MAGAZINE Fall 2018
Divergent Thinking
Resilience
Hands-on Learning Optimism
Intellectual Curiosity
Emotional Intelligence Empathy
Professional Mastery Communication Skills
Intercultural Fluency Logic
Multiliteracy Understanding
Inventing
the Future
with an agile mind
The 2018 Spring Senior Exhibition in the CVPA campus gallery featured Paul Rudolph’s architecture and how he originally envisioned the campus.
UMASSD
UMASSD Magazine is produced for the alumni, students, employees, and partners of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. The information contained in this publication is intended to engage readers in the mission of UMassD, which is critical to the social and economic development of the region. We welcome letters from our readers and encourage you to email your comments to editor@umassd.edu, or mail them to: UMASSD Magazine c/o University Marketing, LARTS 222 University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Dartmouth, MA 02747
Chancellor Robert E. Johnson, PhD Vice Chancellor for Advancement Jennifer Chrisler Associate Vice Chancellor for Marketing Renee Buisson Managing Editor Barbara LeBlanc Design and Production University Marketing Contributing Writers Kristle Blais Renee Buisson Debra Hazian John Hoey Jack Holleran Benjamin Jones Barbara LeBlanc Marissa Matton ’14, MA ’16 Adrienne N. Wartts Photographers Levante Billings-Anderson ’19 Tailyn Clark ’19 Karl Dominey Sean Flynn Zack Roy ’18 Myke Yeager
Cover image Photo © Sergey Khakimullin | Dreamstime.com. Photo illustration by University Marketing
inside
features
The world is changing rapidly and people must be ready to adapt in this hyper-connected environment. Meet the people who are making these transitions happen for their careers and their organizations.
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Building the university of the future
UMass Dartmouth has new momentum to take it into the future.
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Agile innovator, Robert Leduc ’78
Robert Leduc is innovating at Pratt & Whitney.
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Life-long learner, Michelle White ’90
Persistence and a love of learning drive Michelle White.
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Change agent, Jeff Duchemin ’89
Jeff Duchemin believes challenges help growth.
campus news 2 4 6 8 12 13 14
Chancellor’s Inauguration Commencement Around Ring Road Research
alumni 28
Welcome from the Alumni Association President
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Class Notes
UMass School of Law Art Seen Sports UMASSD
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The late Reverend Dr. Robert Lawrence gave the benediction.
Martin T. Meehan, president of the University of Massachusetts, spoke at the Installation Ceremony.
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week-long celebration of the strengths and achievements of UMass Dartmouth students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the region culminated on Friday, April 20. Robert E. Johnson, PhD, was formally installed as Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth—the 10th leader of the University. Events throughout the week were open to the entire campus community and, in many circumstances,
Fall 2018 www.umassd.edu
open to the broader community as well. A major highlight was a symposium titled Catching the Next Wave: Building the Blue Economy through Innovation and Collaboration. The event was co-hosted by the national Council on Competitiveness and included leaders from academia, business, and government addressing the opportunities and challenges in developing the Blue Economy of the state and region.
Highlights of
around Ring Road | news
Inauguration Week
The Blue Economy panel (far left) Chancellor Johnson (left) with Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.
Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours— Regional business leaders and entrepreneurs gathered at the Charlton College of Business and viewed student projects.
Reading Paul Rudolph— Students chalked the words of Paul Rudolph, the renowned architect who designed UMassD, on the concrete buildings to highlight the living art in our midst. Rise Against Hunger—200 UMass Dartmouth students, staff, faculty, and alumni packaged 20,000 nutritious meals to be shipped to a developing nation. UMass Law Symposium— The student Law Review’s annual symposium focused on criminal justice reform, with a commentary by U.S. Congressman William Keating.
Pop-up Jazz Band —A highenergy jazz performance took place in the outdoor quad performance space. Three-Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition— Over three days UMass Dartmouth participated in this annual international competition that originated at the University of Queensland. 2nd Annual Lawrence Lecture: The Moth — This NPR program came to life in the Auditorium with speakers focused on the theme of “the positive impact that civic engagement and community service has had on their lives.”
(l-r) Chancellor Johnson’s father and mother, Percy and Juanita Johnson, his wife, Michelle Jones-Johnson, his daughter, Jasmine, and his son, Alex.
Paul Rudolph Exhibition— A presentation and discussion on Paul Rudolph’s architecture was augmented by a mobile walking tour project. Sigma Xi Research Symposium — The 24th annual display of undergraduate and graduate student research projects brought out a broad section of the campus community. Concretopia —The debut of an eight-minute film by William Lepczyk focused on the visual poetry of the university's architecture.
Unity Fest— A celebration of the UMass Dartmouth community featuring music, food, games, and other activities for students helped wrap up the week’s activities. Fitzpatrick Luso-American Festival— Music and cultural presentations celebrated the Portuguese diaspora. College of Visual & Performing Arts Concert— Big band, steel band, and dance performances by students and faculty provided lively entertainment. Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition— CVPA’s MFA students displayed their work in downtown New Bedford.
Students, faculty, and staff prepared meals for the Rise Against Hunger
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COMMENCEMENT
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(l-r) Chancellor Robert E. Johnson, Undergraduate Speaker Bryony Boyer ’86, HD ’18, and UMass President Martin T. Meehan
Bright Beginnings On Saturday, May 12, UMass Dartmouth held its 2018 Commencement ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students, awarding approximately 1,400 undergraduate and 600 graduate degrees at The Xfinity Center in Mansfield. “This is your time to seek out and build a better world that is grounded in civility, mutual respect, and humanity. Students, please understand you are part of something bigger than yourself. The world is counting on you,” said Chancellor Robert E. Johnson. UMass President Marty Meehan told the class, “Know that your UMass education has equipped you with the skills, both tangible and intangible, you will need to succeed and to have an impact on this world.” On Monday, May 14, UMass Dartmouth held the 2018 Law School Commencement ceremony in the Main Auditorium on campus and awarded nearly 50 law degrees.
UMass Dartmouth Class of 2018 • 30 + countries, 28 states, 267 Massachusetts communities • 50.3% male graduates, 49.7% female • 27% students of color
Honorary Degree Recipients and Speakers
Bryony Bouyer ’86 Undergraduate speaker and honorary doctorate degree recipient, Senior Vice President, Marketing Operations, Consumer Products Division for Hasbro, Inc.
Keith A. Hovan Graduate ceremony speaker, President and CEO of Southcoast Health System, Inc. and SouthCoast Hospitals Group, Inc., received the Chancellor’s Medal.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey UMass Law ceremony speaker, received the Chancellor’s Medal.
Alicia Blanchard, JD ’18 UMass Law student speaker from Littleton
Andrew Tyrrell ’18 Undergraduate student speaker (Political Science) from Fall River
Chioma Judith Okafor, MBA ’18 Graduate student speaker from Festac Town, Lagos
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around Ring Road (l-r) UMassD's Associate Provost for Decision Support & Strategic Initiatives Ramprasad Balasubramanian, Bristol Community College President Laura L. Douglas, and Massachusetts Maritime Academy Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald
Herald News Photo | Dave Souza
news
Winds of
change
UMass Dartmouth, Bristol Community College, and Massachusetts Maritime Academy signed the Connect4Wind agreement. The agreement highlights our cooperative, long-term commitment to sharing resources and
collaborating on the development of curriculum and programs centered on offshore wind energy, an important component of the Blue Economy. Over the next decade, Massachusetts Clean Energy predicts that offshore wind farms will create nearly 3,000 jobs and generate economic impacts between $1.2 billion and $2.1 billion in the region. The U.S.
Department of Energy estimates 43,000 new jobs will surface in the field by 2030. The institutions will create innovative academic and training programs centered on developing highly skilled workers by sharing research, faculty, educational training facilities, and other resources, enabling students to participate in degree or non-degree granting programs at each institution. “Offshore wind will be a cornerstone of a regional Blue Economy corridor that expands opportunities for people and communities across the region,” said Ramprasad Balasubramanian, UMassD’s associate provost for decision support & strategic initiatives. “UMass Dartmouth looks forward to building this partnership with Bristol Community College and Massachusetts Maritime Academy to accelerate the development of the offshore wind industry through innovation.” Connect4Wind marks the first time the three institutions have entered into a crosscollaborative agreement of this kind.
Information for a new
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Information taken from National Renewal Energy Laboratory Nicolas Rapp
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The UMass Dartmouth Public Policy Center is responding to the need for information and analysis of the offshore wind industry that is emerging in Massachusetts and elsewhere along the East Coast. The Offshore Wind Economics Project (OSWEP) will focus on developing insights and evidence to inform policymaking and help make the most of the economic and community benefits associated with offshore wind developments. “The emergence of the offshore wind industry in the United States offers us a tremendous opportunity to capture and record the evolution of a brand new economic sector,” said Michael Goodman, executive director of the Public Policy Center. “Over the past two years, we have developed the deep subject matter expertise and experience that will be required to take full advantage of that opportunity.” OSWEP builds on the expertise of the Public Policy Center’s faculty and staff,
industry
the offshore wind developments proposed in Massachusetts and Connecticut by Vineyard Wind, and the economic and workforce implications of the full buildout of offshore wind in Massachusetts. The state legislature initially approved solicitations of 1,600 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind, an amount it recently doubled to 3,200MW. Vineyard Wind was selected in May as the preferred provider of the first 800MW. Regions with port infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and proximity to wind resources will benefit most from the offshore wind industry. “Community leaders, economic and workforce development practitioners, and policymakers will need actionable data and analysis to quickly and effectively respond to these opportunities. That is what OSWEP is designed to provide,” noted Elise Korejwa, public policy center senior research associate and OSWEP project manager.
around Ring Road | news
STEM PhD
S
program accepts first class UMass Dartmouth’s newly approved STEM Education PhD program began accepting students this fall. Two concentrations are offered within the program — one in mathematics education and one in science education. “Improving STEM education is a matter of regional and national economic importance, but it is also a national security imperative as the United States faces a myriad of global science and technology challenges,” said Provost Mohammad Karim. “Our world-class faculty in this field are poised to teach, mentor, and inspire a new generation of STEM education innovators.” The doctoral program builds on the PhD in mathematics education established in 2009 and will prepare students to improve STEM education throughout the region, state, and nation as teachers and as educational policy creators. Graduates will gain a deep understanding of STEM education strategies and develop important skills in communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and data analysis. Approval of this degree builds on the array of federally supported research initiatives already in place at the university and the Kaput Center for Research and Innovation in STEM Education, which conducts and shares research designed to enhance STEM education.
