ACMag_Spring2011

Assumption Assumption College Magazine • Volume 9, Number 2 • Spring 2011

Magazine

THE POWER OF EDUCATION Shaping Young Minds

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Education Dept. Inspires Tomorrow’s Teachers

Lemons Awarded NIH Research Grant

Solar Comes to Campus

From The PreSIDeNT

College is a Good Investment

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recently wrote an “As I See It” column in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette about whether college is a good investment. I offered a resounding “Yes! It is.” But I also cautioned students and their parents to make informed decisions, carefully consider affordability issues and have frank conversations with financial aid advisers.

The slowly recovering economy, a challenging job market and the loan repayment rates can make the choice a daunting decision.

Still, choosing to go to college is not just a financial decision. The return on investment is not simply monetary, given the life-changing implications of a high-caliber college education.

I deeply believe that the higher education experience provided

by Assumption College is worth the investment. I have witnessed its transformative power in undergraduates and alumni in my daily interactions on campus and during my visits with alumni across the country. The value of your hard-earned college degree is apparent in the worthy roles you play professionally and in the purposeful lives you lead. The alumni, faculty and students who are featured in this issue of Assumption Magazine are having a positive impact in the field of education at every level, and in the lives of their students. Through their life’s work, they demonstrate the real value of their degrees.

The push to quantify the value of every aspect of a college education has captured the interest of the news media and entities as diverse as Forbes and Payscale.com. It was heartening to see that CNN Money has concluded that college is more than a financial decision, writing that “…it’s a decision that can change a person’s life in terms of values that cannot be quantified.”

A very high percentage of college alumni nationwide expressed satisfaction with the return on investment of their undergraduate degrees in a 2010 survey commissioned by the American Council on Education. About 89 percent of the college alumni who responded said their degree was “worth the time and money.”

Closer to home, an independent survey of students at private and public colleges and universities found that Assumption students gave their experience higher marks than students from other private, fouryear institutions. Assumption outscored those institutions against a number of benchmarks: quality of faculty, opportunity to experience intellectual growth, the amount of academic advising provided, and

the degree to which tuition represents a worthwhile investment.

The push to quantify the value of every aspect of a college education has captured the interest of the news media and entities as diverse as Forbes and Payscale.com. They gather and distill all manner of data to compare and rank schools for purposes of selling magazines, catalogs and financial consulting services to prospective college students and their families. It was heartening to see that CNN Money has concluded that college is more than a financial decision, writing that “…it’s a decision that can change a person’s life in terms of values that cannot be quantified.”

At Assumption, we work closely with each student and his or her family to review all possible resources to help make an Assumption education affordable. Donations from alumni and friends have enabled us to enhance the financial aid packages we provide to current and prospective students – a key element in retaining and attracting Assumption undergraduates in this tight economy.

The decision to go to college is an investment in the life graduates will lead, not the loans they will repay. I believe that the investment of four years in an Assumption education results in the intellectual, spiritual, social and cultural transformation our students. Our alumni have made a difference in this world, in their communities and their families. Your lives are the strongest statement regarding the value of an Assumption College education.

Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D. President

Spring 2011 Assumption College Magazine • Volume 9, Number 2 www.assumption.edu/magazine

Features

6 We encourage your feedback.

Please address your letters, class notes and story ideas to: Assumption College Magazine Assumption College 500 Salisbury Street Worcester, MA 01609-1296 e-mail: twatkins@assumption.edu

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Rwandan Genocide Survivor Named Commencement Speaker

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Lemons Awarded $187,709 NIH Grant

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Solar Project is First on Campus

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Twenty-five Employees Accept Early Retirement Program

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Alumni in Education

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Educating Tomorrow’s Teachers

Departments

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Assumption College Magazine Assumption College ISSN 1089-3903 Spring 2011

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Editor Troy Watkins Director of Public Affairs Renee Buisson Contributing Writers Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A. ’69 Stephen Kostrzewa Bianca Ravida ’11 Elizabeth Walker

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Editor’s Page

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Campus News

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Hounds Watch

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Alumni News

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Class Notes

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In Memoriam

Art Direction/Design Centuria Inc., Belmont, MA Printing The Lane Press, Burlington, VT 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 Magazine is distributed free of charge to alumni, friends, faculty, staff, administration and parents of undergraduate students.

On the Cover

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Robert Jennings, Jr. ’77 is the principal of Dr. Arthur F. Sullivan Middle School in Worcester.

COVER PHOTO: DAN VAILLANCOURT

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

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eDITor’S LeTTer

PHOTO: DAN VAILLANCOURT

Alumni Educators Lead the Way

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arey Capistron Santiago ’02, a third grade teacher at Elmwood Elementary in Millbury, is one of many talented educators who has contributed to my 11-year-old daughter’s passion for learning. As a student in Mrs. Santiago’s classroom, my little girl has bloomed into a highly motivated, confident and conscientious student and person.

With more Assumption alumni engaged in a career in education than any other profession, thousands of lives have been blessed by the expertise and compassion of our graduates – in our child care centers, schools, colleges and specialized programs. This issue of Assumption Magazine focuses on a select few of these educators and administrators.

Some were trained through the College’s undergraduate and graduate education programs, while others found their way into education after graduating from Assumption’s strong liberal arts programs.

The alumni featured have collectively served in nearly all levels of education, from pre-kindergarten to graduate school, and most have been honored for outstanding contributions to their field. With its specialized instruction, hands-on pre-practicum and student-teaching experience, as well as a fifth-year option to pursue a master’s in special education, Assumption’s education program is the envy of other colleges.

Assumption alumni dominate the staff at many local schools and they help educate tomorrow’s leaders throughout the country and abroad. After meeting and talking with the Assumption faculty and our graduates, including Mrs. Santiago, I believe that the education of our children is in highly capable hands.

As always, I welcome your input about Assumption Magazine and look forward to hearing from you.

Letter to the Editor Applauding Faculty It is a treat to receive Assumption Magazine and one feature which particularly solicits my admiration is reading about faculty. Pages 6 and 7 of the Winter 2011 issue show track records of “new,” “emeritus” and tenured professors who make the College what it is today and who contribute so brilliantly to building its present and future

Class Notes Submissions Guidelines Assumption College Magazine, the quarterly magazine of Assumption College, publishes Class Notes three times per year—in January, April, and August.

This section of the magazine provides an opportunity for alumni (undergraduate, graduate, and Assumption Prep) to share announcements of promotions, graduate degrees, political elections or appointments, marriages or civil unions, births, adoptions, and grandchildren. The magazine does not publish engagement notices.

Alumni may submit Class Notes in three ways: via e-mail to either the College (alumni@assumption.edu) or their Class Agent, or by mailing the

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Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

reputation. No wonder page 8 features the ever-rising ranking Assumption has in the Northeast! Thank you for sharing this.

Louise Peloquin, Ph. D. ’73 sent via e-mail

information to us. Additional alumni information may be reproduced from print and online clipping services. Class Notes may include photos from corporate press releases and small alumni gatherings. Group photos of Assumption graduates at a wedding reception can be posted on the Alumni Web site: www.assumption.edu/alums. A icon will be placed by the wedding announcement in Class Notes indicating a photo is posted on the Web. The editorial staff makes every effort to print announcements accurately, but cannot always verify the accuracy of information submitted for publication. Additionally, the publication of information is undertaken as a service to our alumni and does not reflect any opinion or endorsement on the part of the editorial staff or the College. weblink

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Rwandan Genocide Survivor Named Commencement Speaker Frechette ’74, Walsh ’74 and Woodbury to Receive Honorary Degrees

Immaculée Ilibagiza

wandan genocide survivor Immaculée Ilibagiza will address the Class of 2011 at Assumption’s 94th Commencement on May 14. The author of best-seller Left to Tell – Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, Ilibagiza speaks strongly about how her Catholic faith enabled her to forgive. For 91 days in 1994, she hid with seven other Tutsi women in the tiny bathroom of a minister’s house to escape almost certain death. Over three months, nearly a million Rwandans were murdered, including most of Ilibagiza’s family. While hiding, she prayed the rosary constantly on beads given to her by her father.

She has since authored three books and become an international speaker and passionate supporter of human rights. Ilibagiza established the Left to Tell Charitable Fund, which assists orphans in Rwanda with educational needs and provides scholarships to schoolage children. She conducts “A Weekend with Immaculée Retreats” at locations throughout the country, where the attendees focus upon hope and healing. Her story has been featured on “60 Minutes” and she has received numer-

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ous honors and awards for her inspiring life and work.

Honorary degree recipients will include The Rev. Rick Frechette, C.P., D.O. ’74, a medical doctor, missionary and director of NPH St. Damien Hospital Haiti. Fr. Frechette was ordained a priest in 1979 and has served as a Passionist missionary for more than 25 years. After realizing that the children of Haiti desperately needed medical support, he returned to the U.S. and earned a medical degree in 1998 from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. Fr. Frechette assures the healthcare at the NPH orphanage, with over 350 children. He is NPH’s regional director of the Caribbean, the Haiti national director and is a member of the NPH International Health Services Team, which oversees the medical needs of the children in nine countries.

Fr. Rick will be giving the homily at the baccalaureate mass on May 13.

Thomas Walsh, M.D. ’74, director of the Transplantation-Oncology Infectious Diseases Program and assistant professor of medicine at Cornell University’s Weill Cornell Medical College, will receive an honorary degree. Dr. Walsh is also an assistant attending physician at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He previously conducted research at the National Cancer Institute for 25 years. His research resulted in new strategies of diagnosis, treatment, and

Fr. Rick Frechette, C.P., D.O. ’74

prevention of life-threatening infections in children with cancer and other immune system impairments, dramatically increasing their chances to live. He has also helped to train many of the world’s leading experts in the care of children with weakened immune systems.

He also served as a captain in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, providing medical care to the victims of national disasters until his retirement in 2010. Dr. Walsh graduated from Assumption in 1974 and earned his M.D. from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is board certified in medicine, infectious diseases and oncology.

The fourth honorary degree recipient is Susan Woodbury, retiring chair of the board of the George I. Alden Trust, located in Worcester. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, she also serves as a corporator of Worcester’s EcoTarium and the YWCA. She began her career at Provident National Bank in Philadelphia and was the youngest female titled officer at the time of her election in 1967. She later served as a paralegal for Bowditch and Dewey. She was appointed a trustee at Alden Trust in 1993 and elected chair in 2002. Over the years, the Alden Trust supported many capital projects at Assumption, including the campus center, library, recreation center, science building and Alden Trust Auditorium in the College’s Kennedy Memorial Hall.

Thomas Walsh, M.D. ’74

Susan Woodbury

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

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Lemons Awarded $187,709 NIH Grant for Research of Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury

PHOTO: TIM MULCAHY ’88

Michele Lemons, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, received a threeyear grant of $187,709 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for research to investigate the biological mechanisms underlying the failure of the spinal cord to successfully regenerate following injury.

The grant will support her neurobiology research that focuses on novel mechanisms of growth cone guidance. The grant will begin this spring and conclude in the spring of 2014. Three Assumption under-

graduates will work on this project full time with Dr. Lemons during each summer of the grant and one student will work during the academic school year on this project.

Dr. Lemons explained, “After spinal cord injury, adult axons are damaged and often become disconnected from their targets. These adult injured axons often do not successfully find their way back to their original targets. The failure of axons to fully regenerate contributes to paralysis and compromised sensory function following spinal cord injury. However, during normal development, the growth cone at the tip of the axon remarkably integrates environmental cues to guide the axon to its proper location. This impressive navigation system is required for proper formation of the nervous system.

A better understanding of accurate growth cone navigation during development is hoped to contribute to better understanding of axon regneration failure in the adult following injury and lead to treatments that can encourage adult injured axons to re-find their original targets as they once did during development. This research examines the extracellular ligands, as well as their receptors, that direct growth cone guidance. More specifically, a multitude of experiments will be used to examine the relationship between the axon guidance molecule netrin-1 and integrin receptors in the sensory neurons.”

A faculty member since 2007, Lemons earned a BS in biology from the College of William and Mary and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Florida

12 Graduate from Collegiate Success Institute Twelve students from Worcester’s Burncoat High School graduated from the Collegiate Success Institute (CSI) in a ceremony held on Assumption’s campus in November. As a member of the Colleges of the Worcester Consortium, Assumption is in its third year of partnering with the Worcester Public Schools and leaders of the local business community to provide an intensive capstone experience for low-income Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) students who show strong academic potential.

CSI Worcester, directed by Donna O’Neill Connolly ’78, brings students to a local college campus for two afternoons a week during their junior and senior years of high school and pairs them with corporate and college mentors to provide a taste of the college experience, and help them learn about opportunities beyond college for a successful career in today’s global economy. The graduates are joined in the photo by Assumption student volunteers—Ashton Tierney ’12, Katie Mazzeo ’12 and Victoria Flynn ’13—and representatives of Hanover Insurance, a CSI Worcester sponsor.

