in a variety of settings. He previously taught as an instructor and guest lecturer at Indiana University-Bloomington and as an adjunct faculty member at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana. Dr. Volungis was a research assistant as a graduate student at Assumption, where he earned a MA in counseling psychology. He also
earned a BA from Saint Anselm and a Ph.D. from Indiana University-Bloomington
Elizabeth Walsh Visiting instructor of education and field placement coordinator A graduate of Stonehill College with a BA in
elementary education and a MA in the same discipline from Worcester State, Walsh has taught in elementary schools in Webster and Rutland and at Houghton Elementary School, where she also serves as a Title One teacher. In addition, she privately tutors elementary and middle school reading, math and writing.
photo: ErikA siDor
(l–r): vinnie sullivan-Jacques, Joseph Alfano, nalin ranasinghe and b.J. Dobski
Four receive Presidential Awards for Excellence By Laura Ricciardone ’16 Four members of the Assumption community received Presidential Awards for Excellence during September’s fall convocation for demonstrating outstanding contributions to teaching, scholarship, service and the College’s Catholic mission. Since 2009, the Presidential Awards for Excellence have honored outstanding members of the faculty, staff and administration. Recipients are nominated by any member of the Assumption community, and ultimately selected by a committee, along with President Cesareo. Vincent Sullivan-Jacques, director of volunteer outreach and community engagement and assistant director of Campus Ministry, received the Presidential Award for Excellence in contribution to the Mission. In his time at the College Sullivan-Jacques has successfully grown Assumption’s SEND program, which organizes student volunteer opportunities at sites across the nation. He also co-chairs the campus sustainability committee, personally helping to recycle thousands of pounds of food and other goods during the end of the year move-out. “I would like to thank President Cesareo, the Assumptionist communities, the selection committee and the Campus Ministry staff for the honor of receiving this award,” said Sullivan-Jacques. “This recognition gives me a chance to also thank every colleague that I work in partnership with and to acknowledge the power of partnerships in fostering our mission.” Joseph Alfano, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Service for his generous work
aiding the success of his students and the Assumption community. Dr. Alfano was praised for his voluntary leadership of the College’s 3:2 Engineering program as well as his dedication to various clubs on campus. Alfano helped to form the Math and Computer Science Club and has donated his time to aiding the Chess Club, the LLC Interest Circles and the Putnam Math Competition. Nalin Ranasinghe, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, received the Paul Ziegler Presidential Award for Excellence in Scholarship. Renowned in his field, Dr. Ranasinghe has channeled his passion for philosophy into various books, articles, presentations and lectures. “Dr. Ranasinghe has a seemingly insatiable appetite for knowledge and the written word and Assumption College is extremely fortunate to have him on our faculty so that he can share this knowledge with our students,” said President Cesareo. “Through his high level of scholarly productivity he keeps Assumption College on the map in the world of philosophical studies.” Bernard J. Dobski Jr., Ph.D., associate professor of political science, received the Michael O’Shea Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching. The chair of the Department of Political Science, Dr. Dobski has published and presented widely in his field. “One common theme shared by many ‘Dobski students’ is that he holds them to high standards, drives them to perform better in the classroom and helps them build the confidence needed to be a leader; qualities that apply to any discipline, not just political science,” President Cesareo noted during the presentation of the award. “This praise from his students stands as the truest testament to his dedication.”
Assumption College Magazine
Fall 2015
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