UMassD deepens ties with UMass Dartmouth strengthened its ties to the Portuguese community when Chancellor Robert E. Johnson signed exchange agreements with several Portuguese universities at this year’s annual State House Day of Portugal celebration. Aboard the tall ship Sagres, Johnson, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of the Portuguese Republic, and Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa signed student and faculty exchange agreements between UMass Dartmouth and and several Portuguese universities. Johnson awarded UMass Dartmouth’s Chancellor’s Medal to President De Sousa. Prime Minister Costa received the Chancellor’s Citation for his work towards the educational exchange. The exchange agreements are with UMass Dartmouth and the University of Algarve, University of Aveiro, University of Coimbra, University of Minho, University of
T
E
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Associate Professor Walter Stroup (standing), chair of STEM Education & Teacher Development, is developing new strategies to help middle and high school teachers get students excited about STEM careers.
Portugal
Porto, and the Camões Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua, the Portuguese government unit responsible for creating international ties in higher education. “UMass Dartmouth is honored to be the pre-eminent university in America dedicated to the study, teaching, and sharing of knowledge related to the Portuguese-American experience,” Johnson said. “The economic and cultural bonds between our university, our region, and the Portuguese-speaking world are vast, strong, and filled with even greater potential.” The university houses the Center for Portuguese Studies and Culture, the Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives, and the Tagus Press, which publishes literary works. In recent years, the university has expanded its relationships. SMAST has a doctoral
Chancellor Robert E. Johnson and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa sign exchange agreements between UMass Dartmouth and several Portuguese universities.
education partnership with Brazil’s University of São Paulo Institute of Oceanography. The College of Nursing and the University of the Azores established the “Bridging the Atlantic” community nursing student exchange program. The Charlton College of Business and the Center for
Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) bring students to a Startup Weekend entrepreneurship forum at the Nonagon Science and Technology Park in the Azores. CIE also is advising the Azores business and government community on the development of a technology incubator.
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research
(L-R) Dr. Maryellen Brisbois of UMass Dartmouth, Dr. Helder Rocha Pereira of the University of the Azores, Carolina Camara of the University of the Azores, James Aiguier '18 of UMass Dartmouth, Ana Teresa Teves of the University of the Azores, and Veronica Fernandes '18 of UMass Dartmouth.
Bridging the Atlantic alliance gains international attention
We live in a global society, so nursing education and experiences must reflect that reality. UMass Dartmouth’s relationship with Portugal provided a perfect opportunity to develop a specialized program for student nurses to improve health outcomes in both countries. Assistant Professor Maryellen Brisbois, RPhD, RN, and
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Dr. Helder Pereira of the University of the Azores co-created Bridging the Atlantic: International Alliance in Community Health Nursing. Since its inception in 2015, students, faculty, and related agencies on both sides of the Atlantic have worked closely with men and women deported from the U.S. to Portugal, their families, Portuguese elders, and fishermen/women to provide education and strategies to promote health and quality of life. “We worked with deportees and their families, and the Bristol County detention center,” said Brisbois. “We were successful in being change agents to ensure information regarding health
and medications were relayed with them. With our common goal, we capture perspectives from each country and are able to more readily engage nurses, social services agencies, and the government to improve the quality of life for these people.” The program received international attention at the Network Toward Unity For Health conference in Limerick, Ireland, in mid-August. Brisbois and Pereira, along with UMassD nursing graduates James Aiguier ’18 of Taunton, and Veronica Fernandes ’18 of Dartmouth, and Ana Teresa Teves and Carolina Camara from the University of the Azores, participated. The students
presented three posters about the program. “It is imperative in today’s global society that nurses are open minded, culturally competent, and open to collaborative efforts on behalf of vulnerable individual groups,” said Brisbois. Bridging the Atlantic is an active student and faculty exchange between the UMassD College of Nursing and the University of the Azores that has included 84 students and 26 faculty members over four years, as well as student research initiatives presented both locally and internationally. Faculty have published four manuscripts and one book chapter.
news | research
Charlton faculty find more cybersecurity training needed With the escalating threat of cyberattacks, including the hacking of government and private organizations in recent years, cybersecurity has become one of the fastest growing fields of study. A recent survey conducted by professors at the Charlton College of Business found that the human cybersecurity firewall is failing business across the country. “The ‘human firewall,’ the everyday employees of a company, represent more than half of the multi-trilliondollar problem with cybersecurity in U.S. companies,” said Timothy Shea, associate professor of management information systems and co-creator of “The Annual Employee Threat Readiness Survey.” “Far too many employees do not understand that and are not getting
The human firewall 75% of respondents said their employer considers cybersecurity important, leaving 25% vulnerable to an attack that could compromise an entire system. 70% of employees agree their company provides easy access to support any cybersafety questions they have, meaning 30% disagree. 70% agree there is a clearly defined process for reporting suspected security breaches, indicating 30% do not agree.
the training they need to combat it,” Shea said. The survey, created with Marketing Professor Steven White, focuses on employee awareness, training, and competence in managing daily cybersecurity risks and gauges how well companies manage the cybersecurity risk their employees’ online behavior creates. Results indicate that U.S. companies are not adequately addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities by providing enough cyber-safety training to their employees. “Email and social phishing work. Each employee plays an important role in the cybersecurity of his or her employer,” White said. “As hacking attempts become more sophisticated, so too should the training provided to employees.” In response to the growing need for increased cybersecurity training, UMassD recently added a concentration in cyber security to the computer engineering program, and Charlton has added an MS in technology management.
Fiondella wins $452,454 NSF grant The National Science Foundation has selected Lance Fiondella, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, for a $452,454 CAREER Award to support his research into software testing. The prestigious five-year grant recognizes early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. Fiondella works with students and colleagues to model complex software testing intended to reveal design flaws and security vulnerabilities. He conducts collaborative research with NASA and the U.S. Navy. “Modern software is subject to multiple stages of test and integration. Successive stages of testing incorporate additional code and functionality which typically introduces more flaws,” explained Fiondella. “The big-picture challenge is to develop statistical models to objectively assess the effectiveness of alternative testing procedures and ensure their completeness.” Software failures have resulted in the loss of scientific payloads in space missions and the failure of missile systems and critical infrastructure. Security and reliability will become even more crucial as software can be programmed to make decisions on behalf of users in systems such as driverless cars and the autopilot function of airplanes.
Lance Fiondella (r), assistant professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, chats with a student about his senior design capstone project in May of this year.
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research | news
Bacteria
for a healthier gut
People suffering from digestive ailments could someday benefit significantly from research conducted by Vanni Bucci, assistant professor of bioengineering, and colleagues at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The researchers created a model to predict which bacteria are helpful in treating various stomach ailments. An accurate prediction system can lead to the right balance of bacteria to produce a healthy gut, which will help doctors and scientists treat inflammatory, allergic, and other digestive ailments. “In previous work, our collaborators and paper co-authors identified
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(l-r) Richard Stein from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and Vanni Bucci from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth recently published a new computational method to predict the success of probiotics for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Their approach aims at boosting anti-inflammatory Treg cells to treat ulcerative colitis. In addition, many potential healthrelated applications exist for this computational method.
17 different strains of bacteria that can generate the required immune response, but determining the best combinations from these strains would need more than 130,000 independent experiments,� said Bucci. In a trial run on mice, Bucci and the other researchers were able to predict the most effective treatment to return the test subjects’ stomachs to optimal health. The bacterial combinations with the highest scores from the prediction model generated more immune cells and helped colonize a healthier gut.
news | research
UMassD students perform cranberry research.
$250,000 for cranberry research The UMass Dartmouth Cranberry Health Research Center received $250,000 to advance research into the cancer-fighting compounds of cranberries. The funds, a $150,000 gift from the Leo and Anne Albert Charitable Trust and $100,000 from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, came at a critical time in the center’s research, according to Catherine Neto, director of the Cranberry Health Research Center. “Our early-stage work has shown the promise of cranberries to fight disease. Now we are able to take that research to the next level,” she said.
Multiple compounds in cranberries have been reported to reduce tumor cell growth and proliferation, and this initiative brings together researchers with multidisciplinary expertise to study how cranberries can reduce inflammatory diseases and cancers, with a focus on colon health. Neto is joined in the center by UMassD bioengineering professors Milana Vasudev, Tracie Ferreira, and Vanni Bucci, and Hang Xiao, associate professor in UMass Amherst’s Department of Food Science. Preliminary studies by Neto and Xiao,
Our early-stage work has shown the promise of cranberries to fight disease. Now we are able to take that research to the next level.”
— Professor Catherine Neto
demonstrated that in a mouse model of inflammatory colon cancer/colitis, feeding cranberry powder to mice reduced tumor number and size, as well as tissue inflammation.
Stokesbury awarded $302,091 NOAA grant Kevin Stokesbury, professor at the School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST), received a $302,091 award from NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center and the New England Fishery Management Council for sea scallop
and other research using his underwater, highresolution drop-camera array. The grant supports a series of studies that use methods and equipment developed at SMAST: The Patagonian scallop study focuses on the scallop fishery off the
coast of Argentina, which serves as a food supply for North American, Asian, and European markets. Kyle Cassidy ’18 is conducting the survey in collaboration with Clearwater Fisheries and Argentina’s governmental fisheries research institute.