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Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

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

’m reminded every day that the College’s educational mission is realized both inside and outside the classroom, by faculty, staff and administrators of richly diverse talents. This was brought home during the current academic year by the unexpected deaths of Fr. Stephen Torraco, associate professor of theology, and Steve Morris, assistant director of athletics for media relations. Each in quite different ways left an enduring mark on the life of the College: one by the clarity of a classroom teacher gifted with the intelligence of faith; the other by an administrator whose encouragement, good humor and friendship was felt by generations of student-athletes and colleagues in the profession.

From the time of his arrival on campus in the late 1980s, Fr. Torraco taught courses in moral theology, medical ethics, the social teaching of the Church, and the Bible. His love for the Church was brought to bear in the classroom not by any direct effort at proselytizing, but mining the rich resources of the Church’s wisdom in addressing matters of the greatest import: how should I live my life; what principles are most conducive to happiness; what are the intrinsic limits of human control over nature. He was a theologian, properly speaking – that is, one for whom faith enlarged and deepened intelligence – and by the clarity of his teaching he helped to make the doctrine of the Church credible to students often enough indifferent or skeptical about it.

Students may not have become more fervent believers at the end of Fr. Torraco’s courses, but they were likely to have gained respect for the

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The Mission

PHOTO: DAN VAILLANCOURT

“Merc” and Fr. Torraco: Embodying the Mission

coherence and integrity of the Church’s teaching.

Steve “Merc” Morris succeeded in reaching student-athletes and colleagues in a way that highlights another distinctive dimension of the College’s mission. In addition to “getting the word out” about all of our sports teams over 38 years in the job and in the process becoming the repository, the living memory of intercollegiate athletics at Assumption, Merc was a mentor and companion to so many throughout the years.

After he was done “kidding” with you, or perhaps even while doing so, he made it clear that he was on your side, ready to help, support and encourage you in whatever ways he could. Those included everything from assisting students to find internships to lending a sympathetic ear to student athletes trying to find their way at the College. For so many Merc became the “face” of Assumption athletics – a human face, to be sure, full of kindness and good cheer.

We bid farewell, then, to our two good-hearted Stephens, who, each in his own way, helped make Assumption what it aspires to be, a place where friendship and hospitality and the excitement of learning flourish.

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Contact: Michael Lewis, MBA Program Director, at milewis@assumption.edu or 508-767-7372

www.assumption.edu/graduate

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

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Solar panels like these were installed on the roof of Emmanuel d’Alzon Library in March.

The College signed an agreement with Greenskies Renewable Energy in January to install solar photovoltaic project on the roof of the Emmanuel d’Alzon Library. The system’s capacity will generate up to 60,000 watts of electricity to be consumed on campus. “This is another part of our ongoing sustainability and energy conservation efforts,” said John Langlois, director of auxiliary services.

Greenskies, based in Middletown, CT, specializes in solar panel installation. Greenskies Vice President Andrew Chester ’07 initiated the deal, partnering with Langlois to develop the project. Greenskies will finance, engineer, develop, construct, insure and monitor the project, according to Chester. In exchange, Assumption pays Greenskies for all electricity generated by the solar panels for the 20-year duration of the contract. The College will purchase electricity at a reduced rate.

The system will also feature a television display at Testa Science Center connected via a network to show real-time energy output parameters for students, faculty and staff. “It is our hope that in addition to saving costs and some purchased electricity that it will be a good educational tool for our science departments and students to see renewable energy in action,” Langlois said. The system was installed in late March, shortly after the solar panels.

A similar monitor in Testa Science Center provides real-time energy output.

Assumption has a strong record of energy conservation initiatives.

The eco-friendly changes improve the colleges’ appeal to potential students and certain types of installations are helping to reduce their operating costs. A recent survey conducted by USA Today found that almost half of all colleges and universities across the country have implemented some form of renewable energy on their campuses.

Father Bissonnette Invitational Golf Tournament Monday, June 20, 2011 Worcester Country Club Support our students through sponsorships, foursomes, auction items and program book ads.

Contact: Liz Vestal '03 508-767-7026 or evestal@assumption.edu

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Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

hoUNDS waTCh

WINTER Sports Roundup WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Led by

HOCKEY NE-10 Conference Player of the

Northeast-10 all-conference first team forwards Molly Griffiths ’11 and Kelly Meredith ’12, the Greyhounds compiled a 22-8 record, tying the program’s single season record for victories. The Greyhounds advanced to the NCAA regionals for the fourth time, all under Head Coach Kerry Phayre in her 15th season. Seeded fourth, Assumption defeated Saint Rose in the East Regional quarterfinals before bowing to top-seeded Bentley in the semifinals.

The Greyhounds finished third in the NE-10 and lost in the semifinals of the Conference Tournament to #2 seed Franklin Pierce. During the regular season, Meredith led the conference in scoring (20 ppg), while Griffiths topped the NE-10 by hitting 46.4% of her 3-pointers while also averaging 13 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Forward Sabrina Siciliano ’13 led the conference with 2.62 steals per game while guard Gabrielle Gibson averaged 11.4 points per game.

The lone senior, Griffiths finished her career with 1,207 points (11th in team history). Meredith ended the season with 1,102 career points and was named to the Daktronics All-Region First Team, as voted on by the region’s sports information directors.

Year Taylor Larsen ’12, fellow forward Pat O’Kane ’12 and Defenseman of the Year Kevin Glanzman ’12 were named first team all-conference for the second consecutive season. The Ice Dogs advanced to the NE-10 semifinals and finished 11-15-1.

Larsen led the NE-10 in scoring (18 goals, 22 assists), followed by Glanzman (11-19) and O’Kane (13-12). Ross White ’14 was named to the NE-10 all-rookie team.

Goalie Nick Blanchette ’12 posted a 10-8-1 record in net and left wing Patrick Fitzgibbons ’11 played in the third most career games (103) in Ice Dog history and totaled 31 goals and 52 assists.

Molly Griffiths ’11

MEN’S BASKETBALL In the final season for Head Coach Serge DeBari ’71, the Greyhounds went 12-17 and fell in the first round of the NE-10 tournament. In 10 seasons, DeBari compiled a 150-145 mark with two NE-10 Tournament titles.

Forward Mike Baldarelli ’11 averaged 15.3 points and six rebounds to earn a spot on the third team all-conference. Guard Bobby Harris ’13 (11.8 ppg) and center Tobin Haase ’11 (10.3 ppg) were the other double-figure scorers for the team, while

Taylor Larsen ’12

Mike Baldarelli ’11

guard Ryan Rozsnaki ’13 averaged 4.5 assists per game to finish sixth in the NE-10.

Baldarelli completed his career with 1,475 points, the 15th best in team history.

SWIMMING & DIVING The young Greyhounds, with only two upperclassmen, tallied a 6-3 mark in dual meets and concluded the season with a third-place finish among 21 teams at the New England Championships.

Monique Haley ’14 won the N.E. title in the 500-yard freestyle, while Jennifer Ryan ’13 took first place in the 100-yard individual medley and second in the 200IM. Kaitlin Owen ’13 placed third in the 200-yard butterfly. Haley and Ryan were the team’s points leaders, followed by Maureen Quirk ’14, Amanda Guy ’13, Jill Burke ’14 and Carly Eckles ’14.

INDOOR TRACK At the NE-10 Indoor Championships Will Gazlay ’14, who placed 10th in the high jump (5-10), and Peter Jusseaume ’12, who finished 11th in the 800 meters (2:01.71), led the men’s team. Molly Kessler ’13 paced the women, finishing fifth in the 800 meters (2:18.18) and Lily Jorge ’13 placed 10th in the 500 meters (1:34.68).

Monique Haney ’14

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

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Twenty-five Employees Accept Early Retirement Program; Among 27 Retiring in May wenty-five Assumption employees have accepted a voluntary Early Retirement Program offered by the College and will retire May 31. “We were looking for an effective way to align our projected revenue and expenses over the next few years,” said Christian McCarthy, executive vice president for Finance and Administration at Assumption. “This program is part of a long-term strategy that will prepare Assumption for the everchanging higher education environment.”

The program was offered to faculty, administrators and staff members age 61 and older with a minimum of 10 consecutive years of full-time employment at the College. Along with the 25 employees who accepted the voluntary early retirement offer, an additional two individuals were already planning to retire at the end of the academic year.

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Barbara Beall-Fofana, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Art History (2000) Chair of the Department of Art, Music and Theatre, Dr. Beall-Fofana took advantage of the nearby Worcester Art Museum, making trips there to teach her students. She earned several fellowships and grants, published numerous professional papers and made several presentations in her field. In 2007, she published her book, Understanding the Art Museum. She has also taught at Providence College, Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design and UMass-Amherst, as well as at the secondary school level early in her career. Dr. Beall-Fofana holds a Ph.D. from Brown.

Thomas Begley, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Spanish (1968) Dr. Begley has taught all levels of Spanish from elementary to graduate, as well as several courses in comparative literature. A faculty advisor, he has served the College on committees, positions including chair of the Curriculum Committee, faculty representative to the Student Government Association and president of the representative faculty senate. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and is a current member of Worcester’s Democratic City Committee as well as the City’s Board of Election Commissioners.

“This is a great opportunity for those who are eligible and we are happy that they could take advantage of this program,” said Francesco Cesareo, college president. “Their service and devotion to Assumption College will be deeply missed. Collectively, the retiring faculty have taught at Assumption for 251 years and they have touched the lives of literally thousands of Assumption students and alumni. The retiring staff and administrators have worked as Assumption for a combined total of 300 years! We have been incredibly fortunate to have the benefit of 551 years of service and commitment to the College.”

The College applauds the outstanding achievements of and contributions made by these dedicated employees. In this issue we highlight the retiring faculty members and recognize the departing members of the staff and administration.

Carmen Borgia, Assistant Professor of Computer Science (2001) Professor Borgia began his teaching career at local high schools in the 1970s and taught parttime at Assumption and Central New England Colleges in the 1980s and ’90s. He also served for 10 years as the manager of information services at Eastern Enterprises in Weston, MA, prior to joining Assumption full-time. On campus he taught various levels of programming courses as well as offerings in interactive computer graphics, networking and operating systems.

Carol Harvey G’72, Ed.D., Professor of Management (1990) Dr. Harvey currently serves as coordinator of the Business Studies Department. She has taught numerous business and management courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and served as a faculty advisor. She earned her Ed.D. from UMass-Amherst, and has also taught at Worcester State and Quinsigamond Community colleges. Dr. Harvey has served Assumption on various committees, has been widely published, and made many professional presentations. In 2002, she co-edited the book, Understanding and Managing Diversity.

Jeffrey Hunter, D.B.A., Associate Professor of Business Studies (1987) Dr. Hunter has served as director of the College’s MBA program since 2005 and interim dean of Graduate Studies since May 2010. He earned a Doctor of Business Administration from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, and previously held faculty positions at Nichols

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Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

and Merrimack Colleges. He initiated and administered a multi-year international program, working with Soviet and Russian Federation government agencies to teach courses in western economics, marketing and business practices. The former associate editor of Communication Research Reports, Dr. Hunter has published professional articles, presented at conferences and has served numerous community organizations.

Gerald McCarthy, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology (2000) Dr. McCarthy earned a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He served as a faculty advisor, made presentations at professional conferences and taught undergraduate courses covering topics such as the Bible and the early church as well as a graduate course in business ethics.

Jeanne McNett, Ph.D., Professor of Management (1997) Dr. McNett joined the Assumption faculty with business and teaching experience in nine countries, including Saudi Arabia, Germany and Japan. A global business consultant with a working knowledge of six languages, she taught international management and ethics, was a faculty advisor and at one point served as president of the Faculty Senate. Dr. McNett earned her Ph.D. from UMass-Amherst. She served the College on numerous committees, published and presented several papers and co-authored several books, including International Business: The Challenge of Global Competition, now in its 12th edition. She and her husband are also members of the College’s President’s Council.

Melvin E. “Pete” Murphy, Assistant Professor of Management (2000) A registered professional engineer in three states, Professor Murphy came to Assumption with more than 30 years in the power industry.

He holds an MBA from the University of Akron, served as an Assumption faculty advisor and taught undergraduate and graduate courses on a variety of business subjects, including practices, management, strategy and international marketing. Prior to his appointment at Assumption, he was an adjunct professor of MBA graduate students in organizational behavior at Indonesian European University in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Leonard “Rick” Sorenson, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science (1982) Dr. Sorenson earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and has published several papers and made presentations at numerous professional conferences. A faculty advisor, he taught courses such as American political thought, political philosophy and constitutional law. In 1983 he

founded and chaired the Assumption College Faculty Symposiette, a research and scholarship forum. Since 2000 he has co-chaired the symposiette with Professor Patrick Corrigan.

David St. John, Ed.D., Associate Professor of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies (1987) Dr. St. John earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in psychology and counseling from Assumption in 1967 and an Ed.D. in school counseling and guidance from Clark University. He began as an assistant professor in psychology and social rehabilitation at Assumption in 1968 and was a part-time lecturer in social rehabilitation (1971–87) before rejoining the faculty full-time. He worked in the Worcester Public Schools in various capacities while lecturing parttime at Assumption and Clark. Dr. St. John also operated a private psychology practice in the 1980s and was a psychologist at Worcester’s Elmwood Counseling Center (1988–95).

