UMassD magazine fall 2016 by UMass Dartmouth

Fall 2016

MAGAZINE

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Service learning students

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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

Interim Chancellor Peyton R. Helm Vice Chancellor for Marketing Renee Buisson Vice Chancellor for Advancement Joseph Medina Managing Editors Barbara LeBlanc Renee Buisson Design and production CocroftDESIGN

Top 20 national ranking for civic engagement For the fourth straight year, UMass Dartmouth has earned a top 20 ranking in the nation on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. A total of 766 institutions were acknowledged by the Corporation for National Community Service (CNCS). UMass Dartmouth was one of four higher education institutions to be designated a finalist in the economic opportunity category, one of four CNCS categories. The University was also awarded national distinction status in the general community service, education, and interfaith efforts. UMass Dartmouth is one of only two New England institutions to achieve a top 20 ranking. “From harvesting crops for regional food pantries to creating marketing plans for nonprofits to providing low-cost legal assistance for people at risk, our students and faculty are having an enormous impact on the quality of life beyond the campus,” said Dr. Matt Roy, assistant vice chancellor for civic engagement. UMass Dartmouth students annually perform more than 230,000 hours of community service, valued at nearly $7 million.

Contributing Writers Tricia Breton ’14, MA ’16 Renee Buisson Megan Erbes Jack Holleran Barbara LeBlanc Mike Mahoney Marissa Matton '14, MA '16 Steve Scallon, MA '18 Nancy Tooley ’99 Adrienne N. Wartts Photographers Maria Amell ’16 Levante Anderson ’18 Tailyn Clark ’18 Deirdre Confar Nick Crettier Kate Cummings ’18 Artie Hopkins ’16 Robert Hughes Mark Silby Kenneth Swain ’17 Front cover: design copied from Pop! the 1966 Roy Lichtenstein painting. Back cover: inspired by Andy Warhol.

inside

Detail from “New Bedford Rising” by Alison Wells, MFA ’07

features

From our immediate neighborhood to communities around the country and the globe, UMass Dartmouth’s students, faculty and alumni make the world a better place.

Pursuing Justice

New Bedford: Recreating a Vibrant, Diverse City

UMassD is at the heart of the city’s revival.

Caring on a Global Scale

Isabel Saavedra JD ’14 in front of Catholic Charities where she now works as an attorney.

departments 2 3 4 8 9 14 18 33

Isabel Saavedra, JD ’14 fights for the rights of immigrants and refugees.

Nursing students support healthy communities, from Fall River to Haiti and the Azores..

Inside Out

Students stretch their perspectives with service learning.

Message from the Interim Chancellor News around Ring Road Commencement UMass School of Law Research Sports Art Seen Heroes

alumni 34 Welcome from the Alumni Director 35 Board Members and Events 36 Homecoming 38 Class Notes UMASSD

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Portuguese Delegation joins Interim Chancellor Helm in signing the Camões Agreement, a Protocol of Cooperation, to extend their PhD partnership.

Message from Interim Chancellor Peyton R. Helm Strong institutions have a clear sense of mission and deep roots in their community. UMass Dartmouth has both.

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ur emphasis on research does not divert UMass Dartmouth from its primary mission of “education.” And being based in the SouthCoast region does not lessen our impact on the world. In fact, these priorities enrich each other. Tomorrow’s leaders need to work together to analyze and solve new problems, and keep their skills and knowledge sharp. Collaborative research with faculty not only develops these abilities, but also results in substantive progress today. As the only Massachusetts research university south of Boston, UMass Dartmouth serves a unique role in the region. Our College of Visual & Performing Arts enriches downtown New Bedford’s historic arts district with substantial cultural and intellectual capital. In fact, more than $90 million has been invested in downtown New Bedford since the CVPA was opened. Our Law School provides free legal clinics for the disadvantaged, and the Justice Bridge program helps new lawyers to develop their practices while serving more than 1,000 clients of modest means. Our nursing faculty and students combine research and outreach to address multiple community health concerns, while our College of Arts and Sciences research ranges from identifying the cancer-fighting properties of cranberries to confronting growing violence among girls. SMAST researchers help the fishing industry refine fishing gear, assess the health of regional fisheries, and analyze diseases that affect shellfish populations.

Our engineering faculty and students are working on cutting-edge technological developments from cybersecurity to underwater autonomous vehicles to renewable energy. The Charlton College of Business was reaccredited by AACSB this year, which is recognized as the gold standard of excellence for business colleges. We take pride in our “Centers” of excellence. The Center for Portuguese Studies and Culture, together with our Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives and Department of Portuguese, celebrate the contributions of the Portuguese and Lusophone diaspora. The Center for Marketing Research works with students to perform vital research for local businesses and organizations. The Public Policy Center helps the Commonwealth and area communities confront economic and social challenges, and the SouthCoast Development Partnership convenes civic, business, and education leaders to develop a regional economic agenda. The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Fall River incubates new businesses. Our students and alumni have a positive impact in this region, the Commonwealth, and the world. It is only through the twin priorities of education and research, and by keeping ourselves rooted in our community that we can continue this important role. As you will see in this magazine, UMass Dartmouth is living its values, embracing its mission, and serving its neighbors. Cordially,

around Ring Road

news (from left) Reverend Dr. Robert Lawrence and Interim Chancellor Helm listen to guest speaker Mitch Ablom.

First Lawrence Lecture Focuses on a Meaningful Life In an age where people focus on their individual careers and personal success, Mitch Albom, bestselling author of Tuesdays with Morrie and other novels, moved and inspired an audience of 500 students, staff, faculty, and community members with a message about connecting with and caring about others. Albom delivered the

inaugural Rev. Dr. Robert Lawrence Lecture on October 6 and recounted personal stories and how his reconnection with a former professor led him to think differently about living a meaningful life. “People were laughing out loud at times and crying at others,” said Matthew Roy, director of the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement. “Everyone

left with a renewed sense of purpose to live each day meaningfully by giving to others.” Rev. Lawrence is pastor emeritus of the First Congregational Church in Fall River, where he served as senior minister for 22 years and built a long and distinguished record of community service. An anonymous

donation to UMass Dartmouth has led to the establishment of the Rev. Dr. Robert Lawrence Civic Engagement Summit, the renaming of Lawrence Hall in Woodland Commons, and the annual Lecture. Rev. Lawrence said he was honored that the University invited Albom to offer the first lecture in his name. As well as

an author, Albom is a journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster, and musician. “We will try to recruit speakers who deliver similar messages about service to others because it is very much in line with the Rev. Lawrence’s words and deeds,” Roy said.

Medina Leads Advancement and Alumni Joseph Medina has been named permanent Vice Chancellor for University Advancement for UMass Dartmouth. Joe joined the University as interim Vice Chancellor in May of this year and is already implementing a strategic advancement plan that addresses infrastructure issues and establishes industry best practices to build the University’s fundraising capacity. He brings to the position more than 25 years of advancement experience, including a portfolio of consulting and recruitment work at some of the top universities and colleges in the country. During the period when Joe served as Assistant Vice President for Institute Advancement and co-acting chief development officer for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,

there was a 100 percent increase in overall commitments in one year and the annual fund experienced the best single year in the Institute’s history. The Rensselaer Advancement team was recognized in 2015 with CASE educational fundraising awards for overall performance and overall improvement for 2012, 2013, and 2014 results. Previous to Rensselaer, Joe was Assistant Vice President of Advancement Services at Colby College. Joe has deep experience in strategic planning, project management, team-building, prospective donor development, annual giving, development systems, donor relations, goal-setting/benchmarking, and many other areas of the development profession.

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COM M ENCE M EN T 2016

news | commencement 2106

UMass Dartmouth’s 2016 Commencement ceremonies took place May 13-16. The Class of 2016 consisted of 2,086 students, representing 214 Massachusetts communities, 22 states, and 26 countries. The University awarded 32 PhDs, 11 DNPs, and 54 JDs. Charlton College of Business Commencement address: Interim Chancellor Peyton R. “Randy” Helm Colleges of Engineering, Nursing, Visual & Performing Arts, School for Marine Science & Technology Commencement address and honorary degree: Roslyn Brock, national chair of the NAACP Chancellor’s Medal: Dr. Brian Rothschild, founding dean of SMAST College of Arts & Sciences Commencement address and honorary degree: Dr. Robert Pinsky, three-term U.S. poet laureate UMass School of Law Commencement address and honorary degree: Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Student Commencement speakers: Tayla Vincent ’16 Charlton College of Business Bethany Phillips ’16 College of Nursing Elizabeth Janson, PhD ’16 College of Arts & Sciences Ryan Arsenault, JD ’16 UMass School of Law Dartmouth

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(L-R) Chancellor’s Medalist Brian Rothschild, Provost Mohammad Karim, Interim Chancellor Peyton R. Helm, and Honorary Degree recipient and speaker Roslyn Brock

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news | around Ring Road

Corsairs One for All, all for one

The air was buzzing on Sunday, September 4, as first-year Corsairs moved into their rooms on campus. The students and their families were ably assisted by hundreds of UMassD students, faculty, and staff. Convocation on Tuesday, September 6, was an occasion for all first-year students and transfer students to come together to mark the start of the academic year. Administrators and students spoke about “This We Believe—UMass Dartmouth,” an opportunity to highlight personally important issues and reflect on how we can become a better Corsair community. Later in the month, the Corsair Olympics allowed first-year residential and commuter students, and some upperclass residents, to participate in fun challenges. The competition was stiff… and the winners were the Woodlands Community. 1,385 first-year students from 249 Massachusetts cities and towns 18 states and 8 countries 500 new transfer students 400 new graduate students 3,900 students living on campus

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around Ring Road | news

Charlton Learning Pavilion Opens Thanks to the generosity of the Charlton family, the Charlton Trustees, and many other donors, the Charlton Learning Pavilion opened this September to the delight of students and faculty. The $15-million project was dedicated on October 20. Pictured at the Dedication are Charlton Trustees (L-R) Dian Quinn, Augusta Haydock, Stacey Charlton, and Michael Garfield (far R). Interim Chancellor Randy Helm (2nd from R) thanked them for their commitment to the project.

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UMass School of Law • Dartmouth

Eric Mitnick named interim dean of UMass Law Eric Mitnick has been appointed the interim dean of the University of Massachusetts School of Law, where he has served as associate dean for Academic Affairs since 2014. Mitnick will lead UMass Law while a search is conducted to replace former Dean Mary Lu Bilek, who left in June to lead CUNY School of Law. “I am proud to assume this position at such an important time in the evolution of our Law School,” said Mitnick. “UMass Law is uniquely situated as the first and only public law school in the Commonwealth. For two years running, we have entered the most diverse firstyear classes in all of New England, while at the same time strengthening our admissions statistics and bar pass outcomes. UMass Law demonstrates it is possible to offer a high-quality legal education at an affordable price while serving a critical social justice mission.” Mitnick received his BA from Cornell University; his JD, cum laude, from the University of Michigan; and MA and PhD degrees from Princeton University. He is an accomplished scholar in the areas of constitutional law, rights, socio-legal, and multicultural theory, and is author of the book, Rights, Groups, and Self-Invention: Group-Differentiated Rights in Liberal Theory (2006). He practiced law at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, LLP, in New York City.