Craig Lego, a master’s degree candidate at SMAST, is pursuing an ongoing U.S. Atlantic sea scallop study in the Nantucket Lightship area. Working with fishermen, he is examining the dynamics between sea scallops and sea stars, which eat scallops.
Laboratory Technician Amber Lisi ’17 is working with scientists at Acadia University in Nova Scotia, to gather information on the state of the province’s Atlantic sea cucumber population. The data will enable comparisons to be made as the fishery develops.
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UMass School of Law • Dartmouth
global perspective UMass Law’s exchange program with the University of Limerick School of Law in Ireland gives students the opportunity to study international and comparative law abroad. Carly LaCrosse JD ’18 took advantage of this opportunity and spent the fall semester of her final year in Ireland.
UMass Law student Carly LaCrosse (bottom left) met students from around the globe when she studied abroad.
“I was incredibly lucky to attend the University of Limerick. The academic environment was unlike unlike anything I had ever experienced before,” LaCrosse said. “My time in Ireland altered my perspective on the way law can function within a society. It opened my eyes to how much more I still want
to know about how societies across the globe tackle the same issues we face here at home.” LaCrosse’s roommates were from Catalonia, France, Italy, and Georgia, and she appreciated meeting people who represented a multitude of countries, cultures, and viewpoints. “I’m still in contact with many of the friends I made, and I plan to return to Ireland and to visit my friends in their home countries, as well.” She traveled to the cliffs of Moher, on part of the Ring of Kerry, and to Kilarney. “My time at these incredible locations was indescribably scenic and truly cathartic,” she said. LaCrosse left Ireland with a different perspective, excited to implement what she learned abroad into her final semester of law school. “Ireland opened my eyes to a completely different way of structuring the process of obtaining a law degree and showed me how truly versatile a law degree can be. I returned home with a renewed sense of promise as my legal education drew to an end.” While in Ireland, LaCrosse was able to continue working as a law clerk with the small, private firm she began working for as a second-year student. Now, she’s an associate with the firm, using her past experience in pharmaceuticals to research pharmacy and healthcare law and regulations.
UMass Law outperformed
four area private schools in 2017 bar pass and employment rates
83.7%
72.7% Surpassing four Mass private law school rates
UMass Law’s 2017 first-time bar pass rate
Surpassing four area private law schools
In the American Bar Association’s first multi-jurisdictional ranking of bar pass results, UMass Law’s 2017 first-time bar pass rate was 72.7%, surpassing four area private law schools, which had bar pass rates ranging from 58.6% to 67.9%. “These test results are a testament to the quality of our students and the excellence of our faculty,” Dean Eric Mitnick said. Graduates from the Class of 2017 succeeded not only on the bar exam, but also in employment — 55.1% of the class secured full-time, long-term employment in positions that required them to pass the bar
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of the UMass Law class of 2017 secured bar-required or JD advantage employment
first
in New England in full-time employment in government or public service
exam. This surpasses four area private law schools with employment rates ranging from 38.2% to 54.1%. For the second year in a row, UMass Law ranked highly in percentage of graduates in long-term, full-time employment in government or public service—2017 graduates ranked first in New England. “We are excited to see our law students outperforming many of their private law school peers while also delivering thousands of hours of pro bono legal services to organizations and individuals across the region,” Chancellor Robert E. Johnson said.
news from CVPA CVPA
Art curriculum is re-envisioned
art seen
The College of Visual & Performing Arts (CVPA) has re-envisioned its art curriculum to better prepare students to succeed in this hyper-connected, visual society. CVPA merged six departments into three to ensure that students have access to a broad curriculum that integrates creative disciplines. The new departments are Art Education, Art History & Media Studies; Art & Design; and Music. This department restructure has been complemented with redesigned undergraduate programs and new programs. Leading the re-visioning was former CVPA Dean David Klamen, who is now dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Indiana University Northwest. Professor Laura Franz, who is currently serving as Interim Dean of CVPA, worked closely with Klamen and a team of CVPA faculty to develop and implement these changes. The new curriculum was approved by NASAD, the accrediting agency for CVPA.
The remodeled programs, introduced in fall 2018, include
• fusing three BFA degrees into a single BFA in Art & Design • redesigning Art & Design undergraduate studio curricula to
allow students to concentrate in their area of interest while taking advantage of interdisciplinary experiences
• creating a new concentration in Integrated Studio Arts CVPA has experienced a 58 percent surge in first-year students over last year. In addition, the College is welcoming more than 100 Mount Ida College sophomores, juniors, and seniors who will be finishing their academic programs in a number of disciplines, including Fashion Design and Interior Architecture and Design. The work continues this year as CVPA creates new concentrations based on the Mount Ida teach-out programs and develops more minors that foster interdisciplinary studies so CVPA students can make connections across the University and build on the newly approved Social Practice curriculum.
Karimi awarded
Christopher Rogers ’18 showed his newest collection at STYLEWEEK Northeast in Providence this September. CVPA is increasing its fashion offerings to support students who transferred from Mount Ida. Photographs courtesy of Myke Yeager Photography
$10,000 Manning Prize
Pamela Karimi, associate professor of art education, art history & media studies, is the 2018 recipient of the Manning Prize for Excellence in Teaching at UMass Dartmouth for her efforts related to New Bedford revitalization. The $10,000 prize, established by UMass Lowell alumni Robert and Donna Manning, honors professors at each UMass institution who hold the distinction of implementing innovative teaching methods that deepen the student learning experience. Since joining the College of Visual & Performing Arts (CVPA) at UMassD in 2009, Karimi has focused her teaching, research, and service on revitalization and sustainability in New Bedford. Her yearlong exhibition, “Black Spaces Matter: Exploring the Aesthetics and Architectonics of an Abolitionist Neighborhood,” was organized with students, artists, activists, residents, and UMassD colleagues. It highlighted the unique history of New Bedford in the abolitionist movement, and culminated with an exhibition in Boston. “What happens in New Bedford often stays in New Bedford” said Karimi. “We wanted to take the exhibit to Boston in hopes that the
multifaceted exhibit would help function as a hinge between the SouthCoast community, UMass Dartmouth, the New Bedford Historical Society, and the city of Boston.” Also at the center of her unique teaching approach is her class “Architecture and Sustainability in the American Post Industrial City.” Students work with local activists, policymakers, and artists to generate proposals for repurposing vacant lots and abandoned mills, building cost-effective community greenhouses, and supporting urban farming in New Bedford. “Through her connection with students and the community, Dr. Karimi’s impact is felt around campus and the SouthCoast,” said Chancellor Robert E. Johnson. “Dr. Karimi is an amazing example of the faculty dedication and ingenuity that make UMass Dartmouth an educational destination.” To express her gratitude for receiving the Manning Prize, Karimi has dedicated a portion of the prize to initiate an Art & Civic Engagement Award to support CVPA student work.
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sports
Winter 2018 | Recap Corsairs Earn AllAmerica Honors
Four student-athletes earned All-America honors during the 201718 winter season. Senior Jared Louf-Woods, of Salem, and sophomore George Papoulis, of Haverhill, competed at the 2018 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships. LoufWoods, also the New England Field Athlete of the Year, finished fourth in the weight throw with a toss of 19.16 meters, while Papoulis finished fourth-place in the 800-meter run. Junior Jonathan Ruiz, of Williamstown, NJ, was named to
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Corsair roundup
the American Hockey Coaches’ Association Division III All-America, third team. The MASCAC Player of the Year is the fourth ice hockey All-American in program history. Classmate Nakira Examond, of New Bedford, was selected to the D3Hoops.com All-America honorable mention team. Examond is the first Corsair women’s basketball player to earn AllAmerica status.
Women’s Basketball Reaches Little East Conference Championship Game Head Coach Matt Ducharme ’00 led the women’s basketball team to an overall
(L-R) Jonathan Ruiz, Jared Louf-Woods, Nakira Examond, and George Papoulis
record of 24-4, including the program’s first undefeated mark (14-0) within the Little East Conference circuit. Earning home court advantage and the right to host the conference championship tournament for the first time ever, the Corsairs breezed past Rhode Island College, 78-49, in the quarterfinals and outlasted Eastern Connecticut, 76-63, in the semifinals. Junior Nakira Examond posted a double-double with 25
points and a game-high 16 rebounds, but the team eventually fell to UMass Boston, 65-56.
Ice Hockey Edged in MASCAC Championship
The ice hockey team advanced to the MASCAC Championship Game for the first time since 2013, under the leadership of Head Coach Erik Noack. The fourth-seeded Corsairs edged Westfield State, 5-4, in overtime in the first round to reach the semifinals,
and upset Plymouth State, 3-1. In the finals, the Corsairs outshot Fitchburg State 45-27, but the Falcons captured the conference title.
Swimming Captures Major Awards at New England Championships
The swim team earned four major awards at the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association (NEISDA) 2018 championship meet. Sophomore David
Corsair roundup | sports
Sean Flynn Photography
Gardiner, Austin-Leary Headline Coaches All-New England Awards Program
Casey Shea ’18 (number 5) made his professional debut this past spring with the Quad City Mallards of the ECHL.
Adamski, of Wilbraham, was Co-Male Swimmer of the Meet, freshman Jose Guerrero, of New Bedford, was Male Diver of the Meet, Cathy Motta was the Male Swimming Coach of the Year, and Jerry Jennings was the Male Diving Coach of the Year. The Corsairs earned runner up honors in the competitive 12-team field with 610 total points. Adamski broke four Corsair records and produced two titles to share the NEISDA Bruce Hutchinson Award.