William Sullivan, Assistant Professor of Accounting (1980) Highly popular among students, Professor Sullivan was selected five times by the Senior Class as its baccalaureate speaker since joining the faculty. He came to the College after 12 years as an audit assistant, tax manager and director with local accounting firms. In addition to his many courses in accounting, he taught students real-life skills in his personal financial management course and served as a mentor and faculty advisor to many. Prof. Sullivan served on the Faculty Senate and numerous committees. His wife, Linda ’85, and sons Daniel ’94, David ’96 and James ’00 are Assumption alumni. In 2003, he received the Honorary Alumnus Award from the Alumni Association for his many contributions to the College.

*L. Peter Schultz, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Politics (1989) Dr. Schultz earned a Ph.D. from Northern Illinois University and taught at five higher education institutions over 12 years prior to joining the Assumption faculty. A faculty advisor, Dr. Schultz taught various undergraduate courses, covering topics such as the American government, public policy, political philosophy and constitutional law. He has published several articles in scholarly journals, and has participated as a panelist and presenter at several conferences. In 1997, he authored and published Governing America, now in its second edition.

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

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Administrators and Staff Retiring in May

Shirley Aubin

Mary Beddes

Mary Bejune

Jerry Barilla P’09

Serge DeBari ’71

Phyllis Estus

Susan Kaufman

Pamela Kazarian

David Kowalczyk P’06

Ann Lewis

Carol McGuiggan P’90

Barbara Morris

Carmella Murphy

Arlene Tatro

Deborah Zern

Shirley Aubin, administrative secretary/gift processing, institutional advancement (full-time employee since 1991) Mary Beddes, coordinator of information systems, registrar’s office (1999) Mary Bejune, personal assistant to the president (1997) Jerry Barilla P’09, director of facilities planning and projects (1985) Serge DeBari ’71, head men’s basketball coach (1995-99, 2005-11), director of admissions (1999-2005) * Phyllis Estus, senior researcher, institutional advancement (2001) Susan Kaufman, assistant director of human resources (1991)

Pamela Kazarian, administrative secretary, admissions (1988) David Kowalczyk P’06, co-director, career services (1991) Ann Lewis, director of advancement services (1989) Carol McGuiggan P’90, co-director, career services (1985) Barbara Morris, administrative secretary, campus ministry (1989) Carmella Murphy, training specialist, information technology (1985) Arlene Tatro, assistant director of financial aid (1997) Deborah Zern, program coordinator, elementary & secondary education (1982) * Retiring this spring, but not part of the ERP.

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Inspirational Educators we’ve all had a favorite teacher… someone who took the time to figure out what was going on inside your head and pushed the right buttons to motivate you to study, to work harder, to want to learn. And to your amazement, you discov-

ered that you could do it. You could read. You could solve an equation. You could engage in a spirited debate about a difficult topic.

An Assumption education encompasses the whole person – an education of mind, body and spirit.

Alumni who pursue a career in education pass on their wisdom, gained through an immersion in the liberal arts and supplemented by respect for the individuality of each person. The distinguished graduates profiled in this issue have made a profound difference at their educational institutions, in their communities and in the lives of their co-workers and students.

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

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Robert Jennings, Jr. ’77 Principal, Dr. Arthur F. Sullivan Middle School, Worcester, MA

PHOTO: DAN VAILLANCOURT

2000 worcester Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year

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Fostering Opportunity B Y T ROY W ATKINS

T

he Dr. Arthur F. Sullivan Middle School (SMS) reflects some of the interesting challenges that exist in the Worcester school system. Most of its 800 students come from families that live below the poverty level, and nearly 75 percent come from an array of cultures and countries. In addition, 25 percent require special education. Robert Jennings, Jr. ’77, the principal, views his role as creating an environment where each student has the opportunity to learn and achieve the American dream.

“My expectation is that our teachers will do their very best every day, in every class with every child,” said Jennings, who has principal since 2005. “We create a rigorous classroom experience that encourages each child to achieve more than he or she thought possible.”

In Jennings’ opinion, the commitment of his staff and students has created “the best school in the city in terms of camaraderie and mutual respect.” It is a situation that must constantly be nurtured and the standards clearly defined. It is not a quick fix in any school – he started as assistant principal at Sullivan Middle School in 2000.

SMS has four academies that are geared toward the needs and skills of its various students. All the academies practice the same essential instructional approach to create consistency throughout the school and Jennings regularly observes classes to maintain a strong presence in the school.

“Our greatest challenge is to fulfill needs that are not being filled outside of school due to a lack of resources – such as financial, food or time on task,” he said. “This is difficult, but we do what we can for the benefit of our students, their education and well-being.”

Jennings draws upon lessons he learned at Assumption to deal with challenges. “When I came to Assumption, I learned how to process information and think for myself,” he recalled. Professors encouraged him to do the research to find answers. That’s a skill that remains important as he considers new approaches to the issues at SMS. The importance of leadership and commitment also were reinforced at Assumption. A political science major, Jennings was challenged by professors such as Pat Powers, Jack Crutcher and Ken Moynihan AP’64 and influenced by Professors Paul Douillard ’70, Roberta Schaefer and Fr. Gerard Messier, A.A. His athletic experiences through track and with the basketball team and coach Joe O’Brien ’57, helped shape him.

Today, Jennings understands the influence of being visible and accessible. By collecting trash from the students at lunch with fellow employees, he keeps his fingers on the pulse of school. Students feel comfortable telling him about potential problems. “The kids like it at Sullivan because it is safe; the teachers care and everyone steps up to take care of what needs to be done.”

Having been a 7th grade teacher for eight years, Jennings recog-

“Our greatest challenge is to fulfill needs that are not being filled outside of school due to a lack of resources.”

–Robert Jennings, Jr. ’77 nizes the devotion and excellence of his faculty and staff. He also has great pride in the Assumption graduates who work with him; including Head of Guidance Kathleen Noponen ’79, G’84; Guidance Counselor Ryan Connor G’08; Special Education Teacher Aldona Pauliukonis ’79; and School Clinician Rita Haley G’10, a recent hire.

Jennings didn’t go immediately into education after graduating from Assumption. He began his career as mutual fund distributor before landing a position in residence life at UMass-Amherst. There he earned a M.Ed. and honed his instructional skills as a substitute teacher.

While serving as director of housing at Worcester State he was encouraged to become a teacher and “took a pay cut but became a happier man” as a 7th grade history teacher at Worcester’s Forest Grove Middle School. “It was the highlight of my working career because the students are so much fun,” he said. “You can tell when they’re learning something because they almost want to apply it immediately.”

Encouraged by Worcester Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Carradonio, Jennings completed a two-year program to become an administrator. On the day he earned his license, he was hired at Sullivan Middle School.

His commitment to the community extends beyond his role in the school system. Jennings was a high school and college basketball referee for more than 30 years and coached basketball at Girls, Inc. for several years. He has also been an umpire, a volunteer with the United Way and is involved in numerous leadership and mentoring activities through Sullivan Middle School, which he finds highly rewarding.

Family is a solid grounding for him. His wife Marcela is assistant dean/director of the office of Multicultural Affairs at Worcester State University. “Without her all that I’ve achieved probably would not have happened,” said Jennings. They reside in Worcester with their daughters Cheyenne (17) and Kiana (15).

A native of Springfield, MA, Jennings parents were his heroes.

“I always wanted to be like them. My dad was a dedicated community servant and my mom worked with kids. They paved a path that I could follow and choose what I wanted to do. Now, I want to help others find their path.”

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Success through Teamwork B Y T ROY W ATKINS

k

risti Luetjen ’99, a kindergarten teacher at Whiting Lane Elementary School in West Hartford, Connecticut, has a talent for helping her students realize their unique abilities.

Whether it is starting a yoga class for kindergarteners or pulling together a team of professionals to address a student’s specific needs, Kristi thinks outside the box to help her students learn. In fact, her unique talents were recognized when she was named the 2010 Connecticut Teacher of the Year, from among the 100,000 teachers in Connecticut.

Whiting Lane has 500 students in pre-kindergarten through Grade 5, and a town-wide program for students with special needs.

The students with special needs are mainstreamed into the general classrooms for 80 percent or more of the school day. “A teacher’s greatest challenge is that no two students are the same,” Luetjen said. “It is so important to know your students, their strengths and weaknesses, what motivates them and how they learn best. Then you have to execute a plan for their learning that is developmentally appropriate and engaging. It is a difficult balancing act that teachers face daily.”

“I believe in building strong relationships with my students and their families, as well as with my colleagues,” said Luetjen. “I think it is incredibly important to work as a team to develop the whole child.

Each child is special and all children can learn.”

Luetjen works with special education professionals, pathologists, therapists, the school social worker and psychologist to enable each student to achieve his or her potential. “We meet students where they are and help them to grow,” she said.

“Standardized testing isn’t the best measure of what students know and can do,” stated Luetjen. “I am encouraged by recent trends away from standardization towards personalization in education.

School is so much more than filling in bubble sheets and memorizing facts. It is part of a teacher’s job to create caring, competent people who are able to productively contribute to society. I want my students to be smart and I want them to be good people.”

Looking for additional methods to reach, connect with and develop all her students, Luetjen introduced yoga to her special needs students and expanded the program to all kindergarteners. “Research tells us that yoga practice positively affects students learning,” she explained. “There are physical benefits such as improved strength, coordination and motor planning abilities. Yoga also helps children learn better impulse control and has been shown to improve attention and focus, which is so important in a kindergarten classroom.”

Approaching situations with an open mind and seeking solutions that integrate a variety of perspectives are some of the intangible benefits of Luetjen’s liberal arts education at Assumption. While Luetjen majored in history and political science, she also took classes in

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philosophy, psychology, social and rehabilitation services, and education. “Teachers have to know a great deal about many different subjects, as well as concentrate in a core subject area,” said Luetjen. But she didn’t graduate from Assumption with a plan to be a teacher.

She started her career as an applied behavior analysis therapist for children with autism and then decided to enroll in a master’s program in early childhood special education at St. Joseph’s College in West Hartford at night. Luetjen decided to teach young children because “I believe strongly that it is through the emotional and intellectual nurturing of our youngest children that our world is most positively affected. I wanted to make the biggest difference in their lives.”

“I believe in building strong relationships with my students and their families, as well as with my colleagues. I think it is incredibly important to work as a team to develop the whole child. Each child is special and all children can learn.”

–Kristi Luetjen ’99 Upon earning her M.A., she was hired by the West Hartford Public Schools in 2002 and was a preschool special education teacher until 2006, when she transitioned to kindergarten.

Perhaps Luetjen’s defining characteristic is her ability to overcome challenges. She was the first in her family to attend college. She went to graduate school at night while working full-time. And in 2007, she faced her greatest challenge to date – she was diagnosed with breast cancer and continued to teach part-time while undergoing treatments.

Then she turned her personal crisis into an opportunity to help others.

She organized “Team Kristi,” which has raised nearly $15,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure [of breast cancer].

Luetjen’s life has taken some unexpected turns. When she originally decided to attend Assumption, she was nervous and unsure of her direction. She found the small and intimate campus as a good fit for her. “I thrived at Assumption,” she said. “The small classes and the dedicated professors helped me reach my potential.” Now, she is paying it forward.

kristi luetjen ’99 Kindergarten teacher, Whiting Lane Elementary School, West Hartford, CT

PHOTO: DAN VAILLANCOURT

2010 Connecticut Teacher of the Year

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

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Sheila Harrity G’92 Principal, Worcester Technical High School, Worcester, MA

Principal, 2011 l, breakthrough Schoo worcester Technical High School er

PHOTO: DAN VAILLANCOURT

Public Schools’ Teach The 1999 worcester ds wTHS, one of 10 lea of the Year, Harrity of national Association schools selected by the fe tli Me the d ncipals an Secondary School Pri ve larger numbers ser t tha n tio da Foun in poverty and live of students who dramatically are high-achieving or ievement. improving student ach

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Leading

by Example

B Y T ROY W ATKINS

C

ombine dedicated faculty, outstanding facilities and a shared vision and anything is possible. Sheila Harrity G’92, principal of Worcester Technical High School (WTHS), should know. WTHS was named a Breakthrough School, one of just 10 in the country, recognized for its best practices and outstanding student results. Harrity accepted the award from the MetLife Foundation at the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ Conference in San Francisco in February 2011.

In four years since moving into a new $90 million facility WTHS has garnered several honors. “Working here [at Worcester Tech] is an educator’s dream,” Harrity explained. “It’s a beautiful facility with all of the equipment and technology needed to support student education, with cutting-edge technology in the vocational technical area to properly prepare students with 21st century skills.

It’s a ‘can-do’ atmosphere. The faculty feel supported and appreciated.”

WTHS enrolls 1,400 students in 24 technical programs, with 70 percent of its students pursuing post-secondary education. It has quickly become a source of great pride for the city.