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A new model of law practice The Justice Bridge Legal Center is pioneering a new model of practicing law, while helping to lead a nationwide movement to expand access to justice for modest-means clients. The law incubator teaches new lawyers techniques such as expedited mediation, settlement, and early intervention to help keep representation affordable. Clients fill out online forms and gather documents themselves, while the lawyers write the legal briefs, argue before a judge, and negotiate with opposing attorneys. “Justice Bridge has been recognized as one of the leaders in what is becoming a movement to address access-to-justice issues,” said Len Zandrow, executive director of Justice Bridge. Just 12 incubators existed in the country when Zandrow and others first started planning the program about four years ago. Today, there are 60, with the vast majority focused on increasing access to justice. Programs in Ohio, Maine, and Connecticut have reached out to Zandrow as they plan incubators of their own. “Justice Bridge lies at the heart of what we do and who we are as an institution,” said Eric Mitnick, Interim Dean of UMass Law. With 13 lawyers and offices in New Bedford and Boston, Justice Bridge helps clients who don’t qualify for free advice but cannot afford traditional fees. The program has processed 3,500 cases since opening in August 2014. Most clients would go without legal representation if it were not for Justice Bridge. In some courts, as many as 80 percent of people appear without a lawyer. “These are people with life-changing legal problems involving their jobs, the roof over their heads, and the future of their families,” said Zandrow. Justice Bridge lawyers receive guidance from 54 judges and lawyers, as well as other important services, including business advice for building their practices. The lawyers work out of Justice Bridge offices and receive client referrals, but they are not employees. Rather, they are launching their own practices. Some lawyers remain associated with Justice Bridge even after they complete their two-year term. “I keep coming back,” said Nicholas Gomes JD ’13, who opened an office in Fall River. “I truly support the mission of Justice Bridge, and it is conducive to my business.” The University of Massachusetts School of Law • Dartmouth is provisionally approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738.

research

Exploring microbial life in Iceland Soil, water, and rock are alive with bacteria, and last summer UMass Dartmouth students spent two weeks investigating microbial life in Iceland. Mark Silby, associate professor of biology, and teaching assistant and PhD student, Lucy McCully, led the students on a research expedition with faculty and students from the University of Reading, in England; Universidad EAFIT, in Colombia; and the University of Akureyri, in Iceland. They spent three days collecting samples from remote beaches and other environments on the island’s north side. They then went into the lab to isolate and identify bacteria. They performed DNA sequencing and conducted experiments to determine how the bacteria function and respond to nutrients. Because bacteria are so diverse, students had the chance to culture new organisms. Even if the bacteria they found were just slightly different from specimens already identified, “the students knew in their hearts that they were new and they

embraced that idea of discovery,” Silby said. This was the second straight year that Silby’s students conducted research abroad. In the summer of 2015, a group went to Colombia, hosted by EAFIT and the Universidad de Antioquia. There, they joined an effort to protect the country’s banana crop. Bananas, which are an important Colombian export, are susceptible to fungal pathogens. Scientists are eager to develop a biological control using anti-fungal properties in naturally occurring bacteria that grow with bananas and in various other tropical climates. Promising samples cultured by students were frozen for later investigation by scientists. Silby plans to offer this two-week course every summer, alternating between Iceland and a tropical location. He said student learning on the trips is not limited to microbes. “It is a multicultural and science expedition,” Silby said. “We learn everywhere. Anything the students talk about becomes a cultural growing experience.”

Photos by Professor Mark Silby

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research | news

Photos courtesy of Boston Engineering

Grants help develop the “blue economy” An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) that is shaped like a tuna fish is the subject of a $612,250 grant to a team led by Ramprasad Balasubramanian, PhD, associate dean of the College of Engineering. It is one of two grants to UMass Dartmouth from the state’s Seaport Economic Council, which also awarded $250,000 to the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). The goal of the engineering grant is to enable a UUV to perform missions in unknown environments without being guided by a remote operator, said Balasubramanian, who also is a professor in the Computer and Information Science department. Balasubramanian leads a team that is working with the BIOSwimmerTM — a tuna-shaped UUV developed for the Department of Homeland Security, Science & Technology Directorate, by Boston Engineering, in Waltham. The vehicle is made to mimick the flexibility and maneuverability of a real-life tuna. UUVs can be deployed in harsh and hazardous underwater environments,

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ensuring safe harbors, inspecting ships’ hulls and underwater infrastructure, and conducting environmental monitoring. The next step in the technology is ensuring that they can perform specific tasks autonomously. Other collaborators on the project include Northeastern University and Charles River Analytics. A branch of Boston Engineering division working on this technology is located at UMassD’s CIE. The grant to the CIE is for upgrading its Mechanical and Prototyping Laboratory and Technology Venture Center. The goal is to improve the Center’s ability to attract, support, and retain marine technology startups in southeastern Massachusetts. Five marine technology firms already have spun off from the CIE. Most recently, Ocean Server Technology, which was launched at the CIE in 2003, moved to Fall River with 15 employees. The firm expects to employ two more people by spring 2017. The company works with underwater robotics that advance

environmental sensing and coastal security. The Seaport Economic Council, which is part of the Baker-Polito Administration, awarded a total of nine grants in port communities across the state to help promote marine-related economic development. “Massachusetts coastal communities support a blue economy that encompasses everything from part-time scallopers to artists and underwater vehicle designers,” said Deputy Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Carolyn Kirk. “Supporting municipal planning efforts, infrastructure improvements, and educational programs will help ensure that these communities retain their diverse and strong economies.”

news | research

Oysters cleanse water of nitrogen UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST) researchers were awarded $525,967 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine whether the development of oyster colonies can restore estuaries and salt ponds endangered by high nitrogen levels. Led by SMAST Professor Brian Howes, director of the school’s Coastal Systems Program, and Roland Samimy, research manager with the program, the initiative will use the Westport River and Cockeast Pond (a tributary of the river) as a natural laboratory. The team will test whether the development of oyster clusters can reduce nitrogen levels that

destroy fish and other marine wildlife habitats. If proven successful, the strategy, which harnesses the natural power of the oyster to cleanse water of nitrogen, could help reduce the need for high-cost solutions such as expanded wastewater treatment systems. “Addressing the nitrogen problem along the SouthCoast, Cape Cod, and the South Shore will cost billions of dollars if we only consider traditional strategies, such as bigger wastewater treatment plants and more sewer lines,” Howes said. “We just don’t have the time or money for that course. It is, therefore, imperative that we find soft solutions that leverage nature, in this case the oyster, to

Massachusetts oyster bed in a Fish and Wildlife preserve.

make progress.” UMass Dartmouth has partnered with the Westport River Watershed Alliance (WRWA) on this project. WRWA has joined the team to enhance outreach efforts to other municipalities and for public dissemination of the results. The project will quantify the utility of oysters in estuarine restoration, but also implement first steps toward restoration of the Westport River. The grant is part of a $4.6 million program of the EPA’s Southeast New England Program to develop innovative, cost-effective strategies to protect coastal waters in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

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(L-R) SMAST's Mark Altabet and Annie Bourbonnais with Habei (Happy) Hu and Anne Cruz on an expedition to the low-oxygen waters off western Mexico aboard the research vessel New Horizon (operated the Scripps Institute of Oceanography) where they studied the influence of these waters on the global ocean’s nitrogen cycle.

Researching more dependable software Lance Fiondella, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, received a $125,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to improve software reliability. “The key to the success of all software is its reliability,” he said. “Traditional algorithms are numerically unstable, meaning that they can fail if initial estimates are inaccurate.” The goal of Fiondella’s research is to develop numerically stable algorithms that will succeed, even if the initial estimates are inaccurate. That will enable him to develop an open-source software reliability tool for use by software engineers, so they can help ensure that applications their organizations create do not fail. “The results can help companies and organizations get new software applications on the market and into the field more quickly,” he said.

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NSF grant supports study of nitrous oxide cycling The National Science Foundation awarded a $290,608 grant to Annie Bourbonnais, research assistant professor at UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST), for her project studying nitrous oxide cycling in the Western Arctic Ocean. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas in the troposphere, which is the lowest layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. It is also an ozone-depleting substance in the next layer up, the stratosphere. Its sources and sinks in the ocean, however, are neither well quantified nor well understood. The project will use measurements from both shelf and offshore waters to estimate N2O cycling in the Arctic. The data will then be used to evaluate the pathways of N2O production and determine how these processes influence N2O exchanges between the surface layer and the atmosphere. The measurements will also serve as a baseline for future assessment of change. Additionally, the project will have many educational benefits, said Mark A. Altabet, professor and chair of the SMAST Department of Estuarine and Ocean Sciences. It will provide summer research opportunities for undergraduate students and will be used to develop seminars for elementary school teachers, as well as short classroom presentations and after-school programs for at-risk youth.

news | research

Textiles blunt concussions UMass Dartmouth researchers are using an old textile manufacturing method to produce a new protection against concussions — and the National Football League and others are interested. The NFL’s Head Health Challenge 3 program has granted $250,000 to test Flocked Energy Absorbing Material (FEAM) technology, which was invented by UMassD bioengineering professors Yong Kim and Armand Lewis, with contributions by mechanical engineering professor Vijaya B. Chalivendra. Corsair Innovations, a start-up company formed to commercialize UMass Dartmouth research, received the funding. Corsair’s focus is on developing new materials to improve the impact protection and fit of clothing and gear used by athletes, law enforcement, industrial workers, and the military. The Head Health Challenge 3 was founded by the NFL, with participation by Under Armour, GE, and the federal government’s National Institute of Standards & Technology. This program was created to better understand and diagnose mild traumatic brain injury and to improve padding materials to protect the head and body. Its inventors say that FEAM is a radical, new form of padding composed entirely of textile, not foam, for helmets, body armor, and other wearable protection. FEAM is made using a mature manufacturing process called flocking, but in a novel way. The resulting material contains what resemble millions of tiny springs, which absorb energy by compressing and deflecting the force. The padding is breathable, washable, and more comfortable to wear than foam. Lewis, a 1953 graduate of the New Bedford Textile Institute, a precursor institution to UMass Dartmouth, and Kim have recently been awarded a patent on FEAM. Kim, Lewis, and Chalivendra are also involved in evaluating FEAM for military use for the Department of Defense. Additionally, Kim was recently awarded a 2016 UMass President’s Science and Technology Initiative Fund grant to establish a new Research Center for Biomedical Injury Protection and Mitigation Structures at UMassD.

Concussion education poster takes prize Concussions are a special concern for Michelle Whyte BSN, RN ’16, who won an award last spring for her poster presentation of her honors thesis on concussion awareness and education among UMass Dartmouth athletes. She won third place among undergraduates presenting at the Eastern Nursing Research Society’s Scientific Sessions, in Pittsburgh. Her research found a large gap in understanding about concussions among University rugby players. “In my own experience with rugby

players, I noticed teammates knocked headfirst to the ground and continue to play,” she said. “Then after the game, they joked about how they ‘blacked out’ for a few seconds, or they didn’t know what the date was.” Currently in a graduate RN residency program at UMass Memorial Medical Center, Whyte plans to continue to pursue a graduate degree and continue her research on concussions.

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sports

Corsair roundup

Bo Prozinski '16

All-time leading goal scorer for men’s lacrosse Prozinski (Ashland) became Corsair Men’s Lacrosse’s all-time leading goal and point scorer.

CORSAIR RANKINGS Second in Little East Conference Commissioner’s Cup UMassD athletics earned second place in the 2016 Little East Conference Commissioner’s Cup standings for the third time since the Cup was established in 2001. Keene State College captured the Cup for the 16th straight year.

Women’s field hockey won the University’s only regular-season title in the 2015-2016 academic year, with an overall record of 13-7. The team was the No. 2 seed in the Tournament, but fell to Worcester State in the quarterfinals. During his senior season, Prozinski surpassed Jim Ruggieri ’02, with 180 career goals and 232 career points. He led the roster in scoring all four years, starting in 65 of 67 games. As a senior, he scored 57 goals, 22 assists and 79 total points. And he made his third appearance on the AllLittle East Conference teams, taking First Team accolades.

