ACMag_Spring2009

Assumption Assumption College Magazine • Volume 7, Number 2 • Spring 2009

Magazine

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES Jeff Archambault ‘74 VP of Communications Disneyland Resort, Paris

PLUS

NCCSA Champions Catholic Schools

College Launches Redesigned Web

Study Abroad Students Experience the World

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Our Citizens of the World

“T

he world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” –St. Augustine

St. Augustine’s words provide a simple, yet profound, perspective on the value of life experiences beyond the borders of one’s own nation. While all travel is broadening—living, studying and learning in another culture for months at a time is uniquely transforming, providing an opportunity to see the world, oneself and one’s own culture in a radically different way.

Living abroad for an extended time immerses you in the daily rhythm of a new culture and environment. I vividly recall having this experience when I lived in Rome as a graduate student. Every morning I took the subway to the university. My stop was the Coliseum—as I stepped off the subway, this magnificent structure was a conspicuous reminder of my new life and ancient Rome.

During the first few weeks I was struck by the grandeur, but very soon, like the Romans themselves, this became simply a daily ritual. Instead, I would be engaged in a lively conversation with a local friend, or stop into a café for a cappuccino before class. At some point you no longer see yourself as a tourist, but rather as a native—a transformation that shapes who you will be in the future.

“This type of education can only happen when you take the risk to encounter the broader world first hand.”

Some grand international cities allow you to become a citizen of the world. I found this in Rome where I was exposed to cultures from around the globe. As a student at the Pontifical Gregorian University, I studied with people from Africa, Asia, Latin America and other European nations. This experience gave me a sense of

the oneness of the human family, an appreciation of our differences, and a fuller understanding of the universality of the Catholic Church.

I recall my classmates inviting me for dinners at their national colleges. We shared our perspectives on the world, learned about one another’s social customs and discussed our views on international issues, politics and economics. This type of education could never take place within the confines of a class or through reading books. It can only happen when you take the risk to encounter the broader world first hand.

Living and studying abroad also helps you learn more about yourself. By immersing yourself in a new culture, you are introduced to different ways of thinking and doing things. Adjusting to a culture that is not your own and developing a heightened level of independence and self-awareness contributes to a more sophisticated world view. This is especially critical in today’s world as we become a more global society. It helps to shape leaders who are respectful of other cultures and who seek to understand differences in the hope of creating a better world.

Assumption students, faculty and alumni are taking advantage of international opportunities through study abroad programs, service in developing nations and international internships and jobs. By seizing these life-changing opportunities, we live the words of Mark Twain, “Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D. President President Cesareo with administrators and students during Assumption’s recent trip to Rome.

PHOTO: LISA ACIUKEWICZ

Spring 2009 Assumption College Magazine • Volume 8, Number 2 www.assumption.edu/magazine

Features

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Please address your letters, class notes, and story ideas to:

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Kenya’s Monicah Kivaa Lives Her Dream

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Assumption Authors

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Alumni Expats Thrive in Foreign Lands

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Study Abroad Opens Worldly Classroom

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2009 Alumni Award Recipients Selected

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College Receives $1.9 Million from the John F. Tinsley Trust

Assumption College Magazine Assumption College 500 Salisbury Street Worcester, MA 01609-1296 e-mail: twatkins@assumption.edu –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Departments

Assumption College Magazine

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Editor’s Page

Assumption College ISSN 1089-3903 Spring 2009

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On Campus

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Hounds Watch

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Alumni News

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Class Notes

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In Memoriam

Editor/Coordinating Publisher Troy Watkins

Director of Public Affairs Renee Buisson

Contributing Writers Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A. ’69 Sharon Mahoney P’07 Steve Morris ’72 Elizabeth Walker

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Art Direction/Design Centuria Inc., Belmont, MA Assumption College Magazine is published four times a year (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) by the office of Institutional Advancement, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609-1296. Telephone: (508) 767-7175. Periodical Postage Paid at Worcester, Massachusetts and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Forwarding address and correction requested. Send address changes to: Office of Institutional Advancement, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609-1296. Printed in the U.S.A. Assumption College is distributed free of charge to alumni, friends, faculty, staff, administration and parents of undergraduate students.

On the Cover Jeff Archambault ’74 is the vice president of communications for Disneyland Resort, Paris, France. Photo by Paul Cooper.

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Cert no. SW-COC-002556

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

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EDITOR’S LETTER

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s we highlight alumni and students enriched by international travel and, in some cases, settling in a foreign land, I wonder what I have missed without those experiences. Aside from visits to a few Caribbean islands and DisneyWorld, my travel résumé is brief, and my permanent address (minus college and grad school) has always been in the Worcester area.

Regardless of my non-eclectic background, as I connected with alumni and students for the feature articles in this issue, my appreciation and respect for those bold enough to travel to (and/or settle) abroad grew tremendously. I was particularly struck by those who have participated in the Study Abroad program. Each student spoke so highly of the experience—how educational, incredible and important it was for them to make the trip and grow as a person.

Most of us boast significant growth and development as college students. I arrived at college as a nearly off-the-charts introvert. But through a combination of classes, extracurricular activities and the independence of living on campus, as one of my professors said, “I found my voice and realized I had much to say.”

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PHOTO: DAN VAILLANCOURT

Vicarious Traveling

I’m honored to share the stories of a just a handful of students and alumni who have discovered who they really are by pursuing their dreams of traveling abroad. By their collective accounts, it’s certainly been worth the trip.

ON CAMPUS

A 40-foot tall siren and public address speaker (center of photo), adjacent to Hagan Campus Center, survived the ice storm.

Ice Storm Emergency Test December’s ice storm, which destroyed trees, damaged homes and businesses, and left hundreds of thousands in New England without power for up to two weeks, was a valuable test of Assumption’s Emergency Response and Recovery Plan. Under the leadership of President Francesco Cesareo, the College implemented its plan when the storm created a power outage and required the postponement of two days of final exams.

The comprehensive plan, created in 2005, involved purchasing necessary equipment and training personnel to enable the College to respond to any kind of manmade or natural disaster, and the creation of a communication plan to quickly inform students, parents and employees of an emergency situation and the appropriate action to be taken.

The ice storm left the campus without power for more than 48 hours, beginning December 11. “Over the last few years we had purchased generators for many of our buildings and we were fortunate that most student residence halls had heat and emergency lighting,” said Chris McCarthy, executive vice president for finance and administration. Taylor Dining Hall also had generator power to provide a warm location and three hot meals a day to all Assumption students.

Numerous communication channels were used to keep students and parents informed throughout the situation through text messaging, e-mail and voice mail via the AlertNow emergency

notification system, as well as updates to the homepage of the College’s Web site and door-to-door visits by resident assistants in the residence halls.

“Our first concern is always the safety of our students, faculty and staff,” said Cesareo. “Our plan recognizes the importance of quick and appropriate action in a variety of situations, and we understand that communication is integral to the successful implementation of the plan.”

In an emergency, the campus can also be alerted by a siren and public address system, erected adjacent to Hagan Campus Center. A large speaker placed at the top of this 40-foot pole can blast a loud warning siren to alert students that there is an emergency in progress and that they should turn on their cell phones in the event an emergency text message has been issued. Audible across campus and tested twice last fall, the outside loudspeaker system can broadcast either a pre-recorded or real-time voice message.

Members of the highly qualified campus police force have received specialized training to respond to incidents similar to the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech in 2007. In addition, dozens of Assumption employees have been trained in basic first aid and CPR/AED techniques. These employees are qualified to act as first responders and could be critical in saving lives during a campus emergency.

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Kenya’s Kivaa Lives Her Dream

B y T ROy W ATkINS

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n Kenya, children’s dreams of higher education rarely come true. In this East African country bisected by the equator, a child’s education typically extends to eighth grade, and only those with exceptional academic ability or the financial means continue on to high school and college. Occasionally the right combination of circumstances creates an exception … such as Assumption first-year student Monicah kivaa.

With eight siblings, kivaa’s parents were unable to pay for all their children to complete their education, but they believed that it could provide a way out of poverty. After receiving a scholarship to Harvard Law School several years ago, Monicah’s older sister Ann came to New England and earned her degree. Ann’s brother Joseph traveled from kenya to visit Ann and attended her graduation ceremony.

Joseph had worked on his grandmother’s farm when his parents were unable to pay his high school fees. Joseph luckily met the owners of Astrolabe Farm— Mary Craumer and her husband David Porte—in Harvard, MA, one evening. “We were so impressed with his determination and intense desire to go to college that David and I helped sponsor him to study at Salem State College,” said Craumer. Joseph lived with the Craumer/Porte family for five years, helping on the farm and studying full-time. This spring Joseph will graduate from Salem State with a B.S. in biology/nuclear medicine technology with hopes of becoming a doctor.

Impressed by the kivaa family’s drive to succeed, Craumer and eight other women from Harvard, MA, formed a support group to bring Monicah to the United States. Craumer credits Hellie Swartwood with coming up with the name, “African Aunties,” that so accurately describes their mission. “It’s the African idea of the extended family of aunties and uncles that forms the wider tangible support for families in Africa,” Craumer explained. “We want to be that caring network surrounding Monicah.”

Monicah completed high school in Nairobi last spring with support from her sister and some of the African Aunties. With the guidance of Assumption Assistant Professor of Management Bart Morrison, she received a partial scholarship to attend Assumption and with the help of many—including Ann, Joseph, Assumption faculty and staff, and the African Aunties—Monicah secured the money needed for her student visa. The African Aunties raised more

“I am very grateful to everyone who has made it possible for me to be here.”

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than $20,000 in six months to make up for the gap in need. “Her story inspired many people in Harvard, at Assumption and beyond,” said Craumer.

Monicah enrolled at Assumption last fall. “From the moment I set foot on campus, I knew this was the place I wanted to be,” said kivaa. “I was –Monicah Kivaa blown away by Assumption’s community spirit, which made me feel like I am part of this big happy family. The professors are kind and willing to help me in anyway possible. I look forward to going to class each day, eager to learn something new and interact with professors and fellow students. All this has helped me adjust to a new environment and culture.” Monicah has excelled in the classroom, making the fall semester Dean’s List with a 3.5 GPA. “I am part of the African, Latino/Hispanic, Asian and NativeAmerican (ALANA) network and the WINGS program (Women In Need of Guidance and Support),” she said. “Through these groups I have met many people who have made my adjustment process much easier and enjoyable. On Sundays I attend the 7 p.m.

Mass with the chapel choir, which I look forward to every week.

“I love being at Assumption because it’s a fulfilment of a dream come true. I am very grateful to everyone who has made it possible for me to be here … African Aunties, Professor Bart Morrison, all donors and everyone else that has been a part of this long process.

Thank you and God bless you.”

To support Monicah through the International Student Scholarship Fund, go to: www.african aunties.org and click on “Donate Now.”

PHOTO: DAN VAILLANCOURT

Photo, opposite page: Monicah’s “African Aunties” raised more than $20,000 in six months to help send her to Assumption. (L-R) Lisa Aciukewicz, Hellie Swartwood, Kate Lucey, Kathy Elkind, Anne Kivaa, Mimi Dorward, Chris Morrison, Mary Craumer and Suzanne Hays

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

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Championing Catholic Schools B y E LIzABETH W ALkER

PHOTO: TAMMY WOODARD

Kristin Melley, director of The National Catholic Center for Student Aspirations (NCCSA) at Assumption College

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Eight Conditions The survey instrument was developed by Russell Quaglia, Ed.D. ’80, HD’02, director of the Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations. Quaglia identified eight conditions that help students discover their self-worth, become more actively engaged in the classroom, and find deeper purpose in their education and faith, Melley said. Using Quaglia’s model as the springboard, Assumption’s Board of Trustees provided the start-up funds in 2004 to establish the NCCSA on campus. The five-year plan called for the NCCSA to help Catholic schools better express their Catholic identity, enhance professional development, assess their effectiveness through research and analysis, and provide policy analysis and community outreach.

“In 2005, the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released a statement “Renewing Our Commitment to Elementary and Secondary Schools in the Third Millennium,” urging the nation’s Catholic community to secure the future of Catholic school education,” Melley said. “The bishops called on Catholic colleges and universities to provide much-needed programs and resources for teacher formation. Through the NCCSA, Assumption is responding to the Catholic bishops’ plea, one Catholic school at a time.”

Bishop of Worcester Robert McManus, who chaired the USCCB’s Committee for Catholic Education, praised the NCCSA’s efforts. “As (we) hoped for, the NCCSA provides our Catholic schools with the resources they need to maintain their academic excellence and precious Catholic identity,” Bishop McManus wrote. “I applaud Assumption College for the important contributions it’s making to strengthen our schools.”

Assisting Thousands Across the Country Since its inception, the NCCSA has surveyed more than 15,000 Catholic high school students in 19 dioceses in 10 states as far away as Louisiana and California. Also, Melley, and her volunteer staff have presented eight leadership conferences for nearly 1,000 Catholic middle and high school students, collaborated with the National Catholic Educational Association, the Lynch School of Education at Boston College and Pearson Education, Inc., a global leader in educational publishing, assessment, information and services. In addition, the NCCSA has created many multi-year partnerships with schools around the

PHOTO: SUSANNAH H. SNOWDEN

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eyond the uniforms, morning prayers and religious instruction, is there a real difference in a Catholic education? The National Catholic Center for Student Aspirations (NCCSA) at Assumption College believes there is and is helping elementary and secondary schools across the country differentiate the Catholic educational experience.

The NCCSA, under the direction of kristin Melley, uses survey tools to assess, analyze and provide feedback—a report card—to Catholic schools. The NCCSA helps administrators and teachers identify how fully their schools are living their missions, the effectiveness of their faith formation efforts, and how well their students perceive, internalize and express those efforts. The NCCSA is counted among the champions of Catholic education.

With an enrollment of 2.6 million students and nearly 149,000 teachers in 7,400 elementary and secondary schools, the nation’s Catholic school system is the second largest in the United States. Since the first Catholic school opened in Florida more than four centuries ago, advocates have promoted the value-added education Catholic schools provide young learners.