Harrity sees her role as helping develop the full potential of the students, the faculty and the facility. “All of the work and dedication that went into this building would be for nothing if we weren’t producing the next generation of workers for central Massachusetts,” she stated. “I’m very proud to say that the students and staff are exceptional.”

Among her staff are Assumption alumni Mark Foran ’77, G’80, chair of the special education department, the 2005 WTHS Teacher of the Year and finalist for Worcester Public Schools (WPS) Teacher of the Year; Brian Potter ’98, G’00, director of guidance; and Frances Meringolo ’76, head of the social studies department and a former WTHS and WPS Teacher of the Year. “I am understandably proud of the Assumption alumni with whom I work. Mark, Brian and Frances have earned leadership positions and are important members of the amazing faculty here at Worcester Tech.”

Worcester has always been home for Harrity. She grew up in Worcester and went to Providence College, earning a B.A. in social work. She came back to earn her master’s in early childhood education from Worcester State College and began teaching at Worcester’s Millbury Street School. She later taught life skills at Mill Swan School.

In 1990, Harrity decided she wanted a master’s degree in special education – she chose Assumption based on recommendations from co-workers who were alumni. At Assumption, she was influenced by Sr. Alice Petty. “She was wonderful, kind and able to connect with her students. I understood what she was trying to teach me because she lived it,” Harrity said. “She had extensive knowledge and experience working with the special education population.”

While Harrity understands the value of education, she also knows the importance of a balanced life. She is married to Tom Pandiscio and has two daughters, Celina (15) and Abigail (13). In addition to family and career, Harrity stayed involved in the community, coaching basketball at Holy Cross College and field hockey and softball at Doherty High School. She also became a career exploration and physical education teacher of Worcester’s Comprehensive Skills Center and served Work for Worcester’s Youth, placing 2,100 kids in summer jobs.

Harrity sees her role as helping develop the full potential of the students, the faculty and the facility. “All of the work and dedication that went into this building would be for nothing if we weren’t producing the next generation of workers for central Massachusetts.”

–Sheila Harrity G’92 After her selection as the Worcester Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year in 1999, she left the classroom to become the school-to-career coordinator for all five high schools, a position she held for five years.

In addition, she was the district coordinator for Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), a program that helps average students take additional honors and advanced placement courses to prepare for college.

Harrity loves the various aspects of teaching and education.

Her career has included serving as assistant principal and principal at Wachusett Regional High School and in 2006 she was appointed as principal at the new WTHS. She is currently pursuing a doctorate at Northeastern University.

The field of education is not for the faint of heart. Harrity has demonstrated her commitment to excellence by supporting and encouraging the students and the faculty with whom she works.

“As we grow the programs, there is so much more that we can accomplish,” she said. For the students, residents and businesses of Worcester, that translates to a brighter future for all.

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Passion and Purpose B Y T ROY W ATKINS

l

ou D’Abramo, Ph.D. ’71, Hon. ’96, demonstrates an unwavering passion for discovery and knowledge, which has fueled an exemplary life of research, teaching and service.

The dean of the Graduate School and associate vice president for academic affairs at Mississippi State University (MSU), D’Abramo has received a litany of awards throughout his career, including being named a W. L. Giles Distinguished Professor in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. An MSU faculty member since 1984, his involvement in faculty governance sparked his interest in higher education administration and in 2008 he was named dean.

“I felt that this position would be the perfect next step in my academic career,” said D’Abramo. “I am passionate about graduate education because I believe it is the foundation of scholarship for any university/college,” he said. “I enjoy advocating for the various disciplines, including the humanities, engineering, business and education. We are developing the future leaders of the world.”

His enthusiasm for education flourished at Assumption. “The core courses that were part of my liberal arts education had such a positive influence on my intellectual development,” said D’Abramo. “They laid a strong foundation for graduate study. Many colleges and universities offer highly specialized curricula with core courses that are more of a ritual walk-through rather than a stimulating foundation for future study. Assumption develops a multi-dimensional person.”

D’Abramo majored in natural science and mathematics, and had intended to enter the medical field. His interest in ecology and the marine environment blossomed after experiencing Assumption’s first Earth Day celebration in 1970. He learned more about ecology and geology through a class field trip – and he changed his career plans to ecology and environmental stewardship.

After earning a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology from Yale University, he was a post graduate researcher at the University of California-Davis. He authored a doctoral dissertation on the presence of food and the role of dietary nutrients on the population dynamics of small shrimp-like organisms. That’s when he entered the discipline of aquaculture – the farming of aquatic plants and animals. His primary research interests are the aquaculture of freshwater and marine organisms and the development of sustainable commercial production practices based upon the wise use of natural resources and environmental stewardship. He is highly active in professional associations and received the 2010 Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award from the United States Aquaculture Society.

D’Abramo’s ardor for research has taken him around the world.

His research has improved U.S. commercial farming practices for channel catfish and hybrid striped bass, and has been essential to

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the development of the U.S. freshwater prawn aquaculture industry.

He also has edited or co-edited three books, served as editor of professional journals, written numerous articles and book chapters and provided insights as a guest speaker at various conferences and review panels for aquaculture research.

D’Abramo supervises a staff of 22 at MSU, which boasts a graduate enrollment of 4,000 and 28 percent distance education students.

“We have entered a new phase in graduate education, and young faculty are much more versed in delivering distance education courses to a generation of students who have grown up with ever-changing and improving technology,” he explained. “While there are many wonderful developments, unfortunately I also see a lack of training in writing, ethics and critical thinking, which are essential for success in graduate school.”

He is dedicated to high standards of scholarship in the graduate programs. “I view my role as helping students and faculty broaden and enhance their research accomplishments and academic careers,” D’Abramo stated.

While there are many professional and academic achievements to his name, D’Abramo views his two adult children, Jason and Erin, as his greatest legacy. D’Abramo sets the bar high – for himself and those around him.

Lou remains very active with the College, including helping plan his 40th Reunion. He received an honorary doctorate of science degree from Assumption and the Fr. Louis Dion, A.A. ’35 Outstanding Achievement Award, and was inducted into the College’s Alumni-Athletics Hall of Fame.

lou D’Abramo, Ph.D. ’71, Hon. ’96 Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS

PHOTO: MEGAN BEAN

2010 Distinguished lifetime Achievement Award from the U.S. Aquaculture Society Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

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Alison Donovan ’03

PHOTO: DAN VAILLANCOURT

6th grade teacher, Saint Philomena School, Portsmouth, RI

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Making Learning Real B Y E LIZABETH W ALKER

A

lison Coakley Donovan ’03 began teaching at five years old.

Her first pupils were her brother and sister. What started out as sibling play soon became Donovan’s life’s plan. Today, the Tiverton, Rhode Island, native is in her eighth year of teaching. Yet in one respect she is back where she started.

“I’m in my fourth year at Saint Philomena School in Portsmouth, Rhode Island,” she said. “It’s ironic because this is the elementary school I attended from kindergarten through eighth grade. Most of the teachers I had are still here.”

Donovan’s former teachers easily embraced her as a colleague because her love of teaching, care for her students and competence in the classroom room are so readily apparent. She teaches science, mathematics and literature to sixth-graders at Saint Philomena. Donovan, who arrives at school before 8 a.m. each day, puts in long hours. She interacts with the 26 children in her homeroom, teaches seven classes and squeezes in a 25-minute lunch break. Yet she can’t imagine being anywhere else but in a classroom full of lively sixth-graders.

“Originally, I thought I wanted to work with third- and fourthgraders when I did my student teaching with children that age at a school in Worcester,” she said. “My first teaching job after graduation was at Holy Trinity School in Fall River, Mass. I taught sixth, seventh and eighthgraders. For some reason, they just drew me in. I really like to work with students that age because they’re still really excited about school.”

She also delights in their willingness to take chances and be wrong.

“Sixth grade is an interesting mix of personalities, especially at this time of the year,” she said. “They’re all over the place emotionally. Some are still fifth-graders; some are sixth-graders. Some are trying to find themselves. I like them because they’re willing to share their ideas. They’re willing to be wrong and to accept constructive criticism. They’re still kids, still fun and still excited about learning.”

During her student-teaching experience, Donovan learned valuable strategies for classroom management and discipline that she still employs today. She says that her Assumption education prepared her well to handle the many challenges new teachers face. She credits Kimberly Schandel, an associate professor of biology and chemistry in the department of natural sciences, for encouraging her so strongly to pursue both science and education.

“One of the best things Assumption does is to require students in education to major in something else,” Donovan said. “I majored in biology with a concentration in elementary education. As a new teacher, I came to the classroom with a science background that was well beyond that of most new K-8 teachers. When I started teaching, I didn’t have to learn the content area. I could focus on classroom management and planning daily lessons. I already had learned how to deal with a classroom full of students as a student teacher. In fact, that was my only exposure to being in public school.”

“One of the best things Assumption does is to require students in education to major in something else. I majored in biology with a concentration in elementary education. As a new teacher, I came to the classroom with a science background that was well beyond that of most new K-8 teachers.”

–Alison Donovan ’03 From kindergarten through college, Donovan attended Catholic schools. That includes graduate school. In 2008, she earned a master’s degree in educational administration from Providence College. Halfway through the program, her daughter, Ella, was born. Alison and her husband, Brendan ’03, a certified public accountant, are expecting their second child in May. “I’ve always been in Catholic schools,” she said. “The sense of community is important to me and prayer is a big part of our day. I teach science and religion which means we explore the tension between science and religion in ways that we couldn’t in public school. We have great discussions about Creation.”

In addition to the self-confidence, content-area knowledge and classroom management skills Donovan brings to teaching, she also offers her students some personal qualities that she hopes enhance the learning environment.

“I would say that I have high expectations, but I’m also fair,” she said. “My students seem to find it easy to talk to me because they know what I expect, but they also know I can be accommodating if they’re having a problem.”

Keeping things new and interesting is an ongoing challenge for Donovan as she completes her eighth year of teaching.

“I don’t want to do the same thing every year,” she said. “It’s important to make learning real and I want my students to feel engaged, not simply reading out of a book. I think this will be an ongoing challenge throughout my career, but I’m in education for the long haul.”

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T

Educating

OMORROW ’S EACHERS B Y T ROY WATKINS

Assumption’s education Department officially began in 1985, but the tradition of Assumption College graduates becoming teachers goes back to our earliest graduates.

The strong foundation in the liberal arts seems to instill a passion for learning that Assumption graduates enjoy sharing; and generations of students have benefited from the knowledge and commitment of teachers who have an Assumption education.

Today, Assumption’s education department has faculty experts in a number of academic fields and the teaching methods courses are the envy of other local colleges, according to Nanho Vander Hart, Ph.D., chairperson of the Department of Education and assistant professor 44 of special education.4

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PHOTO: DAN VAILLANCOURT

The Education Department Bottom row: Nanho Vander Hart, Jessica de la Cruz, Deborah Zern Middle row: Diane Myers, Eric Howe, Ellen Koretz, Lisa D’Sousa Top row: Mary Kielbasa, Mary Mahan, Cathy Stutz

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n addition, Assumption offers a BA/MA program in special education so that students can earn their master’s in special education with just one extra year of study.

“All our students major in a specific subject like English, math, science, history, languages or visual arts, and then earn a concentration in education so they can teach elementary, middle or high school students,” explained Vander Hart. “We also make a point of having Assumption students work with younger students in their sophomore and junior years, a pre-practicum, so that they have handson experience before their senior student-teaching practicum. It gives our students a definite advantage.”

During the pre-practicum students are placed in a school setting where they observe and teach two or three lessons related to their major. Students spend between 40 and 75 hours depending upon the license(s) they are pursuing. The student-teaching practicum during the second semester of senior year enables students to teach full-time in a local school. For students seeking a subject-specific license, they have both an education supervisor and an advisor from their major who observes them teaching and meets individually with the studentteacher after every observation.

“While other colleges typically offer a generic teaching methods course, our Education Department strongly believes that prospective teachers are better served by learning how to teach their respective disciplines,” said Cathy Stutz, Ed.D., assistant professor of education.

“This specialized instruction and training are offered through our methods courses and it carries throughout our education curriculum structure.”

“Since we are a small program, we really get to know our students,”

I

“We have a program coordinator advising each student who concentrates in education and the education faculty meet every semester to discuss the progress of each student and gather feedback as to how they are doing in the field.”

–Nanho Vander Hart, Ph.D.

Fifth grader Kevin Adusei of Worcester’s Heard Street Discovery Academy works with Eric Howe, Ph.D., and Alyssa Adie ’12 in the Testa Science Center.

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said Vander Hart. “We have a program coordinator advising each student who concentrates in education and the education faculty meet every semester to discuss the progress of each student and gather feedback as to how they are doing in the field.”

