This unique new partnership will create opportunities to address flooding, enhance recreation, and improve local ecosystems, a trifecta of benefits that could have truly global reach,” said Cathy Stone, president of the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation.
“A lot of cities throughout the world are interested in nature-based solutions. . . . As far as we can see, we’re the only lab doing this kind of full-scale research,” said Professor Paul Kirshen, director of the lab. “So we also want to become a hub, an international network on nature-based solutions for coastal flood protection.”
The City of Boston has taken an aggressive approach to assessing the threat of climate change and exploring ways to protect the city and its coastal neighborhoods from flooding, particularly during storm surges. An initial report in 2016, Climate Ready Boston, found that the sea level in Boston Harbor could rise 8 inches by 2030,
This high tide flood along Boston’s waterfront occurred in October 2016. Photographer: Christian Merfeld An example of a nature-based solution: A living shoreline (a protected, stabilized coastal edge made of natural materials such as plants, sand, or rock that allows plants and animals to grow and live there) in front of Clippership Wharf in East Boston. Photographer: Liz Cook
Members of the Stone Living Lab team at the Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay, NY, summer 2019: from the left, Kirk Bosma, Paul Kirshen, Marianne Connolly, Mark Borrelli, Kathy Abbott, Marc Albert, Cathy Stone, Sonja Plesset, Michael Creasey, Jack Murray, and Bob Chen. Photo courtesy of the Stone Living Lab.
1.5 feet by 2050, and 3 feet by 2070. New research indicates levels could rise as much as 3.4 feet. These findings are particularly concerning in light of the fact that major storms create high waves and storm surges on the coastline. (Among the report’s projections: The UMass Boston peninsula could become an island.)
UMass Boston’s School for the Environment and its Sustainable Solutions Lab have been key partners in this effort, helping to provide research data and possible solution outcomes. An initial idea of building a harbor barrier—a solution employed in some European cities—from Hull to Deer Island to control storm surges was found infeasible in a 2018 study by Professor Kirshen. Feasibility of Harbor-wide Barrier Systems showed that a barrier wall was not worth pursuing at this time. The cost ranged from $6.5 to $11.8 billion and construction would last until 2050 at a minimum, given the severe engineering and environmental challenges. But the exercise of doing the study gave Kirshen a lead to another, perhaps more effective, approach.
“We found out that the islands themselves provide a lot of protection because they absorb a lot of the wave energy,” said Kirshen. “On the ocean side of the islands, in a major storm the waves might be 20 to 30 feet high, but by the time those waves get to Boston, they’re only a few feet high.”
If the islands are such good natural barriers, why not try solutions that enhance or mimic what they are already doing? So, for example, instead of a continuous seawall, a barrier made out of rubble or natural materials may be effective protection. This rough barrier would have gaps and holes, but these spaces would allow living things to settle and grow, to increase biodiversity, and potentially be used for aquaculture. Another idea is to explore whether a cobblestone berm placed in the right location would cause mud to settle behind it and form a salt marsh that would slow down wave energy and do carbon sequestration at the same time. The Stone Living Lab will explore these and other intriguing ideas for mitigating sea-level rise.
“Why a living lab?” said Bob Chen, interim dean of the School for the Environment. “The plan is to create a real-time monitoring system to see what are the impacts of a variety of experimental manipulations of the coastline.”
Because the harbor islands are historically and culturally significant areas, the lab is working with multiple stakeholders to determine the best site for their facilities.
For the Stone Foundation, the collaboration extends its focus on protecting the Boston Harbor Islands and creating a new generation of climate stewards.
“We are delighted to see the work unfolding,” said Stone Foundation President Cathy Stone.
One possible location for the Stone Living Lab facilities is Rainsford Island in Boston Harbor. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service.
ABOUT alumni
1950s
Helyn Hall ’55 received the ABCD Community Heroes Awards for her work with seniors in the community and for the four scholarships that her family sponsors at the James P. Timilty Middle School in Roxbury, MA. Hall attended Boston State Teachers College and is now a retired Boston Public Schools administrator.
1960s
James Smith ’69 was named one of Boston’s 100 most influential people in Boston magazine’s 2020 Boston power list. He is the founding partner of Smith, Costello & Crawford, a Boston-based public policy law group. As the president of the charter class of UMass Boston, Smith has been an active alumnus through his volunteer and philanthropic activities and just recently stepped off the alumni board of directors after more than 20 years of service.
1970s
Bill Bratton ’75 was honored during the 2019 ASTORS Homeland Security Awards Luncheon for his lifetime of dedication and extraordinary leadership in homeland security and public safety. Bratton is a former head of the Boston, Los Angeles, and New York City police departments.