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Men’s indoor and outdoor track and field squads finished second behind the University of Southern Maine in both the indoor and outdoor Championships.

Women’s softball With a 27-15 overall record, UMassD Softball finished second in league standings behind Keene State.

Men’s tennis secured the No. 2 seed for the conference tournament. Four additional teams, men’s basketball, women’s swimming and diving, baseball, and men’s lacrosse, earned third place.

71 Corsairs

named to the LEC and Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference teams for their athletic performance.

Corsair roundup | sports

New turf for Cressy Field

The home of Corsair field hockey, football, lacrosse, and soccer, Cressy Field underwent a complete renovation over the summer. Work involved removing the existing surface and safety pad, repairing the drainage system and installing new turf. In addition, the perimeter fence and walkways were improved. “Our varsity teams that practice and train on our field regularly will now compete on a quality surface,” said Director of Athletics Amanda Van Voorhis. “This project is a tremendous recruiting tool, will lead to increased pride and interest in our teams, improve student satisfaction, and enhance team performance.”

John Rolli retires

John Rolli, one of the winningest coaches in NCAA ice hockey history, retired as the UMassD men’s ice hockey coach.

In 32 seasons, Rolli directed one of the most successful and widely respected ice hockey programs in the nation. Rolli owns a 577-22443 (.709) career record, boasting the seventh highest winning percentage among all NCAA ice hockey coaches. His 577 victories are the fourth most in NCAA Division III history and 14th on the all-time collegiate coaching list. Rolli’s tenure as head coach at UMass Dartmouth produced 31 postseason appearances, 27 winning seasons, nine Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) titles, the 2013 Massachusetts

State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Championship, and four NCAA Division III tournament berths. The Corsairs won at least 20 games in a single-season 14 times, including a school-record 25 on three separate occasions (1996,

2006, 2007). Rolli was named one of 12 finalists for the prestigious Eddie Jeremiah Award/NCAA Division III Coach of the Year Award five times. He was selected as the New England Hockey Writers’ Coach of the Year six times, Eastern College

Athletic Conference Coach of the Year four times, and the MASCAC Coach of the Year in 2011. A 1973 graduate of Salem State College, Rolli retired from the New Bedford school system in 2008 after teaching for 34 years.

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sports | Corsair roundup She is the secondhighest scorer in the lacrosse program’s history, accumulating 279 career points. And as a shooting guard and team captain, she helped the women’s basketball team to its first-ever regular season title in 2014-15. Off the field, she was a member of Sigma Theta Tau (the nursing national honor society), Relay for Life, and the Student Nurses Association. Twice she traveled to Haiti during her spring break to assist a health clinic with Partners in Development. Kane graduated with honors in May with a bachelor of science in nursing.

Corsairs earn academic distinction

Colleen Kane gathers recognition on and off the court

Colleen Kane (Arlington) was nominated for the prestigious 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year award for her leadership as an athlete, student, and community member.

The Little East Conference named 33 student-athletes from seven sports to the 2016 Spring All-Academic Teams. In all, 193 Corsairs earned University academic distinction in the spring, including 138 who made the Dean’s List (3.2 to 3.8 grade point average) and 55 the Chancellor’s List (3.8 grade point average or higher). The Chancellor’s List total is a new all-time high, surpassing the fall semester total of 54.

Support Corsair Athletics www.corsairathletics.com

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Terry Corcoran named head coach for men’s lacrosse Two-time NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year Terry Corcoran was named the fourth head coach of the Corsair men’s lacrosse program. Corcoran brings 37 years of collegiate lacrosse coaching experience to UMass Dartmouth, including 34 years as head coach, from seven different institutions. He has a career record of 279-204

(.578) to rank eighth on the NCAA Division III all-time active wins list and 22nd among all three lacrosse divisions. Corcoran has led 11 programs to the NCAA Division III tournament, including four appearances in the national championship game with Washington College. Most recently, Corcoran served as the head coach at Wabash College in

Crawfordsville, Ind., where he oversaw the Little Giants’ 2015 inaugural season. In just two seasons, Corcoran recruited 26 student-athletes, developed Wabash’s first two All-North Coast Athletic Conference honorees, and raised the win total by four. “Terry’s credentials speak volumes about his success throughout his illustrious coaching career,” UMass Dartmouth Director of Athletics Amanda Van Voorhis said. “His teams are distinguished on field by fundamental play and a disciplined approach. Off the field, his teams have been successful in the classroom and engaged in the community. I have full confidence that recruiting, team play, and program stature will be elevated under his direction.”

Erik Noack takes the helm of Corsairs men’s hockey Erik Noack has become the fourth head coach of the Corsair men’s ice hockey program, after 13 seasons leading the Wildcats at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. “Erik exuded a passion and love for the game throughout the interview process,” UMass Dartmouth Director of Athletics Amanda Van Voorhis said. “His values are our values—community service, academic success, the whole development of student-athletes, and competitive success. He’s a proponent of relationship building, communication,

Noack led his teams to

empowerment, and student-athlete leadership. I anticipate this will be a smooth transition and look forward to the future of UMass Dartmouth Hockey.”

the ECAC Northeast playoffs 11 times. In 2005, he was named the ECAC Northeast Co-Coach of the Year and nine of his players signed a professional hockey contract in the past two years. A 1998 graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology, Noack played five years in the East Coast Hockey League and Western Professional Hockey League before becoming a coach. A native and resident of Barrington, RI, Noack earned his MBA from Johnson & Wales in 2004.

Corsair roundup | sports

UMassD welcomes new members to the 2016 Hall of Fame Julie Smalley-Capirchio’94

John Rolli

Lee ‘General’ Holman ’16

Michael Roy ’75

An exceptional scholar-athlete, she helped women’s soccer to a combined record of 45-10-2 (.807), finalist honors in the 1992 NCAA Division III Tournament, and two Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament appearances during her threeyear career from 1990 to 1992. As a softball infielder between 1991 and 1994, her teams posted a combined record of 58-20 and advanced to three ECAC tournaments and captured two championships. She holds career .348 batting average with 94 hits, 71 runs scored and 64 RBI.

In 32 seasons, he directed one of the nation’s most successful and respected ice hockey programs with a 577-224-43 (.709) career record. He has the seventhhighest winning percentage in the NCAA and the fourth most victories in Division III history. Before retiring this year, Rolli led his charges to 31 postseason appearances, 27 winning seasons, nine Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) titles, the 2013 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Championship, and four NCAA Division III tournament berths. The Corsairs won the national title in 2006.

Loula Howard Holman accepted the award on behalf of her deceased husband. General Holman rewrote the record books at Southeastern Massachusetts University between 1972 and 1976, finishing his career with single-season records for points (681), field goals (301), field goals attempted (502), and scoring average (26.2 ppg). The Corsair’s No. 3 all-time scorer with 2,056 career points, he helped the team advance to its first NCAA Division III Tournament in 1976. He joined the Harlem Globetrotters in 1977, and was awarded his degree posthumously by the Charlton College of Business in Spring 2016, following his death on December 24, 2015.

He led Southeastern Massachusetts University to three consecutive campaigns with at least 10 victories, finishing his career with 1,038 total points. He had a strong post presence, ranking fourth on the all-time rebounding list with 802 boards, and owns one of the best freethrow performances in Corsair history with a 12-for-12 outing on Dec. 20, 1974. Roy coached high school basketball in Mansfield and Franklin before landing at Westport High School, where he taught and coached for 20 years. He retired as vice principal.

Soccer, Softball

Ice Hockey Coach

Basketball

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art seen

IU Northwest photo of David Klamen by Dominick Lopez

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news from CVPA

New dean of CVPA feels “more at home with glass, concrete and steel” David Klamen, the new dean of the College of Visual & Performing Arts, is a distinguished artist and an experienced university administrator. His paintings are part of the permanent collections in a variety of prestigious museums: the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art, in New York; the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art; the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, and many others. An 18-foot-wide, multi-canvas installation of his hangs at the Langham Hotel in Chicago. Klamen has actively practiced his art while pursing his career in higher education. He most recently served as a Chancellor’s Professor and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University Northwest. In that position, he supervised more than 250 full- and parttime faculty in a college that serves about 2,000 students in 35 degree programs. One of his proudest accomplishments at Indiana University Northwest is a $45 million arts building that will soon open on the campus. He successfully argued for the building as the only arts representative on a committee reviewing facilities. Klamen said UMassD’s broad commitment to the arts helped draw him East from his native Midwest. Also, his wife, Dianne Lauble, works in Providence as design director for the Girls Challenger Brands at Hasbro Toys. “We have absolutely amazing facilities, a truly gifted faculty, and a beautiful campus of great modern architecture,” he said. “I love the campus buildings—I feel more at home with glass, concrete, and steel.” He said he especially enjoys working across the disciplines, bringing art into the university’s wider academic direction. “There are so many modes of working in the arts that are explored on our campus—from animation to bronze sculpture, as well as music, art history, and art education,” he said. “UMass Dartmouth has an amazing capacity for interdisciplinary work and ideas that expand beyond the traditional expectation of the study of the arts.” Klamen received his BFA from the University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign, and his MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He plans to continue practicing his art in a studio in downtown New Bedford.

news from CVPA | art seen

Listen to the artist talk about her work youtube.com/ watch?v=BerphceOr4U

Recycled, re-imagined Stacy Latt Savage, UMassD professor of fine arts, marked the birthdays of the Town of Dartmouth (350 years) and UMass Dartmouth (50 years) with a sculpture unveiled over Homecoming Weekend. She is pictured here with her work, which was commissioned by the Town of Dartmouth and gifted to the University. The 350/50 sculpture symbolizes the connection between the University and the town with salvaged fragments of Dartmouth history – the Lincoln Park Roller Coaster Comet and the Round Hill Radome, a satellite-style dish that was in South Dartmouth, historic farm implements, and timeworn marine equipment.

Making news...fit to wear Christopher Rogers, BFA Textile Design 2018, made the jacket above out of newspaper strips from The Boston Globe, The Providence Journal and The Wall Street Journal woven together in the standard basketry form of plaiting. He has recently been awarded a Barbara Kuhlman Foundation scholarship based on the strength of his portfolio. In 2016 he was the recipient of an award from the AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists). He will spend his junior spring semester studying in the Fashion Programme at Central Saint Martins in London.

Ska left, ska right Morgan James Peters (aka Mwalim), associate professor and director of African & AfricanAmerican Studies, has hit the charts wth his song, “Do you mind…?” Performed by the GroovaLottos, the song that debuted on the radio in March 2016 spent 20 weeks in the Top 5 of the World Indie Blues Charts and earned a nomination for the Native American Music Awards. The band has been invited to perform at the 2017 Gathering of Nations Powwow in New Mexico. You can see UMassD students dancing the Phunk to the song on YouTube.

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PURSUING

JUSTICE

for those without a voice Isabel Saavedra, JD ’14 has a passion for immigration law. It was born of her personal history, galvanized The photos of Isabel Saavedra, right, and the Dilley detention camp in Texas, opposite page, appeared in “Welcome to Dilley,” a documentary by the communications cooperative, Black Box. See the documentary online at dilley.thisisblackbox.com/3/.

at UMass Law, and realized at the U.S. border with Mexico, where she worked with detainees seeking safety and opportunity in this country.