Assumption’s education program has earned an enviable track record – for the last eight years, 100 percent of Assumption education students have passed the Massachusetts Test for Educational Licensure, which provides the graduates with a reciprocal license agreement in

PHOTO: DAN VAILLANCOURT

Assumption alumni administrators and teachers at Auburn High School: (L-R) Andrea Legacy Carlson ’78, special education; Andrew Niedzwiecki ’00, mathematics/ boy’s basketball coach; Eileen Donahue ’82, science/ assistant principal; Patrick Dufour ’98, English; Allison DeLuca G’06, special education; Casey Handfield ’97, principal; Amy Sampson G’02, guidance; Amy Fisher ’08, social studies; Spencer Kennard ’08, social studies; Lisa Pignataro ’07, special education

more than 40 other states. Assumption graduates are often hired by local school systems. “Many schools ask for Assumption alumni first due to our history of producing skilled teachers,” according to Vander Hart. “We teach our students to teach, to be creative, to understand state guidelines and regulations and help their pupils become creative thinkers. While it is important that young students pass the MCAS, we believe that teaching involves much more than just that.”

Casey Handfield ’97, principal of Auburn High School and a part-time lecturer in Assumption’s graduate program, has a unique perspective to share as an Assumption alumnus, a faculty member and employer of Assumption graduates.

“There are several factors that make Assumption alumni highly sought after in the field of education,” said Handfield. “First, the expectations for Assumption students are extremely high as only topnotch students are accepted. Second, the professors’ passion for education is palpable and infectious; this in turn, makes students want to bring the same zest for learning to their classrooms. Third, the balance of theory and practical application in the classroom is second to none in Massachusetts.”

Handfield began his career teaching social studies at Wachusett Regional High School in 1997. After he became assistant principal at Wachusett in 2001, he realized that he missed teaching. “My students

energized and inspired me. I wanted to keep myself involved in teaching so I applied for a part-time position on the Assumption faculty in 2002. I continue to find teaching to be extremely rewarding.”

Handfield also is committed to growing in his profession. He was appointed principal at Auburn High School in 2005 and several of his staff members are Assumption alumni, including Andrea Legacy Carlson ’78, Allison DeLuca G’06, Eileen Donahue ’82, Patrick Dufour ’98, Amy Fisher ’08, Spencer Kennard ’08, Andrew Niedzwiecki ’00, Lisa Pignataro ’07 and Amy Sampson G’02.

“I graduated from Assumption with the essential skills necessary to compete in a fast-paced, unpredictable 21st century global environment,” said Handfield. “My time at Assumption fashioned who I am today as a man, husband, father, student and professional.”

Numerous alumni echo Handfield’s comments. “The Education faculty are committed to each student’s success and comfort in the classroom,” said Caitlin Lahey ’09, a language arts teacher at Central Tree Middle School in Rutland. “They push for your best work and they give you their best in return. They encourage cooperation and teamwork and I maintain contact with my professors and classmates from the department. They have set me on a path as a lifelong learner and educator.”

An Assumption education – it’s a proud legacy.

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assumptionauthors Communicate Clearly Now!

By Charles R. Demers, Ph.D. ’72 The owner of AMI International, a management consulting and training company, Demers saw the need for improved personal communications after more than three decades of observing communications problems in business, government and numerous other formal and informal environments.

Communicate Clearly Now (Createspace, 2010) contains the author’s valuable personal communications lessons in a friendly, easy-to-use format. He spent more than three years doing in-depth research in clear and simple communication. That concentrated effort yielded an intense, day-long training session he offers through AMI International, and served as the genesis for this publication.

I Did It My Way: …and it wasn’t always the right way

By Michael J. Nizankiewicz, Ph.D. ’71 In I Did It My Way (AuthorHouse, 2010), the author describes, in detail, unusual situations in his career that he had to manage. Malfeasance, pedophilia, employee death, and adulterous love affairs are just a few of those real situations. He reviews his decision-making process and then assesses whether he used a “best practice” and, if not, what he should have done in retrospect. The executive director/CEO of the Washington Center for Psychoanalysis, Dr. Nizankiewicz has nearly 40 years of experience in executive leadership and organizational development.

Already There: Letting God Find You

By Mark Mossa, S.J. ’91 Already There (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2010) explores new ways for individuals to find and develop a relationship with God. “Mossa shows readers how to find God in all things – not just in prayer and worship services, but in your working life, in your relationships, and even in pop culture,” writes James Martin, S.J., in the book’s Foreword. The author helps readers reflect upon God’s place in the messiness of life. Mossa has served as a minister for young adults in various parts of the northeast and southern United States. He studies and teaches theology at Fordham University and blogs at “GODsTALKed: Pursuits of a Hyphenated Priest.”

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Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

Reclaim Your Self: The Complexity of Identity

By Andrew Malionek ’93 Philosophers, theologians, psychologists and scientists have long contemplated answering Socrates’ simple question, ‘Who am I?’. In Reclaim Your Self (Common Ground, 2010) Malionek examines various definitions of self and the cognitive method of Bernard Lonergan, S.J., who defines the self as a rational and spiritual being. Among the many distractions of today individuals become disillusioned, Malionek suggests. He thoroughly discusses the importance of self-knowledge in all aspects of human growth and encourages readers to know the self. He considers this knowledge as crucial to proper overall development. Malionek is a theology instructor at Catholic Memorial High School in Maynard.

Chez François: Who Planted the Rhubarb on Pa’s Grave?

By Joseph Simoneau, Ph.D. AP’60, ’64 Chez François (AG Press, 2009) is a fictional work, taking readers through 20th-century life in Canada and the northern United States from the point of view of proud, French speaking people who cherish their language, ways and customs. It is very loosely based on Simoneau’s family, for whom his deep affection for members ring true throughout his depiction of their lives. Simoneau is a former junior college professor who has studied abroad and his writing influenced by his travels.

Theories of the Firm

By Demetrius Kantarelis, Ph.D., professor of economics In its third edition, Theories of the Firm (Inderscience Publishers, 2009) is an economics textbook appropriate for upper-level undergraduate students, first-year graduate students in economics and business, and law school students, as well as for entrepreneurs and business executives. It describes essential microeconomics for profit-making business firms. After descriptions of the firm’s external business environment and some decision-making models it discusses aspects of the “Neoclassical Theory of the Firm,” among other theories. A professor in both the undergraduate and MBA programs at AC, Dr. Kantarelis has also co-authored the text Essentials of Inferential Statistics. He is the editor of the International Journal of Economics & Business Research and the International Journal of Behavioral & Healthcare Research. Among his many collaborators, Dr. Kantarelis graciously acknowledges the contributions of generations of students to testing his theories, especially those in his senior economics courses.

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

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

27

from the alumni association president DonnA o’neill ConnollY ’78 I cannot remember the last time we had so many events in such a short period of time. There was something for everyone – career seminars, family programs, sporting events, young alumni events, and regional club activity from here to California.

We hope you found something that interested you … and you enjoyed reuniting with Assumption friends. Those who were able to join us for the Breakfast with Santa and the Children’s Easter programs were delighted with the beautiful Mass, delicious breakfast and the visits from Santa and the Easter Bunny. Please make sure we have your e-mail address as most event notices are only e-mailed. You can also check our online Calendar of Events.

I’m excited about our fabulous upcoming trip to Ireland in November, and I hope you can join us sometime during Reunion weekend.

Our Social Media networks are growing tremendously. Join us on our own Networking/Job Posting website; our Facebook Fanpage; and our LinkedIn group. Between all three, we have thousands of alumni actively networking.

Especially gratifying at this time of year is the selection of this year’s Alumni Award recipients. Take a few moments to read the biographies of this year’s distinguished recipients on page 29.

As I near the end of my two-year term, I thank you for your suggestions for quality and fun programs. And I thank the Alumni Association Board of Directors for their outstanding representation of all Assumption alumni. It has been a pleasure to meet so many wonderful alumni.

ALUMNI EVENTS

alumniNews April 27 • Senior Welcome Reception in Charlie's

May 4 • Boston President's Reception, the Parris Lounge in the Rotunda at Faneuil Hall

May 14 • Commencement

June 3–5 • Reunion weekend

Save the Dates: (www.assumption.edu/alumni)

• June 20 - Fr. Bissonnette Invitational (FBI) Golf Tournament at Worcester Country Club • June 24 - Athletics Golf Tournament at Pine Ridge Golf Club • July 16 - Cape Cod Regional Club event (Hyannis Yacht Club) • September 10 - Assumption Prep Reunion • October 1 - Fall Homecoming, Alumni-Athletic Hall of Fame, Alumni Admissions Day • November 4–11 - Trip to Ireland

Please provide us with your current e-mail address as events, locations, times and dates can change frequently. Watch your e-mail or visit www.assumption.edu to confirm arrangements. If traveling, join fellow alumni at any regional event!

Social Media….join thousands of other alumni on our Facebook FANpage; the LinkedIn Group site; and the Alumni Web site’s Networking/Job Posting page.

Questions?

Contact Alumni Relations at 508-767-7223 or e-mail alumni@assumption.edu

Experience Ireland November 4-11, 2011 The scenic splendor of lofty mountain peaks, crystal lakes, and leafy vales combine with legendary Irish warmth to create a rich tapestry in this memorable eight-day tour. Enjoy local culture, fun shopping, rest and relaxation in one of the world’s most lush locations. The package includes a sixnight stay, roundtrip airfare, luxury motor coach, tour manager, daily Irish breakfasts, three lunches and daily dinners.

Visits will include Shannon, the cliffs of Moher, Galway, Burren, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Blarney, Dublin, Causey Farm, Malahide and Howth.

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Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

Approximate cost is $1,999 (plus air taxes…pending air confirmation) per person based on double occupancy. For a detailed itinerary and payment schedule, call world Cultural Tours at 877-218-8687 or e-mail mmiller@worldculturaltours.com.

There will be an informational session with World Cultural Tours at Assumption later this spring. A valid passport is mandatory. The trip requires a minimum number of passengers. First deposit will be due in early May.

2011 Alumni Award Recipients Brigadier General Edward Mahan, Jr. ’71, USAF Fr. Louis Dion, A.A. ’35 Outstanding Achievement Award Ed retired in 2005 after a 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force, earning six major awards and decorations, including a Distinguished Service Medal.

He served as a maintenance officer and held command positions five times. During his career Ed held 24 different jobs and was stationed in 22 locations around the world before retiring as Deputy PEO for Acquisition at Hanscom Air Force Base (MA).

Prior to his Hanscom assignment, he was the Mission Area Director for Information Dominance, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, at the U.S. Air Force headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for planning and programming 68 Air Force, joint service and international programs. Previously, he served as Vice Commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Ed and wife Maureen have five children and two grandchildren and reside in Brewster.

Paul Mahon, Ph.D. ’66 Jack Bresicani ’72 Outstanding Alumnus Award Paul has served Assumption in countless ways since his days as a work-study student in the Alumni Office in the 1960s.

He was a dedicated and popular professor of biology for 36 years (retiring in 2007), including nine years as department chair.

He helped design the Testa Science Center and has acted as a tour guide since its 2003 opening.

A President’s Council member, Paul is a previous Alumni Board member and has served on numerous planning, search, and administrative committees for the College.

A Worcester resident, he earned a Ph.D. in biology/biochemistry from Clark University and has served as a research associate in molecular virology at UMass Medical Center since 1992. Paul has presented and published numerous papers in his field through the years. He is a corporator for Worcester’s Girls, Inc., a docent at Worcester Art Museum and teaches in Assumption’s Worcester Institute for Senior Education (WISE).

Geraldine and Paul MacKinnon P’02, ’05, ’10 Honorary Alumni Award Gerri and Paul served on the Parents Committee for six years.

During their two-year tenure as Committee co-chairs, parents’ total giving increased from $165,000 to $294,000. All three of their children – Brian ’02, Tim ’05, and Jillian ’10 – are Assumption alumni. The MacKinnons joined the College’s President’s Council, its society of leadership donors, in 1999 and have enjoyed attending the annual dinner at Mechanics Hall. Paul served on the Board of Trustees (2001–10), supported the College at numerous events and also hired several Assumption alumni at Bank of America, from which he retired as a vice president in 2008. Gerri is a learning disabilities teacher at Governor Winslow Elementary School in Marshfield.

Kyle Egress ’01 Young Alumnus Award One of the most involved young alumni, Kyle served on the Alumni Board for six years and has been a President’s Council member since 2001.

He is also a member of the Connecticut Alumni Regional Club Committee and an admissions ambassador, assisting the College’s Office of Admissions at regional events. As an undergraduate, Kyle became one of only two Assumption students to serve all four years as an Orientation leader, and now the College’s Outstanding Orientation Leader Award is named in his honor. Kyle is a financial advisor at Citi Smith Barney in West Hartford, CT. He and wife Brittney (Cass) ’01 reside in Plantsville, CT, with daughters Isabella (2) and Sophia (born 2/13/11).

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

29

aLUmNI NewS

Four others were able to participate in a brunch at a restaurant on the beach in Santa Monica, and a total of 20 alumni and friends attended the San Francisco reception at a restaurant near Fishermen’s Wharf.

President Cesareo provided an update on the College and fielded questions at each reception. He also promised to return to California on a regular basis in the years to come!