Jeanne Cosmos ’72 is a publisher at Aspasia Press in Cambridge, which she recently launched to support writers’ creative works. Cosmos, a former assistant district attorney in Cambridge and criminal defense attorney, returned to graduate studies at Goddard College for her MFA in creative writing.
Dennis Cowan ’78 was named to DBusiness magazine’s list of top lawyers. Cowan is a partner at Plunkett Cooney in Detroit and is one of 20 attorneys from the law firm to be named to the list.
Stefanos Loisou ’70 just completed 45 years in the financial services industry, representing himself for client financial security through his firm Financial Strategies for Life. For the past 19 years, Loisou has also hosted a weekly syndicated financial information radio show that’s aired in Massachusetts and Florida and covers a variety of financial topics.
Gina McCarthy ’76 was named president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). In this role, McCarthy supports the NRDC’s work to defend bedrock natural resources and public health protections while advancing vital solutions to the climate crisis.
Mary Nee ’77, president of the Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Boston, retired after nearly 43 years leading nonprofit and government agencies in the city of Boston. Nee became the second female president of ARL when she began her tenure in 2012.
Karen A. Romanko ’78 published her second book, Women of Science Fiction and Fantasy Television (2019), which covers 400 female characters from 200 series since the 1950s and celebrates the contributions of women to science fiction and fantasy television. Her first book is Television’s Female Spies and Crimefighters (2016).
Linda Stranzl ’78, who retired from Marshfield Public Schools in 2012 after 41 years as a math teacher, was inducted into the Marshfield High School Wall of Honor. Stranzl’s career at Marshfield High includes nine years as Math Department chairperson, serving as a mentor to many young math teachers.
1980s
Matt Barron ’86 was appointed chair of the UMass Extension Board of Public Overseers by UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy. Created in 1997, the board advises the chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Extension staff on goals, budget, and program.
Norman Fitzgerald ’89 was named chief sales officer of the National Mortgage Insurance Corporation. In this role, he oversees National MI’s entire sales organization, including national and field sales, marketing, and business development strategy.
Doreen Lang ’84 was appointed executive director of Bridges by EPOCH Memory Care Assisted Living at Hingham. With 15 years’ experience in property and sales management, Lang has held such roles as senior regional manager and vice president of property management in senior living communities.
Bob LaRoche ’89, G’95 was appointed principal for WiltonLyndeborough’s elementary schools in New Hampshire. LaRoche served as a principal in Massachusetts for 11 years, and prior to that as an assistant principal for five years. Before he was an administrator, he taught middleschool social studies and reading.
Audrey Jasey ’03, G’15, PhD’21
Audrey Jasey ’03, G’15, PhD’21, a two-time alumna with more than 20 years of experience in acute-care nursing, recently established the Audrey Jasey Endowed Scholarship to Promote Health Equity in Nursing and Health Sciences Fund. The fund will provide scholarships to full-time College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS) juniors and seniors from New England whose focus of study is to reduce health disparities in medically underserved areas. Jasey is also on track to earn her third degree from UMass Boston. Currently enrolled in the CNHS doctoral program, Jasey is studying nursing health policy and nursing research. She is the student representative on the CNHS advisory board, which was established in 2005 to provide political advocacy to facilitate college goals, participate in the enhancement of financial resources, and advise on the strategic visions and priorities of the college.
Mary Mahon McCauley ’82, G’89 was appointed director of the Massachusetts Office on Disability by the Baker-Polito administration. Lisa Utman Randall ’87 was named executive director of the United Theatre in Westerly, Rhode Island. Randall has been a journalist for several years, covering arts and entertainment for the Newport Mercury, and has written for Edible Rhody and other publications.
Assaad Sayah ’82 was appointed CEO of Cambridge Health Alliance. Prior to his time as interim CEO, Sayah worked as chief medical officer for the health system since 2013.
1990s
Indira Alvarez ’99 was appointed interim commissioner for the Boston Property Management Department.
Alvarez formerly served as chief of staff for the City’s Inspectional Services Department (ISD), as assistant commissioner of ISD, and for 12 years as housing manager in charge of the proactive inspection program.
Richard Anderson ’95, who co-founded Symmetric Computing, a tech company located at UMass Boston’s Venture Development Center, won a $100,000 ASPIRE Design Challenge award from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences at the National Institutes of Health. Symmetric Computing does work in drug discovery for diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and diabetes.
Lorenzo Boyd ’95, G’01, the University of New Haven’s provost for diversity and inclusion, has taken on a newly created position: vice president for diversity and inclusion/chief diversity officer.