“While a number of colleges have sponsored institutes for (Catholic) elementary and high schools, our focus has been to directly impact the student experience,” Melley said. “Our goal is to foster student aspirations. We use the My Voice student survey to measure the presence and strength of the conditions that foster student aspirations.”

In January, more than 200 students from 40 Catholic schools in the Boston and Worcester dioceses participated in the NCCSA’s fifth annual Stand Up Speak Up leadership conferences.

nation to provide on-site professional development and faith formation programming.

“We survey students to measure their faith formation, rather than their knowledge of the Catholic Church,” Melley explained.

“We identify inconsistencies between how the administration and the teachers express the school’s mission and Catholic identity and how the students perceive and internalize those messages.”

Helping Worcester Schools In addition to the NCCSA’s broad outreach, Melley also acts as a resource for the Worcester public and Catholic schools, and works with a cross-section of Assumption offices and programs.

Last year alone, she interacted with nearly 300 students and 35 staff. She offered training on effective communication techniques through the offices of Admissions and Student Affairs, presented a reflective talk at a senior retreat for Campus Ministry and worked with 20 Assumption students to empower them to be positive role models to Catholic middle school youth.

Melley is presenting a talk “What Catholic Students Think about Their Catholic High School,” based on the results of NCCSA’s 2008 survey of 15,000 students, at the National Catholic Education Conference in April at Notre Dame. In late May, the NCCSA will host a two-day conference on campus, “Discerning Direction: Finding God in your High School,” for high school students and teachers. To learn more, visit www.assumption.edu/nccsa.

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

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College Web site Gets Extreme Makeover The Assumption College Web site is a critical marketing tool and the primary resource for most prospective students as they evaluate and compare our school with others in their college searches.

In addition, our on-campus community, as well as alumni, parents, friends of the College and others worldwide, access our Web site for a myriad of purposes.

To better serve all who connect—and reconnect—with Assumption online, the College conducted a search to identify a company that could best develop a new Web site that would fully reflect and communicate our brand, and attract potential students.

Datatel, a nationally recognized software company, emerged as the top pick to develop the site in conjunction with kor group, the brand management and design firm that has been working with Assumption, particularly in the area of admissions communications.

In November, the College performed an interim “facelift” on the Assumption site. key pages, including the homepage, the academics “landing” (or first) page, the admissions landing page and the undergraduate admission landing page were redesigned and rewritten to reflect the new brand. This was done to support the important recruitment season last fall for the incoming Class of 2013.

The “extreme makeover” of our Web presence, which launches in April, includes the entire Assumption Web site. The new site has been carefully designed to be inviting and userfriendly for everyone. One key element, VoiceView, on the new homepage is distinctive among college Web sites—our students will microblog daily on VoiceView to provide a real-time experience of life at Assumption. Short statements about what they are doing at the moment will pop up on the homepage. In addition, users will be able to request a feed to see updates as they happen.

Visit www.assumption.edu

We look forward to welcoming you at—and invite your comments about—our new online “front door” at www.assumption.edu.

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PHOTO: TAMMY WOODARD

Students Explore Racism

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Reggie Newkirk meets with students Line Clervil ’11 (center) and Jessica Stewart ’10

sing a model outlined in Racial Healing: The Institutes for the Healing of Racism (2000), authored by Reginald Newkirk and Nathan Rutstein, Assumption College has launched a program to teach students about racism and how they can become agents of change at Assumption and beyond. A small group of student leaders participated in a session in the early fall, followed by an overnight retreat attended by 25 students in February. “It was a remarkably insightful weekend,” said Brenda Safford ’00, director of multicultural affairs.

Newkirk is among Canada’s top leading human rights and race relations experts. He has 15 years of experience in the area of human rights protection with various levels of government. Since 1999, he and a colleague have run ‘healing racism’ workshops.

Rutstein has been involved in the formation of Institutes for the Healing of Racism in the United States and Europe since 1988. He has authored 16 books, including five on race-relations issues.

“Their book gives us access to the collaborative experience of two people who have fine-tuned a process that breaks down the

basis of racism and develops with an understanding of the oneness of humankind,” said Safford. Newkirk visited the campus in February, where he spoke to students enrolled in ethics courses and presented a public lecture on the topic.

Molly Eastman ’10 participated in the retreat as a student facilitator. “Racism is a very serious and deeply rooted topic in our society that needs to be addressed. Through the retreat I learned a lot about people’s feelings and emotions regarding this issue by listening to individual stories both from white students and students of color about their experiences with direct or indirect racism. It is important for everyone, white or of color, to come to terms with and accept the existence of prejudices. In order to begin to heal and move past racism and injustice based on the color of one’s skin, we must spend time reflecting on our own prejudices and accepting their existence. I hope this retreat helped students to look within themselves, realize their prejudices and begin to heal from the inside-out.”

APICS Student Chapter Wins Gold Again Assumption’s student chapter of APICS (Advancing Productivity, Innovation and Competitive Success – the Association for Operations Management) recently received its fourth consecutive Gold Award for outstanding chapter management from the Worcester County Chapter of APICS. The award qualifies the student chapter to obtain the Platinum Award next year.

Saeed Mohaghegh, associate professor

of management, has served as faculty advisor of the student chapter of APICS (APICS Business Club) since founding the group in 1984. The Club earned two Bronze Awards in the mid-1990s, and a Silver Award in 2004. Professor Mohaghegh has also been recognized twice by APICS, in 1990 as member of the year and in 1997 for his contributions to research and education.

The APICS officers, Professor Mohaghegh (far left) and Robert Manning AP’68 (holding award) from Worcester County Chapter present the award to Katie Collamore ’09, president of the APICS student chapter.

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Christian Children’s CEO to Speak at Commencement

PHOTO: GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

Anne Lynam Goddard ’77, president and CEO of Christian Children’s Fund, will address the graduates at Assumption’s 92nd Commencement exercises May 16. A 1977 alumna, Goddard has led the Christian Children’s Fund since 2006. The international child development organization assists more than 10.5 million children and family members in 33 countries.

A former Peace Corps volunteer, Goddard became a social worker focused on child neglect and abuse cases. Today, she is a veteran humanitarian worker, who has continued to advocate for and protect children here and around the world. The College will confer an honorary degree on Goddard in recognition of her lifelong commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children through more than three decades in social service and international humanitarian work.

Edmund D. Pellegrino, M.D., the John Carroll Professor Emeritus of Medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center, also will receive an honorary degree. Pellegrino, who pioneered the field of Catholic medical ethics, was director of the Center for Clinical Bioethics at Georgetown’s Medical Center. The founding editor of the Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, he is renowned for his discussions of Christian virtue and medical ethics in the treatment of patients, and his focus on humanism and the physician, as well as the philosophical basis of medical treatment.

Rev. James Schall, S.J., a professor of government at Georgetown University, will also receive an honorary degree. A legendary teacher and highly prolific author, Rev. Schall’s defense of classical liberal learning and his engagement with the enduring questions about “what is” have influenced generations of students and readers. The Rev. James V. Schall, S.J., Award for Teaching and Humane Letters was established at Georgetown in 2008 in recognition of “Fr. Schall’s commitment to liberal education, the great

Edmund Pellegrino, M.D.

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Rev. James Schall, S.J.

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

Anne Lynam Goddard ’77

books, and the philosophical and religious tradition of the West and, above all, the Catholic faith.”

His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship at the Vatican, received an honorary degree at a special ceremony during his April 15 campus visit, when he delivered the final President’s Lecture of the academic year, “The Liturgy and Our Spiritual Journey in Life.” Cardinal Arinze, an expert in catechesis, the teaching or passing on the truths of the Roman Catholic faith, was born in Nigeria. He became the youngest Roman Catholic bishop in the world when he was ordained to the episcopate in 1965 at age 32. Pope John Paul II elevated him to cardinal in 1985. Among other honors, he received a gold medallion from the International Council of Christians and Jews for his outstanding achievements in inter-faith relations.

His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze

Assumption’s Human Face

BY FR. DENNIS GALLAGHER, A.A. ’69, VICE PRESIDENT FOR MISSION

PHOTO: TANYA CONNOR

(L–R): Right Rev. Gordon Scruton, Rev. Margaret Payne and Bishop Robert McManus

PHOTO: DAN VAILLANCOURT

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would not have come to study at Assumption College had it not been for the late Larry Riordan ’59. I more often say that I came to Worcester because Assumption offered me the best financial package of the three schools kind enough to accept me. That’s true enough, but without the visit to my high school of that barrel-chested and red-faced recruiter, as we called them then, Assumption would not have come into play at all. By extension, without Larry it’s most unlikely that I would have ever become an Assumptionist.

I mentioned this last year when I had an opportunity to offer some words to our Admissions and Enrollment Management staff.

In addition to how such apparently incidental meetings can go a long way toward shaping one’s destiny, I am reminded, as I think of Larry’s unforgettable face, of the human face of Assumption College. For most of us, I am guessing, it would not take long to conjure up the person or persons whom we most identify with our time at the College. Forty-four years later, I still recall the Assumptionist I met at the entrance of the Maison on my day of arrival. As it turned out, that same religious and teacher–how could I have possibly known this?—would have a marked influence on me in the years that followed, as an undergraduate and beyond.

As we strive to understand what a reinvigoration of our Catholic educational mission is to mean, I hope that we would never give short shrift to this human face of the College. To be a Christian is, after all, to be fully and richly human, and it is no small dimension of our mission to strive to remain a decidedly human place with all this suggests in terms of the way we work

The Mission alongside each other and treat our students. It is part of our Assumptionist tradition to speak of the “family spirit” of the community, a spirit that, I presume to say, has distinctively marked the life of the College. Harder to sustain as the College has grown to a certain size, keeping alive elements of that family spirit is worthy of our best efforts.

The deepest sources of our College’s identity serve only to reinforce this aspect of our mission: namely, the virtue of hospitality in the biblical tradition—it is in the face of the “other” that we encounter the face of Christ—and the profound development of the “person” in St. Augustine. As we seek to draw deeply from these sources, may Assumption continue to be a place where friendship and hospitality and the excitement of learning flourish.

Ecumenical Prayer Service The Chapel of the Holy Spirit was the gathering place for an ecumenical prayer service that the College sponsored in January during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran bishops, a Greek Orthodox priest, and other clergy, religious and lay people participated in the ecumenical service on campus. The service was led by Catholic Bishop Robert McManus, Diocese of Worcester; the Right Reverend Gordon Scruton, Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, and Reverend Margaret Payne, Lutheran bishop of the New England Synod, and assisted by Reverend Gregory Christakos of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

Offering this prayer service continues Assumption’s tradition of promoting ecumenism and collaboration between the College and those of other faiths.

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

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The Compatibility of God and Evolution

PHOTO: JOHN ABROMOWSKI

“Belief in evolution is compatible with belief in God,” Brown University cell biologist kenneth Miller, Ph.D., told an overflowing crowd at the Darwin Bicentennial Lecture, Evolution, God and Design: Rethinking Darwin for the 21st Century. Miller presented his talk on evolution in February as the third speaker in the President’s Lecture Series.

The author of the book, Only a Theory: Evolution and the Battle for America’s Soul (2008), Miller is a nationally prominent biologist, who has been called to testify in high-profile court cases regarding the legitimacy of “intelligent design” as a scientific theory.

Another of his books, Finding Darwin’s God: A Scientist’s Search for Common Ground between God and Evolution (1997) was his first effort to explain how, as a Catholic and as a scientist, he Kenneth Miller, Ph.D. can believe in both God and evolution.

Miller talked about his experience as an expert witness in Selman v. Cobb County, the 2005 Georgia court case that tested the legality of placing stickers that said, “Evolution is a theory, not a fact,” on the high school biology textbook Miller had written.

The many Assumption students in the audience, who may have recognized Miller from several television appearances with mock

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interviewer Stephen Colvert, emitted a collective groan, to Miller’s amusement, when they recognized the biology textbook cover as soon as it appeared on the screen in his PowerPoint presentation. The judge in the Georgia case ruled that the stickers violated the First Amendment, Miller explained. He also discussed serving as an expert witness in the kitzmiller v. Dover (Penn.)

Area School District, which challenged the local school board’s ruling that intelligent design was to be taught as part of the science curriculum.

Miller traced the history of the intelligent design argument for the audience to demonstrate, as he did during the trial, that the theory of intelligent design is simply a disingenuous “repackaging of creationism.” The judge ruled against the Dover school board.

“God and prayer can coexist with Darwinism,” Miller said. As a scientist, he argues for accepting evolution as the central explanation for how living things physically change over long stretches of time, which, he says, “should hinder no one from worshiping the creator of that world.”

Miller said his next book, as yet untitled, will discuss why the evolution battle is not finished and explore the continuing attack against scientific reason.

New Trustee Named Rev. Salvator Musande, A.A., was appointed to the College’s Board of Trustees in December. Fr. Musande has taught and served as a pastor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he earned a B.A. from the St. Augustine Institute. He served as house manager for the Augustinians of the

Assumption in Nairobi and assistant provincial treasurer and assistant novice master, Augustinians of the Assumption, Province of Africa. Fluent in English, French, Swahili and kinande, he earned a B.D. in theology from Hekima College in kenya and is currently pursuing an MBA at Assumption.

Rev. Salvator Musande, A. A.

New Appointments Louise Carroll Keeley Philosophy Professor Louise Carroll keeley, Ph.D., was appointed associate provost in January. She joined Assumption’s faculty in 1983 after completing her doctorate at Boston College. During her tenure, Dr. keeley has offered courses ranging from “Plato” to “Existential Thought” to “Contemporary Women in Philosophy.” She was appointed chair of the philosophy department in 2003 and was promoted to the rank of professor in July 2008. Since 1991 she has been a regular contributor to The International Kierkegaard Commentary; she currently serves as secretary of The kierkegaard Society. Dr. keeley will work closely with Interim Provost Frederick Travis on all academic matters, including budget, faculty personnel and special projects. She and her husband of 25 years, Richard, have four children—Matthew, Austin, Theresa and Sean—and reside in Worcester.