Normand Cabral AP’48, Normand Martel AP’41 and Jean L’Heureux AP’59 in San Clemente

A

lumni receptions with President Cesareo were held in three locations in California in January. Gatherings in San Clemente, Santa Monica and San Francisco included alumni, current parents and Assumption Prep grads.

President Cesareo and Tom Ryan, V.P. of Institutional Advancement, also had a number of visits with alumni in Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Mountain View and San Jose.

Twenty-five alumni and parents from the San Diego / LA area were treated to a beautiful sunset and reception at the home of gracious hosts Jasmina and Don Boulanger AP’62 in San Clemente.

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Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

President Cesareo with Jasmina and Don Boulanger AP’62 in San Clemente

Shweta Hakre ’99, V.P. for Institutional Advancement Tom Ryan and McKenna Murphy ’07 in San Francisco

Peter Link ’98, Brandon Killion ’00, Justin Killion ’05 and Ericka Harris Racca ’97 in San Clemente Sheila & Kevin Milroy ’80, Raida Synnestvedt and Richard Randlett AP’55 in San Francisco

Steve Musser ’85, Ericka Harris Racca ’97 and Patricia & Jonathan Haney P’14 in San Clemente Katherine Flagg ’90, Todd Smith and Shweta Hakre ’99 in San Francisco

Former Assumption Trustee Frank & Tonita McKone and Steve Musser ’85 in San Clemente

Marc ’75 & Hoang Leclerc, Dorothy Nowak ’86 and John Brandeau ’66 in San Francisco

Tom ’71 & Amanda McCarthy, Jay Coury ’84, President Cesareo and Sarah Briggs ’01 in Santa Monica

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

31

ClassNotes assumption College

CLASS AGENTS Bob Lambert (lambertlaw@charter.net) George Rice (jorgearroz@gmail.com)

J. Michael Martin, CFP, president of Financial Advantage, Inc., in Columbia, MD, was named one of the area’s top fee-only financial planners by e Washingtonian magazine in its November issue.

The Lynn Community Health Center (LCHC) announced in January that its new building, currently under construction, will be named the Stephen D. Hayes Building, in recognition of Stephen Hayes, Psy.D. ’68, G’69 and his 40 years of distinguished service.

Hayes was the first employee hired when the LCHC was founded in 1971 as a community mental health clinic. Though he earned multiple doctorates and certifications, Hayes’s primary commitment remained the LCHC until his retirement in January.

Over the years he built one of largest and most successful behavioral health departments at a state community health center.

Hayes brought together behavioral health and primary care services into an integrated model that best serves people and families in need. He was a leader in promoting the idea that the body, mind and soul need to be treated together and in an integrated fashion. Hayes was also a teacher, wellknown for nurturing, training and mentoring young providers.

Today, the LCHC provides comprehensive healthcare services with nearly 400 staff members and the Hayes Building will enable the LCHC to expand urgent care, primary care, dental services, behavioral health, laboratory, and radiology services for more than 7,000 new patients.

He and wife Clare have two sons, Steve and Jared, and reside in Salem.

’71

’72

CLASS AGENTS John DiPietro (originaljohndipietro@gmail.com) Jim Phelan (jdphelan@verizon.net)

’63

The Stephen D. Hayes Building named in honor of alumnus

The deadline for summer 2011 is June 6.

40TH

ReUnion

CLASS AGENTS Lou D’Abramo (ldabramo@grad.msstate.edu) Dan Micari (dmicari@yahoo.com)

Bill Humbert, AKA RecruiterGuy, published RecruiterGuy’s Guide to Finding a Job in 2010. A contract recruiter consultant and president of e Humbert Group, LLC, in Park City, UT, Humbert has more than 20 years of experience in his field.

Paul Johnson has joined Grubb & Ellis Company’s Atlanta Office as a senior vice president for private capital markets.

James Kelley has recently retired from his service as probate Judge for the Brooklyn Probate District and the Northeastern Regional Children’s Probate Court aer serving for 24 years. He will continue to practice law as a partner of Jackson, Harris, Hubert, and Kelley, LLC in Danielson, CT. Joseph Stano edited a book, Substance Abuse: Treatment and Rehabilitation, published in 2011

by Aspen Professional Services. Joe is coordinator of the Health Science Program at Springfield College, where he has taught full time since 1978.

’74

CLASS AGENT Rich Morelli (richmorelli@chelseagroton.com)

Mark Duplin and wife Mary-Jane welcomed their third grandchild, Eden Grace, into their family on 12/16/10.

Alumni returned to campus in February for Winter Homecoming, highlighted by a mini-carnival, Greyhounds’ basketball games, and a tribute to UPI’s top-ranked 1970-71 basketball team, which won the NCAA regional and finished 25-2. Pictured: Bob Mercier ’68, Jim Connors ’66 and Paul Kirby ’66 proudly wear their pink shirts in support of breast cancer research.

32

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

Send us your Class Notes online at www.assumption.edu/classnotes Major General by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate in December. MG Catalanotti is stationed in Saudi Arabia. His daughter, Brigit, is a member of AC’s Class of 2011.

David Vilandre married Michele Geary on 11/20/10 at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge.

’81

30TH

ReUnion

CLASS AGENT John C. Shea (johnkimshea@comcast.net)

Phil Miller won a special election in February to capture the 36th District House seat in Connecticut, which represents Chester, Deep River, Essex and Haddam. He replaces State Representative James Spallone, the new deputy secretary of the state.

Members of the Class of ’71 gather during Winter Homecoming: Jim Cuccaro, Artie Lindberg, Joe Araby, Jim Hanley and Dan Micari

’82

Bob Lewis is a candidate for the Board of Selectman in Graon. Bob previously served one term as a town selectman in the mid-1980s. He and wife Lori are realtors for Re/Max in Graon. e election is in May.

’80

CLASS AGENTS

Mike Robinson (mjrobinson@att.net) Colette Gushue Rowland (rowlandhing@aol.com) Sarah Thomas Tracy (sjttracy@cox.net)

’75

Bob Catalanotti, a Brigadier General in the U.S. Army, was nominated for promotion to

Jay Owen recently celebrated 25 years of service to Fidelity. He is vice president, order flow management, for Fidelity Capital Markets, a division of National Financial Services, LLC.

CLASS AGENTS

Carolyn Clancy (carolynmclancy@comcast.net) Phil Sarocco (pwsarocco@gmail.com)

Henry Achin, accompanied by his guide dog Laddie, attended his 40th Reunion at the Perkins School for the Blind and his 35th reunion dinner at Assumption College.

Nadine Derosiers McBride was named director of operations for the Norwich Bulletin, a daily newspaper published in Norwich, CT, in January.

Nadine has served as controller at the Bulletin since 2008 and recently added this responsibility.

’76

35TH

ReUnion

CLASS AGENT Maura Connelly Chasse (mchasse2@comcast.net)

Anthony Annicone has reviewed almost 900 shows for various publications and websites since 1998. Affiliated with the Newport (RI) Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant, he directed “Natalie Needs a Nightie,” is co-starring in “Bermuda Avenue Triangle” in April/May and will direct “e Female Odd Couple” from May 19–June 30.

Brian Joyce has retired aer 23 years of working as a special agent with the Immigration & Naturalization Services and Immigration & Customs Enforcement agencies.

Kathy Croteau Phaneuf ’76 & Jim Phaneuf ’77 at Assumption with their niece, Nicole Graham ’13; President Cesareo and Kathy’s father, Gerry Croteau ’59.

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

33

CLaSS NoTeS

Sharon Devine Raden has established her own coaching company, Launching YOU, LLC, through which she provides coaching to mid-life and mid-career professionals.

’84

CLASS AGENT Ed McDonald (emcd6114@aol.com)

Jeffrey Taylor began his own firm, U.S. Government Relations Intl. (USGRI), aer several years of working in some of Washington’s large lobbying firms. USGRI provides government relations for U.S. and foreign companies in a targeted, service-oriented and economical framework.

Ellen Moynihan Long shared a photo from a November “we’re not 50 yet” gathering with classmates.

L-R: Sharon Devine Raden, Gail Morley Hinte, Lisa L’Ecuyer Baroody, Ellen Moynihan Long, Karen McGaffigan Feeney, Beth Pullen Soederberg, Paula Carey Berg, Caroline Boyle Dewyngaert, Alexandra Zrakas and Beth Waldron Boothe.

’86

25TH

ReUnion

CLASS AGENTS John Downes (jdownsy@hotmail.com) Catherine Browne Harrison (cathbrowne@optonline.net)

John Pelletier is the director of the Center for Financial Literacy at Champlain College in Burlington, VT. He has served as chief operating officer and chief legal officer/general counsel for some of the country’s leading asset management firms. John and wife Leigh reside in Stowe, VT, with their sons Christopher, Alex and Michael.

’87

CLASS AGENTS Neil Isakson (neil.isakson@worcesteracademy.org) Jackie Jones (jjones@acchs.info) Scott White (scott@swhitecpa.com)

Reuniting for their annual Christmas dinner were former AC roommates and 1983 classmates (L-R): Todd Solar, Dean Hildreth, Jim Kelly, Brian Bugler, Michael Sullivan and George Hogan.

’83

CLASS AGENTS Beth Waldron Boothe (bboothe4@gmail.com) Brian Bugler (brianbugler@yahoo.com) Danielle Dugas Molleur (sixmolars@verizon.net) Mike Sullivan (linchris01@aol.com)

Paula DelPrete was appointed principal in January of the Potter Road Elementary School in Framingham. Paula has worked for the Framingham Public Schools for the past 25 years.

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Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

She began her career in Framingham as a special educator and has served as a teacher, department head of special education and vice principal at both the elementary and middle school levels.

Sandra Merlini read her sonnet, “My Italian Cypress,” at the January meeting of the Longfellow Poetry Society. A member of the Marlborough Artists Group, her latest watercolor, “A Bartlett Pear – a la Maltise,” was exhibited in January at the Post Road Gallery in Marlborough.

Neil Isakson was named president of New England Regional Independent School Communicators (RISC) in February. He has served as director of external communications at Worcester Academy since 2001. Neil previously worked as a newspaper reporter and managing editor. RISC is one of the region's leading organizations serving affiliated independent school communications and marketing professionals.

Mark Ravelli has been in elementary education for 24 years and currently serves as assistant head of school and admissions director at St. Phillip’s Episcopal School in Coral Gables, FL. He has accepted a position to become the head of school at St. Mark’s Episcopal School in Upland, CA, beginning in July.

Send us your Class Notes online at www.assumption.edu/classnotes

Reuniting during Winter Homecoming were Class of ’86 members Mike Thorne, John Downes, Bob Ravenelle, Allyce Najimy, Bob & Chris Martin, Betsy Mowry Sabourin and Chuck Durkin.

’88

’93

’96

Rob Ames (robames24@yahoo.com)

Scott Cavallo (sac0019@yahoo.com)

Wendy Vautour Durkin (wdurkin@comcast.net)

David Ohotnicky graduated from Pace University in December with a Master of ScienceFamily Nurse Practitioner.

Jim Heald recently opened a new funeral home, Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors, in Shrewsbury.

John Bierfeldt was named vice president/client team leader, for the East region of Acosta Sales & Marketing. He has been with Acosta since his graduation from Assumption. John led both the McNeil and Clorox teams in New England that received an Agency/Market of the Year award from both trading partners.

Kevin Carney was hired as director of education at the Perkins School in Watertown in February. Previously the principal of Ashland (MA) Middle School, Kevin earned a CAGS from Fitchburg State’s Educational Leadership and Management program, where he also teaches in its graduate program.

BIRTHS: Jason Kaleta and wife Jessica announce the birth Allison Jane. She joins Emily (4).

CLASS AGENT

’92

CLASS AGENTS Kerry Haughey Dockett (kdockett96@yahoo.com) Will Waldron (waldronw@mercersburg.edu)

Major Gregg Langevin was awarded the Bronze Star at a fall ceremony on Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan for his meritorious service and actions while conducting combat operations against insurgent forces. Major Langevin is an infantry battalion operations officer for Task Force Avalanche. He planned and executed more than 4,000 combat patrols and 59 named operations that resulted in the capture or neutralization of more than 300 insurgent fighters. Gregg resides in Pennsylvania with wife Amy and their children, Zachary and Brittany.

BIRTHS: Maureen Mango Austin and husband John welcomed Emily Mango on 3/23/10.

She joins Caroline (5) and Charlotte (3).

CLASS AGENT

’94

CLASS AGENTS Scott Klimaj (dr.scott2@yahoo.com) Mike Walsh (mpwalsh@snet.net)

BIRTHS: Max Iori and fiancée Lana announce the birth of Isabella Catherine on 3/14/10. Max is an executive director and assistant general counsel for the Legal and Compliance Department at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in New York.

’95

15TH

ReUnion

CLASS AGENT

CLASS AGENTS Matt Kojalo (matt@kojalo.com) Kiersten Chapman Marich (themarichs@mac.com) Cindy DeNaples Silva (csilva8462@gmail.com)

’97

BIRTHS: Veronica Boyle Gonzalez and husband Dave welcomed James Michael on 12/13/10. e couple lives in Tucson, AZ, where Dave serves as a pilot in the Air Force and Veronica teaches at a local community college.