Chico Colvard ’97 received a 2020 Guggenheim Foundation fellowship. An assistant professor at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Colvard is well known for his documentary films. He directed Black Memorabilia (2018) and Family Affair (2010).
Ayanna Cooper ’96 was selected by the U.S. Department of State for a four-week English Language Specialist assignment in Kuwait. During her time in Kuwait, Cooper focused on secondary English language curricula at the Ministry of Education.
Paul Fahey ’93 was appointed chief of staff for Amesbury mayor Kassandra Gove. A Watertown native, Fahey previously worked as the chief of staff for Methuen mayor James Jajuga.
Mark Hurley ’98 was named assistant police chief for the Belmont Police Department in May 2020.
David Kowalski ’90 was appointed president and executive director of the Labor Guild. Kowalski says his goals include expanding the guild’s outreach to bring its services to the people that need them, particularly low-wage earners and immigrant communities. duties as executive director of the King Center for Economic Justice on July 1. Paris Jeffries serves as a trustee of the UMass System, as well as on the boards of USES, the Providers Council, and Governor Baker’s Black Advisory Commission.
David E. Pierce PhD’96 recently retired from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, where he served as director for four years. Pierce began working for DMF in 1972.
Javier Rampolla ’98 was promoted to chief financial officer of Sensus Healthcare. Rampolla, who has been director of accounting and reporting/controller at Sensus since 2015, has also played a role in managing the company’s initial public offering.
Lawrence Sauer G’97 was appointed executive director of the League School of Greater Boston. Sauer has more than 30 years of experience in the special education field, including service as chief operating officer for the League School for the past two years.
John Sten ’91 has been named partner at Armstrong Teasdale law firm. Prior to joining Armstrong Teasdale, Sten spent more than 20 years in private practice at other Boston and New England law firms. Before that, he was an enforcement attorney in the SEC’s home office in Washington, DC.
2000s
Linda Cahill G’07 was recently named Brockton’s interim executive health officer. Cahill earned her master’s in nursing and is a registered nurse who has worked for the Brockton Public Schools for the last 18 years, most recently as nursing supervisor for the school district.
Bella Disu ’04 was awarded the French national honor of Chevalier dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters). Disu was responsible for the coordination of the construction of the Alliance Francaise Mike Adenuga Centre in Lagos, Nigeria.
Richard “Rick” Gifford G’04, who teaches in Provincetown, was named Barnstable County Science Educator of the Year by the Massachusetts Keith Mascoll ’06
Since graduating from UMass Boston, Keith Mascoll ’06 has found great success in film and theater projects. His credits include appearances in Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2, The Polka King, Hamlet, Dutchman, The Colored Museum, and Intimate Apparel, as well as the lead role in the 2017 independent film Confused by Love. He also starred in commercial campaigns for Dunkin’, Harvard Pilgrim, and the Massachusetts State Lottery. He has since set his sights on different creative outlets, cofounding The Front Porch Arts Collective, a Black theater company whose mission is to promote inclusion and challenge biased narratives of race. In 2017, he launched Triggered Life, a one-man show that explores his past sexual trauma.
Association of Teachers. The association honored Gifford and other award winners at an annual banquet earlier this year. Gifford earned his master’s in education from UMass Boston.
Jeremy Guay ’08 is the career and technical education director for Attleboro High School. Guay has an extensive background in career and technical education, working at Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School and, most recently, at Dighton-Rehoboth.
Melissa Hall ’03 achieved her Certified Financial Planner™ designation. She currently works at Private Financial Design in South Hadley, MA, as a financial planner, where she provides holistic, lifestyle-based financial and retirement planning. master’s in elementary education from UMass Boston and works as an ESL teacher in Sudbury Public Schools.
Kate Weldon LeBlanc G’04 is celebrating her fifth anniversary as executive director of Resolve New England (RNE), a nonprofit organization that provides support, education, and advocacy for people struggling with fertility and family-building. LeBlanc leads the strategic vision of RNE and works to grow the organization’s services throughout the New England region.
Laura Lorenz G’01 coauthored Issue Brief No. 50, titled “A Policy Analysis of Access to Post-Acute Rehabilitation Services for People with Acquired Brain Injury in Massachusetts and Beyond” for the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum. She also founded PhotoVoice Worldwide in 2019.
Brian Reagan G’00 has been named superintendent of Waltham Public Schools. He has been the assistant superintendent for Wilmington Public Schools for the past year and a half. Before that, he was principal for seven years at Hudson High School and for five years at Shrewsbury High School. Reagan earned his master’s in education from UMass Boston.
Allyson Quinn ’08, G’08 has been appointed assistant town planner in Milton, MA. She previously worked for the Boston Planning and Development Agency as special project manager for urban renewal.