Cory Bailey Cory Bailey returned in March as head football coach after a one-year hiatus.

Bailey coached the Greyhounds to a 13-28 record at the helm from 2004–07 before resigning in 2008 to accept a position in the private sector. He replaces Adam Fuller, who coached the team to a 1-10 finish in 2008.

Director of Athletics Ted Paulauskas said, “Cory brings superb skills in organization, recruiting, relationship building and creativeness. He fully supports Assumption’s commitment to providing our studentathletes with the best possible experience. He appreciates their academic priorities and the fact that an Assumption education prepares them to excel in life.” Cory and wife Lisa have three young daughters and reside in Wrentham.

Timothy Martin Tim Martin joined the office of Institutional Advancement in January as director of Annual Giving. He comes to Assumption with 19 years of experience in the development field, including eight years in educational fundraising.

Tim has been the director of development at three institutions/agencies: East Catholic High School, Milford Regional Medical Center and Mohegan Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He is an alumnus of Fairfield University, where he began his professional career as a campaign associate and later served as assistant director of alumni relations.

Tim resides in Douglas with wife Sherri and their children, Connor, Ryan and Delaney.

Matthew O’Connor Matt O’Connor was appointed director of Continuing and Career Education in December. Matt was affiliated with Massachusetts Bay Community College for eight years, most recently as dean of community and corporate education, and before that as associate dean and director of business and industry. He was responsible for 12 evening degree programs and 14 certificate programs at the Wellesley Hills and Framingham campuses and has also taught as an adjunct instructor at Massachusetts Bay as well as other colleges. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts and a master’s in engineering management from Western New England College. Matt and his family resides in Belmont.

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AssumptionAuthors AURORA’ S N EW F RIEND Written and illustrated by Carey Capistron Santiago ’02 A children’s book, Aurora’s New Friend (Trafford Publishing, 2007) takes children on a journey to the year 2999, where violence has endangered Earth. Aurora and her family fly in a spaceship to restart their lives on a different planet. There, Aurora struggles to find her place and befriends Luna, a native. Aurora soon realizes the importance of helping someone adapt and feel welcome in a new place, which she quickly applies after waking up from her dream. “Mrs. Santiago” teaches third grade at Elmwood Street School in Millbury.

H OW C AN I H ELP ? E VERYDAY W AYS L IVE W ITH C ANCER

TO

H ELP YOUR L OVED O NES

By Monique Doyle Spencer ’80 We all know and love someone who has cancer, but we don’t know how to help. Most of us say “Call me if you need anything,” but we’re never called. How Can I Help? (Adams Media, 2008) is a practical guide to giving real and useful help and having it accepted by your loved one. Spencer says that her “experience being helped by my friends and family” through three bouts with cancer inspired her to write the book and gave her the practical tips to share. Spencer is at work on her third book, which she swears “will not be about cancer.” She credits her classes in English composition with Dr. Angela Dorenkamp for her new career as a writer. Spencer is a contributing columnist for The Boston Globe.

I NTERNATIONAL B USINESS : T HE C HALLENGE C OMPETITION, 11 TH EDITION

OF

G LOBAL

By Jeanne McNett, Ph.D., professor of management; Donald Ball, Wendell McCulloch, Jr.; J. Michael Geringer and Michael Minor “International Business (McGraw-Hill, 2007) continues to be the most objective and thorough treatment of international business available for students,” according to Amazon.com. “Enriched with maps, photos, and the most up-to-date world data, this text boasts the collective expertise of five authors with firsthand international business experience, specializing in international management, finance, law, global strategy and marketing —a claim no other text can make.” This book offers a view of international business as diverse as the backgrounds of business students. Dr. McNett joined the faculty in 1997 and is a global business consultant who has completed assignments around the world.

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Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

H EAL YOURSELF

WITH B REATH ,

By Denis Ouellette AP’69, ’73

L IGHT, S OUND

AND

W ATER

Getting and staying healthy is at the top of everyone’s list. This includes managing stress, eating right and maintaining optimal weight, avoiding disease, staying balanced mentally and emotionally, and having the extra vitality we need. Mother Nature to the rescue!

Through nature’s purest elements—the air we breathe and the water we drink, the earth and the sun—flow healing forces. Heal Yourself (Natural Life News, 2006) explores how we can tap into and harness these elemental forces (chi, prana) more consciously and actively for self-healing. Ouellette has 30 years of experience as a holistic-health practitioner. Visit his site at www.NaturalLifeNews.com.

R ACE R ELATIONS

IN THE U NITED John McClymer, professor of history

S TATES, 1900–1920

The author of nearly a dozen books, Professor John McClymer recently published Race Relations (Greenwood Press, 2008). It is a content-rich source in a desirable decade-by-decade organization to help students and general readers understand the crucial race relations of the start of modern America. The book provides comprehensive reference coverage of the key events, influential voices, race relations by group, legislation, media influences, cultural output and theories of inter-group interactions. McClymer has taught history at Assumption since 1970.

T HE W ONDERFUL M YTH C ALLED S CIENCE

By Fred Bauer, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy Einstein, Descartes, Locke, Bohr, Rorty, Berkeley, Hume, kant—magical names! When we step on an airplane, turn the key in the ignition, or switch on an air conditioner we—not just academicians—all agree that the ideas of these far-sighted sages of the Enlightenment and Modernism saved us from the Medieval life. But, as Professor Fred Bauer shows in The Wonderful Myth (Solas Press, 2008), if we fully accept their ideas, a drastic change in our world-view ensues. His latest work poses an exciting and at times an emotionally challenging exploration of science and living. Bauer has been an Assumption faculty member since 1969.

Alumni and faculty who have published books are encouraged to contact the editor at twatkins@assumption.edu.

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Assumption

Expats

For some alumni settling in a foreign land is not such a foreign concept. These Assumption graduates welcomed the opportunity and chal-

lenge awaiting them at a destination across the sea.

“Fear is temporary. Regret is forever.” These bold travelers have set aside their fears and opened their minds to a revised definition of home. Although they admit missing some aspects of American life, these alumni have established roots in their new home countries and learned far more about themselves than they could have imagined.

Jeff Archambault ’74 / Disneyland Resort, Paris Jeff Archambault ’74 began his career selling peanuts (literally), and today he is vice president of communications for Europe’s most popular tourist destination, Disneyland Resort in Paris, France.

Jeff has traveled a winding road—and crossed an ocean—to build an international career and home life. A member of the last graduating class of Assumption Prep School in 1970, he had grown attached to the intellectual, personal and spiritual education of the Assumptionists.

Early interest in foreign affairs “I was looking for a Catholic, liberal arts college education in order to pursue my early interests in a career in foreign affairs,” he remembers. “I chose Assumption College based on the advice of several Assumptionist professors.”

At Assumption, he was influenced deeply by several professors, including Rev. Denys Gonthier, A.A. ’44, who became a mentor; Rev. Gerard Messier communicated his creativity and passion for French poetry and theatre; political science professors Jack Crutcher, Donald Erler and Patrick Powers ’64, deepened

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Jeff’s understanding of Western culture. Finally, Professor George Doyle HD’92 provided important guidance and a first exposure to economics.

Selling peanuts abroad Immediately after Assumption, B y T ROy W ATkINS Jeff began a career in sales, which led to a job with a large farm cooperative based in Atlanta … “a yankee selling southern peanuts overseas,” he quipped. The business and travel throughout Europe and Japan reinforced his interest in working internationally. He went on to earn an MBA in finance in 1984 from Stanford University.

He worked for four years on Wall Street with Bankers Trust in both New york City and Los Angeles. The lure of working abroad again attracted him to join Apple Computer as their international treasury manager, based in Paris. Four years later, he joined Disneyland Resort Paris to launch the company in Europe.

With Disney, he has worn many hats— though none with ears. After leading the construction project for Disney’s Film Studio Park, Jeff was named company spokesperson for French and European media. He was appointed vice president of communications in 2006. He oversees internal communications for a vast employee community that also includes 13,000 cast members, as well as external communications.

Outside the comfort zone “Living abroad clearly takes you out of your comfort zone and presents ongoing challenges, not only of quasi-daily cultural adaptation, but also intellectual stimulation—seeing the world through very different social, religious and political prisms,” Jeff explains. “Living in the heart of Europe through the fall of Communism, the extension of the European Union, the vicissitudes of pro- and anti-American sentiment, I’ve met and created lasting friendships with fascinating individuals from so many countries. Living in the City of Lights does have its drawbacks, Jeff said.

“Frankly, I miss the sense of space, the openness and the ongoing ‘pioneer’ spirit of Americans and the U.S. culture, also the ‘can-do’ attitude and the ability to challenge the status quo and accept changes.”

PHOTO: PAUL COOPER

A family of nations Jeff’s family reflects his international lifestyle. He and wife Majo, a native of France’s Alsace region, married in 1990.

They adopted their son Nicolas, 17, and daughter, Carolina, 12, from Bogota, Columbia. The family resides in the heart of Paris, between the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides, and enjoys a summer home on France’s Atlantic Coast.

“Looking back, I see that life is not linear,” Jeff explained. “I believe my Assumption College liberal arts education, with its very privileged teacher-student exchanges, gave me the moral and intellectual strength to pursue my ambitions wherever they led me and ultimately realize many of my fondest dreams.

Merci beaucoup, Assumption!”

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PHOTO: PAUL GRIFFIN

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Edward Sheerin ’77 / Teaching in Singapore, Malaysia On his first visit to a coffee shop in Singapore—where Ed Sheerin ’77 and his wife, Polly, have taught at the Singapore American School (SAS) for nine years—Ed was shocked to see that every table was adorned with a sign that read, ‘No Studying.’ “This is a culture that reveres academic rigor and achievement and personal responsibility for that achievement,” he explains. “But kids were always studying in coffee shops, which made it nearly impossible to get a table and have a ‘cuppa’ and a chat.”

their expectations.

“We have been able to travel to so many places that we would never have been able to afford,” he stated. “From jungle walks to Himalayan treks, house-building in Cambodia to distributing art supplies in Indonesia, we have been blessed with a variety of experiences that have left their mark on us. We don’t take for granted the privileged existence we have enjoyed living in the first world.

We have loved being immersed in Asian cultures and being

Upholding the family tradition Ed Sheerin’s road to teaching and Singapore took several twists, though his path to Assumption was clear. All the children of former Classics Professor Joseph Sheerin, Ph.D.—Ed, Frances ’73, Patrick ’76, Lucy ’81, Joseph Jr. G’83 and Paul ’88—attended Assumption.

(In 1994, the Joseph E. Sheerin Merit Award was established as a memorial to Dr. Sheehan in recognition of his achievements.)

“I was most influenced by my father’s teaching style,” Ed admitted. “My brother Pat and I took his medieval history class because we were curious to see what he was like as a teacher. I gained a new appreciation and respect for my dad by seeing him in his element and was most impressed by his command of oral history. He was basically a storyteller. His style was lively and engaging and he brought history to life in a way that no textbook can. years later I found myself using storytelling as an effective tool to engage elementary students.”

Sheerin credits Assumption with providing him with a good liberal arts education. “When I graduated, I had precious little idea of what to do with a degree in psychology and a minor in philosophy ,” he said. “My philosophy and English professors, particularly Fred Bauer and Tom Puchalski, were really engaging.

They taught me to think critically and to question what I read and what I believe, which provided me with a solid foundation for lifelong learning.”

rom jungle walks to Himalayan treks, house-building in Cambodia to distributing art supplies in Indonesia, we have been blessed with a variety of experiences that have left their mark on us.” – Edward Sheerin ’77

“F

Finding a personal passion Through his twenties Sheerin struggled to find what he wanted to do professionally. While working with his two children in a cooperative preschool setting, Sheerin sensed his passion for teaching and returned to school in California to earn teaching credentials in early childhood education. He taught kindergarten and first grade in California for 10 years, was very involved in early literacy development, and also became an actor and storyteller in children’s theater.

In 2000, Sheerin became the first classroom teacher to receive the ‘Acatemy’ Award for Literacy Development from the National Education Association in honor of Dr. Seuss. In that same year, he and Polly, who had become a teacher after several years of freelance writing and editing, decided to teach overseas.

Expanding their opportunities Ed and Polly learned about SAS and decided to move the family to Singapore. The opportunities and enrichments have exceeded

exposed to Buddhist, Taoist and Hindu rituals and sensibilities.”

With the added resources and professional development opportunities available through SAS, the Sheerins have attended workshops with teachers from around the globe.

Missing family and cheeseburgers But living in southeast Asia isn’t without its drawbacks. The Sheerins would like to be closer to their children and other family in the States. Both of their children graduated from SAS and now reside in California. Daughter Mckinley is at UCLA and son Ian is an artist.

Also, Ed longs for this short list: good cheeseburgers, big American breakfasts with a bottomless cup of coffee and Mexican food.

“At SAS I’ve fulfilled a lifelong dream of teaching art full time and I’ve developed my own artistic vision,” Ed said. “Teaching internationally is still one of the best-kept secrets. We’re taking off next year to pursue personal goals and dreams. When we return to teaching, we plan to explore opportunities in Europe or Latin America.”

Ed’s father would certainly be proud of his son who continues to add new chapters to a life story unfolding like an around-theworld adventure.

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19

Catherine Browne Harrison ’86 / Living in Surrey, England In the summer of 2007, Catherine Browne Harrison ’86 her husband Giles and daughters Madelaine, Bridget, Eleanor and Charlotte moved from New Jersey to Surrey, England, after Giles became director of the European Fixed Income Group for Lehman Brothers, based in London. It was a homecoming of sorts, as they had met in England 20 years earlier when she was studying abroad.

While in high school Catherine had volunteered at a home for disabled children and became familiar with Assumption through her father, who had attended Holy Cross College. She was drawn to Assumption’s strong liberal arts, social rehabilitation and elementary education programs.