Spring 2018 | Recap
Jordan Entwistle, of Northborough, combined for three All-America medals at the 2018 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Louf-Woods, the New England Field Athlete of the Year, set a new program record in the shot put to place fourth in the 20-person field. He placed sixth in the hammer throw competition to earn his third All-America honor of his career. Entwistle finished fourth and was the fifth thrower in program history to earn national recognition.
Men’s Track & Field Corsairs Shine in Championships
Matt Cronin Earns All-America Recognition
Senior Jared LoufWoods and sophomore
pitcher Matt Cronin, of Framingham, was named
to the D3Baseball. com and American Baseball Coaches’ of America (ABCA) Division III All-America teams. Cronin became the program’s first athlete to represent the Corsairs on the D3Baseball.com All-America first-team, while earning second-team honors from the coaches’ association. Cronin was selected as the New England Pitcher of the Year by the ABCA, D3Baseball.com, and New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association, in addition to the Little East Conference Pitcher of the Year. Matt Cronin ’19
Steve Gardiner ’74 and Shay AustinLeary headlined the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA) All-New England awards program for the 2018 outdoor season. Gardiner was named the New England Coach of the Year and AustinLeary the New England Assistant Coach of the Year. Gardiner guided the Corsairs to their highest ranking in the USTFCCA Division III poll, reaching No. 8 in the final edition before the national championship. The team earned its highest finish at the New England Open Championship by placing fourth among programs from all three NCAA Divisions. The Corsairs also recorded a third-place performance at the New England Division III Championships.
Softball Posts 20plus Wins For 3rd Straight Season
The softball team posted at least 20 victories for the third consecutive season and the seventh time in program history. Head Coach Amy Sasin led the Corsairs to a 24-15 record, matching the third most victories in a single-season with the 1990 and 1994 squads. (Continued on page 17)
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sports | Corsair roundup
Summer 2018 | New Faces Olivia Coakley Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach
Olivia Coakley was chosen as the head coach of women’s lacrosse. Coakley joined the department after serving the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. She helped the Buccaneers establish a single-season record for victories this past spring. Coakley was a four-year starter on defense at Merrimack College.
Elise Cloutier Women’s Soccer Head Coach
Elise Cloutier is the new head coach of the women’s soccer program. Cloutier is making her second appearance on the Corsair sidelines after serving as an assistant coach during the 2009 campaign. She worked with the Boston Breakers of the National Women’s Soccer League for the past five years, including three years as the general manager. Cloutier was a former standout player at Mount Ida College.
Mike Salem Cross Country, Track & Field Head Coach
Alicia Kutil ’18 Little East Conference (LEC) Women’s Basketball Player of the Year Matt Ducharme ’00 LEC Women’s Basketball Co-Coach of the Year Jared Louf-Woods ’18 LEC Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year
Jim Seavey Athletic Communications Director
Jonathan Ruiz ’19 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Ice Hockey Player of the Year
Zack Roy ’18 Athletics photos
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LITTLE EAST CONFERENCE major award winners
Mike Salem, who served the past four years as an assistant coach at Tufts University, was selected to lead the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams. Salem helped the Jumbos advance to four straight NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships, while also mentoring an NCAA champion, nine AllAmericans, and 24 NCAA qualifiers. He also served as the head coach of the Bridgewater State women’s track and field program between 2012 and 2014.
Jim Seavey, a member of the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame, was named the athletic communications director. A 30-year veteran in the sports information profession, Seavey joined the department after a stint as the assistant director of Athletic Communications at Mount Ida College. He spent a combined 18 years at Stonehill College and Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
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Jerry Laakso receives the Scholar Athlete of the Year award at the Corsair Recognition Dinner from Director of Athletics Amanda Van Voorhis.
Moisse Irizarry ’21 LEC Men’s Indoor Rookie Track Athlete of the Year Taylor Walsh ’21 LEC Women’s Indoor Rookie Track Athlete of the Year
Matt Cronin ’19 LEC Men’s Baseball Pitcher of the Year Jared Louf-Woods ’18 LEC Men’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year Steve Gardiner ’74 LEC Men’s Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year
Corsair roundup | sports All-New England Region major award winners Shay Austin-Leary USTFCCCA New England Assistant Coach of the Year Matt Cronin ’19 D3Baseball.com Pitcher of the Year, All-New England first-team Jordan Entwistle ’19 USTFCCCA All-New England Nakira Examond ’19 D3Hoops.com All-Northeast, second-team Steve Gardiner ’74 USTFCCCA New England Coach of the Year Moisse Irizarry ’21 Freshman, USTFCCCA All-New England Alicia Kutil ’18 D3Hoops.com All-Northeast, first-team Jared Louf-Woods ’18 New England Indoor Field Athlete of the Year Jared Louf-Woods ’18 New England Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year George Papoulis ’20 USTFCCCA All-New England Nate Tellier, ’20 D3Baseball.com All-New England, second-team Stephen Tencati ’19 USTFCCCA All-New England Jose Vasquez ’19 D3Baseball.com All-New England, second-team
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Scholar-Athletes earned academic distinction this past spring. Chancellor’s List Dean’s List
Erin Kish ’18 helped the Corsairs set a new program record of 11 wins during the 2018 season.
Sasin’s charges upset No. 7 Amherst College, 1-0, to register the program’s first win over a top-10 ranked opponent.
Senior ScholarAthletes of the Year
Senior Jerry Laakso, of Tampere, Finland, and classmates Madison Boucher, of Southampton, and Hannah Smith, of Attleboro, were selected as the 2018 ScholarAthletes of the Year at the Corsair Recognition Dinner in April 30. Laakso, a fouryear member of the ice hockey program and managementsmall business/ entrepreneurship major made the Chancellor’s
List six times and the Dean’s List once. He was also named to the American Hockey Coaches’ Association AllAmerican Scholars team. Boucher, who double majors in Crime and Justice Studies and Political Science with a concentration in pre-law, is a three-sport athlete for the women’s soccer and track and field programs. She has earned six Chancellor List honors and an appearance on the Dean’s List. Smith, a four-year veteran of the softball team, was nominated for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year Award. As a double major in mathematics and psychology with
a Psychology BA-MAT option, she earned Chancellor’s List five times and made the Dean’s List once.
Women’s Lacrosse Breaks SingleSeason Wins Record
Women’s lacrosse established a new single-season standard for victories this past spring, achieving an overall record of 11-7. That put the team a win ahead of previous record holders in 2001 and 2004. The historic victory came in the opening round of the Little East Conference Championship tournament as the Corsairs edged Southern Maine, 16-15.
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Higher ed is at a very interesting inflection point. The world is changing from the old economy to a new economy...So the academy has to fundamentally reinvent itself...�
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—Chancellor Robert E. Johnson, PhD
BUILDING the university of the future C
hancellor Robert E. Johnson believes it is time to change higher education. In fact, he wants to fundamentally rethink the academy to align with the restless, dynamic economy that students will enter when they graduate. “Higher ed is at a very interesting inflection point,” he said. “The world is changing from a knowledge economy to a new economy where people must constantly learn and adapt so they can can create and add value in any organization. To move society forward, they must promote a sense of humanity in this rapidly changing, hyperconnected world. So the academy has to fundamentally reinvent itself to help our students develop a skillset and mindset to be prepared for the future of work.” To create the university of the future, UMass Dartmouth faculty, staff, and students will work collaboratively as a community of learners to enhance the student experience, which builds on the success of the past and embraces the possibilities of the future. Preparing students for the future
Johnson wants UMassD students to graduate prepared for “the future of work” because the skillset and mindset they learn in and out of the classroom will be the drivers of their careers. A 2017 PricewaterhouseCoopers report projects that 38 percent of American jobs will be automated by 2030. In Japan today, robots, rather than nurses or CNAs, are turning patients in hospital beds. In this type of environment, graduates must be nimble enough to manage an average of 12 to 15 job changes during their careers. The first step in this transformation is to capitalize on the fifth component of UMassD's faculty-developed University Studies curriculum. Titled “The Educated and Engaged Citizen,” the curriculum requires students to apply the knowledge and skills they gained from their studies to their own professional and personal development. It is part of a comprehensive curriculum that the UMassD faculty implemented in 2012 based on a liberal arts core.
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Dining Commons
Rendering of planned residential and dining facilities project viewed from Ring Road.
“‘The Educated and Engaged Citizen’ — that’s what I call the agile mind,” Johnson said. “UMassD faculty recognized the importance of this years ago when they were planning the curriculum.” Students must develop uniquely human skills that cannot be replicated by robots. “They have to be constantly thinking about how they add and create new value,” Johnson said. Chief of Staff Donna Lisker said the University must model this new dynamism so that students can learn to thrive in it. That means, in part, valuing students’ own life experiences and teaching them to incorporate classroom knowledge into that experience. More than 80 percent of UMass Dartmouth students engage in service learning or volunteer activities through the colleges and the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement, something that is not just a nice co-curricular activity, but a vital part of education. “Service learning helps students learn to question, to think for themselves, and to apply knowledge to real-world problems,” Lisker said.