2010s
Alison Babb-Brott G’15, a secondgrade teacher at St. George School in Knox County, was named a finalist for the 2020 Maine County Teacher of the Year Award. Babb-Brott, who earned her master’s in education from UMass Boston, has taught for six years.
Ezra Brown ’14 recently completed his first year at University of Texas Law School. Prior to enrolling in law school, Brown worked for a nonprofit in New York City and then for a tech start-up in San Francisco. Calling law school a “longtime dream,” Brown was accepted to UT Austin Law with a 90 percent merit scholarship.
Nathan Bryant PhD’16 was unanimously approved as North Shore Community College’s interim president. Bryant has more than 30 years of experience in public higher education, including senior-level leadership in enrollment management, student support services, and fundraising.
Carlos Cappas G’18, who was previously with Boston Children’s Hospital, was hired as Lynn Community Health Center’s chief behavioral health officer. Cappas has held both clinical and administrative leadership roles at two federally qualified community health centers in Massachusetts.
Chelsea Clarke ’18 is the manager of recruitment and admissions for Per Scholas Greater Boston, an organization that provides tuition-free technology training for individuals from often overlooked communities. In earlier roles, Clarke presented college affordability trainings to practitioners and managed a bridge-to-college program for students who had obtained their GED/HiSET or high school diploma outside of the United States.
Melody Fisher G’11, PhD’16 was hired as assistant professor of psychology at Berkshire Community College, where she had taught as an adjunct professor for three years. Recently, Fisher worked at Hillcrest Educational Centers as a clinician and for Williams College running an after-school enrichment program for elementary school children.
Joan Ilacqua G’14 was appointed executive director of The History Project, Boston’s LGBTQ community archives. Most recently, Ilacqua served as co-chair of The History Project’s board of directors and as Harvard Medical School’s archivist for diversity and inclusion. She is a member of the New England Archivists’ Inclusion and Diversity Committee and has a background in advocacy and oral history.
Cagen Luse ’11 and his LunchTime ComiX “The New Normal” comic strip series, which tackles daily life during the pandemic, were recently featured on WBUR.
Vincent Meno ’12 was hired by the Long Beach VA Medical Center Emergency Department. After graduating from UMass Boston, Meno pursued his master’s and recently became board certified as a family nurse practitioner.
Jennifer Morgan ’15, a registered nurse working the COVID-19 floor at Massachusetts General Hospital and a sexual assault nurse examiner for the state, won a Mother’s Day giveaway worth $1,000 by Boston travel company Bernard & Hawkes.
Anthony Palladino G’14 was named athletic director at Joseph Case High School, where he also serves as a guidance counselor. He has been head football coach at the school since 2014. Palladino’s coaching experience also includes basketball and baseball at Joseph Case. Nick Giaquinto G’14 has been hired by MassDevelopment to serve as the agency’s government relations specialist. Giaquinto was involved in Brockton’s ongoing downtown revitalization and has been hired by MassDevelopment to focus solely on economic development statewide.
Stephen Rollins, Jr. G’12 was promoted to accounting and auditing director at G.T. Reilly & Company of Milton, where he has worked since 2008. He is also a member of the firm’s Financial Institution Services team, working with community banks and credit unions.
Rachel Singh G’11 was welcomed to the board of directors of Island Readers and Writers. A first-grade teacher at Conners Emerson Elementary School in Bar Harbor since 2015, she is an adjunct faculty member at the College of the Atlantic, teaching a course in elementary literacy methods. Adriana Soto ’12 launched Aragma Swim, an environmentally conscious swimwear line, in November 2018. She also recently completed an internship at Ryan White Immunology Clinic in Puerto Rico and earned her doctorate in psychology. She began working in an OB-GYN clinic in Puerto Rico this year and plans to launch a new line of swimwear this fall.
Michael Sulprizio G’11 began a new job as deputy commissioner of administration and finance for the City of Boston’s Property Management Department. He moves to this position after nearly a decade working at Boston Centers for Youth & Families.
Jason Tower G’16, who earned his master’s in applied physics, recently celebrated his one-year anniversary as cleanroom operations engineer and lab safety director at Stanford Nano Shared Facilities. He previously taught physics for 15 years.
Alex Woo ’15
In December 2019, Alex Woo ’15 fulfilled his lifelong dream of appearing in Cirque du Soleil. Woo appeared in the production of “AXEL,” which came to the DCU Center in Worcester, MA. When Woo saw the Cirque du Soleil performance of “KA” while on vacation with his family, he was inspired to pursue martial arts and soon became a standout in competitive kung fu tournaments. In recent years, his focus has been on the performance aspect of martial arts, In 2018, he auditioned for Cirque du Soleil and was accepted to take part in the ice extravaganza performance.