Catherine fondly remembers, what she terms, “two pillars” of the Assumption community. “Mike O’Shea ’59 was most influential to me,” she said. “He was my English professor and academic advisor. When I expressed an interest in continuing my studies, he recommended a program in Oxford, England, through which I eventually earned a master’s degree in medieval literature.” Browne Harrison also enjoyed working with Fr. Peter Precourt, A.A. ’70 in the Dean of Students office. “He later presided over my wedding and baptized two of my four children.”

Catherine’s postgraduate work at Oxford laid the groundwork for her recent move to England. “I really enjoyed living in England and the opportunities it gave me to travel and gain exposure to other cultures.” While there she met Giles, and after a period of working and living in the NJ/Ny area (where she worked on Wall Street for The Bank of New york) they jumped at the chance to move to the London area. “I really wanted to give my children (then 13, 10, 8 and 1) the opportunity to live in a different country, to travel and see how others live, and to experience some of our shared history.

“Our London-area location has allowed us to take the children to places, such as Stonehenge, Paris, Florence and Venice—and even to Lapland to see Santa. It is wonderful to visit Roman ruins and discuss them with my eldest, who is studying Latin, and climb the Eiffel Tower or show them glass-blowing in Venice or olive-oil making in Tuscany. Even my 2-year-old has developed a love for visiting beautiful old churches. We have also reconnected with my husband’s family and some friends we made in Oxford 20 years ago.”

While Catherine misses some aspects of life in the United States—“going to a good diner on a Saturday morning, the children’s friends at their old school, lots of different kinds of foods, cheaper gas, my family and the weather,” she is proud of how her children have adapted to life in a different country. “It has been great watching the kids adjust to living abroad. While England is not China, we have found that we don’t really speak the same language. So many things are different—popular culture, attitudes, the food, the cost of things … however I am extremely proud of the ‘can do’ attitude that my children have demonstrated. They missed their old friends at first, but soon realized that they could have both old and new friends, and that they

have a great opportunity to learn about and to see other countries.

“They have been great troupers climbing all the stairs to the top of the Duomo (cathedral) in Florence, trying different foods, learning some additional languages and avidly collecting souvenirs to remind them of their travels. They have learned that while ‘new’ can be scary, it can also be exciting and highly rewarding. I am sure it will give them a different perspective later in life.”

really wanted to give my children (then 13, 10, 8 and 1) the opportunity to live in a different country, to travel and see how others live, and to experience some of our shared history.”

“I

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Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

– Catherine Browne Harrison ’86

Catherine and Giles have generously supported the College in recent years, including volunteering as a class agent. Her motivation dates back to her freshman year. “When I came to Assumption I was one of only two kids from the Washington, DC, area,” she recalls. “Like many freshmen, I didn’t know anyone.

Fortunately, the sophomores across the hall in Desautels took pity on me. Nancy Culliford ’85 made sure that on long weekends and holidays, when I couldn’t go home, that I went to her house and spent time with her family.”

Catherine is still good friends with Culliford and has admired her ability to give back to Assumption by assisting career services and helping recent alumni land professional positions with her employer, keySpan Energy Delivery – New England. “She has truly given back to the College and set an example for alumni to find a way to contribute,” Harrison said. “It was Nancy’s example that inspired my husband and me to contribute with gifts to the Annual Fund.”

PHOTO: GARETH JOHNSON

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PHOTO: LEA ENZMANN

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Heather Leahy ’95 / Entrepreneur in Karlsruhe, Germany Listening to your mother can be a good idea. At least it was for Heather Leahy ’95, whose mother, June Leahy CE’94, suggested that Heather, then a high school senior, apply to Assumption. Reluctantly, Heather applied to the College that she thought was too close to home. As an Assumption junior, she traveled to Germany for a study abroad experience that changed her life and ultimately moved her far from home and the campus where her mother worked for 15 years in Business Services. “(Applying to Assumption) was a wise choice as it turned out,” Heather admits in retrospect. The wonderful Study Abroad experience she had in Germany sparked a desire to live in Europe.

Heather made the dramatic move six months after her graduation from Assumption. “I moved to Germany in January 1996 with just a few thousand dollars as start-up capital, no job and no work or residency permits,” she says. “I left my family and my friends behind in order to follow my dream of living in Europe.”

When she moved to Germany, Heather enrolled at the University of Freiburg, which she attended during her study abroad semester, and worked as an au pair for a German family.

When the family moved to Singapore, she stayed behind and went to work in sales and marketing, first for a software company and later for a multinational pharmaceuticals company. In 2002, she moved to karlsruhe in southwest Germany to work in businessto-business rentals, before deciding to work from home when her daughter was born two years ago. Heather met her husband, Stefan, at a karate class. They married in 2005 and welcomed Claire-Emily in 2006.

“Being a mother is the most rewarding work I have ever done,” she said. Heather took such delight in the time she spent with Claire-Emily that she realized she wanted to work with children. She has since enrolled in a qualification course to become an early childhood music and movement teacher.

“After training, I’ll open an independent studio and offer music classes in English (for English native speakers) and German with English as a second language,” she said. “I hope to eventually expand my services to schools and day care centers.” Now fluent in German and fully adapted to life in Germany, Heather teaches English privately and does translations and proofreading as a freelancer.

She credits many influences at Assumption for helping her to acquire the knowledge and confidence she needed to realize her dream to live abroad. “Professor kevin Hickey was my academic advisor and directed me toward foreign affairs,” she said. “And he had great life insights that have helped me ever since. Professor Demetri kantarelis became a favorite of mine. He always took the time to listen to his students, regardless of whether it had to do with economics or life in general.”

Heather took two years of German and, with the help of German Professor Jutta Arendt, enrolled at two German universities through the study abroad program. “When I told her that I needed to live the language to learn it, she believed in me,” Heather said.

Since moving to Germany, Leahy has developed a more critical view of the United States, but still misses the “optimistic,

friendly, adventurous, ‘willing to take a risk’ American attitude … the belief that anything can be done with work and determination, the general lack of envy and in the U.S. almost everyone smiles.”

She also misses the little things, such as micro breweries, Boston, fresh fish, extended store hours, Indian summer and the beach.

But she doesn’t miss the winter, as the snow is swept, not shoveled where she lives. “Also, the service mentality in the States is, in comparison to western Europe, unbeatable,” she said.

In her adopted country, she is impressed by the emphasis German schools place on learning foreign languages. Children begin to learn their first foreign language in grade school.

uch of what is lived at Assumption is a reiteration of what my parents emphasized: think outside of the norm when necessary; trust in yourself, persevere, be caring and kind to others, be tolerant and accepting of differing opinions.”

“M

– Heather Leahy ’95

“I now see my Assumption education as the privilege it was,” she concludes, citing the small class sizes, devoted faculty and staff, and interdisciplinary courses that presented material from various viewpoints.

“Much of what is lived at Assumption is a reiteration of what my parents emphasized: think outside of the norm when necessary; trust in yourself, persevere, be caring and kind to others, be tolerant and accepting of differing opinions, etc. These soft skills have helped me enormously to reach where I am today—happy, content and at peace with myself and the world.”

If interested in relocating to or vacationing in Germany, e-mail Heather at kk55mail-assumption@yahoo.de.

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23

The World is

Their Classroom

PHOTO: DAN VAILLANCOURT

Study Abroad students Ben Brennan ’09 (Chile) and Ellen Taetzsch ’09 (South Africa)

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B y T ROy W ATkINS

“I

was really nervous,” said Ellen Taetzsch ’09 about her decision to study abroad. “I didn't know if I could be so far away from everything that was familiar to me.

But now, I can’t imagine my Assumption experience without it. I became independent and gained confidence and a sense of what I wanted to do in the future. It was the best decision of my college career.” Taetzsch spent her junior year at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

Fascination with the people and places during her family’s summer driving vacations throughout the U.S. fueled her desire to travel. Taetzsch is the first Assumption student to study in South Africa.

Each year, approximately 70 Assumption students gain a global perspective through the Study Abroad program. In addition to the travel, it provides an immersive and often transformative experience to supplement a student’s overall educational goals and interests.

“I chose to study abroad because I love Italy and I am majoring in Italian and French,” said Jessica Marchifrazier ’10. In July she’ll return home from a year at Universita di Firenza in Florence. “I did an exchange program in Florence during high school and made friends here, so it seemed perfect for me. I have visited Florence annually ever since.”

Students majoring in a language, global studies, or international business are strongly encouraged to study abroad. “From an early age, my parents exposed me to different cultures from around the world, so I always wanted to travel,” Benjamin Brennan ’09 said after studying at the Chilean universities in Valparaíso last spring. “I had volunteered in Chile for three months the year before and fell in love with the people, the culture and the beauty of the country.

It is such an intricate and enigmatic place that I needed more than three months to fully appreciate it. By studying abroad, I learned more about Chile and its people, which helped me learn more about myself and the world.”

Eloise knowlton, Ph.D., dean of undergraduate studies and director of study abroad, shared “One of the most satisfying parts of my job is working with students to experience studying out of the country,” knowlton said. “Matching their intellectual goals with a site and program is wonderfully challenging, and seeing the results when they return—so much more independent, resourceful, confident and globally aware—is absolutely inspirational. We know experiential education works, but study abroad shows it again and again.”

The College has sent students to six continents. The cities most frequently visited include: Tokyo, Sydney, Melbourne, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Florence, London, Paris and Dublin.

Studying in Costa Rica and participating in the Semester at Sea program are also popular choices among Assumption students.

The Semester at Sea includes stops in China, Hong kong, Vietnam, India, Egypt, Turkey and Croatia.

Top students may also travel to England’s Cambridge or Oxford universities. Tyler O’Reilly ’10, currently abroad, explained

“I didn't know if I could be so far away from everything that was familiar to me. But now, I can’t imagine my Assumption experience without it.”–Ellen Taetzsch ’09 “Oxford is an unbelievably gorgeous city and studying here amidst all this history is just surreal. I’m playing hockey for the Oxford Blues, taking in everything the city offers and wish I could stay for more than one semester!”

Participants are typically juniors or seniors (with some exceptions), carrying at least a 3.0 GPA, and willing to be immersed in, and show respect for, a foreign culture. They should also be mature, resourceful and healthy .

The challenges faced and benefits reaped are best expressed by those who have experienced a semester or academic year in another country. Marchifrazier describes the city of Florence as “small, beautiful and packed with tourists. Living here has made me extremely independent and confident. I have built my own ‘Italian’ lifestyle,” she said. “I’ve made friends with people who are extremely different from me and I have enjoyed learning about the culture and the people.

“I highly recommend study abroad,” she said. “It is a beautiful experience that makes your mind expand and makes you see the world from a hundred new perspectives. For language majors, it is the best way to improve and master language skills and to get a full grasp on a different culture.”

The study abroad experience is also valued by potential employers, according to Stacie Nevadomski Berdan of The Greentree Gazette Magazine. Berdan has spent years living

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

25

Continued from previous page...

“I learned more about Chile and its people, which helped me learn more about myself and the world.”

Study Abroad in Brief Assumption offers study abroad opportunities on six continents. The most popular cities are: • Tokyo • Sydney • Melbourne • Madrid • Barcelona • Rome • Florence • London • Paris • Dublin

Other Special Study Opportunities Students also head to Washington, D.C. through the Washington Center for Internships; the New york Media Experience Program at Marist College and to Semester at Sea, which includes stops in China, Hong kong, Vietnam, India, Egypt, Turkey and Croatia.

26

–Ben Brennan ’09 and working abroad and co-authored Get Ahead By Going Abroad: A Woman’s Guide to Fast-Track Career Success. “The overseas experience enables these budding internationalists to better understand cross-cultural differences and global environments,” she said. “… Companies are attracted to evidence of curiosity within global-minded applicants … students who use study abroad time to enhance their career prospects are doing just that.”

Brennan was stunned by both Chile’s beauty and its poverty. He explained, “Valparaíso has the beach on one side and mountains on the other—a true paradise. However, outside the city there are rows of impoverished neighborhoods.

I gained an awareness of poverty and the fact that innumerable other places exhibit the same inequalities.”

In South Africa, Taetzsch encountered many of same inequalities of Chile and was also struck by the dramatic change of pace.

She was constantly teased for walking too fast and forced to slow down while eating in a place where meals typically last three hours. Taetzsch also learned much about the country and helped make a difference in her community. “I learned about South Africa’s history by talking to people who

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

remembered the first time they could vote,” she said. “And I learned about the hardships that people experienced during and due to Apartheid. I also joined the University’s peer education group and learned about HIV/AIDS. I helped educate people by talking about it with students in schools and planned a march around campus to create awareness. This was the most revealing, rewarding and life changing of my out-of-classroom experiences.”

Brennan feels that study abroad should be a required for all students.

“There are some things that you can’t learn in a classroom, but you can learn through experience,” he said. “The best way to challenge yourself is to step outside familiar elements and adapt to different lifestyles. People learn to appreciate others as well as themselves when living life on the other side of the fence.”

Taetzsch concluded “One slogan I learned in South Africa was ‘Fear is temporary. Regret is forever.’ What I learned and experienced greatly outweighed the fear of the unknown that I had felt prior. My year in South Africa was a time when I truly felt free.” Now that sounds like an education at its finest.

HOUNDS WATCH

WINTER Sports Roundup Men’s Basketball Wins Northeast-10 Championship

By Steve Morris ’72, Asst. Athletics Director for Media Relations It was another season to remember for the Greyhound men’s basketball program, which won its fourth Northeast-10 Conference championship, won 20 games (23-9) for the 15th time since the mid ’50s and earned a 26th N.C.A.A. postseason berth—only kentucky Wesleyan (34), Philadelphia (31) and Virginia Union (27) have earned more.

In the NE-10 Tournament, sophomore forward Mike Baldarelli scored 20 points as the Greyhounds got past Pace University, 8371, and then scored 21 as they came from 13 points down at the half to win at Merrimack, 83-77. When all of the top four seeded teams lost in the quarterfinal round, the Greyhounds had an opportunity to win the tournament at home.

