Volume 5, Issue 3 | Spring 2011
NICHOLS COLLEGE MAGAZINE
Making it Happen in Manhattan
F R O M
T H E
P R E S I D E N T
NICHOLS COLLEGE MAGAZINE Volume 5, Issue 3 | Spring 2011
State of the College With the advent of spring, Nichols College transforms yet again. We await our lush green campus to be in full bloom and students out enjoying the warm weather as signs that the College is ready to graduate another class and bring a close to the school year. At Nichols, this season of renewal also holds the promise of a new building on campus – one that will further distinguish our New England village – and a new president to lead the College on its quest to further become a premier business school. We are on target to demolish Alumni Hall in late March to create the new Alumni Hall, a modern campus center that will serve the social and co-curricular interests of our students. The new facility will occupy the same footprint as its predecessor but, at 30,000 square feet, will double the space. The building will house office space for student services, such as residence life and career services; meeting space; an alternative food service; and the post office, bookstore and radio station. It will also feature a trading room to engage students and faculty. The center is expected to open in the fall of 2012 and to cost about $8-10 million. With this project, along with the addition of new and renovated residence halls, the construction of the Athletic Center and multi-purpose Vendetti Field, and the renovation of other athletic facilities, the “living” portion of
Your Success Is Our Business
the College’s learning and living environment is in excellent shape. In the near future, the College will turn its attention to the academic facilities, which have been sufficient for our needs at this time. In the meantime, our oldest academic building, Academy Hall, has been recently upgraded with smartclassroom technology, white boards, and new paint, carpeting and student desks. Our pursuit of a new president also remains on target. We have employed the search firm of Witt/Kieffer, which specializes in higher education leadership. The consultants have spent considerable time with the President Search Committee, senior administration, faculty and staff to assess the organizational culture and unique needs of Nichols to customize their search. In accordance with our original timeframe, we hope to name the next president of Nichols College in late spring. In the meantime, we have established a website to post periodic updates which can be accessed directly from the College’s homepage at www.nichols.edu. In all other business, we proceed with cautious optimism (is there any other kind these days?). Fall 2011 applications are tracking ahead of last year, and we were highly encouraged by the recent results of the 2010 graduate survey – of the 131 graduates who responded (72 percent), 90 percent are currently
EDITOR Susan Veshi ON CAMPUS EDITOR Dorothy Millhofer
employed full time and earning an average salary of $39,900. These outcomes underscore the efforts of the entire Nichols community to prepare students to seize opportunities and outshine the competition in their professional pursuits. We are proud of our graduates – they represent the College and themselves with distinction. In this issue of Nichols College Magazine, you’ll read of other initiatives and ways that Nichols is continuing to make an impact on students, graduates and the community. We can all share in the success of the current state of Nichols College with the knowledge that we are keeping the institution strong, facing our challenges with innovation and resourcefulness, and securing a visionary leader to move the College forward.
Gerald Fels ’66, DBA (Hon.) ’07
CONTRIBUTORS Brianne Callahan, Julie Errico, Hillary Haynes, Christine Jankowski, Bill Pieczynski, Ron Powers ’08, Ron Schmitt ’62 BA ’65, Len Suprise DESIGN Patricia Korch PRINTING Finlay / Bloomfield, CT COVER PHOTO Tammy Woodard Photography Worcester, MA NICHOLS COLLEGE
PO Box 5000 123 Center Road Dudley, MA 01571-5000 508-213-1560 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., M–F www.nichols.edu Periodicals postage paid at Webster, MA, and additional mailing offices. NICHOLS COLLEGE MAGAZINE
(UPSP 390480) is published three times a year by Nichols College, Dudley, MA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Advancement Office NICHOLS COLLEGE
PO Box 5000 Dudley, MA 01571-5000
CONTENTS
Volume 5, Issue 3 | Spring 2011
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6 2| 2| 3| 3| 4| 5|
Boffi is focused on student success Extreme internship New 4 + 1 MBA adds competitive edge Like a good neighbor, Nichols boosts local economy From Dudley Hill to Capitol Hill Nichols College earns top scores in national survey
F E AT U R E S
6 | Nichols takes Manhattan 10 | Nichols 2.0 AT H L E T I C S
12 | Trifecta: Postseason run brings home three TCCC titles 13 | Carven departs after twelve seasons 13 | Two top 1,000 in women’s hoops
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ALUMNI
14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 24 |
A view from the hill Taking stock: an ESOP tale Class notes Catching up with: Paul Gauvin ’72 Catching up with: Elaine deCiutiis ’02 MBA ’03 Nichols remembers Raising money with class
Cover: Nichols Madison Square Garden interns Kara Buckley, Justin Savoie, Alicia Stott and John Rivers.
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ON CAMPUS
Boffi is focused on student success Nichols has taken the next step in its commitment to student success. Bill Boffi has been named the College’s first associate dean for student success and retention. In this student-focused role, he will determine ways to ensure a rewarding and productive educational experience for all students. He can tell you in his own words…
Q: What does an associate dean for student success and retention do?
A: My objective as the College’s lead administrator for retention efforts is to build best practices to help the Nichols student thrive. With input and help from the offices of Academic Affairs and Students Services, my focus will be on designing, implementing and facilitating a seamless model of integrated programs and services that support academic and personal success for all students. In addition, I hope to provide the College with hands-on data analysis on student engagement, learning, and satisfaction.
Q: In your new position at Nichols, what do you see as your biggest challenge?
A: The biggest challenge initially is to determine the factors that we Vital Stats Name
Bill Boffi
Title
Associate Dean for Student Success and Retention
Start Date
Jan. 3, 2011
Reports to
Dr. Brian McCoy, Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean
Age
43 years old
Residence
Cranston, RI
Family
Wife Monica and three children: Madeline (15); Ben (12) and Brett (6)
Education
BA in mathematics from Providence College (1989), MBA from the University of Rhode Island (1992)
Previous Position
can influence to improve student persistence. Nichols is a very student-centered community and there are already many things in place to help students be successful at the College. The challenge is to help identify the things we are doing well and to figure out how to move those things into the path of more students.
Q: What’s on your “to do” list for the next couple of months? A: I am setting up meetings with my colleagues on campus who have roles that impact our students. Again, I want to find out more about what we are doing well so we can do more of it.
Q: How do you keep your energy and motivation up during a hard day of work?
Dean for Student Recruitment and Retention at Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill, MA
A: Iced coffee and work that I’m passionate about, of course. Q: How do you spend your leisure time? A: My kids and their activities (dance, basketball, etc.) take up most of my down time. My 12-year-old, Ben, plays on three basketball teams. I coach one and help out on the other two. This time of year is particularly busy. If I have a free hour or two, I read or watch a basketball game, live or on television. I used to be an avid golfer and hope to rekindle that passion.
Extreme internship Maria Balabanova ’11 landed a threemonth internship with Red Bull in Moscow working with the energy drink giant’s area marketing field manager on the 2010 Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour. Set against the backdrop of 16th century St. Basil’s Cathedral, the event, which combines the extreme sport of freestyle motocross and the bullfighting tradition, provided a unique summer learning experience for Balabanova, whose pre-event activities included tracking the distribution of posters, banners, stickers, photo booths and free samples to universities in eight marketing regions. More than 500 tons of sand was dumped in front of the cathedral to develop the motocross. “We had two days to build it and
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two days to clean it up,” she says. “It was an incredible venue and over 30,000 people attended the event.” On campus, Balabanova spends her energy on her studies in international business and accounting and on captaining the women’s tennis team. A citizen of Canada and Russia, Balabanova, chose Nichols for its business curriculum and its small, friendly campus. She now has her sights set on law school and was planning to take the LSATs in February. “I’m ready for my next challenge,” she says.
ON CAMPUS
NICHOLS COLLEGE
4+1MBA New 4+1 MBA adds competitive edge Dean of Graduate & Professional Studies Larry Muller has announced the creation of an accelerated, full-time, 4+1 MBA beginning in the spring 2011 semester. The program targets undergraduate business students who thrive on the challenge of earning a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration in just five years. “With a resounding endorsement by our business faculty, we anticipate the program to be a huge success,” says Rayanne Drouin, director of enrollment and marketing for Graduate & Professional Studies. “We already have 20 seniors in the pipeline.” The benefits of the 4+1 MBA include a 10 percent reduction in the cost of graduate coursework (given to all alumni), a cohort learning model which establishes strong partnerships with classmates, and the advantage of entering a career path with an advanced business degree. In addition, existing Nichols day students may take advantage of the benefits of being a full-time student including campus housing, student services and athletic eligibility. In the executive search industry, an MBA is seen as having particular value for those pursuing the title of CEO. The Nichols MBA Program, which began in 1975, has conferred more than 1,882 degrees to Nichols graduates who number among the one in 10 who become a CEO, president, or business owner. “Based on valuable feedback from our current business students, their quest for an MBA is part of an intentional career path strategy,” notes Drouin. “The Nichols business student is looking to learn skills that they can apply right away at work, increasing their value as a new hire.”
Like a good neighbor, Nichols boosts local economy For 2009-2010, Nichols College’s positive economic impact on its surrounding communities topped $108 million, a three percent increase over the previous year based on factors which include budget, capital improvements and student spending and fees. In addition, it is conservatively estimated
2009-2010 Nichols College Students from Worcester County, MA: Total 689 Students
Our students, faculty and staff are committed to sharing their time, talents and treasure with those in need... that for the same period, student clubs and athletic teams performed over 6,000 volunteer service hours, for an additional value of $125,100. “Our students, faculty and staff are committed to sharing their time, talents and treasure with those in need, including the Webster-Dudley Food Share, Red Cross Blood Drive, Walk for the Cure, and the Bison Reading Program,” notes President Gerald Fels. On campus, capital projects over the past 12 years that have enhanced the beauty, safety and functionality of the Hill have also had an impact on the local economy. “It’s our policy to buy goods and services from the surrounding communities, use local vendors and create jobs,” says Vice President for Administration Michael Stanton. “This focus helps the region achieve long-term, sustainable growth.” Today, Nichols employs 151 full-time and 141 part-time individuals, with nearly 80 percent owning homes and paying property and excise taxes to local towns. According to Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing Thomas Cafaro, Nichols is proud to educate students from
Auburn / 28
Shrewsbury / 22
Charlton / 31
Southbridge / 38
Douglas / 27
Spencer / 12
Dudley / 72
Sturbridge / 16
Holden / 18
Sutton / 20
Leominster / 12
Uxbridge / 12
Milford / 11
Webster / 53
Millbury / 16
Worcester / 90
Oxford / 25
2009-2010 Nichols College Students from Windham County, CT: Total 118 Students
the surrounding region. “Almost 97.2 percent of our students receive some form of financial aid,” he says, with 38 percent of day students coming from two surrounding counties: Worcester
It’s our policy to buy goods and services from the surrounding communities, use local vendors and create jobs...