IN MEMORIAM
Since our last issue, it has saddened us to learn of the passing of the following members of the UMass Boston community.
Alumni
Kerry W. Abele ’72 Eileen Gallivan Antaya ’54 Patricia Armstrong G’64 Ann V. Awiszus CER’93 Susanna W. Ayers ’89 David A. Bakis G’01 Dorothy Borriello Balko ’52 Verlynne R. Bame CER’02 Loretta M. Barba ’92 Elaine M. Barry ’60 Margaret M. Battista ’62 George Windrey Battle G’69 Stephen Lawrence Bennett ’74 Jeannette H.
Beshwaty-MacDonald ’96 Filomena Biancardi ’82 Donna V. Bogues John J. Bopp ’67 Kathleen Fallon Brennan ’69 Martha E. Brooks ’83 Sara-Ann Buckley ’65 Nicholas A. Buckley ’75 Eileen M. Burke ’04, G’11 Thomas Burke ’78 Ruth M. Caldicott ’60 Mary E. Campbell ’70 Alice F. Casey ’38 Maureen B. Casey ’60, G’63 Paul Cashman ’55 Laura R. Cestari
Long PhD’06 Maureen Murphy Charlton ’54 Francis P. Chiampa ’77 Wing Fai Chin ’00 John Henry Clifford G’61 Adele Rosen Cohen ’57 Jake C. Colbert ’16 Edward J. Connolly G’66 Charles P. Cook ’67 Patrick G. Corcoran ’78 Nicholas H. Costanza ’02 Robert M. Coughlin ’97 William E. Creamer ’74 Vincent A. Cristiani ’53 Helena T. Crowley ’84 Richard P. Cummings ’93 William F. Daigle ’86 Earl E. Dalrymple ’60 Dorothy Q. Daly CER’30 Horace A. Delgrosso G’84 Dorothy R. Deluze ’88 John Maynard Demarest ’91 Angela Calistro Derry ’71 Mark J. Desmond ’81 James F. DeVellis ’65 William P. Dever ’66 Francis J. Devine ’62 Mary Travers Diciaccio ’66 Sara Jane DiZinno ’66 Jerard Ryan Doherty ’15 Peter G. Dolloff G’61 Margaret S. Donnelly ’88 Daniel Donny-Clark G’10 Irene Drew ’77 Margaret J. Driscoll ’73 Eugene A. Dunne ’75 Sarah M. Duzan ’73 John Alexander Elia ’68 Naomi G. Ellis ’66, G’73 Mary E. Eppich G’94 Jose D. Evora G’83 Robert A. Fantasia ’68 Edward M. Favreau ’76 Debbie-Ann M. Ferretti ’13 Dorothy Bayard Finkel ’42 Kathleen V. Fitzpatrick ’52 Maryann Flukes ’66 Lawrence J. Flynn ’66 Robert L. Freitas ’91 Mark E. Geib ’85 Michael A. Giardello ’71 Sergio R. Goncalves Frederick D. Greene ’08 Daniel E. Griffin ’68 Mary M. Griffin CER’94 Eva M. Grubinger ’77 Michael J. Harrington ’77 Muriel Kee Harris ’57 Kevin Michael Hart ’74 John Francis Hartnett G’82 Wayne A. Heitmann ’78 Patricia A. Hogan ’52 Eric R. Holt ’90, G’00 John F. Howlett ’58 David Peter Hunter ’98 Diana M. Hyatt-Jones ’82 George Jakub ’73 Paul H. Jeffrey ’69 Dolores H. Johnson CER’96 Janine M. Jordan ’82 Monica A. Juitt ’86 Vali Dagmar
Kahn G’07, PhD’12 Katherine F. Keleher ’67 Rita L. Labad ’05 John P. Largey ’78 Thelma Louise
Lawrence Jones ’53 Stephen C. Leary ’78 Anna E. Lewdansky ’52 Linda J. Lewis ’70 Olivia C. Linsley G’91 Ann W. Lorden ’84, G’87 George S. MacKay ’67 Christine MacPherson
Maguire ’82, G’89 Lori M. Maraglia ’85 Mary Murphy Marcelonis ’53 Marcia L. Mason ’67 Andrew McAvoy ’95 Mary A. McCabe ’58 Margaret M. McDonough ’75 Vincent J.