Connecting learning and life
Johnson and his leadership team want faculty to have vibrant options to complement traditional academic pedagogy. One initiative, tentatively titled the Corsair Compact, includes an Academy for traditional undergraduate
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students and a Bootcamp option for online and returning adult students. The Corsair Compact will help students develop competencies and mindsets that employers indicate are required for success, and serve as a differentiator for UMass Dartmouth in preparing all students for the future of work. "Competencies and mindsets will be introduced, developed, and mastered through both curricular and co-curricular experiences," said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shannon Finning. "The Corsair Compact will include a four-year career development plan that guides student success from day one on campus through graduation and beyond." Finning also places great emphasis on a building a more vibrant campus culture. With that in mind, she worked quickly when she arrived in July to build a sense of community and personal connection by kicking off the academic year with a carnival, barbecue, and late-night activities. She looks ahead to piloting a variety of activities that she hopes will add to the campus’ vibrancy and student wellbeing. The physical campus also must support a more integrated approach to learning. The Claire T. Carney Library, with its open spaces and ample areas for “spontaneous collisions,” as Finning puts it, is a model for what she and Johnson would like to see everywhere. The
Campus Master Plan, completed in December 2017, emphasizes 21st century flexible, collaborative, technology-rich, and engaging, learning environments. “We have to have physical spaces that allow people to come together, enjoy themselves, and work together everywhere on campus,” Johnson said. Major renovations and updates were completed over the summer, including two engineering labs, eight classroom and studio spaces in the College of Visual & Performing Arts, and a STEM Tutoring Center. In addition, a $54 million renovation of the College of Engineering is being planned to address structural needs of the facility. The university broke ground on November 30 for a new first-year residence and dining complex that is being developed through a public-private partnership. The facilities will open in fall 2020. The residence halls will have 1,210 beds and feature learning spaces and special programming. The adjacent dining commons will have seating for 800. Shari Flanders, a student resident assistant who earned her undergraduate business degree in May and is now pursuing an MBA spoke at the groundbreaking. "For students like me – who will graduate before these buildings open – this project means learning that takes place outside the classroom matters. It means student success matters. It means the
(top) Quad in the new residential and dining facilities area.
➊
➋
➌
➍
➎
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(bottom) Renovated engineering classroom that opened in fall 2018
whole student matters. It means getting firstyear students off to a good start matters.” At a total cost of $188 million, the renovations and new construction represent an important campus renewal. “There has been only one major state-funded construction project on this 710-acre campus since Ronald Reagan was president,” Johnson said. “And that was the $47 million Carney Library.”
Organizing for effectiveness
In July, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Talent and Diversity Angela Callahan came to UMass Dartmouth to oversee the traditional human resources functions and ensure that training and hiring practices emphasize a culture of inclusion, respect, and diversity. She also is conducting a top-to-bottom assessment to ensure that resources are appropriately distributed to support the work that needs to be done. “Our focus is on providing excellent service to our students and others so we have to make sure we have the right people in the right roles to do that work,” she said. Spending and investing wisely are important at a time when higher education is no longer seen as a public good from the standpoint of funding, Johnson said.State funding today provides approximately 25 percent of UMass Dartmouth’s budget, but as he looks a decade ahead, Johnson
said he has to assume that proportion will drop to 10 to 12 percent. “If that is true, what does the financial model at UMass Dartmouth need to look like?” he said. “We need to look at other sources of income, like online education growth and private philanthropic support. We recognize that there are some things we will invest in and there are some things that we are doing that we will have to stop so we can reinvest our resources.” UMass Dartmouth will look to expand its student body by expanding its reach to attract more traditional and non-traditional students. It will increase its online course offerings and consider developing new majors that will be demanded by the new economy. But no matter how the course catalog changes and public resources shift, Johnson is committed to the idea that every student will graduate with the skillset and mindset needed to help ensure success in any field. “Any institution of higher education that allows today’s students to graduate without the uniquely human skills that cannot be replicated by robots is committing educational malpractice,” Johnson said.
Assembling the foundation for change Chancellor Johnson has built a team to help create the University of the future. The new people on the team include
➊ Chief of Staff Donna Lisker ➋ Vice Chancellor for Advancement Jennifer Chrisler
➌ Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shannon Finning
➍ Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Talent and Diversity Angela Callahan
➎ Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Pauline Entin
➏ Dean of the College of Engineering Jean VanderGheynst
By Barbara LeBlanc
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Robert Leduc ’78
Driving a culture of innovation Powered flight connects people. It drives economies and protects our freedoms. It is an industry of growth and innovation that is always preparing for the future. As president of Pratt & Whitney, a world leader in aerospace manufacturing, Robert Leduc ’78 also attends to the future. He is transforming the workplace culture so that Pratt can stay at the forefront of engine design and production, where it has been since the 1920s. Pratt is a United Technologies company headquartered in East Hartford, CT. It employs 39,000 people, nets $16.5 billion in adjusted sales, and has a $1.7 billion operating budget, supplying engines that power commercial and military aircraft worldwide. Leduc joined Pratt & Whitney after graduating from thenSoutheastern Massachusetts University with his BS in mechanical engineering. Over the years he held roles in program management, strategy, and customer support. He retired from his role as senior vice president of engine programs and customer support, only to return to Pratt in 2016 to serve as president. He arrived back in time to manage a spike in production to deliver its new geared turbofan engine, designed to use 16 percent less fuel and reduce noise by 75 percent.
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A culture that values people
In leading Pratt, Leduc saw the need to change the “command and control” culture that is typical in aerospace companies. His own leadership philosophy involves setting a vision for the organization, creating a culture in which people thrive, and empowering employees. Even mistakes are valuable, he said, because they offer learning opportunities. “We could have all the tools in the world, but people need to be empowered to make decisions at their level,” he said. “It is important to build a culture where employees are entrusted and enabled to reach their maximum potential.” Leduc put himself, and later 250 top Pratt executives, through a three-day training at Thayer Leader Development Group at West Point. There, Pratt leaders learned about the Army’s management approach, which Leduc said is far more flexible than might be expected from the military. After this training the needle began to move at Pratt. Managers who attended the training scored six to eight points higher on Pratt employee surveys than managers who did not. “As managers, it’s our responsibility to determine what we need to do and why, then look to our employees to tell us how,” he said. “We ask: what do you need to do your job better?” Using this approach last summer, mechanics told Pratt how to overcome impediments to producing its new engine. Ken Brinkman, a second shift mechanic, told Forbes magazine, “You get a huge sense of mutual respect between supervisors and mechanics. They’re superwilling to listen to us and say, ‘let’s try this.’”
Robert Leduc ’78, president of Pratt & Whitney.
Agility and diversity bring innovation
Automation and digitalization force workers to learn new skills, which require effective training programs. This is vital because success in aerospace hinges on the adoption of technologies that improve efficiencies and bring new products to market faster than the competition. At Pratt, automated processes enable the precision to produce highquality engines. This has reduced the number of workers needed to run some production lines, but it also has opened opportunities to train employees for new types of work arising from the new technologies. “One of our workers received 400 hours of training to adapt his skillset to troubleshoot the technology used to automate the process, do preventative maintenance, and reprogram it when necessary,” Leduc said. The key to meeting the challenge of new technology and seeing the full benefit of the tools is organizational agility and a culture that fosters innovation. “Culture is what enables a company to be sustainable and profitable for a long time,” Leduc said. “Organizational agility allows a company to better compete against current and future competitors.” “Create the opportunities for employees to innovate by giving them the time, budget, and projects,” Leduc said. “Diversity drives innovation. We want a diverse workforce with demographics that look like the world we serve.”
Developing perspective
Leduc’s leadership philosophy took shape as he watched his blue collar father come home each day from work and saw how managers’ behaviors affect employees. “Treat others as you want to be treated,” he said. He also maintains a strong belief in being connected to the community. In 2008, he and his wife established the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement at UMass Dartmouth, which sponsors community service activities, service-learning initiatives, and events that enrich the student experience and meet the needs of the community. The Leduc Center’s programs give students the opportunity to gain perspectives that shape their worldview and influence the decisions that they will make as future leaders. “Your life experiences shape you,” Leduc said. “Companies are a reflection of their leaders.” Leduc also received an honorary degree from UMass Dartmouth in 2014 in recognition of his career achievements and philanthropic support of the University. By Kristle Blais
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Michelle White ’90
Portrait of a lifelong learner
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M
ichelle White ’90 entered UMass Dartmouth as an accounting major — the first person in her family to graduate from high school— and she was driven by her desire to “do something that matters.” That drive led her to change her major to nursing, and then later earn two graduate degrees with a third one underway. She has built a diverse career in health care as a nurse, teacher, and leader. For more than 25 years, from Rhode Island to Texas, White has been reinventing her future so she can better advocate for others. “Everything I have done is to be an advocate for people to help them be the best they can be, to reach their potential, to help them with their challenges. Although my roles have been pretty diverse, advocacy for staff, patients, and their families is at the heart of what I do,” said White.
Learn with DETERMINATION
After receiving outstanding medical care during a complicated pregnancy, White decided to switch her major from accounting to nursing. “I was fascinated by science and what it could do. When I arrived at UMassD, I was nervous. But the professors and school were very supportive,” said White. “They gave me the confidence, the skills, and the knowledge. They also taught me to be very humble, to realize what I didn’t know and not be afraid to ask for help,” she added. Along with her BS in nursing, White graduated with a feeling of empowerment that she could achieve anything. “The most important thing UMassD taught me was ‘don’t give up.’ I honestly believe that I would not have been able to take my career to where it is without the confidence and study skills I learned at UMass Dartmouth,” said White.
Advance with AGILITY
From her first job as a surgical nurse at Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI, to working in Massachusetts at a psychiatric unit for children and adolescents, White loved working with patients. When White and her husband moved to Texas for his career, her aspirations changed. She enrolled at Texas A&M University School of Law to earn her JD and better advocate for patients. “It was a fascinating experience, and I learned so much that would help me in many different positions,” said White.
While White’s law degree hung on her wall, her career went elsewhere. Her love of teaching took the forefront for several years, including her experience as the director of the Allied Health Programs at the University of Texas at Arlington. While there, she earned an MBA. When she became director of nursing at Sante Center for Healing in Texas, a treatment and rehab center for those recovering from addiction and behavioral health issues, her law degree and MBA came into play. They have proven invaluable in mediation, contracts, policy development, and her leadership role. White is currently working on her fourth degree as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner so that she can have greater impact on the multidisciplinary patient teams on which she works. “We have to help people make choices and understand the importance of those choices. People need to ask the right questions, be more informed, and advocate for themselves,” she added.