Baldarelli’s 26 points led the team past Saint Anselm, 90-67, in the semifinals. Then postgraduate Greg Twomey netted 15 secondhalf points to pace the Hounds over Le Moyne, 77-63, in the title game. The team finished the season with an impressive 13-1 mark in Laska Gym. Baldarelli was named the Tournament’s Most Valuable player and junior guard Courtland Bluford earned all-tournament team honors.

The Hounds ran a 25-6 spurt to start the second half en route

to a 61-49 win over Stonehill in the first round of the N.C.A.A. regional. Junior center Savoy Fraine (15 points) was the top scorer.

However, the season ended with a 75-61 loss at undefeated No. 2 nationally ranked L.I.U.-C.W. Post.

Twomey finished his career with 124 games (tops on the career list), 1,451 points, 710 rebounds and 369 assists. Senior co-captain Patrick Shea ended with 982 points and was named third team all-conference. Senior co-captain Mitch Bajema rounded out the starting team and was a key contributor.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: The team finished an up-and-down season at 15-12 with its gutsy senior backcourt of Bethany Plasski (14.2 ppg) and Trish Gardner (130 assists) leading the way.

Plasski finished her fabulous career with 1,456 points with a record 117 career games and a record .828 career free throw accuracy.

Gardner finished among the Hounds career leaders in assists (412) and was the conference leader in assists/turnover ratio.

Plasski earned third-team all-conference honors, while forward kelly Meredith was named to the all-freshman team.

The team opened the season 5-0, defeated crosstown rival Holy Cross in an exhibition, 67-54, and tallied two wins over N.C.A.A.bound American International.

WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING: The Greyhounds posted a 5-2 record in dual meets in their first season (since the mid ’70s) under Coach Stuart Cromarty. Freshmen were the dominant point scorers for the team as Jill Cappadanno (319.25), kristen Norris (221.25) and Erica Cusumano (171.5) paced the squad.

Cappadanno set seven individual marks (200, 500 and 1,000 freestyles, the 100 and 400 individual medleys, and the 100 and 200 butterflies) and swam on two relay record holding teams.

She scored 59.5 points in the New England meet, while Norris ended with 31.5.

Norris set two records (50 and 100 freestyles), while Cusumano set five marks (200 and 400 IM, and the 50, 100 and 200 breaststrokes).

MEN’S ICE HOCKEY: The Ice Dogs hosted a conference playoff game for just the second time in their history, losing to Saint Michael’s, 5-4. Freshman forwards Taylor Larsen (11 goals, 11 assists) and Pat O’kane (10 goals, 9 assists) were leading scorers for first-year head coach Lance Brady. Both were named to the conference all-freshman team. Another freshman, goalkeeper Nick Blanchette posted a 3.58 goals-against average with a .919 save percentage

MEN & WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK: Junior Bernard Scott and sophomore Anthony Dowd both qualified for the New England Invitational. Scott finished 12th in the preliminary 55-yard dash (6.63), while freshman Geoffrey Mock ran a 6.64.

In the 200 meters, Scott (23.26) finished 27th and Mock (22.70) finished 22nd. Mock’s time was just .04 off his team-record time of 22.66 set in the Boston College Invitational.

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

27

AlumniNews from the alumni association president L UANNE V ARDO P ROkO ’85, G’95

ALUMNI EVENTS

Institutional Advancement has been busy with many new events for alumni. In particular the family Christmas and Easter events, with visits from Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny respectively, were big hits with large turnouts. Watch for these events annually as they promise to be great fun and provide a unique way for alumni to connect as families.

Other events to watch for include another trip abroad, a marriage vow renewal service in the chapel, and finally, a combined Hall of Fame and re-dedication ceremony in the renovated gym this fall.

As I near the end of my term, I find myself reflecting on the many events I have had the opportunity to attend, and as a result, the many new alumni I have had the privilege to meet. I strongly urge you to consider attending events and reconnecting with the community you called home for a number of years. you will not be disappointed.

It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve in this role on your behalf. I offer a special thanks to the staff in Institutional Advancement, the Alumni Board and to you for your support and input. I look forward to working with you in other capacities in the future.

As a final reminder, Reunion Weekend is June 5, 6 and 7 and it is the event we plan the most for and look forward to reconnecting with old and new friends. I encourage you to make the commitment to attend on your reunion years— it is a lot of fun.

Again, many thanks for the privilege of serving as your president.

2008 Alumni Award Recipients Selected Stephen Knott, Ph.D. ’79 F R . L OUIS D ION , A.A. ’35 O UTSTANDING A CHIEVEMENT A WARD Steve is a faculty member in the national security decision making department at the United States Naval War College in Newport, RI. He previously co-chaired the Presidential Oral History Program at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center for Public Affairs, and also served for seven years as a political science professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The author of three books, he is currently working on his fourth, based on the Ronald Reagan oral histories.

Robert Lewis ’74 J ACK L. B RESCIANI ’72 O UTSTANDING A LUMNUS A WARD Bob has a long and distinguished record of service as a loyal alumnus.

A charter member of the President’s Council and a member of the Heritage Society since 1993, Bob has helped organize and attend class reunions, and has served on several AC committees including the Alumni Board, for which he is also a past president. He works for Remax Executive Realty in North Grafton, where he also resides with wife Lori, daughter Stephanie and stepdaughter katie.

April 25

Central MA Regional Club event, AC Performance of The Fantasticks at Hanover Theatre in downtown Worcester

April 30 Greater Washington, D.C. Presidential Reception, The Vatican Embassy

May 9 Renew Your Marriage Vows Mass and Reception, Testa Science Center Atrium

June 5, 6, 7 Reunion Weekend, Assumption Campus

June 15 FBI Golf Tournament, Worcester Country Club

Save the Date: (www.assumption.edu/alums) • • • •

Cape Cod Regional Club event, July date and location TBA September 12 - Assumption Prep Reunion September 26 - Fall Homecoming/Hall of Fame/Alumni Admissions Day October 17 - President’s Council Dinner

Questions?

Call Alumni Relations (508) 767-7223 or e-mail alumni@assumption.edu

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Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

Robert and Patricia Laut P’00, ’02, ’03, ’07 H ONORARY A LUMNI AWARD Bob and Pat served on the Parents Committee for 11 years while their four children—Brian ’00, Matt ’02, Chris ’03 and Amanda ’07—attended Assumption. Tireless supporters of and contributors to Assumption, the Lauts joined the President’s Council in 1999 and helped the Parents Fund surpass the $100,000 giving total for the first time during their tenure as Parents Committee co-chairs.

Devotion of Father, Friends and Philanthropists Benefits Assumption

By Elizabeth Walker Parents of children with special needs have special concerns—like ensuring continued loving care and financial support throughout the children’s lives. John F. and Helen Tinsley, a prominent Worcester couple whose only child was born with severe developmental disabilities, planned for their daughter’s future with the assistance of their close friend, former Assumption trustee Edmund Taylor. This is their story of love, devotion and generosity.

As a devout Catholic, Tinsley was unusual among Worcester’s captains of industry in the early 1900s. He was, until his death in 1952, president and CEO of the former Crompton & knowles Loom Works, Worcester’s largest textile loom manufacturer.

Under Tinsley’s steady hand, Crompton & knowles dominated the national and international markets for fancy and woolen looms by World War II, according to a company history. Crompton & knowles became renowned for multi-color weaving machines that provided “a loom for every fabric,” which allowed weavers to create “intricately patterned and delicately colored designs.”

In 1914, as John Tinsley’s career was on the rise at Crompton & knowles, he and Helen welcomed their only child, Mary, whom they called “Molly.” Molly Tinsley was born with profound developmental problems. Sadly, Helen Tinsley died in 1941 and later Molly was moved to a residential facility in Florida. In 1950, John Tinsley established a trust fund for Molly’s lifelong care that also served several other purposes. He included fixed-amount bequests for several relatives and designated half of what would be left in the trust to his alma mater, Rutgers University, where he had been valedictorian of the Class of 1900. The other half of the trust was to be divided evenly between Assumption and Holy Cross, two colleges he held dear. For Tinsley, Assumption became an important touchstone, especially in his later years. In fact, Tinsley joined the Assumptionists for dinner so often, they called him “Brother John.”

Tinsley, in his will, stipulated that his trusted friend, Edmund Taylor, be appointed his daughter Molly’s legal guardian. Taylor, in whose honor Taylor Dining Hall is named, had strong Assumption ties as a trustee and an honorary degree recipient.

Taylor and his wife, Mae, were recognized as “marvelous benefactors of Assumption College.”

Following John Tinsley’s death in 1952, Taylor devoted himself to providing Molly with “wise, kind and generous care” for more than two decades. He regularly traveled to Florida, before ultimately moving there, to visit his charge and to bring stuffed animals and dolls that she seemed to love. Though entitled, he never took a paycheck or salary from the fund established for Molly’s care. As Molly’s guardian, he reported annually on her health and well-being and moved her at least once to a new

residential school that provided more stimulation, exercise and better nutrition. The late Fr. Georges Bissonnette, A.A.’43, who was a close friend, wrote that Taylor “did everything conceivable for his ward… ” Taylor’s nearly two dozen meticulous annual reports confirm that.

The Tinsley Trust Fund continued to grow during Molly’s unexpectedly long life. She outlived her parents and three guardians, Edmund Taylor including Taylor, who passed away in 1974, and all of her close relatives. Molly passed away at age 94 in July 2008.

Among the eight mourners at her funeral Mass at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Worcester, were two Assumptionist priests, a Jesuit from Holy Cross and a Worcester diocesan priest. The other four mourners were from Assumption, Holy Cross, Rutgers and the bank officer who tended to the John F. Tinsley Trust for 20 years.

Upon Molly’s death, Assumption received $1.9 million, a quartershare, from the Tinsley Trust Fund.

The gift the College received from the proceeds of the Tinsley Trust will remember the Tinsley family at Assumption in meaningful and enduring ways. The funds will be divided between an endowed scholarship fund and the chapel addition fund. The portion of the Tinsley funds intended for scholarships will be used to support a scholarship for an “Adopt-a-Student” scholarship recipient from one of the Worcester diocesan Catholic high schools.

One scholarship will be awarded to a student in each class.

The remaining proceeds will support the Chapel of the Holy Spirit addition project, which will provide a home for the Office of Campus Ministry, and an enlarged sacristy at back of the Chapel, as well as restrooms. These substantive tributes to the Tinsley family’s great generosity to Assumption would delight Edmund Taylor, who wrote in 1961 to then-president, Fr. Armand Desautels, A.A.’30, about a suitable memorial for John Tinsley: “Mrs. Taylor and I would like to see a suitable John F. Tinsley memorial at Assumption College in his memory and that of his daughter, Mary. We think that J.F.T. would like this because in the early days of the College, he played an important part in its development. In the latter days of his life, the College for him was a haven of peace and spiritual comfort.”

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

29

ALUMNI NEWS

Florida Presidential Receptions

P

residential receptions were held in three Florida locations in February. Nearly 100 alumni, parents, grandparents and friends gathered to visit with President Francesco Cesareo and institutional advancement staff at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg, The Strand Golf Resort in Naples and The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach.

1

4

5

2 3

6 1. Vivian Belanger, Fred Catterall, Joe Belanger ’57 and Pauline Monize G’77 2. Melisa (Villanueva) ’84 & Mark Font with Peter ’86 & Mari (Villanueva) Harper ’86 3. Bob & Dorothy Pickett GP’12 with VP for IA Tom Ryan 4. Ray & Claire Lauring, Joan & Les Sadowsky, Gloria Plourde, Norm Marois ’57 and Roger Plourde 5. Dennis & Brenda Chalas P’12 and President Francesco Cesareo 6. Melanie Demarais, Charlie Mathys AP’45, GP’12, Polly Miller, Marge Mathys GP’12; Dick Miller ’50 and Beth Howland

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Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

ClassNotes From the Archives In the interest of sharing treasures from Assumptions archives, we came across this photo. Can you identify the

PHOTO: ASSUMPTION COLLEGE ARCHIVES

year/era, the students in the photo, and the group or event? E-mail the editor at twatkins@assumption.edu

Assumption College

’50 Gerard Brault wrote “A History of Our Lady of Victory Parish,” celebrating the State College, PA church’s centennial (1908–2008).

His wife, Jeanne, assisted with a collection of parishioners’ anecdotes. The publication can be viewed on the parish’s Web site www.ourladyof victory.com.

’51 John Guy LaPlante writes, “Here I am, a 50plus volunteer in the Peace Corps (working in Chernihiv, Ukraine) — in fact, I am facing age 80 in April. I am more than half way through my 27 months of service. Every day I am alarmed by the severe and worsening economic woes at home. Every day the same question hits me. ‘Why don’t you—the laid off, the broke or nearly broke, the foreclosed, the weary and dis-

couraged, the early retired—consider joining the Peace Corps?’ It would not work for everybody, but if you have skills and are energetic, it may be a terrific solution for you.” He can be reached at johnguylaplante@yahoo.com.

’54

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Roger Tousignant celebrated his 52nd year in the real estate business in 2008. He operated his own business in Gardner for most of his career and now works for Liberty Way. He has sold more than 2,300 houses during his long, distinguished career as a real estate agent.

’62 CLASS AGENT Tim Cooney (cooney38@charter.net)

William Broderick was honored in March at Bayonne High School’s “A Night of A Thousand Stars” fundraiser. He is a physical education teacher and tennis coach at the school. Bill and wife Ellen reside in Bayonne, NJ.

’64

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Sr. Margaret Leonard, LSA, CE’64, HD’08, director of Project HOPE in Roxbury, was featured on the NBC’s TODAy show on February 3. Sr. Margaret has directed Project HOPE, a non-profit program that helps families move up and out of homelessness, for 26 years. (See Winter 2008 issue.)

’65 CLASS AGENT Charlie Aleksiewicz (caleksie@bancroftschool.org)

Bob Gray’s financial planning and advisory business, Smith Barney’s The Gray Group, was recognized in the September issue of Research Magazine as on of its top-ranked advisor teams in America, one of just 30 full service teams selected from more than 7,000 screened nationwide. Bob has been a financial advisor with Smith Barney for 27 years and a member of Assumption’s Board of Trustees for 17 years.