McDonough ’56, G’61 William McIvor ’70 Christine McLaren CER’08 Michael J. McLaughlin ’05 Janice M. McWeeny ’69 Michael Francis Meehan ’69 Laurie A. Melchionda ’84 Charles F. Mickevich ’78 Linda Miller ’62 Paula Marie Molinari ’79, ’83 Mary T. Morgan ’80, ’06 Francis Xavier Mulhern ’70 Barbara A. Neely G’10 Timothy J. Nolan ’92 Brian M. Norton ’92 Mary Frances Norton ’86 Maureen T. O’Brien ’78 Tracey E. O’Brien ’85 Edward J. O’Donoghue ’68 Kenneth W. Oles ’69 Laura Oliveira CER’87 Eleanor Jenkins O’Rourke ’57 Charles Osborne ’73 Mary E. Packer CER’91 Joan L. Parcewski ’69 Marie J. Parente ’86, G’92 Thomas H. Pearce ’86 Robert D. Peisch G’88 Charles E. Penders ’65 James E. Pepin ’80 Gloria S. Phillips G’71 Nicole P. Picard ’04 Albert Porst ’70 Joel D. Pratt ’78 Joseph H. Priscella ’73 Charles Puliafico ’53 Carmen A. Puopolo ’65 Michael J. Quirk ’75 Richard F. Radford ’79 M. Jeanne Raimondi ’57 Diana Rakauskas ’72 Ellen Coady Ramsey ’62 Mark Allen Rapson ’82 Kerin M. Raymond ’96 Claire E. Rodley ’91 Louise Harding Russell G’97 Joseph H. Saulenas ’71 Margaret F. Scahill ’58 Mary B. Schofield ’54 George M. Schuttenberg ’76 Gary Scotland ’74 Susan Scott ’68 Luzell Sealey ’81 Joan Semedo ’77 Carol A. Senter ’72, CER’97 Janet M. Silva ’53 John J. Sindoni ’62 Janelle K. Slobodkin ’80 Travis R. Smith ’10 Barbara F. Solomon ’71 John Louis Spadazzi ’56, G’59 Vito T. Spadea ’71 John Squires ’72 Brian M. Sullivan ’00 Marie C. Sullivan ’02 Marilyn A. Sullivan ’61 Martin J. Sullivan ’71 George T. Talbot, ’68, MD, PhD Rosalie M. Tashjian ’69 Michael R. Tramonte G’63 Richard Louis Travaglino ’83 Hubert C. Travers ’68 Gertrude A. Triller ’47 Jenny Lee Utech G’16 Pauline E. Valois ’55 Shirley L. Wagner, ’70 M. Veronica Weidman ’89 Mary Weissbach ’71 Olive Cunningham
Whiting ’58 Harry G. Wilson ’76 Marilyn Wilson-Moore ’65 Jane Wolley ’90 Kenneth F. Woods ’63 Thomas E. Woods ’80 Konstantin Yeliseyev ’19 Angela Yeung ’82 Eric L. Youngblood ’94 Johnny C. Zeigler ’79, ’07 Joanna L. Zilfi ’03
Faculty and Staff
Winston R. Chiong,
Retired Faculty Carolyn L. Christie, Retired Staff Andrew N. Genes,
Retired Faculty Frederick Granato, Retired Staff John A. MacCombie,
Former Faculty John E. Moon, Former Faculty David A. Nellis, Retired Faculty Patrick E. O’Neil, Retired Faculty Robert L. Patterson,
Retired Faculty Mary Lou Roberts,
Retired Faculty George Salzman, Retired Faculty John R. Shane, Retired Faculty Peter J. Taylor, Faculty
Friends
Merton C. Bernstein Peter A. Brooke William J. Cavanaugh Richard Collins Joseph E. Corcoran James F. Gavin Thomas Patrick Gilbane Henry L. Gormley Florence Hess Ana Cecilia Hunt Stan J. Kuzborski Enid Lubarsky Patricia L. Murch Ron Nordstrom Patricia E. O’Neill Richard Ortner Lawrence Rasky Jeffrey Saunders Ellen Spaethling Marlina Suryanto Henry Volpe Jack Welch Bancroft R. Wheeler
Historic Gift Creates Endowed Visiting Assistant Professorship
A group representing more than 600 MIT alumni made a $1.5 million gift to UMass Boston in December 2019, establishing the Robert T. Seeley Visiting Assistant Professorship in Mathematics. It’s a historic gift—the university’s first endowed visiting professorship— with transformative potential. The inaugural Seeley Visiting Assistant Professor, probability expert Alexander Moll, joined the university on September 1.
Rod Taft (pictured left), former corporation president of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at MIT, proposed the gift after meeting UMass Boston Professor of Mathematics Eric Grinberg, then the chair of the math department, at the Dedham Apple Store. Grinberg noticed Taft’s “brass rat”—the distinctive MIT class ring—and the two struck up a conversation that eventually touched on the late UMass Boston mathematics professor Robert Thomas Seeley, an MIT alumnus who is famous in the field for both his brilliance and his humanity. When Grinberg mentioned that the math department hoped to one day create its first postdoctoral position in Seeley’s name, Taft sensed a perfect fit.