Abington / 1
Moosup / 3
Ashford / 3
N. Grosvenordale / 18
Ballouville / 1
Plainfield / 2
Brooklyn / 8
Pomfret Center / 3
Burlington / 1
Putnam / 26
Canterbury / 2
Quinebaug / 1
Danielson / 7
Scotland / 1
Dayville / 7
Thompson / 15
Hampton / 1
Woodstock / 18
2009-2010 academic year totaled $31,866,743. And to date, over 103 commuter students with financial need from the towns of Webster and Dudley have received, or are currently receiving, scholarships of up to $20,000 from the Fels family. “We have always believed that business education isn’t confined to a classroom,” says President Fels, “and that being a good neighbor is serious business. We remain steadfastly committed to our region.”
County, Mass., and Windham County, Conn. The amount of financial aid awarded for day and evening undergraduate and MBA students from all sources for the
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From Dudley Hill to Capitol Hill
T
his winter break was not politics as usual for senior David Jay Janjua and sophomore Stefany Mendez. The two took advantage of programs offered by The Washington Center and sponsored by the Robert C. Fischer Policy and Cultural Institute to learn more about civic engagement in our nation’s capital. For Janjua, it was a chance to deepen a strong personal interest in politics. The Dean’s List honoree and commuter student was awarded a $2,000 scholarship to participate in Politics and the Media, a session on how candidates use new media to bypass traditional news gatekeepers. A typical day began at 8:30 a.m. with many distinguished speakers, such as United States Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley, CBS journalist and moderator of Face the Nation Bob Schieffer, and contributing news analyst for National Public Radio and the Fox News Channel Marvin Kalb. “The morning sessions were my David Jay Janjua favorite because I got a chance to ask questions of people with rare insight who are in the thick of things,” says Janjua. “I left with a greater appreciation for news reporters, who generally want to make a difference by shining a light on the truth.” The program made a big impression on Janjua. In his essay assignment, he wrote, “Partisan lines are so deep they have hindered
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civility. The question then is, why? Many point to new media and its shift in how people get their news, how fast they get it, and Stefany Mendez (second from left) with her new friends and the subsequent (top row, fourth from right) with Egyptian Ambassador to the polarizing effects United States, Sameh Shoukry. of its delivery.” Conversely, he continues, technologies, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, give politicians direct access to their supporters. “Sarah Palin exemplifies a politician who knows how to use the internet – a single tweet from her can command the news for a whole day,” he comments. Using the experience as an opportunity to network, Janjua handed out business cards printed with a quote from Leonardo da Vinci: “People of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” That sums up Janjua’s belief about seizing every opportunity that comes his way: “I hope these scholarships to the Washington Center continue.”
ON CAMPUS
Mendez, president of the sophomore class and a resident assistant in Remillard Hall, attended an intense, two-week program, entitled Camp David III, where participants negotiate their own path to Israeli-Palestinian peace. “We listened to keynote speakers every day so that we had a better understanding of the complexities and history of the conflict,” says Mendez. Part of the curriculum also included watching the documentary film Promises; touring the embassies of Israel, Egypt and France; and visiting the home of the Syrian Ambassador Dr. Imad Moustapha. Participants then used a model simulation of an international summit to negotiate an Israeli-Palestinian peace following the footsteps of Camp David I. “Because I hold strong religious convictions myself, in the second week, I assumed the role of Eli Yishai, an uncompromising Israeli Stefany Mendez politician and head of the Shas Party,” says Mendez. Yishai currently serves on the Knesset as deputy prime minister and minister of internal affairs. “At the end of the seminar, we had an agreement for a twostate solution, with neutral custody over the old city of Jerusalem,” she says. “But, those two weeks made me more aware of government engagement and how difficult it is to please anyone when trying to resolve a conflict.” Rooming and interacting with other students proved to be an “incredible experience” for Mendez. “Many came from elite schools and after some initial trepidation, I learned how to hold my own in conversations about the day’s activities over dinner in our apartment,” she says. Every night, the roommates baked and ate cookies as they wrote in their journals, a requirement each evening during the two weeks of study. They also soaked up the many historical and cultural sights Washington has to offer. “For me, this trip was life changing because I made some really great friends and am more confident about understanding complex global issues,” Mendez says. “Most importantly, I have a new-found appreciation of being a business major!”
Editor’s note: The College is grateful to Charles Zabriskie, a member of the Fischer Institute Advisory Board, for helping to subsidize the scholarships to The Washington Center programs.
Nichols College earns top scores in national survey Nichols College ranks among top colleges in the 2010 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) released by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, showing superior marks in the level of academic challenge, active and collaborative learning, and student-faculty interaction. Every year NSSE asks fourth-year students at hundreds of colleges and universities to reflect on the time they devote to various learning activities to determine student success in college. Nichols scored higher in key categories than the average of 13 of its peer NICHOLS COLLEGE colleges and higher than the NSSE New England Private 2010 average. Here’s a sample of the indicaCarnegie tors that Nichols graduates will be NSSE 2010 Average successful in the workplace.
Solving Complex Real-World Problems Very Often
Acquiring Job or Work-Related Knowledge and Skills Very Often
37% 26% 35% 28%
60% 40% 54% 40%
Speaking Clearly and Effectively
Working Effectively with Others
Very Often
Very Often
58% 36% 45% 36%
60% 44% 53% 44%
Nichols scored higher in key categories than the average of 13 of its peer colleges and higher than the NSSE 2010 average.
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Nichols Takes Manhattan By Dorothy Millhofer
“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere,” croons Frank Sinatra about his desire to be “king of the hill” in New York, New York. Indeed, New York City, the largest metropolis in the United States, has world-class venues for any college intern seeking an experience that says to prospective employers: “I’m the real deal” and “I’m ready for anything.” That’s why bus trips to New York City give Nichols students vital opportunities for meeting and networking with alumni, interviewing for internships, and examining life’s possibilities. In November, such a bus trip included visits to Wall Street, MTV, ESPN and Madison Square Garden (MSG), where Nichols’ students vie for coveted intern positions.
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MSG interns learn to balance work and life demands in the Big Apple and shine in this environment. At right, Alicia Stott (third from right) takes a breather with co-workers; (far right, from top) Kara Buckley, Justin Savoie, Stott, and John Rivers.
The Garden of Opportunity Competing with candidates from larger schools, Nichols sport management majors have secured an unprecedented 38 placements at MSG in the past 10 years. “Our students have an opportunity to work with major league teams in the challenging MSG environment,” says Sport Management Program Chair Colleen Colles. “Their record of success demonstrates the value of our unique sport management program which builds on a rigorous undergraduate business curriculum.” As a corporation, Madison Square Garden Inc. has powerful brands strategically aligned and integrated to drive revenues in three business segments: MSG Media, MSG Sports, and MSG Entertainment. In the fall of 2010, three Nichols sport management majors, Alicia Stott, Justin Savoie and John Rivers, interned at MSG Sports, which owns and operates sports franchises and is home to the Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. As well, Nichols senior Kara Buckley interned with the human resource director of MSG’s worldwide entertainment business, which markets roughly 900 concerts and events each year and has exclusive co-booking agreements with Boston’s Citi Performing Arts Center/Wang Theatre, and an ongoing partnership with Cirque du Soleil to create new content and productions. Buckley leveraged knowledge from both of her majors, sport management and human resource management.
Targeting Internship Placement The interview process is rigorous. It took Stott eight separate MSG interviews to get the right offer in the Season Subscription Department on the 14th floor. “I wanted to be with sales because I wanted experience with the three professional teams,” says Stott, who was responsible for tracking and distributing sales reports for approximately 40 salespersons. Rivers completed three interviews before he landed a position reporting to the vice president of marketing for MSG Sports Properties. His responsibilities included researching college basketball
and helping to manage several tournaments with Division I teams, including the Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic, MSG Holiday Festival, and Maggie Dickson Classic. “With my passion for college basketball, I couldn’t have been happier,” he says. Savoie was deliberate about his internship choice. He already had experience with the AHL Worcester Sharks working game night. As a logical next step, he landed a marketing position with the NHL New York Rangers in two key areas: social media communications and fan club development. Reporting to the manager of marketing programs for the Rangers, Savoie worked close to 60 hours a week posting scores and statistics, press releases on community service initiatives and updates on players.
Meeting the Challenge The experience of working at “The World’s Most Famous Arena” could be a bit daunting. “When I first started, I was so intimidated to answer the director’s phone,” Buckley says. “Not only did it ring off the hook, but I was taking messages from very senior people, including CEOs and vice presidents.” Buckley’s greatest test was helping to recruit 600 people for four shifts of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, including cashiers, porters, night cleaners and dancers. “It was exhausting work because I had to make sure drug tests and background checks were completed on each person hired.” As a rabid Red Sox fan, Buckley found it really tough to be surrounded by Yankee fanatics. However, she greatly appreciates the benefit of establishing a vast network of contacts for employment opportunities down the road, even if some of them don’t share her team loyalties. Stott enjoyed developing and tracking boisterous sales competitions, including the Ryder Cup, with teams designated as USA and Europe, and checking in people to tour a model of the new suite design, part of an $850 million Garden renovation. Savoie monitored the Rangers’ Facebook
N I C H O L S TA K E S M A N H AT TA N
account with 137,971 Ranger “friends” and the Twitter account with roughly 100 tweets a day. The Rangers use social media to quickly share information and build relationships with fans, as well as gather real-time market intelligence and feedback. With Facebook’s 250 million and Twitter’s 175 million registered users, the Rangers have a very engaged audience. Rivers was impressed by Sports Properties’ astute marketing plans which used the large electronic marquee on 7th Avenue, placed ads in Metro North trains, and affixed roof banners atop taxis. In addition, he thoroughly enjoyed watching several professional basketball games, such as the Miami Heat or the Boston Celtics playing the New York Knicks, and volunteering at an auction dinner at Chelsea Piers where he got to chat with prominent Division I basketball coaches. “Just as I learned that relationship building with outside vendors is paramount to MSG tournament bookings,” says Rivers, “so are strong contacts within the industry essential to landing a first job.”