Submission Deadlines The deadline for the summer 2009 issue is June 11.

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

31

CLASS NOTES

’68 CLASS AGENTS PHOTO: MELANIE RUSH DAVIS

Bob Mercier (pploon2@aol.com) Chuck Murphy (is1925@aol.com)

Stephen Hayes is serving as chief behavioral health officer at Lynn Community Health Center. He lives in Salem with his wife, Clare, and adult sons, Steve and Jared.

’69

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REUNION

CLASS AGENT Ron Coderre (ron.coderre@snet.net)

Please Rise for Chief Justice Catherine Matteau Stone ’76 Justice Catherine Matteau Stone ’76 was elected in November and sworn in as chief justice of the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio, TX, in January. She was originally appointed to the court by Governor Ann Richards to fill a vacant seat on the court in 1994, and has since won three elections to six-year terms. A native of Biddeford, ME, she earned her juris doctorate from St. Mary’s University School of Law (San Antonio) in 1982.

She began as a briefing attorney at the Fourth Court of Appeals for a year and practiced trial and appellate law for eight years at the San Antonio law firm of Watkins, Mireles, Brock, and Barrientos, and continued her appellate practice in her own law offices for three years prior to her appointment as a judge.

Justice Stone served on the Texas Supreme Court Task Force on Foster Care from 1994 through 2007. She is an active member of various state and local bar associations, civic and church groups, and community associations, and was named a San Antonio Woman to Watch and a Texas Woman to Watch in 1997. She and husband Tom Stone G’77 met at Assumption. Tom earned a Ph.D. from the University of Texas-Austin and owns a psychology practice. The Stones reside in Helotes, TX, and are the parents of sons Liam (30), Nathaniel (21) and Jacob (19).

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Eric Inaven retired after 38 years with the North Hudson (NJ) Regional Fire & Rescue Dept. He was their 2nd platoon commander for the last 11 years. Eric and wife Linda reside in Toms River, NJ. Bob Morahan was featured in a Boston Globe article in September after recording his 300 career victory as girls’ varsity soccer coach (and math teacher) at the Brooks School in North Andover, where he has served in that capacity for 27 seasons and totaled eight league championships and six New England Tournament titles.

November. He has managed the Bank’s Waterbury commercial loan group for the past 14 years. Rick resides in Bristol, CT. Brian O’Sullivan is the assistant director of transportation planning and operations at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. He resides in Durham, NC.

’71 CLASS AGENT Dan Micari (dmicari@yahoo.com)

Phillippe Ouellette, chair of Citadel’s board of directors, was named to the National Association of Credit Union Chairmen’s Board of Directors in November. He was elected to a threeyear term and to the position of secretary for 2008–09. Citadel is the fourth largest credit union in Pennsylvania.

’73 CLASS AGENT

’70 Paul Marsch retired in November as the assistant special agent in charge of the Federal Air Marshal Service in its Cleveland, OH Field Office, which he worked to establish following the 9/11 attacks. Paul served as a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) for 27 years, working in Boston, Los Angeles and Cleveland.

Paul and wife Barbara reside in Hudson, OH. William Mulligan, professor of history at Murray (ky) State University, was awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant in November to lecture and complete research in the history department at University of College Cork, Ireland during the spring 2009 semester. He is one of approximately 800 U.S. faculty and professionals selected for this honor to travel abroad this year.

Rick O’Brien was appointed Waterbury (CT) regional president of Webster Bank in

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

Maureen Ryan Doyle (mryandoyle@aol.com)

Robert Carroll is an instructional designer with a sales training team at EMC in Hopkinton. Bob and wife Lee have been married for two years and reside in Watertown.

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REUNION

Mary Foley-Adie and husband Rick are enjoying life in Ithaca, Ny, both working at Cornell University. After 27 years and nine moves with Hyatt Hotels they are happy to be settled back in the Northeast near their family.

Their son, Patrick, is a senior at UMassAmherst and daughter kate is a high school senior.

Paul Brown is a clinical social worker at the Boyden Elementary School in Walpole. He earned a master’s in social work from Boston College in 2005. As part of his graduate work he went to Uganda to work with families affected by HIV/AIDS. He also assists the Makula Fund for Children (www.makulafund.org) which provides school fees, nutrition and basic medical care for children orphaned

by AIDS.

Peter Moran, Ph.D. presented “Cognitive Behavioral Strategies in Treating the Phases of Bipolar Disorder” at a December consortium on Bipolar Disorder sponsored by Harvard Medical School.

’75 Gary Caouette was named the assistant coach of the year by the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association in April.

Gary coaches and teaches math at Oakmont Regional High School in Ashburnham.

’76 CLASS AGENT Jeff Lagarce (suelagarce@yahoo.com)

Anthony Annicone appeared in “No Sex Please We’re British” and “Pajama Tops” at Newport Playhouse in Newport, RI. He is also reviewing shows for the Theater Mirror and the Little Rhody Theater.

’77 Melanie Paradis, OSF recently celebrated her 25th anniversary of religious life. She is a sister with the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters in Wheaton, IL.

’79

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REUNION

CLASS AGENTS Roy Angel (rangel@massdevelopment.com) Kevin McSherry (kevin195774@yahoo.com)

Paul Dries was recently promoted to senior director of contract and export compliance at RTI International. He joined RTI in 1999 as the company’s first subcontracts manager, and was later promoted to director. Paul served a 20year career in the Air Force before retiring as a Lt. Colonel. During his Air Force career, he received numerous contracting awards. Paul and wife Karen (Cardello) ’81 reside in Fuquay Varina, NC, with their children, Adam and Jessica. karen is teaching elementary Spanish at St. Michael School in Cary, NC. Mark Hegel, Ph.D. is a psychologist at Dartmouth College Medical School and recently worked with NASA on the newly created Virtual Space Station project, by which he will counsel stressed, isolated and/or depressed astronauts through a problem-solving treatment that will soon be available via a personal laptop computer.

’80

Gen. Robert Catalanotti was appointed in December to the top military advisor position in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he will advise the king and his leadership on critical military infrastructure within the region. A 29year U.S. Army veteran, he will reside in the diplomat quarter in Riyadh during this twoyear assignment, reporting to Commander of U.S. Central Command Gen. David Patraeus, the Saudi Ministry of Interior and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Russell Quaglia, Ph.D. (pictured below), founder of the Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations, developed the ‘Be Fit Guide’ with Sodexo, the College’s food service vendor. The Guide outlines a nutrition education program designed to combat childhood obesity. It was unveiled at the Rhode Island State House in December. The Guide helps incorporate nutrition and physical activity education into the regular school curriculum. It will be made available to kindergarten through the second grade in Sodexo-partnered schools in Rhode Island. The Quaglia Institute is a non-profit organization that helps arm schools with better tools to help students.

CLASS AGENTS

’81

Mike Robinson (mjrobinson@att.net)

CLASS AGENT

Colette Gushue Rowland (rowlandhing@aol.com)

John C. Shea (johnkimshea@comcast.net)

Sarah Thomas Tracy (sjttracy@cox.net)

John Camus has been appointed to the Jamestown Community College Foundation board of directors. John is CEO of Olean Medical Group. He and wife Susan have two children and reside in Allegany, Ny. Robert Guinto, president of Non Profit Capital Management, has joined with its nonprofit partner, Non-Profit Care Coordination, to promote the needs and support of children in the Massachusetts foster care system.

’82 CLASS AGENTS Carolyn Clancy (carolynmclancy@comcast.net) Phillip Sarocco (psarocco@gmail.com)

Cathy Rocco, Sodexo’s district manager for school services; Russ Quaglia ’80 and John Ryan ’81, owner of Alphagraphics printing company in Waltham; recently collaborated to produce the “Be Fit Guide” for Rhode Island school children.

James MacKoul has been a financial consultant in St. Louis with wife Eva and their three daughters for the past 20 years. He is pursuing a master’s of divinity degree at Holy Cross Theological Seminary in Brookline. Jim was ordained a deacon in November at St. George Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester.

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

33

CLASS NOTES

’83 CLASS AGENTS Elizabeth Waldron Boothe (bboothe4@gmail.com) Danielle Dugas Molleur (sixmolars@verizon.net) Michael Sullivan (linchris01@aol.com)

Kevin Clark was appointed senior vice president for business development at Millennium Trust Company, based in Oak Brook, IL. Millennium Trust leads the industry in administrative and custodial services.

Brian Kelly has been named the American Football Coaches’ Association Region 1 Coach of the year, after leading the University of Cincinnati’s football team to the 2008 Big East Conference Championship and a berth in the 75th FedEx Orange Bowl. The team finished 11-3 overall and #17 in the Bowl Championship Series national rankings, Cincinnati’s highest finish.

Sandra Merlini wrote the poem “Thomas Jefferson and My Father,” which was recently read at the Longfellow Poetry Society’s meeting in Sudbury.

Gerald Rochon has been hired as the new vice president of business development for Aon Risk Services in Phoenix, Az.

Terrence Sheehan, chief medical officer of Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland, received the 2008 Rocky Stone Award in November from the Archdiocese of Washington’s Advisory Committee on Ministry to Persons with Disabilities. Terrence was selected based on his work in championing an innovative housing program for individuals with severe spinal cord injuries.

BIRTHS: John Cerasuolo and wife kelley celebrated the birth of Joseph Alexander on 7/16/08. He joins Jakob (3). John was recently promoted to a sales management position and now manages an inside sales team for the Pacific Northwest for Maersk Line in Texas.

Neil Isakson (neil.isakson@worcesteracademy.org) Jacqueline Jones (jjones@moravian.edu) Scott White (scott@swhitecpa.com)

Timothy Eagan was elected to the board of directors of the Massachusetts Foreign Language Association. Tim is the department head for Classical & Modern Languages in the Wellesley Public Schools.

’93 CLASS AGENT

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Erika Olson Duke (eduke98090@aol.com)

Christine Picard Sawicki (sawicki3@comcast.net)

Nicole Morrissette-Ugoji recently earned a master’s degree in child and family studies from Syracuse University. Nicole has worked at the Syracuse University Library for 17 years and lives in the city with husband Paschal, also an SU employee.

Joe Salvon hosted a mini reunion last summer at his home in Longmeadow with classmates and their families. In attendance were: Sean Connors, Jay ’90 & Ellen Bezdaris Guelfi, kevin Hogan, Jeff kenton and Dean Monllos.

Chris Agro (c-agro@cox.net)

’90 CLASS AGENTS Cliff Jefferson (ctjeff@charter.net) Kelly Cronin Sachleben (ksachleben@comcast.net)

John Argitis was recently promoted from vice president to president of G&F Industries in Sturbridge, which specializes in precision plastic injection molded parts, contract manufacturing, injection molds and assemblies.

Elizabeth Mowry Sabourin (e.sabourin@comcast.net)

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’92 Will Waldron (mandwwaldron@verizon.net)

Tom Duke (tedukeinsurance@aol.com)

Catherine Browne Harrison (cathbrowne@optline.net)

BIRTHS: Brian and Christine Wright Hennessey welcomed kaeleen Elizabeth on 6/29/08.

CLASS AGENTS

Mike Igo (fromogi@aol.com)

CLASS AGENTS

Bryan Dockett (bdoc96@yahoo.com)

’87

CLASS AGENTS

’86

CLASS AGENT

Kerry Haughey Dockett (kdockett96@yahoo.com)

’85 Julianne Bowler has joined Pawtucketbased Narragansett Bay Insurance Co. in February as a senior consultant for corporate and strategic initiatives. The former commissioner of insurance for the Massachusetts Division of Insurance, Julianne resides in Boston.

Leslie Laquerre Campbell has been promoted to vice president of sales services at Pitco, a division of Middleby. She is a doctoral degree candidate in leadership at Franklin Pierce University.

Mark Kiely appeared in a few episodes of FOX’s hit series 24 as Edward Vossley. He also had guest appearances in episodes of the TV series’ CSI and Without a Trace.

’91

CLASS AGENTS

CLASS AGENTS

Sheila Waldron Veideman (ac1985sw@aol.com)

Kelly Cronin Sachleben was unanimously appointed to the school committee in Plainville.

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

Scott Cavallo (sac0019@yahoo.com)

BIRTHS: Tricia King Berube and husband Peter welcomed Liam Edward on 9/8/08. He joins Ryan (2).

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CLASS AGENTS Scott Tomlinson (scott_tomlinson@landon.net) Mike Walsh (mpwalsh@snet.net)

BIRTHS: Lisa Szocik Maillet and husband Mike welcomed Sophia Grace on 5/3/08.

Carolyn Simeone Meisner and husband Chris welcomed Madelyn Rose on 9/29/08. She joins Jake (8), Caitlyn (6) and Molly (4).

Kristin Killilea Mulligan and husband Sean announce the birth of Cailin Marie on 11/9/08.

Kristen Herbert O’Neil and husband Chuck welcomed kerrin May on 7/10/08. She joins katie (12), Shannon (10) and Charlie (9).

Wayne and Julie DiPietro Smith announce the birth of Tyler Jonathan on 11/4/08. He joins Madelyn (5) and Ryan (3).

’95 CLASS AGENTS Kiersten Chapman Marich (themarichs@verizon.net) Cindy DeNaples Silva (cindy.silva@fmr.com)

BIRTHS: Kelly Dowd Delnickas and husband Jeffrey welcomed Brielle Marie on 12/11/08. She joins Caden (5) and Brooke (4).

’98 CLASS AGENTS Carl Cafaro (carl.cafaro@bankofamerica.com)

’96 CLASS AGENT Wendy Vautour Durkin (wdurkin@comcast.net)

Steve Moore is a teacher and varsity girls’ basketball coach at Abington High School and coaches freshman football at WhitmanHanson High School.

William Moore of Leicester Cable Access Corporation’s “Route 9 Veterans Forum” has received the 2008 Rika Welsh Community Impact Award for the Northeast Alliance for Community Media. This one-hour show produced and hosted by Bill, discusses issues pertaining to veterans and invites representatives from veteran and military organizations to make their programs known.