With one gift, “we get to honor MIT academically, honor Robert T. Seeley, and help UMass Boston,” said Taft. “It really added up to a pretty easy decision.”
“One of the catalyzers of becoming a powerhouse in mathematics is establishing a postdoctoral program,” said current UMass Boston Mathematics Department Chair Eduardo Gonzalez. “A gift of this nature puts us on a very different level. We are incredibly excited about having this position.”
One of 102 applicants for the Seeley Visiting Assistant Professorship, Moll stood out for his teaching prowess, active research program, and predilection for difficult projects.
“This position is very special, and it’s an honor to be the first,” said MIT alumnus Moll, who comes to UMass from a postdoctoral position at Northeastern. And though it might be months before he and his colleagues and students can unite on campus, “I know we can make the most of this strange time, and I am very excited to join the community at UMass Boston.”
State Matching Grant Program Inspires Generous Giving
After the Massachusetts State Legislature announced the return of the Public Higher Education Endowment Incentive Program last winter, it unleashed a flood of philanthropic support from UMass Boston donors. Through this program as of June 30, 2020, a total of $2.475 million was invested into the UMass Boston endowment, which signifies a profound commitment to the future of the university.
The donors listed below have either created new endowments or bolstered their existing fund.
Russell Barnaby ’91, G’19, G’23 established the Russell Barnaby Endowed Scholarship Fund to benefit deserving students. Robert and Diane Hildreth established the Gina M. Cappello Endowed Legacy Scholarship. Anonymous friends of the Asian American Studies Program bolstered the Asian American Studies Program Support Fund. Audrey Jasey ’03, G’15, PhD’21 established the Audrey Jasey Endowed Scholarship to Promote Health Equity in Nursing and Health Sciences Fund.
Adam K. Lewis grew the Leiko V. Lumiere ’12 Nursing Scholarship, which supports students for whom English is not their first language. Professor Manickam Sugumaran and Dr. Geetha Sugumaran grew the University India Scholars Program. Patricia Flaherty ’81 and Phil Pichulo endowed the Philip E. Pichulo Scholarship Fund for students from New England. Brennan Adams ’04 established the Professor Elizabeth Bussiere Scholarship for Political Science Fund to honor Professor Bussiere’s profound commitment to teaching. Former Provost and Professor Emeritus Winston Langley created the Winston Langley Fellowship in Human Security to encourage graduate student research. Vann Taylor, son of the late professor Peter Taylor, established the Peter J. Taylor Endowed Scholarship for Critical and Creative Thinking in memory of his father’s distinguished career. Retired Professor Ethan Bolker created the Junior Faculty CSM Mentoring Endowment to support early career development of junior faculty members in the College of Science and Mathematics, nurturing scholarly inquiry and effective teaching. William Perry ’95, G’98 and Rose Perry established the Bill and Rose Perry Endowment for Student Veterans to aid former and current military personnel. Judith Hutchinson ’68 and Helen Waldorf endowed the Judith Hutchinson & Helen Waldorf Scholarship for Environmental Science.
Maryann Brink ’79, G’81 and John Chu established The Beacons Finish Line Fund, in support of students in their final year of study who have overcome incredible obstacles to complete their undergraduate degrees. Endowed funds create tangible benefits. Students Noshin Omar ’21 (left) and Gabe Queiroz ’22 each received support from an endowed fund.
Beacons All Over the World Stay Engaged
The UMass Boston Office of Alumni Engagement has been busy connecting with alumni from all over the world through a variety of events, engagements, and initiatives.
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Meeting Beacons Where They Live
In addition to meeting more than 100 alumni in Boca Raton, Florida; Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, California; and Washington, DC, the Alumni Engagement team also hosted several events in Boston this year. During fall 2019, alumni of all class years returned to campus for the annual fall festival, as well as the Boston Teachers College luncheon. Alumni were invited to a networking reception to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Venture Development Center/ Student Entrepreneurship Program in October. Nearly 100 alumni and guests also celebrated the holiday season at the annual Young Alumni Council holiday party at the Parkman House in Boston.
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Shifting Focus to Virtual Engagement
In response to the coronavirus outbreak, alumni programming was adapted to provide an array of virtual opportunities. In April, Beacons were invited to put toe to pavement and participate in the first-ever virtual Beacon 5K, raising over $2,000 for the Beacon Student Aid Fund. Later that month, Alumni Engagement hosted a virtual Spring Day of Service, encouraging alumni and students to give back to their community through local volunteer initiatives and share their stories.