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oday she is a staff lawyer with Catholic Charities in Washington D.C., where she helps immigrants earn the right to live and work permanently in the United States, something her own parents had to fight for after they arrived in this country from Colombia. Saavedra, now 28, came to the states when she was 10 years old. Her father left behind the productive coffee farm he owned to seek better educational opportunities for his two daughters. He found work as a plumber’s assistant on Long Island in New York, and his employer sponsored his petition for a green card. While the petition was being processed, Saavedra’s undocumented status limited her college options and made her ineligible for most forms of financial aid. So she studied at The State University of New York at Old Westbury, where the application didn’t require a social security number and where she could commute from home. “My parents worked double time to pay for tuition,” she said. When she finally received her green card at age 21, she started Immigration Awareness Week at her college and decided to go to law school. “I wanted to help to provide legal access to children who are brought to the United States without any say and discover later on they are undocumented,” she said. UMass Law attracted her with its public interest law mission and a Public Interest Law Fellowship that paid half her tuition and fees. Professor Irene Scharf, director of the UMass Law Immigration Clinic, quickly

“The immigration system in the United States is complicated, and lawyers don’t always do what they say they will do to help their clients ... “In fact, several lawyers took advantage of my parents’ lack of knowledge of the system.”

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Photos clockwise, Saavedra on a bench with a sculpture of a homeless person in front of Catholic Charities, where she now works in Washington D.C.; detainees in Dilley; a view of the camp where immigrants and refugees are held. Dilley Detention Center photos are from ICE.gov

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Law clinics help students and the community UMass Law’s five legal clinics provide free legal assistance to the community, while allowing law students to work on real cases, supervised by professors and practicing attorneys. Clinics and field placements “permit students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to actual clients and a variety of legal situations,” said Margaret Drew, director of clinics and experiential learning.

became a mentor, taking Saavedra on a fact-finding mission to the Dominican Republic, where citizenship was being revoked for Haitian-born citizens. During her third year at UMass Law, Saavedra took a year-long course through the Immigration Law Clinic, during which she helped a mother and daughter obtain green cards after being in the United States for 16 years. “Isabel lived the experience of many of these people, the fear, the isolation,” said Scharf. “She really could empathize with people who have hope and that’s about it. But not everyone with her background ends up helping people like she does.” After graduating and passing the bar, Saavedra brought her compassion and training to Dilley, Texas, on the border with Mexico, where thousands of Central Americans are detained. Saavedra was a paid lawyer for the CARA Pro Bono Project, which provides legal services for the detainees. She coordinated the work of other lawyers who volunteer for a week at a time to help the refugees gain legal access to the country. They handled as many as 300 cases a week. Witnessing the plight and determination of the women detained in Dilley was life-changing for Saavedra. She worked six days a week, 15 hours a day, often tending to the fevers and colds of the children before she could engage the

mothers in their cases. “I don’t know how these women did it,” she said. “I would be working with them, preparing for their hearing in front of a judge. It was extremely important for their case, but they had extremely sick children in their arms ...” Saavedra had signed up for a sixmonth contract, but the work was grueling and exhausting. When Catholic Charities recruited her after four months, she took the job that brought her to Washington, D.C. Today, CARA allows only three-month rotations in the coordinator position. Those experiences at the border are seared into her. Today, she often works with immigrants who were relocated from Dilley to Washington and are continuing their cases. She takes great satisfaction in helping them build lives in the states. Someday, however, she would like to have a broader impact on immigration policy, perhaps by working for the federal government or counseling political candidates. “I would like people to know that the majority of people I saw in Texas and the people I see on a regular basis are not economic migrants,” she said. “They are victims of political violence and the wars that are ongoing. I would like people to get involved and see us step up as a nation.”

Immigration Litigation Clinic Students handle cases involving deportation defense, family reunification, and political asylum for clients referred by local agencies, as well as the Boston Immigration Court. Community Development Clinic Participants draft corporate documents, prepare filings, conduct audits and perform other legal services for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Criminal Prosecution Clinic Supervised by a senior Bristol County District Attorney, students gain experience in the courtroom and develop skills in discovery, litigation strategy and other prosecutor work. Mashpee Wampanoag Legal Services Clinic Students help represent low-income litigants in the Tribal Court, as well as tribal members seeking assistance in civil matters, including housing and family law. Human Rights at Home Clinic (starting January 2017) Clients will include veterans, domestic violence survivors, and others with unmet, fundamental needs, and students will address research and policy needs as they arise.

Barbara LeBlanc

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New Bedford

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recreating a vibrant, diverse city

ew Bedford was recently named one of the top 10 creative cities in America. And UMass Dartmouth’s Star Store arts campus helps energize this prospering creative economy, as historic New Bedford emerges as a cultural and academic hub. The revitalization was sparked in 2001, when UMassD turned the Star Store building into the downtown site of its College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). Located at the intersection of Union and Purchase streets, it features galleries, commodious studios, and exhibitions from artists around the globe. It has become a haven for students and faculty who want to immerse themselves in their art, and it also has helped transform the city. A trio of UMassD’s own are at the forefront of this transformation. Here are their stories. “New Bedford Rising” artwork by Alison Wells, MFA ’07

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Original map provided by the National Park Service

s a first-year art student, Alison Wells, MFA '07, watched as UMassD graduates left for distant cities to pursue their careers. Instead of following their lead, Wells set her roots in downtown New Bedford and joined a growing group of alumni who have helped create a new, vibrant cultural district, full of galleries, eateries, and small shops. She's proud to be a resident artist and educator. “I was fortunate enough to be in the middle of a renaissance of artistic change and growth in this resilient city,” she said. “I decided to stay and see where it would take me.” Wells, who originally came from Trinidad and Tobago, opened the Alison Wells Fine Art Studio & Gallery on Williams Street in 2014. More than a decade after her arrival to the area, the ambiance continues to serve as a major source of inspiration for her striking canvases. “Now that I have been living outside of the Caribbean for 12 years, I am naturally influenced by the landscapes, the people, and the cultures,” she said. “This can be seen in my mixed media collage interpretations of downtown New Bedford.” “When I speak about my experiences to students, I believe they see through my efforts that they too can remain and pursue an artrelated career in a city that prides itself on community and cultural diversity,” she said.

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“I had little to fear in a New Bedford crowd... they stepped aside and let me pass” artwork by Alison Wells.

rosperity in the past as a whaling and industrial center is reflected in New Bedford’s downtown mansions. But the neighborhood also holds evidence of other histories — interracial and abolitionist. Pamela Karimi, art history professor at UMass Dartmouth, is highlighting that history with “Black Spaces Matter: Exploring the Aesthetics & Architectonics of an Abolitionist Neighborhood.” The project is funded through a UMass system 2016 Creative Economic Initiatives Fund grant. Fugitive slaves made up a large percentage of New Bedford’s black population in the 19th century. They had escaped the South along the Underground Railroad and settled in New Bedford, where they worked and often lived in the Sixth and Seventh streets area, alongside the city’s wealthiest families. “The ironic fact is that there was a time with less segregation than today,” Karimi said. This ambitious project, which began in September, involves a yearlong series of lectures. It will culminate with an exhibit of large-scale architectural models, documentary films, and other depictions of the neighborhood and its occupants during the abolition movement. UMassD students and staff, including Professor Michael Swartz, are collaborating on the project, along with Lee Blake, director of the New Bedford Historical Society, architects Jennifer McGrory and Pedram Karimi, and filmmaker Don Burton. The exhibit will open in late 2017 in the McCormick Gallery at the Boston Architectural College and make its way to UMass Dartmouth.

Artist Alison Wells opened her own gallery on Williams Street.

Tia Maria’s European Café in downtown New Bedford

Art History Professor Pamela Karimi is working with others to tell the abolitionist story of New Bedford.

Jessica Coelho ‘06 established her small business, Tia Maria’s, in the heart of the city.

own the street and around the corner from the Star Store, at 42 North Water Street, you’ll find a quaint European café known as Tia Maria’s. The popular establishment, founded by Jessica Coelho ’06, is one of a growing number of eateries that are making downtown a dining destination. Since opening in September 2013, the café has become a favorite with locals and tourists alike. Born and raised in New Bedford, Coelho graduated from UMassD’s Charlton College of Business with a BS in human resource management and an international business certificate. When she was seeking a home for her café, the city’s cobblestone streets and architecture reminded her of Portugal, where she interned and studied as a UMassD student. So she bought the 1830s building that was once home to Millennium PCB Bank and later an Irish coffee house. “The building reminded me of my own Tia Maria,” she said. “The Old World charm makes me feel like I’m entering her house.” Coelho adorned the walls with décor inherited from generations of her family. “I like to say that my customers feel like they’re visiting Portugal without the expense of a plane ticket.” She knew its name would resonate with New Bedford’s large Portuguese population, for whom the word "tia" means aunt. “Everyone has a Tia Maria,” she said. “I have four and the name is an homage to them all.” Adrienne N. Wartts

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CARING on a global scale The College of Nursing Global Health Collaborative is changing lives and communities on the international, national, and local levels.

hen Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake in 2010, a group of UMass Dartmouth nursing students and faculty traveled there to deliver healthcare to a traumatized population. Helping those in need is part of the College of Nursingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tradition of changing lives by bringing healthcare to vulnerable communities. Since then, teams of junior and senior nursing students and faculty have spent a week or two in that Caribbean country every year. Those trips led to the formation of the University of Massachusetts College of Nursing Global Health Collaborative in 2014, a student-led organization that also cares for people in the Azores, Mississippi, and communities surrounding the university. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The 10 students who went on the 2014 trip were visionaries. They saw their work was important both domestically and abroad,â&#x20AC;? said Maryellen Brisbois,

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assistant professor of nursing and the Collaborative’s faculty advisor. She helped organize the trips to Haiti with Professor Paula Walsh as an outgrowth of her own interest in healthcare for vulnerable populations. Today the group boasts 90 members with an expansive mission — to “create sustainable partnerships among colleges in the university, local community, and global community to improve the health of populations through engagement and entrepreneurial collaboration.” “Student involvement across campus has been amazing,” Brisbois said. Before their annual trip to Haiti, students collected more than 400 pounds of donated medical and dental supplies, as well as toys and other items for children and their families. Once there, nursing students helped with patient care in mobile clinics and participated in reconstruction efforts. Some students learned Haitian Creole in order to create health promotion materials. “I was grounded by the beauty and simplicity of the Haitian culture,” said Olivia Bergandy '17, Collaborative vice president. “I was inspired by the strength, pride, and resilience exuded by the Haitians I encountered. And I was left speechless by their eagerness to give so much when they had so little.” Closer to home, the group works with United Neighbors of Fall River, where they go out into the community and perform healthcare screenings for homeless families. The collaborative also performs foot clinics at Sister Rose’s House, a homeless shelter in New Bedford. The College of Nursing has partnered with Healthfirst Family Care Center, Inc. to create a process to ensure there is appropriate follow-up care for these often neglected citizens. In 2015, the DeMello Charitable Foundation provided UMass Dartmouth with the financial support to form a community health alliance with the University of the Azores. Today, student nurses from UMassD and the Azores participate in an exchange program and work with populations of deportees. Under a new Massachusetts law, immigrants who have been convicted of crimes in the past, even minor crimes, may be deported to their country of origin. Many deportees now living in the Azores had parents who had become U.S. citizens, but had not obtained citizenship for their immigrant children. In some cases, convicted of minor crimes in their teenage years, these young adults grew up, worked, and paid taxes until

(Top left) Nursing students with Professor Maryellen Brisbois see families at the local Boys & Girls Club. (Bottom left) Nursing students provide care in Haiti. (Above) A nursing exchange program with the Azores supports learning and health initiatives.

suddenly they found themselves deported. The UMassD students have traveled to the Azores to assess health needs and help people maneuver through a new healthcare system. Being deportees, these people are stigmatized. Many don’t speak the native language and have difficulty thriving in their new surroundings. The Collaborative also traveled to Mississippi where students walked door-to-door, assessing the health needs of a small town of about 150 people. Only one person in town had a full-time job and there was only one car. Working with the Collaborative allows nursing students to put their classroom learning to work in the benefit of people who most need their help. “Our experience in the field not only enforces what we learn in class, but it exposes us to situations that remind us of why we chose nursing in the first place — to be that helping

hand, that source of comfort, that voice of reason,” said Bergandy. “Clinical experience allows us to get a feel for the career we have committed to, a career of making a difference.” Chelsea Correia '17, president of the Global Health Collaborative, said her experiences have made her consider a career in community health. And her exposure to different health care systems, economic and political systems, cultures, and languages has broadened her concerns. “Breaking out of my shell to work with vulnerable populations in Southeastern Massachusetts and Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel, in the Azores, has opened my eyes to all that needs to be changed in our community and abroad,” she said. “Educating from a nursing standpoint is just the beginning.” Steve Scallon

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OUT 30

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Each week, UMass Dartmouth students learn side-by-side with Bristol County House of Correction inmates. The coursework helps the inside and outside students gain a new perspective and greater understanding of the criminal justice system.