BIRTHS: Alethea Gryniuk Lauhon and husband Thomas announce the birth of daughter zoey Tena on 12/6/08. They reside in Colorado Springs, CO.

’97 CLASS AGENT Jared Bouzan (jbouz751@verizon.net)

Nick Chacharone was recently promoted to the assistant director for TJ Maxx’s international office in Greece. He will be moving his family to Greece in June.

Michael Conrad has been named director of accounting for Fallon Community Health Plan.

Christine Carter Katsel was recently promoted to vice president of service delivery at Fidelity Investments, focusing on large market benefits outsourcing and consulting. Christine and husband Rob are living in Amherst, NH, with their sons, Teddy (3) and John Henry (1).

Beth Murray married Matthew Campanelli on 7/26/08 at Williams College in Williamstown.

Alumni in attendance were Lauryn Viens D’Amato, Jennifer Masi Finn and kevin ’90 & Beth Collins Murray ’90.

BIRTHS: Anne-Marie Clancy Murray and husband Thomas welcomed Quinten Thomas on 4/22/08. He joins Annabel (4).

Leanne Fasolino Reardon and husband Matt announce the birth of Madison Mae on 10/30/08. She joins James (6) and Jack (4).

Jon Jankowski (jjankows@hotmail.com) Anne-Marie Kenney (annemariekenney@gmail.com)

BIRTHS: Jeffrey and Gretchen Crowley Doyle welcomed Padraic Truman on 11/28/08.

He joins brothers Aidan (5) and Connor (3).

Carolyn McManus Quinn and husband Charles announce the birth of Dillan Francis on 9/18/08. He joins brother Liam (1).

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Dental Stem Cell Harvesting John Giordano ’92

CLASS AGENTS Lauren D’Angelo (laurend7@msn.com) Laura Ramsdell Parrillo (laura.parrillo@gmail.com)

Brian den Ottelander is a senior associate account manager at State Street Bank. A licensed EMT, Brian is a lieutenant with the Massachusetts Emergency Service Unit, a volunteer search and rescue team specializing in high angle/low angle and confined space rescues.

Lisa DiStefano Depew and husband Tony live in Ashburn, VA, with their children, Hannah (3) and William (1). Lisa teaches 4th grade for Loudoun County Public Schools.

Sean Higgins has joined the law firm of Nelson, Mullins, Riley and Scarborough, LLP in Boston as an associate attorney. Sean and wife Lindsey reside in Boston.

Shauna MacSweeney is an accounting manager at DiCicco, Gulman & Company LLP in Woburn. Shauna was recently interviewed for the company newsletter and spoke about how her AC education helped her to become successful.

Christine Veltri Parker has been teaching 5th grade in Connecticut for the past nine years. Christine, husband Michael and their son, Tristan Michael (1), reside in Seymour, CT. BIRTHS: Tammy Ives Buckshi and husband Don welcomed kyle Robert on 11/6/08.

The family resides on Lake Norman near Charlotte, NC. Greg Pappas and wife Lisa announce the birth of Jaiden Sofia on 11/22/08. She joins Cassandra (13) and Gregory, Jr. (3).

Karen McManus Samson and husband Michael announce the birth of Molly katherine on 2/3/09.

A survivor of five bouts of Hodgkins lymphoma, John Giordano, DMD ’92, dentist and forensic odontologist with a practice in Worcester, is offering a relatively new procedure for his patients to harvest stem cells from dental pulp. This practice, discovered by his wife, dental practice manager Kim Costello while they attended a dental convention together in late 2007, could be a potential source for treatment for many severe illnesses.

A feature article about this appeared in the weekly north central MA newspaper The Landmark in January. Giordano was eight when first treated with radiation for symptoms later identified as Hodgkins, he relapsed in 1985, 1991 (as a senior at Assumption), 1999 and 2005. He’s had chemotherapy, biopsies and surgery to make sure the disease hadn’t spread throughout his body. Giordano’s relapse in 2005 motivated his investigation into forensic dentistry, by which he offers stem cell harvesting to his patients.

Teeth that are extracted can be preserved for this purpose. Up to 50 stem cells can be harvested from a young, healthy tooth. The teeth are sent to the National Dental Pulp Laboratory where it is checked for viable stem cells, and there is a cost associated, though Giordano processes the teeth for storage at no cost to his patients. Giordano sees it as a small price to pay for a future in which one’s own cells might help cure their own illness.

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

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CLASS NOTES

Nicole Vaughn Swain and husband Justin welcomed Landan Richard Thomas on 11/21/08.

’00 CLASS AGENT Doug Brown (Douglas_Brown15@hotmail.com)

Robert Courtney (pictured above) was promoted to lieutenant of the Worcester Fire Department in October.

Christopher Madsen is entering his second year as coach of the East Lee County High School baseball team in Lehigh Acres, FL. He still holds the record for most hits in baseball history at AC. Chris is teaching American history at East Lee and resides in Lehigh Acres with his wife, Nicole.

BIRTHS: Stacy Gallagher Boumenot and husband Christopher welcomed Persephone Joy on 11/17/08. She joins Colin (3) and Ewan (2).

Doug and Claudia Arcuri Brown announce the birth of Alissa Claudia on 1/21/09. She joins Erica (2).

Christina Barbosa Corvo and husband Marc announce the birth of Lidia Maria on 12/16/08. The family recently moved to Somerset.

Erin McDonough Remillard and husband Jason welcomed Grace Louise on 8/19/08.

Lisa Ostberg Westerlind and husband Daniel announce the birth of Dylan Thomas on 11/15/08. He joins Brady John (3).

’01 CLASS AGENTS Nick Cafaro (nickcafaro@bankofamerica.com) Tim Monahan (tmm915@hotmail.com)

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Cherise Price Barrett is living in Worcester with husband Eric and their children, Christian (7) and Natalie (2). She earned an MA in school counseling from AC in December.

Patrick Driscoll recently earned a master’s degree in theology from Boston College. He is the assistant athletic director at Malden Catholic High School. Pat is a teacher and also coaches golf, hockey and baseball.

Daniel LaRue and Maria Leyva were married on 6/7/08 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Alumni in attendance were groomsman Scott Appleby, kerri Corbett ’02, groomsman Patrick & Jess Gouin Driscoll ’02, mother of the groom Sandra Rock LaRue ’78 and groomsman Matthew Macero ’02.

Adam Petkus was recently sworn in as a police officer at the Derry, NH, police department. Adam, wife Tanya, and son Gabriel reside in Londonderry, NH. BIRTHS: Bryan and Jamie-Anne Mulryan Moore announce the birth of Matthew Dennispaul on 1/25/09.

11/22/08 at Lakeview Pavilion.

In the bridal party were bridesmaid Ali Roffo Higgins ’00 and maid of honor Tara McDonough. Meg is employed by Butler Animal Health Supply.

The couple resides in Quincy.

BIRTHS: Jody Russell Roberge and husband Peter announce the birth of Samantha on 9/25/08. Jody is a Realtor with Janice Mitchell Real Estate in Holden.

’03 CLASS AGENTS Joe DiCarlo (jdicarlo05@comcast.net)

Erica Schmidt Rosenberg recently accepted a position with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Chicago, IL. She will be working with veterans in the vocational rehabilitation and employment division as a counselor to assist veterans with disabilities return to work.

’04

5 TH

REUNION

CLASS AGENT

’02 CLASS AGENTS Laura DaRos (laura.daros@gmail.com) Amy Beadle LaCroix (amy.b.lacroix@gmail.com)

Lori Amicangelo married Corey Winer on 8/9/08 at the Danversport yacht Club in Danvers. Her alumna bridesmaids were Jordana Ruggeri, Christina Coppola DeCrescenzo, Stephanie Fleming and Jill Amicangelo ’05. The couple resides in Canton.

Christina Coppola married Stephen DeCrescenzo on 7/26/08. Alumna bridesmaids were Lori Amicangelo Winer and Jordana Ruggeri. Also in attendance was Tara Elman.

The couple resides in West Haven, CT. Kerri Corbett and Matthew Macero were married on 7/26/08 in Wakefield.

Alumni in attendance were groomsman Scott Appleby ’01, Julie Bahde, Maria Clements, Pat Devine, Maria DiPietro, groomsman Pat ’01 & Jess Gouin Driscoll, Jarrett Fay ’01, Tim Halacy, Tim kewriga, groomsman Jeff kinney, Jay Laganelli, groomsman Dan LaRue ’01, Sandy LaRue ’78, best man Jay Macero ’10, Mike Manning, Becca Murphy, groomsman Mike Prior, Sarah Ryll, Jon Senos, Nate Sobiech, Courtney Sudmyer and Courtney Lowell Tazziz.

Meg Foley married Dave Sternburg on

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

Ryan Cody (ryanjcody@gmail.com) Jillian Witham (jillianwitham@gmail.com)

Megan Curry Charette was honored as “Employee of the year” by the Savings Bank of Danbury, CT. She was also promoted to banking officer/branch manager in the bank’s Waterbury office. Megan and husband Christopher reside in Wolcott, CT. Sarah Janowski married Peter kuczynski on 8/16/08 in Trumbull, CT. Sarah has been teaching high school Spanish in Weston, CT, for four years. The couple resides in Trumbull.

Katie Louis was featured in a December Boston Herald article about juggling work, graduate school and her personal life. She changed careers about a year ago and works one-on-one with developmentally disabled students at Naquag Elementary School in Rutland while pursing a master’s degree in education at Anna Maria College.

Lindsay Soulard married Timothy Roberts in Atkinson, NH on 9/20/08.

Alumni in attendance were maid of honor Becca Carbone, Diana Solari Chase, bridesmaids Amy Leo Flynn and Chrissy Groccia, Danielle Hartung, Nicole Blondin kurnik, Nathan Sobiech ’02, Talene Tarvezian and Caitlin West.

Erica Stewart married Bret Ferrell on 8/9/08 at St. Joseph’s Church in Wakefield. Alumni in

attendance were bridesmaid Meg Abrams, Greta Van der Linden Gray, Amy kern, Geoff LaMarche, Paul Moraski, Matt Perfetuo, Mike Perfetuo, Matt & Susan Sullivan Poirier, bridesmaid Marie Rawston, Amy Ryder Raymond, Jen Spirlet and katherine Szulborski. The couple resides in Chelsea.

Kyle Yermalovich has joined Hodgson Pratt & Associates, PC, as a senior accountant in the audit department. He received a master of business administration from Quinnipiac University and is living in New Bedford.

’05

Michael Murray was hired as Assumption’s web developer in November.

Kristen Sanderson recently earned a MA in counseling psychology from Assumption. She is doing research and clinical work at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System and McLean Hospital in Belmont while living in Boston.

Gary Vrotsos is a sales associate at Coldwell Banker in Cambridge, specializing in residential/investment/developmental real estate.

’07

CLASS AGENT

Frank Galligan (fgalliga@yahoo.com)

Natalie DiCecca (njdicecca@suffolk.edu)

Laura Schredni (lschredni@yahoo.com)

Meaghan Moran received her doctor of chiropractic degree from the Palmer Institute of Chiropractic (FL) in December. She is employed at a sports chiropractor practice in Winter Park, FL. Allison Reyell Murphy, a teacher at Mountview Middle School in Holden, created a Peer 2 Peer tutoring program there, based on her experience as a tutor in Assumption’s Academic Support Center. The program was featured in a December Worcester Telegram & Gazette article.

BIRTHS: Michele Belair Gaudreau and husband Chris announce the birth of their first child, Bridgette Anne, on 8/25/08.

Danielle St. Martin (dstmarti@assumption.edu)

’06 CLASS AGENTS

At Heart’s Home in Peru Timothy Hynes ’05

CLASS AGENTS

Rebecca Blanchard married Jason Lauzon at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit on 10/11/08.

Alumni in attendance were Amanda Abromaitis, kerri Blumengarten, kristen Green, Alexis Johnson, Courtney Marshall, Chris Naples, Taylor Pearson, Abi Peterson, Vanessa Sotir, Jay Sparling and Professors Susan Scully-Hill and Lee Pearson. Becki received her master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Assumption in 2008. She is a vocational rehabilitation counselor in for Programs for People in Framingham. The couple resides in Shrewsbury.

Eve Summer is directing Little Red Riding Hood at Opera Boston and New Works Winter Festival at Acme Theater Company and is also assistant director of The Bartered Bride and The Nose at Opera Boston.

Casey Hatten (madhatten45@yahoo.com) Erica Mandeville (emandevi@assumption.edu)

Andres Cubilete is an accounting associate for DiCicco, Gulman & Company LLP in Woburn. He was recently interviewed for the company newsletter about how his AC education helped him to become successful.

Andrea Marcoccio attended the inauguration of Barack Obama with tickets for the standing-room section and tickets to the youth Inaugural Ball. She volunteered for Obama’s campaign since March 2008.

News to share?

E-mail alumni@assumption.edu or your class agent (listed in Class Notes). Include photos with names and graduation years of alumni pictured. Please print or type.

’08 CLASS AGENTS Katie DiBuono (katiedibuono@gmail.com) Trisha Lituri (joanda62@yahoo.com) Kevin O’Connell (oconnell@assumption.edu)

Laura Cancro received the Margaret Clark Award from the Association for Anthropology and Gerontology (AAGE) for the paper, “More than Transportation: Older Adults’ Driving Beliefs,” which she wrote for an independent study course last year.

Note: indicates that a wedding photo is available online at www.assumption.edu/ alums/Alumni/weddings.html

After three years as a software engineer, Timothy Hynes ’05 quit his job last August and joined Heart’s Home (HH), a missionary organization with homes for volunteers located in the poorest global communities.

HH missionaries reside alongside the poor, entering the community, building trust with local residents and living the HH motto: “to be a small sign of God’s love in the world.”