Jared Bouzon (jbouz751@verizon.net) Mark Cleland (mcleland@assumption.edu)

CLASS AGENTS

Nick Chacharone has returned from working in Greece, where he spent a year as the interim vice president for a Greek international magazine company.

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

35

CLaSS NoTeS

BIRTHS: John Bazin and wife Angela welcomed Abigail Cunningham on 7/22/10. She joins Keith (5).

Catherine Hill Regan and husband Brian announce the birth of Brendan McCourt on 10/7/2010. He joins Sophia (3).

speech and language pathologist and the owner of Phillips Speech and Language erapy, based in central MA. Michael Rodier married Meghan Paradis on 10/2/10. Mike is the equipment manager for Assumption’s Athletics Department.

’98

’01

Carl Cafaro (carl.cafaro@bankofamerica.com) Jon Jankowski (jjankows@hotmail.com) Anne-Marie Kenney (annemariekenney@gmail.com)

Tim Monahan (tmm915@hotmail.com)

CLASS AGENTS

BIRTHS: Julie MacPherson-Clements and husband Michael welcomed Megan Elisabeth on 9/10/10. She joins sisters Jillian (4) and Stella (2).

Katie O’Connor Gallagher and husband Brendan announce the birth of Cullen James on 2/4/10.

Amy Hague Sacco and husband Anthony welcomed Spencer Joseph on 1/3/11. He joins Robbie (5) and Fletcher (3). Amy is director of research in Assumption’s office of Institutional Advancement.

’99

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

Jennifer O’Brien married Daniel DePillo on 4/17/10.

Danielle Weaver and Glenn Horvath were married on 11/20/10.

BIRTHS: Taryn Goguen Burns and husband Jacob welcomed Marleaux Rose on 2/19/10. She joins sister Emerson (3).

Ben and Jessica Quinn Cutone welcomed Samuel omas on 10/16/10. He joins Noah (3).

Kaitlin Kerrigan LeBlanc and husband Jarrod LeBlanc announce the birth of Riley Fitzgerald on 8/7/10.

April Gentes-Robert and husband Chris welcomed Savannah Grace on 11/17/10. She joins sister Faith (3).

Ted and Jill Anderson Zito announce the birth of Avery Ellie on 10/26/10.

’00

CLASS AGENT

36

10TH

ReUnion

CLASS AGENT eresa Battaglio married Jonathan Tross in Hartford, CT, on 8/14/10. Jenny Boutiette Lee was a bridesmaid. eresa is a secondary social studies teacher at South Windsor (CT) High School. e couple resides in Vernon, CT. Sarah Briggs works on the Iron Chef television program, which airs on the Food Network.

Todd Jakubek of Concord is a semi-professional bike racer, sponsored by Colavita Racing, Inc. He has competed in bike races throughout the U.S. and Europe, including the Mount Washington Hill Climb, the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic and the Green Mountain Stage Race.

BIRTHS: Matt Desjardins and wife Helene (Stockwell) welcomed Chloe Nicole on 9/14/10.

Chloe joins sister Penelope.

Kyle and Brittney Cass Egress announce the birth of Sophia Kylie on 2/13/11. She joins Isabella (2).

’02

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

BIRTHS: Michelle Stockel Lewin and husband Benjamin announce the birth of Hannah Kathryn on 10/4/10.

Elizabeth Estaphan Rodrique and husband Tom announce the birth of Meghan Rose on 10/27/10.

Tara Twine Mason and husband Scott announce the birth of Vincenzo Edward James on 8/21/10.

He joins brother Teigan (8).

Lori Amicangelo Winer and husband Corey welcomed Benjamin Aaron on 10/7/10.

’03

Doug Brown (douglas_brown15@hotmail.com)

CLASS AGENT

Lisa Payne Phillips, a breast cancer survivor, recently published a book about her experience, titled “Mama, you have a Bald Head”. Lisa is a

Joe DiCarlo (jdicarlo05@comcast.net)

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

Charles Iacono was invested as a Knight of Magisterial Grace by the Order of Malta in

November. Chuck is vice president of Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island.

Lisa Paciello was named an associate in the elder law and special needs practice group at Fletcher, Tilton & Whipple PC of Worcester in December. She was previously an associate in the elder law firm of Cohn and Oalican in Boston.

BIRTHS: Ryan Murphy and wife Ali (Reyell) announce the birth of Declan Patrick on 2/1/11.

He joins Owen (2).

’04

CLASS AGENTS Ryan Cody (ryanjcody@gmail.com) Jill Witham (jillianwitham@gmail.com)

Christine Groccia married Kevin Sullivan on 7/31/10 in Northborough. Christine is a fih grade teacher in the Hopkinton Public Schools. e couple resides in Graon.

Jessica Parreira Kenney, featured on p. 36 in the summer 2010 issue, is the co-founder of Global Occupational erapy for Orphans (www.gotorphans.org), a non-profit organization established to provide pediatric occupational therapy services to children with special needs in orphanages around the world. Jessica is an occupational therapist. She was assisted and supported in GOT Orphans’ creation by husband Sean Kenney ’03.

Steven Muscatello recently joined Gunster, a commercial law firm in Florida, as an associate. He earned his juris doctorate and graduated cum laude from Florida State University College of Law in 2010.

Justin Roy was named director of communications and social media marketing at Peace College in Raleigh, NC. Roy had previously worked for Nichols College as director of social media.

David omas married Kristen Geremia on 8/8/10 in Newport, RI. e groomsmen included alumni Geoff LaMarche and Kyle Yermalovich.

David is a financial analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. e couple resides in Warwick, RI.

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.

Send us your Class Notes online at www.assumption.edu/classnotes

’05

CLASS AGENTS Ryan Brennan (rybrennan@gmail.com)

Loriann Santopietro joined the Children’s Museum of Bozeman (MT) as museum coordinator in December. She manages weekly art projects, museum exhibits and memberships and will work on new projects.

BIRTHS: Cari Roger Schleyer and husband Adam announce the birth of Lukas on 12/3/10.

Kate Czaplinski was named assistant editor of e Ridgefield Press in Ridgefield, CT, in January.

She has been a reporter for the paper for two years, and was previously a reporter for e Sentinel and Enterprise, a daily newspaper in Fitchburg.

BIRTHS: Jennifer White Baker and husband Benjamin announce the birth of Finnegan Hubert on 5/1/10.

’09

CLASS AGENTS

’06

5TH

ReUnion

CLASS AGENTS Casey Hatten (hatten.casey@gmail.com) Jay Laperriere (jason.laperriere@gmail.com) Erica Mandeville (emandevi@assumption.edu)

Dennis Leamy, Casey Hatten, David Merritt ’05 and Elizabeth Penta ’05 competed as an Assumption team at the United Way of Rhode Island’s Young Leaders Circle trivia event, where they placed 2nd out of 20 teams. Fred DiFusco and Patrick Costello also attended.

Casey Rankin cofounded DealGator with his brother Jesse, in December. DealGator is a website that finds and manages local internet deals, such as Groupon and LivingSocial. Available in 35 U.S. cities and 13 Canadian cities as of April 1, including Worcester and Boston, more cities are added regularly.

’07

CLASS AGENTS Frank Galligan (fgalliga@yahoo.com) Kristen St. Martin Marshall (kristenrose1010@gmail.com) Danielle St. Martin (dstmarti@gmail.com)

Stephanie Boucher (sboucher786@gmail.com) Andy Rudzinski (andyrudz@yahoo.com)

Nicole Kfoury is in her second year with City Year Boston, an AmeriCorps service program, where she is a tutor, mentor and team leader in the Boston Public Schools.

’10

CLASS AGENTS Dan Anastas (dganastas@gmail.com) Brian Foley (brfoley@assumption.edu) Laura Hall (laurahall1228@yahoo.com) Hugo Jury (hugojury@gmail.com) Austin Potter (austinbpotter@gmail.com)

Jaleise Bouley is an application specialist at Meditech in Framingham.

Jonathan Driscoll is the recipient of the Bishop Timothy J. Harrington Memorial Scholarship, received in October 2010 at the annual Red Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul.

Emily Pegoraro is working at e Key Progam: NSP Starr, a program for children in Department of Children and Families custody/care and protection. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in school counseling at Assumption.

School Supplies Surprise Ashley Waterman ’09 Ashley Waterman ’09, a first grade teacher at Nathaniel Morton Elementary School (NMES) in Plymouth was one of just 1,100 teachers nationwide to receive $1,000 in classroom supplies as part of “A Day Made Better: Working to Erase Teacher Funded Classrooms,” administered by OfficeMax. Nominated by NMES Principal Dona Mahoney for her “passion for teaching” and for “always doing it with a smile,” Ashley and her students were surprised when a team from OfficeMax delivered a new desk chair and the supplies to her classroom in October.

After teaching fifth grade last year, Ashley switched to first grade due to the class sizes and the needs of NMES. “The staff is incredibly supportive and they’ve helped me so much as I learn and grow as a teacher,” Ashley said.

She credits Assumption with preparing her well. “I owe much of my accomplishments to Assumption’s incredible and highly supportive teachers and staff,” she said. “I keep in frequent contact with my student teaching supervisor, [Adjunct Lecturer] Cynthia Lawrence, who has been an amazing mentor and friend to me.”

The average cost for out-of-pocket expenses for a classroom teacher is $1,200. OfficeMax joined with Adopt-A-Classroom in 2007 to create the program to assist teachers and raise awareness.

Gathering in Charlie’s during Winter Homecoming were (seated) Marek Kulig ’09, Patrick Shea ’09, Tim Shea ’72, Corey Gagnon ’09, Leroy Byron ’08, (standing) Frank Doyle ’74, Greg Twomey ’08 and AC Asst. Athletic Director, Sports Medicine Sandy Morgrage

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CLaSS NoTeS

Lindsay Schoen is working at Brown Brothers Harriman, an international custody bank in Boston. She spent her summer visiting her sister in Australia. weblink indicates that a wedding photo is Note: available online at www.assumption.edu/alums/ Alumni/weddings.html

assumption Prep

Save the Date

Educating Kids through Song Jack Hartmann G’75 Jack Hartmann G’75, a nationally recognized singer and songwriter of children’s music with a BA in psychology from the University of Florida and a M.A. from Assumption, will receive UFlorida’s Distinguished Alumnus Award later this year.

Hartmann began composing educational songs for children in 1980 and released his 30th album, “Get on Board the Transition Train,” in December. According to a December 12 article published in the St. Petersburg Times, Hartmann performs at elementary schools near his office in Largo, FL. He wrote his first children’s song in 1981 to help his future wife, Lisa, who was teaching kindergarten. That experience convinced Hartmann to cut his first album, “Let’s Be Friends,” in 1982.

He joined the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (FL) in 1983, and worked as a counselor, social worker and trainer until 2001, when he decided to make music a full-time job.

In 1991, he and his two children, Lauren and Graham, created their own music company, Hop 2 It Music in Largo, FL. He has written more than 600 children’s songs during his career, and his fan base includes educators throughout the United States.

Prep Reunion September 10, 2011

G’79 Anne Rappaport is director of institutional research at Lewis and Clark Community College (IL), where she is proudly putting her degree in rehabilitation counseling to work.

Edith Witherell and her husband have semiretired to Graon aer living in Paris for nearly 16 years. e couple hopes to continue its travels and spend more time with their eight grandchildren.

G’92

Robert Manning and Tim Mackin congratulate Assumption’s Student Chapter of e Association for Operations Management (APICS), who have received the Platinum Award.

Manning serves as the academic liasion for the chapter and Mackin is president of the Parent Chapter.

J. Daniel Day, M.D. joined Jackson Surgical Associates in January. He earned his medical degree at the University of Tennessee in Memphis and did his surgical residency and internship at Mercer University School of Medicine/Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, GA. Janice Read Nowicki is the new project director for senior health services at Central Massachusetts Health Education Center. She previously served for more than eight years as the Council on Aging director for the town of Leicester.

’70 Rich Riley was named Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) District E Athletic Director of the Year. e athletic director at Worcester’s St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic High School since 2009, he previously served Marlborough High School for 35 years as a teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal, assistant athletic director and, for the last six years, athletic director.

G’94 Stephen Lundrigan was named clinical supervisor at AdCare Outpatient Services for AdCare Hospital of Worcester. He is also an adjunct instructor at Worcester State University, teaching child development and psychology.

Graduate alumni

Judge Deborah Capuano, associate justice in Worcester Juvenile Court, received the Distinguished Jurist Award during the annual Red Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul in October 2010.

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

Sr. Mary Persico, IHM was appointed in October as executive vice president for mission integration at Catholic Health East (CHE), located in 11 Eastern states from Maine to Florida.

She served on CHE’s board of directors (2006–09) and its Sponsors Council (2004–10).

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G’75

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G’78

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.

IN memorIam

Stephen F. Morris ’72 Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations (1950-2011) Assumption College lost one of its longest tenured and devoted employees with the passing of Steve “Merc” Morris in January. Former basketball coach Joe O’Brien ’57 gave Steve his nickname. Mercury Morris was a Pro Bowl running back with the Miami Dolphins in the 1970s.