INSIDE- OUT is a service-learning collaboration between UMass Dartmouth’s Crime and Justice Studies program and the Bristol County House of Corrections. It is part of an extensive number of service learning offerings that connect coursework with community assistance, both regionally and abroad. For many students, it also is an experience of profound personal growth. ervice-learning classes challenge students to view themselves and others from a new perspective. Whether it is learning with inmates or finding beauty in the ordinary, UMass students change, from the inside out. When Alex Perron went to jail, it wasn’t because he was charged with a crime. As a crime and justice studies major, Perron took advantage of a servicelearning opportunity that brought him behind the gates of the local lockup. “I signed up for the Inside-Out program in order to better understand what it was like to be inside the jail,” he said. “I wanted to know how that would affect the learning process.” This three-credit course is just one of an extensive number of service learning offerings that connect coursework with specific projects that assist the community, both regionally and abroad. For many students, it

also is an experience of profound personal growth. With Inside-Out, 15 UMass Dartmouth students (outside students from a variety of majors) and 15 inmates (inside students) enroll in a semester-long course called Justice & Society. “Some students go in wanting to be prosecutors, but they come out wanting to be public defenders,” said Professor Susan Krumholz, director of the program. “In this class, they learn how to think and care.” As for the inmates, they gain new confidence in their ability to perform college-level work. They are mentored and challenged by faculty and the UMassD students, and discover new abilities. Perron learned more than he anticipated. “This experience broke down the walls between the inside students and the outside students, and allowed us to see each other as fellow students instead of criminals and citizens,” he said. “After taking this class, I appreciate the opportunities I have to

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photo: Jessica Chalkley ’17

photo: Erin O’Leary ’17

Service learning challenges students to view the world from a new perspective. learn,” Peron said. “Seeing the inside students work as well as barbershops, bakeries, and other twice as hard as the outside students made me small businesses. Each year, the photographs realize how valuable knowledge is and what it can grew into an exhibit at the Narrows Center for do for the human spirit.” the Arts and then the Staircase Gallery in the UMass Dartmouth has offered service-learning city’s Government Center. options for about the last 10 years, and has been “The exhibit was not just a portrait of the nationally recognized as being on the forefront conventionally ‘pretty’ aspects,” said Klimt. of engaged educational processes. Faculty “It documented the complexity of this urban involvement has grown to 159 Service Learning space, the challenges facing the city, as well as Fellows, and during the last academic year 6,333 evidence of a deep-seated pride and meaningful students took part in service-learning opportunities. connection to place.” Beyond the numbers, service-learning She is now working with another Fall experiences help improve students’ civic River school, Diman Regional Technological participation and academic skills. In a recent Vocational High School, to create a Fall River study completed by the Leduc Center for Civic Portraits - 2017 exhibit. She is collaborating Engagement, 75.4 percent of students agreed that with two UMassD alumni at Diman, Paul service learning helped them see other people’s Beaudoin ’95, head of the Electronics perspectives. Also, they said it challenged them to Department, and Michelle Gaudencio ’03, a photo: Winona Glascock ’17 apply the academic skills they gained to real-world graphic communications teacher, with the problems. enthusiastic support of another alum, Diman’s Like Krumholz, Professor Andrea Klimt uses her Superintendent-director, Thomas Aubin ’91. anthropology/sociology class to help bridge the gap between academia Krumholz's and Klimt’s classes are only two of the many serviceand the community. Working in collaboration with Fall River high learning opportunities available for students. UMass Dartmouth school students at B.M.C Durfee High School and Resiliency Preparatory continues to implement more and more opportunities that challenge School, as well as a group of Fall River seniors, Klimt’s students helped students to become engaged, compassionate citizens. document the city in 2014 and 2015. “Other students should seize any opportunity they have for service “I always look for ways to collaborate with and contribute to local learning,” Perron said. “These experiences enhance the way you learn communities,” said Klimt. “My goal was for my students to go past Fall and the way you interact with others in your life.” River’s negative reputation and find points of connection and mutual understanding.” Tricia Breton ’14, MA ’16 The high school and college students took to the streets of Fall River, a proud but struggling former mill city, photographing life on the streets,

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heroes

Forever a hero— George Heath ’83 George Heath ’83 and his wife, Rosemary, were sitting at the bar of Bertucci’s in Taunton's Silver City Galleria last May when a man armed with a knife burst into the restaurant. Heath turned when he heard a scream and saw a waitress being stabbed. He launched himself at the attacker, pulling the woman away and trying to subdue the man. In the ensuing struggle, Heath was stabbed, but his actions gave an off-duty sheriff enough time and space to fatally shoot the attacker. Tragically, George Heath died of his wounds. But the waitress survived, and in October she gave birth to her daughter. George Heath, a CVPA graduate, taught graphic design at New Bedford Vocational Technical High School. He enjoyed walking his three dogs and windsurfing. He loved

Batman. Rosemary describes her husband as caring, funny, and devoted to his students. “George loved education, and loved his time at SMU,” she said. “He stayed best friends with a guy he met working on the yearbook. George was the designer, Phil was the editor,” said Rosemary. “George loved to teach. He didn’t think he’d be good at it, but after his first two weeks he was bubbling over with pride. If he liked the student’s work, he would say ‘I am just not worthy.’ But if he thought someone hadn’t put in the effort, he would tell them, ‘You’re bringing me down.’”

Rosemary is touched by the outpouring of support she has received, especially from VocTech. “I can’t believe how the students handled it, and the way the school supported them.” His students organized several memorials. They designed T-shirts with his favorite Batman logo on the front, and on the back were his name and years of birth and death, with the slogan “We’re not bringing you down.” The students also presented Rosemary with a Voc-Tech yearbook that “every student in the school signed,” said Rosemary. “I love it.”

Deputy James Creed, the officer who shot the attacker, has become friends with Rosemary and recently named his canine partner Heath. Bertucci’s has hosted several tributes, and has placed a plaque bearing his name on the seat at the bar where he was sitting that fateful night. “There’s more (awards) coming, but I can’t give it away yet,” said Rosemary. George Heath impacted his family, friends and students on a daily basis, and then made the ultimate sacrifice. Michael Mahoney

There’s no need to stop when you run into a wall How do you balance law school with a varsity position on the women’s soccer team? The answer to how first-year law student Kayleigh Ellison, JD ’19 manages it is easy—she uses the same determination that she did in her fight against brain cancer. The Missouri native’s undergraduate education was interrupted after her first year at Seton Hall University when she was diagnosed with a slow-growing brain cancer. Kayleigh’s summer plans changed from a courthouse internship to surgery. Despite a recovery period in rehab, she returned to school at the start of sophomore year. Kayleigh had to find new learning techniques after her surgery. “I have had to use new memory tricks and find creative ways to tackle things that are factual,” she said. After earning her BS in international relations, Kayleigh completed 18 months of chemotherapy. She came up with the idea to blog about her experiences while playing indoor soccer during one of her treatments.

“I think an illness is like playing soccer; you fall down and either get back up or wait for the call.” Wanting to become an advocate to the voiceless, Kayleigh decided to pursue a law degree. She chose UMass Law, not only for its affordable education but also as an investment in her future. For Kayleigh, playing soccer keeps her mind and body at peak performance. “Law school brings a new level of stress,” she said. “An important balance for me is the workout that soccer provides.” Planning to work in contract law, Kayleigh hopes to also pursue the pro bono advocacy that she’s passionate about. “I love immigration and domestic advocacy.” “My goal is to let other young people with illnesses know that they can rally and get back out there,” Kayleigh said. “There’s no need to stop when you run into a wall.” Marissa Matton ’14, MA ’16

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alumni

alumni |

Dear alumni & friends, Your Office of Alumni Relations is always looking for ways to help you connect with one another and keep you informed about and engaged with what is happening on campus. Last spring we worked the UMassD Center for Marketing Research to find you what you like, and what you’d like us to do. And you said… More than 1,100 alumni participated in this Alumni Survey! Congratulations to Matthew Gallant ’04 who was randomly selected as the winner of a $100 gift card for taking the survey. Nancy E. Vanasse ’90, MBA '05 Director of Alumni Relations

Key findings:  A majority would like to receive quarterly or monthly updates via email.

Stay in touch online and submit your news to class notes, register for an Alumni event, or join us on social media.

Action: In early 2017 we will be sending you an e-newsletter on a regular basis. However, we must have your email address in our records if you wish to receive this.  Alumni would like to see improvements to the website, social media, and overall communication. Action: In 2017, a new mobile-responsive website will go live. Email messages will be mobile friendly, including the e-newsletters. We will have a more consistent presence on social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.  Alumni would like to become more involved with UMass Dartmouth: be a volunteer or mentor; be a guest speaker for a class; or get involved on an alumni relations committee or Alumni Association Board of Directors. Action: We are increasing the staff in Alumni Relations and the Advancement Office to enable us to help you make those connections. You’ll be able to identify how you would like to be involved through the website or by contacting us directly. Stay Connected Update your information at alumni.umassd.edu, click Stay Connected. By providing your email, we’ll be able to send you our e-newsletter and important information about UMassD. Feel free to touch base and share your ideas. Contact me anytime at nvanasse@umassd.edu.