Excel with CREATIVITY
White advises new graduates to find a company that appreciates talent and innovation. “Try to find an environment where they are going to nurture you, and find a mentor who is going to help you grow.” “Being open to changes in technology and different cultures, and staying up-to-date in your field are important if you want to stay relevant,” said White. She continues to attend conferences and has earned certifications in teaching, addictions, and eating disorders. Emotional intelligence has helped her
Earning a law degree in 2001 (inset photo) enabled White to become a stronger advocate for patients. As director of nursing at the Sante Center for Healing (above), her law degree and MBA were invaluable in her leadership role at the treatment and rehabilitation center.
innovate in her job and her career. “You have to understand the value of relationships and how your personality affects people. When you find that synergy, it’s powerful and you can accomplish so much,” she said.
Live with INTEGRITY
When hiring staff, White looks for candidates who are authentic and resilient. “I want to know how you’ve been challenged and how you dealt with it. You can always teach skills, but if you don’t have integrity, if you’re not authentic or resilient, it’s going to be more of a challenge. Doing the right thing when nobody is looking is really important,” she said. Inventing your future requires that you are agile, said White. “You have to be flexible and open to new opportunities that may look different than what you expect them to be. You have to adapt to changes that are happening. It’s hard to predict what those changes will look like.” White and her husband, David, live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and return to New England often. By Debra Hazian
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CHANGE
Jeff Duchemin ’89 approaches the future with discipline, teamwork, and tough choices
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S
hortly after he was named CEO of Harvard Bioscience, Jeff Duchemin ’89 spoke to his new employees. A lot would be demanded of them as they worked to make this a great company, he told them, but embracing change would be the most important and the most difficult. “We would be looking at every aspect of business—processes, people and talent development, how we develop products and bring them to market—and do things differently across the board,” he said. “The primary driver of our future success would be their willingness to accept change.” Harvard Bioscience produces instruments for research, primarily in neuroscience, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and oncology. If a pharmaceutical company is developing a new therapy to prevent epileptic seizures or treat Alzheimer’s and dementia, for instance, Harvard Bioscience can supply devices to measure neurons and electrical reactions in the brain.
Embracing change
Duchemin took the helm of the company in August 2013, when revenues were declining by six percent a year. Management practices were outdated, he said, and the entire sector was struggling with shrinking federal support for research. Within two months of Duchemin’s arrival, the company laid off 50 people, shedding 13 percent of its workforce. He rebuilt his senior executive staff, closed half of the company’s 10 manufacturing sites, and realigned processes to improve efficiency. He also refined the company’s acquisition strategy, overseeing the purchase of four companies in the past three years. Most recently, Harvard Bioscience paid $70 million for Data Sciences International, a Minneapolis-based firm that supplies equipment to monitor the physiology of rats and mice in real time. Drug developers use the technology to test new medications in advance of human trials. At the same time, Harvard Bioscience sold its wholly-owned subsidiary, Denville Scientific, to Thomas Scientific, a move that allowed Harvard Bioscience to reinvest in its future. “In our industry, you have to keep moving forward at all times, constantly developing new products, constantly looking at acquiring companies, and staying one step ahead of competition,” he said. That means maintaining a global perspective. China has become a vital market, with its government-funded Brain Project producing innovations at a rapid clip, while South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia are also hotbeds of research.
Pursuing a goal
Duchemin’s career in science is anything but accidental. When he arrived at UMass Dartmouth from his hometown of Haverhill, he had inherited an interest in business from his father, who worked in research and development for the shoe industry, and an attraction to science and health care from his mother, a registered nurse. He majored in accounting, but was drawn to sales in the life sciences and medicine. “I thought it was interesting for sales people to have face time with a surgeon or other doctor, and provide them with products that could change, and in some cases, save people’s lives,” he said. In those days, however, the field wanted sales people with health care or science degrees. So he joined Colombo Yogurt, in Andover, to learn the basics of sales. Then he took a job selling tray mats to hospital cafeterias. “In those days, I’d do anything to start selling to hospitals,” he said.
That led to a job with the medical technology giant Becton Dickinson. There he became an expert in the products he sold, learning about diabetes and ophthalmology, even spending time in an operating room during eye surgery. During his 16 years at the company, he earned his MBA at Southern New Hampshire University and became vice president of global sales and marketing in the labware division. He moved with the division when it was sold to Corning Life Sciences, where eight months later, a recruiter came knocking. Was he interested in being CEO of Harvard Bioscience?
Lessons for success
Today, Harvard Bioscience is healthier than it has been in its 117-year history, Duchemin said. Its stock value is near an all-time high, and the $31.5 million in revenues reported for the quarter ending June 30 were 66 percent higher than the same quarter in 2017. Duchemin doesn’t sugarcoat the hard decisions that have led to those results. “As a leader, you have to make tough decisions, decisions that may not be popular within an organization, decisions that can alter people’s lives,” he said. “I don’t take that lightly.” But as a Corsair, he learned about the discipline of a winning strategy. As an outside linebacker playing for then football Head Coach Butch Harrison, he learned to work hard, take criticism, and be one of many people who have something important to contribute. Football also taught him key leadership lessons—place people in the right roles and motivate them with a shared vision of success. “These are things they didn’t teach you in the classroom,” he said. “I’ve seen people a lot smarter than me fail because, as talented as they are, they cannot work on a team or they don’t have the backbone to make hard decisions. It’s never easy, but in the end, results speak volumes.” By Barbara LeBlanc
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alumni Dear Alumni and Friends, I am proud to introduce myself as the new president of the UMassD Alumni Association. This is an exciting time to be a Corsair. When I came back to campus to attend our first Alumni Association board meeting this fall, UMassD pride was everywhere—from banners on Ring Road to students, faculty, and staff wearing blue and gold.
Greg McCarthy ’13 President, Alumni Association
The best way to know what’s happening at UMassD or with your fellow Corsairs is to stay connected.
This year, the goal of the Alumni Association is firmly set on engaging and connecting our 50,000 alumni. Our initiatives will focus on bringing UMassD graduates together to build our alumni community, share expertise with each other, and create professional development opportunities. We look forward to continuing to award scholarships to UMassD students and supporting the Corsair Challenge in the spring. We will also recognize distinguished alumni at our annual Alumni Awards Ceremony. We also look forward to developing ways our alumni can play a pivotal role in inventing the future of UMassD. In the new Each One, Reach One program, alumni can support first-year student recruitment by sharing their UMassD experiences with prospective students. Through this special volunteer program, you can show future Corsairs the power of a UMassD education and encourage them to invent their futures here. I encourage you to take part in this program as a way to give back. See more at umassd.edu/alumni/reach-one. Please join me in showing the world that we are Proud to be UMassD! I look forward to seeing you at alumni events, and speaking with you about more ways to be a part of the future of UMassD. Sincerely, Greg McCarthy ’13 President, UMassD Alumni Association
UMass Dartmouth Alumni
umassd_alumni
UMass Dartmouth Alumni
@umassdalumni
The UMassD Alumni Association Board
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Top row (l-r): Dan Cole ’79, treasurer; Wayne Camara ’78, clerk; Renee LeBlanc ’05; Michelle White ’90; Alycia Busby ’12; Mike Roy, ’75, MAT ’00; Jack Medeiros ’91; Brian Higgins ’11; Nelson Linhares ’99, MBA ’02; Diane Phillips ’84; Matt Witzgall ’15, vice president Bottom row (l-r): Ed Hill, Jr. ’77; Carl Sittard ’87; Greg McCarthy ’13, president; Roger Dugal ’70, JD ’89; Stephanie Wright ’13; Donna Cook ’81 Missing: Ben Cook ’89; Dan DeOliveira ’93, past president; Demitria Medeiros ’13; Kristina Monteiro ’10, MA ’12; Jen Scanchez Olsen ’96; Ucal Palmer ’94; Sarah Ricard ’99; Sandy Tavares ’04
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class notes | alumni
1963
William B. Ross, COE, of Mooresville, NC, is retired and enjoying his family and grandchildren after long tenures at Warner & Swasey Co. and Windward Precision Products.
1966
Jean E. Staiti, CVPA, has relocated to Atlanta with her husband, Peter, after living in Albuquerque, NM, for over nine years.
1972
Catherine N. McLaughlin, CAS, of South Dartmouth, wrote “Blue Collars,” a novel published by Spinner Publications in April 2018. The book is a coming-ofage story about growing up during the late 1950s and ’60s in a New Bedford working-class family. McLaughlin was a visiting lecturer at UMassD from 1973 to 1977.
1975
Jennifer L. Borden, CVPA, of Adamsville, RI, is the owner of Provender Fine Foods in Tiverton, RI. Initially hired to run the catering portion of the business in January 1983, Borden purchased the restaurant in 1990. Michael R. Roy, CAS, of North Dartmouth, was recognized for his service to Westport High School where he retired in 2011. He was the men’s basketball coach for 19 years, leading the program to its first three conference championships. He also served as a teacher, athletic director, and vice principal. At UMassD, Roy was a 1,000-point scorer and ranked third all-time in rebounds. Inducted into the Corsair Hall of Fame in
2016, he also serves on the UMassD Alumni Association Board.
1976
Diane R. Prodger, CVPA, of San Antonio, TX, is cofounding an advertising and design firm with her husband. After more than 30 years as a designer, art director and marketing professional, Prodger is pursuing her long-time dream of establishing a publishing company to create opportunities for authors of all genres.
1977
Robert M. Canuel, CCB, MBA ’87 of Swansea, recently retired as president of People Incorporated in Fall River. He held the position for the past 15 years, during which time he expanded programs at the human service agency. He also worked at several organizations, including the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, The Arc of Greater Plymouth, and the Federal Hill House Association, returning to People Inc. in 2003 as president and CEO. Michael J. Laney, PhD, CAS, of Savannah, joined Savannah State University as provost and vice president for academic affairs. He previously served as dean and professor at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX. After UMassD, he received a master’s degree in television and radio from Michigan State University, and joined the Army ROTC program, retiring as a major in 1995. Laney also completed a doctorate in
(L-R) Rachel Moussa, Sara Chedid, Emanuele Abi-Younes, James Karam, Carly Sherman, Aidan Cabral, Kaleigh Patton, Mia Arruda, Peter DaCosta.