Home Away from Home When not working, Buckley hunkered down in comfort at the pricey New Yorker Hotel located on 34th Street, kitty corner to the mammoth Macy’s. During a recent $70 million renovation, several floors of the hotel were remodeled for students needing single rooms for a semester of study. “It was a short walk to work,” says Buckley, “and at night, I used the exercise facilities to wind down.” It took Rivers a couple of weeks to get over the culture shock of being in such a large city. He lived in Brooklyn at University Place on McDonald Avenue, a residence for college students that cost him the same as room and board at Nichols. ”I didn’t feel isolated because I worked 11 hours a day. And it was very convenient because right across the street was the F subway line into Manhattan.” Stott and Savoie rented a $900 a month apartment with parking in Newark, New Jersey, which was a challenging commute. “I had to take three separate trains to get to the Garden,” says Stott, “and it took anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour each way.” “What surprised me the most about this internship experience is that I succeeded in getting myself to work and paid bills without my mom’s help,” says Stott. Clearly, pride and satisfaction in being independent is also a benefit of internships.
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Need for More Avenues of Experience Experiential learning is one of the cornerstones of a career-oriented education, and since internships are a graduation requirement for students specializing in sport management, Nichols objective is to ensure that there are innumerable avenues for this critical hands-on training. Manhattan has been an important venue for building relationships and character and testing student mettle in the multi-billion dollar, global sport industry. Is it time for Nichols to take on Boston? While interns have been placed with the New England Patriots, the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Bruins, the pickings have been slim. Remarks Colles: “I hope that our increased curriculum emphasis on sponsorship and sales will open up new opportunities in nearby Boston.”
The Key to the City
On November 9, three busloads of Nichols students descended on New York City to visit alumni, interview for internships and otherwise learn what it takes to make it in Manhattan. Among their stops were Neil Holt ’76, executive vice president, MTV Music/Entertainment Networks; Paul Figueiredo ’01, account executive, ESPN; and the offices of Robert N. Weibel ’88, executive director, JP Morgan Securities Inc.
“ It’s all about your relationships and reputation. Your interpersonal interactions and skills will keep you at the level you are, take you down and out or elevate you to levels you never dreamed possible.” Neil Holt ’76 Executive Vice President, MTV Music/Entertainment Networks
Thomas E. Franzese ’75, director of Lazard Asset Management, in Rockefeller Plaza
“The demands and competiveness in New York are with you every day, and you need to believe in what you bring to the table, take advantage of the opportunities you are given and deliver results.” Paul Figueiredo ’01 Account Executive, ESPN
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Nichols 2.0 By Julie Errico
Want to find out who is coming to homecoming, read the latest play-by-play details of a Nichols game, learn who is coming and going on campus or view a video of an on-campus event?...
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A
ll of this information and more is becoming more available through Nichols use of social media such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Nichols social media usage is all about building relationships and sharing information, says Claudia Snell, director of web/social media. "Social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube offer opportunities for users to not only view content but to respond as well. As we incorporate more voices via social media, it helps everyone to feel more connected.” While Nichols started using Facebook to promote the College several years ago, it has only been within the past year that visitor participation has begun to increase significantly, says Snell. “The number of visitors responding to a Facebook page has increased about 56 percent from what it was six months ago. Facebook continwww.facebook.com/Nichols.College ues to play an important role in driving traffic to the Nichols website and is within the top five of referral sources to the Nichols website.” Social media play a very important role in Nichols’ overall communication strategy, says Tom Cafaro, vice president for enrollment and marketing. “Our primary audience, 18-22 year olds, embraces this form of communication. If we want to reach them, we need to incorporate this into our strategy. From a competitive standpoint, other organizations are utilizing social media and therefore, we need to use it to our advantage as well.” Alumni Relations is one campus group that hopes to enhance its communication through social media. At the beginning of 2011, it rolled out a new alumni community web page. “This new venue provides us with an opportunity to communicate with alumni in ways that haven’t been available before,” says Bill Pieczynski, vice president for advancement. “In designing this new website, we tried to simplify the communication process,” says Brianne Callahan, director of alumni relations. “The response to the site thus far has http://community.nichols.edu been very positive,” she adds. For example, the site provides users with the ability to register and pay for events online.
In addition, alumni and other members of the Nichols community can access information about other alumni, see who is coming to homecoming and other events and sign up for new programs such as “Take a Bison to Lunch.” Like Alumni Relations, Nichols Athletics Communications has also increased its presence via social media. Via
www.youtube.com/user/nicholscollegebison the Nichols College athletics web page, Nichols sports fans can sign up to receive text messages with scores of games, access game play-by-plays, or link to the Nichols College Bison channel on YouTube. Social media are having an impact in the classroom as well. Each semester, more professors are incorporating social media through presentations, projects and class assignments. For example, a number of English professors are using Wikis or blogs that allow students to publish and comment on fellow classmates’ writing assignments. The result of this type of interaction is a more involved student, says Luanne Proko, assistant professor of business communication. “Students seem more engaged in class and the subject material. They enjoy the experimentation and debating the issues that arise as a result of social media.” In addi-
tion to class-related communication, students are using social media to keep in contact for other purposes. Part of Snell’s goals is to get students more involved in producing social media material from a student’s point of view. Students who study abroad have created blogs about their experiences. As a result, blogs are making internships and study abroad programs more accessible and are allowing students to keep in contact with family, friends, and faculty. In preparation for graduation and their job search, students are practicing their interviewing skills on Skype and as well as Interview Stream and Focus V2, new software programs Career Services has purchased. Students are also establishhttp://twitter.com/Nichols_college ing LinkedIn profiles to allow for networking for jobs upon graduation. Whether it is communicating with prospective or current students, alumni or other important constituencies, Nichols will continue to use social media to communicate its message, says Cafaro. “Social media will be a major part of our communication strategy. We will still use traditional communication methods but recognize that tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube will be important communication tools for the future.”
“Facebook continues to play an important role in driving traffic to the Nichols website and is within the top five of referral sources to the Nichols website.”
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AT H L E T I C S
Trifecta: Postseason run brings home three TCCC titles
Five of six fall teams advanced to postseason play in 2010, with the Bison hosting – and winning – three The Commonwealth Coast Conference championships. The men’s soccer and women’s tennis teams earned TCCC crowns for the first time in their programs’ histories, while the golf team took home the TCCC title for the second time in four years. The golf team battled extreme weather conditions including fog, wind, rain and hail throughout its conference invitational on October 21, and sat through a 17-minute weather delay for a late-afternoon storm that rolled through the par-72, 6,483-yard Green Hill Golf Course in Worcester. But the Bison rallied to combine for a 313 to finish five strokes ahead of
defending champion Endicott, placing all five golfers in the top 10 to win the event. All four scoring players carded below an 80 in the invitational, led by sophomore Nick Deni, senior Jon-Paul Chouinard, and firstyear Brian Sears, who each scored a 78 (+6) to tie for third. Senior Dan Cafasso finished one stroke back in a tie for eighth place with a 79. Senior captain Josh Paulhus tied for 10th with an 80. Two days later, the topseeded women’s tennis team defeated Roger Williams, 5-0, at the Francis W. Robinson Courts for its first-ever TCCC title and automatic trip to the NCAA Championship Tournament in the spring. TCCC Player and Rookie of the Year Anna Dyakiv clinched the match with a 6-1,
6-2 win at top singles, setting the Bison’s single-season record for singles wins and finishing out the fall at 16-0. The Bison led, 3-0, after doubles play, getting their last point from Dyakiv and Maria Balabanova at the second flight. The pair battled it out for an 8-5 win, their record 16th of the season. Nichols did not allow a point throughout the conference tournament, defeating all opponents by a score of 5-0, and set several program records through the fall, including tying the single-season wins record with a 16-2 fall slate. Just two weeks later, Nichols had its second NCAA Tournament-bound team of the fall – and just the fifth in school history – when the topseeded men’s soccer team
posted a dramatic penalty kicks victory over Gordon in the TCCC Championship game on Vendetti Field. In front of a crowd of over 1,000 people, the Bison battled to a 1-1 score through 110 minutes of play before ousting the Scots, 3-1, in penalty kicks, to earn their firstever TCCC title. Gordon shot first in the PK round, with goalkeeper Brendan Hamilton making a huge stop on the Scots’ first attempt. All-American David Johnson converted for Nichols before Hamilton stonewalled the Scots in round two. All-TCCC midfielder Mark Capitanio put the Bison up, 2-0, but the Scots cut the lead in half with a thirdround strike. Danny Smith edged Nichols back ahead to close out the round and Hamilton made the stop in the fourth round to clinch the title.
(Above left) The golf team battled the elements and the defending champs to prevail in the TCCC tournament, while women’s tennis (above) set school records and men’s soccer (left) capitalized on home field advantage.
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AT H L E T I C S
Carven departs after twelve seasons Carven, speaking to his team, was the sixth head coach in Nichols football history since the school became a fouryear institution. He joined the program as an assistant coach in 1996 and was named head coach in 1999, assistant athletic director in 2001 and associate athletic director in 2009. A four-year quarterback, he still holds school records for both highest pass completion in a season and career.
After 12 years at the helm of the Nichols College football program, head coach Bill Carven '94, announced his resignation on December 13, citing family reasons. “I've had the tremendous honor of being a part of developing student-athletes at Nichols College for the last 15 seasons – it has and always will mean a lot to me,” said Carven. "Now, it is time to turn my attention to my family.”