Through some fundraising efforts, Tim secured the requisite $650 for each month of his trip and departed in November for a two-year mission in Lima, Peru. He already has been profoundly influenced. He felt a need to change and to give of himself. With HH Tim says he has “found his calling. I’ve gained great insights into the real value of life and its sometimes hidden joys. I have been given so much more than I could ever be able to give.”

The challenges have been daunting. He arrived as a stranger to the country and its culture, and was humbled by his struggles to learn a new language. “Even after two months here, I am challenged to give and extend myself a little further,” he said. “Some days this requires more patience with the sometimes uncontrollable children and other times it means giving up the only free hour I’ve had in a week to listen to the problems of a neighbor. Our mission is one of relationship, love and the gift of self, and it is not unusual to feel completely drained at the end of the day, both physically and emotionally.” He is, however, gaining appreciation from his neighbors, especially the children, who often call him “Hermano (brother).” For more information visit www.heartshomeusa.org

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

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CLASS NOTES

Graduate Alumni

John Robillard is a technical sales manager at CST of America in Framingham. John and wife Laurie reside in Worcester.

G’71

A Pair of Ringers Ed AP’60 and Richard St. Pierre AP’64 Ed St. Pierre AP’60 (right in photo), brother Richard AP’64 and their family-owned company, St. Pierre Manufacturing Corporation (SPM), were featured in a January episode of Chronicle, a popular news magazine show on Boston’s ABC affiliate, WCVB. The episode was devoted to products manufactured in Massachusetts. Worcester-based St. Pierre Manufacturing became (and still is) the world’s largest manufacturer of pitching horseshoes and SPM standardized the game with official horseshoes, which have been used by United States Presidents. “President Truman was the first president to pitch our horseshoes and he requested a set of our championship shoes,” Ed shared. “George Bush, Sr. also used our shoes and we received several letters from him.” Shoes have also been sent to George W. Bush and President Obama.

In addition to horseshoes, St. Pierre manufactures fire ladders, tire chain, industrial chain and slings. It was founded in 1920 as St. Pierre Chain Corporation by Ed and Richard’s father, Henry, who invented an improved gripping chain for tires after constantly getting his father’s car stuck in thick muddy Vermont farm roads. Searching for a location to start his business, St. Pierre chose Worcester due to its forge shops and stamping companies to provide the diversity of industry he needed.

The company was renamed after Henry’s death in 1966. Ed has worked at St. Pierre Manufacturing for 43 years and Richard for 41. Today, Ed’s two sons, Peter and Michael, work for the company and are poised to continue its proud family name.

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G’00

John Hodgen received the 2008 Beloit Poetry Journal’s annual Chad Walsh Poetry Prize, selected by the BPJ editors on the basis of the excellence of a poem or group of poems it has published in the calendar year. John’s set of four poems, chosen for the $2,500 prize, appeared in the Summer 2008 issue. He is a visiting professor of English at Assumption.

G’04

G’73

Gregory Myers was promoted in February to principal of Quaboag Regional Middle-High School in Warren. Gregory had served as assistant principal since 2006.

Bob McCaffrey was appointed CEO of Dover, NH-based Seacoast Hospice in November. Bob has 25 years of experience as an executive and administrator for health and human service organizations. Seacoast Hospice provides medical care to children, adults, seniors and families coping with life-limiting illnesses.

G’95 Averil Capers was named director of marketing and research for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette in February. She has worked at the T&G for 23 years.

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

Peter Gardula and wife Vicky welcomed son Nicholas on 1/26/09. He joins big sister Sofia (1). Peter is Assumption’s associate director of athletics.

G’05

Save the Date!

Assumption Prep Reunion September 12, 2009

Father Bissonnette Invitational Golf Tournament

Monday, June 15, 2009 • Worcester Country Club Support our students by participating in this essential fundraiser.

Sponsorships, foursomes, auction items, program book ads For more information, contact Linda Rosenlund ’82 at 508-767-7026 or lrosenlund@assumption.edu

IN MEMORIAM John Yelle, M.D. AP’38, ’42 Holyoke, MA, died November 16, 2008 A U.S. Navy World War II veteran, John graduated from Boston University School of Medicine and was a general surgeon and general practitioner on the staffs at both Holyoke and Providence hospitals for many years. John leaves his wife of 59 years, Helen; children Diane, Susan, Jeffrey and Roger; brother Donald; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Arthur McNeil AP’39 Cumberland, RI, died February 5, 2009 “Mac” lived in Cumberland for more than 60 years. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the Destroyer Escort USS Brister in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. Mac worked as a machinist for most of his life and retired in 1986 from the Cumberland School Department as a custodian. He leaves his son, Arthur, and daughter-in-law Donna; granddaughters Cheryl, Lisa, Brenda and Angie; and nine great grandchildren.

Donald Morissette, Sr. AP’50 Chicopee, MA, died January 5, 2009 A lifelong resident of Chicopee, Donald was a retired principal of Chicopee High School and spent most of his career in education. He was a communicant of St. George Church. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Joyce; son Donald; daughter Jeanne; sister Lucille and three grandchildren.

Blair Lariviere G’71 Templeton, MA, died December 18, 2008 Blair was an art teacher, employed in the Gardner Public School System for 34 years before retiring in 2002. He also taught GED classes at Mount Wachusett Community College and was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Gardner and served in the Massachusetts National Guard. He leaves his wife of 39 years, Susan; son David; daughter Cristie; a niece and a nephew.

Rev. George Detellis G’73 Orlando, FL, died June 26, 2008 Rev. George founded and served as pastor of Hillside Evangelical Church in Medford and the Calvary Center in Worcester until 1983. Rev. George was the founder of New Missions and was a missionary in Haiti for 18 years and in the Dominican Republic for eight years. He leaves his wife of 48 years, Jeanne ’80; children George Jr., Charles, Mary Ann and Timothy; twin sister Mary and 10 grandchildren.

Vincent Palermo ’75 Sutton, MA, died December 30, 2008 Vincent grew up in Worcester and was a master plumber for many years and was still working at the time of his passing. He was a long time member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church. He is survived

by his wife of 30 years, Jane; son Vincent, Jr.; daughters Alison and kate; father Marty; brothers George and Frank; and sister Amy.

Hilary White, Jr. G’77 Fall River, MA, died October 20, 2008 A lifelong resident of the Fall River, Hilary served in the United States Air Force and later worked for the Department of Fall River Social Services. Hilary was a probation officer for Massachusetts Superior Court for 30 years before retiring in 2000. He leaves his wife of 19 years, Geraldine; daughters Elizabeth and Julie; stepdaughter Donna; step-son Donald; sister Joan; six grandchildren and two nephews.

John Dickson ’78 Manalapan, NJ, died November 15, 2008 John grew up in Howell, NJ, and resided in Manalpan for the last 27 years. John was a manager for the New Jersey State Department of Human Services in Hamilton Township and loved golfing and traveling. He leaves his wife of 27 years, Beatrice; daughters kristen and Catherine; mother Betty Ann; brother Stephen; sisters Patricia and Barbara; and a granddaughter.

Jeanne Lemay G’79 Leominster, MA, died November 21, 2008 Jeanne worked as a private therapist and she taught private assertiveness training courses for women at area colleges and hospitals. She was executive director of the Fitchburg Senior Citizens Center and director of elderly affairs for the City of Fitchburg for several years. Jeanne retired in 2007 for health reasons. She leaves sons Joseph, Robert, Peter and Scott; brother Forest; sisters Marjorie, Marion and katherine; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild.

Kevin Brown ’82 York, ME, died November 19, 2008 A Worcester native, he attended St. John’s Prep.

A dedicated family man, kevin also served his town and coached Little League and softball teams. He leaves his wife, katie; sons Jotham and Abe; daughter Nell; parents Fred and Sheila; and sister kathy.

Lena Quinn G’82 Douglas, MA, died December 4, 2008 Lena was raised in Douglas and earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Worcester State College and her master’s degree in French from AC. She worked many years as a French and Latin teacher in Douglas before retiring in 1985.

She is survived by her children, Robert, Thomas, Bruce, Ralph and Suzanne; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Nancy Adams CE’84 Rutland, MA, died February 5, 2009 Nancy was a registered nurse and director of nursing at the Continuing Care Center in

Hopedale. She was one of the first volunteer EMTs for the Rutland Fire Department and was an active volunteer with the Cub Scouts and enjoyed gardening and reading. Nancy leaves sons Jason and Joshua; brothers Curtis and James; sisters Adrianna and Dianna; and many nieces and nephews.

Cynthia Young CE’85 Moosup, CT, died January 29, 2009 Cindy was a lifelong resident of Moosup. She had been employed by Backus Hospital, Windham Hospital, Interim Health Care and was last employed as a school nurse in killingly, before retiring in 2003. Cindy leaves her husband, John; daughter katelyn; mother Sophie Brodeur; sister Lynda; a niece and four nephews.

Michael Fay CE’87 Worcester, MA, died February 6, 2009 Michael was a registered optician for many years in the Worcester area. He was a member of Christ the king Church, the knights of Columbus and the Genesis Club. He leaves his mother, Catherine; brothers James and William; sisters Catherine and Ann; and many nieces and nephews.

Richard Carlson G’89 Florence, MA, died July 5, 2008 Born in Worcester, Richard was educated in Worcester schools and earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from WPI. He was the proprietor and manufacturing consultant of Ensured Commercial Services, Inc. He was a car enthusiast and especially enjoyed his 1964 Ford Thunderbird. Richard leaves his parents, Rodney and Dorothy; fiancée Susan; son Robert; daughters Lindsay, Allison and Mallory; brothers James and Robert; sister Catherine and several nieces and nephews.

Willam and Kathleen Plough Died Dec. 16, 2008 and Mar. 24, 2009, respectively, Traverse City, MI Bill and katy Plough were the parents of former Assumption President Tom Plough HD’07. At his 1999 inauguration, Dr. Plough honored each of his parents with a President’s Medal. William was a lifelong resident of Traverse City, a World War II veteran with the U.S. Navy and a Traverse City employee for 35 years. He retired as a captain with the T.C. Fire Department in 1975 and worked at several local funeral homes during retirement. katy was salutatorian of her high school class and first worked as a bookkeeper.

She was later employed by a local credit union, state hospital, area funeral homes and also served as a tutor and substitute teacher. In addition to their son Tom and his wife, Monty, the Ploughs are survived by four other children, 14 grandchildren, including John Plough ’05, and 17 great-grandchildren.

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

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IN MEMORIAM -Friends of the CollegePasquale “Pat” Bisceglia, father of John ’84; Mary Chandley, mother of Nathaniel AP’59, George AP’64, John AP’68, Brian AP’69 and kevin AP’72; Peter Clemente, father of Peter, AC visiting instructor of music; Bridget Connolly, mother of Stephen ’91; George Desrosiers, father of Robert ’80; Joseph Driscoll, father of Mary Ellen ’91; Paul Fasolino, father of Leanne Reardon ’97; Gregory Gaucher, former AC employee and nephew of Margaret Gaucher P’93, administrative assistant in AC’s Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies Department;

Lucille Haran, mother of Michael ’63, John AP’61 and Stephen AP’68; Elizabeth Hope, mother of Allison Budds ’94; Joan Johnson, former student affairs administrative assistant and mother of Pamela Thompson ’85; Fred Knittle, father of Robert ’85; Nora Lyons, mother of Martin ’77 and mother-in-law of kim (Lawlor) ’77; Joseph Mahoney, father of kathryn Vaughan ’91, William ’92, Julie kelly ’95 and John ’99; Mary Masiello, mother-in-law of Pat Masiello, administrative secretary in the continuing education office; Elizabeth McCarthy, mother-in-law of John DiPietro ’72; Simon

McGrath, husband of Catherine (Sheehan) ’80; Kevin Nordberg, son of Paul ’68; Ann O’Neil, mother of Christopher ’83; Teresa Powers, sister of James AP’64; Albert Precourt, brother of Fr. Peter, A.A.’70; Martha Savoy, former AC volunteer; Raymond Stanovich, father-in-law of Jennifer (zook) ’81; Norman Wilbur, father of Brian ’87 and father-in-law of Jeanne (Demeritt) ’87; Amos Wasgatt, Jr., father of Paul ’82, fatherin-law of Barbara (Hagogian) ’82 and grandfather of Meaghan O’Neil ’08; Constance Withstandley, WISE member.

THE 2009 ANNUAL FUND

Helping Students Achieve Their Potential Assumption alumni are proud of their education and where it has taken them in life. The Annual Fund supports Assumption and those very special opportunities for students to learn in the classroom and everywhere else on campus. Annual Fund gifts help make Assumption what it is today.

This year, more than ever, your Annual Fund gift is important. With many families challenged by the recent downturn in the economy along with reduced values of college savings plans, we expect a significant increase in requests for financial aid. At the same time, today’s economic situation has negatively impacted the endowment income that supports our scholarships and financial aid. The 2009 Annual Fund will help to make up that difference. your support will help to ensure that students who want to receive an Assumption education will have that opportunity.

Donate online at: www.assumption.edu/alums

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Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2009

Reunion2009 Friday, June 5

❚ Special individual Class Dinners for the Classes of ’59, ’64, ’69 and ’74 ❚ Housing in an air-conditioned, suite-style residence hall ❚ Evening entertainment with Fruit and Chocolate Buffet

Saturday, June 6 Reunion breakfast Academic Seminar Alumni Awards Ceremony Family barbecue Campus tours Family gym, swim and mini golf Reunion Mass Special individual Class Dinners for the Classes of ’79 ’84, ’89, ’94, ’99 and 2004 ❚ Evening entertainment ❚ Housing in an air-conditioned, suite-style residence hall ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚

Sunday, June 7 ❚ Farewell Breakfast ❚ Mass ❚ Golden Greyhound Brunch for all alumni out 50 years or more

Renew Friendships, Relive Memories

PHOTO: DAN VAILLANCOURT

500 Salisbury Street Worcester, MA 01609-1296 www.assumption.edu

With guidance from Assumption Assistant Professor of Management Bart Morrison, Kenyan Monicah Kivaa is living a dream as an Assumption undergraduate.

(Full story on p. 5)