The James J. Karam Scholarship Fund awards eight $5,000 scholarships, four to UMassD students Established in 2013, the fund is named for local businessman James Karam, who served nearly 10 years on the UMass Board of Trustees, including four years as chairman, and championed high-quality, affordable education during his tenure. “These talented, hardworking students are well on their way to becoming the leaders of tomorrow, and it’s truly gratifying to be able to acknowledge their achievements and support their success with these scholarships,” said Karam. The endowed funds supported by Jim and his wife, Janis, provide scholarships to students who are enrolled full time at any UMass campus, hold a high GPA, demonstrate financial need and are permanent residents of SouthCoast communities or Tiverton, RI. The scholarships are renewable for up to four years. University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan praised the Karams’ dedication to access and affordability at UMass. This year’s scholarship winners from UMass Dartmouth are: Mia Arruda, Fall River—A junior majoring in bioengineering at UMass Dartmouth, Mia is a graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School. Aidan Cabral, Dartmouth—An incoming first-year student at UMass Dartmouth who intends to major in marketing, Aidan is a graduate of Tiverton High School. Kaleigh Patton, Fall River—A junior majoring in biomedical engineering at UMass Dartmouth, Kaleigh is a graduate of Somerset Berkley Regional High School.
Peter DaCosta, New Bedford—A third-year medical student at UMass Medical School in Worcester, Peter is a graduate of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School and the medical laboratory science program at UMass Dartmouth.
communications, with a cognate in religious studies, at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In addition to teaching, he has published his research and spoken at conferences and forums. He received
the NAACP–Bradley County Lifetime Achievement Award; was named 100 Black Men of Bradley County, Inc., Mentor of the Year; and received the Lee University Excellence in Teaching Award.
1980
Barbara A. Healy, CVPA, of North Dartmouth, participated in ArtWeek at the Marion Art Center. Healy paints full-time in her home-based studio.
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alumni | class notes Sherilyn S. McCoy, COE, of Skillman, NJ, is serving in a new board position at Stryker Corporation, a leading medical technology company. She was also named to the executive board at Novocure, an oncology company that develops treatment for solid tumor cancers. McCoy holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University, and an MBA from Rutgers University. Mitchell M. Winkler, COE, of Houston, TX, retired from the Shell Exploration and Production Company in June 2017 after nearly 36 years with the company. He plans to stay in Houston, balancing consulting, volunteer work, and leisure pursuits.
1982
Mary L. Sylvia, CAS, of North Kingstown, RI, is the new technology partnership officer at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Newport. She was the director of strategy implementation for the Undersea Warfare Weapons, Vehicles and Defensive Systems Department, and director of Division Newport’s Advanced Naval Technology Exercise for 2018. Prior to this assignment, she served in various leadership and management roles for NUWC Newport. She has served in the U.S. Navy for 35 years.
1983
Bruce G. Gray, CVPA, of Los Angeles, CA, had his life-sized motorcycle sculpture acquired for the permanent collection of
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Rhode Island Association for Justice where she serves November 2017 through August 2018 on the Board of Governors. Michael J. Silvia, CAS, of Virginia Skinder ’81 Carlton J. Smith ’34 Taunton, retired as captain Nancy C. Toland ’81 Thomas L. Stanton ’50 of the Taunton Police Annette Chagnon ’82 William F. Moran ’51 Department after 32 years Donna Ainsworth ’84 Stanley J. Sieczkowski, Jr. ’54 of service. Silvia holds a Margaret T. Pimentel ’84 Daniel C. Potter ’55 Master of Arts in criminal Denise Silva ’88 Edward Jarecki ’57 justice from Anna Maria Sarah P. Curley ’99 George E. Levesque ’57 College. Before becoming a Janice M. Thibault ’02 Charles Mendes, Jr. ’60 reserve police officer in 1977, Lee A. Sunderland ’63 he served briefly as a city Professor Walter Conrad, J. Barry McDonald ’64 firefighter. He was hired as a chemistry Robert J. Pimentle ’65 Professor Ellen Keogh, full-time patrolman in 1978.
In Memoriam
James L. Crook, Jr. ’66 John W. Calnan ’67 Richard D. Wojtaszek ’68 Charles D. Dussault ’70 Thomas Helgeland ’71 Bruce F. Meacham ’71 Janet E. Pratt ’71 Richard G. Thompson ’72 Jeffrey S. Smith ’75 Charles L. Baptista ’77 Dorothy Kallevik ’77 John S. Kracke ’77 William D. Menezes ’77 Ronald A. Gagne ’78
1990
nursing Professor Thomas F. McCoy, Ana C. Vasconcelos, CCB, painting of Lakeville, was promoted Dr. James Nee, to assistant vice president, English finance and accounting Dr. Peter A. Rizzi, officer at Millbury Savings engineering Bank. She began there in Professor Joseph N. Scionti, 2014 as assistant controller. history Vasconcelos holds an MBA Professor Gene E. Sharp, with a concentration in political science accounting from Bryant Dr. Ida Harrison Washington, University. modern languages
Reverend Dr. Robert P. Lawrence August 8, 1930 – October 2, 2018
Rev. Lawrence made a lasting impact on the UMass Dartmouth community, inspiring our students, faculty, staff and alumni to make a commitment to public service. In recognition of his leadership, Rev. Lawrence received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from UMass Dartmouth in 2007. Rev. Lawrence’s commitment to the community endures at UMass Dartmouth through the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement. The annual Rev. Lawrence Lecture brings inspiring individuals to campus. Donations made to giving.umassd.edu/lawrence will support the programs that continue his legacy. the Haas Moto Museum and Sculpture Gallery in Dallas. Gray’s sculptures have also appeared in movies and television shows, including Shameless, Superior Donuts, El’s LOOK BOOK, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
1989
D. Robin Gouveia, CAS, JD ’98, of Rochester, has been included in “Marquis
Who’s Who.” Gouveia has been a managing attorney with d'Oliveira & Associates, PC since 2011. Her areas of expertise include personal injury and disability. She is a member of the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Bar Associations, the Bristol County Bar Association, the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys and the
1992
Fadra S. Northrup, CAS, of Swansea, was named a loan officer at BayCoast Bank, responsible for originating mortgages, equity loans and home equity lines of credit. Northrup joins BayCoast after 22 years in banking, most recently as a loan officer with Mechanics Cooperative Bank. She is a volunteer with SMILES and at the Fall River/New Bedford Housing Partnership where she provides credit and mortgage loan education to city residents.
1995
Hao Xin, COE, of Tucson, AZ, has been named an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Fellow in recognition for his contributions
to electromagnetic metamaterials and 3D printing of metamaterial structures. The IEEE is the world’s leading professional organization for advancing technology for humanity and is a leading authority on a variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics.
1998
Maj. Cindy L. Callisto, CON, of Albuquerque, NM, A nurse practitioner at the 377th Medical Group, was named the 2017 Top Nurse in the United States Air Force. Callisto, who is originally from Worcester, MA joined the Air Force in 2000. She is stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. Castell Abner, JD, of Wilmington, earned a Master of Laws in estate planning and elder law from Western New England University School of Law in 2018. Joseph L. Damasio, CCB, of New Bedford, is vice president of finance and chief financial officer for Pressure BioSciences Inc., a leader in the development and sale of pressure-based platform solutions for the life sciences industry. Damasio most recently served as finance director at Nelipak Packaging, a medical packaging manufacturer. He also has held financial positions at CP Bourg, IQE KC, Kopin Corporation, BearingPoint Inc., and PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP. He holds an MBA
and MSF from Boston College and is a certified public accountant in Massachusetts. John J. Hickey, COE, of Lake Oswego, OR, serves as executive director of the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon. Prior to joining the asphalt industry, Hickey earned a JD from the University of Oregon and was a practicing lawyer. He represented asphalt pavement contractors as a construction lawyer for about 10 years before
Star” by Connect Young Professionals, a program of the Greenwood SC Chamber of Commerce that recognizes professional accomplishments and contributions to the community. She has spent the past 11 years with the Greenwood Genetic Center as a research technologist, working on protocols to increase efficiencies in the lab. She is chairwoman of the Genetic Center's Relay for Life team and a volunteer with the United Way of Abbeville and
of the New Bedford Public Library and Whaling City Sound Winter Warming concerts in February. He currently works with area youth as a substitute teacher in the New Bedford Public Schools and at the Trustees of Reservations. Ashley A. Occhino, CVPA, of Taunton, was been named the new executive director of the New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks!. She has served as the manager of studio class programs at the Worcester Art Museum since 2014. She received an
shifting back into the technical aspects of asphalt pavement in late 2014. Jennifer L. Raxter, CAS, of Fall River, was named vice president of development at United Way of Greater New Bedford. She was most recently the vice president of institutional advancement at Franklin Pierce University. Before her time there, she held development positions at both Bristol Community College and UMassD.
Greenwood Counties.
MFA from Savannah College of Art and Design. Occhino previously held leadership positions at Danforth Art in Framingham and the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton. Theresa M. Sprague, CAS, of Harwich, is the owner of BlueFlax Design LLC, a landscape design company specializing in conservation permitting and mitigation design and ecological restoration. She also serves as president of the Ecological Landscape Alliance, and as vice chair and trustee at the Conway School.
2002
Megan H. Scheffer, CCB, MBA ’10, of South Dartmouth, was named president of People Incorporated in Fall River. Scheffer previously worked in the private sector as an audit supervisor and senior accountant before joining the organization in 2008 as an accounting manager. She was later promoted to vice president of finance, chief financial officer, and chief operating officer.