A 2002 inductee into the Nichols College Athletics Hall of Fame, Carven is the second-winningest coach in program history. In his first season at the helm, when he was the youngest head football coach in the NCAA, Carven brought the Bison to their first winning season in seven years and was named the Worcester Area Football Coach of the Year. He went on to bring Nichols to five straight win-
ning seasons, the school's first ECAC Northeast Championship game appearance and the 2001 Boyd Division title. He had seven winning seasons and coached over 65 conference all-stars and two Golden Helmet Award winners. “I am proud of Billy and all that he has been able to accomplish at Nichols. It has been a privilege to work with him and I wish him and his family all the best,” said Director of Athletics Charlie Robert.
Carven had a few thanks of his own. “I want to thank the Nichols College community, the players who I have had the opportunity to coach, all the parents who have sent their sons to our program, and the talented coaches with whom I've had the pleasure of working.” He added, “I am proud of our program and am honored to have been a part of it as a player and coach for nearly two decades.” On January 24, Robert announced that Kevin Loney, defensive line coach at Division II Upper Iowa University, will be the new head coach of the Bison football program.
Two top 1,000 in women’s hoops This season, two lady Bison reached the 1,000 career point milestone. On December 2, senior forward Jessica Nelson scored her 1,000th career point while recording a doubledouble in the game with 19 points and 12 rebounds, hitting the scoring milestone from the free-throw line late in the second half. Her achievement was some consolation as the Bison were edged late at Westfield State, 52-60. On January 27, senior guard Ashley Robidoux scored her 1,000th career point Jessica Nelson as the Bison defeated
Western New England College, 62-48. Robidoux converted the first basket of the game to reach the milestone and finished the game with a total of 13 points Ashley Robidoux and eight rebounds. She was honored at the following home game versus Curry College where she got a standing ovation before the game started. Nelson and Robidoux are the 10th and 11th players in women's basketball history, respectively, to score 1,000 points as a Bison.
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A View from the Hill Ron Schmitt ’62 BA ’65
Last June I returned to campus for the first Forestry Reunion. For many of the over three dozen foresters who returned, it was their first trip back in over 40 years. Although most still
live in the Northeast, some came from as far as Florida, California and Washington. Even though some of us had changed over the years, it didn’t take long to renew old acquaintances. From spending most meals together to staying in the Copper Beech residence hall, we had plenty of opportunities during the weekend to get caught up with each other and swap stories about our days on the Hill. Some were even true. One of the highlights of the weekend was the appearance of John Katori at Saturday’s gathering and dinner at The Lodge. As it turned out, it was the last time
we would see John, but we will always remember his comments, especially when he called the foresters, “The greatest group ever to attend Nichols.” (We all will miss him. He was what Nichols is about.) When we said our goodbyes on Sunday, we vowed to meet again in two years. So, for all you foresters and woodsmen’s team members, make a note to keep June, 2012 open for our next reunion. The actual dates will be finalized shortly; therefore, it is important you keep Alumni Relations informed of your current information. During our time on campus, we had the opportunity to see all of the changes that have taken place. While we were impressed with the physical condi-
tion of the campus, we realized that there was a need for more improvements to its appearance. So, with the approval of the College, we created the Forestry Fund with that aim in mind. Everyone is invited and encouraged to give to the fund. Along with your donations, a few of your fellow foresters will match donations up to $12,000. Your contributions will make a difference at Nichols. Looking back on the reunion, I’m saddened that I didn’t keep in closer contact with more of my fellow foresters. They helped make my years at Nichols some of the best years of my life. Thanks fellows, and I’ll see you in 2012.
s ou th er n it al y in n ov e mb er. . .
Nichols College invites alumni and friends to explore the beauty of southern Italy in November. In partnership with World Cultural Tours, the trip features stops in Sorrento, a lovely old town of exquisite gardens that is built along a cliff that includes historic buildings, bountiful orange and lemon trees, and excursions along the majestic Amalfi Coast; and Rome, a bustling city surrounding the famed Vatican City that is rich in culture and legendary history.
ravello
Blue Grotto on the Isle of Capri, National Archaeological Museum in Naples, Ruins of Pompeii by Mt. Vesuvius, vineyard tour with wine tasting, Positano, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Coliseum ( one of the most incredible pieces of architecture in all of Italy), boutique shopping, dining, and more.
rom e
Roundtrip airfare, seven nights’ accommodations, professional tour guide, breakfast daily, welcome dinner, two additional dinners, farewell dinner, entrance fees and guided sightseeing, luxury motor coach, and porter service.
For more information or to make your reservation, please call World Cultural Tours toll free at 877-218-8687.
ento sorr
*The price will be determined once the flights are booked, and will be around $2,100.
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Taking stock: an ESOP tale
A
few years ago, Sam Haines ’73 began thinking about the future of his company. From its humble beginnings as Rawling Gear, a ten-man operation serving a New England market for custom gear products that was purchased by Haines’ father in the late 1960s, to the acquisitions of Oliver Gear in 1973 and Nixon Gear in 1978, Haines created Gear Motions Inc. and had now realized his vision of building a diversified network of companies with a national sales force and marketing program and annual sales topping $14 million. Carefully considering the options, Haines decided that instead of selling, he’d make Gear Motions Inc. a 100 percent employee-stock-owned plan (ESOP). “When companies are sold, many times they are bought by financial buyers or competitors. In either case, the first interest of the buyer is not the employees of the company or the community in which it’s located,” says Haines, who became president of Gear Motions Inc. in 1985. With an ESOP, employees at Gear Motions Inc. are likely to keep the jobs they’ve created, and the business is likely to stay in the community and in the hands of people who have helped build it to what it is today. In addition, Haines believes that through this process, he is able to leave the company with a defined transition plan. The transition plan, which began in 2005, was finalized on December 9, 2010, when Haines led the final sale of stock. In the five years since the plan began, the company’s stock has increased 53 percent (from $8.63$13.17), an impressive number considering the significant drop in the economy. Throughout the years, Haines has been constantly involving
his approximately 75 employees in the decisions that have directly affected their jobs, from sharing the company financials to annual goals and objectives. “We believe that keeping everyone informed, involved, and now having financial stake in the future, just seems like the right next step, and one we hope will result in a stronger and more successful company,” he says. Though the transition was successfully completed, there were a few challenges along the way. Haines remarks that since ESOP is an IRS-ERISA product, there are many government rules and regulations that come with it. “I’m always amazed by the amount of paperwork and requirements,” he notes. Since there were so many regulations, Haines made sure that his employees were prepared and were ready to take on a greater role in the business of Gear Motions Inc. Another challenge was the amount of “surprises” Haines experienced in the process. “When entering something new, there are lots of things that you don’t know, but working through those is the real interesting part of it,” he says. “Eventually it just becomes part of the process, and you learn as you go. Looking back, I absolutely think it’s worth it,” he adds. Now that the transition is complete, Haines has already transitioned out of his operations role as president, but his work with Gear Motions Inc. is not nearly finished. He will continue as chairman of the board and chief financial officer. Despite being out of the dayto-day operations, he will keep busy with the financial side of the business, leading acquisitions and integrations of new companies. ~ Ron Powers ’08
Sam Haines ’73, chairman of the board and CFO of Gear Motions Inc., developed a business plan for the company while a graduate student at Babson College. Under his leadership, sales for the company have increased by over $10 million since 1973.
What is an ESOP? Reprinted with permission from In Motion, Gear Motions Inc.’s newsletter
A Retirement Trust Fund with assets invested in the stock of the company A Defined Contribution Plan (similar to 401k but with only one investment) An opportunity for employees to have an ownership stake A tax- free legal entity that owns, but doesn’t manage the company Like all other retirement plans, the ESOP is regulated by the Federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The employees do not have to buy the company’s stock with their own money. The company borrows the money for ESOP (from a bank typically), which purchased the Haines’ stock. As that loan is paid down every year, an equivalent amount of stock is transferred to employee accounts.
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1940s
John Vanderveer and his wife, Jeanne, have been married for 58 years. He celebrated his 92nd birthday in October.
Class Scribe: Stanley Finn 70 Franklin St. Northampton, MA 01060-2039 413-586-0886
1950s Class Scribe: Robert Risk 309 Conestoga Rd. Wayne, PA 19087-4009 610-688-8242
Class Scribe: Tom Bartsch 303 Archers Mead Williamsburg, VA 23185-6582 Tbar23185@aol.com From the Class Scribe… My November letter produced a few responses, which I appreciate. Some of the notes were lengthy, so I condensed them. Jim Coley says he is still in the Connecticut Yacht Club, U.S. Power Squadron, and the VFW. He is going to pull out his “N” sweater and wear it to homecoming on Oct. 1, 2011. A note from Bob Nelson’s wife, Trudy, informed me that
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Bob passed away two weeks before Christmas in 2009. We will miss him at the reunion. I also received a note from Bill Roberts’ wife, Joan, who informed me that Bill passed away recently after a year of declining health. Bill and Joan have two daughters. Bill Cairns is living in Arlington, VT. After graduating, he went into the Army as a cryptographer with Supreme HQ Allied Powers Europe. He lived in Paris for a couple of years, worked with the Orvis Co. and finally started his own flycasting instructional school. Roger Casavant went to one of Bill’s first classes. Bill, still married, has three children plus grandchildren. He says he is feeling well and keeps active. Pete Polstein notes that he retired in 1995 as senior vice president of Alexander & Alexander, a large insurance company. He continues to consult on off-shore reinsurance. He has two daughters, and he still plays guitar with a blues band in NYC. He was in the service from 1952-55, stationed in the Philippines. In a three-page letter, John Love writes that after graduation, he got his BA at Colorado College, but the Army had other plans for him. He returned to Colorado in 1956. He worked for Webb & Knapp in New York as assistant manager for leasing. He had three children and moved from Wilton, CT, to Chatham, MA. Later, he switched horses and went with Merrill Lynch. In 2002, he decided to pack it in and move back to the Cape to retire. Jim Dunbar tells me that he is not retired yet, but very busy keeping an eye on his corporation, Dunbar Armored Inc., which he started 55 years ago. He has 5,000 employees, 1,400 trucks, and 85 company factories across the U.S. The company is headquartered in Hunt Valley, MD. Jim was on the Nichols Board of Trustees for many years and sponsored the develop-
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ment of the Criminal Justice Management Program. He married his high school sweetheart, has three children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Don Wochomurka, who resides in Bloomfield, CT, says boating and traveling are now behind him, but he finds himself very lucky to be enjoying life with his wife of 58 years. They have four children and seven grandchildren, all of whom live close. An update from Wes Armstrong: His first wife, Barbara, passed away in 1990. They had five children, who are all happy and well, and scattered all across the country. He and his second wife, Lorraine, will be celebrating their 10th anniversary. Wes resides just south of Wilmington, NC. In an email, Ken George says: “After graduating from Gettysburg in ’53, I went into the service, came back and started a rewarding 30-year career in banking, with the last 10 years as CEO. I’ve been married for 54 years to a nurse/artist and have four children, nine grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. I’m happily living in North Carolina.” John Love asked why I moved to Williamsburg, VA. There are many reasons, including too much snow and high taxes in Rye, NY. Here we have a gated community, three golf courses, 16 tennis courts, and many pools. Best to you all! I thank you for your notes and am sorry I could not print them entirely.