UMass Dartmouth Alumni

fall 2016 www.umassd.edu

UMassD_Alumni

UMass Dartmouth Alumni

| alumni Meet your 2016-2017 Alumni Board of Directors

Upcoming events Check our website, alumni.umassd.edu, for updated information on events below:

UMass Alumni BBQ & Patriots vs. Dolphins Game January 1, 2017, 11 AM, Miami, FL

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Florida (L-R) Alumni Executive Board: Gregory McCarthy, Samantha Bailey, Daniel DeOliveira

41st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 11, 2017, Naples, FL

Red Sox at JetBlue Park at Fenway South

UMass Dartmouth Alumni Association Board of Directors

March 14, 2017, Fort Myer’s, FL

Executive Board of Directors Daniel DeOliveira ’93 President Gregory McCarthy ’13 Vice President Samantha Bailey ’12 Treasurer

US Supreme Court Swearing In

Board of Directors Melissa Chapelle ’12 Daniel Cole ’79 Donna Cook ’81 Gina Louis ’07 Demitria Ferreira Medeiros ’13 John (Jack) Medeiros, Jr. ’91 Kristina Monteiro ’10, MA ’12

Jennifer Sanchez Olsen ’96 Michael Roy ’75, MAT ’00 Carl Sittard ’87 Alycia Tellen ’12 Michelle White ’90 Matthew C. Witzgall ’15 Stephanie Wright ’13 Ex-Officio Members: Jennifer Granger ’05 Past President Andrea Moore 2017 Student Class President Roger J. Dugal ’70, JD ’89 Herbert Kusako, JD ’89

UMass School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors Executive Board of Directors Herbert Kusako, JD ’89 President Jane Warren, JD ’89 Vice President Felix Betro, JD ’01 Treasuer John Masella, JD ’06 Clerk Board of Directors Steven Brown, JD ’13 Tom Cleary, JD ’07 Louis A. D’Amarino, JD ’14

Robert T. Ferguson, JD ’03 Tisha Giles-Radek, JD ’99 Jeffrey Medeiros, JD ’95 Leigh A. Mills, JD ’96 Edward “Ted” Pettine, JD ’97 Tracy Shaughnessy, JD ’05 Amy Valente ’95, JD ’98 Ex-Officio Members Felicia Carboni, Class of 2017 Roger J. Dugal ’70, JD ’89 Daniel DeOliveira, JD ’93

March 22, 2017, Washington, DC

Alumni Awards Ceremony

Spring tbd, 2017, UMass Dartmouth Main Campus

Commencement May 13, 2017

UMass School of Law Commencement May 15, 2017

Golden Graduates Annual Clam Boil

June 30, 2017, 12 noon, UMass Dartmouth Main Campus

Homecoming Weekend 2017

September 29 & 30, UMass Dartmouth Campus

Mark your

calendar today

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alumni |

Homecoming 2016

fall 2016 www.umassd.edu

| alumni

They keep giving The Class of 2014 started a Dream Scholarship as their class gift. Friday of Homecoming they gathered and presented a check to Tianna Edwards.

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alumni | class notes

Photo courtesy of Michael Delaney, The Providence Journal

THE 1960s

Michael Rodrigues ’80

CEO, Swan Dyeing and Printing Corporation When alum Mike Rodrigues, CEO of Swan Dyeing and Printing Corporation in Fall River, decided to pursue a textile degree at UMassD, he never imagined the impact his education would have on his career trajectory. As a student, Rodrigues commuted to campus to save money, and held a job in order to finance his education. “Even though tuition was less than $300 per semester, I struggled to pay for my education during those four years.” Although learning while working proved tough, Rodrigues realized the advantage of his decision once he entered the textile business. “In 1983, there were thousands of workers in the industry, which boasted nearly 150 mills in the region,” Rodrigues said. Yet today, his company is the sole-surviving dyer and printer business in Fall River. What happened? “Globalization began to change the industry, and required innovation for survival,” Rodrigues said. More than 35 years after graduating from UMassD, Rodrigues continues to wear his class ring at the plant. “My degree gave me the foundation and technical education to excel and advance very quickly.” From plant manager at Pioneer Finishing Company to partner at now-defunct Priority Finishing Corporation, to vice president of manufacturing at Swan, Rodrigues said the return on his investment in education has proven amazing. Since acquiring Swan in 2004, sales have swelled to $30 million from an initial $8 million. The 125-employee company services fabric converters in residential markets for a variety of national brands, including Crate and Barrel, Ethan Allen, Pottery Barn, and Wayfair. “And we’re diversifying our markets.”

fall 2016 www.umassd.edu

Jak Beardsworth ’69 of Punta Gorda, FL, Corsair Hall of Famer ’89, has released his second book, Tennis Game Theory. His first book, More Than Just The Strokes (2005), reached Amazon’s top 10 in tennis instruction. This new work is a compilation of his magazine, newspaper, and internet writing over the past few years. It is aimed at providing players at all levels with the tools and understanding of how to dial-in their A-game. A long time USPTA Elite Professional, he was ranked #3 nationally in the organization’s senior clay court singles circuit in 2014, and has presented seminars to aspiring pros in the U.S. and in Europe. The book is available in both print and ebook versions on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. JakBeardsworthTennis.com.

THE 1970s Paul Gelinas ’72 of Naples, FL, works as an off-ice official for the Florida Everblades of the East Coast Hockey League. Since Florida was awarded an ECHL franchise, the club has helped thousands of children through a variety of educational programs, donations, special events, and fan development initiatives. John Arrington ’73 of Burlington, CT, reports that it was a great day in his life in 1973 when he was fortunate to graduate from SMU, now UMassD. But on

February 1, 2015, he and his wife Angela made a wonderful trip to Phoenix, AZ, and experienced another thrill – watching the Patriots win another exciting Super Bowl. Kathleen B. Castro ’74 of Fall River, MA, works as an adjunct instructor of English/Writing at Bristol Community College. Castro is the founder and publisher O Jornal; and serves as the host of Arts & Entertainment every Friday on WSAR radio. Her community involvement includes serving on the Board of Directors, Little Theatre of Fall River, New Bedford Festival Theatre, New Bedford Educational Foundation. Paul Robillard ’75, MBA ’82 of Mashpee, MA, has retired from the American Red Cross and is currently teaching at Bristol Community College and Johnson & Wales University. Lenore Balliro ’76 of Gloucester, MA, reports that she is the president and primary consultant at Plum Cove Consulting, which provides fresh approaches to staff and program development for nonprofit organizations. www. plumcoveconsulting.com Robin D. Wessman ’76 of Norfolk, MA, was one of eight artists to be showcased in an exhibit called 8 Visions at the Attleboro Arts Museum in August. He takes one workshop every year from artists and institutions to improve his skills. Wessman enjoys and has experimented with pastels, watercolors and acrylics, but for the past 20 years his medium of choice has been

oils. For more information, visit his website at wessmanart.com. Kathy A. Marzilli Miraglia ’77 of Dartmouth, MA, is the author of Inquiry in Action: Paradigms, Methodologies, and Perspectives in Art Education Research along with Cathy Smilan ’14. Joao Arruda ’80 of Taunton, MA, was hired as the new principal at Portsmouth Middle School. Previously an educator in Portsmouth, RI for 22 years, he spent the last four years as principal at Wilbur & McMahon School in Little Compton.

THE 1980s Pauline L. Lally ’80 of Lakeville, MA, is the owner/president of Piping Systems, Inc. in Assonet. Her community involvement includes Advisory Committee Diman Vocational School; Governor appointed Board Member, Mass. Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinklerfitters; member, Silver City Quilt Guild, Taunton. Professor Leonard Travers ’80, of Dartmouth, MA, has written a new book entitled Hodges’ Scout: A Lost Patrol of the French and Indian War, by Johns Hopkins Press, 2015. Alan G. Petersen ’81 of Las Vegas, NV, works as a crime scene analyst with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Petersen received an associate’s degree in Commercial Photography and a certificate in fire investigation from the College of Southern Nevada; and is certified as

class notes | alumni a forensic photographer with the International Association for Identification. Bill Parziale ’83 of Carver, MA, retired after serving 34 years as a U.S. Army Intelligence Officer, during which time he earned his MA in Public Administration at Northeastern University in 1987. Paulo Ferro ’85 of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, joined the company, Drone USA, as its chief strategic officer in addition to serving on the company’s board of directors. Ferro’s responsibilites will include establishing and reviewing key strategic priorities and translating them into a comprehensive strategic plan, and identifying potential acquisitions. Prior to joining Drone USA, he served as an international strategic developer for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI). Prior to joining GA-ASI in November 2013, Ferro served as director of international business development for AeroVironment Inc., and held senior positions with Teledyne Technologies, Corning, and Northrop Grumman. Paulo was directly involved in helping secure over half a billion dollars in international UAV contracts throughout his career. Debra A. Hagberg ’84 of Auburn, MA, was appointed as the director of clinical affairs for PDI Infection Prevention. Her role will support PDI’s Infection Prevention business, including PDI Healthcare and Sani Professional® divisions, serving to further elevate the company’s

position as a trusted resource for infection prevention. She was formerly a member of PDI’s Medical Science Liaison team for nine years, and returns now to develop PDI’s clinical strategy aimed at delivering high-impact educational programs and establishing evidence-based protocols. She will also serve as the corporate medical affairs contact for customers. Prior to returning to PDI, Debra served as Clinical Program Manager, Infection Prevention, at Wolters Kluwer Health. Lauren Niedel-gresh ’84 of Chepachet, RI, was the State of Rhode Island’s contact for the RI Bernie Sanders 2016 Campaign. She was a delegate for Bernie at the Philadelphia Democratic Convention. Richard S. Scafidi ’84 of Orlando, FL, is the owner and managing partner who greets guests at two local establishments, Weekend Willies, where you can enjoy great food and live music by blues bands, and Tropic Chill, a breakfast and lunch spot. His first job out of college was as a cost accountant with Data General. Though he had no experience in the restaurant industry, his 30 years in the financial services industry served him well in making the transition to a restaurant owner. He enjoys golf, boating and family time when the kids are home from school. Shaun H. Bugbee ’85 of Ridgewood, NJ, works as the Vice President, Eastern Region for BMW of North America.

Ed Pomphrett ’85 of Sudbury, MA, has enjoyed working for 25 years in the mortgage world as a producing sales manager. His only regret is that he should have gone to play hockey in Sweden after winning his third ECAC hockey championship at SMU! Dana Hayter ’86 of Danville, CA, has joined Perkins Coie as a partner in the Technology Transactions & Privacy practice in the firm’s San Francisco office, where he will focus on patent and licensing strategy. Dana most recently served as vice president and associate general counsel at Intel Corporation. Scott Tingle ’87 of League City, Texas, astronaut and U.S. Navy Captain, is among the crew members that NASA has selected for upcoming missions to the International Space Station. Two new expeditions are scheduled for September 2017 and will return in 2018. Tingle was commissioned as a naval officer in 1991 and earned his Wings of Gold as a naval aviator in 1993. He has flown more than 4,000 hours in 48 types of aircraft, including combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. A. Keith Broyles ’88 of Mansfield, MA, was hired by Blue Hills Bank to co-lead its new asset-based lending initiative. With more than 25 years of experience in nearly all facets of asset-based lending, Keith has worked as the senior vice president leading the ABL team at First Niagara Commercial Finance, the senior vice president/ relationship manager at

Dr. Godwin C. Ariguzo

Associate Professor of Marketing May 5, 1958 – August 22, 2016 Beloved Professor Godwin Ariguzo passed away in Nigeria after a two-week illness. He leaves behind his wife Kelechi, daughters Ogechi and Chiamaka, and sons Tobey and Onyeka. Godwin was a teacher, scholar, and incredibly caring and generous soul. He always had a smile and a kind word for everyone, particularly students. He provided a challenging classroom environment that encouraged and demanded the best of his students; and they repeatedly voted for Godwin to receive the Thomas J. Higginson Award for Excellence in Teaching (2005, 2009, 2012). He also received the Federation’s Leo M. Sullivan Teacher of the Year award in 2005, and the Walter Cass Faculty Recognition Award in 2009. He served as the founding advisor for the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE, renamed ENACTUS), and as a Sam Walton Fellow. SIFE under his direction became one of the most highly decorated student organizations. Godwin was an accomplished scholar who co-authored 23 refereed academic research articles and generated more than $4.5 million in external grants and funding. He was a role model and was highly involved in international education, serving as the co-advisor of the International Business Association for years. He served as the director of partnership with Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences in Germany and he taught at the Université Pierre Mendes in France. There are plans to establish a scholarship in his memory.

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alumni | class notes In Memoriam

January 2016 through September 2016

Randall B. Pollard ’53 Reginald R. Dion ’55 Leonard “Lenny” Peter Hackett ’55 Henry Galary ’57 Catherine G. Manthey ’62 William J. Butler ’63 Kenneth Machado ’63 Jane K. Booth ’65 Gerald A. Simard ’65 Charles E. Dalbec ’66

Sovereign/Santander, a senior business development officer at TD Bank, Siemens Financial Services Inc. and CIT Group, Inc. Broyles began his career at Shawmut Bank.