2003
Melissa M. Cook, CAS, of Greenwood, SC, was honored as an “Under 40
2004
Dena S. Haden, CVPA, of Sagamore Beach, has been named program manager of the recently opened Co-Creative Center in New Bedford. She will oversee the operations of the community gallery, co-work maker space, and collaborative classroom. An artist and co-founder of the co-working facility, Groundwork!, Haden has played a significant role in the New Bedford arts community, particularly in initiating public art projects. She is a board member of SUPERFLAT New Bedford, a committee member of the New Bedford Seaport Cultural District, a member of the Regeneration Committee of New Bedford and has served as a mentor for EforAll SouthCoast, which supports local entrepreneurs. Haden holds an MFA from Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Cedric Mark Josey, CAS, of New Bedford, a folk/ soul guitarist and vocalist, performed at The Friends
2005
Daniel DeCosta, CCB, of Wrentham, was promoted to senior vice president and chief information officer at BayCoast Bank. In his new role, he is responsible for all information technology and computer systems. DeCosta has been with BayCoast since 2001 when he worked as a summer intern in the bank’s IT department in 2001. Stanley Dominique, CVPA, of Brockton, displayed his work at the Newsfeed Cafe in the Boston Public Library
Rebirth oil on panel 12" x 24" 2018
Lisa Bryson MFA ’17 Lisa Bryson is the recent recipient of a $15,000 grant from the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation. The Montreal-based organization awards 40 merit-based grants annually to emerging artists from around the globe who work in a representational style of drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Bryson’s multifaceted narratives epitomize what she describes as “the burden of humanity.” “I seek to find ways for re-articulating the human experience, touching on themes of birth, aging, media technologies, societal narcissism, interpersonal communication, and isolation.” When asked about inspiration, Bryson said “There was no question that I was going to become an artist. The path chose me. When every day is consumed with the thought of color, composition—the perfect narrative— it is quite clear art is on the mind.” Influenced by the works of greats Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon as well as contemporaries Sophie Jodoin and Ann Gale, Bryson chose to pursue her MFA in painting at UMass Dartmouth’s College of Visual & Performing Arts. She credits professors Elena Peteva, Suzy Schireson, Bryan McFarlane, and Stacy Latt Savage as being integral to her growth as an artist. “I am truly honored to be a recipient of an Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant,” she said. “This opportunity ignites in me a drive to further excel.” The grant allows Bryson to complete a body of work that consists of six to eight paintings. View Bryson's paintings, drawings, and large installations at lbryson.com.
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alumni | class notes as part of an exhibition that showcased art and photography about race in America. His photography showcases marginalized communities. He is currently working toward a master’s degree from Emerson College in civic media. Steven R. Hashim, CAS, MBA ’07, was named sales manager for Asia and the Middle East at Cobalt Boats. He is an experienced dealer network development specialist, and was named by Boating Industry Magazine as one of its 2016 Movers and Shakers for his past achievements.
2006
Ryan J. Smith, CCB, of Edgartown, owns and operates Signature Oysters out of Katama Bay.
2007
Paul Brogna, CVPA, of Peabody, is the owner of Mass Rhythm, a New England-based company offering DJs, photo, video and lighting specializing in weddings, corporate and social events.
2008
Isabel F. Tigano, CCB, of Lakeville, was promoted to vice president, auditor at BankNewport. She joined the bank in 2010, most recently serving as assistant vice president, auditor. She is responsible for conducting internal audits to ensure compliance with policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
2009
Samantha Paige S. Josti, CAS, of Rutland, is an independent contractor teaching immersion English
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for VIPKID. Headquartered in Beijing, the company provides one-on-one English language instruction online to children in China, with a curriculum based on the U.S. Common Core State Standards.
2010
Matthew Borges Correia, CCB, of Dracut, is the head men’s soccer coach at Salem State University and was named the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Correia led Salem State to a perfect conference record and the top seed in the tournament. He previously led Daniel Webster College for six seasons as head coach. Jill M. Maclean, MPP ’10, of Juneau, AK, was appointed community development department director for the City and Borough of Juneau. She previously was city planner for the City of New Bedford and worked in the planning department for the Town of Marshfield. She is a certified planner through the American Planners Association. Melissa Ann Thyden, CVPA, of Sutton, showed her work at “The Art of Fashion” exhibit at Gallery Z in Providence. She is curator of both this exhibit and the fashion show.
2011
Steven E. Bythrow, COE, of Quincy, is the Simpactor Pin Mill product manager at Sturtevant Inc. in Hanover. Connor M. Read, CAS, of North Dighton, is the town administrator in Easton. He served as the acting town clerk, the town’s
citizen business advocate and assistant town administrator. Leah Marie Vandale, CCB, of Tampa, FL, is a former New England Patriots cheerleader who is now a wrestler with World Wrestling Entertainment.
2012
Kaushallya Adhikari, COE, MS ’12, PhD ’16, of Ruston, LA, is assistant professor of electrical engineering at Louisiana Tech University. She was the first author on a paper award as the 2018 European Association for Signal Processing Best Paper, selected by the Journal on Advances in Signal Processing. She researches new ways to decrease the number of sensors required to transmit and receive signals in communications, thereby reducing system cost and complexity. Gary Forrester, COE, of Raynham, has been selected as a local Physics Teacher Education Coalition Teacher of the Year. The award was created to highlight the impact of new physics teachers who are evolving the classroom learning experience. Forrester is one of 10 regional winners from across the United States and the only one from New England. He teaches honors physics and AP physics at Hingham High School. Henry Daniel Gatlin, MFA, CVPA, of New Bedford, is the owner of Gatlin’s Framing and Photography, specializing in museumquality custom framing and digital photography services. Gatlin’s also sells a selection of gourmet
loose-leaf teas and tea accessories. Terrel Tylor Parent, CAS, of New Bedford, was sworn in as an officer in the New Bedford Police Department. He has a background as a victim witness advocate in the District Attorney’s Office, where he interned and later worked full-time. Camala Ann Richardson, JD, of North Falmouth, was honored by the Women’s Bar Foundation of Massachusetts for her pro bono work with survivors of domestic violence through
and living in Worcester. Katherine Marie Knutsen, MFA, CVPA, of New Bedford, was one of a group of artists who worked on the film “Loving Vincent,” which was nominated for best animated feature at the 2018 Academy Awards. She is an adjunct faculty member at Bristol Community College, publisher of the art zine “The Siren,” and active in New Bedford’s art community. Milagros Ofelia Rodriguez, MAT, MA ’16, of New
the foundation’s Family Law Project for Domestic Abuse Survivors. Richardson runs a solo practice in North Falmouth and Nantucket focusing on family law.
Bedford, is a Spanish teacher at New Bedford High School. She also teaches English language learners at the high school in the Sheltered English Immersion program.
2013
Colleen Anne Moriarty, CCB, of Manchester, NH, is in her second year as the assistant women’s basketball coach at Saint Anselm College in Manchester.
2014
Ioannis Wayne Genkos, CAS, MPP ’16, of Worcester, serves as a project manager for the city of Worcester, working to prevent youth violence and address acute risk behaviors in the community through the Hub initiative, a collaboration of over 30 local organizations that connects individuals and families to services. Kaitlyn Kirk, CAS, of Rutland, graduated in May 2018 from Assumption College with a Master of Arts in School Counseling. She is working as a behavior interventionalist for Behavioral Concepts,
2016
William Albert Wolf, MFA, CVPA, of Pottstown, PA, had his work displayed at the Colo Colo Gallery in New Bedford. Douglas Robert Zemeckis, PhD, SMAST, of New Jersey, is the county agent with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, of the NJ Agricultural Experiment Station. His primary responsibilities are conducting applied research and educational programming on issues related to fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal management. Zemeckis conducted post-doctoral research at Rutgers along the New Jersey coast, primarily on black sea bass, lobster, and blackfish.
Each one Reach one UMassD Alumni can help us invent the future Imagine…each one of our 50,000 alumni reaching out to a high school student who is beginning her or his college search. You can serve as a volunteer admissions ambassador for Each One, Reach One. We want you to share your UMassD experiences with prospective students. •
Attend a local college fair with a UMassD admissions counselor to share your unique perspective.
•
Visit your own high school and tell students why they should choose UMassD.
• •
Provide a prospective student with an application waiver so they can take advantage of a UMassD education. Host an event for prospective students and their families in your area.
Interested? Contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 508.999.8031 or umassd.edu/alumni/reach-one
Non-profit Org. US Postage PAID New Bedford, MA Permit Number 149
285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300
Upcoming events Check umassd.edu/alumni for updates: December 9
UMass Alumni BBQ & Patriots vs. Dolphins Game Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL
December 10
UMass Miami Alumni Reception The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami, FL
March 2019
Florida UMass alumni events, Red Sox game, faculty lecture series, and alumni receptions Dates and locations to be announced
March 16
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Naples, Florida
April 25
UMass Dartmouth 48th Annual Alumni Awards Ceremony Robert F. Stoico/FirstFed Charitable Foundation Library Grand Reading Room, Claire T. Carney Library
HOMECOMING 2019
Hope to see you October 25-27 Scheduled games will include
Field Hockey vs. Southern Maine Women’s Soccer vs. Western Connecticut Volleyball vs. Western Connecticut Football vs. Worcester State
Capt. Scott Tingle '87, the NASA astronaut who visited the International Space Station, touched down at UMass Dartmouth on November 15. He spoke with hundreds of local middle and high school students, as well as UMassD student and members of our UMassD community.
share your news—it could be a new job, family addition, career change, or promotion. Class notes appear in each issue of UMASSD Magazine and are a great way to stay connected to UMassD and your classmates, and to show the impact UMassD graduates have in their careers and communities. umassd.edu/alumni/stay-connected or email us: alumni@umassd.edu