Daniel Berman shares that he now has seven grandchildren, and is still working full time, with no retirement plans, “God willing.”
A note from Donald Siegel: “Greetings to my Class of ’54 classmates. I am retired and living in Carmel, IN. My classmate
and friend, Don Schafer, lives five minutes from me. I follow Nichols sports when I can locate the scores in our papers.”
1956 Class Scribe: Arthur Fries 917 Jordan Ct. Nipomo, CA 93444-6625 805-343-4015 friesart@hotmail.com
Class Scribe: Kent Tarrant P.O. Box 496 Hampden, MA 01036-0496 413-566-5130 kent100@charter.net From the Class Scribe… Marty Leach passed away last fall. Marty was an outstanding baseball and basketball player while at Nichols and a life-long sports enthusiast…and an ardent Red Sox fan. We will all remember Marty’s on-court leadership as Nichols won the New England Junior College Championship in 1957. He attended our 50th reunion and was an early supporter of our scholarship efforts. Dave Fleming went to Marty’s wake and reported a huge turnout of friends paying their respects. He was a loyal alumnus and will be missed by us all. Dave and I, along with Don Claprood, George Butler and Art Rizy got together at the Worcester Club for some Christmas cheer and to discuss the Class of ’57 Scholarship Fund which exceeded the $25,000 goal and will be matched by an anonymous donor, bringing the fund to over $50,000. A scholarship will be awarded this year to a student who best matches the achievement criteria set by the committee. The next meeting is set for the Publick House on April 27 at noon. All ’57 alumni are invited and encouraged to attend. Please drop me an email if you plan on attending.
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Catching up with Paul Gauvin ’72 “We’re in the beauty business,” says J. Paul Gauvin ’72 when asked to describe his work. As president of Henri Enterprises Inc., Gauvin took over the second generation family business that encompasses the Henri School of Hair Design and W.S. Beauty Supply, and has left a mark that has been anything but cosmetic. The company was started in 1950 by Gauvin’s father, Henri, a hairdresser, and flourished in the salon business – at one time operating 20 beauty salons throughout New England. As the company grew so did its staffing needs, so a school was added to furnish the salon division. Eventually, the economy got the best of the salon business, and with only six left about five years ago, Henri Enterprises transferred ownership to another company. But by then, under Gauvin’s direction, the wholesale supply division had evolved to an established and successful operation. With his late father and brother, who runs the school, both hair designers, the beauty business may have been in Gauvin’s blood, but following graduation from Nichols College, the general business major opted for a different path. “I had interviewed at several companies,” he says, “but my father gave me the opportunity to build up the supply division. It was an opportunity to build something from scratch, something that I could accomplish, and I was lucky to have it.” In his 40 years in the business, Gauvin has grown W.S. Supply from a small local store to a full-service supplier serving professional beauty salons, barber shops and nail salons in three states, with six outside salespeople and one large store. Even as the competition gets stiff, Gauvin remains confident. “The trend in our industry is big conglomerates buying up smaller distributors,” he explains. “When these big companies come in, they don’t provide the same type of
A message from Charlie Howe ’62… Not sure if you recognized Ken Beyer ’60 in the last NC Magazine. Same old Ken. I don’t see much change in him, mainly because I see him just about every year in Naples. Normally, the first thing out of his mouth is, “Charlie, how nice of you to bring your daughter [Kate] to these events.” According to John Girvin, his sometimes tennis partner, Ken has been doing a lot of traveling, and it has been
hard to keep up with his comings and goings. John says that they are still trying to play tennis, get naps in and occasionally do something educational. All is well in deepest SW Florida, but don’t tell anyone. Sandy Tuttle and his wife are great-grandparents. Grandson, Eric, and wife, Christian, had a baby boy, Oscar. The Tuttles are in Florida for the winter but will be traveling to Philadelphia in May to celebrate Sandy’s mother’s 97th birthday, then back to Ohio for the summer. Harvey Gluck sends his best
service that we do, so we’re finding that this gives us an opportunity to do what we do best, service our customers.” In his native Fitchburg, Mass., and northern Worcester County, Gauvin has also garnered a reputation for community service. As an 11-year-old boy, he remembers delivering baskets with his father to people who needed “food and sustenance” at Christmastime. The experience left an impression. He has served leadership volunteer roles with the region’s Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and many other organizations. His work with the Salvation Army has led to a 25-year-plus stint of delivering or preparing meals for shut-ins on Christmas, enlisting the help of his family, including his wife, Patricia, and his four children, Bryan, Alicia, Jonathan, and Melissa, when they were living at home. For his extraordinary volunteerism and commitment to the North Central Massachusetts community, Gauvin was awarded Mount Wachusett Community College’s Harold E. Drank Citizen of the Year in 2009. His personal and professional accomplishments were also recognized with a Nichols Alumni Achievement Award in September. While his undergraduate days may be far behind him, Gauvin maintains strong ties to Nichols through the Underhill Gang, a band of friends from the now non-existent Underhill Dormitory. “We’ve stayed in touch over the years and got together several times a year before we started our families,” Gauvin says. Gauvin celebrates his recent Alumni Achievement Award with family. “Now that we’re empty-nesters, we’re hoping to rekindle those get-togethers.” They have also been faithful participants in the Alumni Golf Tournament for the past 15 years. “This past year we had a good turnout,” he adds, “We reminisce and have a great time.”
to everyone. He commented that I am the same as I was when we attended Nichols, always actively involved. Thanks, Harvey. Buzz Bardsley says that he’s freezing his behind off up in Connecticut. He will be headed to California in January for a week in the Bay area and then to Acapulco in February. There is light at the end of the tunnel. He was planning to spend Christmas in Narberth, PA, with his son’s family. He’s hoping to stay as long as his approval ratings hold up. He inquired if any-
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one was on Facebook. Howard Rubin wishes everyone a happy and healthy New Year. It was certainly nice to see the continued support from the Class of ’59 in the annual report. Thank you, Ray Pecor (Scholars Society), Leo Marshall (President’s Green Circle), James Wagner (President’s Silver Circle) and Moe Knudsen (Academy Associates). And to everyone else, thank you. As with last year, let us all help to create great opportunities in 2011.
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Catching up with Elaine deCiutiis ’02 MBA ’03 Since her graduation from Nichols College with her MBA in 2003, Elaine deCiutiis has consistently demonstrated her leadership skills in both her career and volunteer service. While working as an assistant vice president/branch manager at The Washington Trust Co., deCiutiis served on the board at the TseTse Gallery and the Nichols Alumni Board. However, in her current position as a senior financial analyst at General Dynamics Electric Boat (EB) she feels she has had the most impact. In 2009, deCiutiis, along with several of her EB colleagues, co-founded the New England Shoreline chapter of Women in Defense, a 25-year-old national organization which supports the advancement and recognition of women in all aspects of national security, including the defense industry: contractors, government employees, and the military. In less than a year, the chapter has grown to more than 80 members and has organized several successful events. The organization has been a valuable resource at EB, which builds submarines for the U.S. Navy, where women make up approximately 11 percent of the workforce. It provides a venue for women just starting out in their careers to network with those who paved the way before them. “When we founded this organization, we received a lot of positive feedback from new and potential members because they were often looking for mentorship or guidance from other women who have experience in their particular field,” says deCiutiis, who currently serves as the chapter’s co-president. “Electric Boat senior and executive management recognize the need to support women within the organization and have encouraged our efforts,” she adds. WID, which is actually a non-gender-specific organization, gives fellow employees of different backgrounds the opportunity to gain another perspective of current issues impacting the industry. With membership open to government and military personnel, and an EB staff with expertise as diverse as engineering and finance to quality assurance and submarine construction, this diversity can be a strength but also provides a welcome challenge not only for deCiutiis but other women as well. As a senior financial analyst, deCiutiis is responsible for special projects, analyzing and preparing internal and corporate financial reports by collaborating with involved departments to meet competitive deadlines. Her position also requires her to coordinate and
From the Class Scribe…
1960s Class Scribe: Charlie Howe May-September 212 22nd St. Surf City, NJ 08008-4926 charleskatehowe@gmail.com October- April 17468 Cornflower Ln. Punta Gorda, FL 33955 941-575-8150
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It was certainly sad news to hear about the passing of John Katori. Over the past three years, John, Barbara, Kate and I would get together in Florida, either for dinner or at a ball game in Cape Coral when his daughter, Kristina, was coaching the SUNY New Paltz women’s softball team. We also had the pleasure of dining with John and his 1961-62 basketball team at The Lodge during homecoming two years ago, and then a
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Elaine DeCiutiis (front row, far right), co-president of the Women in Defense chapter, with the Board of Directors: (back, from left) Julie Bliven, director of programs and events; Annette Seling, co-president; Regina Pedroso, secretary; (front, from left) Virginia Andrea, treasurer; and Erin Joyce, membership director. Not pictured: Carmen Mazurek, director of communications.
facilitate confidential data between departments, working with various levels of management and to communicate effectively with peers, department managers and senior-level managers. Networking with fellow employees at chapter events has helped her efforts. “I have been at Electric Boat for three years, and am considered relatively new to the company…. I’m off the street from the banking industry, so WID has given me the opportunity to meet others within the company and industry,” says deCiutiis. Networking also gives members an opportunity to find mentors within the company. “To find a woman as a mentor, if someone has already broken ground, it helps each of us find our footing in a similar career path,” says deCiutiis. Establishing a more formal mentorship program for the members of WID is a priority for deCiutiis in 2011. As the chapter continues to grow and expand to the other defense-industry-related companies in the New England Shoreline areas, deCiutiis will undoubtedly continue to contribute her leadership skills to a number of areas, including the sustained success of the Women In Defense chapter at Electric Boat. ~ Julie Errico
nice breakfast at his home in Charlton on Sunday. John began teaching at Nichols in September of ’58, just as many of us were adjusting to college life. For us, it was a short four-year stay; for John, it was the beginning of an outstanding tenure, which ended when he was named professor emeritus upon retirement. The Nichols and Webster communities are certainly proud of all that he has accomplished, and especially grateful for his friendship.