THE 1990s Robert A. Flint ’90 of Auburndale, MA, was hired by Exari, the leading provider of cloudbased contract lifecycle

Kathleen M. Matthews ’66 John E. “Coach” Pacheco ’66 Monica Dickens-Stratton ’67 Paul R. Lavigne ’68 Alfred Foley Jr., 70 Jane Pereira Brightman ’71 John L. Worley, Jr. ’71 Fritz Eichenberg ’72 Paul R. Paulousky ’72 Alice M. Garrant King ’73

management solutions, as senior vice president of worldwide sales. Flint was previously the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Luminoso Technologies. Prior to that, he spent eight years at Emptoris. Brian Fox ’90 of Somerset, MA, who has painted portraits at the request of stars in sports and entertainment such as Rob Gronkowski and Mark Wahlberg, just completed a work for the iconic lead

Michael L. O’Brien ’73 General Lee Holman ’76 Nancy J. Kennedy Tower BFA ’76, MAE ’88 Richard D. Dennis ’77 Mary C. Whittaker ’77 Douglas M. Pfeninger ’81 Brian J. Vautrin ’81 David P. Demasi ’82 George A. Heath ’83 William A. Sylvia ’85

singer of Aerosmith, Steven Tyler. (see Art Seen, pg. 19) Joan M. Medeiros ’90 of Fall River, MA, who works as the vice president of commercial lending at Bristol County Savings Bank, was just named to the Bristol Community College Board of Trustees by Gov. Charlie Baker. Her community involvement includes vice chair, Boys & Girls Club of Fall River, and board member for 12 years; chair, Finance Committee, United Way of Greater Fall

River; executive advisory board member, Bishop Connolly High School; Finance Committee, St. Stanislaus School; member, Rotary Club of Fall River; member, Prince Henry Society of Fall River; board member, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Foundation; board member, New England Certified Development, Wakefield. Luis Peter Pereira ’92 of New Bedford, MA, was honored by the Portuguese government. He was

Kathleen L. Angier ’86 Deborah A. Copeland ’86 Se Kyung Choi Kim ’87 Leo J. Canuel ’89 Michael R. Mellen ’90 Eugenie Clark ’92 Matthew Jagielski ‘03 Erica J. Bearse ’08 Brendan Andrew Sullivan ’10 Taylor Green ’12

awarded the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator, officer level, one of 17 to be so honored around the world. It is the Portuguese version of knighthood. “It is beyond words to be recognized by my native country. There is no photo that can explain the way I feel.” Pereira, a photographer for The Standard-Times, has been the New England Newspaper & Press Association’s Photographer of the Year for eight of the past 12 years.

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fall 2016 www.umassd.edu

class notes | alumni Pereira came to the U.S. at age eight, earned a degree in computer engineering from UMass Dartmouth, and started his own computer company in 1998 before giving it up to pursue his dream of photojournalism. Robert H. Balkind ’93 of Pleasant Valley, NY, who served as the Deputy Commissioner of Public Works in Dutchess County, has been named as the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works in Dutchess County, NY. Balkind is a New York State registered professional engineer who joined Dutchess County government in 2004 as the assistant director for DPW’s Engineering Division, following more than a decade of work at New York State Department of Transportation and the private sector, including Dewkett Engineering in Rhinebeck. Alison Caron ’93 of Hyannis, MA, a professional freelance photographer, and the owner of Alison Caron Design with a studio on Main Street in Hyannis, was selected a 2016 winner of the Top 40 Under 40 Award for the best young professionals on the Cape, Islands, and southeast Massachusetts areas. This recognition is given by Plymouth & Cape Cod Business Magazine. Caron worked at the Cape Cod Times in 2004, and in 2007 became associate art director at Cape Cod Magazine. She was promoted to art director, and eventually became creative director of Cape Cod Magazine and its sister publications, South Shore

Living, Chatham Magazine, and Cape Cod Guide. Daniel Flanagan ’93 of Sudbury, MA, was named partner at Canby Financial Advisors. For more than 20 years, Flanagan has helped entrepreneurs and executives achieve their financial and life goals by helping prepare, implement and manage their financial plans and investment portfolios. He and his wife, Kristin, and their two daughters live in Sudbury, where he is active in St. Anselm Church and coaches youth soccer. Francis A. Nichols ’95 of Orleans, MA, was hired as the town’s new operations manager for the department of public works. Nichols, a civil engineer and licensed professional engineer, has more than 20 years’ experience as a civil engineer with a concentration on storm water and site design and has been a licensed professional engineer in Massachusetts for 15 years. Most recently, he was the Senior Project Engineer for the City of Newton dealing with large scale roadway projects, commercial development projects, as well as storm water improvement projects, and was the pavement management engineer managing all roadway construction within the city. Katie Cook Rayburn ’96 of Weymouth, MA, works as an Assistant District Attorney for Bristol County as the Deputy Chief of the Homicide Unit. She has worked there since 2008 and mostly handles cases involving murders.

Melissa Pacheco ’96, MBA ’07, of Westport, MA, accepted the position of Senior Program Specialist, Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs in the Charlton College of Business, at UMass Dartmouth. Jonathan T. Bishop ’97 of Draper, UT, was hired in April as the new chief executive officer of Nutranomics Inc. Bishop has been integral in creating change and growing companies for over 15 years, beginning in Boston, New Jersey, and New York, before being promoted to president of a technology company in Portland, OR in 2009. During that time he increased new revenue streams by adding new markets and developing cutting edge training while being responsible for reorganizing and restructuring the entire organization. Linda Baptista Hall ’97 of Hollywood, CA, wears many hats as an entrepreneur, grant writer, publicist, promoter, marketer, social media wiz, web designer, and realtor. She also is founding CEO of Djanai’s Angels, a specialty boutique that caters to the special needs of children of different abilities, and InClusion ClubHouse, a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for families of children, teens and young adults with special needs. The goal is to open facilities that provide recreational activities, social gatherings and resources that support the families. Linda’s husband, Marion H. “Pooch” Hall, Jr., whom she met

when they both attended UMass Dartmouth, began his acting career with the UMass Dartmouth Theater Company. He is an actor who plays the role of Daryll Donovan in the Showtime drama Ray Donovan, and his latest film role was that of Muhammad Ali in the Bleeder. The Hall’s live in California and have four children, daughters Djanai and Djaedra, and sons Djordan and Djulian. Jennifer Christy, MAE ’98 of Chilmark, MA, is the town clerk by day and paints at night. She says her paintings are the edge of a shoreline, the ridge of a hill. They are molecular, artifacts, bones. They are whatever you think they are and were displayed this summer at the Field Gallery on Martha’s Vineyard. Mrs. Christy, her children and her husband, Todd Christy, owner of Chilmark Coffee, live in the old family summer house full time. For her, public service and art go hand in hand, and her life would not feel full without one or the other. Elisa Lorello ’99, MA ’03 of Billings, MT, has been a published author for less than a decade, but her writing career has already been surprisingly varied. Elisa is the author of the Kindle best-selling novels Faking It and Ordinary World, Why I Love Singlehood (co-authored with Sarah Girrell), and Adulation. Her latest book was commissioned by Adaptive Studios, a Los Angeles-based entertainment company that provided the title, Pasta Wars, the premise and the characters. Lorello

was born and raised on Long Island and taught rhetoric and composition for 12 years at North Carolina State University. John A. Magnan, MFA ’99 of Mattapoisett, MA, is an artist whose latest work The Hero’s Project, is creating three wooden cairns with windows that will sit atop lighted bases. Commissioned by Eli Lilly and Company, a multinational pharmaceutical company based in Indiana, Magnan is creating three elaborate structures of wood and light that incorporate the journeys of patients and the greater clinical drug trial community to raise awareness. Focusing on wood sculpture since graduating, he has since been commissioned to create pieces for corporations, organizations, hospitals and residences. Magnan’s work can be seen in the form of a school of fish swimming through the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s New Bedford headquarters, in a yoga form overlooking a healing garden at the Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care, and as an installation at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Kurt Seguer ’99 of Ladson, SC, has been promoted to senior vice president at South Atlantic Bank. He is a commercial lender based in the Mount Pleasant office. He has 17 years of banking industry experience. Michael Watson ’99 of Dartmouth, MA, a history teacher at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School for nine years, has

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alumni | class notes been appointed the new academic principal. Watson has spent 17 years as a history teacher, the last nine years at Voc-Tech. He coached high school and college men’s basketball for 11 years, and was on the Dartmouth Select Board from 2009 to 2015.

THE 2000s

Katrina Semich ’11, MPA

Development Associate Marie Stopes International-US Katrina Semich’s passion for advocacy flourished during her undergraduate years at UMass Dartmouth. As a double major in English and Women’s and Gender Studies, she was inspired by Athena Mota, former Director of Advocacy and Communications at YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts, became involved with SouthCoast Serves, and volunteered to maintain and coordinate the campus garden. In 2013, Katrina decided to pursue a graduate degree and moved to Washington, DC, to obtain her Master's in Public Administration from American University. She graduated in 2015 with her Master’s, with a concentration in policy and program evaluation. Semich secured a position as a development associate with Marie Stopes International-US (MSIUS). Marie Stopes International, one of the largest international family planning organizations, gives some of the poorest and most vulnerable women access to family planning and reproductive healthcare. “It was through the connections that I made during my senior year at UMassD that gave me the opportunity to apply for my current position," she said. Katrina’s position focuses on new business development and grants management with U.S.-based private foundations, partner organizations, and individuals. She also is responsible for helping develop grassroots fundraising. "The best thing about working at Marie Stopes International is contributing to its impact," Semich said.

fall 2016 www.umassd.edu

Cathleen ColleranSantos ’00 of Taunton, MA, was recently named president of the American Nurses Association of Massachusetts. Jesse Green ’00 of Medway, MA, has transformed a collection of tree stumps into a wooden sculpture celebrating Boston area sports teams. Green, a professional sculptor whose use of a chainsaw earned him the nickname "The Machine," tiltled his latest work the “World Championship Tree.” Green transformed the four stumps into human fingers bearing championship rings for each of Massachusetts major sports teams: The Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins and New England Patriots. Green studied fine arts at UMass Dartmouth. Jason M. Karaffa ’01 of Greensboro, NC, works as the Legal Counsel at Volvo Financial Services. He graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2006. After law school, he worked in the New York offices of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP and DLA Piper LLP in their financial restructuring departments.