The Serving Up Summer live cooking demonstration with New York City hospitality experts went virtual for Beacons who wanted to sharpen their culinary skills. The ongoing Chat with the Dean webinar series featured alumni panelists from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the College of Management. Early in the summer, Beacons who needed a laugh were invited to A Night of Comedy with Lenny Clarke ’79, featuring the Boston-based actor, comedian, and UMass Boston alumnus.
Check for upcoming events by visiting alumni.umb.edu/events, and subscribe to the events digest at alumni.umb.edu/subscribe.
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PHOTOS: 1: Alumni in San Diego at a networking breakfast reception. 2: A gathering of alumni in Washington, DC. These events are an excellent way to meet other alumni and learn about university updates. 3: Nearly 200 Beacons put toe to pavement earlier this spring for the virtual 5K! 4: Alumni dining al fresco during our Los Angeles reception earlier this year. 5: Alumni in San Francisco enjoy themselves during a West Coast event. 6: In July, Lenny Clarke ’79 entertained nearly 350 UMass Boston alumni and friends during a virtual performance.
Welcome Chancellor Suárez-Orozco
The biggest news on campus this academic year is the arrival of UMass Boston’s new chancellor. “We are delighted to welcome Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco as the ninth chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Boston,” said DonnaMarie Maguire, G’03, RN, president of the UMass Boston Alumni Association board of directors. “We’re planning engagements and opportunities to introduce him to our alumni family. Please stay tuned….”
The Alumni Association Supports Current Students
Young Alumni Council Connects New Graduates Through Events, Programming
The Alumni Association continues its generous support of the diverse UMass Boston student body, while fostering engagement among students and alumni. The Board of Directors celebrated 22 student scholars at this year’s virtual Alumni Association Scholarship Reception in June; awards ranged from $1,600 to $3,200 and will go toward ensuring that students’ financial needs are met for the fall semester. The board felt strongly about acknowledging and celebrating this year’s scholars, which in previous years took place at the UMass Boston Club.
In May, the Alumni Association participated in Giving Tuesday Now, a global day of philanthropy created in response to the unprecedented student need caused by the coronavirus. More than 300 donors came together to raise $27,000, surpassing the goal set by the board and unlocking a match gift of $15,000 from the Alumni Association. The $42,000 raised supports emergency student aid, scholarship aid, the nursing program, and other initiatives.
In addition, the Alumni Association pledged to match a $225,000 gift from an anonymous donor to benefit students participating in internship opportunities, service learning, and research projects. They also pledge to continue their annual support of student and alumni activities through generous event sponsorships.
Members of the Young Alumni Council (from left to right): Gray Milkowski ’18, Michele Trawczynski ’13, Miran Velagic ’12, Marc Antoine ’15, and Heather Powell ’13 Charlie Brown ’09, founder and former member of the Young Alumni Council
“This was certainly a collaborative effort with a shared mission of advocating for a stronger representation of new alumni,” said Charlie Brown ’09, founder and former member of the Young Alumni Council. “By bringing the Young Alumni Council to fruition, we’ve expanded our outreach and ensured that recent graduates are given opportunities to stay connected with their alma mater and with each other.”
Established in 2016, the Young Alumni Council provides representation for UMass Boston’s newest alumni and a platform for alumni who have graduated within the last fifteen years to engage and connect with each other. The council’s nine members meet monthly to plan annual programming such as networking events, trivia nights, a holiday party at the historic Parkman House, and other events and activities. In 2018, Brown made a lasting impact on his alma mater and its students when he endowed the Young Alumni Council Scholarship with a $25,000 pledge. Since its inception, the scholarship has been awarded to several juniors and seniors whose involvement in the university has set them apart from their peers.
Those interested in learning more about the Young Alumni Council can visit alumni.umb.edu/YAC.
Congratulations CLASS OF 2020!
STUDENTS TODAY. ALUMNI TOMORROW. BEACONS FOREVER.
Congratulations and Best Wishes to the Class of 2020!
As you embark on your next adventure in life, remember that you join a network of more than 110,000 alumni around the world. Students are students for only a few years, but graduates are Beacons for life. Congratulations again, and welcome to our Beacon alumni family!
Stay connected and get involved at umb.edu/alumni.
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Reunion 2021
UMass Boston Alumni Engagement is thrilled to welcome all alumni whose class year ends in 1 or 6 back to our harbor campus for Reunion 2021 next spring. We’re planning an exciting weekend with special class gatherings and additional activities for your class. You won’t want to miss it! Watch for more information in the future and get ready for a fun-filled celebration with your fellow classmates.