While watching the NCAA Lacrosse Final Four last year, I got to thinking about Steve Cook ’63, who, during my days on the Hill, was perhaps the best attack man I had ever played with. Steve had the ability to put the ball wherever he chose, whether he was shooting right or left handed. He was the go-to guy on our attack, which included John Wadder and Lyle Fox. The ’61 team won seven games with only two losses. That was the year we traveled to
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Long Island to take on CW Post and Adelphi. There is, unfortunately, a sad part to my story. According to the alumni office at Deerfield Academy, Steve died a number of years ago. “Cookie,” thanks for the memories. After a trip to northern New Jersey for Christmas, which included 30 inches of snow in the yard and the furnace running 24/7, Dick Makin is happy to be back in southwest Florida for the winter. The great thing about the visit was spending time with all of the children and grandchildren. He and Pam are doing fine, and we look forward to getting together at the Naples alumni gathering on February 17. Pete Judd writes that this past October he and Paul “PZ” Zimmerman played in a member-guest golf tournament at his community course on Dataw Island, SC. They won the practice round outright of all 72 teams. In the two-day tournament, they won their flight and went on to participate in the shoot-out, where they were eventually eliminated and ended up in third place overall. Nice going. In January, Pete and Pat will be off to Hope Town, Abacos, in the Bahamas, on their 41-ft. sailboat. They have a mooring and have spent the past two winters there. Mike Krasner, who at Homecoming 2009 hooked up with his college roommates, John Frantzis and John Turro, reminded me that our 50th reunion will be next year. Who would have imagined? John Dolan and wife, Anne, write that the New Year is about to start with fond hopes for their kids and grandkids (with one more on the way). He and Anne will be leaving for the West Coast in January for a month to check out the various area wines. They are thinking about buying a house in Portland so that they can stay longer and see the kids grow. They said that 2010 was a good
year for them, with good health and plenty of time for travel to Europe. They hit the Henley Regatta, and John says, “It doesn’t compare to Lake Webster.” Rene Langevin says, “Everything is still moving along here in Webster. I have a 9-year-old grandson who shoots a basketball like Freddie O’Connor.” From Hugo Pagliccia ’63: “Spent time in Hingham, MA, with my son, Bud, and family. His son is in his second year at Nichols. Like us, he really likes Nichols. Carol and I have been blessed with our third greatgrandchild, a baby girl, Ella. Talked to John Turro over the holidays. He is disappointed with the Giants, but still goes nuts over UConn sports. JT and wife, Adelle, visited on Nantucket over the summer. We had a great time.” Kate and I are back in Punta Gorda, FL, for the winter. In December, Kate was one of four artists chosen to exhibit in the Goff Gallery of the local Visual Arts Center. Her 20-plus paintings were a big hit. One of the paintings included a green woodie and a maroon woodie at the beach. Using a picture, she painted Henri David’s ’64 car into the piece. At the same time, one of her paintings was selected and exhibited in a “Faces and Figures” juried art exhibit. Starting in February, we get back to sailboat racing. Hope that my body holds up for another year. Congratulations to the Class of ’62 for again being the class with the highest percentage of participation in annual giving to the Nichols Fund. Keep up the good work, but be mindful that the Class of ’69 is getting close. Also, thank you, Alan Peterson (President’s Green Circle) and to Calvin Hills, Ken Ingraham, Dick Knoener, Dick Makin, George Withington and Paul Zimmerman (all President’s Silver Circle) and to everyone else. Let’s keep leading the way in 2011, both in participation and giving. Make a note to attend Homecoming 2012.
Class Scribe: Bruce I. Haslun 16 Gilder Point Ct. Simpsonville, SC 29681 hashardt@charter.net From the Class Scribe… First, a profound sadness came over me on December 30, when Dave Lombard ’65, called to tell me of Professor Katori’s death. He taught many of us much more than the basics of accounting. I have lost someone I had great respect for. Nichols College has lost a friend, professor, alumnus, and ambassador. I know I am not alone when I say I’ll miss him. On behalf of the class of 1963, I send our heartfelt condolences to Barbara, Kevin and Kristina. Perhaps it is some small help to know others are thinking of you. I had a wonderful week-early Christmas present: got the results of my first PSA since two months of radiation treatments. We were shooting for a score of 3. Doctor said anything lower than that would be icing on the cake. The cake came back not
We’d like to hear from you! Please send your news directly to your class scribe. If you do not have a class scribe, news may be forwarded to classnotes@nichols.edu. Digital images are preferred, but please do not crop them! The higher the resolution the better – 300 dpi (dots per inch). Digital images may be sent directly to: classnotes@nichols.edu. Prints may be sent to: Nichols College Alumni Relations Office P.O. Box 5000 Dudley, MA 01571
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only iced but ala mode…racked up a 0.875! Had nice notes from Warren Bender ’64 (brother-in-arms) and John Anderson wishing me well. I appreciate hearing from you, John. Maybe next article, I’ll have more to report on John, since he turns 70 soon. Been there, done that, and I can tell you, you are right to look forward to it. Seventy is a good one. Well, heck, they’re all good ones (unlike some of the email jokes from George Euler! Just kidding, George. Thanks for thinking of me.) Have an invitation from Jack Lubbers and wife, Theresa, to attend Jack’s 70th birthday party, mid-April, in Charleston, SC. The good Lord willing, I’ll sure be there and will report back to y’all next time. Got a good, long letter from Stan Urban, who, between hurricanes, earthquakes and dysentery, had me much concerned. Guess I need not have worried. Stan was married on December 6, 2010, to Nicole, first marriage for both. They continue to live in Haiti. They are very involved with a Catholic mission and are on the board of directors of Friends of the Orphans. He was in Milan, Italy, as part of this work and got to meet the Pope. They have been involved in building hospitals and schools and recently received a donation of $250,000 to buy food for those in need. A note of bad news: Stan’s dad went to meet our maker just three days shy of the wedding. He was 98 years old. Dave Schemm ’61, Ed Mazzetta ’64 and Coach John Turro ’62 continue to stay in touch. The Turros spent three great days with Hugo Pagliccia and wife, Carol, on Nantucket. Coach has heard from Charlie Howe ’62, Ace Peterson ’62 and Buzz Bardsley ’59 (denizen of T-Hall for two years.) Carol and I leave Jan. 15 for paradise, a.k.a. Galley Bay, Antigua, where I’ll celebrate my 73rd birthday. We come home
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on Jan. 29. Art Tozzi wrote in his Christmas card that his daughter, son-in-law and grandkids are moving to Spartanburg, SC, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Simpsonville, so a get-together could be in the cards. Hope y’all had a wonderful Christmas and have much good to look forward to in the New Year.
Class Scribe: Warren Bender 3604 Kingsley Dr. Myrtle Beach, SC 29588-7714 843-492-6727 wbender@sc.rr.com From the Class Scribe… I hope y’all enjoyed the New Year and had a great Christmas season. Things are not only slow job-wise, I have nothing to report aside from me hoping my NY Giants go further than they did in last year’s playoffs. My Mets tanked again, and the Knicks look like they may be coming around the bend. By the time you read this we will know for sure. I've been down here in the beautiful south for 40 years and just can't shake the three of them. Bob Hood '66 now has a winter home in Florida, but still gets to enjoy his summers on Candlewood Lake in Connecticut. He came by Myrtle Beach for three weeks on his way down in October. We got plenty of beach time and two rounds of golf in. I'm adding this after just reading of John Katori's sudden passing. He coached us in basketball during my sophomore year. John and Barbara stopped in Myrtle Beach twice in recent years on their way back from their Florida winter retreat. Lila and I really enjoyed their company, and I actually got to know him better than when I was at Nichols. I was on the Hill for my 45th reunion in '09 when they had us over for breakfast on the day we were leaving. John devoted himself to the school and never missed an opportunity to promote it to those who were not familiar with
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Nichols. He is truly an example of "being a part of the Nichols family." Our heartfelt sympathy goes to Barbara and family. “And the Beat Goes On"
Class Scribe: Robert Kuppenheimer 4627 Tremont Ln. Corona del Mar, CA 92625-3130 bob.kuppenheimer@nuveen.com From the Class Scribe… Gil Rochon writes that he and his significant other, Trudy St. Pierre, just returned from an 11day cruise to South and Central America. This trip makes eight cruises in the last six years for them. This fall, while attending a rally for Scott Walker, now governor of Wisconsin, featuring New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Richard Bauzenberger says he was pointed out in the crowd as the lookalike of the “desperate liberal, Jon Corzine. Preferring not to have that association,” Richard says, “I shortly thereafter shaved off the beard.” Jim Jackson writes that he sold his interest in his CPA practice, Jackson, Morgan & Richard Bauzenberger ’69 Hunt, to his two junior partners and will continue to work there part time for a couple of years. After that, he plans to “dabble on a few boards, continue to farm my Granny Smith apples in eastern Washington, do some work for a few favorite clients, and generally get caught up with the real part of life.” Jim and his wife have a 70-year-old home in West Seattle that he says has not been updated in as many years following its feature in Sunset Magazine about 65 years ago. They will be restoring it, along with the neglected gardens. They have seven grandchildren, ranging from newborn
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to 8 years old. Two live in southern California, one in Portland, OR, and four in Seattle. Jim has stayed active in the hiking and backpacking arena. He says, “There aren't many places here in the NW I haven't been. I do a couple of service trips each year for a non-profit group called Wilderness Volunteers [wildernessvolunteers.org]. They do work-party type trips in national parks and wilderness areas throughout the U.S. I'm also an active road biker (pedal type) and enjoy longer distance rides around the NW.” David Weyant says his news is that his youngest daughter, Mandy, is getting married next June in Texas.