Adam Vareika ’01 of Raynham, MA, was appointed the assistant vice president for Child and Family Services at Seven Hills Rhode Island. Vareika brings a wealth of experience working with adults and children as a licensed independent clinical social worker. He is a diplomat in the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and is certified in education and as a school principal, special education administrator and adjustment counselor. Before coming to Seven Hills Rhode Island, Vareika served as assistant vice president of Behavioral Health Services at Child and Family Services of Newport. Emilio Cruz ’02 of Webster, MA, received an appointment to serve as a member of the Sex Offender Registry Board, and serves as an Adjunct Professor at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester. Stefanie K. Gazda, MS '02 of Salem, MA, earned her PhD from UMass Boston. She published a paper in Marine Mammal Science in March that shows that working with barrier dolphins lets divers catch more fish than they would alone. Dophins in Florida Bay trap fish inside rings of mud, which is one of the specialized foraging tactics found in different bottlenose dolphin populations. The Cedar Key dolphins Gazda studied may help explain why these different methods arise and how they spread. Do they simply depend on a dolphin

population’s habitat and prey? Or do they represent a kind of cultural tradition? Gazda hopes to find a job that will let her keep studying the dolphins of Cedar Key, FL and nearby waters. Susan J. Sylvia ’03, MAT ’07 of Acushnet, MA, an English teacher at the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, has been selected for two prestigious honors. Sylvia, a former administrator at New Bedford Public Schools and English and ELL department chairman and summer school director at Voc-Tech since 2010, has been chosen to be a member of the Department of Education preparation review team and has also been appointed a leadership mentor by the National Council of Teachers of English for the 2016-2017 school year. Nathan D. DiPerri ’04 of Lunenburg, MA, was a featured artist when the Lunenburg Library held a signing and discussion of his new collection of newspaper comic strips, My Guardian Grandpa. DiPerri has worked as a freelance illustrator, theater director and playwright. His illustrations have been featured in Cruising World magazine, and a stage play, Miss Wallace Rhymes With William, that was published by Heartland Plays Inc. Michael Carlozzi ’05 of Wareham, MA, was hired by the Town Administrator to the full-time position as chief administrator of the Wareham Public Library. Carlozzi, formerly worked as the technology

class notes | alumni and information services librarian at the Canton Public Library. He holds a master’s degree in library and information studies from the University of Rhode Island and a master’s degree in English studies from the University of Oxford. Kaisa Holloway Cripps ’06, MBA ’10 of Fairhaven, MA, works at Brandeis University's Heller School as an administrator for the Sustainable International Development master’s program. Robert Reid Coyne ’07 of Lubbock, TX, an astronomer and physicist, currently works at Texas Tech University. He was part of the scientific teams that were listening to deep space when they struck gravitational gold. The sound was produced when the black holes crashed together with such cataclysmic force that the event created a ripplelike effect in space-time. What the scientists heard was direct evidence of the existence of gravitational waves. It is a ringing confirmation of the nature of black holes, the bottomless gravitational pits from which not even light can escape. It was a discovery that confirmed a prediction made by Albert Einstein a century ago–part of his theory of relativity. It completes his vision of a universe in which space and time are interwoven and dynamic, able to stretch, shrink and jiggle, the New York Times reported. Martha Helen Grover, MFA ’07 of Bethel, ME, an internationally-renowned

potter specializing in the creation of eloquent, organic, functional porcelain pieces held a twoday ceramic demonstration workshop in Ole Forge, NY, in June and held a lecture and workshop at the University of Southern Indiana’s Art and Design in September. Martha’s work was featured on the cover of Ceramic Monthly’s May issue. Her work has been shown nationally and internationally, and can be found at galleries across the country. She was awarded the Fogelberg Fellowship for a residency at the Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis, MN, and the Sage Scholarship for a summer residency at the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, MT. Martha completed a yearlong residency at Red Lodge Clay Center in Red Lodge, MT, in August 2009. She received the Taunt Fellowship at the Archie Bray Foundation in 2010. Her work has been published in 500 Pitchers, 500 Platters and Chargers, and 500 Vases. Grover has been a self-employed artist since 2007. More of her work can be found on her website: marthagrover.com. Kyle B. Riding ’07 of Fairhaven, MA, and Keiser University, Orlando, FL, where he works as a medical laboratory technology faculty member, has taken on a leadership role within two national associations for his field, the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science and the American Society for Clinical Pathology. He received an invitation from both groups to collaboratively assess a

newly created leadership development program for allied health professionals who seek to enhance their leadership skills. Alexandra Romeyn ’07 of Naples, FL, works as the Premier Sotheby’s International Realty new relocation manager, overseeing a referral network that, as a Sotheby’s International Realty affiliate, spans 63 countries and territories worldwide. Previously, Alex spent 10 years in the luxury beauty and fashion industry. Dawn Renee Stetzel ’07 of Yale, IA, was selected to participate in the inaugural Coastal Oregon Artist Residency program. She has done several artist residencies, including an invitational in China and a two-month residency in Brazil. Merideth Morgan ’08, writes “I’m living in New York City running a fashion & travel blog: MeridethMorgan.com and freelancing as a fashion stylist working with companies such as Adidas, Saks Fifth Avenue, Laura Mercier, GQ, and Mumm Champagne. Still playing basketball in a women’s league at Chelsea Piers! I stay in touch with friends AJ Tavares and Corymar Cordero from UMassD.” Bethiny Lin Bernardo Moseley ’08, MBA ’10 of Weymouth, MA, has been hired as the town accountant for Holbrook. Prior to being hired in Weymouth, Moseley was the Randolph town accountant and has held positions as senior auditor and accountant for various firms and school systems in MA.

Peter F. Webber ’08 of Westford, MA, has played shows with thrash metal band Havok in front of thousands of fans at performances in Germany. Webber, a 25-year native of Nabnasset has been the drummer for Denverbased Havok since 2010. He returned to his hometown area with the rest of his bandmates to open for metal band Megadeth at the DCU Center in Worcester on Oct. 12. Havok has toured with Megadeth throughout the U.S., Canada, and recently Germany, with shows in Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Munich. Pete uses his degree in graphic design to make the designs for some of Havok’s fliers and T-shirts. Mary Ellen Boisvert ’09 of Plymouth, MA, started teaching at UMass Dartmouth last year and is enrolled in the PhD in nursing program at UMass Lowell. Connie M. DeCourcey ’09 of Leicester, MA, has joined the firm of Environmental Compliance Services, Inc. AGAWAM, as a senior compliance specialist responsible for providing support for compliance programs related to underground storage tank and aboveground storage tank facilities. Chris Jablonski ’09 of West Brookfield, MA, was promoted to manager of the Northampton branch of New England electrical distributor HZ Electric Supply. Chris worked for two years as marketing manager of Hampden Zimmerman before entering the 18-month managementtrainee program.

Stan Sherman, PBC ’09, MBA ’12, of Dartmouth, MA, works as the director of workload management and engineering at Naval Undersea Warfare Center Headquarters in Newport, RI. Sherman works with his Naval Surface Warfare Center counterpart to lead and manage center technical capability stewardship, task planning, and task execution processes and policies. As part of this effort, he will conduct the Technical Capability Health Assessment, adjudicate division technical capabilities to improve workload projections and assignments, oversee implementation of common cost estimating and detailed task planning across all customers and manage the work acceptance and assignment process.

THE 2010s Natanael A. Cordeiro ’10 of Fall River, MA, was welcomed to the International Association of HealthCare Professionals with his upcoming publication in The Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare. Natanael is a physician assistant at Prima-CARE, PC in Westport, MA and is affiliated with Steward Health Care System. He has three years of experience specializing in primary care, surgical care, emergency care, and hospital procedures. Natanael was educated at Long Island University and is board certified as a Certified Physician

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Assistant. He is additionally certified in Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Rose Facchini ’10 of Taunton, MA, presented original work at the Mediterranean Studies Association Conference in Palermo, Italy 2016. Facchini received the Kathryn Davis Fellowship 2016 and is teaching a new course at UMass Dartmouth that she proposed last year; ITA 211, Contemporary Italian History through Film I. Meredith Rodman Harris ’10 of Norton, MA, was recently appointed executive director of the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Meredith joined the MEDC in July 2015 as director of business development. Raymond Richard, MA ’10 of Sagamore Beach, MA, published his novel, Fallen Fret, the story of two New York City sisters immersed in the Manhattan blues music scene. This story of women's empowerment will make you laugh and probably draw a tear. Kristina Allison Monteiro ’11 of Middleboro, MA, recently gained a faculty appointment as an Assistant Professor of Medical Sciences at Brown University. Leah Vandale ’11 of Orlando, FL, was a cheerleader for the New England Patriots for three terms. She successfully auditioned for the Los Angeles Lakers dance team and appeared as a Los Angeles Laker Girl until 2011. In 2013, Vandale

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signed a contract with the WWE. Her ring name is Carmella, a leopard print clad “Princess of Staten Island.” Her character is fun, fierce and fabulous. Moving forward, Leah’s goal is to win the NXT Women’s Championship, move up to the WWE and claim the women’s championship there. Additionally, Leah is a certified fitness instructor and personal trainer. Whitney Greene, MS ’12 of New Bedford, MA, was hired as the new veterinarian at Buttonwood Park Zoo, where she has taken the helm of the zoo’s veterinary hospital. Dr. Greene has worked with animals in such diverse settings as The Marine Mammal Center, Georgia Aquarium, Denver Zoo and the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program. But for her first full-time veterinary job, she has come home to Massachusetts.

Quaishiona “Shona” Carter ’12 of Washington, DC, works in the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer in the Economic Cone, where she promotes U.S. interests abroad. She will be travelling roughly every two years and learning the languages of the countries that she visits. Her job is to build and strengthen relationships with foreign entities in the areas of trade, business, and investment. She is passionate about diplomacy, trade, and poverty alleviation. Shona graduated from American University with a master’s degree in International Economic Relations in May. Kristin Reinhart ’12 of Massapequa, NY, has worked as a senior auditor with Deloitte in New York City since 2014.

Amy Uthus, MFA ’12 of Knoxville, IA, was recognized by Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds of Iowa, who honored artists from Knoxville whose works were selected for the Iowa Women’s Art Exhibition, which celebrates female artists and their contributions to cultural vitality and quality of life in Iowa. Additionally, Uthus was an International Student Resident at the International Ceramics Studio in Hungary and an Artist-In-Residence at Guldagergaard International Ceramics Research Center in Denmark. Her work is held in multiple collections. Allison Rebecca Elia, MFA ’13 of Stow, OH, has 18 “sculptural snapshots,” that were on display at the Colo Colo Gallery in New Bedford. All are fully realized depictions of the female form and they range in scale from figures that one could comfortably take in one’s hands to life-size. A resident artist at the Roswell Art Center West in Roswell, GA, Allison tries to create sculptures that “capture a single climatic moment of internal experience before it naturally shifts, dissolves, resolves or fades into memory.” Alexandra Gilmore ’13 of Syracuse, NY, was hired by Pinckney Hugo Group as a digital media buyer. Prior to joining Pinckney Hugo Group, Gilmore worked as a senior brand strategist in Central New York. Katherine Jessie Thompson, MS ’13 of Edgecomb, ME, was hired by the Department of

Marine Resources in Augusta, as a new scientist to lead its lobster sampling program. Thompson, a PhD student in marine biology at the University of Maine, will be responsible for the coordination, implementation and participation in the lobster sea sampling program in all seven of the state’s lobster management zones and will oversee the department’s juvenile lobster ventless trap survey. Her responsibilities will include supervision of DMR scientific staff and contractors who participate in those programs. Thompson will also manage the lobster research program database, oversee data entry compilation and annual summary statistics and reports for publication, and will assist in writing grant reports. Dr. Craig P. O’Connell, PhD ’14 of Stormville, NY, a marine biologist and shark expert, has developed a non-lethal, magnetic deterrent technology to serve as an “eco-friendly alternative form of technology” to minimize the danger of shark encounters. Craig was recently featured on Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. Carly Rousseau ’14 of Chicopee, MA, has earned a Fulbright Teaching Assistant position in Greece for the next academic year. Rousseau has been working at the Department of Children and Families in Springfield.

UMass Dartmouth believed in me and offered the encouragement and financial support I needed to succeed – and for that I am forever grateful.”

Dreams do come true Monica Diaz ’13, arrived in the U.S. from Puebla, Mexico, when she was 20 years old with less than $200. She had dreams of attending college to become a mechanical engineer. Monica was accepted into UMass Dartmouth’s College Now—a program designed to provide students with the academic and social support they need to succeed. Once at UMassD, Monica worked two jobs, sent money back home, and maintained a 3.5 GPA that qualified her for scholarship support every semester. UMass Dartmouth believed in Monica, and after graduating and starting her engineering career, she started a book scholarship for College Now engineering students. She wants to help dreams come true for others.

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