Steve was a statistician for the men’s basketball team during his four years as a student and began working at the college in sports information since shortly after his graduation. He was hired by legendary Director of Athletics emeritus Andy Laska, “That was one of the best moves I ever made,” Laska said fondly. “He was the ideal SID [sports information director].”

Steve dedicated his life to promoting the Assumption intercollegiate athletic programs, and made a personal connection with numerous student-athletes. “He had tremendous personal relationships with our student-athletes,” Men’s Basketball Coach Serge DeBari ’71 said. “He remained constantly in contact with players from the past; not just basketball, he loved every Assumption athletic team and he reveled in their success.” As assistant

athletic director for media relations, he demonstrated his loyalty and commitment to the College and student athletes in countless ways. As Steve chronicled the intercollegiate events through the decades, he also developed an encyclopedic memory of students’ accomplishments.

He was well-respected among sports information directors across the country and served as a mentor to many in the profession. “We'd be at dinners, conventions, and everyone would gravitate to him,” Mass. Maritime SID Jim Seavey said. “No one in this business did more for studentathletes than Merc. As good an SID he was, he was a better person.”

“Merc invested his entire adult life in Assumption,” said AC Athletics Director Ted Paulauskas. “He was the cornerstone of Assumption College athletics.” With no living family members, Steve leaves his extended family of Assumption’s student-athletes, alumni, coaches and administrators and his fellow sports information directors. A campus celebration of Steve’s life and contributions was held April 15.

Juanita “Nita” Volkavitch HA’07 (1919-2011) In February, the College lost a dedicated former employee, friend and proud supporter with the death of Juanita “Nita” Volkavitch HA’07. A friend of the College for more than 50 years, Nita was a pioneer in the early days of Assumption’s Alumni and Development Office in the 1960s and early ’70s, handling a tremendous workload and helping to formalize the department. A lifetime President’s Council member, Nita’s contributions to and support of Assumption were recognized in 2007 when she received the Honorary Alumna Award from the Alumni Association.

Born in Virginia, Nita lived the last 60 years in the New England area.

Throughout her distinguished career she worked in several capacities including that of a professional fund raiser with the late Claude Dufault ’52 at Newtel Associates. She was also a skilled antiques appraiser, dealer and collector.

Upon receiving the College’s Honorary Alumna Award she said, “I’m proud to receive this award but what I’m most proud of is seeing alumni coming back to support our school … I hope that you feel that your exposure here [at Assumption] has been the highlight of your life.”

Nita and her husbnd, Charles, established a scholarship fund at Assumption through their will.

Kenneth P. Gauthier AP’47 Hubbardston, MA, died January 31, 2011 Born in Worcester, Ken graduated from Clark University. He was a teacher in Worcester for 20 years at several schools, including Forest Grove Junior High School. Ken was also a homebuilder and former president of the Worcester County Builders Association. He served others throughout his life through several organizations including the U.S. Navy Reserves, local churches and as former president of the North Worcester Lassie League.

Ken leaves his wife of 60 years, eresa; son Kenneth II, daughter Jeanine, sister Lois and five grandchildren.

in sociology from Fordham University and a Ph.D. in sociology from Boston University. He taught at several schools, including 28 years at Hellenic College, retiring in 1995 and earning emeritus status. He received numerous teaching awards and also taught at Boston University Medical School and the School of Dental Medicine at Harvard Medical School. A successful researcher, he was a research scientist for the Veterans Administration in the 1990s. He also authored more than 30 articles published in scientific journals and a book on smoking and aging. He leaves his wife of 42 years, Rose; brothers Paul and Hector; sisters Jeanne and erese and numerous nieces and nephews.

Raymond Bosse, Ph.D. AP’47, ’52 Peabody, MA, died September 20, 2010 A native of Fall River, Ray earned a licentiate in theology from Angelicum University in Rome, an M.A.

Robert A. Lebel ’56 Lynn, MA, died December 17, 2010 A Swampscott native, Bob served in the U.S. Marine Corps, earning the rank of corporal during

the Vietnam War. He was a Spanish teacher in the Brookline Public Schools for 15 years and later served as a classroom and road instructor with the National Driver Education School in Saugus, where he was also a manager. Bob leaves his son, Arthur; and daughters Natasha, Tara and Bobbie-Jo. Richard L. Belair AP’52, ’60 Auburn, MA, died November 10, 2010 Born in Central Falls, RI, Rick was a U.S. Army veteran. He earned an M.Ed. from Worcester State and a CAGS from the University of Connecticut. A resident of Auburn for more than 40 years, he worked as an English teacher for 36 years, including 35 at Auburn High School. He also taught evening classes in creative writing at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester. He published three books and was highly involved in the North American Martyrs Parish in Auburn, serving in several capaci-

Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

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IN memorIam

ties including minister of the Eucharist to homebound parishioners, and was an elected town meeting member. Rick leaves his wife of 50 years, Pauline; son Alex; daughter Aimee; sister Pauline; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Donald E. Dagesse AP’63 Narragansett, RI, died February 4, 2011 A native of Woonsocket, RI, Don leaves his daughter, Lisa; son Sean; brother Leslie; and four grandchildren.

James F. Rohan ’67 Holyoke, MA, died December 3, 2010 A native of Holyoke, Jim was educated in the Holyoke School system. He served his country in the United States Army in Vietnam and was a court reporter for the Federal Court in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Jim leaves his brothers, Joseph, omas, Terrance, William and Patrick and sister Mary.

Mildred L. Dudevoir G’71 Dracut, MA, died January 9, 2011 A lifelong resident of Dracut, Mildred was a graduate of Mass. College of Art and earned a master’s in art history from AC. She was an elementary school art teacher in the Dracut school system for more than 20 years, and spent a majority of her career at the Campbell School. Mildred was also active with the Girl Scouts for many years and was a member of Pelham United Church of Christ in Pelham, NH. She leaves her daughters Judith, Janice, Joan and Jeanne; sister Charlotte; brothers Earl and Paul; eight grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Margaret Garrity Shea G’71 Keene, NH, died February 1, 2011 Born in Worcester, Peggy spent 25 years teaching reading in the city’s public school system. Peggy was active in Girl Scouts, St. Agnes Guild and Abby’s House. She traveled throughout the world deepening her understanding of different cultures. She leaves her daughters Margaret and Mary; sons Mark, Robert and Laurence; five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

James B. Matthews ’72 Rowlett, TX, died November 12, 2010 A native of Newton, Jim earned a law degree from the University of Miami and started his own business, Prime Location, in 1983. He published numerous articles and was a regular speaker for the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) and the International Conference of Shopping Centers. In 2003, he received TMA’s Outstanding Individual Contribution Award. He served as a consultant in commercial real estate and in 2005 Jim co-sponsored a group for small business recoveries aer the Katrina disaster in New Orleans. He leaves his wife, Carol; son Greg; father Gerard; stepchildren Cathy and Chris; sisters Charlotte, Maryclaire and AnnMarie; brothers Michael and Daniel; five grandchildren and a large extended family.

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Assumption College Magazine • Spring 2011

Madeline V. Reilly G’72 Charlton, MA, died January 7, 2011 Born in Harrison, NY, Madeline lived in the Worcester area for more than 40 years. She worked in child care in New York City and later as a case worker in New York and Virginia. Madeline taught history in Pittsburgh, PA, and at Wachusett Regional High School in Holden. She later worked for eight years as health educator at the former Rutland Heights State Hospital and concluded her career aer 16 years as the director of research in the development office at the College of the Holy Cross.

Madeline also helped establish the food pantry at the Church of North American Martyrs in Auburn.

Madeline leaves her husband of 50 years, John; sons Frederick, Edward and John; sister Mary; and six grandchildren.

Eleanor A. Bagin G’72 Worcester, MA, died November 20, 2010 Born in Worcester, Eleanor graduated from St. Peter’s High School and the former St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing. She was a school nurse at Auburn High School and had done private and floor duty at St. Vincent Hospital. Eleanor leaves her sister, Carol; nephews and a niece.

Phyllis Mortimer CE’73 Clinton, MA, died December 16, 2010 Born and raised in Lancaster before moving to Clinton where she resided for the past 60 years.

Phyllis worked as a nurse at various area hospitals and also was a private duty nurse. She served as director of nursing at River Terrace Healthcare in Lancaster for four years. Phyllis leaves a daughter, Sandra; son David; and four grandchildren.

Richard H. Paul G’77 Holden, MA, died November 8, 2010 Richard was born in Worcester and lived in Holden for the past 31 years. He taught social studies and analytical writing at St. Peter Marian High School for nearly 40 years before retiring in August.

Richard was a member of the Holden Republican Town Committee, past president of Worcester chapter of MADD, and founded the chapter of SADD at St. Peter-Marian. He leaves his wife of 41 years, Nancy G’73; sons David and Daniel; daughter Jennifer; and sisters Marcia and Linda.

Katherine Mary Faucher G’78 Boxborough, MA, died January 18, 2011 A Worcester native, Kathy attended Fitchburg State College and earned an MA in education from Assumption. She taught in Northbridge, MA, and Bethel, VT. She then became a programming instructor with Prime Computer Systems, followed

by Sun Micro Systems, traveling domestic and abroad to teach program operations to company employees before an illness forced her to retire several years ago. Kathy leaves her two brothers, James and Steve; nephews and great nephews and a great niece.

Lorren Bedner Salerno ’81 Bethany, CT, died October 6, 2010 Lorren was a summa cum laude graduate of Assumption. She was a student teacher and a Sunday school teacher at First Congregational Church in Milford. Lorren later studied at the University of Bridgeport and was employed by Park City Hospital in the psychiatric unit. Talented in sewing and knitting, she made special outfits, sweaters, quilts, afghans and wedding dresses for her family and friends. Lorren leaves her husband, Carl; daughter Alida; son Andrew; mother Aldryth; brothers Scott and Lloyd; sisters Donna and Cheryll; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Carleton D. Boardman III ’91 Fall River, MA, died December 5, 2010 Carl lived most of his life in Swansea. He passed away unexpectedly due to complications associated with epilepsy. Carl was a sales associate in home improvement at Sears in Dartmouth. He was a member of the Notre Dame Church Choir, chair of the F.R. Ward 1 Republican Committee, founder and coordinator of the Spindle City Tea Party Movement, chief of staff for the committee to elect CJ Ferry, a political advisor and local television political commentator. He leaves his wife, Michelle; parents Nancy and Carleton Jr.; grandmother Vivian; brothers Michael, Daniel and Timothy; as well as nieces and a nephew.

-Friends of the CollegeRose Bashaw, mother of David ’82; Maureen Bedard, former counselor for AC’s CCE program; Roscoe Blunt, Sr., father-in-law of Grace, AC director of human resources; Jeanne Bonin, wife of Edmond ’53; mother of erese ’82 and Joseph ’84 and secretary to former President of AC; Susan DeWinter, wife of Urbain “Ben” AP’57, G’63; Judith Franzoso, sister of AC Associate Director of Major Gis Melanie Demarais; Helen Giard, former AC switchboard operator and sister of J. Arthur AP’48; Edward Harrity, father of Sheila G’92; Michael Higgins, brother of Deborah ’89; Faith Hogan, mother of George ’83; Julia Karpawich mother of Peter AP’65 and James AP’65; Joseph Kasprzak, father of Joseph ’77 and Barbara CE’94; Mary Legacy, W.I.S.E. member, mother of Andrea (Legacy) Carlson ’78 and grandmother of Matthew ’02; Marian Mahoney, mother of Daniel, AC professor and chair of Political Science; Dick Marciano, father of Jay ’84; Rita Morin, former AC friend; Irene Oehling, former AC volunteer and mother of AC Professor Emeritus Richard Oehling HD’90; Tom Plough III, son of former AC President Tom HD’07 and Monty Plough HD’07, and brother of John ’05; Marjorie Race, mother-inlaw of Candace ’78; Jeanne Riel, mother of Norman, AC police officer for Public Safety; Dorothy urston, mother of AC Trustee Jan Fuller and grandmother of Kelsa Fuller Zereski ’92; Joseph Vaillancourt, former AC professor; William Voedisch, Jr., father-in-law of Laurie HanscomeVoedisch, AC Public Safety Dept. administrator.

reunion

2011 Friday, June 3 • Special individual Class Dinners for the Classes of ’61, ’66 and ’71 • Housing in an air-conditioned, suite-style residence hall

Saturday, June 4 • Reunion breakfast • “Conversations with the President” • Alumni Awards Ceremony • Family barbecue • Campus tours • Family gym and swim • Reunion Mass • Special individual Class Dinners/events for the Classes of ’76, ’81, ’86, ’91, ’96, 2001, ’06 and ’10 • Evening entertainment • Housing in an air-conditioned, suitestyle residence hall

Sunday, June 5 • Farewell Breakfast • Mass • Golden Greyhound Brunch for all alumni that graduated 50 years ago or more

Renew Friendships, Relive Memories

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