1970s Craig’s Creations, owned by R. Craig Fowler, enters its 27th year in business in 2011. His antique silverware and wind chimes are in 39 states, 19 countries, and in 2006, were featured in the movie When a Stranger Calls.
John Threlfall recently opened a new firm, Atlantic Intermediaries LLC, located in Essex, CT. He also reports that his oldest daughter, Kimberly, got married. Rob “Rookie” Keating is general manager of Birchwood Tennis and Fitness Club in Clarks Summit, PA. He lives with his wife, Sarah, and children, Taylor (5) and Isabel (8), in the Endless Mountains.
William Wood ’69 and his wife, Donna, with granddaughter, Alexandra Elizabeth
manager after becoming a CPA in 1985. In 1989, he joined Matka Corp., a small computer rental and leasing company in West Simsbury, CT, where he helped launch New England satellite offices, including his own in Northborough, MA. After getting his MBA, he was promoted to vice president of the Accounting Systems Group, which he was influential in creating, and developed a small tax and accounting practice, which he worked mostly on weekends. In 1991, he joined NewCorr Packaging, the largest manufacturer of corrugated sheets in New England, and is currently vice president of finance. Among his hobbies are golf, cheering on the Red Sox and Patriots, gardening, cooking, fishing, hunting, real estate, travel, and music. In 2008, he sold the tax portion of his practice to form Dubble D & the Khaos Junkies, which plays at local area clubs and has just released their first album, “What’s on the Way.” More information is available at http://khaosjunkies.com/.
1980s David DiPilato MBA ’92 writes that he has been married to his wife, Cyndi, for 27 years. Following graduation, he began a career in public accounting with Greenberg, Rosenblatt, Kull, & Bitsoli, PC, and was promoted to
David DiPilato ’82 and his band at Irish Times in Worcester.
ALUMNI / CLASS NOTES
Class Scribe: Michael Donehey 508-376-5469 (phone) 509 376-5043 (fax) mdonehey@live.com
Class Scribe: Diane (Bellerose) Golas 90 Lebanon St. Southbridge, MA 01550-1332 508-764-6077 spongedicat@aol.com
Class Scribe: Rose (Cummings) Mamakos 3 Woodland Ave. Kingston, MA 02364-1029 mamcraz@comcast.net
Framingham-based technology market data firm International Data Corp. has promoted Kevin Capalbo to assistant vice president of its customer solutions practice. He has held sales jobs with IDC since 2000 and is part of the company’s events and charity committee. He lives in Shrewsbury.
Class Scribe: John P. Donahue 10 Corsham Dr. Medford, NJ 08055-8434 609-257-8191 jdonahue5@csc.com William Martin MBA ’92 was hired as vice president and small business relationship manager for the Worcester region for TD Bank. In his new position, he will oversee small business lending and business development in Sturbridge, Auburn, Shrewsbury, Westborough and Milford. He has worked in banking for 22 years, most recently as a vice president in commercial lending at Millbury National Bank and People's United Bank.
Class Scribe: Susan Zimonis 18930 Misty Lake Dr. Jupiter, FL 33458 561-707-8781 susanzimonis@bellsouth.net
Robert Babcock was named market president for Central and Western Massachusetts for TD Bank. In his new position, he will manage the bank's retail, commercial, and small-business banking and lending teams. He has more than 25 years of experience in commercial banking in Mass. He joined TD Bank in 2001 and has served in a variety of commercial lending leadership roles, including most recently as regional vice president for Central Massachusetts.
1990s
2000s Class Scribe: Andrea Sacco andrea-sacco@comcast.net
Allison Rose Sokolnicki
Dave MBA ’99 and Brooke (Upton) ’98 MBA ’02 Sokolnicki welcomed Allison Rose on Dec. 23, 2010, joining big sister, Sarah Jane (2).
Jen Caissie MBA was sworn in as a member of the Governor’s Council on Jan. 6 during an inauguration ceremony at the State House. She is believed to be the first woman to ever hold the 7th District seat on
Class Scribe: Emily (Seiferman) Alves Millie.176@hotmail.co
Class Scribe: Donna Small 4905 Bay Harvest Ct. Clemmons, NC 27012-8245 336-712-1053 (home) 336-692-5157 (cell) dsmall9242000@yahoo.com Scott Devens MBA has been appointed general manager of the new application division of Talend. He has over 24 years of experience in the technology industry. Most recently, he was vice president of worldwide sales and field operations for Progress Software, vice president and executive officer at IONA Technologies, and he held various senior management roles in sales and finance with EMC and Data General.
Class Scribe: Danielle (Troiano) Sprague 20 Stagecoach Rd. Leominster, MA 01453 508-845-6604 thedwoman@yahoo.com
Michael Bovenzi MBA has joined Rollstone Bank & Trust of Fitchburg as a commercial lender and vice president. He has 10 years of experience in commercial banking. In his new position, he will be responsible for developing new commercial business, with a focus on the Worcester market, and assisting current customers.
Melissa (Turner) McGuirk MBA ’08 and her husband, Michael, welcomed twins on Aug. 17, 2010. John “Jack” Edmund II was born at 12:50 p.m. and Avery Frances was born at 12:52 p.m.
Jen Caissie MBA ’00
the Council since its inception in the 1780s and one of two Republicans elected to serve since 1992. Caissie is an attorney in private practice with the Michael Caplette Law Office in Southbridge, MA, and is chair of the Oxford Board of Selectmen. Steven Taylor is currently employed as a dual-rate dealer in the Table Gamer Department at Mohegan Sun.
Class Scribe: David Twiss 978-979-7658 (cell) david.twiss@comcast.net Stephanie Zaccaria is engaged to John Clune of Valley Cottage, NY. She works for Frenkel Benefits LLC in NYC, and is completing her master’s degree in elementary education at Mercy
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NICHOLS COLLEGE M A G A Z I N E
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College. Her fiancé works for Pepsi Co. in Somers, NY, and is completing his MBA at Mercy. A July 2011 wedding is planned.
Alumni Relations was informed that former trustee and class scribe, Richard “Dick” McLellan ’40, died Dec. 16, 2010. No other information was available. Howard L. Bickford ’47, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and formerly Nashua, N.H., died Jan. 7, 2011. He was a World War II veteran of the Army Air Forces. Bickford was one of the developers of Port St. Lucie proper, vice president of General Development Corp., general manager of Florida Home Finders retail sales division, and one of the founders of Port St. Lucie National Bank, now known as Seacoast National Bank. He was a longtime supporter of the Salvation Army and was on the board of directors for the Port St. Lucie branch since 1998. He is survived by his grandson. He was predeceased by his wife, Theodora; and sons, Howard and Theodore. Wilbur F. Charter ’47, of Melbourne, Fla., and formerly Newington, Conn., died Dec. 20, 2010. He was a member of the U.S. Navy, and served in the South Pacific theater during World War II. Charter was a founding member of the Wethersfield, Conn., Volunteer Ambulance Corps in 1956. He also volunteered for children’s literacy programs at elementary schools in Connecticut and Florida. Survivors include his companion, Teresa; children, Linda, Ronald, James, Karen, and Scott; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary. Walter E. Bennett ’48, of Fitchburg, Mass., died Dec. 5, 2010. He was president of the George S. Carrington Co. in Leominster for over 25 years, until his retirement in 1991. Bennett served the community in many ways, including, as city councilor, member of St. Camillus Church Parish and Fitchburg Lions Club, and board member of the former Wallace Civic Center, former Worcester North Savings Bank, and Kelly Wood Products. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Agnita; children, Walter, Deborah, Linda,
Lauren (Carvalho) and Richard ’09 Kallianidis welcomed their first child, Grace, on Oct. 9, 2010, six weeks early.
Grace Kallianidis
Class Scribe: Erica Mello emello84@hotmail.com
Douglas Glassman MBA and Stephanie Foster were married Aug. 14 at the Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth, MA. The couple toured Italy on their honeymoon and currently lives in Waltham, MA. He is a business analyst at the TJX Companies in Framingham and she is a registered nurse at Winchester Hospital.
2010s Class Scribe: Katelyn Vella katelyn.vella@yahoo.com
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and Marsha; and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by two sisters, Betty and Marjorie. John R. Balzac ’50, of Scarsdale, N.Y., died Sept. 30, 2010. Following Nichols, he partnered with his brother, Richard, in the family coffee importing business, Balzac Bros. & Co. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Marcia; children, Kathleen and Patricia; six grandchildren; and siblings, Delores, Mary, and Ralph. Russell E. Dodds ’50, of Peterborough, N.H., died Oct. 30, 2010. After joining the U.S. Marine Corps, he worked as an insurance sales executive with John Hancock Mutual Insurance Co. In 1983, he purchased the Peterborough Basket Co. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Joan; children, Linda and Wayne; and a granddaughter. Albert J. “Jack” LaBonte ’50, of Somersworth, N.H., died Dec. 31, 2010. For 44 years he worked in community services in the private and public sectors, and upon retirement in 1993, as executive director of the Somersworth Housing Authority. LaBonte continued to serve the community following retirement and was an active member of the Governor's Council on Aging and a recipient of the State of New Hampshire's Vaughn Award in 2002. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Pauline; children, William and Beth; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother, Richard. John A. Veazey ’50, of Laconia, N.H., died Dec. 2, 2010. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. For eight years during the 1960s and 1970s, he was an aide to Brig. Gen. Harrison Thyng and traveled extensively in Europe and the Middle East. Veazey was president and owner of the Boulia-Gorrell Lumber Co., and was honored as Lumberman of the Year by Northeast Retail Lumbermen's Association in 2001. He also served as a member of the Legislature and of the Laconia City Council, interim mayor, selectman, tax assessor, police commissioner, president
of Laconia Industrial Development Corp., and on several boards and community organizations. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Phyllis; children, Jane, Sally, and Allen; and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by his siblings, William and Jane. Joseph M. McDonough ’51, of Stonington, Conn., died Nov. 24, 2010. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force, where he served in the Korean War, he joined the family insurance business until he was appointed by Governor Ella Grasso as deputy commissioner of consumer protection. He was a member of the Hartford Golf Club, Hartford Lions Club, and the Gaming Commission for the Mashantucket Pequot Reservation. Survivors include his wife, Ruth; children, Val, Lee, Jay, Jon, and Mary Jo; nine grandchildren; and a brother, E. Merritt. He was predeceased by his brother, Charles. William E. Roberts ’51, of Jasper, Ga., died Oct. 9, 2010. Following working as an M-1 rifle instructor at Fort Dix, N.J., during the Korean War, he worked as an underwriting manager with Crum & Forester Insurance for 25 years. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Joan; children, Eve and Doris; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and siblings, Eleinore, Doris, Carol, and Paul. Francis O. Mansfield ’54, of Bridgewater, Mass., died Dec. 12, 2010. He was a longtime member of Halifax Country Club, where he established the One Arm Golf Championship. He also dabbled in lobster trapping, ice fishing, and most currently, owned greyhound racing dogs. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Isabelle; children, Jeffrey and Joanne; and two grandchildren. He was the brother of the late John and Elizabeth. Kenneth S. Baum ’58, of Woodstock, Conn., died Dec. 12, 2010. He worked as a manufacturer's representative for several furniture companies in North Carolina
NICHOLS REMEMBERS
selling to retail stores through upstate New York. Most recently he worked for Tonche Transit in Mt. Tremper. Survivors include his mother, Marion; his wife of 36 years, Kathleen; children, Brooks and Eliza; and sister, Merideth. Thomas J. Kilinsky ’60, of North Grosvenordale, Conn., died Nov. 4, 2010. He was a certified underwriter and special services manager for the American Mortgage Protection Insurance Agency in Wareham, Mass. Survivors include his former wife, Beverly; and sister, Patricia. Russell G. Massey ’71, of South Grafton, Mass., died Dec. 20, 2010. A custodian for the Grafton Public Schools for the past ten years, he also worked part time at Stop & Shop. He previously worked for Prime Computer for several years. In addition to his mother, Phyllis, survivors include sister-in-law, Jeanne; and nephew, Mark. He was predeceased by his brothers, Mark and Charles. Terrence P. McKenna ’73, of Moultonborough, N.H., died Oct. 5, 2010. He had a long career in finance, working for Stromberg Carlson, General Dynamics, and as president and CEO of Environmental Systems Products in Hartford, Conn., retiring in 2001. Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Rita; his children, Kaitlin, Maura, and Sean; and brothers, James and Robert. Stacy L. Asal ’82, of Danielson, Conn., died Dec. 25, 2010. She was employed as a substitute teacher in the Killingly school system. Survivors include her mother, Doris; son, Hunter; siblings, Janice, Pam, and James. She was predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth. Barritt E. "Barry" Curtis Jr. ’83, of Ayer, Mass., died Oct. 1, 2010. He worked for many years as an auto appraiser, most recently for the Arbella Insurance Co. Survivors include his parents, Marlene and Barritt; former wife, Susan; children, Steven and Sarah; stepfather, Kenneth; and stepbrother, Kenneth.
Walter M. Moynihan ’85, of Dudley, Mass., died Sept. 19, 2010. He worked at Penske Trucking as a project manager. In addition to his longtime companion, Kathleen Paradis, he leaves his brother, John. He was predeceased by his siblings, Peter and Elizabeth. Colleen L. O'Brien ’98, of Charlton, Mass., died Nov. 27, 2010. She worked for Unum Disability Insurance for 29 years, most recently serving as assistant vice president. O’Brien was also involved in charity work, serving agencies such as Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, Girls Inc., Worcester Community Action Council, and United Way. She is survived by her mother, Marie; husband, Paul; daughters, Jillian and Lisa; and siblings, Cathleen, Maureen, Eileen, Christine, and James. Trustee Emeritus Lovett C. “Pete” Peters H ’04, of Chestnut Hill, and recently, Westwood, Mass., died Nov. 11, 2010. Peters joined the Board of Trustees in 1988, and his extreme generosity to the College has allowed the school to grow in multiple areas. Following graduation from Yale in 1936, he embarked on a long and successful career as a financier and philanthropist. During World War II, he was assigned to the Army Air Corps to finance production of the U.S. Aviation Industry, including such legends as the DC-3, B-24 and B-17. Following the war, he held positions at Laclede Gas in St. Louis, and Continental Oil (now ConocoPhillips) in Houston, where he rose to executive vice president. In 1966, he moved back to Massachusetts, first as president of the Cabot Corp., and later as principal of Peters Associates. In 1988, he founded the Pioneer Institute, a think tank focused on free market solutions to the Commonwealth’s public policy issues. Peters was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Ruth; and a son, Charles II. He is survived by children, Ruth, Daniel, and Samuel; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a sister, Maude.
John N. Katori ’55 MBA ’81, professor emeritus and mentor to accounting students at Nichols College for nearly a half century, died Dec. 22, 2010, at his winter home in Venice, Fla. His sudden death generated an outpouring of gratitude and remembrances from alumni who were impacted by his compassionate and dynamic teaching. Trustee Randy Becker ’83 MBA ’96, who, with his wife, Donna ’83 led a campaign recently to raise funds for the Katori Scholarship, said, “Professor Katori gave his all to help students succeed in the accounting profession throughout his long and illustrious teaching career. We all have our own stories of how his teachings have stuck with us over the years. Personally, I thank John for helping ignite the passion for business in my heart.” Bruce Haslun ’63, in his class scribe column (see page 19), summed up the sentiments of many in the Nichols community when he wrote: “Nichols College has lost a friend, professor, alumnus, and ambassador.” Katori joined the faculty in 1958 and held the distinction of being the only professor to teach at the associate’s, undergraduate and graduate levels. He founded the Accounting Club and went on to serve as its advisor for 37 years. His other contributions to the school include coaching the men’s varsity basketball team, serving on the Faculty Senate, chairing the Accounting Department for 15 years and serving as a member of the Academic Review Committee. His involvement with the school earned him an Alumni Service Award in 1994, and, upon his retirement in 2000, he received an honorary Doctor of Science in Business Administration degree and the rank of professor emeritus. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Barbara, an honorary alumna of Nichols; and children, Kevin ’93, his wife, Jennifer ’93 MBA ’02, and Kristina ’98. He also leaves his Nichols family who celebrated his life and honored his memory at a campus service on Dec. 30. Former Trustee Albert H. Curtis II, formerly of Weston, Mass., and Exeter, N.H., died Sept. 22, 2010. He worked for New England Mutual Life Insurance as vice president. Curtis was past master of St. John’s Masonic Lodge in Boston. In addition to serving on the Nichols Board of Trustees, he gave his time to the boards of
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New England Baptist Hospital and The Medical Foundation. He was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Anne; and a son, Albert. Survivors include his children, Paul, Eugene, Diane, Penny, Alan, and Jon; nine grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren.
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Your Success Is Our Business
Raising money with class
Standing tall, the core of volunteers from the Class of ’57 has encouraged classmates to give back. They are (from left) Don Claprood, George Butler, Dave Fleming, Kent Tarrant and Art Rizy.
It all started over casual lunches at the Publick House in Sturbridge – a group of 1957 classmates gathering quarterly to plan for their upcoming 50th reunion in 2007. “We were just looking for a reason to meet,” admits Kent Tarrant, the reluctant ringleader. While chatting about their Nichols days, reviewing updated rosters of classmates, and enjoying fellowship (and wine), this dedicated core of volunteers – George Butler, Don Claprood, Dave Fleming, Art Rizy, and Tarrant – set out to permanently endow a fund that would immortalize their class and help a current Nichols student in need. This year, the class accomplished that goal, raising over $25,000 to fund the Class of 1957 Scholarship. “What brought us together is age,” says Tarrant of the initial meetings. “When you start to celebrate your 50th reunion, you’re more apt to reach back and remember people. The amount of money and the number of donors from the Class of ’57 up to the scholarship idea was next to nothing. It took the reunion to say, ‘Let’s get back together.’” Claprood adds, “We all got to the point, the stage in life, when it’s time to give back.” Giving back to create a scholarship seemed to be a natural choice for the group. “I didn’t get any help when I went here,” says Fleming. “I like what the College has done and thought it would be nice to help somebody that needs help.” A scholarship also seemed to best represent their sense of gratitude toward their alma mater. “Nichols gave us the opportunity to get an education that we might not have had otherwise,” comments Rizy. Tarrant agrees: “Colonel [Conrad] took a chance on us. The ones that stuck around did better than they expected.” In that spirit, the classmates hope to award the scholarship to a Nichols junior who has exceeded the College’s expectations. With pride in their accomplishment of being only one of two Nichols classes to endow a scholarship, the band of five continues to meet for lunch and welcomes others to join them. Are they planning anything big for the 55th reunion? “To be here, hopefully,” laughs Butler.
“What brought us together is age...”
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STAY CONNECTED Moments in Time Your alma mater and classmates want to keep in touch with you! Sign up for the alumni email newsletter Nichols & Sense by sending your email address to: alumnioffice@nichols.edu.
1936: Nichols Orchestra
1951: Afternoon at Bazzie’s
1996: Campus Fever
alumnioffice@nichols.edu
1976: Football
2006: Candid
P.O. Box 5000 Dudley, MA 01571-5000 Your Success Is Our Business
Wear in the World…? Nichols College invites you to submit snapshots sporting Nichols gear in your favorite travel spots. The winners will be published in future editions of the magazine. All entries will be posted on community.nichols.edu.
Smile and say, “Bison!”
Former Nichols staffer Bernice Sheldon stays true to the College and the environment with her reusable Nichols “Green Campus” bag.
Submit your photo to alumnioffice@nichols.edu today!